Saturday News and Notes

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Here are news and notes from OffshoreInsiders.com  private clipboard.  They are compiled from hometown newspapers and the team’s own press releases.

NFL

Chiefs-Raiders

KCChiefs.com

Both of these former AFL foes are seeking to get back on the winning track in this Saturday night contest. Kansas City is attempting to snap a three-game losing streak after suffering a 20-9 loss in a Sunday night contest at San Diego (12/17). Meanwhile, Oakland is currently mired in a seven-game losing streak after suffering a 20-0 setback vs. St. Louis (12/17). Kansas City will be attempting to win its eighth straight contest against a Raiders franchise has never lost eight consecutive games to a single opponent. Although the Chiefs have won seven straight contests against Oakland, all of those games have all been decided by six points or less, with KC winning by an average margin of just 4.7 points per game. Chiefs RB Larry Johnson has scored the game-winning points with under two minutes remaining in the fourth-quarter of the last two Chiefs-Raiders match-ups.

KC Star

KC John Welbourn and Dante Hall returned to practice. Welbourn probably will start at right tackle against the Raiders.

Sacramento Bee

Starting quarterback Aaron Brooks sat out practice Thursday morning because of a sore neck.  Raiders coach Art Shell characterized it as “a little stiff, so there’s some concern.” He listed the quarterback’s status for Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs as “probable.”

CBB

East Carolina-South Florida

Sporting News

Last year, South Florida (8-4) made its first bowl appearance since starting the program from scratch a decade ago, losing 14-0 to North Carolina State in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. East Carolina (7-5) hasn’t been back to a bowl since a 64-61, double-overtime loss to Marshall in the 2001 GMAC Bowl—which remains the highest scoring bowl game in history. South Florida grabbed its own measure of respect with a 24-19 upset of No. 13 West Virginia in its regular-season finale. East Carolina is 0-3 in Birmingham and has lost all nine of its games played in the state of Alabama, including two GMAC Bowl defeats. The Pirates also lost 17-12 earlier this season at UAB after losing a late fumble inside the 5-yard line.

San Jose State-New Mexico

Observer Online

The Lobos (6-6) are seeking its first bowl victory in 45 years and are playing in their fourth bowl in the past five years. They started the season with a 2-4 record, including a 17-6 loss to Div. I-AA Portland State in the season opener. San Jose State is playing in its first bowl game since 1990, when they beat Central Michigan 48-24 in the California Raisin Bowl. The Spartans are 4-3 all-time in bowls, although this is their first postseason appearance outside the state of California. New Mexico’s starting quarterback will either be senior Chris Nelson or redshirt freshman Donovan Porterie. Head coach Rocky Long said the quarterback who looks the best this week will get the starting nod. Subbing for an injured Porterie, Nelson started the final two regular-season games against BYU and San Diego State; he has started six times during the 2006 season. Porterie is expected to be full strength after suffering a sprained left ankle in the third quarter against TCU on Nov. 11. Porterie won his first three career starts between Oct. 14-28, all in come-from-behind fashion. It’s an extremely young New Mexico team that will take the field as just five seniors are definite starters, and that includes kicker Kenny Byrd. Only nine seniors see significant playing time: four on offense, four on defense and a kicker.

Utah-Tulsa

Examiner Enterprise

Although not riding the giddy momentum of last year’s unexpected Conference USA championship showing, Tulsa still brings a highly-respectable 8-4 record into the game. The Utes, who hail from the Mountain West Conference, finished at 7-5. Sizewise, the teams match up almost dead even in the pit. Utah averages nearly 300 pounds across its offensive line, going up against a Tulsa defensive line which weighs out at approximately 293 pounds per man. Tulsa’s offensive line is just a pound or two bigger per man than the Utes.Tulsa brings in a stronger rushing attack, which may be the difference in the game.The Golden Hurricane had rushed for 2,011 yards (167.6 yards per game), and are averaging 4.4 yards per rush. Utah, on the other hand, is averaging only 138.4 yards rushing per game. However, the Utes also boast one of the nation’s best run defenses, allowing just 107.3 yards per outing. If the Golden Hurricane can mount an effective rushing game against Utah, it could open up the floodgate for Tulsa’s passing attack. The Golden Hurricane were ranked 30^th in the nation in passing, led by junior triggerman Paul Smith. Smith threw for 2,589 yards while establishing an impressive 143.13 passer efficiency rating.

Joe Duffy’s GodsTips.com, Stevie Vincent’s BetOnSports360.com and MasterLockLine.com are part of OffshoreInsiders.com Network.