Florida Gators student section does the Harlem Shake during game
During their blowout win over the Kentucky Wildcats, the Florida Gators decided to have a little fun during one of the second half timeouts. The Cheerleaders, the Dazzlers,the mascot Albert and the Rowdy Reptiles decided to do the Harlem Shake.
Former SEC WR’s message to recruits: is don’t go with the money
Don't Show Me The Money??
Former Mississippi State wide receiver Chad Bumphis, who just completed his senior season with the Bulldogs, was once a four-star prospect with scholarship offers from most of the blue-blood programs in the SEC: Alabama, Florida, LSU, Auburn and Tennessee, not to mention the Bulldogs, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.
Having once been a highly touted recruit himself, Bumphis could give high school seniors a meaningful perspective on the recruiting process and now would be a good time to drop some knowledge, what with national signing day less than 24 hours away.
Cue Bumphis, on his Twitter account, with some words of wisdom for the 18-year-old prospect:
“With NSD near, recruits listen. DON’T go with the money! After its gone ur stuck at a place you probably don’t even like for 3-5 years!”
It’s at this time that I stress the words “former Mississippi State wide receiver,” though I’m sure Bumphis is still within enough distance of Starkville to catch an earful from coach Dan Mullen (among other university leaders).
Bumphis wasn’t talking about his recruitment to Mississippi State, however. Asked on Twitter if he was “speaking from experience,” Bumphis said, “no. Believe it or not I turned it down to go” to Mississippi State.
A follower then wrote to Bumphis, “and those girls that recruited you won’t be there either, they did their job.” Bumphis replied, “lol. Right.”
And in closing, Bumphis had a short message for fans of rival Mississippi:
“Funny. I tweet that and the only people offended are my sweet little rebel followers!! Guilty much??? Possibly. Lol”Mississippi has been one of the surprise teams during this recruiting cycle, following up a 7-6 finish in coach Hugh Freeze’s first season with one of the nation’s top classes. As of midday Tuesday, Rivals.com ranked Mississippi’s class as the 11th-best in the country.
On Wednesday, Freeze and his staff are in play for another pair of five-star prospects, including the nation’s No. 1 recruit, defensive end Robert Nkemdiche.
The team’s recruiting success has raised eyebrows, which in turn led Freeze to write on his Twitter account, “If you have facts about a violation, email compliance@olemiss.edu. If not, please don’t slander the young men.” (The tweet has since been deleted.)
Florida Promises 3 Touchdown Win Over Georgia In Ad
Shots Fired
Well, now it’s Florida vs Georgia week and the rivalry took another step with the UGA student newspaper selling out an advertisement spot to a group of Florida Gators fans. Florida and placed in Georgia’s student newspaper promising a three-touchdown victory. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party ad touches on Georgia’s weak record against ranked teams, ghastly record against Florida (4-18 over the last 22 years) and disappointing defense.
“Give it up! Your bite is weaker than your bark! Try again when your team learns to block and tackle,” said the ad, predicting a three-touchdown victory.
Tim Tebow’s High School Jersey Retired
Tebowing
Tim Tebow’s No. 5 jersey he wore at Nease High School was officially retired during a pregame ceremony, Friday. Tebow played for three years at Nease, before going on to win the Heisman Trophy and two national championships at the University of Florida. Tebow was not in attendance, but was represented by his parents before Nease’s home game against Menedez.
Tebow won a Class 4A state championship at Nease in 2005 — the first in the school’s history. He led the team with 237 passing yards and four touchdowns and ran for 153 yads and another two touchdowns to defeat the two-time defending state champs Seffner Armwood 44-37.
Tebow sent a short video message to the fans that was played before Nease’s game saying, ”I will never forget my time at Nease, especially our state championship,” according to the Augustine Report.
Nease went on to win the game 43-13, thanks to senior running back Ulysses Bryant’s 267-yard, three touchdown performance.
Texas A&M Season Opener Postponed Until October 13
TALENT
Louisiana Tech’s season-opening football game against Texas A&M scheduled for Thursday night at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., has been postponed because of Hurricane Isaac.
It has been moved to Oct. 13, what had been an open date for both teams.
Texas A&M and first-year head coach Kevin Sumlin now will open Sept. 8 at home against Florida. That also marks the Aggies’ debut in the Southeastern Conference. They also now will not have a week off before facing LSU.
“Our primary concern was for the health and safety of the general public, students and fans of both institutions,” Louisiana Tech athletics director Bruce Van De Velde said of the postponement. “It’s impossible to predict exactly what is going to happen throughout the state, so we also wanted to be conscientious of the possible effects of his storm on residents throughout Louisiana.
“As much as both teams wanted to play, the safety of everyone took precedent over a football game, even one of this magnitude. We simply couldn’t move forward with Thursday’s kickoff in good conscience knowing what this storm may do. We appreciate the cooperation of Mayor (Cedric) Glover and the City of Shreveport and the Independence Bowl as well as Texas A&M University.”
Tech will now open the season Sept. 8 at Houston, and its first home game will be Sept. 15 against Rice.
Earlier Tuesday, a game set for Thursday night in Mobile, Ala., between South Alabama and Texas-San Antonio was postponed until Saturday afternoon.
College Pop Tarts Coming
WAC Pop Tarts Have Been Discontinued
Forget Wheaties boxes. That was so 1990s. Pop Tarts have taken over cereal boxes in the cool athletics collectables category. Five universities have partnered with Kellogg’s on limited edition Pop Tarts.
The flavors are as follows: Michigan’s Pop Tart flavor is Go Blue Strawberry; Georgia is Bulldog Berry; Arkansas is Razorback Red; Florida is Florida Gators Strawberry; and North Carolina is Tar Heel Blue.
Florida Assistant’s Resignation Could Be Linked To Miami Recruiting Scandal
The Name Teddy Bridgewater Ring A Bell
Florida announced assistant Aubrey Hill resigned Friday and that could mean something is brewing regarding the NCAA’s investigation of University of Miami as he was a recent assistant with the Hurricanes and was named in the Yahoo! Sports report that detailed his relationship with Sean Allen, a former equipment manager for the team that was also a friend of former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro.
Shapiro, who is in federal prison after pleading guilty to security fraud and money laudering, went public last year about how he provided impermissible benefits to Hurricanes players for several years. Multiple Miami players were suspended for games last season and the school self-imposed a postseason ban after the team finished 6-6.
In the Yahoo story from this July, phone records detailed Allen’s interaction with recruit Teddy Bridgewater in December of 2010. Allen also called Hill at the same time and he testified those calls preceded a meeting between Bridgewater and Miami coaches. That meeting occurred in the days after the school hired coach Al Golden.
Hill then left for Florida a few weeks later. Bridgewater eventually signed with Louisville.
Hill’s departure from Florida right before the start of practice lends credence to the notion that NCAA could finally be close to wrapping up its investigation almost one year after it started.
He will be replaced jointly by offensive coordinator Brent Pease and former graduate assistant Bush Hamdan.
“I have too much love and respect for this program to become a distraction as I deal with some personal issues,” Hill said in a statement. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Coach Muschamp, a tremendous staff and great group of players. The future is very bright here and the University of Florida will always have a special place in my heart. Go Gators.”
Dwayne Schintzius Dies
R.I.P.
Back on February 22 2010, we reported the news that former NBA player Dwayne Schintzius was battling leukemia, we now are sad to report that he lost his battle at the age of 43.
Schintzius, who starred at the University of Florida and played nine seasons in the NBA, died Sunday of complications from leukemia He suffered respiratory failure and had been hospitalized at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., for complications from a second bone marrow transplant he received from his brother, Travis, in November.
“He was my big brother and I looked up to him and idolized him my whole life,” Travis Schintzius said. “He’s at peace now. He’s not suffering any more. Now he’s probably cracking jokes and making people laugh in heaven.”
Schintzius, a 7-foot-2 center, played four seasons at Florida, from 1986 to 1990. He became well-known for his mullet and his rebellious side. He quit the Gators team midway through his senior season after conflicts with coach Don DeVoe.
Months later, Schintzius was a first-round draft pick, taken 24th overall by the San Antonio Spurs. He later played for the Sacramento Kings, New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics. Injuries limited him to 217 career games (33 starts), during which he averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds.
Ole Miss Home Run Shower
Ever wonder just how does the Mississippi Rebels student section celebrate a home run by their favorite team? With a home run shower, like this one by Rebels first baseman Matt Snyder during a game against number one ranked Florida Gators.
How come UTSA can’t get that many students to attend its home games?
Erving Walker Arrested For Stealing $3 Taco
5 Finger Discount
Florida Gators guard Erving Walker was arrested for stealing a $3 taco from a street vendor and running from police. Gainesville, Fla., police charged Walker with petty theft and resisting an officer without violence. They’re misdemeanors.
Walker, who just finished his senior season with the Gators, wasn’t jailed but he was given a notice to appear in court in a case that’s guaranteed to cost more in legal fees than the total value of the taco.
Police said Walker ordered the taco from a downtown Gainesville street vendor. Then he allegedly ran away without paying. Walker just kept going when a Gainesville police officer yelled for him to stop. The arresting officer finally caught Walker with help from “several marked patrol cars.”
When the police finally caught up with Walker about three blocks away, he told them he was “just playing around.” Walker reportedly told police that when he ran off with the taco, “he knew that he had not paid for it and that he was stealing food.”
Walker played for the Gators for four years. He averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 assists per game this year while setting a University of Florida record with 547 assists during his career. He finished fourth in points with 1,777 and he was ninth in steals with 159.
Walker is scheduled to appear in court on April 19.
Urban Meyer Says New York Jets Should Commit To Spread Offense For Tim Tebow
Just Let My Boy Play
The debate about how the New York Jets should use Tim Tebow continues. Tebow’s college coach, Urban Meyer, though offers his opinions on how the New York Jets should use their new quarterback. Meyer said the Jets should commit their offense to running a kind of spread-based offense that he used with Tebow at Florida.
“Just let him play,” Meyer said.
Meyer, now at Ohio State, believes that if defenses have to worry about Tebow carrying the ball while running the option, he will become a more effective passer.
“When you started seeing him throw against those easy coverages it was because [opposing team] had to stop the run,” Meyer said.
Brittney Griner Dunks In NCAA Tournament
Baylor center Brittney Griner became the second woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game when she threw down on Florida last night. The dunk was Griner’s first of the season and sixth for her career, putting her one behind Candace Parker’s career record. Parker is the only other woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game something she accomplished twice against Army in 2006.
Griner finished with 25 points and nine rebounds in Baylor’s 76-57 second-round win over Florida.
South Carolina Repeats As College World Series Champs
Now What
South Carolina clinched its second straight national championship at this year’s College World Series. Michael Roth pitched 7 2-3 innings on three days rest and the Gamecocks were in control throughout a 5-2 victory over Florida that completed a two-game sweep in the College World Series finals. South Carolina (55-14) became the first team to ever go 10-0 in an NCAA tournament and the first since Oregon State in 2007 to go unbeaten in a College World Series. The Gamecocks streaks of 16 NCAA tournament wins and 11 straight in the College World Series are both the longest all-time.
South Carolina has the distinction of winning the last College World Series played at Rosenblatt Stadium and the first at TD Ameritrade Park. They became the sixth team to win consecutive national titles and first since Oregon State in 2006-07.
After giving up four runs in the first inning of their opener against Texas A&M, the Gamecocks allowed just six in their other 50 innings. Three of the Gamecocks first four wins came in their last at-bat and included incredible pitching and defensive performances in the late innings.
South Carolina second baseman Scott Wingo was named Most Outstanding Player and sported a back-to-back championship belt after the victory. He had the winning hit in the bottom of the ninth against Texas A&M and made two great plays at second base to keep Florida from scoring late in the game Monday.
Roth made news earlier in the College World Series, when news went public that his father at quit his job to watch him pitch in Ohama. He rewarded his father by pitching holding Florida without a run after it got leadoff men on base in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
Channing Crowder Hints He Sold Memorabilia In College
Way To Get Ratings
Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder says college players should be able to sell their game jerseys something he “hypothetically” did when he played for the Florida Gators.
Crowder discussed the subject Sunday during the debut of his new two-hour weekly talk show on WQAM radio in Miami. He said hypothetically he didn’t have any of his Florida jerseys, because some Jacksonville businessmen really liked his play.
Aluminum Bat Breaks At College World Series
I watch a ton of baseball but I’ve never seen an aluminum bat break, that was until yesterday when Florida Gators Mike Zunino broke off Vanderbilt pitcher Mark Lamm at the College World Series. I’m sure most people wouldn’t believe it unless seeing it so here’s the proof.
Florida eventually beat the Vanderbilt 6-4 to reach the finals against South Carolina on Monday.
By the way Zunino is the same guy who knocked out his own pitcher Brian Johnson when he tried to gun down an Alabama player that was trying to steal second, you can watch it HERE.
Grounds Crew Holds Imaginary Game During Rain Delay
Yesterday the Vanderbilt-Florida game was suspended due to tornadoes approaching the Omaha area. However not all baseball was lost at the College World Series as the grounds crew took in an imaginary game with the tarp covering the field.
Kentucky To Change John Calipari’s Record To Reflect Vacated Wins
Yes 42 To Short
University of Kentucky held a celebration for men’s basketball head coach John Calipari’s 500th win after their defeat Florida on February 26th. It turns out now Calipari hasn’t reached 500 career victories after all. The school says it will change Calipari’s career record because of 42 vacated victories from his time at Memphis and Massachusetts. In a statement, Kentucky said it had consulted with the NCAA and determined it was “in error” to have celebrated the 500th win against Florida.
The school says it will report Calipari’s career record “consistent with the NCAA’s official records and statistics.” The school had debated the issue with the NCAA because Calipari was never found to be at fault for the violations that led to the vacated wins.
Pitcher Gets Knocked Out By His Teammates Throw
During Saturday’s SEC semifinal between Florida and Alabama, Gators pitcher Brian Johnson sustained a concussion after being hit in the back of the head by his own catcher Mike Zunino’s throw. For several minutes he looked as if he had died on the mound.
WTF: Mike Pouncey
Don't Be Jealous
The NFL Draft happened this past week and former Florida Gators center Mike Pouncey was drafted number 15th overall by the Miami Dolphins where he gladly showed off this amazing looking watch. If anyone on the Dolphins needs to know what times it is just ask Pouncey.
Atlanta Hawks Al Horford Says Nobody Is Scared Of New York Knicks Amare Stoudemire
Please Get This Man A Towel
The last time the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks squared off punches were thrown during an altercation, which we posted HERE, and after the game and Knicks center Amare Stoudemire ripped Hawks center Al Horford for his antics on the court.
On Tuesday, Stoudemire took another shot at Horford, saying “he don’t want to see me. I watched him play in Florida in college and I’ve seen him play a few years in Atlanta,” Stoudemire said. “We have two different games. We’ll see after tonight.”
Horford fired back on Wednesday and said that nobody is afraid of the Knicks center.
“I don’t understand what he means by that, ‘He don’t want to see me,’” Horford after the Hawks’ shootaround. “Like we’re supposed to be scared of Stoudemire. Ain’t nobody scared of him. We’re all grown men, so it’s all good.”
Horford went on to say that he took Stoudemire’s comments “personal.” The two are suppose to be teammates this weekend at the NBA’s all star game.
Urban Meyer Stay At Home Doesn’t Last Long, Hired By ESPN
Not A 360 But A 180
For a guy who has all these health problems former Florida head coach Urban Meyer’s continues to find himself quickly employed again. When he first resigned from Florida he cited health problems but found himself back on the Gators sidelines within a few days. Now after his second resignation from Florida and still citing health problems he has found, within a month of his announcement, his next employer in ESPN where he will be an analyst for college football season.
He will make his debut Wednesday during ESPNU’s coverage of national signing day. He will work weekly regular-season games during the season, as well as provide studio analysis on ESPN’s “College Football Live” and “College GameDay. ”
And here I thought Meyer resigned from Florida because he needed time away from football.
Primetime College Football: Outback Bowl
TALENT
This game goes down on the ABC network and it features the Penn State Nittany Lions taking on the University of Florida Gators in the 25th annual Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Florida, 7-5, 4-4 SEC, The Gators are playing their final game under Urban Meyer who lost two of their final three games of the season and the lone win came against Division II opponent Appalachian State. Meyer will hand over the reins to former Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp following this game.
The Florida offense averaged just under 30 ppg while putting up 165.6 ypg rushing and 191.2 ypg passing every game. Quarterback John Brantley is completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,020 yards with 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Deonte Thompson was the team’s leading receiver with 36 grabs for 548 yards. The ground game for the Gators wasn’t a whole lot better as it was led by Jeffery Demps and his 531 yards on 89 carries. Trey Burton was the most efficient of the rushers, scoring 11 times though on 73 attempts.
Defensively the Gators have an impact player and Sunday bound in Ahmad Black who registered 102 tackles and 10 tackles for loss to go along with 3 interceptions and pair of fumble recoveries.
Penn State, 7-5, 4-4 Big Ten, Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions enter this bowl having lost two of its final three games of the season but prior to that the Lions had reeled off three straight wins. The Nittany Lions offense has seen better days but still has the schools all time leading rusher in Evan Royster who is playing in his last game. Royster produced 916 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The passing attack for Penn State now relies on quarterback Matt McGloin, who was given the job midway through the season. He has since gone on to complete 58 percent of his passes for 1,337 yards with 13 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Derek Moye is Penn State’s impact player in the receiver department with 806 yards and 7 touchdowns while Brett Barrett is next with 497 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Nittany Lions have a standout player on defense as well in linebacker Chris Colasanti who has 102 tackles.
Florida is 2-0 all-time against Penn State.
PICK: Penn State Nittany Lions
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Cam Newton
Cam Newton
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to Auburn University Tigers quarterback Cam Newton. The Tigers quarterback accounted for six touchdowns in the Southeastern Conference championship game to lead Auburn to a 56-17 rout of South Carolina. Newton threw for four touchdowns and ran for another two. His six touchdowns tied the SEC Championship Game record set by Florida’s Danny Wuerffel in 1996. With his two rushing touchdowns, Newton joined Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick and former teammate Tim Tebow as the only players in Divison I history with 20 passing and 20 rushing TDs in a single season.
The 56 points put up by Auburn is the most in an SEC title game and the 39-point margin of victory is the largest in the history of the game. The Tigers set an SEC championship game record for points and piled up 589 yards however Newton had a hand in 408 of them.
Congratulations Cam Newton you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
SEC Coach Doesn’t Think Auburn Is Number One In Coache’s Poll
Stop Lying To the People
So this is what college football has now come to that a national champion game is decided by computers and coaches who hold grudges. How else can you explain a fellow SEC coach not voting an undefeated Auburn school number one in the final USA Today poll?
That’s exactly what University of Florida’s head football coach Urban Meyer did when he couldn’t bring himself to vote for a fellow SEC school as number one. Meyer voted for Oregon ahead of Auburn and in essence told the country that he believes the SEC wasn’t the toughest conference in all of college football with the voting slight to the Tigers.
The other SEC coaches with votes all put Auburn at the top of their ballots. It didn’t matter that Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino, Mark Richt and Dan Mullen all lost to the Tigers this season. Spurrier was 0-2 against them. It didn’t matter that Mullen lost Cam Newton to Auburn in recruiting him a year ago.
Those guys recognized that Auburn went 13-0 against by far the toughest schedule of the three unbeaten teams, so what’s Urban’s problem?
