The UConn men’s ice hockey team takes on University of Vermont on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 at the Toscano Family Ice Forum. Photo by Von Lindenthal/The Daily Campus.
The UConn men’s ice hockey team is scheduled to take on UMass Lowell this weekend in a two-game series.
Connecticut will travel to Lowell, Massachusetts to play at the Tsongas Center. This will be the first time the Huskies play a series where both games are not at home. The Ice Bus has struggled to get its wheels rolling when playing on the road, with a 0-3-1 away record. UConn has the opportunity to flip that narrative this weekend. The Riverhawks have not been as successful at home with a record of 3-2, compared to their road record of 5-0.
The Huskies are coming off a massive upset win over No. 2 Boston College this past weekend which halted their previous two-game slide. Meanwhile, the Riverhawks are red hot, winning nine of their last 10 games. Last weekend, Lowell dominated Vermont while playing on the road in a two-game sweep, with a six-goal differential. UConn played Vermont to two overtime finishes earlier in the season, splitting the series with a tie in the goal differential.
Junior Scout Truman leads the way for the Riverhawks this season. He leads the program in points coming into this weekend, knocking in five goals as well as tallying three assists. The Huskies defensive line will also need to keep an eye out for Lowell’s leading goal scorer, first-year Chris Delaney. Delaney has been a sniper this year, netting six goals with a .240 shooting percentage.
Photo by Von Lindenthal/The Daily Campus.
UConn fifth-year Hudson Schandor and junior Ryan Tattle have been key contributors for the Huskies in conference play this season. Both players have scored two goals and four assists for a team-leading six points. Each of them contributed a goal and an assist in the team’s victory over Boston College last weekend.
This matchup will pose huge ramifications in the Hockey East conference. Lowell has dominated in conference play so far. They are 4-1 in-conference play, including a win over No. 9 Boston University. The Riverhawks have outscored their opponents by a 21-13 margin. The Huskies are 3-4-1 against conference opponents and have been outscored 22-28. UConn currently sits just behind Lowell in the conference standings. The Riverhawks stand in third place with 12 points, while the Huskies are nestled in fourth place with ten.
The puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Friday, as UConn looks to climb the ladder in the Hockey East conference.
Timpview senior Zed Anahu-Ambrosio (7) tries to catch a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview players react after losing the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald
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Timpview players try to block a field goal during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald
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Timpview junior Jaron Pula catches a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview freshman Dennis Tua’one makes a catch during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview senior Soakai Aston throws a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald
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Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i reacts after losing the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview defenders make a tackle during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald
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Timpview senior Soakai Aston runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview senior Soakai Aston runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i (left) congratulates junior Jaron Pula after he scored a touchdown during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Jaron Pula carries the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald
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Timpview senior Soakai Aston throws a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview Dennis Tua’one (12) tries to catch a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Kennan Pula carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview senior Soakai Aston carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Hunter Hopoate carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Jaron Pula (5) tries to make a catch during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview senior Zed Anahu-Ambrosio carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview junior Jaron Pula runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Brian Wolfer, Special to the Herald
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Timpview players take the field before the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald
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Timpview head coach Donny Atuaia talks to his team after the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview senior Zed Anahu-Ambrosio (7) tries to catch a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview players react after losing the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview players try to block a field goal during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Jaron Pula catches a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview freshman Dennis Tua’one makes a catch during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview senior Soakai Aston throws a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i reacts after losing the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview defenders make a tackle during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview senior Soakai Aston runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview senior Soakai Aston runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i (left) congratulates junior Jaron Pula after he scored a touchdown during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Jaron Pula carries the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview senior Soakai Aston throws a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview Dennis Tua’one (12) tries to catch a pass during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Kennan Pula carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview senior Soakai Aston carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Hunter Hopoate carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Jaron Pula (5) tries to make a catch during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview senior Zed Anahu-Ambrosio carries the ball during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview junior Jaron Pula runs the ball up the field during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview players take the field before the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Timpview head coach Donny Atuaia talks to his team after the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
When things got tough for the Timpview offense this season, the Thunderbirds often just threw the ball up and let their elite group of receivers go get it.
With senior Zed Anahu-Ambrosio, juniors Aisa Galea’i, Kennan Pula, Jaron Pula and Braxton Wilkerson, as well as freshman Dennis Tua’one making up one of the most talented groups in the state, it’s not surprising that was Timpview’s approach.
But when the game was on the line in Friday’s 5A semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium against top-seeded Roy, the Thunderbird down-field passing couldn’t quite get the job done.
Instead it was the Royals that got a 57-yard touchdown pass to late in the fourth quarter to take the lead, then secured the 29-19 win over No. 4-seed Timpview with a clutch 53-yard field goal in the final minute.
“They deserve their ranking,” Thunderbird head coach Donny Atuaia said. “They came out with a great game plan. They’ve got some studs on their squad. All the best to them next week. Our boys battled. It was a great, great game.”
Thanks to a 6-yard run by Galea’i late in the third quarter, Timpview led 19-16 heading into the final 12 minutes of action.
But Roy came back on its next drive and tied things up on a jaw-dropping 58-yard field goal by senior kicker Colby Frokjer. That tied for the 11th longest field goal in Utah history and was the longest in the state semifinals.
The Thunderbird offense took the field, determined to get the lead back. It got to the Royal 38-yard line but faced a fourth-and-10.
Timpview senior quarterback Soakai Aston dropped back and looked to his right, lofting a deep pass down the sideline. Jaron Pula did everything he could to get his feet down and haul in the catch inside the 15-yard line, but the ball got away and the Royals got the turnover on downs they needed.
Three plays later, on a third-and-5, Roy senior quarterback Dru Gardner spotted junior wide receiver Isaiah Morris streaking down the sideline and hit him in stride for the big TD.
Timpview still had almost four minutes to answer and started its next drive with a quick 10-yard gain.
But an incomplete pass and a snap that got away again put the Thunderbirds in a fourth-and-10 position.
Aston again went deep, trying to get the ball to Anuhu-Ambrosio, but it came up short and the Timpview senior couldn’t get back to it.
Roy got just enough yards to send Frokjer back on the field for a 53-yard attempt with 35 seconds left in the game. Timpview sent everyone in an attempt to block the kick but the Royal senior got it up and through the uprights to seal the win.
“Our studs showed up and their studs showed up,” Atuaia said. “It just didn’t go our way today.”
The T’Birds ended up outgaining Roy by 59 total yards (388-329), mostly because of the effective Timpview passing attack (267 yards). But the Royal ground game gained 194 yards and allowed Roy to have a nine-minute edge in time of possession.
While the season didn’t end the way the Thunderbirds wanted and their quest to repeat as 5A champs came up short, Atuaia said he was proud of what his team accomplished.
“The hardest thing about coaching is making sure that these guys can play together,” Atuaia said. “I think they did. They did a pretty decent job up to this point, and I am grateful for that. It’s a great community and I love being at Timpview.”
He lauded the efforts of the seniors, who have enjoyed a lot of successes during their time as T’Birds.
“This is a special group,” Atuaia said. “My son is a senior, so I grew up coaching these boys from when they were young. It’s been great to see these guys and the leadership especially. I’m just glad to be with them and see the grow with them.”
Now it will be on the underclassmen to take over as the standard-bearers for a Timpview football program that always has big expectations.
“It’s about the culture of this team,” Atuaia said. “There always has to be a mindset of what did we learn from the year prior and from the seniors this year. I think it’s a great building block and a foundation for these young men.”
Roy moves on to face Bountiful in 5A state championship, which will take place at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Nov. 21 at 11 a.m.
SIOUX FALLS — Augustana coach Garrett Raboin believed his team had been playing a good brand of hockey heading into last weekend’s series against St. Thomas, but he knew that playing in a youth rink in front of 600-plus fans was going to be a unique environment for his players.
Raboin did his best to prepare his players for it, but the series opener resulted in a 4-0 win for the Tommies in which the Vikings never seemed to put it together.
However, the response Saturday was the kind of bounce-back performance Raboin wanted to see.
Augustana looked much more comfortable in the series finale, as a pair of freshmen each tallied their first collegiate goal in a 3-2 victory that gave the visitors a split in their first CCHA action of the season.
“It was a very even game, but we got good goaltending. Our penalty kill stepped up when we needed it to, and it was good for our guys to get a win,” Raboin said about Saturday’s game. “It’s so important in our league.”
Although the Augustana men’s and women’s basketball teams open the regular season this weekend in Missouri, the campus will certainly be busy with several other sports hosting action on campus.
The football team will face Sioux Falls on Saturday in what figures to be one of the biggest Key to the City matchups in the history of the rivalry, while the volleyball team hosts a pair of conference matches on Friday and Saturday.
Of course, there’s also the Vikings’ hockey team, which returns home following its six-game road trip. Augustana will take on reigning CCHA regular season champion Bemidji State in a two-game series at Midco Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s going to be a great weekend of athletics here,” Raboin said. “I think there’s an opportunity for fans to come early and stay late and make one heck of a weekend out of it.
“We’re excited to take the ice again in conference play, and we’re going to see a real strong team in Bemidji State. Hopefully we can get our end of the bargain done.”
Augustana’s Ben Troumbly skates the ice during practice Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
Last weekend, Augustana (4-4, 1-1 CCHA) couldn’t get much of anything going Friday night. Tommies goaltender Aaron Trotter made 20 saves, while Matthew Gleason contributed a pair of goals to hand the Vikings their most decisive loss of the young season.
The following night, though, freshman Joey DelGreco got the scoring started early in the opening period, and the Vikings never trailed in the contest. AU goalie Josh Kotai stopped 38 shots, while Tyler Hennen, another freshman, provided the game-winning goal at 8:16 of the final period.
The response on Saturday was the continuation of a trend Raboin saw from his team last season, during which the Vikings were 3-1 in games that followed a shutout.
“It’s a great quality to have. It’s necessary,” Raboin said. “Splits are huge in college hockey, especially in our league, to capture something out of the weekend.
“Our guys care. We never question our guys’ energy or effort. Sometimes our youth gets in the way, and we will make mistakes. But our guys were able to learn from some of those things. We just looked like a team on Saturday, which was a good sign for our group.”
Bemidji State players celebrate after scoring a goal against St. Cloud State on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.
Brent Cizek Photography
For their first home series as full members of the CCHA, the Vikings welcome in one of the conference’s top teams.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, BSU was picked to finish tied for first and second in the media and coaches’ preseason polls, respectively. Last season, the Beavers went 8-1-1 to close out the regular season, finishing atop the league standings and winning the MacNaughton Cup for the first time since 2017.
Tale of the tape
Augustana
Bemidji St.
2.4
Goals/game
2.3
2.0
Goals allowed/game
2.3
25.8
Shots/game
28.7
32.1
Shots allowed/game
27.9
1-24
PPG
3-18
1-25
PPG allowed
3-17
Led by 24th-year coach Tom Serratore, Bemidji (3-4, 1-1) is coming off a split last weekend at home versus Minnesota State, winning 1-0 Friday before dropping a 2-1 defeat Saturday.
“They have a veteran presence. The goaltending has been really strong. They’re a darn good team,” Raboin said about BSU. “They’re going to be heavy all year and challenge for a home-ice advantage [in the playoffs], I’d imagine.
“They’re one of those teams that was picked in the preseason to finish right up there. They play fast. They’re in your face. They skate. They angle so well, and then they have a rock back there in the net. It’s going to be a real challenge for us.”
Bemidji State goalie Mattias Sholl keeps his eye on the puck against Minnesota State on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.
Brent Cizek Photography
That “rock” is Bemidji senior Mattias Sholl, who was named CCHA Goaltender of the Year last season. So far, Sholl has been solid again in 2024-25. He has started all seven of the Beavers’ games this season and already has a pair of shutouts to his name with a goals-against average of 2.24 and save percentage of .918.
A pair of upperclassmen, graduate student Carter Randklev and senior Jere Vaisanen, lead the BSU forward group with five points apiece, while Tony Follmer is the top contributor on the blue line with three points on one goal and two assists.
Fifth-year forward Jackson Jutting is the Beavers’ captain. Through seven games, he has three points (two goals, one assist) and is third in the conference in total face-offs taken (163).
Meanwhile, BSU defenseman Will Magnuson has a league-leading 24 blocked shots on the season.
Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore talks with the media after the Beavers defeated Minnesota State 1-0 on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.
Brent Cizek Photography
Raboin says the Beavers’ forward depth and ability to get out in transition is what stands out the most about their game.
“They’re fast. You have to try and stay on top of them,” Raboin said. “It’s a quick-strike, energetic group that don’t really give you time to take a breath because they’re always on top of you. They’re relentless, and they can skate.
“When you get your opportunities, then you’re going to run into a darn good goaltender. Hopefully you make the most of them, but you have to manage the game. You can’t get caught up in a track meet. You have to stay together, connected and just manage your emotions in the game and know you’re going to be in for a long night.”
Augustana’s Tyler Hennen celebrates after scoring a goal against St. Thomas on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minn.
George Dannecker / Tommie Athletics
In a big spot on the road, DelGreco and Hennen delivered goals they’ll never forget.
The freshmen each tallied the first goal of their college career, bookending the scoring for the Vikings in their 3-2 triumph over the Tommies.
It was a game in which AU never trailed.
“It’s exciting to see as a coach. It’s something you want to see,” Raboin said. “They’ve done it once. Now, can they do it again?”
Augustana’s Joey DelGreco skates the ice during practice Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
A native of Hallock, Minnesota, Hennen has three points on one goal and two assists and is fourth on the team with a plus-3 rating on the ice. Meanwhile, DelGreco, who hails from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has a goal and an assist.
Both rookies have played in all eight of the Vikings’ games this season.
“You’ve got to play the guys you recruit and help them develop, so for those two guys to get their first career goals, great. But they had an opportunity, and they took advantage of it,” Raboin said. “It was a big part of our win.”
The Summerville High School varsity football team continued rolling Friday night in Modesto with a dominant Mother Lode League win at Big Valley Christian.
The Bears (8-1, 4-1 MLL) beat the Lions (5-4, 3-3) by a final score of 47-21 for their third consecutive victory.
Big Valley Christian struck first only 128 seconds into the matchup. Sophomore quarterback Travis Lema connected with senior wide receiver Nicolas Toledo for a 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The point after try by senior kicker Noah Castleberry was good to make the score 7-0.
Summerville immediately responded 12 seconds later with a 75-yard kickoff return touchdown by sophomore safety Malakai Lopez. The extra point attempt by junior kicker Bryson Benites was perfect to tie the score at 7 apiece with 9:40 left in the first quarter.
The Bears forced a three-and-out on the next Lions drive as junior safety Orlando Lopez made a big hit to knock the pass incomplete.
Summerville took the advantage and never looked back with a 9-yard touchdown rush up the middle by senior running back Isaac Biggs. Benites converted the PAT to increase the lead to 14-7 with 6:06 remaining in the first period.
For the final time Friday evening, Big Valley Christian tied the contest, doing so with a 27-yard post out pass from Lema to sophomore tight end Titus Beers. Castleberry made the PAT to tie the score at 14 with seconds remaining in the opening quarter. Then the domination began.
Senior wide receiver Colton Cash dashed 18 yards into the end zone. Benites nailed the ensuing kick to make the score 21-14 with 8:38 left in the second period. Malakai Lopez ended the next Lions possession with an interception.
Cash then broke away for a 49-yard rushing touchdown, juking and weaving through every defender in his path. Benites missed the PAT, which hit the right upright. The Bears led 27-14 with 5:28 remaining in the first half.
Summerville’s next score came on defense as junior defensive end Gage Andersen laid down a huge hit to tally a strip sack, which junior safety Jonathan Whitney scooped up and returned 34 yards for the touchdown. Benites redeemed himself with a successful extra point kick, making the score 34-14 with 3:53 left in the second quarter.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Whitney recovered another Big Valley Christian fumble. Benites knocked in a 39-yard field goal with 90 seconds remaining in the first half to reach the halftime score of 37-14.
Sophomore safety Malekai Fromm recorded a sack to conclude the Lions first possession of the second half, forcing a turnover on downs. Benites converted a 28-yard field goal with 6:07 left in the penultimate period, making the score 40-14.
Big Valley Christian junior running back Jeremie Jourdan scored a 10-yard rushing touchdown to trim the deficit. Castleberry made the PAT to cut the Bears’ lead to 40-21 with 11:32 remaining in the game, but by then it was far too late.
Summerville junior quarterback Bryce Leveroos rushed into the end zone from 1-yard out for the last touchdown of the night. Benites made the extra point to reach the final score of 47-21 with 7:15 left.
The Bears conclude the regular season at home versus Linden to begin November. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
See Tuesday’s print edition of The Union Democrat for more on Summerville Bears football.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he and his staff don’t consider the time change a big deal. Kickoff in Eugene is 4:30 p.m. Pacific, which is a standard 7:30 p.m. Eastern start.
“I don’t really see it as much of a challenge that way,” Day said. “It’s a four-and-a-half-hour flight, a couple more hours than Nebraska. We’re going to stay on our time schedule. The way the time of the game fits is kind of how we practice. We’re not going to look too much into it.”
The picks, with all games Saturday unless noted, and lines from BetMGM Sportsbook:
No. 1 Texas (minus 14 1/2) vs. No. 18 Oklahoma
The last time Texas entered the Red River Rivalry game ranked No. 1 was 1984, when the Longhorns and No. 2 Sooners played to a 15-15 tie. This one shouldn’t be close. Quinn Ewers is back from injury, Texas has yet to allow 300 yards in a game, and Oklahoma’s offense is a mess.
Pick: Texas 27-10.
No. 2 Ohio State at No. 3 Oregon (plus 3 1/2)
The Buckeyes have rolled over each of their first five opponents, though it took them a while to get going against Iowa last week. Wins haven’t come quite as easily for the Ducks, but Dillon Gabriel and the home field give them an edge in the first top-five matchup at Autzen Stadium.
Pick: Oregon: 31-27.
No. 4 Penn State at Southern California (plus 5 1/2)
The Nittany Lions are the only FBS team to start 5-0 the last four years, and they are riding some momentum after dominating UCLA most of the second half last week. USC has gotten a taste of Big Ten physicality and lost two of their first three in their new conference.
Pick: Penn State 28-24.
Mississippi State (plus 33 1/2) at No. 5 Georgia
Georgia might not be scoring at the rate it was last season, but Mississippi State is allowing 475 yards and 38 points per game against FBS opponents. Georgia also has won 27 straight home games.
Pick: Georgia 35-3.
South Carolina (plus 21 1/2) at No. 7 Alabama
Alabama has experienced incredible highs and lows the last two games and surely is itching to play this game to get rid of the taste of the Vanderbilt upset. This is only the second meeting of the Gamecocks and Crimson Tide since 2010.
Pick: Alabama 41-21.
Florida at No. 8 Tennessee (minus 15 1/2)
Tennessee will be looking to vent some frustration after getting humbled at Arkansas last week. The Volunteers’ offense has regressed the last two games, and the Gators’ defense is coming off its best game against UCF.
Pick: Tennessee 35-17.
No. 9 Mississippi at No. 13 LSU (plus 3)
Jaxson Dart and LSU Heisman winner Jayden Daniels marched their teams up and down the field last year and combined for 104 points and more than 1,300 yards in the Mississippi win. The defenses might want to show up this time. There are huge College Football Playoff ramifications.
Pick: LSU 28-23.
No. 10 Clemson (minus 20 1/2) at Wake Forest
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney looks to improve to 16-0 against the Demon Deacons. His Tigers have been fast starters, having outscored their five opponents 90-0 in the first quarter.
Pick: Clemson 42-17.
Stanford at No. 11 Notre Dame (minus 23 1/2)
The injury bug has bitten another Notre Dame player, with coach Marcus Freeman announcing sack leader Boubacar Traore is out for the season with a torn ACL. Stanford is coming off a 24-point loss at home to Virginia Tech and will be playing its third game in the Eastern time zone in four weeks.
Pick: Notre Dame 38-10.
No. 11 Iowa State (minus 3) at West Virginia
Mountaineers dual-threat QB Garrett Greene and the 1-2 RB punch of Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson could pose a big problem for Iowa State, which leads the Big 12 in defense but hasn’t stopped the run as effectively as some past units.
Pick: Iowa State 31-27.
Arizona at No. 14 BYU (minus 5 1/2)
BYU has been a revelation, already matching its 2023 Big 12 win total (two). The Cougars have returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns, and their defense has 10 takeaways. Arizona is 124th in punt return defense and coughed up the ball three times at Texas Tech last week.
Pick: BYU 28-17.
No. 16 Utah at Arizona State (plus 6 1/2)
Paging Cam Rising. The Utes have scored a total of 32 points with freshman QB Isaac Wilson the last two games, and mum’s the word on whether Rising will be back from injury for Friday’s game. The Sun Devils will try to get RB Cam Skattebo going. Skattebo busted loose for 180 yards against Kansas.
Pick: Arizona State 21-20.
No. 17 Boise State (minus 21) at Hawaii
Broncos’ Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty is only the eighth FBS player to need only five games to rush for 1,000 yards. Hawaii’s two wins are against FCS opponents.
Pick: Boise State 49-14.
No. 18 Kansas State at Colorado (plus 4)
This is a Big 12 game again, and K-State will be making its first visit to Boulder since 2010. The Wildcats have allowed 20 pass plays of 20 yards or longer, tied for 107th. Shedeur Sanders is seventh nationally with 24 passes of 20-plus yards.
Pick: Colorado 33-31.
No. 21 Missouri (minus 27 1/2) at UMass
This matchup prompts a double-take at first glance. It’s the first game of a home-and-home series between the Tigers and FBS independent Minutemen. It’s also get-well week for the Tigers, who laid an egg at Texas A&M.
Pick: Missouri 42-6.
California at No. 22 Pittsburgh (minus 3 1/2)
Pitt is in the Top 25 for the first time in two years, 5-0 for the first time since 1991 and going for its best start since 1982. Freshman QB Eli Holstein is passing for 313 yards per game with 15 TDs. He’ll face a Cal defense leading the nation with 11 interceptions.
Pick: Pittsburgh 37-28.
Purdue at No. 23 Illinois (minus 19 1/2)
Illinois has lost four straight to the Boilermakers. That streak will end unless Illini get caught looking ahead to matchups with Michigan and Oregon the next two weeks. Purdue is floundering on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Illinois 40-13.
AP predictions scorecard
Last week: Straight-up — 11-6; Against spread — 7-10.
Season: Straight-up — 97-29; Against spread — 63-63.
“We wish to thank you for your patronage over the past 17 years. Toast Hut and this community have held a very special place in my heart,” the 40-year-old wrote.
“It is unfortunate that we are closing the doors for now.
“The success of Toast Hut would not be possible without your constant support and trust for the past 17 years.”
Melvin did say that he has separate plans in the pipeline and shared that he has other “upcoming ventures”.
The news may come as a surprise to the stall’s patrons.
In an older Instagram post on June 15, Melvin showed no signs of wanting to close upshop.
He only shared then that Old Airport Road Hawker Centre would be temporarily closed for renovations and he would be spending time with his family.
Melvin even reassured his patrons that the business will “be back in October 2024”.
Lack of manpower
Speaking to AsiaOne, Melvin revealed that he is shuttering the business because of manpower issues.
He explained that the stall needs at least four staff to keep it running, and at the start, he, his mother, his aunt and another employee manned the business.
“As time passed, they aged,” said Melvin.
“I did try employing people to take over their roles but the expected salary requested and job scope don’t match.”
Melvin said that these potential hires would ask for a high pay but not want to work long hours.
“I decided to put an end to it as I have no confidence in getting manpower. So I decided to close Toast Hut when my business is still at [its] peak.”
Instead, he has plans to set up a new hawker stall to sell economic fried bee hoon and Kuala Lumpur-style Hokkien noodles.
Melvin shared that these are not foods he is unfamiliar with as before Covid-19 struck, he was selling these menu items at Toast Hut’s sister outlet, Six Beans by Old Airport Road Toast Hut.
He added that bee hoon requires less skill to prepare as compared to what he is doing at Toast Hut, so he would not need to employ any staff.
“Scooping food onto a plate should be an easier job to be done. Whereas for Toast Hut, you have to toast the bread, brew coffee, take orders and wash cups.”
The Illini West football team was looking to win its second straight road game, Saturday, Sept. 28, traveling to take on LVC for its Homecoming. Illini West came home with a big win, 50-16.
Illini West won the toss and deferred to the second half.
LVC got a seven-yard run from Bryson Ferguson on first down. Dempsee Whitsitt picked up the first down with a five-yard gain. The Chargers’ Shawn Watkins Jr. and a host of other Charger defenders stopped Ferguson for no gain on first and 10. Ethan Shields was stopped after a one-yard gain. Ferguson picked up a fumble and lost six yards. The punter, Carter Sours, fielded a low snap and was forced out of bounds
Illini West’s Ethan Carlisle found Tre Neiderman on back-to-back pass completions of 26 yards and two yards on their first two plays from scrimmage. Nick Johnson gained four yards, was stopped for no gain and needed four yards and got three on fourth and four to turn the football back over to the Miners.
Miners quarterback Jackson Gibboney fielded a high snap and lost seven yards on first down. Charger Roan Jackson stopped Gibboney in the backfield for a two-yard los. Ferguson caught a six-yard reception on third down and Sours punted the football back to the Chargers.
Carlisle ran for a three-yard gain to start the Chargers’ next drive. Johnson ripped off a 24-yard run followed by a 25-yard run by Carlisle to set up a first and goal from the six-yard line. Carlisle had runs of one, two and two yards. Johnson ran it from one yard out for the touchdown to give the Chargers the 6-0 lead. Tristan Mockosch had his extra point blocked to keep the score 6-0.
The Miners went three-and-out on their next possession.
The Chargers’ next drive started at their own 20-yard line. Carlisle ran for 11 yards and Johnson followed with a nine-yard run. Neiderman caught consecutive passes of 24 and no yards. The Chargers were whistled for a false start to make it second and 15. Johnson added a two-yard gain followed by a 23-yard run from Carlisle for the first down. Neiderman took a pass reception down to the eight-yard line. Johnson took the hand off and reversed field and handed off to Max Kinnamon who ran it in from eight yards out for the touchdown. Neiderman caught a pass from Carlisle for the two-point conversion for a 14-0 lead.
Charger Jaydyn Combites hit Gibboney in the backfield and Justin Baxter recovered the fumble to give the football back to the Chargers at the Miners’ 30-yard line. Carlisle threw incomplete on first down. Carlisle ran a keeper for five yards and on third and five, hit Johnson with a 25-yard touchdown pass and Kinnamon added the extra two-points on a shovel pass for a 22-0 advantage with 6:12 to play in the half.
The Miners went three-and-out on their next drive to give the Chargers the football at the Miners’ 43-yard line. Carlisle ran for three yards and Johnson followed with a 15-yard gain to move the football down to the 24-yard line. After an incomplete pass on first down, Carlisle took the ball for a nine-yard keeper and Johnson added three yards to pick up the first down at the 12-yard line. Johnson took the handoff from Carlisle and reversed field and handed off to Max Kinnamon who ran it in from 12 yards out for his second touchdown of the game. Kinnamon added the two-point conversion for a 30-0 lead.
The Miners capped an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 15-yard reception Gibboney to Ferguson and Wesson McLaren ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 30-8 at the half.
The Chargers started the second half with the football. Johnson ripped off runs of 20, eight and 25 yards to open the drive. Kinnamon had a 13-yard gain on fourth and 25 and the Chargers turned the football back over to the Miners. The Miners went three-and-out, punting the football back to the Chargers.
The Chargers got a big return by Johnson to set up great field position. Carlisle carried for 11 yards on first down. Neiderman caught a screen pass for 13 yards. Johnson punched it in from three yards out for the touchdown. Tristan Mockosch, the Chargers’ German foreign exchange student, kicked the first successful extra point in a number of years for a 37-8 lead.
On the next Miners drive, Shields went for one yard. Ferguson fumbled and it was recovered by Shawn Watkins Jr. at the 31-yard line. Johnson carried the ball for eight and five yards. After an incomplete pass on first down, Kinnamon ran off the double handoff for 15 yards. Carlisle hit Carter Sanderson for a touchdown pass and Mockosch was good on the extra point for a 44-8 Chargers advantage.
The Miners’ next drive went seven plays before they turned the football over on downs at the 37-yard line. Johnson and Carlisle had back-to-back five-yard runs. Johnson added another of seven yards. Neiderman caught a six-yard reception. Johnson ran for one and six yards. Kinnamon, off the double handoff, took it in for nine yards and the touchdown. The extra point was no good for a 50-8 score.
The Miners capped a seven-play, 72-yard drive with a Ferguson seven-yard touchdown run and he would add the two-point conversion for the final score of 50-16.
“A sluggish first quarter but we got better as the game went on,” Illini West Head Coach Jacob Calvin said after the game. “They played hard and the offense was rolling pretty good. Each week we have another guy making plays. Tristan is the first German to kick two extra points for the Chargers. He never played football, he was a soccer player in Germany. Credit the offensive line for opening up the holes today for Carlisle, Johnson and Kinnamon. And Carter Sanderson caught his first touchdown of the year.”
Stats: Johnson led the team’s ground game with 19 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Carlisle had 12 rushes for 99 yards. Kinnamon added five runs for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Carlisle was 11-16 for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Neiderman caught seven passes for 71 yards. Johnson had one catch for 25 yards and a touchdown. Stephen Sparks added one reception for nine yards and Carter Sanderson had one catch for three yards and a touchdown. Defense: Brady Blanton collected two sacks and Jaydyn Combites one sack. Roan Jackson had four solo tackles and seven assists. Johnson added three tackles and two assists. Watkins and Blanton both finished with two tackles and six assists each. Carlisle added two tackles and one assist.
HELENA — Ahead of Carroll College’s first road game this season Saturday afternoon against Arizona Christian, MTN Sports’ Jonny Walker sat down with Fighting Saints head coach Troy Purcell.
A full transcript from the video interview is available below:
MTN Sports: You’ve got Arizona Christian this week, (and you’re) heading down to Glendale — first time this team is going to have a road test, not playing at home. What is that like? Has there been any different messaging to the team this week?
Troy Purcell: Business trip, you know, we’re going to go down there and take care of business. It’s not for giggles and whatever and eat Chick-fil-A at the Denver airport, you know what I mean? It’s not about that. It’s about going down there and, have some juice about you.
And again, the mental. Just be mentally tough and accept the challenges that are put forth to us.
MTN Sports: Arizona Christian’s only played two games. When you’re watching film, you’ve only got two games to go off of. What is that dynamic like in terms of preparing for this team?
Troy Purcell: The coaches down in Glendale at Arizona Christian have the same coaching staff. And so, we know what they’re going to do. So, it just gives our tendencies a little bit more relevance.
You’re going to see a wing-T. Good thing we didn’t see that was the first game when they first came out, because the wing-T offense is totally different, so, I’m glad we didn’t see it. I’m glad we got two games on it to really dial it in at least, with that wing-T offense.
MTN Sports: Let’s talk about last week for a second. You host Simpson. It’s a blowout, but something I want to key in on is Jack Prka and him running the ball. Against Simpson, the offense is cooking. He’s not running as much. What do you think of the dynamic of this offense when Jack is running versus when he isn’t?
Troy Purcell: Well, hopefully it’s not running because, I mean, the offense is clicking a little better when he isn’t running. It could have been a situation where he got flushed out of a pocket, which sometimes happens. And, you know, the throws aren’t there. So, he’s going to make it on his own.
Designed runs for him, you know, he might have one a game. And then that other five or six or seven times and he’s got to make a play or extend a play or get a first down. He has to just kind of do it on his own with pure athleticism and hustle.
MTN Sports: And then coming back to this week against Arizona Christian, what makes them unique? What do they do that maybe other teams you’ve played so far don’t do?
Troy Purcell: Well, the wing-T, that’s something like I said, it’s something that we haven’t seen around here in a while. And, so, it’s good to have some older coaches on staff too, that have dealt with the wing-T and some stuff that they had success with.
Sonora High School varsity football made its much-awaited debut in the Trans Valley League Friday night at Escalon against the Cougars — a fitting challenge to mark their entrance to the vaunted league.
The Wildcats may be new to the TVL, but they looked right at home on Escalon’s Engel Field.
A 14-7 halftime deficit was erased over the final two quarters of play as a poised Sonora team marched down and scored on all three of their drives in the second half, while allowing only one Escalon first down on the way to a convincing 35-14 victory on the road.
“I am obviously pretty happy with the way our kids didn’t flinch when we went down 14-7,” Sonora High varsity football head coach Kirk Clifton said. “We didn’t flinch against Oakdale and we didn’t flinch tonight.”
The score was still knotted up at 0-0 when the clock wound down on the first quarter, with the Sonora defense locking down the line of scrimmage and a few serious miscues, including a fumble on the first drive that stymied Sonora’s offense.
Sonora quarterback Eli Ingalls threw an interception while deep in Escalon territory to start the second quarter, continuing the tough start for the Cats offense.
Both teams’ scoring woes dissipated over the course of the second quarter, however, as Escalon’s backup quarterback Donovan Martinez, who replaced an injured Logan Huebner early in the contest, connected with a receiver for a 44-yard touchdown pass with 8:30 remaining in the second quarter.
Sonora’s Cash Byington answered back with a stunning, 91-yard kickoff return to tie things up at 7-7 all of 14 seconds later.
Martinez scored again through the air, this time rolling out left and finding a wide-open Dylan Ball in the flat near the right side of the end zone to make it 14-7 with 3:53 remaining.
The Wildcats could not answer on the ensuing drive, and went into halftime trailing by a score.
It was all Sonora after that, and junior fullback Tommy Sutton started the show off by hitting a big hole up the middle and streaking 61 yards untouched to tie things up, 14-14 on the first drive of the third quarter.
A nice pass breakup from Tanner Navarro forced a three-and-out for Escalon, and three big runs from junior Brody Speer set up a late option pitch from quarterback Eli Ingalls to Brody Speer for a 14-yard touchdown to give the Wildcats a 21-14 lead.
Sutton came up big again in the fourth quarter, rumbling up the middle for a 20-yard touchdown that gave Sonora the insurance they needed, putting them up 28-14 with 8:52 remaining.
The burly junior fullback summed up his running style simply.
“Head down and get as many yards as you can,” Sutton said. “Just run people over.”
He continued to do so on the following drive after a hit from Navarro on Escalon’s Ball led to a fumble, recovered by defensive end Caden Burd at the Escalon 43-yard line.
Three of the drive’s five play belonged to Sutton as the Wildcats drained the clock, then Ingalls connected with Byington on a short pass over the middle that scored, making up for his errant throw in the red zone to start the second quarter and giving Sonora the 35-14 score it would take to the final whistle.
Ingalls, who grew up in Escalon until moving to Sonora at the age of seven, got to experience his first league contest as a varsity quarterback back home, where it all started for him.
“I spent every day here,” Ingalls said. “I watched them win a state championship. I wanted to be a quarterback.
“I told myself at halftime, ‘You have the opportunity now. Why not?’ ”
Ingalls said his team’s ability to look past their early mistakes and continue to play excellent football is a testament to their belief in one another.
“The biggest thing is, we have one another,” Ingalls said. “We are never going to give up, never going to let you push us over. You can have as many mistakes as you want — we are never going to stop.
“Obviously, we wanted to make everybody know that we belong here. Everybody in the TVL is a competitor, it is a great league and we are just happy and feel honored to be here. We are glad we made our presence known tonight.”
COLUMBIA – The Texas A&M soccer team opens SEC play with one of its most-played rivalries when the Maroon & White travel to Missouri for Thursday’s 7 p.m. match at Walton Soccer Stadium.
The Aggies and Tigers have met 28 times with the total trailing just the 29 matches against the Texas Longhorns in A&M annals. The Maroon & White boast an 18-6-4 edge in the all-time series against Missouri. Texas A&M (5-3-0) thumped Mizzou twice in the 2017 campaign, including 5-1 in the regular-season and 7-1 in the SEC Tournament, but other than that the matches have been tight since the squads joined the SEC for the 2012 season. As SEC brethren, the Aggies own a 5-1-3 edge in the series, but six of the nine matches have been decided by one goal or less.
A victory would make Texas A&M the 13th Division I program to reach the 500-win plateau. The Aggies would become the first SEC and Lone Star State team to hit the mark.
Both squads are licking their wounds after losses on Sunday. Texas A&M dropped a 6-0 decision at UConn while Missouri was on the wrong end of 7-0 score at Duke.
Sydney Becerra leads the Aggies with seven points on three goals and one assist. MaKhiya McDonald, Mia Pante and Taylor Pounds each have five points with two goals and one assist. The Aggies own a 1.25 goals-against average, with a 0.00 mark in the five shutout wins and a 3.33 ledger in the three losses.
The Aggies enter play with the SEC’s second-best all-time winning percentage in league games at .676, trailing just Florida (.741). The Maroon & White have begun catching teams on the league’s all-time conference wins list in just their 13th season as a member. With 78 wins under their belt, the Aggies have already passed 30-year league member Mississippi State (60 SEC).
Missouri enters the fray with a 2-4-1 mark with wins over Missouri State (2-0) and Southeast Missouri (5-0). Three of the Tigers’ losses have come to ranked teams, including No. 10 Memphis (2-0), No. 23 Saint Louis (2-0) and No. 8 Duke. The other loss came at Miami (2-1) with a tie at Illinois (1-1). Missouri experienced an extremely unlucky 2023 SEC campaign, finishing 1-8-1 with all 10 matches decided by one goal or less.
Milena Fischer is Missouri’s lone multiple-goal scorer with two. Kylee Simmons has five points with one goal and three assists. Bella Hollenbach’s goals-against average was knocked out of whack in the loss against Duke. She enters play with a 2.13 goals-against average in seven starts with the Duke match factored in and 1.15 without it.
The match will be televised on SEC Network with Alex Perlman (play-by-play) and Marion Crowder (color) painting the picture. A radio call of the match airs on Gospel 97.3 FM in the Brazos Valley with the audio also available in the 12th Man Mobile app.
