JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville State football had an opportunity in front of them on Friday and it took full advantage.
The Gamecocks (9-4) hosted the Conference USA title game and came out victorious 52-12 over Western Kentucky. It was a first half of beauty from the Gamecocks, which saw Tyler Huff throw for two touchdowns while Tre Stewart ran for the second two touchdowns as they took a 22-point lead into the half.
Not much changed in the second half, Huff scored on a short scamper, and went over the 300-total yard mark on the Gamecocks second drive of the half. Stewart scored again and had more than 250 yards of offense.
Tyler Huff starts for Jacksonville State football
A week after injuring his ankle, Tyler Huff earned the start for the Gamecocks. He immediately showed how healthy he was, taking a read-option play 14 yards for a first down before breaking free two plays later for a 48-yard run.
He shined and had one of his best games of the year, going 11 of 15 for 176 yards and two touchdowns. he added 151 yards and a score on the ground.
Gamecocks defense found its lost form
The Gamecocks defense got back to its dominant self, shutting down a passing attack that torched it for 301 yards six days ago. In the first half, Caden Veltkamp went 10 of 20 for 56 yards, and almost had an interception right before halftime. The ground game didn’t get better for the Hilltoppers, as they ran for 69 yards in the first half.
Most of the success came on third down, where they held them to a 2 of 7 rate in the first half, making it impossible to extend drives.
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Gamecocks get back to winning recipe
There’s a simple recipe for the Gamecocks to win, let Huff and Stewart run wild and get a strong day out of the defense, including a turnover or two while hanging out in the opponents backfield. Well, Huff and Stewart combined for more than 325 yards and four touchdowns on the ground — so that’s a double check mark. The defense forced two fumbles and had two sacks as part of a five tackle for loss day, so consider those boxes checked for the defense.
Jacksonville State football next game
The Gamecocks will await their bowl destination. With the final CFP rankings coming out Sunday, the bowls will be finalized on the same day.
The No. 6 Michigan Wolverines (9-2-1) are set for a top-10 clash against their third-straight ranked opponent in No. 7 Western Michigan (8-1-1). The Broncos are winners of five of their last six and will be looking to cement themselves as legitimate national championship contenders in a critical non-conference home-and-home series.
Led by a quartet of talented scorers, Pat Ferschweiler’s team is once again anchored by one of the country’s top offenses. Fifth-year forward Tim Washe (5G, 7A) is the headliner. Washe provides a big veteran presence and uplifts every player on the ice. Leading the team with a ridiculous +11, Washe will be a defensive focal point for the Wolverines every time he’s on the ice.
Joining Washe up front is a duo of talented sophomores who each carry a specific offensive responsibility for the Broncos. Leading goal scorer Owen Michaels (6G, 2A) and leading set-up man Grant Slukynsky (2G, 8A) perfectly complement each other’s games and mesh seamlessly with Washe.
On the blue line, Western Michigan has taken a step in large part due to true freshman Iiro Hakkarainen (2 G, 3A). The young Finn has helped take the team’s defense — currently ranked fourth in the country in scoring defense — to another level. While his scoring numbers won’t wow anyone, Hakkarainen leads the team in blocked shots (10) and is second in +/- with a +10.
In net, Western Michigan deploys the same senior/freshman goalie rotation as the Wolverines — only better. Freshman Hampton Slukynsky leads the nation in save percentage (.949), and senior Cameron Rowe (.938) is also in the top-10. The only team to beat the Broncos this season is fourth-ranked Boston College. Michigan will have its hands full this weekend, but the Wolverines are also one of the hottest and most surprising teams in college hockey.
Coming off a prolific 16-goal scoring barrage against Penn State, Michigan took its offense to a new heights in Happy Valley. The Wolverines are led by true freshman Michael Hage (8G, 8A) who is coming off a seven-point weekend and the Big Ten’s First Star of the Week recognition. Not to be outdone, T.J. Hughes (5G, 7A) finally overcame his slow start to the season and added five goals (six points) against Penn State to earn the conference’s second Star of the Week.
Defensively, the Wolverines took a step back against the Nittany Lions, allowing 11 goals in two games. Michigan had only allowed eight goals in its previous four games, so the blue line will have to get back on track to slow down the prolific Broncos. Despite the regression, Ethan Edwards and Dakoda Rheaume-mullen continue to block shots at an absurd rate, as both players have absorbed 18 so far this season.
In net, the rotation took a beating on the road last week. Logan Stein (.914) lost two-tenths of his season save percentage and allowed two more goals in his Friday night start than his last four starts combined. Freshman Cameron Korpi also struggled, allowing six goals in his start and dipping his save percentage (.890) south of .900.
Given their track record, last weekend appears to be an aberration for the Wolverines’ defense. The most important thing is they found a new way to win when they needed it. However, getting back to a championship standard on both ends of the ice against a legitimate Frozen Four contender and well-rounded team leaves little time for growing pains.
Key to the Game
Reignite the penalty kill and keep the power play hot. Michigan’s penalty-kill started the season on fire, but has waned in recent weeks. Although it is still operating at a decent level — .795 is nothing to scoff at — if the Wolverines want to make a run in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament, all special teams must be operating at a high level. Despite the dip in efficiency, Michigan is still third in the country in short-handed goals with three.
On the bright side, Michigan’s power play has finally caught up with Brandon Naurato’s reputation. The Wolverines have quietly rocketed up the rankings and now rank fifth nationally with a .289 power-play conversion. If the Wolverines can stay hot on the PP and string together a .900 PK weekend, Michigan could extend its winning streak to eight.
Chris Grant has departed his post as the Western Bulldogs’ executive director of football after reportedly having a ‘relationship breakdown’ with senior coach Luke Beveridge.
The Bulldogs confirmed on Friday afternoon Grant would leave the club in December.
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Seven’s Mitch Cleary reports the relationship between Grant and Beveridge in the past 12 months was ‘tense’ and ‘rocky’.
After playing 341 games for the Dogs across 18 seasons, Grant was appointed to a full-time executive position ahead of the 2016 season.
“I’ve spent over half of my life with the Club as a player and administrator and will cherish the many memories we have created together at the Western Bulldogs,” Grant said in a club statement on Friday.
“While the decision to pause and map out the next stage of my professional career has not been an easy one, I leave knowing the Club is in a great position to succeed and write the next chapter in the amazing history of the red, white and blue.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the players, coaches, and football department staff across all our programs for the trust they have shown in me to manage the football department over the past nine years, forging lifelong friendships and creating some amazing memories together along the way.
“I am looking forward to spending some quality time with Mel, Isabella, Sascha and Ollie over the coming months as we embark on the next stage of our family life together.”
Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains commended Grant for his contribution to the football club.
“Chris has been an outstanding Bulldogs person for more than three decades, characterised by great integrity, care and compassion for the Club and our people,” Bains said.
“Without exception, Chris has always put the Club first, building a legacy that includes overseeing two premierships and countless accolades during his time as a champion player and progressive leader at the Bulldogs.
“Chris remains one of the best players to ever don the red, white and blue jumper. As an administrator, his ever-calming influence and ability to lead people has guided this Club through both successful and challenging times.
“On behalf of our Club and the entire Bulldogs community, we’re extremely grateful to Chris for everything he has done for us and we wish him well for the next chapter of his journey.”
EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Fifth-seeded Michigan State women’s soccer punched its third-consecutive ticket to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 3-1 first-round victory over Western Michigan on Saturday at DeMartin Stadium.
MSU moves to 13-2-5 with the win, while Western Michigan ends its season at 13-2-6. The Spartans advance to play No. 4 seed and SEC champion Texas on Friday, Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. in the second round at Duke.
Graduate midfielder Emily Mathews opened the scoring for the Spartans in the 16th minute before graduate midfielder Justina Gaynor added another in the 18th minute. Sophomore midfielder Bella Najera sealed MSU’s victory with her seventh goal of the season late in the second half. In goal, MSU graduate goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks secured her 11th win of the season, making one save.
The Spartans held an 11-9 advantage in shots, including a 9-2 edge in shots on goal and held the Broncos without a corner kick for the game while registering nine of their own. “It’s a race to one in this game because if they score first, then they would sit much deeper and make it more challenging on us,” said head coach Jeff Hosler. “To score first, to keep the game wide open made a world of difference, not just in the first half, but carried onto the second half. It is important to keep your foot on the gas. We talked about that as a team the last few weeks, if you get a goal, have a little bit more urgency to go forward. Go get that next goal. It’s important for us to keep our foot on the gas, and we did that today.”
MSU controlled possession throughout the opening minutes but was unable to record a shot. In the ninth minute, WMU’s Jen Blitchok registered the Broncos’ only on-target look of the game, but her shot was easily corralled by Parks.
The Spartans’ first two shots of the game resulted in a pair of goals. Mathews opened up the scoring in the 16th minute after graduate forward Meg Hughes found her just outside the box. Mathews dribbled into the box and shot into the bottom left corner for her seventh goal of the season and first since Sept. 19 against Nebraska. Hughes was credited with the assist, recording her team-leading 20th point of the season.
Still lethal on the attack, MSU doubled its lead a minute later with Gaynor’s fifth goal of the season. Gaynor found junior defender Sofia Beerworth’s cross in front of the WMU goalkeeper and shot through a group of Bronco defenders for the 2-0 MSU lead.
The Broncos found their offensive footing after the MSU goals while holding the Spartans without a shot for the following 10 minutes. After an MSU turnover, Blitchok capitalized on a loose ball and shot past Parks to get the Broncos within a goal in the 32nd minute.
Neither side was able to get off any quality looks for the remaining 15 minutes, heading to the break with a 2-1 Spartan lead.
WMU’s Brielle Gomez was issued a red card early in the second half, forcing the Broncos to play with 10 players for the remainder of the game. MSU took advantage, recording five-straight on-target shots throughtout the opening 15 minutes of the half.
MSU continued to dominate possession throughout the second half. Despite an offensive push from WMU with 25 to go, the Broncos could not get off any quality looks.
Najera added the insurance goal for the Spartans in the 83rd minute, sending graduate forward Mackenzie Anthony’s cross to the top right corner of the net for her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
WMU could not get any shots off in the final minutes as the Spartans secured the 3-1 win.
Duke hosts the NCAA Second and Third Rounds, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 24, respectively. The winner of Friday’s Michigan State/Texas match will play the winner of top-seeded Duke and No. 8 seed Texas Tech in the third round.
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The Lindenwood football team (3-5, 2-2 BS/OVC) takes on Western Illinois (3-4, 2-1 BS/OVC) for homecoming. Kickoff from St. Charles, Mo. is set for 2:00 p.m.
Lindenwood is coming off a close 42-35 loss last week at Gardner-Webb. The offense presented a balanced attack, throwing for 244 yards and rushing for 213 more. Nate Glantz threw three touchdown passes as Reece Thomas, Jeff Caldwell and Drew Krobath each found the endzone. Caldwell finished the day with six catches for 174 yards and a score. The 6-5 wideout continues his stellar junior campaign and leads the Big South-OVC Association with 779 yards and nine touchdowns. This was the second game of his career with at least 174 receiving yards, the other coming last season against Western Illinois where he had five catches for 185 yards and four scores.
The ground game continues to be effective for the Lions as the Black and Gold tallied over 200 rushing yards for the second-consecutive game. A big reason for that was Steve Hall as the redshirt freshman compiled 78 yards on the ground while finding the endzone for the first time in his career. As a result, Hall was tabbed the Big South-OVC Association co-Freshman of the Week. So far this season, Lindenwood averaged 169.9 rushing yards per game, second-most in the conference.
Vincent King was also recognized for his performance on the defensive side of the ball. The Denver, Colo. native had 15 tackles, including three stops for loss as well as a quarterback hurry. The senior linebacker has made 77 tackles so far this season, which leads the conference and ranks third in FCS. For his efforts against Gardner-Webb, King was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week.
Lindenwood has won the only meeting between the two schools in program history, a 43-40 shootout last season. Caldwell had four touchdowns in that game. WIU enters the matchup with a 3-4 record and winners of two out of its last three.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
4: The Lions have gone 4-4 in their last eight homecoming games
13: Nate Glantz has become a dual threat at quarterback, topping 13 or more rushing attempts in each of the last three games. He had a season-high 17 two weeks ago in a win against Charleston Southern
9: Lindenwood had a season-high nine tackles for loss against Gardner-Webb. Vincent King led the team with three on his way to earning Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Week
457: The number yards Lindenwood gained on offense last week, its second-highest total of the season
LINDENWOOD TID BITS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
The Lindenwood football team (3-5, 2-2 BS/OVC) welcomes Western Illinois for homecoming on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Lindenwood won the first-ever meeting with Western Illinois last season, 43-40, in a non-conference match-up.
Lindenwood finished the Gardner-Webb game with 244 passing yards and 213 net rushing yards, its second game this season with 200-passing, 200-rushing yards in a game — the only Big South-OVC member this year to achieve the feat … Jeff Caldwell caught six passes for a season-high 174 yards at GWU. QB Nate Glantz threw three touchdown passes in leading the Lions to their most points in a Big South-OVC Association contest (35) … Lindenwood has scored 20+ points in every Association game this season, and is averaging 28.0 points against league foes … Vincent King posted his league-leading fifth 10-tackle game with 15 stops (3.0 TFL), and paces the conference with 77 total tackles.
AT FIRST GLANTZ
Nate Glantz became just the second quarterback in Big South-OVC Association history to throw for 100 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game when he achieved the feat this past week in the Lions’ 29-14 victory over Charleston Southern. He passed for 152 yards and gained a team-high 103 yards on the ground to account for 255 of Lindenwood’s 392 offensive yards vs. the Bucs.
LOGAN’S KICK
Logan Seibert broke his own Big South-OVC Association single-game record for kick scoring with 17 points in the Lions’ 29-14 win over Charleston Southern this past week. He converted an Association single-game record five field goals along with two PATs to surpass his previous mark of 16 points vs. St. Thomas in Week 4. Seibert and Southeast Missouri K DC Pippin share the league-lead with 13 field goals made, which eclipse the Association’s single-season record of 12 set last year by Tennessee State’s James Lowrey
HOUSE CALLS
Jeff Caldwell tied the Big South-OVC Association records for consecutive games with a touchdown reception (4) as well as his own single-season touchdown receptions (8). His eight receiving scores this year came in a four-game span during Weeks 3-6, which included a Big South-OVC single-game record-tying four touchdown receptions in Week 5. For the season, Caldwell is reaching the end zone on 28.57 percent of his 28 receptions. Meanwhile, Caldwell is responsible for five of the Association’s longest pass plays in history:
Diing Deng’s face lights up when he’s asked about South Sudan’s first Olympic basketball appearance.
The 15-year-old’s family home in western Sydney was the place to be when the East African country’s national side, which played its first international game seven years ago, took to the court in Paris. His mother, born in South Sudan, welcomed anyone wanting to catch the action into their house during the Olympics.
News of the viewing parties quickly spread across the South Sudanese community. Enthusiasm and passion were the only conditions of entry.
“You’ll see a Sudanese uncle, at Blacktown or Mount Druitt, and they would ask ‘Are you watching the game?’ and I would say, ‘Yeah, and I’m bringing the energy too’,” Deng said.
“It was big for everyone … all ages, all genders tuned in. That was a big thing.”
Savannah Pride basketball players get air during trainingCredit: Louise Kennerley
Deng doesn’t want to be watching from home when the next Olympics are held in 2028. He wants to be in Los Angeles, playing for the country of his mother’s birth, 13,000 kilometres from where he first picked up a basketball.
It might seem like a far-flung ambition, but Deng has precedent on his side. He’s one of the 150 players with the Savannah Pride, a Mount Druitt club that has quickly become a factory for producing top basketball talent.
Thirty-five Savannah Pride players have gone on to play professionally, at US colleges, or for NSW and Australian national teams since the club was founded by Mayor Chagai in 2006.
Among them is Bul Kuol, a Sydney Kings player who represented South Sudan in Paris. Duop Reath – who featured in his second Olympics for the Boomers this year – is the first Pride player to make the NBA, after signing with the Portland Trail Blazers last year.
Chagai was a talented player himself. He was fielding scholarship offers from US colleges and European academies when he badly broke his arm during a game in Kenya in 2005, ending his career.
Savannah Pride is a western Sydney basketball club established in 2006 by South Sudanese Australians Credit: Louise Kennerley
He arrived in Blacktown one year later, 17 years after fleeing his village in South Sudan as a six-year-old, following stops in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Egypt.
“My main aspiration is to showcase the potential of South Sudan to Australia and show to South Sudan what Australia has offered us as a country,” Chagai said.
“To be able to have a contribution that not only benefits my country of birth but also both countries … is something that makes me very proud.”
The stories of South Sudan’s players in Paris strike a chord with those in Chagai’s gym.
Savannah Pride during training at the Shalvey PCYC club. Credit: Louise Kennerley
Carlik Jones, the team’s leading points scorer in Paris, was born in the US but naturalised through his mother’s South Sudanese heritage. Kuol, Sunday Dech, Jackson Makoi and Majok Deng were among the Australian-raised players who represented South Sudan. Others came from Canada, the US, and other parts of Africa.
South Sudan’s Olympic campaign ended with defeats to the US and Serbia – eventual gold and bronze medallists, respectively – after an opening match victory against Puerto Rico.
Savannah Pride run drills during training last week. Credit: Louise Kennerley
Chagai, who watched each game with his players, remembers how he cheered during the Puerto Rico game. His mother is still in South Sudan, while his wife Adol and two boys, aged four and six, live in an apartment in Nairobi, Kenya while they await clearance to join Chagai in Australia.
“For [South Sudan] to be at the Olympics with a contribution from the players that learned from Australia, came from Australia, [they now] can really take Australian knowledge back home to show to their parents and relatives,” Chagai said.
Savannah Pride players take a break from training. The club was established to help people settle into Australia and find like-minded communities.Credit: Louise Kennerley
“We came as refugees because of war, [now we] have something that shows them how beautiful the world is.”
Rilpuou Dut, a Pride player who stands at 205 centimetres at age 15, was inspired by the performance.
“It made me feel motivated seeing a country like us that’s getting noticed on the global stage, and people can recognise it as a great country,” Dut said. “No matter where you come from, you can always dream big.”
Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian travels to Mount Druitt each fortnight to put the Pride’s best players, including Dut, through their paces.
Brian Goorjian has returned to the Sydney Kings on a three-year deal.Credit: James Brickwood
Goorjian, who coached the Boomers in Paris, “got emotional” when South Sudan qualified for the tournament.
Dut reckons it’s “pretty crazy” that a team like the Kings is taking notice of the Pride, but Goorjian knows all too well the promise that lies within the Mount Druitt PCYC. It’s him, after all, that watches over Kuol at the Kings and gave Reath his Olympic debut.
“It makes me feel better [being there] than they feel about me being there,” Goorjian said.
“I took my wife there, I’m taking my daughter there. It’s really, really special.”
The team trains into the late evening in Shalvey, New South Wales. Credit: Louise Kennerley
With the first two land releases sold out and over 10,000 registrations of interest in six months, Orchard Hills North is proving to be popular.
The latest development by Legacy Property is attracting buyers seeking a modern, well-connected community that boasts top environmental and sustainable principles at its heart.
With blocks of land starting at $700k and house and land packages from $1.1m, the next land release will be available in October, and buyers are being encouraged to act fast.
“The suburb of Orchard Hills is characterised by beautiful rolling hills and an outlook to the Blue Mountains.
“Residents will enjoy the beautiful views but will also experience significant benefits from the inclusion of sustainability initiatives,” said Steve Barlow, Development Director at Legacy Property.
Residents are drawn the the lush greenery and space on offer at Orchard Hills North.
Amenities and infrastructure
The estate offers a master-planned community which will include a village centre with shops, a lake, and a proposed primary school.
“This village centre will form an engaging neighbourhood focal point with connecting parkland and waterways providing many opportunities for recreation and relaxation,” said Mr Barlow.
Education and childcare facilities are also in close by, including Western Sydney University and TAFE, making it ideal for both young and mature families.
Eco-friendly and sustainable practices have been incorporated into the design, enhancing the pre-existing natural landscape.
“Legacy Property’s vision for Orchard Hills North is to deliver a new community that seeks to combat the urban heat island effect by incorporating innovative cooling measures,” explained Mr Barlow.
The creek line and surrounding greenery will be retained and landscaped to create a ‘green spine’ that runs through the community. The use of trees and vegetation will help to keep the homes and outdoor spaces cool.
Rainwater will also be harvested and reused along the streetscapes, while stormwater will be directed to verges for irrigation.
This will be a cool, green community with innovative measures in place to benefit residents.
Connectivity and transport
One of Orchard Hills North’s standout features is its connectivity.
Situated within easy access of major highways, residents can explore the surrounding areas, including the centre of Penrith, which is just a 12-minute drive away, and Sydney CBD, which is a 45-minute drive away via the M4.
Public transport facilities are also available, with bus services and the nearby Metro station of Orchard Hills set to open in 2025, just 2km down the road, offering regular routes to the city and surrounding areas.
The new Western Sydney airport is just 14km away.
Recreation and entertainment
With picturesque parks, playgrounds, nature trails and sporting fields, there will be something to keep every resident entertained.
The estate also boasts 19 hectares of open spaces and a central lake. A community centre is planned, which will include facilities for indoor sports, social gatherings, and hobby clubs.
The surrounding natural beauty is another reason why buyers are joining the community.
With easy access to the stunning Blue Mountains and nearby national parks, weekends can include hiking or scenic picnics.
Demand and success
Orchard Hills North has seen strong demand since its launch, selling out the first two land releases.
Buyers range from first-time homebuyers and young professionals to families and investors.
The development has been incredibly popular among buyers.
“We’ve seen that more than half of buyers have been families looking to upgrade to a new home and be close to great amenities,” said Mr Barlow.
“They are moving from an established home or apartment, looking to build a brand-new home for their family.
First home buyers have also been active with local couples looking to secure land for their future.
While investors have also been attracted to Orchard Hills North for its future growth potential.”
Orchard Hills North offers a unique blend of modern living, sustainability, and connectivity, making it an ideal choice for lifestyle seekers.
With all this on offer, interested buyers will need to act quickly. For more information and to register for the next land release, visit www.orchardhillsnorth.com.au.
When rural folks don’t know where else to turn for solace, the Western Justice nonprofit wants to be their lifeline of last resort.
The organization was founded four years ago with the goal of assisting farmers, ranchers, cowboys and others who face tough predicaments but feel like they’re out of options.
Dave Duquette grew up in Western Washington logging towns before joining the U.S. Marine Corps and traveling the Far East. Upon his return, Duquette built a successful skylight installation business, became a horse trainer and began political advocacy work. He’s now the executive director of the Western Justice nonprofit and foundation.
Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press
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When rural folks don’t know where else to turn for solace, the Western Justice nonprofit wants to be their lifeline of last resort.
The organization was founded four years ago with the goal of assisting farmers, ranchers, cowboys and others who face tough predicaments but feel like they’re out of options.
Dave Duquette grew up in Western Washington logging towns before joining the U.S. Marine Corps and traveling the Far East. Upon his return, Duquette built a successful skylight installation business, became a horse trainer and began political advocacy work. He’s now the executive director of the Western Justice nonprofit and foundation.
Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press
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