It is my hope that players, friends, and family members can remember Howard in the happy times. Image: Newscom.

As of now, the police have not made any arrests, and they’re asking that any students who might have pictures or videos of the fight to come forward. While there are suspects, and the Howard family is confident that the person responsible will be brought to justice, this is an especially hard pill for everyone to swallow because Howard was actually working hard to get away from violence. Howard was from a rougher area of Miami, and was thriving at college. Friends say that he was the type of person everyone loved and was very outgoing and friendly.

The show must go on, but this weekend, players at Connecticut will were a sticker wearing Howard’s number (#6). In addition, one of Howard’s high school friends, Chris Chancellor, now plays for Clemson and got permission to wear #6 at their next game to honor Howard.

Post from: EveryJoe

Players to Honor Jasper Howard

The feat in question? After a 60-yard pass reception, he became the second person to ever have at least 2500 yards rushing, 1500 yards in kick off returns, 1000 yards receiving, and 500 yards in punt returns. The only other person to ever reach those stats was the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush of USC. Bush is now a player for the New Orleans Saints.

CJ Spiller, playing against Duke last year. Image: Newscom

Clemson eventually lost their game to TCU 14 – 10, bringing them to a record of 2 – 2 overall and 1 – 1 in the ACC. He’s definitely someone to watch, especially if he continues at this pace. Players like him are players worth the money paid to top picks by NFL teams, but will being on a mediocre team hurt him?

Post from: EveryJoe

Congratulations, CJ Spiller

First and foremost, what the crap, Oklahoma State. I think like, the entire state of Oklahoma is bummed out. First, Sam Bradford gets injured. Now this. In case you didn’t watch the game…Oklahoma State, who was ranked #5, got their asses handed to them by Houston. Most people don’t even realize that Houston has a football team. At first, it was just a good game, but Oklahoma State didn’t look like they were really in jeopardy. Whatever adjustments the Cougars made during halftime worked, though. They scored 21 points in the fourth quarter alone! Final score? 45 – 35. Ouch, Cowboys. There goes your bowl game bid.

Everyone’s still talking about the Ohio State – USC game, too. I actually watched every minute of this game on a 72 – inch HDTV. Be jealous. I was cheering Ohio State (Big Ten love), but I knew it would be a close game, and I’m not upset that USC won. Every year, people say that Big Ten teams can’t compete with Pac-10 teams, but I think this game proves that they can.

USC's #4 Joe McKnight was key in the win against Ohio State. Image: Newscom

The final score was 18 -15, and it was not an easy game for either team by any means. It came down to a final amazing drive across the field by USC’s Matt Barkley and Joe McKnight, which led to a score and two-point conversion. There just wasn’t enough time left on the clock for the Buckeyes to make anything happen to take back the lead. Ohio State dropped to #11, from being #8 last week, and I personally think it is a good place for them to be. Although some are calling for them to drop farther, if you saw the game, you know that USC just barely outplayed Ohio State, and the win had a lot to do with timing rather than talent.

Florida, Texas, and Alabama all won. *shrug* No big new there. The games sucked, for the most part. It was interesting that Texas was so sloppy against Wyoming in the first half, but other than that, there really wasn’t anything to see.

Other interesting scores:

• On Thursday, #15 Georgia Tech was almost upended by Clemson. Final score, 30 – 27. Read about it more at The Palmetto Scoop and Football Zone TV.
• Connecticut kept up with #19 North Carolina, but ultimately fell 12 – 10. Read about it more at Tar Heel Blue.
• Ouch. Michigan State lost to Central Michigan 29 – 27, who is a better team than people give them credit for. Read about it more at The Niles Star and The Scores Report.
• Wisconsin held on against Fresno State in double overtime. Final score was 34 – 31 – it was a great game. Read about it more at Bleacher Report.
• UCLA beat Tennesse 19 – 15. Another great game. Read about it more at the UCLA website and Ledger-Enquirer.

Post from: EveryJoe

College Football Week Two 2009 in Review

Clemson coach Oliver Purnell’s head must be aching right about now.  From what I’ve read, Oliver didn’t see this coming at all, so it’s definitely a stunning blow for the program.

92 three point makes will be a lot to replace at Clemson, but I’m sure which ever European team signs him will absolutely adore him.  Hopefully the team decides to pay him, and on time, because it’s not always a sure thing that foreign teams will pay on time, if at all (read Paul Shirley’s book, it happens frequently).

And if Oglesby seriously believes playing in Europe will improve his NBA chances down the road, he’s sadly mistaken.  The exposure and popularity of the NCAA vastly outshines the benefits of playing in most European leagues.  The reason I say ‘most’ is because there are certain premier foreign leagues in which many NBA caliber players litter the rosters, but let me tell you, Oglesby’s not headed to any premier team or league any time soon.  He might as well be suiting up for some Southland conference team– it’s going to be a far cry from major DI basketball. 

Bad decision all the way around if you ask me.

Terrence no longer a Clemson Tiger (Image:Newscom)

Post from: EveryJoe

Oglesby Leaves Clemson For Europe

Most Exciting Game

I can’t quite remember right now, that cbssportsline feed is off the hook good. However, I do not know if this is weird or normal, but I might have burned myself out these last two days. All the competitive games are running together in my mind as the same.  I will have to go with Siena v. Ohio State just because I remember the two extra sessions pretty well.   They’re fresh in my mind. Conshohocken, Pennsylvania native Ronald Moore hit two clutch shots at the end of both overtimes that had me hollering for joy.  Shortly thereafter a college basketball watching novice near me said “Darnit Siena, they’re screwing up my bracket!”  I looked at the person and scolded them not for the fact they had Ohio State beating Louisville in the next round, but for the fact they pronounced Siena wrong.

Most Surprising Game

None really… until Cleveland State mooned Wake Forest on Friday night, and I mean mooned. It just so happens I picked Wake to go far, Final Four far, championship runner up far.  Anyways.

The Vikings did everything right

Best Individual Performance

I could go with Nic Wise’s 29, Chase Budinger’s 20 points, 8 boards, 6 feeds and 4 swipes, Ben Woodside’s (NDSU) 37, Sherron Collins 32 and 8 dimes, Chris Wright’s (Dayton) 27 points and 10 boards, Taj Gibson’s 10-10 from the field en route to 24 points (3 swats), Greivis Vasquez’s 27, Marcus Thorton’s (LSU) 30, or Dwayne Anderson’s (Nova) 25 on 9-10 from the field (he averages 8.8ppg), but I’ll go with a performance just too improbable to overlook.  And that’s 35 big ones (10 trifectas) in 36 minutes from Roburt Sallie, 6′5 guard from Memphis, averaging 5.4 ppg in 14.7 min/gm. I think Roburt might ask to have a repeat of the pre-game meal before the Maryland game.

Worst Moment

The WWF smackdown of Blake Griffin during the Oklahoma-Morgan State thrilla.  But it gets better, Morgan State players are seen throwing tantrums after the game.

Game I Cared Most About

Michigan v. Clemson.  Always been a  University of Michigan sports fan, can not put a finger on why, but it is what it is. Maybe living in Michigan all my life has something to do with it, just a guess. It also does not hurt that the fine institution accepted me for the fall of 09′.  Big leagues baby.

A Prediction For Round Two
Western Kentucky over Gonzaga. I like WKU’s wing players as well as 6′9 skinny bean Jeremy Evans (190lbs).

Post from: EveryJoe

Round 1 Wrap

Total Five-Stars: 1

Total Four-Stars: 13

The number after the player/position is their position ranking as compared to all over 2008 prospects. For the 2008 Recruiting Classes at other schools, see THIS POST.

Offensive:
Kyle Parker, Quarterback, 10
Jo Richt, Quarterback, not ranked
Andre Ellington, All-purpose Back, 5
Jamie Harper, Fullback, 1
Brandon Ford, Wide Receiver, 46
Marquan Jones, Wide REceiver, 35
Dwayne Allen, Tight End, 12
Dalton Freeman, Offensive Guard, 13
Antoine McClain, Offensive Tackle, 13
Kenneth Page, Offensive Guard, 9
Matt Sanders, Offensive Guard, 28

Defensive:
DaQuan Bowers, Strongside Defensive End, 1 (2 overall)
Jarrett Crittenton, Strongside Defensive End, not ranked
Brandon Thompson, Defensive Tackle, 9
Stanley Hunter, Outside Linebacker, not ranked
Tarik Rollins, Outside Linebacker, 29
Jonathan Willard, Outside Linebacker, 24
Spencer Admas, Safety, 5
Daniel Andrews, Safety, not ranked
Rashard Hall, Safety, 46
Carlton Lewis, Safety, 59
Xavier Brewer, Cornerback, 27

Special Teams:
Spencer Benton, Kicker, 16
Dawson Zimmerman, Kicker, not ranked

Athletes:
Jaron Brown, 57
Matt Skinner, not ranked

Post from: EveryJoe

Clemson Recruiting 2008

Post from: EveryJoe

Miss The Auburn – Clemson Game?