🏈☹️ SPORTS: FICKELL’S “AIR RAID” CRASHES & BURNS IN PULLMAN, AS COUGARS MAUL BADGERS 31-22! — New Look, Same Problems!

🏈☹️ SPORTS: FICKELL’S “AIR RAID” CRASHES & BURNS IN PULLMAN, AS COUGARS MAUL BADGERS 31-22! — New Look, Same Problems!

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Special To Courtside

September 10, 2023

Last year, the Washington State Cougars 17-14 upset of the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall in Madison was the beginning of the end for then-coach Paul Chryst. This year, with new head coach Luke Fickell (previously Cincinnati) and a revamped passing-oriented offense, Badger fans were confident of a different result. 

Alas, the over-ranked #19 Badgers’ visit to the unfriendly Cougar’s den in Pullman, Washington ended in another disaster, a 31-22 loss to the “Rump PAC-12 orphan.” (Viewers must have seen the extreme irony in ABC’s insistence on flashing the soon to-be-defunct conference’s bogus “Conference of Champions” logo during commercial breaks!)

The look might be new, but the glaring problems that plagued the Badgers last season, leading to the demise of both Chryst and his interim replacement Jim Leonhard, remained. Underperforming running game (97 yards), lousy line play, inconsistent quarterbacking, turnovers, failure to produce them, and dumb penalties were all on full display for the visitors at Martin Stadium.

New Badger QB Tanner Mordecai, a transfer from SMU, might have looked good on paper (25-40-278-1-0, 129.1 rating). But, what the stats don’t show is two key fumbles lost, one giving  WSU a gift touchdown. Also, they mask a bunch of overthrows on potential TD passes or at least big gainers in a game where every yard was precious. His offense settled for three consecutive field goals when touchdowns were needed.

Perhaps jet-lagged, the bewildered Badgers sleep-walked through the first half, trailing 24-9 at the break. Then, in the third quarter, the Badgers dominated, pulling within a missed two-point conversion of tying the game, 24-22. 

The Badger defense also rose to the occasion, pinning the Cougars’ offense and their elusive QB Cam Ward back near their goal line. What appeared to be a clear game-tying safety was wiped out on a bad call that somehow passed replay. But, with the Cougars punting from the back of their end-zone, Chimere Dike’s return apparently set Wisconsin up on the State 35 with a great chance to take a lead. But, a dumb personal foul away from the ball moved them back near midfield.

Several plays thereafter, the normally sure-handed Badger running back, Chez Mellusi (12-49) fumbled the ball back to the Cougars. Again, the call on the field and the video replay were questionable, as Mellusi’s elbow appeared to be down before the ball began to come loose. Nevertheless, it was a “one-handed carry” where two hands on the ball were clearly necessary.

Still, all was not lost for Fickell’s team. The defense forced a key 3rd and 6 in Cougar territory. But, they inexcusably allowed Ward to hit Lincoln Victor for a first down at the Badger 45. That reawakened Ward and the Cougar offense who marched down the field for a touchdown that put the game out of reach, 31-22. Several Mordecai overthrows sealed the deal for the Cougs.

Washington State portrayed this matchup is an “audition” for a place in one of the so-called “power conferences,” as the PAC-12 (“the Conference of Champions”) ingloriously dissolves at the end of this season. Good luck with that. They and their fellow “orphans” at Oregon State appear to be victims of negligible media markets, modest alumni bases, and undersized stadiums. 

Power conference decisions these days are driven by media markets and greed, not athletic competition. That’s why the ACC recently snapped up Pac-12 football fumblers Cal and Stanford (7 total FB victories last year) over Washington State and Oregon State (17 total FB victories last year). The Cougars and Beavers likely are headed to the American Athletic Conference or some other “mid-major” refuge. Ironically, the good news is that Fickell showed the potential of good football at any level during his Cincinnati tenure when he led the AAC Bearcats to an appearance in the FBS playoffs, something that neither Wisconsin nor Washington State has ever achieved. 

Badger fans’ hopes for an immediate turnaround under Fickell were dealt a stunning setback. It’s still a work in progress, with more consistent quarterback play, better play from both the O and D lines, and better production from the running backs a necessity. In particular, the “no-show” performance of highly touted junior running back Braylon Allen was highly disappointing. Coming off a  141 yard, two touchdown performance against an admittedly overmatched Buffalo Bulls defense, he managed only 20 yards on seven carries against the more competent Cougar defenders. 

The Badgers dominated the third quarter, giving a glimpse of what this team’s potential might be. Yet, as Fickell well knows, building championship teams takes dominance of games, not just quarters.

Fortuitously, the Badgers have only one currently-ranked opponent (Ohio State) on their remaining schedule. The Bloated-10 Conference, in its wisdom, has stuffed all three of its national contenders, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, into its artificially-created Eastern Division. This essentially guarantees that the euphemistically-named “Big Ten Championship Game” will not be a matchup of the two best teams in the conference. Therefore, the Badgers probably have as good a chance as anyone of “winning the West” and being sacrificed to one of these three in what is likely to be a highly lopsided  finale.

Next up for the Badgers, things could get easier with Georgia Southern (2-0) from the Sun Belt East visiting Camp Randall next Saturday. That will be Wisconsin’s last “warmup” before opening the Big-10 season against Purdue, last year’s West champs, at West Lafayette on Friday, September 22.

⚖️🗽🇺🇸COURTS & JUSTICE: “COURTSIDE” PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THE “DREAM BIA” — IT’S OUT THERE, EVEN IF GARLAND CAN’T SEE IT!

Start with current BIA judge:

  • Judge Andrea Saenz

Add these “extraordinary practical scholars” who happen to be the “seven most-cited immigration scholars under 50” (https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2021/12/immprofs-make-most-cited-faculty-under-50-list.html):

  • Amanda Frost (American)
  • Jennifer Chacón (Berkeley)
  • Ilya Somin (George Mason)
  • Adam Cox (NYU)
  • César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández (Ohio State)
  • Michael Kagan (UNLV)
  • Cristina Rodriguez (Yale)

Appoint these inspirational, dynamic, proven “scholar leaders” as Co-Chairs:

  • Dean Kevin Johnson, UC Davis Law & “most cited” immigration scholar;
  • Marielena Hincapie, National Immigration Law Center.

Add in three experienced Vice Chairs who really “know the business” (including where all the bodies are buried @ EOIR and how to make bureaucracy respond):

  • Judge Noel Brennan, NY Immigration Court, former BIA Appellate Judge;
  • Judge Dana Leigh Marks, San Francisco Immigration Court, former NAIJ President, “winning” attorney before the Supremes in the landmark asylum case INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca;
  • Michelle Mendez, currently Director, Defending Vulnerable Populations @ Catholic Legal Immigration Network (“CLINIC”).

Wild Card Round: 

  • Jason Dzubow, Esquire, “everyone’s favorite Asylumist;”
  • Lauren Wyatt, CLINIC, NYC, inspirational scholar-role model working “in the trenches;”
  • Ayodele Gansallo, HIAS Pennsylvania, Penn Law, co-author of Understanding Immigration Law and Practice, the “Bible of aspiring practical scholar-practitioners;”
  • Jaya Ramji-Nogales, Associate Dean, Temple Law, co-author of Refugee Roulette and The End of Asylum.

********************

Now, THAT’S an amazing, inspiring, dynamic “all-star judicial lineup” that could actually achieve the former “EOIR Vision” of: “Through teamwork and innovation, become the world’s best administrative tribunal, guaranteeing fairness and due process for all!”

What does this diverse group have in common?

  • Demonstrated, unswerving, overriding commitment to due process and fundamental fairness for migrants and all persons in America;
  • Impeccable, accessible scholarship in human rights, migrants’ rights, and constitutional interpretation;
  • Courage to speak truth to power;
  • Expertise in and concern for ethical issues;
  • Ability to engage in robust dialogue without sacrificing fundamental principles;
  • Ability to lead by example and inspire others;
  • Practicality;
  • Creativity;
  • Humanity;
  • Independence;
  • Widespread recognition, respect, and admiration among peers.

This court also would have the potential to deliver a long-overdue “wake up call” to the now-floundering Article III Judiciary.

Why would members of this high-powered group of intellectual giants be willing to leave comfortable current positions to accept the challenge of leading and reforming what currently is “America’s Worst Court System?”

  • A chance to be on a team of some of the most powerful “practical legal intellects” in America;
  • A chance to show how a diverse court of exceptionally-well-qualified judges can solve problems, implement best practices, and achieve timeliness and efficiency while enhancing due process;
  • The chance to save lives and improve futures — to make a positive difference in the world that will inspire future generations;
  • The chance to redefine “justice in America” in a positive way.

The BIA also has a large, talented staff of lawyers (I was one myself, back in the day) who would thrive and prosper under the intellectual leadership of these “practical scholars” and proven teachers! The BIA is potentially the “premier legal university/think tank” in America. But, unlike most think tanks, one with a mission, the ability to render best interpretations, implement best practices, and to issue hundreds of life-defining decisions every day! What other court in America could say the same? Why is this amazing untapped potential basically going to waste?

A pipe dream? Probably. But it shouldn’t be!

Deion Sanders
The BIA is “Not Quite Ready For Prime Time” (“NQRFPT”). But, “Neon Deion” Sanders IS “Prime Time.” Judge G. should take note!                                                                                                         Deion Sanders
Photo by Michael J. Cargill
Creative Commons License

Just look how in a relatively short time as a head coach at a “non-power-conference” HBCU, Jackson State, dynamic former NFL star and “larger than life” personality “Neon Deion” Sanders has shaken up the system and changed the “playing field” in the insular world of “big time college football.” This week, the “projected top recruit” in America chose Sanders & J-State over the “powers that be.” Presence, leadership, boldness, talent, and results (Jackson State was 11-1 this year) can force change for the better in even the most inbred and change-resistant systems (like EOIR, and to a large extent, the entire Federal Judiciary)!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiG4L7J0O30AhUEhXIEHXpZC_gQFnoECFEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fhbcu%2Ffootball%2Fdeion-sanders-jackson-state-out-recruited-power-5-worried&usg=AOvVaw22WpbS0LFQ02rTG_rNcRLL

It’s totally within Judge Garland’s power, if he would only wake up and make the bold, yet totally logical, justified, and long overdue moves necessary. He’s already sinking deep into the morass of responsibility for probably the most dysfunctional, yet consequential, failed “court” system in American legal history. What’s he got to lose by taking the steps necessary to dramatically turn things around?

As I recently wrote about EOIR:

With so many extraordinarily talented, creative, courageous, independent legal minds out there in the private/NGO/academic sector of human rights/immigration/racial justice/due process this “intentional mediocrity (or worse)” is inexcusable. Yet, this massive failure of the U.S. justice system at the most basic level gets scant attention outside of Courtside, LexisNexis, ImmigrationProf Blog, Jeffrey S. Chase Blog, The Asylumist, and a few other specialized websites. 

https://immigrationcourtside.com/2021/12/15/🏴%E2%80%8D☠%EF%B8%8F👎🏽🤮-aimless-docket-reshuffling-adr-on-steroids-eoir-dysfunction-shows-what-happens-when/

Recent GOP Administrations have been perfectly willing to unethically “weaponize” EOIR to carry out their far-right, nativist political agenda. They have “shrugged off” near-universal criticism of their most outrageous moves, including key quasi-judicial selections, and, inexcusably, “dumbed down” EOIR. 

Democrats, by contrast, have been timid, indolent, and feckless, failing to undo the damage and make due process, fundamental fairness, and equal justice for all persons a reality rather than a cruel false promise. Garland appears bullheadedly determined to move in the same wrong direction.  

And, “time’s a wasting!” We’re nearly a year into an Administration that promised real improvements but has basically carried out a disgraceful “Miller Lite,” anti-humanitarian, anti-constitutional agenda of abusing, mistreating, and dehumanizing legal asylum seekers and other migrants. As pointed out recently by a number of us, this also extends to the dedicated attorneys and representatives trying to preserve at least some semblance of justice in our stunningly dysfunctional Immigration Courts. 

https://immigrationcourtside.com/2021/12/15/%f0%9f%8f%b4%e2%80%8d%e2%98%a0%ef%b8%8f%f0%9f%91%8e%f0%9f%8f%bd%f0%9f%a4%ae-aimless-docket-reshuffling-adr-on-steroids-eoir-dysfunction-shows-what-happens-when/

https://immigrationcourtside.com/2021/12/16/%f0%9f%a4%a1%f0%9f%93%ba-must-see-tv-for-attorney-general-merrick-garland-his-senior-staff-youtube-proudly-presents-immigration-court-may-i-help-you/

As if to prove his tone-deafness, imperviousness to meaningful change at EOIR, and utter disdain for those advocates and “practical scholars” who helped him get his job, after one “better-balanced selection list,” Garland’s latest 22 Immigration Judge appointments reverted to the usual array of government and prosecutorial background appointments to the near-total exclusion of private/NGO/academic sector superstars who have the potential to materially change the trajectory of today’s dysfunctional Immigration Courts. Check this out! How many names do YOU recognize as among the “leading lights” of human rights and immigration scholarship and advocacy? How is this going to help advance due process, promote fundamental fairness, reduce the backlog, develop best practices, and reverse the endemic dysfunction at EOIR? 

https://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/immigration/b/insidenews/posts/eoir-announces-22-new-immigration-judges

Compare and contrast this list with the ”Dream BIA” described above. The private sector talent pool to improve judging and justice at EOIR is really deep. But, Garland stubbornly refuses to “take the plunge” even as what’s left of our immigrant justice system disintegrates around him! 

As Neon Deion could tell Judge G., “getting the best when you’re not yet the best” often involves working extra hard hard to actively change perceptions and aggressively recruit the “star talent.” Just sitting back to see who might apply or sign up doesn’t work any better at EOIR than it does in “non-power-five” college football. 

This should be a perhaps never to be repeated chance to “model” a better Federal Judiciary. Almost overnight, Immigration Courts could go from being a “sad but true YouTube comedy routine” to an inspiring model for a better-functioning and more just Federal Judiciary. 

But, not with the current personnel in place! Not with the opaque inbred selection process Garland currently uses (getting some outside Government expert input into judicial selections would be a “no-brainer” starting place). Garland is letting it slip through his fingers, but migrants and the rest of us are going to pay the price!

The “new generation” of our legal profession should be both outraged and existentially motivated to stand up to Garland’s intransigence! It’s not just migrants’ lives that are at stake here (as if that weren’t enough, in and of itself)! It’s the future of the U.S. Justice system, our legal profession, and liberal democracy that are swirling down the drain as Garland watches from his ivory tower refuge!

My time on the stage is winding down. But, for a new generation of legal professionals, it’s just starting. YOU and yours are going to have to live with the broken justice system and inferior judging that Garland is countenancing. Demand better, or prepare to live with the ugly consequences of a failed judiciary!

🇺🇸Due Process Forever!

PWS

12-18-21

🏈SPORTS: EXPOSED! — Badgers End B-10 Season With Inept Effort @ MN!  — No Offense, Little D, Lead To Embarrassing Loss — Wisconsin Avoids Michigan Re-Match!

Sad Badger
Sad Badger
PHOTO: Facebook

🏈SPORTS: EXPOSED!— Badgers End B-10 Season With Inept Effort @ MN!  — No Offense, Little D, Lead To Embarrassing Loss, Avoids Facing Michigan In Big-10 Title Game!

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Exclusive

November 28, 2021

When the Wisconsin Badgers took the field in Minneapolis on Saturday, afternoon they knew they were one win over the then 7-4 Gophers away from a rematch with the Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten Title Game next Saturday. For the next 60 minutes, the Badgers looked every bit like a team that wanted to avoid that potential matchup. (Michigan beat the Badgers 38-21 at Camp Randall in October). In the process, the Badgers also lost “Paul Bunyun’s Axe” for the second time in the past four years while being subjected to the Gopher fans’ imitation of Wisconsin’s “patented jump around.” 

Wisconsin was soundly beaten on both sides of the ball by a modestly talented, yet better coached and clearly more motivated, Gopher team. The Badgers failed to score an offensive touchdown. Their sole trip to the end zone came in the first half on a lucky tipped “pick six” by Scott Nelson.

For the second straight week, Coach Jim Leonhard’s “shut down” Badger defense couldn’t get a “less than awesome” offense off the field, particularly yesterday when it counted. The Gophers controlled the tempo of the game from opening kickoff to final whistle.

Perhaps the “best” illustrations of Badger futility came early in the second half. Ahead 10-6 despite a lackluster first half, the Badgers received the second half kickoff with a chance to “make a statement.” They did! But, not the kind they wanted.

Deep in his own territory, Badger QB Graham Mertz lofted a weak pass to 6th year receiver Kendrick Pryor, who made only a half-hearted effort to catch it. Instead the Gopher defender took the ball away, setting up a short field. Three plays later, the Gophers trotted into the end zone to take a 13-10 lead as a bewildered Badger “D” passively looked on. 

On the following possession the Badgers drove methodically inside the Minnesota 10. With second and two from the Gopher five, three downs to make 2 yards, and a then a potential four downs to score, the Badgers appeared destined to retake the lead. Instead, they were forced to settle for a tying field goal that proved to be their last score.

The Golden Gophers then scored the final 10 points and held the Badgers at bay to notch the 23-13 victory. Badger freshman “sensation” running back Braelon Allen was a non-factor. The Badger “O Line’s” inability to open holes was matched by Allen’s failure to break tackles. The few attempts to hit Allen ‘in space” ended with him being stoned by Gopher defenders.

Badger senior tight end Jake Ferguson was another non-factor. Big Ten defensive coordinators have finally figured out how to defend him, particularly in the “red zone.” By contrast, Badger Coach Paul Chryst doesn’t seem to have developed an alternative.

Mertz is a good athlete, but at best an average “pocket passer.” Why not roll him out to create a run option when the receivers are covered? At least force the opposing D to make some difficult choices!

So, instead of a trip to the Big Ten Title Game in Indianapolis next week, the Badgers (8-4, 5-3) “earned” another trip to a “Podunk City Piddly Bowl” against a failed team from a different conference. The “B-Team” announcers sentenced to that (non) “classic,” will be required to shill about the wonders of the Badger defense, the prowess of Allen, and the brilliance of Head Coach Paul Chryst and Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard.

But, that won’t hide the truth about a mediocre team that once again underperformed preseason expectations.

FOOTBALL WEEKEND IN WISCONSIN — LAMBEAU LEAP — Rainy Afternoon Doesn’t Dampen Enthusiasm As Pack Downs Broncs 27-16!

PACKERS
Approaching Lambeau Field, Oneida Gate, in the rain
Packers
Packers’ Pre-
Game Warm-up

Packers
Wonderful Packer Student Cheerleaders from UW Green Bay & St. Norbert College
Packers
Packers Take the Field, To Cheers of Enthusiastic & Highly Entertaining Fans in Front of Us!
Packers
TD Packers!
AR to Marquez Valdez-Scantling, 40 yards!
Packers -- Family Group-
Me, Wick, Nathaniel, Jospeh enjoying Packer win
Packers
Another Packer TD, right in front of us
Packers
“Lambeau Leap”

Packers
The scoreboard tells the story

A good time was had by all at the Annual Schmidt Family Visit to Lambeau on Sunday.

And, as an extra bonus, on Saturday the Badgers ran all over the Michigan Wolverines (literally and figuratively) 35-14 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Badger superstar Jonathan Taylor ran for 205 and 2 TDS, despite playing only about half the game!

Oh yeah, and in equestrian competition on Saturday, Cassie Schmidt on “Rooster” takes a second!

Cassie
Cassie Schmidt & Rooster take second in jumping, West Bend, WI, Sept. 21, 2019

PWS

09-23-19

SPORTS: BADGERS END DISAPPOINTING REGULAR SEASON WITH “FTA” AGAINST NOT-SO-GOLDEN GOPHERS! — Program Appears To Be Stuck In Reverse!

FTA = Failure To Appear

Putting an ugly exclamation point on a most disappointing season that started with a (in hindsight totally bogus) #4 national ranking, the Wisconsin Badgers “no showed” at Camp Randall Stadium on a gray and gloomy Saturday against the highly motivated, yet mediocre at best, Minnesota Golden Gophers. The game was not nearly as close as the blowout 37-15 final score would indicate.

The Badgers stunk in all aspects of the game — offense, defense, special teams, kicking, and coaching. The game essentially was over by the end of the listless first quarter. 

The Badgers last lost to Minnesota when George W. Bush was in his first term! And, for what it’s worth, they also lost the “Paul Bunyon’s Ax Trophy.”

Coming off several weeks on the sidelines with a concussion, Badger QB Alex Hornibrook was truly horrible — interceptions, fumbles, missed receivers, lack of leadership, bad decisions, etc.  The offensive line played like a group of oversized flag footballers, failing to open holes against a not very talented Gopher defense whose best player departed early as the result of a “targeting” call. 

Star Badger running back Jonathan Taylor exceeded the 100 yard mark while having no discernible impact whatsoever on the outcome of the game, thus proving that flashy rushing  stats in the 2018 version of the “Medium-Small Ten” can be deceiving. Meanwhile, the inept Badger defense made the very pedestrian Gopher offense look like the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Indeed, in so-called “crunch time” in the fourth quarter, the Badgers allowed a nine plus minute drive — the longest in the Big Ten this season! 

The Gophers improved to 6-6, thus becoming “bowl eligible” a fairly meaningless, almost dubious, honor in this time of irrelevant, over-hyped post season games. The NCAA should let the top eight teams compete for the national championship and keep everyone else at home with the eggnog during the holiday season,

Last season, Coach Paul Chryst took the Badgers to new heights with a 13-1 record and a major bowl victory. But, this season the under achieving Badgers more closely resembled “Little Ten Bottom Feeders” Indiana, Illinois, and Rutgers than they did a “Top 25” outfit. After the game, Chryst expressed gratification that his 7-5 group would have a chance to “redeem” themselves in a totally meaningless “Grade C” bowl game. Based on their season finale, fans would be well advised to take in a holiday movie instead.

PWS

11-24-18

🏈🍊🍻BADGERS CAP THEIR BEST FB SEASON IN HISTORY WITH 34-24 ORANGE BOWL WIN OVER MIAMI — QB Alex Hornibrook, 4 TD, 0 INT, Named MVP!

Bucky Badger closed out the most successful football season in more than a century of competition with a convincing 34-24 victory over the Miami Hurricanes of the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Orange Bowl. The #6 ranked Badgers finished with a best ever 13-1 record, while the #10 ‘Canes finished 10-3, dropping their final three games after winning the first 10.

Third-year Coach Paul Chryst’s Badgers survived a sluggish start which saw them trail 14-3, before reeling off  21 straight points to finish out the first half and outscoring Miami 31-10 after the initial deficit.

Surprisingly, the difference in the game was the Badgers’ passing game, led by Orange Bowl MVP QB Alex Hornibrook (23-34, 258 YDS, 4 TD, 0 INT). Freshman receiver Danny Davis had 5 catches for 56 yards and 3 TDs, while A.J. Taylor caught 8 for 105 yards and a TD.

Sensational freshman running back Jonathan Taylor rallied from an early fumble to rush for 130 yards and thereby surpass former Badger star Ron Dayne and NFL great Adrian Peterson for the best freshman running performance in major college football history. Meanwhile, the Badger defense recovered from a shaky start to intercept Hurricane QB Malik Rosier three times.

Thus, the Badgers bounced back nicely from their only defeat of the season, a six point loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game which cost them a chance to play for the National Championship. With lots of offensive firepower returning next year, and an always stout defense, the Bucky’s football future looks bright!

PWS

12-30-17

 

 

SPORTS: FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE WEEKEND: Behind “Mini-Cam,” Howard Bison Pull Off Biggest Upset In NCAA FB History — Visiting 45-Point Underdogs From DC Stun UNLV 43-40 In Sin City!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/09/03/howard-and-caylin-newton-stun-unlv-in-one-of-the-biggest-upsets-in-college-football-history/?hpid=hp_local-news_bog-howard-420am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.ffec46b588aa

The Washington Post reports:

“I mean, coming to Howard, it’s not a football school right now,” Caylin Newton said last month. “It will be.”

The undersized freshman quarterback — whose brother happens to be a former NFL MVP, guy named Cam — wasn’t trying to make headlines. He was speaking matter-of-factly, in a cramped office, before an early-season practice. He hadn’t even been named the school’s starter yet, although he was confident that moment would arrive. But Newton seemed absurdly certain that his new school — which he selected after not getting offers from any Power-5 programs — was ready to take off, and soon.

Newton later became the starter, and his first game went far beyond any rational preseason rhetoric. The Bison, 40-some point underdogs at UNLV, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport late Saturday night, a 43-40 road win in Coach Mike London’s first game that will completely upend all expectations at the D.C. school.

Longtime Vegas analyst RJ Bell said Howard’s win was the biggest upset in college football history, noting that a $100 bet on the Bison to win outright would have paid out an astounding $55,000. The Associated Press confirmed that it was indeed the largest upset in college football history based on point spreads, topping Stanford’s win over USC as a 40-point underdog in 2007. And Howard was actually paid $600,000 for the honor of beating UNLV, according to USA Today, which reported that “Howard had to arrange for its band and cheerleaders to arrive in Las Vegas by noon the day before the game to participate in various events” to receive the full guarantee.”

**********************************

Read the complete report at the link. Nice story!

Oh, yeah, after a sluggish start that saw them down 10-0 to four touchdown underdog Utah State in the second quarter, the #9 Wisconsin Badgers reeled off 59 consecutive points en route to a 59-10 thrashing of the Aggies in their opener at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. Go Badgers!

PWS

09-03-17

 

THE AM TWEET: Trump Will Nominate DOJ Vet Christopher A. Wray For FBI Post!

Here’s the blurb from HuffPost:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-fbi-director-christopher-a-wray_us_5913503de4b05e1ca2041925?98s

Sounds like an appropriate choice. My questions: 1) why does he want this job working in the Trump Administration, which has demonstrated a lack of respect for an independent investigative authority within the DOJ, 2) how long will he last before he quits or is fired?

On the other hand, Wray leaves a lucrative “big law” partnership to which he can return at any time.

PWS

06-08-17

Badgers Struggle But Outlast Nebraska 70-69 In OT!

The #7 Wisconsin Badgers struggled, particularly on offense, but still managed to edge the not-very-good (10-14) Nebraska Cornhuskers 60-59 in overtime at Lincoln, NE. Senior forward Nigel Hayes had a huge second half and finished with 20 points, including a three-pointer that turned out to be the game winner.  Sensational redshirt freshman center Ethan Happ had a tough night, managing only 8 points, but had a key blocked shot and takeaway to help seal the victory. Bucky shot a horrible 36.5% from the field, missing shot after shot in the first half to keep the Huskers in the game. They were also soundly out-rebounded by Nebraska 50-37. The Badgers improved to 21-3 overall, 10-1 Big Ten, remained in first place, and will next host the surprising Northwestern Wildcats at the Kohl Center in Madison at 6:30 EST (5:30 CST) on  Sunday evening.

PWS

02/10/17

🏀😎

Washington Post: A Syrian Refugee Family In “Trump Country” Finds Welcome, Kindness, Acceptance In The Heartland — Changing Views & Opinions One Human Being At A Time!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-nebraska-syrian-refugees-find-a-warm-and-welcoming-community/2017/02/05/5615c82a-eb9b-11e6-9973-c5efb7ccfb0d_story.html?utm_term=.5ee1be67db1f

Robert Samuels writes:

“Here in deeply conservative Nebraska, President Trump’s executive order banning refugees and people from seven majority-Muslim nations elicited complicated feelings about the state’s relationship with refugees. Many Nebraskans had supported attempts to keep the country safe but still wanted to show their heart for people fleeing terrorism and war. Their state has taken in more refugees per capita than any other.

During the presidential campaign, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) became a prime critic of Trump in large part because of his plan to ban Muslims from entering the United States. When Trump signed the executive order, Sasse criticized it as “too broad.” On Sunday, Sasse criticized Trump again, this time for tweeting about the “so-called judge” who halted the order late Friday.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican who has supported a ban on Syrians from the moment Trump first pitched it, has also talked about welcoming refugees already here as a source of statewide pride.

. . . .

“I worry this ban will change how I feel inside, that it will cause me to worry more for me and my kids. We did not come here to cause trouble. We just want to live.”

. . . .

The Syrian city of Aleppo had been so dangerous that she delivered her twins in her own home, too afraid to go to the hospital. Two months later, she wrapped them tight and carried them on her shoulders as she walked through the desert at night to reach a Jordanian refugee camp. There were no bombs there, but there were no teachers for her children, either. Now her kids learn the alphabet at school, and she had an English teacher herself.

For so long she had been running away. Now, she was stepping out.”

*********************************

This matches up with my own experience when I attended the Badger v. Nebraska game at Camp Randall Stadium last October.  I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know some of the Nebraska fans.

They were great.  Since both schools’ colors are red and white, it was pretty hard to tell them from Badger fans except that their group seemed a little older, somewhat less inebriated, and considerably less rowdy than the Wisconsin contingent.

I was struck by the fact that although the Huskers had just lost an overtime thriller to the Badgers 23-17 on a play that probably could have been called either way, nobody was griping about the call, blaming the referees, or taking anything away from the Badgers. And, for our part, the Badger fans acknowledged that Nebraska had played a great game that could easily have come out the other way. The overall message from “Husker Nation” was that they had fun in Madison, appreciated the hospitality, looked forward to returning, and wished the Badgers well for the rest of the season as I did the Huskers.

PWS

02/06/17

Sluggish Badgers Hold Off Western Michigan to Win the Cotton Bowl!

The favored Wisconsin Badgers did just enough to hand the outmanned but game Western Michigan Broncos their first defeat of the season, 24-16 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The lackluster performance gave the Badgers an 11-3 mark for the season, while the Mid America Conference Champion Broncos, who entered the game as the only undefeated “BCS” team besides Alabama, dropped to 13-1.

The Badgers came out in the first quarter looking like they were going to do what a bigger, stronger, more athletic team should do when faced with a highly motivated yet less-talented opponent — ram the ball right down their collective throats and end the game early. Behind senior quarterback Bart Houston and an initially punishing running game led by senior running back Corey Clement and the outsized offensive line, the Badgers put together touchdown marches of 75 and 88 yards to lead 14-0. It looked like a laugher.

But, thereafter, the Badgers allowed the smaller, less-talented Broncos to push them all over the field, on offense and defense, outscoring Bucky 16-10, to make a game out of it. After Houston ably led the first two drives, completing all of his passes, Badger Coach Paul Chryst did what he often has done this season – switched to freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook. The results were immediate – on a third and long Hornibrook lobbed a long, but not crisp, pass that forced receiver George Rushing to come back on the ball, failing to pick up a first down needed to keep the drive going. Wisconsin punted.

Reminiscent of the Penn State debacle, which cost the Badgers a shot at the Rose Bowl, the offense then largely went dormant. Indeed, the only other Badger touchdown was set up by a defensive interception by sophomore inside linebacker T.J. Edwards, who ironically had initially committed to play for the Broncos.

The Badgers also benefitted from several questionable decisions by Broncos Head Coach P.J. Fleck. First, Fleck apparently decided not to have his coaching staff study Wisconsin game film. The Wisconsin field goal was set up by a 51- yard wide receiver sweep by Jazz Peavy – a carbon copy of one that Wisconsin had run successfully in many games this season, until opposing coaches finally caught on. The Broncos also helped the Badgers by continuing to “grind out” yards and occupy clock, even well into the fourth quarter when down by two scores, rather than speeding up the offense and forcing the ball downfield.

The undisputed star for the Badgers was junior tight end Troy Fumagalli, who caught six balls, at least two of them spectacular, for 83 yards and a touchdown. On the other hand, the supposedly “shut down” Wisconsin defense, failed to mount a consistent pass rush against the Broncos smaller offensive line, managed not to corral several Bronco fumbles that were right in front of them, and the Badger defensive backs more or less stood and watched while Bronco quarterback Zach Terrell lobbed a desperation “ripe banana” pass to Corey Davis in the end zone with 3:27 left in the fourth quarter to bring the Broncos within eight. Thereafter the Badgers were able to recover the onside kick and run out the clock to avoid embarrassment and preserve the less than inspiring victory.

The Badger football season is over. On to basketball, where the #14 UW Men (12-2, 1-0, BT) take on the #16 Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington tomorrow night.

Modest suggestion for Coach Chryst:  Next season, if you want to give your “future stars” some real-time game experience, why not use your superior size and talent to put games like this “out of reach” early before bringing in the next set of “Hornibrooks?”  Houston wasn’t going to compete for the Heisman Trophy, but he was a competent senior quarterback who provided some offensive consistency and was more mobile with a better arm than Hornibrook. The bizarre move to Hornibrook early in the Cotton Bowl let a reeling, discombobulated, and totally outmatched WMU team back into the game.  Bad move!  It also made the game tedious for the fans, as WMU lacked the talent to win while Wisconsin lacked the “oomph” to put the game away.

PWS

01/02/17

 

 

 

Razorback FB Player Charged With Ripping Off Belk Store Shortly Before Team’s Appearance in Belk Bowl! — Thought He Was At Walmart?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/12/29/arkansas-senior-tight-end-suspended-from-the-belk-bowl-for-alleged-shoplifting-from-belk/?hpid=hp_local-news_hokies1020p%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.3fcefb9172b9

“Part of the player gift for Thursday’s Belk Bowl between Virginia Tech and Arkansas was a $450 gift card to the Belk department store in Charlotte’s SouthPark Mall and 90 minutes to spend it on anything the players would like.

For Arkansas senior tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, that apparently wasn’t enough.

Arkansas announced two hours before kickoff that Sprinkle had been suspended. He was the Razorbacks’ No. 3 receiver this season with 33 catches, 380 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season, and although the team did not reveal what the suspension was for, SEC Country’s Jason Kersey reported Sprinkle was caught shoplifting during the team’s shopping spree earlier this week.”

Meanwhile, on the field, former Badger Coach Brett Bielma’s Arkansas Razorbacks squandered a 24-0 halftime lead en route to a 35-24 thrashing at the hands of the Virginia Tech Hokies.  Led by Bud Foster’s resuscitated second half defense and quarterback Jerod Evans, the Hokies scored five unanswered touchdowns. Bielma won lots of games at Wisconsin, but not many of the big ones.  Guess things haven’t changed much for Ol’ Brett down in Fayetteville.

PWS

12/26/16