Florida Sports Wire

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.  -- For the second consecutive game, the North Florida basketball team saw a second half lead slip away as Austin Peay rallied for a 65-60 win on Wednesday afternoon at the Dunn Center. In eerily similar fashion to the Ospreys (7-8) hard fought loss on Monday at Tennessee Tech, UNF built a near double-digit lead midway through the second period only to see APSU (5-8) find away to chip away at the lead and escape with a last minute victory. "These have been some tough losses for our team," said head coach  Matthew Driscoll . "We continue to battle and compete against good teams on the road but can't seem to make the few late plays to earn the wins. Both of the games this week have been highly competitve and similar to road conference games. We again gave ourselves opportunities at the end of the game but unfortunately couldn't get a shot to fall. This group has been resilient and just needs to figure out a way to change the outcomes." North

Senquez Golson returns an  interception for the Rebels.  (Photo by Joshua McCoy) ATLANTA, Ga. –  A dominant effort by No. 6 TCU on both sides of the ball was too much to overcome for No. 9 Ole Miss, as the Rebels (9-4) lost 42-3 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. “We did not perform well today,” head coach  Hugh Freeze  said. “TCU did. I take credit for that. It’s my responsibility. I didn’t have our kids prepared to play and compete today. But I’m extremely proud of our kids and how they’ve turned this program, in three short years, to being relevant and competitive. I’m just sick that it wasn’t that way for them today.” The nation’s second-leading offense, the Horned Frogs (12-1) scored early and often, and the defense suffocated the Ole Miss offense, holding the Rebels to a season-low 10 first downs and 129 yards of total offense. “They’re a good defense,” senior quarterback  Bo Wallace  said. “They won some one-on-ones. And cr

By BOB THOMAS TALLLAHASSEE, Fla.  – On a night when points came sparingly for both sides, Florida State received the unlikeliest of assists to end a five-game losing streak against rival Florida with a 65-63 victory before a season-high crowd of 8,237 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles prevailed when Devon Bookert’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the corner glanced off the rim, then off the hands of Gator reserve Jacob Kurtz and through the hoop for the decisive points. “At the end it was one of those shots that went in that you just shake your head about,” said Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton. “I’ve been on the other end of that so many times, that I’ll take that and be very happy.” In the process of extending their season-best winning streak to four games, the Seminoles (8-5) scored their first win over the Gators since a 57-55 triumph in 2008, which also came at home. FSU junior Montay Brandon, who scored 12 of his team-high 17 points in the second half,

TAMPA, Fla., December. 30, 2014  – USF will have a pair of record-setting representatives in the 90 th  East-West Shrine Game as wide receiver Andre Davis of Tampa and kicker Marvin Kloss of Naples both accepted invitations to participate in the Jan. 17 game played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. A Bay Area native who earned his communications degree in December, Davis completed his outstanding USF career as the owner of 13 Bulls’ receiving records including career marks for receptions (153), receiving yards (2,136), receiving touchdowns (17), six career 100-yard receiving games and 38 consecutive games played with a reception.  Despite missing four games due to a sternum injury in 2014, Davis was named USF Team MVP after posting 36 catches for 594 yards and a team-record tying seven touchdowns. Kloss set program records with 13-straight made field goals and four field goals of 50 yards or longer and earned the nickname “Money” by becoming the Bulls’ all-time career

MOBILE, Ala.   (Dec. 30) – The Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars have been selected to coach the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl next month in Mobile, Ala. "It's always an honor and a privilege for the Reese's Senior Bowl to have our game coached by NFL staffs and 2015 will be no exception,” said Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Phil Savage. The Titans, led by their first-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt, will coach the North team, while second-year Jaguars coach Gus Bradley and his staff will guide the South. “I have known Ken Whisenhunt since we worked together with the Baltimore Ravens back in the late 1990's,” Savage said.  “ As a former NFL player himself and now head coach, he knows exactly what it takes to be successful in professional football and that knowledge should really benefit the prospects he and his staff will work with in Mobile.” Tennessee finished the 2014 season with a record of 2-14 and owns the second pick in next year’s NFL

FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 30, 2014) - This week's news and notes from the National Football Foundation. College Football Hall of Fame coach Barry Alvarez , now Wisconsin's athletics director, will return to the sideline to coach the Badgers in the Outback Bowl against Auburn on New Year's Day.  Scheduling:  Southern Miss and Troy have scheduled a home-and-home series for 2016 and 2019… Bowl Games:  Coach David Bailiff’s Rice Owls became the first football team in school history to play in three consecutive bowls when they played Fresno State in the Hawaii Bowl… FCS National Championship:  Three-time defending champion North Dakota State will play Illinois State in the 2014 NCAA Division I Football Championship on Jan. 10 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The game is set for 1 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN2… People:  Pat Narduzzi was named the new head coach at Pittsburgh… Florida State and head football coach Jimbo Fisher have agreed to

FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE ORLANDO, Fla. - After scoring a touchdown on its first offensive play, the floodgates opened in No. 18 Clemson's 40-6 win over Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. In relief of the injured star freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson, senior Cole Stoudt threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns on 26-of-36 passing with no interceptions to help the Tigers (10-3) complete their fourth season in a row with at least 10 wins. The Clemson defense dominated, forcing five turnovers and limiting the Oklahoma offense to 275 total yards. Artavis Scott caught eight passes for 114 yards, including his 65-yard touchdown on Clemson's first play. Mike Williams added nine catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Samaje Perine totaled 134 yards on 23 carries, much of which came late in the game, for the Sooners (8-5). His fumble in the second quarter halted Oklahoma's first drive in Clemson territory. Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight completed 17-of

MACON, Ga. -  North Florida's Destinee Smith and Kennesaw State's Karly Frye were selected as this week's Atlantic Sun Women's Basketball Weekly honorees, announced by the league office on Monday. Senior Destinee Smith collects her first career Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honor after she scored a career-high 27 points against the Florida Gators of the SEC.  The 27 points scored is tied for second-most ever in the Ospreys Division I history. Smith extended her team-best streak of 11 double-digit performances, averaging over 16 points per game during that span. She shot 72.7 percent from the field, while also draining 5-6 from behind the arc in the contest.  She went a perfect 6-6 from the foul line while adding two rebounds, one steal and one assist in the Ospreys lone game of the week.   Karly Frye picks up her first career Atlantic Sun Newcomer of the Week award, the fourth for Kennesaw State this season.  The junior transfer played a major part

TALLAHASSE, Fla.  – All season, women's basketball head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has harped on her team playing the JU way – tough, up-tempo, defense-oriented basketball. Despite the final result, the squad held its own and withstood a rugged Florida State team in the 73-46 defeat.  "We had a lot of stuff we can build on from this game," said McCuin. "The JU way is about being tough and for the most part we did that. It was closer than the score depicted. Florida State is a great team and they gave us one more really tough challenge before we head into conference." The Dolphins stood firmly alongside the Seminoles, evenly paced through the midpoint of the opening frame. For JU, Florida State's name, conference, and home court advantage were all irrelevant as the Fins held a 7-6 advantage three minutes into the half.  It would be the Dolphins' final lead but their resilience kept it a two-possession contest until a three-pointer provided

By MIKE BONTS FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE MACON, Ga. - Jacksonville's Kori Babineaux received Atlantic Sun Men's Basketball weekly honors on Monday becoming the second Dolphin honored this year. He's averaged 18.5 PPG, 2.5 APG & 3.0 SPG in two games. The junior guard from Folsom, Calif. led Jacksonville to a 14-point home victory against Jacksonville State as he tallied 26 points with two rebounds and two assists.  He shot 9-of-13 on field goals to give JU its fifth win of the season. Against Mississippi State, Babineaux produced 11 points, three assists and five steals. It's his first career Atlantic Sun Newcomer of the Week honor. He played in all but two minutes during the week for the Dolphins.

By MIKE BONTS FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE - MOBILE, Ala. (Dec. 29) – UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks, the Butkus Award winner (best linebacker) and Lott IMPACT Trophy winner (defensive player who made most impact on his team), has accepted an invitation to the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl. “Eric showed up big all year for the Bruins,” said Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Phil Savage. “He is a run-and-hit linebacker that can play all three downs and help on special teams, too.” Kendricks is joined by a handful of talented prospects in the latest group of top seniors to accept invites to the nation’s premier all-star game, headlined by All-American tackle Cedric Ogbuehi of Texas A&M. “Cedric is the latest in the recent line of Texas A&M tackles with legit NFL potential,” Savage said.  “He can solidify his status as one of the best in this draft by practicing and playing well here in Mobile.” Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, Baylor wide receiver Antwan Goodley and Arizona State

By MIKE BONTS FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE CORAL GABLES, Fla. –   University of Miami running back Duke Johnson announced Sunday his plans to forego his final year of college eligibility and declare for the 2015 NFL Draft. Junior offensive tackle Ereck Flowers also announced today that he has decided to enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Johnson, the all-time leading rusher in Miami’s storied history at the position, totaled 1,652 rushing yards in his final season with the Hurricanes. The Miami Norland High School alum ends his college career with 3,519 rushing yards, 26 rushing touchdowns, and 5,523 all-purpose yards in just 33 games. A 2014 All-ACC first-team selection by both the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA) and ACC coaches, Johnson set a personal best with 2,070 all-purpose yards this season.  Johnson ended his career with a 132-yard performance against South Carolina in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl – marking his 14 th   career 100-yard rushing game, tying hi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Freshman Haley Lorenzen scored a team-high 14 points and a career-high tying eight rebounds, as she led the Florida women's basketball team (8-5) over the University of North Florida (7-6), 63-49, in UF's non-conference finale. Lorenzen led a balanced Florida offensive attack that featured four Gators scoring in double-figures, including redshirt junior Cassie Peoples (12), freshman Brooke Copeland (11) and sophomore Ronni Williams (10). Florida opened the scoring at the 19:49 mark of the first half on a Lorenzen turnaround jumper, but UNF responded quickly, as the first four-plus minutes of the game featured two ties and four lead changes. The Ospreys grabbed a one-point lead (10-9) on a pair of Paulina Zaveckaite free throws with 16:33 left in the first half. The Gators answered emphatically with an 11-3 run capped off with a Copeland layup at the 12:07 mark. The remainder of the half was back-and-forth and the Gators carried a 34-30 advantage into the loc

  STARKVILLE, Miss. - A 9-0 start over the opening five minutes of the game by Mississippi State proved to be more than Jacksonville was able to handle as the Dolphins dropped a 70-47 decision to end their two game win streak. Andris Misters  led Jacksonville (4-10) with 13 points while  Kori Babineaux  added 11 points. "It's unfortunate because I thought we had made some progress over the last couple of weeks with our team," said Head Coach Tony Jasick whose team had shot ov er 58 percent in the second half of the last two games. "I'm not sure why, but this was the first time all year that I thought we came out a little intimidated. We have some guys who can compete, but we were completely taken aback right from the tip." Mississippi State (6-5) jumped out to its 9-0 lead in the opening five and a half minutes as the Dolphins missed their first nine shots from the field. "We did not come out and play the way we wanted to," Jasick said. "

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Doug Nussmeier has been named the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for the 2015 Florida football team, head coach Jim McElwain announced Wednesday. Nussmeier spent the 2014 season in the same role at Michigan following two years as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, where he won the 2012 BCS National Championship with the Crimson Tide. Nussmeier and McElwain worked together at Michigan State (2003-05) under head coach John L. Smith, with Nussmeier serving as the Quarterbacks Coach and McElwain as the Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach.  When McElwain left Fresno State in 2007, Nussmeier replaced him as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. The same thing happened at Alabama after the 2011 season, with Nussmeier taking the same position with the Crimson Tide after McElwain was named the head coach at Colorado State. “Doug and I have worked together on the same staff and I’ve known him for years,” McElwain said. “We are like thinkers i

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sharks announced Tuesday that wide receiver Jomo Wilson has returned to the team, as the veteran has been assigned to the Jacksonville roster on a one-year contract. The 31-year-old Wilson (6’0”, 205) will enter his fourth season with the Sharks and sixth overall campaign in the Arena Football League. Most recently, Wilson rejoined the Sharks via a trade with the San Antonio Talons in the early part of the 2014 season.  Starting each of the Sharks’ final 14 games of the year, Wilson led the team with 92 receptions for 1,104 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also notched a rushing touchdown and recovered a fumble for a score. Counting his four games with the Talons, Wilson racked up 103 catches, 1,251 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014.  Wilson spent two-plus seasons with the Talons, playing in San Antonio in 2012, 2013 and the beginning of 2014. In 2012, Wilson racked up 83 receptions for team-leading totals of 1,284 yards and 36 touchdowns despite p

CHICAGO – The 28th Arena Football League season is set to kick off on Friday, March 27, as the 2015 AFL schedule was officially released today. The league will feature 12 teams in 2015, with each team playing 18 games and receiving two byes during the 20-week regular season. Week 15 will be a universal bye week in observation of Independence Day weekend. Following the 2015 regular season, the 2015 AFL Playoffs are set to begin on August 14, 2015, with the Conference Championships slated for the weekend of August 21. ArenaBowl XXVIII will take place on August 29 and will be televised live on ESPN. All 12 AFL teams will be in action on opening weekend. Week 1 will officially kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday with the Tampa Bay Storm welcoming in the defending American Conference champion Cleveland Gladiators at the newly renamed Amalie Arena in Tampa.  The Portland Thunder and LA KISS will also rekindle their rivalry later that night at 10:00 p.m. ET from the Moda Center in Portl

GAINESVILLE, Fla.— Geoff Collins has been named defensive coordinator for the 2015 University of Florida football team, head coach Jim McElwain announced on Tuesday. Collins will join the Gators’ staff after spending the past four seasons at Mississippi State as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Along with a background in the Southeastern Conference, Collins has strong ties in the state of Florida, with coaching stops at Florida International (2010, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) and UCF (2008-09, Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator). “I got to know Geoff personally during my time at Alabama and have stayed in touch with him since and his defenses have been successful everywhere he has been,” said McElwain. “It was important to maintain some of the same philosophies and concepts that have made the defenses around here successful with this hire and our players will continue to progress under his direction. “Coach Durkin will continue to coach the team through the Bowl

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback Blake Bortles' status for Thursday's game with the Tennessee Titans is uncertain due to a sprained right foot the rookie sustained on Sunday. Bortles played through the entirety of the Jaguars' 20-12 loss at Baltimore, though he was sacked eight times and will be facing a short turnaround with Jacksonville playing on Thursday. Chad Henne will draw the start under center if Bortles is ruled out. Henne started the Jaguars' first three games before being replaced by Bortles, the third overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.  The veteran threw for three touchdowns with just one interception over that stretch, but completed only 53.8 percent of his throws for 492 yards.

OXFORD, Miss. –  With the excitement surrounding the team’s third straight bowl appearance in three seasons under the direction of head coach Hugh Freeze, today is a milestone day in the Forward Together campaign, as Ole Miss moves one step closer to making the master plan for Vaught-Hemingway Stadium a reality. Launched in the fall of 2011, the Forward Together Campaign has now reached $125 million in total cash and pledges, and between the ongoing construction of The Pavilion at Ole Miss and the parking garage, the front door for Ole Miss is beginning to take shape. “When the Forward Together Campaign was launched in the fall of 2011, the goals for Vaught-Hemingway Stadium were to expand the overall stadium capacity and fan experience amenities, upgrade exterior elements around the stadium that provide more consistency with university architecture, and to expand premium seating offerings in order to provide necessary funding,” Director of Athletics Ross Bjork said. “We are c

Canadian Brad Fritsch posted a second-consecutive 65 to take a six-shot lead after four of six rounds at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament at PGA National Sunday. The 28-year-old from Ottawa recorded seven birdies, with the final two coming on Nos. 17 and 18, and one bogey on the Champion course. He sits at 20-under par. In second position is Rick Cochran III of Paducah, Ky., who enjoyed a steady round of 68 to get him to 14 under. The 2009 Middle Tennessee State graduate was the second-round leader and in second position after both the first and third rounds. Another shot back at 13 under is former PGA TOUR winner (2005 EDS Byron Nelson Championship) Ted Purdy of Phoenix, Ariz. “My caddie and I set a goal and we're already there so we have to readjust the goal because I know there are a bunch of good players behind me,” Fritsch said. “I’m going to keep my head down and keep going.” Fritsch faced a dilemma of sorts this week but in the end result realized he h

(FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE) -- TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –  No. 2 Florida State began preparation for Oregon on Sunday at the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility, holding its first practice since winning its third straight ACC Championship last weekend. The Seminoles face the Ducks on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. in a National Semifinal matchup as part of the inaugural College Football Playoff. FSU will practice in Tallahassee until Dec. 22 and will have a three days off before departing for California on Dec. 26. Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said the team had a great practice after having last week off for final exams.   “Great to be back out here, it was good to give the guys a week off mentally and physically,” Fisher said. “They needed it after a long season. It will take us a couple of days to get back into that groove because that’s too many days off, and we knew that. The guys came out and did a nice job today, ran well, conditioned pretty go

By MIKE BONTS (FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE) -- LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- If the numbers he has put up all season weren’t proof enough, the trophy he hoisted Thursday confirmed Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon’s status as the nation’s best running back. The Outback Bowl bound junior was named winner of the Doak Walker Award as college football’s most outstanding running back during The Home Depot College Football Awards on the Boardwalk at Walt Disney World. In addition, Gordon was named to the Walter Camp All-America Team, where he joined Indiana’s Tevin Coleman as a first-team running back. Gordon became the third Wisconsin back to win the Doak Walker, joining Ron Dayne in 1999 and Montee Ball in 2012. For the first time in its 25-year history, the award’s three finalists all hailed from the same conference, with Gordon, Coleman and Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah making the trip to Orlando. A Big Ten running back has now won the Doak Walker seven times. On Saturday, Gordon and Mariota will

(FLORIDA SPORTS WIRE -  PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.   – Former Division III Jack Nicklaus Award winner Tain Lee reeled off seven birdies in a row on the back nine and eight in all today en route to a 65 and the  Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament lead after the first of six rounds. The San Juan Capistrano, Calif. resident leads Rick Cochran of Paducah, Ky. and Kyle Scott of Johannesburg, South Africa by one stroke. Cochran and Scott posted identical rounds of 35-31-66. All three leaders played the Fazio Course at host PGA National Resort & Spa and will venture over to the Champion Course, site of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic, Friday. Lee did not have great expectations prior to his morning tee time. “I did not play well in my practice sessions early in the week and today’s warm-up was horrible,” Lee said. The four-time Division III All-American out of Claremont McKenna College in California realizes he and the other 149 players in the field have a long way to go