2011 Ford F-150
The limited-production 2011 Harley-Davidson F-150 (about 3,000 will be built) comes standard with Ford’s all new 411 horsepower 6.2-liter V-8. Photo by: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.
Denard Robinson Enters Race for The 2010 Premier Player of College fOOTBALL Premier Players will make the final revision to its list of candidates for The 2010 Premier Player of College Football award this month. Many players have had great performances during the first month of the NCAA football season, but only five more outstanding performers will be added to our list. For fans who voted early, we will give you the opportunity to vote for one of the new candidates, too. At this time, the following candidates will be added to the ballot: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Denard Robinson, Michigan Wolverines, quarterback, sophomore Cameron Newton, Auburn Tigers, quarterback, junior Taylor Martinez, Nebraska Cornhuskers, quarterback, redshirt freshman Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma Sooners, wide receiver, junior Patrick Peterson, Louisiana State University, cornerback, junior
Players currently on the ballot are listed below as well as their percentages of votes. To cast your vote, visit www.premierplayers.com. Top five finishers get invite to The 2010 Premier Player of College Football awards dinner on January 15th, 2011, at Emerald Green Golf Resort & Country Club in Tampa, FL. Andy Dalton, Texas Christian Horned Frogs 0% Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh Panthers 0% Evan Royster, Penn State NittanyLions 0% Garrett Gilbert, Texas Longhorns 0% JacquizzRodgers, Oregon State Beavers 3% Jake Locker, Washington Huskies 11% John Brantley, Florida Gators, 0% John Clay, Wisconsin Badgers 0% Jordan Jefferson, Louisiana State Tigers 0% KellenMoore, Boise State Broncos 0%
Mark Herzlich, Boston Eagles, 0% Mark Ingram, Alabama Crimson Tide, 0% Ricky Stanzi, Iowa Hawkeyes, 65% Ryan Mallett, Arkansas Razorbacks 18% Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State Buckeyes 0% Christian Ponder, Florida State Seminoles 0% JacoryHarris, Miami Hurricanes 0% LaMichaelJames, Oregon Ducks, 0% Noel Devin, W. Virginia Mountaineers 0% TyrodTaylor, Virginia Tech Hokies 0%
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PUBLISHING CEO & PUBLISHER Carnell Moore CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steve Wright Marc Jenkins Monique Davis Dotson Richard Brown CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Cherrielet P. Mercado For advertising information e-mail: Advertise@premierplayers.com To submit editorials & ideas e-mail: editor@premierplayers.com or visit www.premierplayers.com Write to us at: P.O. Box 341064 Tampa, FL 33694-1064 Call us at: 800-470-0250 AP PHOTO CREDITS Charlie Litchfield p5 Steve C. Wilson Rogelio V. Solis Orlin Wagner Don Petersen Wily Low Eric Gay Butch Dill p4,5 Jim Urquhart Tony Gutierrez Mike Fuentes p8,9 John Raoux Jay LaPrete Eric Gay Tony Gutierrez Gene J. Puskar p12,13 Craig Ruttle Kathy Willens p14 Kathy Willens p15 Matt Slocum p18 Ashley Lay p20 Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Joyce Marshall Bikas Das p22 Don Ryan Ross D. Franklin Matt York p26 Gerry Boone Steve Helber p30
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The school that was playing in what used to be Division I-AA as recently as 1995, a team once known more for its funky blue field than its record, has emerged as college football’s most unlikely powerhouse. Boise State has two undefeated seasons and just four losses over the last four years. And, at No. 3 in the country, it might just be the one to break the BCS.
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departments
6 September Spoilers 8 Utah VS. TCU 15 World Series (Tear Out) 20 The Girl with Speed 26 The Case For # 1
12 Sound Off 14 Community 22 Fitness 28 Travel 31 Player’s Ink PREMIER PLAYERS
Jacksonville State players celebrate their 49-48 double-overtime victory over Mississippi in an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4th, 2010.
Kansas linebacker Drew Dudley (49) celebrates his fumble recovery with linebacker Justin Springer (45) and cornerback Calvin Rubles (17) during the second half of their NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Sept. 11th, 2010. Unranked Kansas defeated the No. 15 Georgia Tech 28-25.
Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton (2) scrambles for a first down against 12th ranked South Carolina during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010, in Auburn, Ala. The Auburn Tigers, ranked 17th at the time, beat the Gamecocks 35-27.
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Arizona’s starting quarterback Nick Foles tries to pass against Iowa in the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 18th, 2010. The No. 24 Arizona Wildcats beat 9th ranked Iowa 34-27.
UCLA’s Jonathan Franklin (23) runs around Texas defenders during the first quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010 in Austin, Texas. The Bruins decisively beat the 7th ranked Longhorns 34-12.
Utah kicker Joe Phillips (39) kicks the winning field goal during overtime of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 2nd, 2010 in Salt Lake City. Utah, unranked at the time, got the first upset of the 2010 college football season over then ranked No. 15 Pittsburgh 27-24.
In this Sept. 11th, 2010, photo, James Madison players, from left, Josh Wells, Chad Byers, and Jordon Stanton celebrate after defeating 13th ranked Virginia Tech 21-16 in a NCAA football game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. PREMIER PLAYERS
TCU quarterback Andy Dalton (14) hands off to runn Matthew Tucker (29 ing back ) in the first half of an NCAA college game against Baylo football r on Saturday, Se pt. 18th, 2010, in Fo Worth, Texas. rt
TCU quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws during the half of a NCAA fo first otball game again st Tennessee Tech Fort Worth, Texas, in on Saturday, Sept . 11th, 2010.
Utah vs TCU
Might Yet Be For All The Marbles “
Only time will tell exactly what
lies ahead for the winner of this
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battle of Mountain West titans, but if results go as planned in the month before kickoff then at LEAST the teams will be playing for is an at large bid to a Bowl Championship
”
Series game.
PREMIER PLAYERS
By Steve Wright
ith all the publicity and hype that Boise State have been getting so far in the 2010 NCAA Football season it is easy to be under the impression that they are the only non BCS school with the ability to make waves on a national level in January. There are, however, two highly ranked Mountain West teams who would like to argue that notion. If these two squads keep winning, as expected through the month of October, then the pair will meet undefeated and with the hopes and dreams of a season for the ages on the line. TCU at Utah – Saturday November 6th, 3:30 P.M. EST -- Mark that date on your calendar now, because it promises to be one of the best games of the year. The Horned Frogs have made their name over the last few years as a defensive powerhouse and have seen player after player go on to make a living playing football on Sundays. This year’s version of the unit was again supposed to be the strength of the team, and though
Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn (3) ha nds off the ball to running back Mat Utah t Asiata (4) during the first half of an college football ga NCAA me at Rice-Eccles Stadium Saturday 25th, 2010, in Sa , Sept. lt Lake City. The Un iversity of Utah de San Jose State 56 feated -3.
they have only allowed an average of 15.5 points over the first four games, something doesn’t quite seem right. This all came to a head in the game against SMU who were able to run draw after draw on TCU on their way to 192 yards on the ground. Expect Head Coach Gary Patterson to work hard on shoring up the defense in the run up to the Utah clash. The TCU offense on the other hand has exploded out of the gates. Just four weeks into the season and the Frogs rank seventh in the NCAA in points scored. The catalyst to everything the team does well on offense is senior quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton is the active leader in wins by an FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) QB with 33 victories under his belt and it is his calm manner and leadership which give TCU a chance in any game. There is no situation Dalton has not been in on the football field, and his ability to make plays with his legs as well as passing the ball downfield creates havoc with a defensive game plan. After beating a tough and feisty Pittsburgh Panther outfit in overtime on the opening night of the 2010 season, Utah has found its groove. The last two weeks has seen the Utes win by a combined score of 112-17 and with trips to Iowa State and Wyoming coming up on the schedule there is no reason to think that the boys from Salt Lake City will slow down any time soon. Utah’s biggest strengths are on offense with their speed and versatility. The Utes have two quarterbacks in Jordan Wynn and Terrance Cain who each have all the skills required to lead the team to victory. In addition to that two headed monster, Utah has a deep and talented stable of running backs. Nine different Utes gained yards
Utah quarterback Terrance Cain (7) scrambles past Sa Jose State linebac n ker Keith Smith (31 ) during the second half of an NCAA co llege football gam e at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday , Sept. 25th, 2010 , in Salt Lake City. Utah defeated Sa n Jose State 56-3 .
on the ground in a win over San Diego State, any of whom can carry the load on a given day depending on what the defense is doing. If speed is required the ball may find its way into the hands of slasher Eddie Wide, if that is being shut down and power is needed, then look for Matt Asiata or Tauni Vakapuna to carry the load. Only time will tell exactly what lies ahead for the winner of this battle of Mountain West titans, but if results go as planned in the month before kickoff then at LEAST the teams will be playing for is an at large bid to a Bowl Championship Series game. An undefeated TCU will come into the game ranked no lower than 5th in the polls, while the cannibalization of SEC and Big XII teams should see Utah solidly inside the top ten assuming their record is perfect. At that point, it is certainly not a stretch to think that the strength of schedule that has killed Boise State in the past will do so again and the Broncos could easily slip behind either the Frogs or the Utes. It might seem like a long shot four weeks into the season, but if TCU is the winner of this clash against a highly-ranked Utah team and goes undefeated, Boise State loses or plays a less than sound game at Nevada, and Ohio State slips up somewhere they shouldn’t, then the Horned Frogs would have every chance of playing for the national title in Arizona. The same scenario could put Utah in the national title game. That is why this is a game not to be missed by any fan of college football. PREMIER PLAYERS
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sound off Florida fans cheer as the team takes the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010
Texas fans yell as players take the field to play UCLA in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010 in Austin, Texas.
Ohio State fans sing “Carmen Ohio” before Ohio State’s NCAA college football game against Eastern Michigan Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio.
SMU fans cheer at the start of their NCAA college football game against TCU Friday, Sept. 24th, 2010 in Dallas.
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PREMIER PLAYERS
Penn State cheerleaders perform before an NCAA college football game between Penn States and Temple at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010.
community Rafael Nadal, of Spain, poses with young New York tennis players and fans Aug. 25th, 2010, during Nike’s “Primetime Knockout” that paired athletes with local youth for an exhibition match in New York.
A Champion On The Court In Communities
& I
f you were a very competitive 24-year old and motivated to be the best at what you do for a living, how would you find that balance to get Rafael Nadal, of away from it all and just Spain, holds the enjoy life? championship Rafael Nadal, the trophy after 2010 U.S. Open tennis winning the U.S. Open tennis champion, finds that tournament in giving to communities New York, around the world is one th Sept. 13 , 2010. of the best ways to enjoy his accomplishments in life. He writes on his website, “I feel like a privileged and lucky person who works doing what I like most. I’ve had unique experiences traveling around the world and seeing many people who needed help.” 14
PREMIER PLAYERS
Thus, the RafaNadal Foundation was started to provide an opportunity for children and adolescents with disabilities, for those coming from underprivileged surroundings, and for those limited by an unfortunate family environment who run the risk of being excluded from the society. Nadal’s foundation offers educational programs using sport as a tool for personal and social integration, passing on values such as effort, self-improvement and respect in order to encourage self-esteem and confidence. Besides his foundation, Nadal also finds time to participate in other charitable causes. He has worked with The Vicente Ferrer Foundation which is committed to the process of transforming one of the poorest and needy areas of India, Anantapur, through a school and tennis training center; Special Olympics because of its philosophy that all people with an intellectual disability can learn, joy, and benefit from active participation in sport; Together For Haiti to raise money for the earthquake devastations using tennis and humor to help those who lost it all; and a few other initiatives that you can find on his website. Rafael Nadal is a great tennis player because of hard work, perseverance, humility and respect for others as well as the game. Because of character and success, he is enjoying life by providing “an opportunity for young people most in need.” For more information about the RafaNadal Foundation, visit his website at www.rafaelnadal.com.
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Postseason Preview and Predictions
T New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez watches his seventh-inning, two-run home run off Boston Red Sox Daisuke Matsuzaka in their baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, Sept. 26th, 2010.
By Marc Jenkins
The 2010 Major League Baseball postseason is right around the corner. As observers to the game and fans of the sport, we should all hope to be so lucky to see similar action to that of what was witnessed during the 2009 MLB playoffs. In the American League, the defending World Series Champion New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers will all be vying for the opportunity to represent the Junior Circuit in the 2010 Fall Classic. Meanwhile, in the Senior Circuit, the defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and a combination (two teams) of the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are fighting for the right to play in the World Series for the National League. In the AL, the Yankees and Rays are without question the favorites to square off in the AL Championship Series as they have been the top two teams in baseball all season long. The Rangers have watched their World Series chances diminish with the word that their top player, Josh Hamilton, has fractured continue pg 18 PREMIER PLAYERS
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Tampa Bay Rays
World cham
Texas Rangers New York Yankees
Minnesota Twins
October 6
October 8
Rangers VS. Rays 1:30 PM Reds VS. Phillies 5:00 PM Yankees VS. Twins 8:30 PM
Reds VS. Phillies Braves VS. Giants
October 7
October 9
Rangers VS. Rays Yankees VS. Twins Braves VS. Giants
2:30 PM 6:00 PM 9:30 PM
Rays VS. Rangers Twins VS. Yankees
6:00 PM 9:30 PM
5:00 PM 8:30 PM
Cincinnati Reds
Series mpion
Philadelphia Phillies Atlanta Braves
San Francisco Giants
October 10 Rays VS. Rangers Phillies VS. Reds Twins VS. Yankees Giants VS. Braves
October 12 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 4:30 PM
October 11 Phillies VS. Reds Giants VS. Braves
Rangers VS. Rays Yankees VS. Twins
5:00 PM 8:30 PM
October 13 5:00 PM 8:30 PM
Reds VS. Phillies 6:00 PM Braves VS. Giants 9:30 PM
ribs and his status for the postseason has yet to be determined. The Twins are looking great and have a chance to erase their postseason futility which they have suffered over the past few seasons (mostly at the hands of the Yankees). However, the Yankees and Rays just seem too strong! This ALCS between these two evenly matched teams could and should be one of the better League Championship Series in recent MLB history. Both the Yankees and Rays have excellent pitching staffs, even though Tampa’s staff has struggled mightily in September, and each team presents two of the best lineups in the Bigs. Both AL East squads provide a tremendous blend of power and speed in their everyday lineup and the series could easily come down to which team can get a break here and there throughout what I am predicting to be a thrilling seven game series. CC Sabathia was huge in the 2009 ALCS, earning series MVP honors, and I feel he will be the difference in this year’s edition as well. The Yankees will defeat the Rays four games to three and return to the Fall Classic looking to defend their crown and win back-toback titles for the first time since they won three consecutive titles from 1998-2000. In the National League, besides the surging and experienced Phillies there really aren’t any clear cut favorites to reach the NLCS and face Philadelphia. The upstart Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres all will attempt to dethrone the two-time NL Champs, but the road to the 2010 World Series will definitely go through the city of brotherly love. The Reds seem as if they have the offensive fire power to challenge the Phillies in the NLCS. However, the Giants pitching appear to be coming together at the correct time and they could make a run to the League Championship Series as well. I think the Reds will advance and square off against the Fighting Phillies in what will be a learning experience for the youngsters from Cincy. The Phillies are truly an AL team competing in the senior circuit with their powerful lineup and current or past All-Star at just about every position which makes it very difficult for any NL team to matchup with them in a series. Cincinnati is one of the teams in the NL whose lineup can almost go hit-for-hit and run-for-run with them. However with the Phillies new 18
PREMIER PLAYERS
revamped pitching staff and the Reds inexperience it could lead to quick series in favor of the grizzled vets. If the Reds can handle the Phillies one, two and three starters (Roy Halladay, Cole Hammels and Roy Oswalt), then they have a great chance to pull off an upset, but the chances of that happening are slim to none. Those three should dominate Cincy’s offense and carry Philadelphia to the Fall Classic for a third consecutive season. The 106th World Series this year will pit the identical two competitors against one another as did the 105th edition, the New York Yankees representing the American League and the Philadelphia Phillies from the National League and once again it should be a terrific series. The top teams in baseball will once again face off to see who is truly the class of the Majors. Both teams return many of the major pieces which got them to this point last season so there should Philadelphia Phillies’ Jayson Werth slides be a great sense past Atlanta Braves of familiarity, catcher Brian McCann but there are a to score on an RBI couple of key double by Raul Ibanez additions. The in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Phillies added Wednesday, Sept. 22nd, strength to 2010, in Philadelphia. their pitching Philadelphia won 1-0. staff with Halladay and Oswalt while the Yankees picked up a few additions here and there (Lance Berkman and Curtis Granderson) and also promoted within (moving Phil Hughes back into the starting rotation). This series will come down simply to whichever team displays enough resolve and mental toughness to forget whatever happens in the prior game. Both teams have the uncanny ability to rally and win after trailing early or late and have the top two pitchers in the game (CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay) who should matchup throughout what will be a long series to provide some epic battles. The series will come down to the bullpen, and the Bronx Bombers have a huge advantage there with Mariano Rivera closing out games and a host of capable relievers in front of him (Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, Boone Logan and Kerry Wood). Alex Rodriquez isn’t done with his huge postseason heroics either. He will have a monstrous World Series, lead his team to victory and earn World Series MVP honors. The New York Yankees will win their 28th World Series title in six games as they did last season and then once the 2011 season begins manager Joe Girardi will have to consult with catcher Francisco Cervelli about switching jerseys so he can wear number 29.
Sweet
16 to SUPER (COMP) 17 !!! Kelsey Lay drives her way to the top From
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PREMIER PLAYERS
C
alled by her friends and family “the girl with the need for speed,” Bloomingdale Sr. High School student, Kelsey Lay, has no qualm or misgivings about her life’s calling – drag racing. The 17-year old senior earned her NHRA competition driver’s license after graduating from Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in May 2010 and is entering her first competitive season in a 180 milean-hour Super Comp dragster. She started out racing Junior dragsters, but quickly moved up a class after getting a taste of the “big cars”. Driven to succeed, her love and passion for the sport is not surprising to any member of her family. Kelsey’s father, mother, and older sister have supported her from the beginning and encourage her to keep the competitiveness in her. “My sister takes tons of video and pictures and she helped me set up a fan page on Facebook”, said Kelsey. Sharing the passion for racing, like her father, Kelsey requested a 125cc Shifter go-cart as a birthday present this past March. “My dad suggested Shifter carts were more dangerous and that drag racing was much safer for me,” Kelsey said, adding, “He was actually right. There’s nothing I want to drive more.” Kelsey’s passion for the sport is supported by Lay Racing, the company her father, Fred Lay, started as a way to help his daughter reach her goals and fulfill her passion for speed and racing. Fred owns Construction Services Inc. of Tampa, in Tampa, FL and he recently purchased the Super Comp dragster out of Georgia for his daughter to pursue her racing career. After just three months of driving a dragster, one of Kelsey’s short term goals is to race at the 2011 Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. Fred describes his daughter’s quest as a “vertical learning curve”. For her premiere in Super Comp, she must get used to the extra few feet of dragster, the extra 100 or so miles per hour, and the increase to a 1,000 horsepower engine. However, according to her coaches, Chris and Joe Mendola, Kelsey just needs to get “seat time” in the car. Chris is an accomplished Super Comp dragster and Pro Mod driver. His father, Joe, is the auto-tech teacher at Gaither High School, in Tampa, who loves to teach kids racing and how to handle cars. They coach Kelsey during practice runs and races. Joe was also the one who first taught Kelsey and Fred the basics of drag racing, which had been a new concept for both of them.
r e p u S
“Kelsey picks up everything very fast and listens when you explain things to her,” Joe says. “We go through the details of the track and point out what she needs to pay attention to, and she’s always listening. All she needs [to get ready for Super Comp] is to get lined up next to people and race.” Kelsey also has to transition to her competitors as well as she goes from competing against teenagers to mostly male adults, but it’s something that doesn’t bother her at all. “Yes, they’re all older men,” Kelsey says, “but they’ve never been rude or hinted that I shouldn’t be driving. They really are just shocked, if anything, when they see I’m a girl. It’s not bad, at all, and you can tell that they care just as much as I do about racing. They respect the fact that I’m a young female and determined to climb my way up to the top.” “Kelsey is a leader in all that she does, which is evident in her skills put into practice as a Bloomingdale High School Rajun’ Bull band drum major, flag football quarterback and team captain,” said her mom, Connie. “She has also worked hard to obtain memberships in the National Honor Society and BSHS Honor Court. “Kelsey’s desire is to use her interest in racing to help send a message to kids and grownups, alike,” said Connie, “that setting high goals and achieving them is possible.” Although Kelsey hopes to race top-fuel dragsters as a career, she also wants to attend the University of Tampa to double major in psychology and communications. Follow Kelsey on Facebook & Twitter and join her on her website www.kelseylay.com to view photos, videos, news coverage, racing schedules and more!
sound off fitness
&
YOGA ATHLETES
By Monique Davis Dotson
Forward Fold (Uttanasana) Stretches hamstrings, calves, and hips; strengthens legs and knees Stand with feet hip-width apart, gently fall forward at the hips. (If your hamstrings are tight slightly bend your knees) Let the hips pull you forward and breathe deep. Hold for one minute and let your hip flexors roll you back up to standing.
Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, takes yoga lessons during a training session at a conditioning.
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Texas Christian University baseball team started doing yoga classes in 2004.
Football, volleyball, and many other sports have officially started the regular season. Athletes across the country expect nothing less but to be the best in their perspective sports. The athlete without injury, the most endurance and determination will likely achieve their goal of being number one. It is important to add yoga to your daily training regiment. Most sports and weight training routines tend to perform repetitive motions that develop some muscle groups while others are ignored. Many athletes use momentum and rotation to complete a movement, which can result in counter productivity because athletes move in repetitive movement patterns. Those repetitive patterns can cause tight hip flexors, hamstrings, lower back and shoulder pain. Yoga training may increase flexibility and range of motion while relieving muscle tension. Improved range of motion can often help improve performance. The balance in Yoga postures is the most effective way to correct muscle imbalance problems. Yoga postures are the perfect addition to an athlete’s training routine. Try these yoga postures to open tight hips, hamstrings, groin, and shoulders. These postures along with sun salutations will add strength, flexibility, and increase your range of motion. Visit www.yogajournal.com for the photos of each posture.
Chair Pose (Utkatasana) Stretches shoulders and chest; strengthens thighs, calves, spine and ankles. Stand up tall with your big toes touching. Inhale and raise your arms straight up to the ceiling alongside your head and neck with palms facing each other. Drop your shoulders down your back as you lengthen up through the neck. As you exhale, bend your knees, sit down and back as if you were sitting in a chair. Do not let your knees extend past your toes. With each inhale lengthen the spine. With each exhale sit a little deeper in the chair. Eventually your thighs will be parallel to the floor. Drop your tailbone down toward the floor to take any stress out of your lower back. Keep your thighs together and your abdominals engaged. Hold for 30 seconds 22
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Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) Strengthens arms, legs, hamstrings and core stretching shoulders Start on your hands and knees with your feet and knees hip-width apart. Position your hands about shoulder-width apart, and spread your fingers wide. Pressing firmly through your hands, lift your knees off the floor and straighten your legs. (If you have tight hamstrings, gently bend your knees). Squeeze your thighs and push your sit bones to the back wall. Press your heels back and down toward the floor (Its okay if your heels do not reach the floor). Relax your head and neck and let your shoulder blades slide down your back toward your feet. Set your gaze between your feet. Take five deep inhales & exhales through the nose.
Crescent Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) Loosens tight hips by stretching the groin; strengthens arms and legs Start on your hands and knees. Step your right foot between your hands into a lunge, keeping your right knee directly above your heel. Inhale and slowly lift your back knee off the floor. Press your back heel toward the wall behind you as you begin to straighten the back leg. Keep your spine long as you hold and breathe. Let your hips fall forward as you continue to press the back heel behind you. Hold for one minute and then repeat on the second side.
Warrior I (Virabhadrasana) Stretches shoulders and hips; strengthens upper and lower body Come into Crescent Lunge with your right foot forward in the lunge. Spin your left toes to face the left side of the room and press your heel down. Your back foot should be parallel with the front of the room. Inhale and reach your arms up alongside your head with your palms facing each other. Drop your shoulders down your back. Don’t let your front knee extend past the toes. Both hips should face forward. Hold for one minute. Repeat on the opposite side.
Child’s Pose (Balasana) Helps stretch the ankles. Bring your knees to the floor, turn the tops of your feet into the mat and take the hips onto your heels. Bow your head to the floor. Press your forehead gently into your mat. Allow your body to melt with each breath. Take three deep breaths.
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Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore calls out signals during their NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010. Boise beat the 24th ranked Oregon State Beavers 37-24.
Virginia Tech linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (43), left, is beat by Boise State wide receiver Austin Pettis (2), for a game winning touchdown during an NCAA college football game, Sept. 6th, 2010 in Landover, Md. Boise State beat the then fifth ranked Virginia Tech 33-30.
he Case for Number
Boise State University
Boise State running back Doug Martin (22) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown as TCU safety Alex Ibiloye (9) defends during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 4th, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Boise State beat a highly ranked, undefeated TCU team 17-10.
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s it possible to have America’s team in college come from nowhere? The Boise State Broncos are making a strong case to be that team. People from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) have been familiar with the Bronco’s and their style of play. Since 2002 Boise State has been one of the strongest teams in the WAC, and has basically dominated conference play. However, the WAC and all of its teams have been considered to be a far inferior conference compared to some of the big boys like the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Pacific-10 (PAC-10). This all changed one night on January 1st, 2007, during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. This was your classic “David vs. Goliath” match-up. The Broncos, aka David, went 12-0, but flew under the radar for a majority of the season, versus the Goliath Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma was ranked in the preseason top five with one of the nation’s best players in Adrian Peterson. Very few gave the Broncos a fighting chance, and they were under dogged in the game by 7.5 points. This nationally televised game was Boise State’s first step in becoming the nation’s sweetheart of college football. After a very tight 4th quarter, the game went into overtime. Boise State scored a touchdown to be down by one point in O.T. Instead of making the safe call by kicking the extra point to force a second over-time, coach Chris Petersen decided to risk everything and go for the two point conversion for the win. The call was a statue of liberty - A play that I haven’t seen since playing in the backyard with friends when I was a kid. Ian Johnson, Coach Petersen and the entire Boise State Broncos team fooled the mighty Sooners and won the game on a trick play. After scoring on the winning play, Johnson ran over to his girlfriend, who was a cheerleader, and asked for her hand in marriage. This game instantly became a classic with a fairy tale ending. Since then, Boise State has been playing lights out, and has been in the national spotlight. Last year, they took another step in becoming America’s college football team and its case for the number one team in America. The 2009 Broncos were on a quest to do what few thought was possible, having a Non-Bowl Championship Series (BCS) school win a national championship. After completely dismantling everyone on their schedule, the Broncos ended up playing Texas Christian University, another Non-BCS school in the Fiesta Bowl. I remember sentiment across the nation wanted to see these two Non-BCS schools play BCS teams. Broncos fans were disappointed they had to play TCU, which meant their hopes of a national title would come to an end. Although Bronco fans may have been disappointed, that didn’t mean Boise State would
By Richard Brown
let off the gas pedal. The Broncos ended up finishing the season upsetting TCU in the Fiesta Bowl 17-10 and an undefeated season ranked #4 in the country. This year, things will change. Boise State was ranked in the preseason top five, and returns almost every starter. Kellen Moore, if he goes undefeated this year, will be 39-1 as the starting quarterback for the Broncos and a Heisman trophy candidate. The Broncos opened up the season playing another top 10 team in Virginia Tech, a national powerhouse program. This was basically a home game for Virginia Tech, playing it in RFK stadium. It was the first “prime time” college football game of the season, and Boise State won 33-30. This game put Boise State on the national championship map once again, and after defeating Oregon State last week, the team ranked number three in the country. If Boise State finishes the season undefeated as many think they will, they should play for the national championship. Many people who would normally not follow WAC teams, have a special spot in their hearts for this Boise State team who beat Oklahoma in one of the greatest college football games every played. If you go two seasons without losing a game you should have the opportunity to play for the national championship. Plus, many want to see if this team is for real and how they would fair against top ranked BCS teams. However, Boise State found out the road to a national title will not come easy. Despite being undefeated, the team recently dropped to fourth in ranking. As they played another unranked opponent, the former fourth ranked Oregon Ducks beat ninth ranked Stanford and was moved to number 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Poll. The Broncos are still in the driver’s seat, even though they are ranked fourth in the country. Ohio State, who is ranked number two, will be favored to win the rest of their games, and probably will. On the other hand Alabama, ranked number one, has to go through the gauntlet of playing in the SEC. Although they will be favored to win the rest of their games, I think it will be unlikely they go undefeated. I see Oregon in the same situation as Alabama, which will allow Boise State to play for the national championship. However, if Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon and Boise State all go undefeated, Alabama and Ohio State will play for the national championship with Boise State left out, again. This scenario will cause college football to talk about and maybe even implement a playoff system. So, if an undefeated Boise State team does not get its shot at being national champions, it may just be the team to cause a playoff system in division I college football. PREMIER PLAYERS
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player’s ink
Jonathan Williams 30
East Carolina running back Jonathan Williams displays a tattoo of his favorite number during NCAA college football media day in August. The gifted athlete who lead his high school football team to back-to-back 16-0 records and Class 4A State Championships also earned four letters in basketball. At ECU, the senior RB is finally having a great year under the leadership of new head coach Ruffin McNeil, who some think can coach Jonathan to the next level. After a strong spring performance earned him the starting RB position for the Pirates, Jonathan continues to make an impact on the team. In the inset photo, Jonathan breaks free for a touchdown in front of Virginia Tech defensive end J.R. Collins (42) during an NCAA college football game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., on Sept. 18th, 2010.
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