Brad Pye Jr. Sports Editor EmeritusSeptember 23, 2016
Brad Pye’s National Sports Beat (9/23-9/29)
The L.A. Dodgers fourth consecutive division championship flag should be flying in Chavez Ravine before this edition hits the streets. The magic number was seven before the San Francisco Giants left L.A.
Lt. Gen Robert L. Caslen, Jr. the Superintendent Dean of West Point had high praise for sophomore corner back Brandon Jackson, 20, who passed in a single-car accident Sunday Sept. 11:“We will honor his life as we mourn the untimely death of a young man who had a promising future as a leader in service to our nation, Brandon internalized our watch words: Duty, Honor and Country.”
Two of my favorite QBs, the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson wasn’t at his best and the Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton was sizzling as threw for four TDs and threw one of the longest (70-yards) of his record-setting career. Newton passed for more than 200-yards and ran for more yards on one of the best days of his super career to pace the Panthers a 46-27 win over San Francisco 49ers.
Coach Pete Carroll, the former USC coach won two national titles and seven conference championships at the Coliseum returned on Sept.18. Carroll’s Seahawks returned to his old stomping grounds.
Dak Prescott completed 22 of 30 passes in less than 12-minutes left in the game and Barry Church’s interception set up a game Dallas to a 27-23 winning drive.
On Sept. 12th, David Ortiz hit his 536th to tie Mickey Mantle for 17th on the all time list.
Alabama’s freshman sensation Jalen Hurts threw for 158-yards and ran for 146 in a 48-43 win and he also returned a punt 85-yards for six.
QB’s Lamar Jackson’s most impressive performance of his college career was as he passed for 60-points for the third straight game on the day Louisville honored Muhammad Ali its native son, the three-time heavyweight champion of the world, “The Greatest Of Them All.” Lamar Jackson piled up 1,377-yards on offense and he now has 18 TDs in three games. The crowd joined fans on the field and chanted: “Heisman Heisman!” Not too tacky! Lamar Jackson wasn’t the only QB of color who stood out over the weekend.
Lou Brock was surpassed by Miami Marlins’ outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, the outfielder passed Lou Brock’s 25th place on the all-time hit list with 3,024.
Carroll’s Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush returns to the Coliseum on Oct.09th with the Buffalo Bills. Bush had his historic game at the Coliseum vs. Fresno State posting 513 all purpose yards and 294-yards rushing. Look for Bush to try and duplicate these feats vs. L.A. Rams back at his old home base.
The L.A. Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, who have only scored 9 and 15 points respectively in their only two games to date. A total of 13 teams have scored 50 points.
And the way Yasiel Puig has been playing since his return from the Minors has made manager Dave Roberts a happy man. Yasiel Puig smacked his third homer and played wherever he was called upon to play as if he owned the positions. Roberts says: “Yasiel has continued to grow as a man. For him to be ready when called upon off the bench anxious to help his team win, that’s outstanding.”
Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison is batting at the moment .283 with four homers and 19 stolen bases.
The Cleveland Browns finally got around to putting a bronze of Jim Brown in front of the stadium. And the beat continues!
UCLA is hoping to make a better showing vs. Coach David Shaw’s cutthroat Stanford Cardinals than USC did in that 27-10 loss up on The Farm. UCLA will play Stanford on Sept. 24th .The Bruins played Boise State the week before.
