Archive for September, 2011

For the first time in his career, Youngstown State sophomore quarterback Kurt Hess has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week. Hess threw for a career-high 293 yards and tied a school record with four touchdown passes in the win over Illinois State.

Against the Redbirds he threw two first-quarter touchdown passes, ran for one and passed for another in the second and connected on his school-record-tying fourth in the third period.

He threw for a career-high 293 yards completing 21-of-29 passes. He had touchdown throws of 10, 20, 25 and 44 yards in the game and 35-yard completion on a third-and-8 with 2:13 left in the game helped seal the win as ISU was not able to get the ball back the remainder of the game. He is the eighth quarterback in program history to throw four touchdown passes in a game.

Other Missouri Valley Conference Players of the week were CB Larry Carter of Indiana State (defense); WR Dale Moss of South Dakota State (newcomer) and PK Cory Little of Indiana State (special teams).

YSU returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Indiana State. Kickoff for the contest against the Sycamores is set for 2 p.m.

The WWE returned to the Covelli Centre in Youngstown Saturday night, unveiling their Raw and Smackdown Super Show, where members of both rosters were present.  A very loud and appreciative crowd actively participated all evening and the show was filled with a couple of surprises.

The card kicked off at 7:30 p.m. with a tag-team match featuring Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne defending the tag-team championships against R Truth and The Miz.  The fast paced match went about 25 minutes and was filled with acrobatics from Bourne, audience harassment from Truth and Miz, and went the champions’ way as Bourne and Kofi picked up the win via pinfall.

Dolph Ziggler and Alex Riley were next.  Ziggler used his underhanded tactics to finish Riley off via pinfall.

Cody Rhodes and his betraying understudy and former tag-team partner, Ted Dibiase, did battle.  Rhodes did a good job creating heat before the match when he went on a five minute rant about everything from ugly people, to The Rock, to Dibiase.  Unfortunately for Dibiase, Rhodes got the win via pinfall.

Next up was Alberto Del Rio (above), accompanied by his Mexican ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez, squaring off against CM Punk.  Del Rio got a lot of heat and booed in both of his appearances on the evening.  Punk continued to be the new ‘heelish-babyface’ mix and got a good pop entering to his new ‘Cult of Personality’ music.

The match was pretty predictable and featured good action, a lot of static from Rodriguez, and ended with Del Rio getting the pinfall using the second rope for leverage without getting caught.  Love or hate Rodriguez, he is highly entertaining and gets reaction. He has been more active in Del Rio’s matches than he had been a year ago and I like the character.

After a brief intermission, Kelly Kelly defeated Beth Phoenix.  Phoenix dominated most of the match, but Kelly was able to roll the Glamazon up for the win.  After the decision was announced, Phoenix attacked Kelly and got decent heat from the crowd.

Sheamus (above), the new babyface version, tagged with Daniel Bryan to face Christian and Mark Henry.  I still can’t figure out why the WWE is so enamored with Daniel Bryan.  He is boring, his music is boring, even when he smiles or celebrates a victory, it looks very unnatural and forced.  Put the clock on him, he will be released within a year unless they come up with a big gimmick for him soon.  Sheamus and Bryan picked up the win via pinfall.

In the main event, John Cena (top photo) faced Alberto Del Rio who was making his second appearance of the night.  The whole Rodriguez introduction was used to full-length, again.  Cena entered to the biggest pop from the crowd, as expected.  Before the match started, Cena did a little work on the microphone.

Del Rio started the match running and jumping in and out of the ring.  Cena eventually caught him and the actual ten minutes of wrestling in the forty-minute segment were very good.  Rodriguez was sent back to the dressing room by the ref for tripping Cena and distracting one too many times.  The ref was knocked down in a coincidental collision allowing Rodriguez to run back out with a steel chair.  Before things got too out of hand, CM Punk ran to the defense of Cena.  Cena had Del Rio in the air and Punk had Rodriguez in the air simultaneously delivering an ‘Attitude Adjustment’, and a ‘Go To Sleep’ at the same time.

Cena and Punk shared the ring and worked the crowd a bit after the match.  Admirably, Punk signed autographs for nearly fifteen minutes on his way back to the locker room.  He was very good with the fans and talked to nearly every member of the audience on the rail all the way down the main entrance ramp.

Above average house show.  The active audience was a plus.  Randy Orton did not show up and was scheduled to, so keep an ear open on injury news or personal matters on RAW this week.

Donald Jones achieved a good short term goal last Sunday, he scored a touchdown.  More importantly, according to Jones, his Buffalo Bills recorded a very impressive 41-7 road victory at Kansas City.  Jones finished the game with three yards on two receptions and was targeted five times.

Jones nearly broke a bubble screen for six. “That bubble screen almost went for a big gain.  Coach Gailey is good at getting everyone the ball and he wwas trying to let me have an opportunity to create in space, it almost went for a real big play, but I got tripped up”, remarked Jones of the play.

“It is a nice to get a win, we like to play ahead, who doesn’t?”, said Jones.

This week the Bills welcome the Raiders to Orchard Park.  The Raiders also won last week setting up a matchup of two undefeated teams in Week Two that many ‘experts’ would not have predicted.

“The Raiders are going to be a good test for us.  They have a good defense and have a reputation of hitting.  I think we can rise to the challenge and we are excited about opening up at home.”

Jones was owned by 0.1% of all fantasy league owners in Week One based on ESPN Fantasy Football statistics.  There was not much of a surge as Jones is still listed as being owned by 0.1%, however, he is ranked #43 out of all wide receivers thanks in large part to the touchdown he scored.  Can you say bargain pickup, fantasy owners?

When Eric Wolford brought in the new recruits this past offseason, there were more defensive players than offensive.  Wolford explained in March that he wanted to bring in players to add depth and stability to his defense to finish games.  YSU failed to finish games last season after holding the lead in all eleven contests, ultimately losing their last seven, including a crippling defeat at Illinois State, by a score of 40-38.  Saturday, the defense came up big in the fourth quarter and shut the door on the explosive Redbirds offense en route to a 34-27 Penguins win.

Kurt Hess had a big day for the Penguins, tying a school record for touchdown passes in a game with four.  The offense sputtered a bit in the second half, but the defense did what it could not do last season, closed the door on the opponent at the most crucial juncture of the contest, preserving a victory in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

“It was good to get the win and go 1-0 in the conference”, declared Wolford.  “We had our struggles.  We came out and started well on offense, but the most encouraging thing I saw today was the defense stepping up and securing the win.”

The Penguins took the opening kickoff and got on the board first when Hess found Christian Bryan over the middle for a 25-yard touchdown to put the Penguins ahead 7-0.  Illinois State roared back when veteran signal caller Matt Brown marched the Redbirds into the end zone, hitting Tyrone Walker from twelve yards out.  The ensuing extra point was blocked, and the Penguins thanks to a solid play on special teams, had a 7-6 lead.

YSU would find paydirt again right before the first quarter ended as Hess found Kevin Watts for a ten yard strike.  After the YSU defense stuffed the Redbirds, Hess maneuvered the offense 76 yards in 11 plays, capping off the drive with a one-yard sneak off right guard to put the Penguins in front, 21-6.

Brown would get Illinois State closer when he connected with Matt Younger from five yards (below) to cut the Penguin lead to 20-13.  Not to give ground, YSU engineered another solid scoring drive against the highly touted Redbirds defense.  Hess would this time find Andre Barboza in the corner for a 20-yard strike to put the Penguins comfortably ahead, 28-13 heading to intermission.

In the second half, Illinois State got on the board to cut the YSU lead to 28-20.  Ashton Leggett plunged in from a yard out with 4:58 left in the third quarter for the Redbirds.

Youngstown State again rose to the challenge when Hess hit Barbosa, this time for a 44-yard connection.  David Brown‘s PAT attempt was blocked, and the Penguins had a solid 34-20 lead.

Early in the fourth quarter, Brown threw his third touchdown, this time a seven-yarder to Marvon Sanders, to cut the lead to 34-27.

The next few possessions were dominated by great defensive play from both teams.  Youngstown State really did a great job down the stretch of stuffing the Redbirds when they had to.  With the offense sputtering, Hess found Barboza for a 35-yard completion on a third-and-eight that would preserve the win for the Penguins.

Hess commented on that crucial pass that let the air out of the Redbirds balloon.  “It was a gutsy call.  We decided to take a shot at it, and it ended up being a good play to finish off the game with.”

Wolford further elaborated on the big pass play that cemented the win.  “They were jamming the box figuring we would run the ball to force them to use their last timeout.  We figured we might as well take a shot and the worst case scenario would be that the clock would stop on an incompletion.  Kurt threw a nice ball and it worked well for us.”

For the Penguins (2-1, 1-0), Hess finished the game 21-29 for 293 yards and a school record-tying effort of four touchdowns.  He was only sacked one time and the Penguins offensive line did a nice job keeping preseason All-American DT Eric Brunner away.  Cook had 30 carries for 122 yards, and Watts and Christian Bryan (above) both caught five balls for 68 and 64 yards respectively.  Barboza had three catches, two for scores, and finished with 74 yards.

Illinois State (1-2, 0-1) has a good team, they are going to win conference games and this was no pushover.  Brown finished his day 16-26 for 155 yards and 3 TD’s.  Sanders had six catches for 48 yards, and Leggett paced the running backs with 129 yards on 26 carries.

Youngstown State travels to Indiana State next Saturday.  The Penguins opened last season’s conference play with a big win at home over Southern Illinois, but failed to win the rest of the season.  This team can take steps forward with a good road win.

“We have to win road games”, insisted Wolford.  “It is tough to travel for six or seven hours to most of the places we have to go and win.  The goal is to go 1-0 every week and we will celebrate this win until tomorrow when we will focus on Indiana State.  Illinois State is a great team.  They had a top offense coming back and they are a well-coached group of talented recruits.  They have a great university and it is a great place.”

Last Summer, on a whim, I asked Lisa Neeld ten questions about baseball at a baseball game.  The next time I would see the Playboy Model was at a boxing match.  Because the readers enjoyed the baseball questions and answers so much, here are ten questions about boxing with ten answers from Lisa.  I will be doing a full-blown interview with Neeld in the near future.  Until then, enjoy!

Q: Ray Mancini’s nickname is ‘Boom-Boom’.  How did he get the nickname?

Lisa: He  got that nickname from hitting so hard.  Not once, but twice!  (laughs)

Q: Many boxers have the word ‘sugar’ in their title.  Fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard and Sugar Shane Mosley.  Why do you call a boxer sugar?

Lisa: Um, because when the sweat pours out of them it is like sugar?  (laughs)  That’s what happens to me when I sweat, it is like sugar.

Q: Who is the greatest boxer of all times?

Lisa: * with help: Um, Joe Louis?

Q: What does TKO stand for?

Lisa: Total,  um wait… Total  (laughs) Technical Knock Out!

Q: How high does a ref count before the fight is ended by knockout?

Lisa: Ten?

Q: What is a standing eight count?

Lisa: Uhhhhh…  When one of the boxers is dazed and confused for eight seconds?

Q: Who is the current World Heavyweight Champion right now?

Lisa: (long pause)  Uhhhmmmm…  That guy with the mean right hook?  Wait!  Wait, Kelly Pavlik?  Are you gonna help me?  Wait, I am retracting that (laughs), because he is not a heavyweight!

Q: How much do boxing gloves weigh?

Lisa: I box with twelve ouncers, but mine are pink though.

Q: What three things should every boxer do while training?

Lisa: Run?  Lift. Abs? (laughs in between each)

Q: What is shadow boxing?

Lisa: When you are looking in the mirror and you are moving around, and like you are hitting, swinging at yourself?

Q: What is a speed bag?

Lisa: It’s where you hit really, really fast.  I have a bag, you know.  It’s not a little bag though, it is one of those big ones.  (laughs)

Thanks once again Lisa, not only for being a good sport, but for also sharing your wealth of knowledge in the area of boxing!

** Both photos courtesy of Ron Stevens.

When Youngstown State opens Missouri Valley Football Conference play against Illinois State this Saturday, both teams will learn how good they have gotten over the past year.  YSU played a game they were given no chance to win nationally, then they played a team that people expected them to blow out.  Illinois State is somewhere between Michigan State and Valparaiso.  The Redbirds have recruited 15 FBS transfers and head coach Brock Spack thinks that this could be the season his birds fly to the front of the pack.

Eric Wolford respects Spack’s program, calling it ‘on the rise’, and knows that the task at hand on Saturday will be a great test for his youthful Penguins.  “Their defense is tremendous.  They are only giving up about seven yards per game on the ground, and I don’t care if it is Michigan State, Illinois State, or any state for that matter, that is a good defense.  It starts with Eric Brunner who can dominate a game and we have to be able to move the football against that unit to win this game.”

Brunner put together a great effort against Morehead State in a 52-21 win last weekend.  The preseason all-conference defensive tackle had a pair of sacks and seven tackles.  The Youngstown State offensive line has to get off to a quick start and be able to create space for the backs to sneak through.  The three-headed tailback monster that is Jamaine Cook, Adaris Bellamy, and Jordan Thompson, will need to piece together a great collective effort because every yard gained on the ground this weekend will be hard-earned.

“Offensively, Illinois State is very talented and explosive”, remarked Wolford.  “They have a big, veteran offensive line, they have a tremendous quarterback named Matt Brown who has experience.  They have a solid running game and we can’t afford to take any plays off this week, they are much-improved over last season and it is going to be a very good test for us.”

The Penguins will also have to concentrate on stopping Redbirds TB Ashton Leggett. The senior running back has 207 yards on 36 carries with a pair of touchdowns.  The good news for YSU’s run defense is that no other Redbird RB has more than six carries through the first two games.  Another key to the Illinois State offense is that the tendency when they throw has been to hit wide receivers almost exclusively.  The tight ends seem to block and the running backs don’t get targeted much.

If Youngstown State can pick up the quality conference win this weekend, they will surely be ranked in next week’s FCS Poll.  The Penguins received votes this week, but not enough to crack the Top-25.  A win over a talented program like Illinois State will also break a seven game conference losing streak.  Last season, Youngstown State had the Redbirds on the ropes, but ultimately fell 41-39 in one of many heartbreaking last-minute losses.

The game is scheduled to kickoff at 4 p.m. and early reports from the YSU athletic offices are that there are already close to 22,000 tickets sold for the game.  The 2011 Penguins have the community buzzing about the old days, about the future, about Penguins football, and about winning.

“We have a precedence here at Youngstown State”, says Wolford.  “Winning championships.  In order to win championships, you have to win your conference games, and for us, that starts this week.”

YSU’s freshman sensation and speed demon, Andre Stubbs, knows says he knows what this game will mean.  “We have had a good week and if we stay positive, we should come out with a win.”

Youngstown State sophomore offensive guard Chris Elkins (Beaver Falls, Pa.) was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference‘s Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance during the Penguins’ win over Valparaiso last Saturday.

Elkins was tabbed the team’s Offensive Player and Offensive Lineman of the Game for his solid effort in the win over the Crusaders.

He graded out at 84 percent for the game, had two knockdown blocks and no missed assignments or loafs according to the Coaching Staff.

YSU set a school record with 77 points, 11 touchdowns – including eight on the ground – and set a record with 657 total offensive yards.  The Penguins rushed for 460 yards against the Crusaders, the second-highest total in school history. Through two games, the offensive line has not surrendered a sack.

This Saturday, Youngstown State starts Missouri Valley Football Conference play against Illinois State at Stambaugh Stadium. Kickoff at the Ice Castle is set for 4 p.m. For ticket information contact the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at (330) 941-1YSU.

Anthony Pietrantonio is not a household name in the boxing world.  In fact, few reading this story have much of an idea of who he is or what he has done. Pietrantonio (7-7) made a positive impression on me when he fought on the Ghost Production card at the Covelli Centre on July 3.  He didn’t dominate the fight and was woozy by the end, but he showed some serious heart and guts staying up and continuing to throw punches against his opponent, Randy Campbell.  The guy looks like a fighter.  He has hit a good spot, switching over to Jack Loew’s Southside Boxing Club, and he may have better days in what he is calling ‘one last good run’.

Paneech: Your last fight was a slugfest.  No clinching, no tying up the opponent either way, just straight bombs from bell-to-bell and round-to-round.  Do you always fight that way?

Pietrantonio: I was more or less fighting that guy’s [Campbell] style.  It fell into his style, I wanted to make it a show so I slugged it out with him.  I feel like I fought down to his level and against a higher quality opponent, I would fight a higher quality style.

Paneech: You were training somewhere else, had a six-fight losing streak, and end up here with Jack Loew.   Has a change in scenery helped your career?

Pietrantonio: Me being here with Jack has helped a lot.  He stays on me to do what I have to do both in the gym and on the road.  The other gym, I had to work a job and was only training maybe two or three days a week.  I would get the call for a fight on a week or two of notice, and it would be pretty good money, so I would take it.  My age is rising and the opportunities are decreasing.  I was fortunate to be picked up by a sponsor who basically gives me money and allows me to focus on boxing more than working.

Paneech: Talk about how your age [Pietrantonio is 33] can effect things and how hard of a push you can really give because in some circles that is considered old for a boxer.

Pietrantonio: There was a point where I thought I peaked, but I am wondering if I have even found my true potential yet.  I was 5-0 to start my career.  I had a setback and got myself into a little bit of trouble.  When all that was behind me, I started back up and the opportunities were scarce because I had to work.  I am pushing myself harder than ever right now and feel like I am finally approaching a level where I can win consistently.

Paneech: Moving forward, can Jack make you a more polished fighter?

Pietrantonio: I definitely think so.  There are a lot of different guys in this gym, so I am getting many different looks.  The other gym, I was sparring the same people every day.  My first fight was against a guy named Henry White Jr., who had like 160 amateur fights and he beat me, but after the fight which I did well in, I was commended and learned that White was a five-time Golden Gloves champion.

Paneech: You said there was a point where you had to go work, what was it you did?

Pietrantonio: I was doing heating work.  Heating and air conditioning.  I did insulation, put furnaces in, installed air conditioning units, basically anything I had to so I could have some money.  I could have been on a job someday for ten hours, which would mean no training because I didn’t have the time.  I feel good knowing I don’t have to rely on that anymore.  I love doing this.  I started when I was about 20.  I was a friend of a guy who boxed named Willie Phillips, and after I went to the gym once with him, I was hooked and knew it was what I wanted.

Paneech: How far can you go with this?

Pietrantonio: I’m ready to go all the way!  If it takes me somewhere, then great, so be it.  If not, at least I know that I tried and put everything into it.  There is no doubt in my mind I am ready for anything.  I fought James McGirt Jr. and would have gotten some national recognition if I would have won, but I only trained two weeks for that fight.  Six of my seven wins are by knockout, I just have to put it all together.

Paneech: What is the dream fight for you at 175-pounds?

Pietrantonio: I was supposed to fight Andre Ward before I got into some trouble.  I have seen him go down a few times and thought I had at least a shot at winning against him.  If I were to catch Ward, and he goes down, he will stay down.  I would like to have that opportunity back someday.  I like to watch Miguel Coto.  He is like me, he doesn’t talk much and fights hard.

Paneech: Did you play any sports at Sharon High School?

Pietrantonio: I played midget football and later was active with track and field.  I ran the 100, 200, and 400.  I ran the 100 in about eleven seconds.  When I am not in the gym now, I still concentrate on training.  I have two girls I look out for and I like to spend time with them on the weekends.

One Word Answers

Favorite Meal of The Day: Dinner – Spaghetti.

Biggest Phobia: Drowning.

Worst Habit: Not running enough.

Favorite TV Show: Sopranos.

Favorite Drink: Fruit Punch Gatorade.

Fast Food Order: Big Mac Value Meal, Fries, and a Coke.

Favorite Candy: Snickers.

Best Boxing Movie Ever: Raging Bull.

Person You Are Closest With: Darnell Boone.

Favorite Team: Pittsburgh Steelers.

Musical Preference: Godsmack, newer metal.

Favorite Cartoon Character: Daffy Duck.

When you start to fly through the short list of guys who were professional wrestling managers, Jimmy Hart would have to be on near the top.  Hart, notorious for using a megaphone and being the prototypical ‘heel’ character during the WWE’s rise to prominence in the eighties, is very happy with his legacy.  Hart was in the limelight before he got into wrestling as a member of the band, The Gentry’s.  He still does some work for the WWE and was just on RAW a couple of weeks ago.  He was a better interview than I could have imagined he would be and I am happy to share his comments.

Paneech: Jimmy, thanks for talking with me.  You are in an elite handful of wrestling managers:  Captain Lou Albano, Bobby Heenan, The Grand Wizard, and Freddie Blassie to name a few.  Your body didn’t take the abuse, but you had to travel and live that lifestyle, what do you do now?

Hart: I still do stuff for WWE.  I did a skit on television with R Truth for Summerslam a couple of weeks before that event happened. I still do some radio and television from a fan access capacity.  I still love the wrestling and am still very active.  I do Wrestling’s Weekend Warriors, which is basically younger guys who have nine-to-five jobs but wrestle at high schools and armories on weekends.  I also have a girl show that we put together.  It’s kind of like GLOW, but it is more of a combination of Hee Haw meets Laugh-In meets The Man Show, it is called Rassle-licious. It is skits and we have fun with it.  I am also doing a little with music.  Back in the day I wrote some of the songs the wrestlers entered to.  I did Shawn Michaels music, the Road Warriors entrance music, and of course, I’m A Real American for Hulk Hogan.

Paneech: You have a well-storied friendship with Hogan.  Do you keep in touch with many of the guys you worked with?

Hart: Yeah, I just talked to the Hulkster last week.  I just did some work with the Nasty Boys and also recently worked with Brutus Beefcake.  Three weeks ago, I was in Atlanta with Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart.  I don’t fish or eat out much so I run into the guys at events.  I love doing this and wake up pinching myself asking if I really got paid for what I have done all of these years.  It’s fun doing the WWE thing for so many years now, but I also did WCW, Hogan Knows Best, and Thunder In Paradise.

Paneech: Tell me more about your musical backround and what you like to listen to these days.

Hart: I was in a band, probably before you were born, called the Gentrys.  We had a million seller called ‘Keep On Dancin’.  We did a lot of Dick Clark tours and were pretty successful in the sixties.  I still like Steely Dan, The Beach Boys, and Van Halen.  One of the first tours we did was with Sonny & Cher and The Beach Boys and I remember one night, Dick Clark was talking to all of the acts about giving the people their moneys worth but remember if you dress like the audience you will end up in the audience someday.  That’s why I still wear the crazy jackets and carry the megaphone.  Successful musicians had their gimmick.  Look at Liberace with the piano, or Elton John.  They wore the crazy outfits and separated themselves as stars.

Paneech: What do you think of pro wrestling and the direction it is headed in now?

Hart: Everybody has an opinion.  The wrestling programs have to adapt because sponsors are so important now.  What worked years ago has to be adapted to meet today’s demands.  Some companies were doing stuff that would be considered too far over the top as little as three years ago.  You need McDonalds and other major companies to sponsor your product and you have got to keep it pretty clean, and I feel WWE is doing a really good job following the unwritten guidelines.  The shows are more family oriented and they sell a ton of merchandise on the road.  If the kids really want to go, the parents are gonna bring them.

Paneech: The WWE is running an angle with CM Punk where he is the spokesman against Vince McMahon and taking responsibility for changes.  You have been affiliated for years, what do you think about the whole angle?

Hart: Well number one, CM Punk is saying some nasty stuff, but he is still with the company, so that should throw up a flag that it is a great working angle.  I love CM Punk and the Miz.  I like the direction that these newer guys are taking the company.  We look back and say ‘why didn’t we do something like that’.  Don’t send me no flowers because Jimmy Hart ain’t dead yet, baby! I am still slim and trim and can talk and still have the megaphone.  By the way, Vince [McMahon] brought me that megaphone from Japan to use.  I am a phone call away and always ready to work for the company.

Paneech: So moving forward, will pro wrestling hinge on advertisement dollars and gimmicks versus athleticism?

Hart: If you do what you have done, you will always have what you always had.  If you are having good fortune with something, you have to keep it up.  If you are doing bad, you better change it.  If you have a restaurant and the food isn’t selling, you better change the menu.  Vince is doing great right now, so why change?  WWE is still the greatest show on earth.  They have the best production and the best talent.

One Word Answers

Favorite Meal Of The Day: I still like my vegetables and pasta.  I like beans and cornbread with turnip greens.

Favorite Sports Team: New York Yankees.  I liked Brett Favre when he played for Green Bay.  Vinny Testaverde at one time lived next door to me, so I rooted for his teams.  I want to see Michael Vick do well for all he has been through.  Both of the Mannings, Peyton and Eli, and I want to see Tim Tebow do good.  If he really sucks at what he does, then criticize him.

Biggest Phobia: Snakes.  You know when I was in that angle with Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, they would throw that big snake on me every night.  God, I hated that!

Worst Habit: Letting people know what I really think and giving an honest opinion without burning any bridges.

Well, it was the shortest set of one word answers ever on this website.  There are no one word answers from Jimmy Hart.  He is still as colorful and descriptive as ever!

The Youngstown State volleyball team earned its first win of the season by defeating Fairleigh Dickinson in straight sets on Saturday morning at UMBC’s Maddie Bingaman Memorial Tournameng.

Sophomore Missy Hundelt (St. Charles, Mo.) posted 10 kills and three aces, and sophomore setter Casey D’Ambrose (Addison, Ill.) had 30 assists and 12 digs. YSU won 25-22, 25-21, 26-24.

Alexis Egler (Clarkston, Mich.) and Shannon Watson (Zoarville, Ohio) added seven kills apiece for YSU, which snapped a 28-match losing streak dating back to Sept. 11, 2010.

Meaghan Wheeler had 13 kills for Fairleigh Dickinson, which had won five straight matches. Last night, the Knights swept Norfolk State, who YSU will play this afternoon at 4.

The Penguins battled through 27 ties and 11 lead changes in the match, and they trailed by as many as four in the opening set. They took their first lead since 6-5 when D’Ambrose and Nichele Johnson combined for a block to make the score 19-18. An Erika West (Painesville, Ohio) ace capped a 13-5 run by YSU that gave it a 23-19 lead. Hundelt’s third kill of the set came on set point.

YSU led 9-2 early in the second set, but FDU scored seven straight points to tie the score on a kill from Wheeler. Another Wheeler kill tied the score at 19-19, but a serving error and back-to-back kills from Jackie Carlisle (Hubbard, Ohio) and Watson gave the Guins a 22-19 lead. A Hundelt kill also finished the second set.

YSU led 10-7 in the third before having to rally from four three-point deficits, including 22-19. Hundelt’s ace tied the score at 23-23, and a Brittany Grove (Mansfield, Ohio) kill gave the Penguins a match point. Hundelt’s serving error accounted for a side out, but YSU scored the next two points on an attack error and bad set.