The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up Edition - Getting You Up To Speed

If you thought your weekend was rough, be glad you weren’t playing college football or fighting in the octagon where mayhem ensued. Don’t worry, your Monday will be better.

Deep breath,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Want to share us with your friends? Use the handy dandy share button at the bottom. 

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UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)

• Kind of a big deal. Conor McGregor once again lives up to the hype surrounding his fights.  He knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the second round on Saturday night to be crowned the lightweight champion. McGregor became the first fighter to simultaneously hold two different championship belts (lightweight and featherweight). The fight drew a record $17.7 million in ticket sales for the first ever UFC event in New York.   

NCAA Basketball (College)

• There goes the neighborhood. College basketball season began over the weekend. To celebrate the start of the college basketball season, ESPN will show 24 hours of live men’s and women’s college basketball starting tonight. We’re calling in sick with basketball fever. Games begin at 6 pm EST. Want the full schedule? It’s right here.

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

• It’s getting good. In the Chase for the Cup, Joey Logano won the race in Phoenix securing his spot in the final round of four which takes place Sunday. The other drivers in the final round are Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards.

Soccer

• Adios amigos. Team U.S.A men’s soccer team lost on Friday to Mexico in World Cup qualifying game. They will play an important game against Costa Rica on Tuesday. 

Overtime

• This weekend the NFL (National Football League) observed Veteran’s Day by honoring veterans in its “Salute to Service.” The Carolina Panthers took it a step further by putting decals on their helmets representing the initials of a fallen soldier that they were playing for. The team provided each of the players with the story of their solider to understand their sacrifice. The players signed the helmets and sent messages to the families of the fallen soldiers.  

Sideline stat

• It was a tough weekend to be a top 10 ranked college football team with three of the top four teams losing (Clemson #2, Michigan #3, Washington #4). There are only two undefeated teams left in college football – Alabama (#1) and Western Michigan (#21).

Coaches’ corner

• In the most dramatic ending since The Bachelorette finale, the Denver Broncos blocked the New Orleans Saints extra point and ran it back to score and win the game. In the NFL, the defense can return a blocked extra point, which happens after a touchdown, for two points. Like The Bachelorette, there are many ways to score in football.

The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition - Hug A Veteran

Today is Veteran’s Day where we honor those who have fought for our freedom. Take the time to thank a veteran for their service. If you want to talk to them about sports, we have you covered for that too.

There’s something for everyone,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – It’s Friday and that means it’s time for a tailgate treat! Today’s feature is Warm Artichoke and Bacon Dip. Did someone say bacon? 

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NFL (National Football League)

• No vacancy. The vote to raise the hotel tax to pay for the San Diego Chargers’ new stadium failed in this week’s election. The future of the team remains uncertain. As you may recall, the Chargers we’re approved by the NFL owners to move the team to Los Angeles and share a stadium with the newly anointed Los Angeles Rams. The Chargers have until January 15th to make a decision to move to L.A. or not.  

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)

• The wait is over. This weekend will feature the first UFC fight ever in New York – UFC 205. Headliner Conor McGregor is the organization’s top money maker. To prove it, he’s been driving around the city in a Rolls Royce with a custom paint job featuring his face and nickname “Notorious.”  Here's the fight card (a menu of who’s fighting). Don’t be surprised if the women’s fights end up being the best. Click here for our Five Things to Know About UFC.

NCAA Basketball (College)

• Aloha basketball. College basketball begins today with four teams playing in this year’s Armed Forces Classic in Hawaii. One of the teams, The University of Arizona, will wear special “U.S.S. Arizona” uniforms to honor the ship that sank in the battle at Pearl Harbor. For the full college basketball schedule, click here. 

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

• Race to the finish. Sunday will be the last chance for six drivers to claim the final two spots in the elimination-style playoffs - the “Chase for the Cup.” A total of four drivers will move on to the final round to race for the title of “NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion.”  (Drivers Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards have already claimed their spots in the final round with previous wins).  

Overtime

• Florida International University tight end Jonnu Smith is out the rest of the season with an injury that was not sustained through football. His girlfriend dumped a pot of boiling water on his head during an argument. Yowza! She is five months pregnant with their child and now faces felony assault charges.

Sideline stat

• Today is one of the most important rivalry games for Team U.S.A. as they look to qualify for the 2018 Soccer World Cup. They will take on southern neighbor Mexico in Columbus, OH. Team U.S.A. has beaten Mexico 2-0 in the last four World Cup qualifying matches played in Columbus. The game can be seen on Fox Sports One at 8 pm EST.   

Coaches’ Corner

• It was purely coincidence that the Cleveland Cavaliers made the traditional NBA Champions trip to the White House on the same day as the new President Elect. There was no talk of politics, only praise from President Obama for the Cavs who overcame an insurmountable deficit in last season’s finals to beat the Golden State Warriors.

The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up – Extra Sleep Included

Normally falling back isn’t a good thing, but man that extra hour of sleep is like winning the lottery. Speaking of winning, we have the winners (Saturday Night Live viewers) and the losers (Cleveland Browns) from the weekend to start your Monday off on the right foot.

We have two left feet,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – Need something besides politics to talk about in the voting line tomorrow? Here’s our Blueprint for Sports Talk Success – November Edition.  

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NFL (National Football League)

• Dancing to the top. The Oakland Raiders beat the Denver Broncos to take sole possession of first place in the hotly contested AFC West (American Football Conference West). It’s kind of a big deal since the Raiders have not won the division since 2002 (also the last time they made the playoffs). Raiders punter Marquette King celebrated with his non-punter like dance move. Beyoncé would be proud. 
• Did your team win? Find out here. 

NCAA Football (College)

• If you’re not going to say something nice. The University of Cincinnati is having a rough football season, with fans and sports writers alike calling for a coaching change.  This weekend a fan started heckling head coach Tommy Tuberville, harassing him about his poor coaching. Maturely, Tuberville yelled back, saying “Hey go to hell, get a job." Take that college student. Burn.
• For a full scoreboard of this weekend’s winners and losers, click here. 

NBA (National Basketball Association)

• There’s an app for that. The Cleveland Cavaliers are just like us as they get stuck in traffic too. On the way to the game, their team bus was held up by VP Biden’s motorcade. The players were forced to ditch the bus and call an Uber car to get to the game. Their late arrival obviously messed with their pregame rhythm as they only beat the 76ers by one to remain undefeated.

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

• Rain dance. Carl Edwards punched his spot in the final round of “The Chase for the Cup” (NASCAR’s elimination-style playoffs). He was declared the winner when the race was called due to rain with 41 laps left. Edwards joins Jimmie Johnson in the final round. The race next week in Arizona will determine the drivers who will claim the last two spots. 

Overtime

• Denver Broncos’ Brandon Marshall has taken a knee during the national anthem for the last eight games to raise awareness of police brutality. On Sunday, Marshall announced he will no longer kneel after seeing productive discussions and progress. Marshall has been a part of that progress by working closely with the Denver Broncos and the Denver Police Department to discuss sensitive issues such as the department’s use of force policy.

Sideline stat

• The Cleveland Browns (NFL) continue their downward spiral toward a winless season. They lost 35-10 to the Dallas Cowboys for a season record of 0-9.

Coaches’ corner

• Maybe Lorne Michaels has a future as a head coach? Members of the World Series Champions Chicago Cubs appeared on Saturday Night Live this weekend. They starred as dancers at Granny’s bachelorette party and as special guests on the “Weekend Update” segment, both good for a Monday morning laugh.