LAST NIGHT'S GAME 11/21/16 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 11/21/16

The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - Let's Not Talk Politics

The weekend may be over but let’s celebrate the short week. We’re giving you something else to celebrate – the sports conversation. This way you don’t have to talk about politics at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Don’t ask Grandma what she thought about Hamilton because either way you lose.

But you’re a winner to us,

The Last Night’s Game Team

NCAA Football (College)

Never too late. South Carolina State gave a new meaning to senior day. With a three-yard rush Joe Thomas Sr. (55) became the oldest player to ever play in a Division I college football game. Thomas' son, Joe Jr., plays for the Green Bay Packers (NFL).
Don't be upset. After last weekend's upsets, the only team in the top 10 to lose this weekend was Louisville. Don’t expect to see too much of a change when the College Football Playoff rankings are released tomorrow night.

NFL (National Football League)

For the history books. Dallas Cowboys’ rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott broke the rookie rushing record that has stood since 1977. He’s not stopping there since the Cowboys still have six games left to play.
South of the border. The Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans will play tonight in Mexico City. Will the exposure for the NFL be worth the physical toll the game may take on the two teams? The game will be played at Azteca Stadium which sits 2,000 feet higher than the Denver Broncos’ Mile High Stadium. Oh and the pollution factor? Athletes who have played there said it’s one of the worst places to play a sporting event because you can’t breathe from the terrible pollution.

Overtime

Tonight starts a two night finale for Dancing with the Stars. Out of the four dancers left, three are athletes – James Hinchcliffe (IndyCar driver), Laurie Hernandez (U.S. Olympic gymnast) and Calvin Johnson (former NFL player). The odds have Hernandez as the front runner but some are calling Hinchcliffe the “best male dancer ever on the show.” Put on your sequins and tune in to see.

Sideline stat

There were crashes and cars engulfed in flames and that was just the last few laps. The entire NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) “Chase for the Cup” came down to the final few laps in Miami. Jimmie Johnson won the race and the Sprint Cup Championship giving him seven career championships, tying legends Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty. At the age of 41, Johnson is the youngest of the three to reach this accomplishment.

Coaches’ corner

You had one job. The NFL moved the extra point kick (which happens after a touchdown) from the two-yard line to the 15-yard line at the start of last season to increase the excitement on the seemingly automatic kick. Well the NFL got their wish on Sunday as place-kickers set a record, missing 12 extra points throughout the day.

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

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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 b locked 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 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.

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.