The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition - Twerking for the Weekend
The decisions on Sunday are going to be tough – Wine or martini? White after Labor Day? Emmys or football? No matter your choice, we have what you need to know to join the weekend’s sports conversation.
And the Emmy goes to,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - This Friday’s tailgate treat comes to us from Garnish Salt’s Chef Kate. Her delightful Gameday Guacamole goes great with any sport or the Emmys.
NCAA football (College)
- Duking it out. Two football powerhouses face off this weekend when Ohio State (#3) heads to Norman, OK to play University of Oklahoma Sooners (#14). This is a must-win game for the Sooners to stay in the playoff picture.
- Well done Wildcats. University of Arizona is traveling to the Aloha State to play the University of Hawaii. Arizona’s uniforms will honor the U.S.S. Arizona which was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The teams will honor survivors from the ship at halftime.
- Enemy territory. Top dog University of Alabama (#1) heads to Oxford, MS to take on Ole Miss (#19 - University of Mississippi). Ole Miss has beaten a mighty Alabama team twice in the past two years.
For a complete listing of game times, click here.
NFL (National Football League)
- No Fun League. Unlike the gift of his presence, Houston Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins received an actual gift from Kanye West. Adidas and West gave him “Yeezy cleats” for the home opener last week. After the game, Hopkins received a gift from the NFL – a $6,000 fine for violating uniform policy. When asked if he would wear them again Hopkins said “only if Kanye pays the fine.” Fine then.
- Betting on the house. Moving the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas is becoming more of a reality. The Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously to approve a hotel tax to help build a 65,000 seat domed stadium for the team. Bonus – UNLV (University of Nevada- Las Vegas) will also play their home games there. Head over to Vegas to contribute to the Raiders…at least someone wins when you lose.
Click here for this weekend's NFL scheudle.
NHL (National Hockey League)
- The World Cup of Hockey begins this weekend with eight teams competing in Toronto. Over the next two weeks the teams will battle for the title of "Best in the World." For more information and for games times, here you go.
Overtime
- Continuing the campaign to change the name to the No Fun League (NFL), Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown was fined for his post-touchdown celebration he calls “boomin” (aka twerking). Brown is no stranger to dancing in public; he made it to the semifinals in a previous season of Dancing with the Stars.
Sideline stat
- Sunday’s F1 (Formula One) race comes to us all the way from Singapore. The two-man battle for the overall points lead between teammates Lewis Hamilton (ahead by two points) and Nico Rosberg, could be decided at this iconic night race. The overall points title has been won on this track in four out of the last five years.
Coaches’ corner
- The team with the best record in baseball, Chicago Cubs, clinched the National League Central Division for the first time since 2008. They are the first team to clinch a playoff spot. We’re guessing a lot of Chicagoans will be calling in sick this morning with the celebration flu.
Reminder – MLB has two leagues (National League and American League) and each of those have three divisions (West, East and Central). MLB playoffs begin on October 4th and of course we’ll bring you all you need to know.
The Rundown: 5 Things to Know About College Mascots
It's been a wild few days in sports. Speaking of wild (animals), college mascots have become more famous than the schools they represent, which brings us to today's five things to know.
Who's your favorite mascot? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter.
We've got spirit yes we do,
The Last Night's Game Team
Five things to know about college mascots
- The first couple of college mascots - Wilma and Wilber Wildcat - are the mascots for the University of Arizona. They were married November 21st, 1986 before a football game. That’s right their 30th wedding anniversary is around the corner. Don’t buy them a gift as they’d simply prefer a win over their rival Sparky the Sun Devil.
- Live animals as mascots are not only frowned upon by PETA but also by your wallet. The LSU Tiger - Mike the Tiger’s habitat cost $3 million to build, which was raised through private donors. Mike is also undergoing radiation to battle spindle cell sarcoma and has only been to one game since 2014. Uga, the Georgia bulldog mascot, racks up about $20,000 in vet, food and other bills a year. Uga’s expenses are subsidized by student fees.
- Notre Dame is unique because they have a person as a mascot that doesn’t wear a big fake head. The mascot for the Fighting Irish is a leprechaun. While he’s not required to eat Lucky Charms, it is a requirement that he channels his character's fiery spirit and wear a leprechaun costume. The leprechaun must always be peppy, mindful of interviews and able to get the crowd excited over the most mundane things.
- We’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about our hoofed friends. Texas Longhorns’ “Bevo” (who is a longhorn) has become as iconic as the athletic program. Although “Bevo XIV” passed away in 2015, he made multiple appearances with his most notable taking place during President George W. Bush’s second inauguration. Ralphie the Buffalo (mascot of the University of Colorado) gets to run on the field before games and as you might imagine sometimes a real life buffalo has a mind of its own.
- Stanford University’s team name is “The Cardinal” (after the color red) although it does not officially have a mascot. The tree has become the face of the athletic program but it is technically part of the band. We’re sure you’ve seen the jubilant tree on the sidelines and wondered why someone brought a giant car freshener pine tree to the game. Now you know.
- Extra credit – for a great list of obscure college mascots, click here.
OLYMPICS
- Russian hackers have released what they claim to be the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Olympic drug-testing files of four U.S. athletes, including Serena Williams and gymnast Simone Biles. The hackers stated that American athletes tested positive for banned substances but we’re given exemption (unlike the Russians) such as Biles’ ADHD medication and Williams’ anti-inflammatories.
NCAA Sports (College)
- The fallout continues for North Carolina over HB2 aka “The Bathroom Bill” that passed earlier this year. The law discriminates against the LBGT community. The NCAA stated that their events promote an inclusive atmosphere, therefore they have pulled seven scheduled championship events from the state for the upcoming school year. This includes part of the March Madness tournament scheduled to take place in Greensboro. The NBA previously pulled the upcoming all-star game from North Carolina.
NFL (National Football League)
- Nike and the NFL unveiled the Color Rush uniforms for this season for all 32 teams. These uniforms are a monochromatic alternative jerseys to be worn for Thursday night games. The Color Rush uniforms debuted last season, but were met with resistance as color blind people could not tell the difference between the teams playing. This season, Nike brought in doctors as consultants to make sure the problem wouldn’t happen again.
Overtime
- Dancing with the Stars debuted Monday night and Ryan Lochte stole the show. While waiting for his scores from the judges, two men rushed the stage wearing “No Lochte” shirts to protest Lochte’s participation in the competition.
Sideline stat
- All proceeds from the Color Rush jerseys benefit the NFL Foundation which funds grants to support athletes, youth football and the communities that support the game. The initial $500,000 raised will go to replace lost equipment and fields destroyed by the floods in Louisiana.
Coaches’ Corner
- The University of Colorado Buffaloes face the formidable task of playing Michigan Wolverines (#5) this weekend. Teams typically release their depth charts ahead of games. These charts show who the players are for each position (think starting quarterback, his backup and the backup’s backup). Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh must think he’s special and refuses to do this. So Colorado released theirs with some recognizable names such as: Elmer Fudd at quarterback, Stewie Griffin at weak safety and everyone’s favorite Clark Griswold at tight end.
The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - Monday Magic
The first Sunday of NFL football lived up to expectations. Unless you were ESPN and then your Sunday was a hot mess.
Exit stage left,
The Last Night’s Game
College football
- Wait what? In one of the most bizarre endings in recent history, Central Michigan Chippewas defeated heavily favored Oklahoma State Cowboys with a Hail Mary on the last play of the game. Although the play should have never happened as the Cowboys committed a penalty on the previous play and the game should have been over. The referees erroneously gave the ball to Central Michigan and they took advantage.
- Call in the HR team. The referees who worked the Oklahoma State – Central Michigan game have all been suspended for two games for their giant error and will be unable to work any bowl games.
- Holy people. In front of record breaking college crowd of 156,000, Tennessee Volunteers topped Virginia Tech Hokies. The game was held in the infield of the Bristol Motor Speedway.
NFL (National Football League)
- Man down. The ESPN Fantasy Football app crashed yesterday only an hour into the first Sunday of NFL. Fans were not happy but their reactions on Twitter provided some levity to the situation. The cause of the crash is unknown but Putin and Tom Brady are still suspects. (Okay not really).
- Go for two. In a thrilling back and forth game in New Orleans, Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw the longest touchdown pass in Saints history – 98 yards. With seconds to go in the game the Raiders scored a touchdown to pull within one point. Instead of kicking the extra point to tie and go into overtime, Raiders went all in with a two-point conversion attempt for the win. They did just that. Winner winner chicken dinner for the Raiders.
Tennis
- On top of the world. Angelique Kerber won her first U.S. Open, which makes her the new #1 ranked player in the world since Serena Williams lost earlier in the tournament.
- Oldie but goodie. Stan Wawrinka upset Novak Djokovic (#1) in the men’s final of the U.S. Open, becoming the oldest person (31) to win since 1970.
Overtime
- Put on your dancing shoes. Dancing with the Stars begins tonight on ABC with Laurie Hernandez (Team U.S.A. gymnast), James Hinchcliffe (IndyCar driver), Calvin Johnson (retired NFL player) and Ryan Lochte (Team U.S.A. swimmer) all competing to win.
In other entertainment news, Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman and Simone Biles teamed up with Olivia Munn (Packers QB Aaron Rodgers' girlfriend) on Lip Sync Battle Live. It was a fierce battle between a group of celebrity competitors but in the end Michael Phelps won with his rendition of "Lose Yourself" by Eminem.
Sideline stat
- In a game that resembled a basketball score, Arizona State University beat Texas Tech 68-55. ASU running back Kalen Ballage scored eight touchdowns, tying an NCAA record.
Coaches’ Corner
- What is a Hail Mary pass? It’s not the same as your favorite breakfast cocktail, a bloody mary. A Hail Mary is a long forward pass in football, used when there’s really no other option and time is running out to pull off a win. See a video here.