Glenn Papazian bringing you the latest edition of My Sports Desk, news from the world of sports, what happened, what’s coming up, an honor roll, and a commentary.
Eagles
“What hurts is that the guys fought so hard, and then I don’t make the decision that I should make at the end of the game. I cost us, that way, that game.”
That was Eagles coach Nick Sirianni on why the Eagles lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, a 19 – 17 stunner on a Cam Little 57-yard field goal at the end.
The Birds took a 17 – 16 lead on a 47-yard Jake Elliott field goal with just 8 seconds remaining. Then ….the instruction to Elliott was to keep the ball in play on the kickoff. The Jaguars returned the ball 53 yards. With one second remaining, Little was good on the kick for the win.
Sirianni will be bothered by the team not kicking the ball long or using a squib kick to use clock. It does not bother anyone more than him. But put in on the Special Teams Coach, but ultimately, it is on Sirianni.
The Eagles did not lose ground in the NFC East because no other division team won.
NFL East
Dallas Cowboys lost and the New York Giants and Washington Commanders played to a 27 – 27 tie that will irk both coaches. Let’s go back.
In overtime the Giants drove to the Commanders 24-yard line at the 2-minute mark. Cam Skattebo fumbled, Washington recovered and drove to the New York 24. Hmmm…. With 12 seconds to play and a field goal well within reach, they ran a play. Quarterback Jayden Daniels ran up field and instead of getting rid of the ball and was sacked. The clock ran down to triple zeroes. Game Ends.
Daniels said it was on him. Coach Dan Quinn said that they did not signal to the quarterback to spike the ball. “No, we’re just trying to gain more. We don’t need to. Easy enough to say ‘hey man, let’s clock it right here. We’re early enough, go get it.” And why did the offense not know that?
Okay Nick and Dan and other NFL Coaches who seem to want to reinvent the game or seem to feel the need to outsmart the opponent. And not do the boring but effective basics to win? Enough! Not every game has to make the highlight reel.
Let’s talk some college football.
Penn
Another tough week for the locals except for the University of Pennsylvania, winners 24 – 20 over Howard. It was a needed performance by quarterback Karson Siqueiros-Lasky. He came into the game because of an injury to starter Miles Teodecki. Penn still sputtered on offense until the fourth quarter. The Quakers trailed by 10. Siqueiros-Lasky scored on a “Philly-Special” like play to get into proximity. With less than a minute to go he found Isaac Lee with a 13-yard scoring strike.
The Red and Blue returns to Ivy League play hosting Columbia under Friday Night Lights at Franklin Field.
Temple
It was Temple Homecoming Day, but the Owls could not treat their alums to a win falling 34 – 20 to UConn at the Linc. It was a back-and-forth game with the Huskies taking a 24 – 17 lead at halftime on a field goal. Temple got a field goal. But the visitors put the game away with two fourth quarter scores while giving up no further points.
For Temple Ajani Sheppard threw for 260 yards with a 79-yard scoring toss to Jojo Bermudez.
Charlotte comes to town on Saturday.
Penn State
The losing streak reaches 3-games for the Penn State Nittany Lions who lost 31 – 23 to USC in Happy Valley. Trojan quarterback Jayden Maiava amassed 301 yards in the air with 3 for touchdowns. Trent Mosely caught 9 balls for 111 yards. Penn State quarterback Rocco Brecht threw for 289 yards and one touchdown. The Lions could only gain 68 yards on the ground.
Next up a visit to the Big House for a contest against Michigan.
West Chester
The Golden Rams lost to Shepherd 28 – 14. The reason can be that the Shepherd offense stayed on the field converting 9 of 11 third down conversions and gained 308 total yards of offense. The time of possession was 36 and a half for Shepherd and 22 and a half for West Chester.
The Rams scored a touchdown in the first quarter to open the Rams scoring and one in the fourth. Meanwhile the opposition got one TD in each quarter. Shepherd running back Ian Mauldin ran for 135 yards and a score.
Lackawana comes to Chester County next Saturday.
There was some outstanding national college football last weekend.
Georgia moves up to number one with a 20 – 17 win over then #2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. There was much officiating controversy in the game, blown calls, no calls. In the end it was Georgia who got a 4th quarter field goal and hung on.
The Red River Rivalry lived up to its name. The Oklahoma Sooners downed the Texas Longhorns in thrilling fashion 27 – 24. The game was tied at 24 when Oklahoma got the ball on a interception of Arch Manning by Courtland Guillory at the Sooners 49. 4-plays later Tate Sandell nailed a 47-yard field goal for the win over then #1 Texas.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the defending national champion the Indiana Hoosiers trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter. The winning points came on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Josh Hoover to Nick Marsh with 7:13 to play in their 20 – 17 victory. The Indiana defense cemented the win with holding Nebraska to a punt and two turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter.
The first thee places in the AP and Coaches Poll are identical with Georgia, Notre Dame and Miami at 1, 2, 3. Ohio State is 4th in the AP Poll and 5th in the Coaches Poll flipping places with Indiana.
Major League Baseball
We are down to the final four in baseball. The League Championship Series. In the National League it is the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the American League it is the Tampa Bay Rays going against the Cleveland Guardians. Milwaukee and Tampa Bay are the league top seeds. Cleveland and Los Angeles are the two-seeds. Chalk. If seeds do hold, it will be a Milwaukee and Tampa Bay play in the World Series. We will see next week.
WNBA
The WNBA completed their semifinals. The New York Liberty were eliminated by the Atlanta Dream while the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Las Vegas Aces. Both series were sweeps. The finals will be best of seven. Golden State is in their second season of operations and will go for the crown. Angel Reese and Atlanta are awaiting Gabby Williams and the California team. Yes, there will be a new champion, the first for either franchise.
Time for the Honor Roll
Dez Zapata had a career-day in Villanova’s 3 – 3 tie at Providence. The junior forward scored 5 points on two goals and an assist. She scored the Wildcats first and third goal for her first brace. It would have been quite a day had Providence not scored the last two goals. But good enough to be our Player of the Week. Zapata has notched at least a point in five of her last seven games.
Nova remains undefeated in their first 13 games, and they are off for 11 days before returning to the pitch at Seton Hall. They occupy the top spot in the Big East standings.
Commentary
The Flyers set a franchise record. Not the kind you want. With a 4 – 1 loss to Carolina the team is now winless in their first seven games, a franchise record. General Manager Danny Briere has said fan base needs to be patient. But lately said it’s still not time to panic, but the Flyers have been “a little too casual” to begin the year. The orange and black has lost five games and lost twice in overtime to occupy last place in the Conference and the Division. And the fan base is not happy. Their ire is directed at Coach Rick Tocchet.
But I ask this.
A little too casual? That has never been the Flyers trademark. That will not fly in Philadelphia. Casual from a city that expects grit, determination, and hustle? How can the front office let that stand?
Or have the Flyers become too corporate-like?
And that’s the story.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: glenn@phillycollegesports.com
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