Pirate Galaxy » City hosting bottom-of-the-table

(STATS) -- Any deficit in the FCS playoffs was going to trouble unbeaten Sam Houston State considering it had trailed against only one opponent all season -- for a mere 3 minutes, 14 seconds of first-quarter clock.So the Bearkats werent prepared for the kind of lead James Madison built against them Friday night.No team would be.Fourth-seeded James Madison scored early and often while eliminating the fifth-seeded Bearkats 65-7 in the national quarterfinals at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia.James Madison (12-1), which won the CAA Football title under first-year coach Mike Houston, advances to the FCS semifinals for the third time in program history. It will play next weekend against the winner of Saturdays matchup between No. 8 seed South Dakota State and No. 1 seed North Dakota State. The Dukes previously reached the semis in their 2004 national title season and in 2008.Their point total was the sixth-highest in playoff history and the winning margin was the second-biggest to Montanas 70-7 win over Troy in the 1996 semifinals.While game temperatures were in the mid-20s, and not to the liking of the visitors from Texas, James Madison was red-hot in the teams first-ever meeting, taking a 21-0 lead in just over 11 minutes of action and extending it to 35-0 within the first five minutes of the second quarter.Sam Houston (12-1), top-ranked in the STATS FCS Top 25 to end the regular season, hardly resembled the team that entered the game No. 1 in the FCS in both points and yards per game. Jeremiah Briscoe, who had thrown for 4,459 yards and an FCS single-season record 57 touchdown passes, completed only 13 of 44 pass attempts for a season-low 143 yards, throwing two interceptions (Raven Greene and Curtis Oliver) in the third quarter. The junior also was called for intentional grounding in his end zone, resulting in a safety.We had a great week of practice, there was no doubt in my mind that we were going to come out and play well tonight, Houston said. Defensively, that was as impressive of a performance Ive seen in a long time. It speaks to the improvement of the secondary of the past several months. I thought we clicked in all phases -- offensively, defensively and special teams. Very proud of the kids and coaches.We got beat by a really good football team that I thought played at a very high level, Sam Houston coach K.C. Keeler said. We feed off our offense and our point production has been off the charts. Jeremiah really struggled. He didnt take a single snap the entire week of practice (because of an elbow injury). We didnt know if he was going to play until game time. His elbow, he injured in last weeks game, so I thought our timing was off. I thought he threw the ball OK, but the timing was off. Its a shame, but we got beat in all three phases.JMU quarterback Bryan Schor threw for 236 of his 251 yards in the first half, with both a touchdown pass and run. Khalid Abdullah rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns, and Trai Sharp gained 144 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as part of the Dukes 607 total yards.In the first quarter, Abdullah capped an early drive in which he gained 52 rushing yards by scoring from 14 yards out. Schor then completed a 64-yard pass to Domo Taylor to set up his 1-yard touchdown run. After a Sam Houston possession quickly stalled, Rashard Davis weaved his way for a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown -- his fourth of the season.A lot of people may overlook special teams, but its one of the biggest on the field, Davis said. We look at special teams for momentum-boosters and we feed off of them when big plays happen. They play a key role in big games like this. It was the first time Sam Houston hadnt scored in the first quarter since falling to Jacksonville State in last years playoff semifinals. It only got worse when the Dukes special teams delivered again early in the second quarter as Robert Carter Jr. blocked a punt and freshman Bryce Maginley scooped up the ball for a 20-yard touchdown return.On their next drive, Schor hit tight end Jonathan Kloosterman for a 10-yard touchdown pass, making it 35-0 with 10:40 remaining in the second quarter.It was exactly what Sam Houston had been doing to many opponents in the first half of games. The Southland Conference champion had been seeking to reach the national semifinals for the fifth time in six seasons.James Madison hasnt lost to an FCS opponent, only to ACC member North Carolina. The Dukes will host their national semifinal if South Dakota State wins Saturday, otherwise theyll go on the road to face North Dakota State, the five-time reigning FCS champion. Air Max 98 Gundam . LUCIE, Fla. Nike Air Max 180 .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. http://www.nikeoffwhite.it/nike-air-max-98/air-max-98-2018.html .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Air Max 97 Off White .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Air Max 95 Neon . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap.Will Tottenham or Arsenal get their title challenge back on track? Will Manchester United maintain their top-four push? Can Bournemouth pile the pressure on Newcastle manager Steve McClaren? The Premier League returns to action on Saturday lunchtime with the north London derby at White Hart Lane, before six 3pm kick-offs, including Aston Villas trip to the Etihad Stadium and a buoyant West Hams visit to Everton.The Saturday Night Football clash sees Watford host title-chasing Leicester City, while Crystal Palace welcome Liverpool and Manchester United travel to West Brom on Super Sunday. With all that and more to look forward to, heres what to keep an eye out for... Ed Chamberlin and Jamie Redknapp preview Watford v Leicester and the rest of Saturdays Premier League games Will the Foxes continue their impressive run on the road at Watford? (Watford v Leicester City - Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)By the time Leicester City kick off their Saturday Night Football encounter at Watford, Tottenham could have replaced them at the leagues summit on goal difference.Either way, it will be interesting to see if having to play catch-up affects Claudio Ranieris side and their unlikely title bid. The Foxes have stuttered slightly of late, needing a last-gasp goal to beat relegation-threatened Norwich City last weekend, before being held at home by struggling West Bromwich Albion in midweek.However, both those matches were at the King Power Stadium, whereas Saturday evenings encounter with the Hornets is at Vicarage Road, with Leicester having won 10 and lost just two of their last 17 league games on their travels. Leicester could only draw against West Brom in midweek Which north London side gets their title challenge back on track? (Tottenham v Arsenal - Saturday, 12.45pm)Both clubs suffered defeats in midweek, although Arsenals capitulation at home to Swansea was arguably the more damaging of the two.Arsene Wengers side have created and missed the most big chances in the top flight this season, and cant afford to squander opportunities when they face the leagues tightest defence this weekend. Arsenal and Tottenham both suffered Premier League defeats in midweek The Gunners have not lost four consecutive games in all competitions since October 2002, but a defeat on Saturday would leave them six points off their bitter rivals and as many as nine off Leicester.Harry Kane could be the difference on the day. The England forward missed a great chance to equalise at West Ham, but has a good record in London derbies with 13 goals in his last 17 appearances.Will Everton cool Hammers top-four talk? (Everton v West Ham - Saturday, 3pm)Any victory over Tottenham is well received by West Ham fans, but when it delivers a kicking to their rivals title hopes, its particularly welcomed.But aside from Spurs own ambitions, the midweek win opens up the real possibility of a top-four finish for the Hammers, too.Saturdays opponents have struggled at home - Everton have won just four of their last 16 league games at Goodison Park - and another victory for Slaven Bilic could lift his side into the Champions League places by 5pm depending on results elsewhere. Aaron Lennon has been among the goals for Everton in recent weeks Does Manuel Pellegrini rotate against Villa? (Manchester City v Aston Villa - Saturday, 3pm)The Man City manager blamed a lack of freshness for the loss at Liverpool, three days after their Capital One cup triumph over the same opposition at Wembley.Sergio Aguero, who has not been the most durable member of Pellegrinis squad, played 210 minutes across both matches, and is one of a number of City stars that looked fatigued at Anfield. Sergio Aguero failed to find the net in either of Man Citys recent games against Liverpool The visit of Aston Villa, bottom of the table and winless in their last 13 away league games, could offer Pellegrini the opportunity to rotate ahead of their Champions League second-leg against Dynamo Kiev, especially with Wilfried Bony back from injury.Will Benik Afobe pile more misery on Newcastle? (Newcastle v Bournemouth - Saturday, 3pm)Steve McClaaren was left ruing a cruel defeat to Stoke on Wednesday, while Bournemouth celebrated an impressive 2-0 win over Southampton the day before.ddddddddddddThe two sides are now separated by eight points, with Newcastle in the relegation zone on goal difference, and while both clubs spent in January, theres been mixed results so far.Cherries striker Benik Afobe has four goals in his last seven league games, and his arrival has boosted an attack that lacked cutting edge. Benik Afobe found the net against Southampton in the second half at the Vitality Stadium Its an issue that continues to plague Newcastle, especially without Andros Townsend, one of several big-money deals designed to keep them up. His return could prove crucial against a Bournemouth side thats lost just one of their last eight league games away from the Vitality Stadium. Does Mark Hughes big-game hoodoo end in west London? (Chelsea v Stoke City - Saturday, 3pm)Stoke boss Mark Hughes is without a win in his last 34 league trips to Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, a run that includes 30 defeats. Two months ago the Potters would have been a fashionable tip to take the points at Stamford Bridge, but that was before Chelseas resurgence under Guus Hiddink really picked up steam.But Chelsea have won three league games in a row for the first time in almost a year, and have emerged victorious in all seven Premier League meetings between the two clubs in west London. Mark Hughes has lost 30 of 34 recent league trips to Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea Will Sunderlands leaky defence hold firm on the south coast? (Southampton v Sunderland - Saturday, 3pm)Sunderland travel to Southampton on Saturday afternoon struggling near the foot of the table and in desperate need of a positive result to aid their relegation fight.However, as Sam Allardyce alluded to after the 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace in midweek, his side are incapable of keeping clean sheets. Sunderland have struggled to shore up their leaky defence In fact, the Black Cats have managed the joint-fewest shut-outs in the top flight this campaign - three along with Norwich City, who they also share the worst defensive record with having conceded 53 goals so far.And their weekend trip to the south coast becomes all the more daunting given Sunderland suffered their worst-ever Premier League defeat (0-8) at St Marys last season.Will Norwich boost their survival hopes in Swansea? (Swansea City v Norwich City - Saturday, 3pm)Norwich make the trip to South Wales having not won any of their last eight league games, seven of which ended in defeat.That dreadful recent run has seen Alex Neils side slip into the bottom three - albeit on goal difference from Sunderland - making Saturdays match with fellow strugglers Swansea City all the more important.In fact, if the Canaries can leave with three points this weekend, they will be just three behind the Swans in the race to beat the drop. Norwich are currently in the relegation zone on goal difference Will Palace finally get back to winning ways against the Reds? (Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Sunday, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)Crystal Palace entertain Liverpool in their Super Sunday clash in desperate need of three points, with Alan Pardews side on a run of 11 top-flight matches without a win. In fact, the Eagles have picked up just four points since recording their last victory at home to Southampton on December 12, a worrying sequence that has seen them fall from fifth to 14th in the table. Connor Wickhams return to fitness has been a timely one for Palace Will United maintain their top-four push at the Baggies? (West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Sunday, 4pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)With Manchester City hosting bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, the chances are Manchester United will head to The Hawthorns the following day three points behind their arch rivals in the race for a top-four finish.Louis van Gaals team have responded well to losing at both Sunderland and FC Midtjylland last month, reeling off four straight wins in three different competitions to breathe new life into their previously stuttering season. Juan Mata bailed Man Utd out against Watford with a late winner However, despite those improved results, the Red Devils still cannot afford any slip-ups against Albion in their Super Sunday meeting otherwise their hopes of finishing in the top four could be irrevocably damaged. Also See: The title race run-in Which MLS team should you support? Leicester best story in years Tylers stats ' ' '