sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Poinsettia Day celebrates the beautiful red flowering plant that has come to be associated with Christmas, the poinsettia. The plant is native to Mexico, where it was used by the Aztecs; its flowers were used to produce red dye, and its sap to treat fevers. Franciscan missionaries in Mexico used it in the 17th century as part of nativity processions, the first time it became associated with Christianity. A story has been passed down about a poor Mexican girl who didn't have anything to honor baby Jesus with at a procession. An angel told her any gift from the heart was a good gift, so she gathered weeds from the roadside. When she placed them around the manger they transformed into poinsettias. In Mexico the flowers are called La Flores de la Nochebuena, or the Flowers of the Holy Night, and are displayed on December 12, the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This day marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
Poinsettias take their name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botanist and the first Minister to Mexico, who sent cuttings of the plant back to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1837, William Hickling Prescott, a gardener and historian, was asked to rename the plant and named it after Poinsett, because of his achievements in government and horticulture. By some odd coincidence, Poinsett died on December 12, the same day as the Day of the Virgin Guadalupe, and the same date that would become National Poinsettia Day.
SU News
SU football QB recruiting: Once again, it’s coming down to the wire (PS; Mink)
It’s a question nobody wants to ask a week out from the most important date on the recruiting calendar.
Who’s our quarterback?
The position is considered a cornerstone of a recruiting class, yet Syracuse football has had to ask that question as signing day draws near too often in recent years.
It’s rolling the dice again in this year’s class as it waits on North Carolina-transfer Cade Fortin to make his decision, expected to come by next Wednesday.
Kansas and Vanderbilt are also under consideration. He plans to enroll in January and will have three years of eligibility remaining through the 2022 season.
If Fortin signs with Syracuse, he will fill a major recruiting need, and the Orange will add another quarterback to the roster ahead of spring practice, bolstering depth with top backup Clayton Welch out of eligibility.
Missing on Fortin would nudge Syracuse into yet another direction. It could attempt a last-ditch effort to sign a quarterback by the end of next week or extend its quarterback recruiting into the spring semester, when it can evaluate more high school prospects and potentially mine other transfer options.
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The words of advice that carried Evan Adams through Syracuse (DO; Schafer)
At 10 years old, Evan Adams lost the man whose lessons pushed him through the rest of his formative years. Adams had spent weeks in and out of the hospital visiting his sick father, Ernest, often doing homework or eating meals there to be with his mother, Alisa.
In one of those meetings, before Ernest died from lung cancer in February 2007, Adams promised his dad he’d graduate college.
“(Evan) tried not to show it but I know it impacted him a lot,” Alisa said. “Football was an out for him. Even something that he take his frustrations out on any one person.
“It kind of saved his life from whatever the world has to bring.”
Adams was angry when he was younger and didn’t listen to his mother as much as he should. In high school he skipped class too much and didn’t understand how to keep everyone, including himself, satisfied. In college he ran into similar issues, struggling to grasp both football and academic adjustments during his freshman year, one he says now was his most transformative.
“I’m actually happy that I went through a lot of the stuff that I went through,” Adams said. “Some of the stuff I’m still in awe at. ‘I really did that?’ Or, ‘Jesus what was I doing back then?’”
Now two weeks removed from his final season with Syracuse football, Adams has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Human development and family science. After playing under two head coaches, three offensive coordinators and three line coaches, Adams will start training for a Pro Day and hopefully a shot in the NFL. Through it all, Adams has relied on the advice from his father and other mentors to guide him.
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Williams Selected for Hula Bowl - Syracuse University Athletics (cuse.com)
Syracuse senior linebacker Lakiem Williams has been selected to play in the Hula Bowl on Saturday, January 26, 2020 at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii. Williams is the third Orange standout to receive a postseason all-star invitation, joining Alton Robinson (Senior Bowl) and Kendall Coleman (East-West Shrine Bowl).
An All-ACC Third Team selection, Williams tied for the conference lead with 110 tackles during the regular season. He logged five 10+ tackle games and finished second in the ACC in tackles per game during conference play (9.9). Williams led the Orange with 12.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and tied for second on the squad with 4.5 sacks.
The Hula Bowl, which was held each year from 1946 to 2008, is being revived after a 12-year absence. The game will feature players from the United States, Australia and Japan. The two teams will be coached by former NFL coaches Mike Smith and Rex Ryan. Williams is the 29th Orange player to earn a Hula Bowl invitation and the first since Joe Fields in 2008.
Random Thoughts - 12/12/19 (RX; HM)
Random Thoughts - 12/12/19
Just some brief thoughts... most too short to justify a whole post unto themselves, so here they are...
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Was the ACC just this horribly weak conference this year? Consider this factoid: This year the SEC collectively lost 8 games to G5 teams, while the ACC lost 4. Twice as many games lost by SEC teams. (Meanwhile, ACC teams were losing to Top 25 opponents). Hmmm.
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Why is it that Clemson can't seem to get a semi-final game in Atlanta? Is it just me, or does it seem like the CFP jumps through more hoops than a poodle in the circus trying to make sure they put an SEC team in Atlanta whenever the Peach Bowl hosts a semi? LSU and Ohio State went back and forth, with Clemson remaining in 3rd place, until it was clear that LSU could be placed in Atlanta...
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An off-beat way to think of the Coaching Carousel:
- Arkansas HC Chad Morris fired -- hired by Auburn as OC
- (Arkansas hired Sam Pittman)
- Ole Miss HD Matt Luke fired -- hired by Georgia as OL Coach
- (Ole Miss hired Lane Kiffin from FAU to be the new head coach)
- Florida State fired Willie Taggart, hired Mike Norvell from Memphis.
- Missouri fired HC Barry Odom -- currently top candidate for Memphis HC opening
- (Mizzou hired former Appalachian State HC, Eli Drinkwitz)
- FAU hired Willie Taggart, former HC for Florida State.
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Virginia Tech football: Hokies add South Carolina to two future schedules (gobblercountry.com; Manning)
For years, Virginia Tech fans wanted more SEC foes on the football schedule. Well, athletic director Whit Babcock has been hard at work all year making that happen and today he added to that list by scheduling a home-and-home series with South Carolina.
Another One!
Tech adds a fourth SEC foe to its future schedules - @GamecockFB
2034 - Columbia, SC
2035 - Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Tech adds South Carolina to future football schedules - Virginia Tech Athletics #Hokies
Tech adds a fourth SEC foe to its future schedules - @GamecockFB
2034 - Columbia, SC
2035 - Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Tech adds South Carolina to future football schedules - Virginia Tech Athletics #Hokies
Sure, the games don’t happen until 2034 and 2035, but it’s another step in the right direction. Geographically it makes sense. These two schools are often battling for the same talent and have went head-to-head for a number of players over the years.
Also, scheduling non-conference games against SEC foes is just much better than scheduling Rhode Island and Furman. That’s not meant to disrespect those programs, however, you can’t expect to be taken seriously on a national level if you are playing multiple FCS each season, in addition to an already questionable ACC slate which cannot be helped.
So, in 2034 and 2035, the Hokies have games against South Carolina and Alabama in each season. That is a tough schedule, or, appears to be one as we stand 15 years away. Lots can happen in the next 15 years, but this is good. The Hokies also have two games each against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, in addition to a home-and-home scheduled with Wisconsin in 2031 and 2032.
Virginia Tech has Penn State on the schedule in 2020 as the Nittany Lions come to Lane Stadium. With a roster chocked full of experienced returnees, there will be a lot of pressure on head coach Justin Fuente to pick up a signature win against a marquee opponent.
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Secret to Clemson's defensive success? 'Nobody's trying to be a hero' (greenvilleonline.com; Keepfer)
E.J. Manuel says the key to Clemson’s defensive success is really quite simple.
“Nobody’s trying to be a hero,” Manuel said.
That humble approach has served the Tigers’ rebuilt defense well this season, as evidenced by the unit’s lofty standing as it prepares to tackle No. 2 Ohio State in the Dec. 28 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
“They play complementary football,” said Manuel, a former Florida State quarterback who now works as analyst on the ACC Network. “And that’s a good thing to be able to say.”
A defense that was expected to suffer plenty of growing pains following the loss of standouts such as Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell and others from last year’s national championship team, instead has matured and jelled quickly.
In fact, the youthful 2019 version has posted as good or better numbers statistically than last season’s unit in many instances.
“Sometimes that’s what you appreciate more – when it sneaks up on you as a coach,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “You don’t ever want to admit that necessarily and certainly not in the middle of it, but we don’t stink as bad as I thought we would, you know?”
Quite the contrary.
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Syracusefan.com's Favorite ACC Assistant
NC State Football Ranks 33rd in Assistant Coach Pay (packinsider.com; Bradham)
- USAToday has released their annual deep dive into the pay of College Football coaches, and NC State’s Assistant Coaching Staff ranked 33rd nationally in pay in 2019.
The coach that received the biggest check this season, Defensive Coordinator Dave Huxtable, is no longer with the program.
Top-6 ACC Schools in Assistant Coach Pay
2) Clemson
17) Florida St.
30) UNC
32) Louisville
33) NC State
37) Virginia Tech
Clemson Football: Which Tigers will be departing following 2019 season? (rubbingtherock.com; Spencer)
for gbo
Which Clemson football players won’t be with the Tigers next season? Here’s a look at the expected departure list for the Tigers.
The 2020 Clemson football team will return plenty of talented players, but like always there will certainly be some turnover.
Who will Tiger fans be watching play their final game(s) in the CFB Playoff?
Here’s a look at the Clemson football players who will be will be graduating or potentially leaving early for the NFL following this season.
Graduating:
- S Tanner Muse
- LB Chad Smith
- OL Gage Cervenka
- DB Denzel Johnson
- LS Patrick Phibbs
- TE JL Banks
- P/PK Steven Sawicki
- S K’Von Wallace
- OL Tremayne Anchrum
- OL John Simpson
- OL Sean Pollard
- WR Diondre Overton
- DB Brian Dawkins Jr.
Out of this group, the most notable include four starters on the offensive line, as well as the two starters at safety (K’Von Wallace and Tanner Muse) and one starter at linebacker (Chad Smith).
Likely Leaving Early for NFL
- Isaiah Simmons
- Tee Higgins
- Travis Etienne
- AJ Terrell
- Amari Rodgers
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2019-20 Early Signing in One Week! (RX; HM)
2019-20 Early Signing in One Week!
First, here are the official NLI Signing Dates
| Prospective Student-Athletes Signing 2019-20 and Enrolling 2020-21 | ||
| Sport(s) | Initial Signing Date | Final Signing Date |
| D-I Football (Early Period) | 18-Dec-2019 | 20-Dec-2019 |
| D-I Football (Midyear JC Xfer) | 18-Dec-2019 | 15-Jan-2020 |
| D-I Football (Regular Period) | 5-Feb-2020 | 1-Apr-2020 |
| D-I Basketball (Regular Period) | 15-Apr-2020 | 20-May-2020 |
So, with less than a week to go, how are ACC teams doing?
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Analysis of the 2019 Bowl Selections (RX; HM)
Analysis of the 2019 Bowl Selections
How were the ACC bowl teams assigned to their 2019-20 bowls?
From the ACC Football twitter account:
Now, combine that with the actual teams selected for the various ACC bowls:
| Top Bowls | ||
| Playoffs | Clemson | 13-0 |
| Orange | Virginia | 9-4 |
| Camping World | Notre Dame | 10-2 |
| Tier One | ||
| Belk | Virginia Tech | 8-4 |
| Pinstripe | Wake Forest | 8-4 |
| Music City | Louisville | 7-5 |
| Sun | Florida State | 6-6 |
| Tier Two | ||
| Military | N Carolina | 6-6 |
| Independence | Miami | 6-6 |
| Quick Lane | Pitt | 7-5 |
| Secondary | ||
| Birmingham | Boston College | 6-6 |
From this, we can deduce the following "pecking order" of ACC teams in the eyes of the bowls:
The first 6 teams were pretty much automatic because of records. Once we knew that Clemson was going to be in the playoffs and that UVa was still ranked after the ACC CG loss, the Orange and Camping World Bowls were set.
The only question remaining around Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Louisville was which Tier One Bowls would select each of them. I'm pretty sure VT and Wake both preferred the Belk, while Louisville and the Music City Bowl seem made for each other. In the end, Wake will be spending bowl season in New York City.
That left one Tier One slot - the Sun Bowl in El Paso, TX - to choose from 5 teams all within one win of each other: Boston College, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina and Pitt. The Sun chose FSU - probably without much hesitation, thanks to the Seminoles big fan following. The ACC had no objection, so FSU goes to West Texas (It's entirely possible that FSU voiced a preference for El Paso over New York).
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CuseCast: Leon Lowery, Justin Barron, Damien Alford (247sports.com; podcast; McAllister)
Interviews with Syracuse commits Leon Lowery, Justin Barron and Damien Alford.
PODCAST LINK
CuseCast Episode 66: Leon Lowery, Justin Barron, Damien Alford
Pat Narduzzi guarantees Pitt will win an ACC championship (cardiachill.com; Wilson)
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi was in Detroit on Wednesday for a press conference ahead of the Quick Lane Bowl, which the Panthers are slated to take part in on Dec. 26. But when the subject shifted to Pitt's progress during his tenure, Narduzzi brought up another postseason game and made a bold prediction about his team and the heights it will reach.
”We’ve reached an ACC championship,” Narduzzi said. “Our goal is not just to get there. Our goal is to get there and win the thing. And in the next couple of years, we’re going to win one. I can guarantee you that.”
Given that the statement comes on the heels of a 7-5 campaign at a presser for a bowl game that is considered 2019's worst by Yahoo Sports and among the worst by CBS Sports, many may well dismiss the claim as unrealistic bluster. However, this is not Narduzzi's first seemingly wild assertion about the future of Pitt, and it would be wise to heed the coach, considering his track record of following through on similar promises in the past.
In 2018, Narduzzi famously concluded his press conference at the ACC Kickoff event in the preseason by saying, “Next time we’ll see you is in Charlotte for the ACC championship game, because we’re going.”
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Other
Latoya McCubbin and her mom Gloria McCubbin, owners of Jamaican Supreme Cuisine, are competing for a food stall at the Salt City Market in Syracuse, NY.
25 Things That Make Syracuse Great: Good eats (PS; Huynh)
The growing food scene - old standbys and emerging specialties
Food is the easiest way to make people happy. Fill their tummy with something delicious, along with great company, and voila!
Eateries in Central New York have been providing joy to many customers over the years. There are taverns and restaurants in the Syracuse area that have been in business for at least 50 years. A few founding families are still in business serving dishes that range from steaks and pasta to pizza and bullheads.
Meanwhile, there’s also an emerging food scene in Syracuse with more diverse cuisines such as Ethiopian, Iraqi, Vietnamese, Syrian, Congolese and more. Diners can expect a food hall in downtown Syracuse by fall of 2020. Food halls have been a growing trend in many cities, and Syracuse is finally getting one!
Instead of chain eateries, food halls offer artisan or niche cuisines from local entrepreneurs. Construction has started for the Salt City Market, a four-story building that will bring a food hall, apartments and a grocery store. The $25 million project from the Allyn Family Foundation and the Syracuse Urban Partnership is located on 484 S. Salina St., across from the redeveloped Hotel Syracuse.
The Salt City Market will feature 10 food stalls for budding food entrepreneurs. There have been two separate rounds of competitions to decide who gets a spot. In January, a committee will announce the winners from among 16 competitors.
Full disclosure: I am one of 16 competitors. The past six months of the audition process has been a roller coaster ride. We’ve worked our butts off with cooking for pop-up and take-out events; attended a business course while learning about recipe scaling, cost analysis and profit margins; and received lots of love as well as criticisms from customers.
“If I get in the food hall, it would be a dream come true,” said LaToya McCubbin. “I’ve always wanted to be a chef. I want to provide consistency, good food, and great customer service.”
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