Kritik und Lob » to run the ball in an era where so much emphas

NEW ORLEANS -- Southern Miss all-time leading quarterback Nick Mullens and prolific Louisiana-Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire expected the final season of their college careers to be considerably better.That doesnt mean they havent been gratified by what they and their teams have overcome, defying late-season odds with clutch performances to earn invitations to Saturday nights New Orleans Bowl.Its really a humbling experience. Nothing in a college career is ever going to go perfect. Im glad the way we persevered, Mullens said. The fact we earned our spot here is definitely something were proud of.To gain bowl eligibility, the Golden Eagles (6-6) had to win their final game against favored Louisiana Tech. Mullens, whod missed two games because of a concussion, returned for the regular season finale and completed 88 percent of his passes (29 of 33) for 342 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-24 triumph . The Ragin Cajuns (6-6) had to win their last two games -- not to mention four of their last six.Im glad we could pull that off, McGuire said. Life is unfair, things happen. Everybodys got to go through adversity, overcome obstacles.Some fans might be inclined to scoff at the idea of a bowl game from which the loser is guaranteed a losing record. The participants dont see it that way because there are so many variables in football -- from untimely injuries to bad bounces -- which can undermine the seasons of otherwise good football teams. In the case of Southern Miss, Mullens struggled with a mid-season thumb injury even before his concussion.The bone is showing and he says, `Tape it and I think I can play, Golden Eagles coach Jay Hopson recalled. It took him about two or three weeks (to get healthy). Then he got knocked out.The Cajuns, meanwhile, lost one early season game at Tulane in four overtimes and another at New Mexico State in double OT.I see a great matchup, UL Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth said. Its two teams that have overcome a lot this year.Here are some other things to watch in the 16th New Orleans Bowl:REGIONAL RIVALS: While Southern Miss plays in Conference USA and ULL in the Sun Belt Conference, these programs have history because of their proximity to one another. Theyve played 51 times, with the Golden Eagles dominating the series, 39-11-1, including victories in the past eight meetings. Each campus is within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of New Orleans, so attendance is expected to be solid. Its two teams close together regionally. Our fan bases are familiar with one another, Hudspeth said. Thats going to bring some intensity to the game.STRENGTH ON STRENGTH: McGuire, has rushed for 1,028 yards and seven TDs this season, and has 4,213 yards rushing for his career, which ranks second all-time at ULL. Southern Miss ranks 18th nationally in total defense (331 yards allowed per game). Youve got one team that can run the ball, a running back that runs the ball pretty well and youve got a defense that stops the run well. So thats the game we play, Hopson said. It certainly will be a battle out there Saturday night and we understand that.TRANSFER QB: Cajuns QB Anthony Jennings is a former LSU starter who transferred after losing his job to Brandon Harris, who has since lost his job to Danny Etling. In his first and last season at Louisiana-Lafayette, Jennings has completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,083 yards and 11 TDs. I had some bumpy roads early in the season, but I think Im coming along well, said Jennings, normally a mobile quarterback who was slowed by an ankle injury this season. Im back to 100 percent right now and running the football better than ever.TIMELY STOPS: Southern Miss third-down defense ranks second nationally after allowing conversions on just 34 of 142 attempts (24 percent). Likewise, the Golden Eagles are tied for third national in first downs allowed (172). Southern Miss defensive lineman Dylan Bradley says third-down defense is as much about mindset as anything, and calls his unit a nasty bunch.DOMECOMING: This marks each teams fifth New Orleans Bowl, in which Southern Miss is 3-1 and UL Lafayette was 4-0 until vacating 2011 and 2013 victories because of self-reported recruiting violations.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Lenny Wilkens Jersey .Y. -- Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have another World Cup gold medal after winning the two-women bobsled race on Saturday in Lake Placid, N. Ray Allen Jersey . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. https://www.supersonicsjerseys.com/520s-jack-sikma-jersey-supersonics.html . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Seattle Supersonics Shirts . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. David Thompson Jersey . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. HOUSTON -- The big news of Houstons offseason was the signing of quarterback Brock Osweiler.But as the Texans make a final push to win their second straight AFC South title, their most important offseason acquisition has proven to be Lamar Miller, whose work has kept the offense afloat despite Osweilers struggles.Miller ran for 107 yards and a touchdown to help Houston beat Indianapolis last week and give him 1,000 yards rushing for the second time in his career.He needs just 90 yards rushing against Jacksonville on Sunday to eclipse his career high of 1,099 yards he set in 2014 with the Dolphins.Hes been great, left tackle Duane Brown said. Im happy to be a part of it ... he runs so hard. Im glad hes on our team and Im looking forward to racking up a few more yards in the next few weeks.The 25-year-old Miller signed a four-year, $26 million contract with the Texans this offseason after spending his first four seasons with the Dolphins.He had some good seasons for Miami, piling up 2,930 yards in his time there.But his carries were somewhat limited and some wondered if hed be able to handle a bigger load in Houston.Those fears turned out to be unfounded as Miller had 28 carries in Houstons opener and had more than 20 carries in each of the next two games. He surpassed his previous career high of 196 carries two weeks ago, and ranks sixth in the NFL with 246 carries.Miller never doubted that he was capable of carrying a bigger load.I always have confidence in myself, he said. Ive been playing running back my whole life so of course I feel like I can carry the load. So thats part of the reason I came here, just so I could get that workload and help this team win.Houston was in need of a featured back after it cut ties with franchise leading rusher Arian Foster in March after aa season where he played just four games before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.ddddddddddddMiller has run for at least 100 yards in a career-high four games this season and his 1,010 yards rushing rank sixth in the NFL.Hes continued to be productive and hasnt missed a game this season despite dealing with injuries to his ribs, shoulder and ankle.Hes a very tough guy ... hes got a very workmanlike approach to his job, coach Bill OBrien said.Hes attentive in meetings. He rarely makes a mistake out on the field. Very dependable player. A guy that plays when hes banged up. Plays when he probably doesnt really feel like playing or practicing. Thats the mark of a really good pro and hes brought a lot to our team.While Houstons passing game ranks 30th in the NFL by averaging just 190 yards a game, Millers work has given the Texans one of the best rushing games in the league.Houston averages 126.1 yards rushing a game, which is fifth in the NFL. Miller and the Texans take pride in their ability to run the ball in an era where so much emphasis is placed on winning games through the air.Thats our mentality -- smash-mouth football, Miller said. We have the offensive line to do it and we have the running backs to do it as well so we just try to go out there and just keep the chain moving any way possible.Miller is also quick to give the offensive line credit for a lot of his success and promised he has something special planned for the big guys at the end of the season.Its a secret right now, but Im going to do a little something, he said. Ill tell you later.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '