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Sunday, January 3, 2016

Citrus Bowl notebook: Taylor reaches goal

2016 Citrus Bowl Highlights Michigan vs Florida
ORLANDO - Junior tailback Kelvin Taylor"s goal going into the Citrus Bowl was to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season and close his Florida career with a victory over Michigan.He achieved only half of his goal.He rushed for 50 yards to bring his season total to 1,035, but the Gators were blown out by Michigan 41-7.I"m very thankful, but it was a sad day today, he said. I wish I had gotten the win today, but we came up with an "L".Taylor did come up with enough yards to join his father, Fred Taylor, as a 1,000-yard rusher for the Gators. The elder Taylor ended the 1997 season with 1, 292 yards rushing, 234 coming in a victory over Penn State in the Citrus Bowl.That definitely was my goal, Kelvin Taylor said of joining the 1,000-yard club. My offensive line, those guys helped me out with that goal. They did a great job for me. I"m very thankful and blessed with great coaches and great teammates.Double move gets Hargreaves IIIUF coach Jim McElwain talked earlier in the week about how the Florida defensive backs had to be wary of double moves by the Michigan wide receivers. All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III apparently did not heed the warning.Hargreaves bit hard on a double move by UM wide receiver Jehu Chesson in the second quarter and got burned for a 31-yard touchdown pass that gave the Wolverines a 14-7 lead.Hargreaves was replaced in the lineup by sophomore Quincy Wilson for the last UM series in the first half and half of the Wolverines" first series of the second half. After the game, McElwain said Hargreaves was not benched. That"s the standard rotation we play with the corners, he said.Gators young up front As expected, the Gators started three true freshmen on the offensive line against Michigan"s fourth-ranked defense. Martez Ivey started at left guard, Tyler Jordan at right guard and Fred Johnson at right tackle, where he replaced ineligible starter Mason Halter. With Jordan starting at guard, senior Trip Thurman made the start at center. Ivey"s day did not last long. He appeared to injure his leg on the game"s first series and did not return. Antonio Riles replaced him. The young line did a good job holding up in the first half, helping the Gators roll up 245 yards of total offense. But the strong Michigan defensive front dominated the line in the second half.McGee, Hardin sit it out Sixth-year senior tight end Jake McGee, who talked earlier in the week about how positive his final season has been, did not have a chance to play in his last game as a Gator. McGee sustained a pulled hamstring in practice Tuesday. He tried to go through warm-ups, but he struggled and the decision was made to sit him. Struggling starting place-kicker Austin Hardin also was held out after sustaining a sprained ankle in Thursday"s walk-through practice. He did not dress out and was wearing a protective boot on his left foot.With Hardin out, the kickoffs were made by walk-on Dallas Stubbs. Walk-on Neil MacInnes, who has an injured ACL, kicked UF"s extra point and would have kicked field goals.Two players were injured in the game -- outside linebacker Jarrad Davis and defensive end Cece Jefferson. McElwain said Davis got his eggs scrambled, while Jefferson blew a wheel.Record for CallawayWith his 26-yard reception in the first quarter, wide receiver Antonio Callaway broke the school record for reception yards for a true freshman. Callaway surpassed Reidel Anthony, who had 615 receiving yards in 1994. Callaway finished the game with five catches for 75 yards, giving him 678 for the season.Morrison the tackling machine Senior middle linebacker Antonio Morrison had four tackles in the first half, pushing his total for the season over 100. He is only the second Gator since 1983 to record 100 tackles or more in back-to-back seasons. The others to do it are Carlton Miles (1991-92) and Ed Robinson (1992-93).Advantage MichiganThe Wolverines are 3-0 against Florida, with all the wins coming in bowl games played in the Sunshine State this century: 2003 Outback, 2008 Capital One and Friday.

Source: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160101/ARTICLES/160109980?Title%3DCitrus-Bowl-notebook-Taylor-reaches-goal

Protestors try to interrupt Mummers Parade

Frailinger String Band - 2015 Mummers Parade - Philadelphia Mummers

Philadelphia"s traditional New Year"s Celebration was interrupted by protesters. Police worked hard to keep them off the parade route.

The protest was reminiscent of Occupy Philadelphia and used some of the same communications tactics as the protestors went through the crowd and into and out of subway tunnels in an attempt to confound and escape police officers who were keeping them from interrupting the march. Asa Kalif of the group Black Lives Matter says they targeted the event because they wanted to use a major public gathering to show their displeasure.

"We"re not going to apologize because we are black, we are not going to apologize because we are in a racist system, we"re going to shut it down each and every time."

Protesters march through the streets and sidewalks adjacent to the Mummers Parade. (Jonathan Wilson/for NewsWorks)

Protester Megan Malachi believes the mummer"s parade is inherently racist because of the use of blackface in the past and she as a child in Philadelphia never went to the event

"Our reasons for being out here is to raise awareness about the police terrorism which is historic and brutal in Philadelphia, we also have people out here representing groups who are part of the fight for 15 to get fast food workers a living wage, educational equality and environmental issues.

At its peak there were only about 50 protesters and police were able to keep all but a few off the streets, those who got through were arrested and taken away from the protest.

Michael McGrail marches with the Froggy Carr Comics. He says the protesters picked the wrong time to vent their frustrations.

"There are other places that are more productive and more constructive for them to make their point, now is not the time, all they are doing is alienating people by making this point to the general public."

Police had to stop several parade watchers from entering into physical confrontations with the protesters and there were many profanity laced shouting matches as the protesters and the parade watchers tussled along the parade route.

Asa Khalif a member of Black Lives Matter is arrested by Philadelphia Police. (Jonathan Wilson/for NewsWorks)

Source: http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/philadelphia/89642-protestors-try-to-interrupt-mummers-parade

Not so Zen ... Yoga guru Bikram Choudhury is being divorced by his wife of 31 ...

Ed Hartwell of Real Housewives of Atlanta, NFL Fame, and Chiseled4Life Bootcamp

Not so Zen ... Yoga guru Bikram Choudhury is being divorced by his wife of 31 years, Rajashree. Picture: Supplied

HE is the self-proclaimed Superman of fitness gurus who built a multimillion-dollar hot yoga empire.

But with a string of rape allegations against him, his franchise falling into disrepute and a humiliated wife filing for divorce, the heat is firmly on Bikram Choudhury.

The 69-year-old pioneered his own version of yoga in India in the late Sixties and has been championed by stars including Madonna, David Beckham and Andy Murray.

There are more than 700 Bikram yoga schools around the world, with fans extolling the merits of his system of 26 poses performed in rooms heated to 40C.

The Sun reports one former student as saying: Hed talk about some girls b*****s or tell stories about how all the women in LA were walking funny after intercourse with him.

Another tells of how during one class, Choudhury stood up, grabbed his crotch and screamed: I am a Bengal tiger! I am a Bengal tiger!

Others talk of how he would promise to cure cancer and regularly boast of his famous clients and friends.

Now his empire is crumbling.

Since 2013, six women have accused Choudhury of rape or sexual assault.

The claims, the first of which is due to reach court this year, are said to have led to some of his franchises dropping his name.

One of his accusers says Choudhury told her, If you dont have s*x with me, Ill die, before raping her.

The health guru let slip in 2014 the effect the accusations were having on his marriage, telling how his wife of 31 years, Rajashree, never looks at me.

Last week it was revealed the 50-year-old, with whom he built the Bikram brand, is seeking a divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Choudhury blames the recent scandal on Western culture and boasted on US TV: Women love me. So if I really wanted to involve the women, I dont have to assault the women.

Lawyers for Choudhury refute the claims made against their client, saying: Mr Choudhury did not sexually assault any of the plaintiffs.

Their claims are false and dishonour Bikram yoga and the health and spiritual benefits it has brought to the lives of millions of practitioners throughout the world.

Quiet departure ... Ricky Martins departure from The Voice Australia was barely mentioned. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

IN NATIONAL NEWS

DIDNT hear the news that Ricky Martin wont be back as a judge on The Voice this year? Thats probably what Channel Nine intended.

THIS was the moment a cricket fan sent social media into meltdown just for munching on a giant watermelon.

WHEN a man known as Paul Lachlan was found dead, police began a routine background check. Thats when things got strange

HER choice was to give s*x for free or potentially go to prison. But this wasnt in an overseas regime, this was in Australia.

ITS every politicians nightmare: being brought down by a rival in a moment that ends your career. But Bob Hawke says hes grateful it happened to him.

Two deaths ... An Australian is among two tourists who have died at Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui. Picture: SuppliedSource:News Limited

IN WORLD NEWS

AN AUSTRALIAN tourist has died while swimming off a beach on the southern Thai resort island of Koh Samui, police say.

SUSPECTED terrorists have attacked an Indian air force base in an hours-long siege that left four militants and two soldiers dead.

A US university has published its annual list of words that are driving us nuts. Here are those words we hope will go away in 2016.

POLITICIANS could be forced to wear their corporate sponsors on their clothes in the same way as Formula One drivers under a proposed new law.

A FAMILY argument over use of the washing machine spun dangerously out of control with four shot dead at a home in California.

Hot hubby ... Ed Hartwell has proposed to The Cosby Shows Keshia Knight Pulliam. Picture: InstagramSource:Supplied

All grown up ... The Cosby Shows Rudy Huxtable aka Keshia Knight Pulliam. Picture: SplashSource:Supplied

IN SHOWBIZ NEWS

KESHIA Knight Pulliam who played Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show has become engaged to former NFL star Ed Hartwell.

HARRY Styles and Kendall Jenner appear to be giving love another try, inviting Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi on to their boat. See the pics.

LAMAR Odom has been pictured for the first time since his near-death experience with his son sharing a family shot with the former basketball star.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/world/brekkie-wrap-heat-rising-for-bikram-yoga-founder-bikram-choudhury/news-story/f8aa6137ac79d5da4b9c85677b275123

What Avon junior OL Sam Gerak brings to Northwestern football

Northwestern at Wisconsin - Football Highlights

AVON, Ohio Avon junior center Sam Gerak announced on his Twitter account on Monday that he has committed to play his college football at Northwestern.

The second team All-Ohioan in Division II is the No. 2 center in the country and the No. 21 prospect in Ohio for the Class of 2017 according to 247Sports.com.

At 6-foot-3, 285 lbs., Gerak, the son of former Penn State and NFL player John Gerak, has been a key component up front for an Avon offense that averaged 43.4 points per game last season.

"Sam"s obviously one of the best (offensive linemen) we"ve had," Avon coach Mike Elder said. "We"ve had a lot of good players, a lot of good linemen. But Sam has all the physical tools to go with being a good high school player."

Gerak and the Eagles went 10-2 in 2015 and reached the Division II, Region 4 second round.

When it comes to what makes Gerak a strong lineman, North Ridgeville coach Luke Durbin, who has seen him each of the last two years, pointed to Gerak"s physicality.

"I think he really is the entire package," Durbin said. "He"s got all of the physical tools.

"If you look at Avon, they mostly run the ball downhill other than when they throw to the perimeter. When they run the ball downhill, they"re usually running it behind that guy."

Northwestern finished the regular season ranked No. 13 in the final College Football Playoff rankings with a 10-2 record. The Wildcats and coach Pat Fitzgerald run a diverse spread offense based on running the ball.

When it comes to scheme fit, Elder believes Gerak will fit in very well with Northwestern"s offense.

"He"s got a high football IQ," Elder said. "He"s been working at this since he was young and has a father, who does a great job and understands the game, who works with him at home as well as getting coaches by us at Avon.

"I have no doubt he"ll transition mentally and that"s the least of my concerns. The bottom line for Sam is that he"s going to get bigger and stronger. He needs to if he"s going to be a great player in the Big Ten, which is his goal."

In addition to his Northwestern offer, Gerak had seven other offers including Illinois, Rutgers, Bowling Green and Toledo.

Source: http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-4375352590044246843/what-avon-junior-ol-sam-gerak-brings-to-northwestern-football/

Ted Cruz tries to use abrasive personality to his advantage

PBS NewsHour full episode Dec. 31, 2015

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. Ted Cruzs reputation as an arrogant, grating, in-your-face ideologue has dogged him throughout the Republican presidential race. But it hasnt stopped the Texas senators rise.

Cruz is increasingly embracing his irascible persona, trying to turn what could be a liability into an asset.

If you want someone to grab a beer with, I may not be that guy, Cruz said at a Republican debate this fall when asked to describe his biggest weakness. But if you want someone to drive you home, I will get the job done and I will get you home.

Cruz and his supporters relish his outsider status, highlighting his conflicts with fellow Republican senators. Not one has endorsed him for president.

A group backing Cruzs candidacy sent out a fundraising email plea in December with the subject line Washington hates Ted Cruz. Cruz frequently rails against the Washington cartel, which he argues is scared that conservatives are uniting behind him, and says hes glad that Washington elites despise him.

Cruz supporters, including some who turned up for a large rally at an evangelical church near Richmond, Virginia, in December, are embracing the abrasiveness thats caused Cruz to clash with other Republicans.

They view him as a renegade in the GOP, said Carter Cobb, 56 and retired from the Navy, from Mechanicsville, Virginia. He doesnt toe the party line. Thats what were trying to get away from.

To Cobb and others, Cruz is the only candidate willing to make anyone angry and stand up for what he believes in.

It makes me like him all the more. Ive always liked people who were on the outside, said Daniel Daehlin, 51, from Richfield, Minnesota. Ronald Reagan never got along with the establishment. They hated him in 1976 and 80. I like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington someone who goes there, speaks his mind and doesnt try to cater to the inside-the-Beltway crowd.

Myra Simons, a Cruz backer from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, agrees.

Are we going to elect someone just because you cant sit across the table and have dinner with them? Simons said. Or are you going to stand with someone who stands with the Constitution and is serious about the trouble our country is in?

Cruz made his reputation in the Senate by refusing to compromise.

He filibustered for 21 hours against President Barack Obamas health care law. The confrontational strategy he championed resulted in a 16-day partial government shutdown and alienated GOP leaders.

But his reading of Green Eggs and Ham during that filibuster became a seminal moment for Cruz. He frequently refers to it, including in a recent television ad he ran in Iowa where he reads to his two daughters from reimagined holiday stories with a conservative bent such as The Grinch Who Lost Her Emails.

While the ad was designed to be funny, Cruz is not known for his sense of humor.

Foreign Policy magazine once described him as the human equivalent of one of those flower-squirters that clowns wear on their lapels.

The national collegiate debating champion has shown his brusque side in the presidential debates, including the most recent one in Las Vegas when he refused to stop talking even as moderator Wolf Blitzer of CNN tried to shut him down.

Craig Mazin, who was Cruzs freshman roommate at Princeton, went so far as to tell the Daily Beast in a 2013 interview that he would be happier with anyone other than Cruz as president. I would rather pick somebody from the phone book, Mazin said.

But Cruz has shown a lighter side that his campaign says demonstrates hes not as unlikable as his reputation suggests.

Cruz acted out scenes from The Princess Bride during a November interview at WMUR in New Hampshire, and that clip has been watched more than 250,000 times on YouTube. After rival Donald Trump referred to Cruz as a little bit of a maniac, the Cruz campaign tried to laugh it off by posting a video on Twitter of the song Maniac from the film Flashdance.

Research shows that the importance of a candidates likability may be overrated anyway, said David Redlawsk, a Rutgers University expert in Iowa electoral politics who is spending the fall at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Voters are looking for a whole range of things, Redlawsk said, and likability is just one small part of that.

Source: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/ted-cruz-tries-to-use-abrasive-personality-to-his-advantage/

Rose Bowl: Christian McCaffrey and Stanford jump all over Iowa in a 45-16 rout

Christian McCaffrey Highlights (2015-16) - Stanford Football

PASADENA, Calif. Iowa waited 25 years to make a return trip to the Rose Bowl, and it took only 11 seconds for the Hawkeyes to get stunned.

Christian McCaffrey raced 75 yards into the end zone on Stanfords opening drive not long after Iowas players charged onto the field and revved up the black-and-gold-clad fans in the north end zone. The Hawkeyes cheering section quickly went silent.

The sixth-ranked Hawkeyes had no answer for McCaffrey and struggled on offense in a 45-16 loss to No. 5 Stanford on Friday, ending a season in which they opened 12-0 for the first time in school history.

McCaffrey set a record for most all-purpose yards in Rose Bowl history with 368. He finished with 18 carries for 172 rushing yards and had four catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. McCaffrey also added a 63-yard punt return.

During the game, he became the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season in Stanford history.

McCaffrey, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, also became the first player to top 100 yards rushing and receiving in the 102-year history of the Rose Bowl.

Comedian and Iowa native Tom Arnold, croaking hoarsely during an in-game interview, vowed the Hawkeyes would rally in the second half.

And they did, outscoring Stanford (12-2) 16-10. But it was too little, too late after they gave up a game-record 35 points in the first half.

The Hawkeyes (12-2) got a 39-yard field goal by Marshall Koehn late in the third quarter after C.J. Beathard was sacked twice. Beathard threw his only two TD passes in the fourth quarter, when the Hawkeyes trailed by 29 points. Matt VandeBerg caught a 36-yarder, and Akrum Wadley scored on a 31-yarder with 2:46 remaining.

Iowa was the last team to be blanked in the Rose Bowl, losing 28-0 to Washington in 1982. The Hawkeyes were beaten 46-34 by Washington in the schools last appearance in 1991.

This one was much worse.

One night after Michigan State lost 38-0 to No. 2 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl, the Big Ten stumbled badly again.

This blowout was well under way in the first half, when Iowa trailed 35-0. As if Hawkeyes fans werent already bummed, they booed heartily when Stanfords band offended their Midwestern sensibilities with a galloping costumed cow that tipped over at halftime.

Iowas second drive of the game ended with Quenton Meeks 66-yard interception return, giving Stanford a 21-0 lead.

Beathard fell to 13-2 in his career as Iowas starting quarterback. The junior was 21 of 33 for 239 yards, with one interception and seven sacks.

LeShun Daniels was the Hawkeyes leading rusher with 37 yards, while VandeBerg was the leading receiver with four catches for 64 yards.

McCaffrey struck again in the second quarter, scoring in front of Iowas silent band on a 63-yard punt return for a 28-0 lead. The Cardinal extended the lead to 35-0 when Michael Rector caught a 31-yard pass from Kevin Hogan and cruised into the end zone without a defender covering him.

The Hawkeyes ended the season with consecutive losses, having been beaten 16-13 by Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game. That cost Iowa a berth in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Source: http://theadvocate.com/sports/latestsports/14451133-84/rose-bowl-christian-mccaffrey-and-stanford-jump-all-over-iowa-in-a-45-16-rout

Thousands shop at Dillard"s for annual New Year"s sale

The Dillards - Dooley

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Over 6,000 items for women, 2,000 items for men, 900 home items and 400 hand bags were on sale Friday at Dillard"s.

NewsChannel 7 asked two young shoppers, "What are you guys doing here today?"

Bella Ray & Brinley Hendricks responded,"We are shopping."

That seemed to be the case for hundreds of people on New Year"s day.

Abe Martin, a first time New Year"s day shopper said, "I got a lot of good deals today, I was able to buy pretty much a blazer at a decent price."

Dillard"s at the Panama City Mall opened up an hour earlier Friday morning, to a line wrapped around the building.

Bryanna Kinney a local shopper said, "I just keep running into people and I"m just trying to find my way around."

All 90 Dillard"s employees were on schedule to work Friday and extra security was brought in.

"There"s a lot of people in there," said Tenisha Houston.

Martin agrees, "Yeah there is, but I think they maintained the crowd pretty good."

Those who waited until for crowds to die down didn"t have the same shopping experience.

"I got some stuff that I was looking for, but other stuff it just wasn"t here," said Morgan Vaughn.

"Everything was like sold out," said Kinney. "So I didn"t really find anything anything I was looking for," said

For some, the deals were a steal.

All merchandise was an additional 50 percent off.

"I like the polo sale,"said Martin. "Actually I got this really cute Florida State beanie hat that was only $10," said Houston.

"Even though were not a Florida State fans," said Martin. "But we"re going to be a Florida State fan for $10."

"It didn"t look cheap, but it was cheap," said Hendricks.

"A lot of the Nike stuff was sold out, and I wish I could have got some," said Vaughn.

Shoppers are offering advice for the 2017 One-Day-Only sale.

" I would probably come earlier," said Vaughn,

"Watch out and be careful," said Bella Ray & Brinley Hendricks. "There are a lot of people. Like watch out were you"re going if you have any babies you need to keep them safe."

Source: http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Thousands-shop-at-Dillards-for-annual-one-day-new-years-sale-364005411.html