isportsweb: Yet again, Michigan State football flying under radar

Furman at Michigan State 2016 Tight Cut

By Mike Sterner, Special to Detroit Free Press 1:38 a.m. EDT August 22, 2016

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio talks to the crowd during a timeout in the Michigan State-Florida NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 58-52.(Photo: Al Goldis, Associated Press)

Mike Sterner is an MSU writer for the Michigan-based sports website isportsweb.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Read isportsweb"s column every Monday. Follow Mike on Twitter @isportsMSU.

Entering his 10th year at the helm of the Michigan State football team, Mark Dantonio has indelibly marked the program with a blue-collar attitude; specifically, the belief that hard work, effort, team chemistry and buying into a program mean much more than star ratings and preseason rankings. It is a culture that teaches that everything needs to be earned with effort and production in the moment -- rather than a flashy potential that may pay off sometime in the future. This mentality has led to both conference and national success for the Spartans under coach Dantonio.

Early in Dantonios era, there was a doubt from outsiders that the Spartans would be able to compete with -- let alone defeat -- rival Michigan. Yet the Paul Bunyan trophy has resided in East Lansing in seven of the last eight seasons.

In addition, it was doubted that MSU would be competitive on both a Big Ten and a national level. Yet over Dantonios nine completed seasons, the Spartans have won three conference titles and have finished in the top 10 of major polls in four times. Also, MSU remains the only Big Ten school to defeat Urban Meyers Buckeyes during his four seasons as Ohio States head coach (having done so twice). During Dantonio"s tenure, Michigan State has also defeated the following nationally relevant programs: TCU, Georgia, Oregon, Baylor and Stanford.

Despite all this success and a proven track record, MSU is again facing doubts and flying under the radar as the 2016 season approaches. The Spartans are predicted to finish third in an admittedly stacked Big Ten East division this fall despite coming off of a Big Ten championship.

The Spartans need to replace one of their best quarterbacks of all time and will need to plug some gaps in the wide receivers unit, offensive lineand secondary. However, MSU"s main competition in the Big Ten East -- Ohio Stateand U-M -- also have similar hurdles to overcome.

This year, Michigan State has the advantage of playing both of those programs in Spartan Stadium.

You might think that the Spartans would be given an even chance to win these games at home, but that is not the case. The Spartans are underdogs in both of these games.

It seems clear that most analysts expect MSU to have a good season -- they are, after all, ranked No. 11 and No. 12 in the preseason polls -- yet finally take a step back and yield ground to the Buckeyes and the Wolverines. These preseason predictions have been a constant during Dantonio"s time at MSU. And, for the most part, Dantonio has excelled at surpassing the expectations that others have for the Spartans.

When MSU kicks off against Furman in less than two weeks, the Spartans will be flying under the radar once more in their quest for back-to-back Big Ten championships. And the success they"ve seen of late shows that"s just the way they like it.

Source: http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2016/08/22/isportsweb-yet-again-michigan-state-football-flying-under-radar/89091226/

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Week 3"s college football schedule full of big games

Wofford Releases 2016 Football Schedule
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -

Big games are backthis weekend after a boring Week Two of football.

No. 1 Alabama travels to No. 19Ole Miss to face the Rebels in the SEC"s game of the week. Ole Miss has won the last two meetings against the Tide.

Other SEC games of interest include No. 17Texas A&M traveling to the Plains to face Auburn and No. 20LSU hosting Mississippi State.

There are a few big matchups outside of the SEC this weekend. No. 14Oklahoma hosts No. 3Ohio State, No. 2Florida State travels to play No. 10Louisville and No. 12Michigan State plays at No. 18Notre Dame.

SEC SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, SEPT. 17Ohio (1-1) at Tennessee (2-0, 0-0 SEC) 11 a.m. on the SEC NetworkKnoxville, TN Neyland Stadium Vanderbilt (1-1, 0-1 SEC) at Georgia Tech (2-0) 11:30 a.m. on the ACC NetworkAtlanta, GA Bobby Dodd Stadium Alabama (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Ole Miss (1-1, 0-0 SEC) 2:30 p.m. on CBS Oxford, MS Vaught-Hemingway Stadium East Carolina (2-0) at South Carolina (1-1, 1-1 SEC) 3 p.m. on the SEC Network Columbia, S.C. Williams-Brice Stadium New Mexico State (1-1) at Kentucky (0-2, 0-1 SEC) 3 p.m. on SEC Network Alternate ChannelLexington, KY Commonwealth Stadium Mississippi State (1-1, 1-0 SEC) at LSU (1-1, 0-0 SEC) 6 p.m. on ESPN2 Baton Rouge, LA Tiger Stadium Texas A&M (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Auburn (1-1, 0-0 SEC) 6 p.m. on ESPN Auburn, AL. Jordan-Hare StadiumNorth Texas (1-1) at Florida (2-0, 1-0 SEC) 6:30 p.m. on ESPNUGainesville, FL Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field Georgia (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Missouri (1-1, 0-0 SEC) 6:30 p.m. on the SEC Network Columbia, MO Faurot Stadium / Memorial Stadium Texas State (1-0) at Arkansas (2-0, 0-0 SEC) 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network Alternate ChannelFayetteville, AR Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

Copyright 2016 WAFB. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.wafb.com/story/33102807/week-3-of-college-football-full-of-big-games

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European migrant crisis

Breaking News RT reports US Coalition Bombed Syrian Army

The European migrant crisis or European refugee crisis began in 2015, when a rising number of refugees and migrants made the journey to the European Union (EU) to seek asylum, traveling across the Mediterranean Sea or through Southeast Europe. They came from areas such as Western and South Asia, Africa, and the Western Balkans. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the top three nationalities of the over one million Mediterranean Sea arrivals between January 2015 and March 2016 were Syrian (46.7%), Afghan (20.9%) and Iraqi (9.4%). Of the refugees and migrants arriving in Europe by sea in 2015, 58% were men, 17% women and 25% children. The number of deaths at sea rose to record levels in April 2015, when five boats carrying almost 2,000 migrants to Europe sank in the Mediterranean Sea, with a combined death toll estimated at more than 1,200 people.

The shipwrecks took place in a context of ongoing conflicts and refugee crises in several Asian and African countries, which increased the total number of forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2014 to almost 60 million, the highest level since World War II. Amid an upsurge in the number of sea arrivals in Italy from Libya in 2014, several European Union governments refused to fund the Italian-run rescue option Operation Mare Nostrum, which was replaced by Frontex"s Operation Triton in November 2014. In the first six months of 2015, Greece overtook Italy as the first EU country of arrival, becoming, in the summer 2015, the starting point of a flow of refugees and migrants moving through Balkan countries to northern European countries, mainly Germany and Sweden. Since April 2015, the European Union has struggled to cope with the crisis, increasing funding for border patrol operations in the Mediterranean, devising plans to fight migrant smuggling, launching Operation Sophia and proposing a new quota system to relocate and resettle asylum seekers among EU states and alleviate the burden on countries on the outer borders of the Union. Individual countries have at times reintroduced border controls within the Schengen Area, and rifts have emerged between countries willing to accept asylum seekers and others trying to discourage their arrival.

According to Eurostat, EU member states received over 1.2 million first time asylum applications in 2015, a number more than double that of the previous year. Four states (Germany, Hungary, Sweden, and Austria) received around two-thirds of the EU"s asylum applications in 2015, with Hungary, Sweden, and Austria being the top recipients of asylum applications per capita. The main countries of citizenship of asylum seekers, accounting for more than half of the total, were Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Source: http://www.breakingnews.com/topic/european-migrant-crisis/

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Batman Day Stop Motion Shorts Released By DC Collectibles

10 OFERTAS IMPERDÍVEIS DESTE BATMAN DAY!!! (17/09/2016)

To celebrate DC Entertainment"s annual Batman Day, which began three years ago to honor The Dark Knight"s 75th anniversary, DC Collectibles has put out several stop-motion shorts created with their action figures and, of course, featuring the Caped Crusader.

In the 20-second long "Plan Your Party" short, Batman, who is wearing his armored mech-suit from Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, enter an unlit room, and when he turns on the lightswitch, it is revealed that Wonder Woman, Clayface, Robin, Superman, Green Arrow, and Catwoman all gathered and quietly hid in the room for a Batman Day suprise party.

In the "Set Your Alert" short, Batgirl is standing next to her motorcyle and watching a police car with its lights on zip by her when she gets a Batman Day reminder on her cellphone.

In the "Spread the Word" short, Batman is flying around Gotham in his Batwing, with an assit from a child"s hand, and a banner appears at the end with Batman Day information written on it.

Now that Batman Day is almost over, let me ask: How did you spend Batman Day? Did you partake in any of the numerous festivities that took place at thousands of comic book retailers, bookstores, schools and libraries across the country?

Source: http://comicbook.com/dc/2016/09/18/batman-day-stop-motion-shorts-released-by-dc-collectibles/

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Khlo� Kardashian and New NBA Champ Boyfriend Tristan Thompson Have Been "Seeing Each Other for a Bit", Source

Khloe K Posted Snapchat Video Of Her Kissing Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson and Khlo Kardashian

Splash News

By Melody Chiu and Blake Bakkila

09/05/2016 AT 03:05 PM EDT

Khlo Kardashian has a new man in her life, a source exclusively confirms to PEOPLE. The reality star and NBA player Tristan Thompson are casually dating.

"Khlo and Tristan have been seeing each other for a little bit," a source tells PEOPLE. "He"s a really nice, good guy and she seems very happy with him."

Thompson, 25, is originally from Canada, and helped the Cleveland Cavaliers secure their first NBA Championship title in 52 years back in June. And while Kardashian, 32, and Thompson have been spending time together, the source says they are playing the relationship by ear.

"It"s unclear for now if it"s going to turn [into] anything super serious, but for now they"re having a good time together," the source says.

The couple was most recently spotted on a Labor Day weekend getaway to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico over the weekend. Prior to that, TMZ reported that the two were seen at BootSy Bellows nightclub in Beverly Hills, California last week.

RELATED VIDEO: Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna Can"t Wait for You to See "The Real Us" Over the weekend, another source told PEOPLE Kardashian and her basketball player beau were a "mini-thing."

"They like each other and are hanging out," the source said.

Source: http://www.people.com/article/khloe-kardashian-casually-dating-nba-star-tristan-thompson

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Stanford fan in hijab gets threats on Facebook

USC Football - Stanford Rapid Reaction

Stanford junior Tesay Yusuf and her friends were cheering for the camera at a Cardinal football game recently, but when the image ended up in an advertisement for football ticketson a Stanford Facebook page it turned into a target of hatefulremarks. Along with her Cardinal red shirt, Yusuf was wearing a hijab.

Disgusted, she took to social media herself.

When @Stanford Athletics posts ONE diverse ad of me and my friends at a football game, all h**l breaks loose, Yusuf tweeted over the weekend, including a screenshot of some of the comments.

She wasnt exaggerating. Stanford removed direct threats to Yusuf as well as other hate speech posted in response to the ad, said university spokeswoman Lisa Lapin.

Hey Stanford, take that Muslim (expletive)elsewhere, we dont want to see it,read one of the comments that Stanford took down.

Born in the U.S. to Ethiopian immigrant parents, Yusuf said she was not surprised by the commentary and initially brushed it off, but that she took a stand over the weekend after seeing that the comments continued.

Her post was retweeted nearly 8,000 times, with many people expressing their disgust at the treatment she received.

HELLLLLL NO. This is totally unacceptable. They need to be hauled off of Facebook and planet earth, one person wrote in support of Yusuf.

Yusuf said she thinks her message resonated with people who were shocked that a simple image of students cheering for their team could become fodder for racist commentary and that the comments were made so openly.

People are feeling more comfortable saying these kinds of things, she said, noting that Facebook is not an anonymous forum. People feel like its OK to be blatantly bigoted.

Lapin said Stanford stands behind Yusuf and that the student did not want the photo to be altered or removed.

Everybodys very proud of the way the students are conducting themselves and the courage of this particular student, Lapin said. In a way this has united the community, certainly here.

Yusuf said she hopes her stand will inspire others to be anti-racist to push back against racism and bigotry especially in a tense political climate.

These kinds of things shouldnt be ignored anymore, she said.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/12/stanford-football-fan-calls-out-hateful-remarks-about-hijab/

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Iowa football: Hawkeyes extend Kirk Ferentz through 2025

Game Day Preview 2016: Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa - - The University of Iowa announced today a contract extension for head football coach Kirk Ferentz through the 2025 season. The announcement was made by Gary Barta, UI director of athletics. The extension was finalized and signed Tuesday.

Ferentz began his 18th season as Iowa"s head football coach Saturday when the nationally-ranked Hawkeyes defeated Miami University, 45-21. Ferentz"s previous contract extended through the 2019 season.

"I"ve said it many times, I would like Kirk to retire as a Hawkeye, and this contract is a strong statement toward that commitment," said Barta. "Kirk"s dedication to the football program and the University of Iowa has brought national attention and recognition to the Hawkeyes for nearly 20 years.

"Kirk is one of the top coaches in country. His commitment to winning, graduating student-athletes, and doing things the right way is unmatched by any program or coach," added Barta. "There is strong momentum surrounding the Hawkeye football program. Whether it"s on the field, recruiting, academics, facilities, or with his staff, we"re achieving at a high level today, and are well positioned for continued success for years to come."

Ferentz is one of only two coaches in the NCAA"s Football Bowl Subdivision who has been head coach at the same school since the 1999 season, joining Iowa alumnus Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) as the longest tenured head coach in the nation. Ferentz was a Hawkeye assistant coach under Hayden Fry for nine seasons (1981-89).

"I am pleased and proud to continue as head coach of the University of Iowa football team through 2026. It is a tremendous privilege and responsibility to lead the Iowa football program," said Ferentz. "I am extraordinarily proud of our program, our players, and our supportive fans. I appreciate the trust and confidence demonstrated by Athletic DirectorGary Barta and President Bruce Harreld and I look forward to continuing our winning tradition.

"Iowa is home to me, my wife, Mary, and our five children," added Ferentz. "We moved a lot during the early years of coaching, but once we arrived in Iowa City - this quickly became our home. We appreciate and value what it is to be an Iowan and an Iowa Hawkeye."

Among the Iowa football coaching staff defensive coordinator Phil Parker and director of strength and conditioning Chris Doyle -- have been part of the program throughout Ferentz"s tenure. Defensive line coach Reese Morgan has been a member of the staff for 16 seasons.

"Kirk represents what we celebrate in our state and at our university; hard work, relentless pursuit of doing the little things right, and humbleness that allows the success of others to shine through," said Harreld. "His and Mary"s generosity toward our community and state is remarkable, and I look forward to having him lead our program for years to come."

Ferentz"s total annual compensation under the new agreement will be $4,500,000. Ferentz and the members of his staff will also continue to be eligible for bonuses based on performance.

RELATED: Kittle, VandeBerg serve as Hawkeye mentors for 2016

Ferentz is a four-time winner of the Big Ten Coach of the Year Award, including 2015 when Iowa posted a school-record 12 wins while claiming the Big Ten"s West Division title. Ferentz was the Bobby Dodd, Eddie Robinson, and Woody Hayes national Coach of the Year last season.

Ferentz was Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2002, 2004, and 2009, was named The Associated Press National Coach of the Year in 2002 when Iowa made its first of two appearances in a Bowl Championship Series event. Ferentz holds a record of 128-87 as Iowa"s head coach and ranks seventh all-time in Big Ten coaching victories and eighth in overall wins among Big Ten Conference football coaches.

RELATED: Will Iowa make it to the Playoff?

Football student-athletes under Ferentz have also performed well in the classroom. Thirteen Hawkeyes have earned Academic All-America recognition under Ferentz, including first team honors on eight occasions. Iowa players have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors on 234 occasions.

The Iowa football program annually ranks above its peers and near the top of the Big Ten Conference in the NCAA"s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. Iowa football reported its all-time high score in the NCAA"s most recent APR report in April.

Ferentz"s 2016 Iowa squad is coming off a 12-2 season that included its first appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game and an appearance in the 2016 Rose Bowl Game, Iowa"s first trip to Pasadena in 25 years. Ferentz has led Iowa to 13 bowl appearances.

Source: http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2016-09-06/iowa-football-hawkeyes-extend-kirk-ferentz-through-2025

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