The Huskers have invaded the NFC East

Out of the 7 University of Nebraska Huskers football players drafted into the NFL, 5 of the players are headed to play in the NFC East. Prince Amukamara (CB) was drafted by the New York Giants in the 1st round, the 19th player drafted overall. 3 players were drafted by the Washington Redskins; Roy Helu Jr (RB) was drafted in the 4th round, DeJon Gomes (DB) in the 5th round, and Niles Paul (WR) also in the 5th round. Alex Henery (K) was drafted in the 4th round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

As a Cowboys and Huskers fan I have mixed feelings. I'm glad to see Husker players make it to the next level but to rivals not so much.

Prince Amukamara in his 4 year college career recorded 155 tackles (95 solo and 60 assisted), 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions. Prince was a unanimous selection to the First-Team Big 12 in 2010.

Roy Helu Jr. in 4 years of college collected 3,404 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns. On October 30th the University of Nebraska Huskers played the University of Missouri Tigers when Roy beat out the former school record held by Colvin Jones (294 rushing yards) for rushing yards in a game with a 307 rushing yards game.

Alex Henery also played all 4 years in college. He made 68 field goals out of 76 attempts and he made 193 extra points out of 194 attempts. He was 92% accurate on field goals with the Huskers. Alex holds the Nebraska school record for scoring (397 points), most consecutive made field goals (18), most made field goals in a season (24 in 2009), most made field goals in his collegiate career (68), and he holds the record for longest field goal at Memorial Stadium (and school record) 57 yards vs Colorado.

DeJon Gomes collegiate carrer was only 2 seasons. Gomes had 145 tackles (76 solo and 69 assisted tackles), 1 sack, forced 5 fumbles, 7 interceptions, and 1 touchdown.

Niles Paul played all 4 years, in his freshman season he only had 1 reception though. In his career he had 103 receptions for 1,532 yards and 5 touchdowns. He had 9 carries for 56 yards and 1 touchdown.

*Keith Williams (OL) was drafted in the 6th round by Pittsburgh Steelers
*Eric Hagg (DB) drafted in the 7th round by the Cleveland Browns

Some facts from the Huskers twitter feed (@Huskers):

• Prince Amukamara is the 334th Husker to be drafted 1st round in the NFL Draft
• This is the 42nd consecutive year that the Huskers have had 2 or more players picked in the same draft
• 1st time that the Huskers have had back-to-back years of 1st round picks since 1997 & 1998
• Most Huskers (7) drafted in the NFL Draft since 7 was drafted in 2001
• Last time at least 2 players were drafted by the same team in the same draft was in 2003 and the last time at least 3 players were drafted was in 1995

Photo Credits:

• Prince Amukamara- http://www.christianpost.com/
• Roy Helu Jr.- http://www.jodatoa.blogspot.com
• Alex Henery- http://www.huskers.com/
• DeJon Gomes- http://www.huskers.com
• Niles Paul- http://www.bettor.com/

 Links:

• Huskers twitter feed: http://twitter.com/Huskers 
• Helu Jr. runs past Mizzou for school record; Mizzou vs. Nebraska- Biased Sports: http://bit.ly/kJlFBQ
• Player stats: http://www.espn.com/ and http://huskers.com/



Marlins score 5 in the 1st as they win after a 9th inning scare; Florida Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds

The Marlins had 10 at bats and hit for the cycle (the team) in the top of the 1st inning versus the Reds. Emilio Bonifacio lead of the game with a triple. Infante brought Emilio in for the 1st run of the game and long inning while sacrificing himself with a ground out. Hanley Ramirez doubled to right field, his 5th double on the season, Gaby Sanchez was walked by Reds starter Travis Wood and Mike Stanton popped out for the 2nd out. John Buck for the 2nd time in the season took the baseball out of the park, this time a 3 run home run (the other was his grand slam on opening day). The Marlins were up 4-0 at this point with 2 outs. Wes Helms singled to center field and Scott Cousins was walked. Javier Vazquez, Marlins starting pitcher, kept the inning going with an RBI single giving the Marlins the 5-0 lead. Emilio who started off the inning, ended the inning with a ground out to shortstop who got the force out at 2nd to end the long top of the 1st. Travis Wood had 45 pitches in the 1st inning.

The Marlins would get 2 more runs in the top 4th from a 2 RBI single off the bat off Hanley Ramirez bringing in Javier Vazquez (lead off the inning with a single), and Emilio Bonifacio (doubled after Vazquez).

The Marlins, as a team, batted .444 against starter Travis Wood and .176 off the Reds bullpen, Carlos Fisher, Jordan Smith, Nick Masset, and Bill Bray. Lead off man Emilio Bonifacio went 2-5 in the game with a double and triple. Gaby Sanchez went 2-3 with 2 singles and a walk. Javier Vazquez went 2-2 with 2 singles and is batting a respectable .500 (3-6 on the season).

The Reds first 4 runs were off home runs; a solo home run in the 1st by Jay Bruce and a 3 run homer by Jeremy Hermida in the 4th. The game would stay 7-4 until Leo Nuñez would come into close the game off for the Marlins in the bottom of the 9th. Leo got the lead off batter in the 9th out but faced trouble in the next batters to come up. Ramon Hernadez with a 1 out double to center field, Paul Janish then brings Hernadez with Reds back-to-back doubles (7-5 Marlins), pinch hitter in Chris Heisey struck out swinging for the 2nd out, Drew Stubbs singled in Janish (7-6 Marlins), but Leo got Jay Bruce looking for the last out. Leo would still secure the win and a save. Leo is 8-for-8 for saves.

No Reds player had a multiple hit game while the Marlins had 4 players with multiple hits (2); Emilio Bonifacio, Hanley Ramirez, Gaby Sanchez, and Javier Vazquez.

Javier Vazquez (2-2) recieved the winning nod after pitching 6 innings allowing 4 hits, 4 runs all earned, 2 home runs, walking 3, and striking out 3. Travis Wood (1-3) recieved the loss after pitching just 3.1 innings allowing 8 hits, 7 runs all earned, 1 home run, walking 2, and striking out 3.

Dodgers avoid a Marlin sweep in the 10th inning; Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Florida Marlins

Anibal Sanchez's first start since throwing a complete game where he had a no-hit bid going into the 9th. Anibal pitched for 5 innings allowing for 4 hits, 3 runs all earned, 1 home run, walked 1, and striked out 4.

The Marlins scored 4 runs in the 2nd to give them a 4-0 lead thanks to an RBI single by Brett Hayes and a bases loaded 3 RBI double by Chris Coghlan. The Marlins held on to this lead until the top of the 4th where the Dodgers scored 3 thanks to a 3 run home run by Rod Barajas off of Anibal. The Dodgers go on to tie the game at 4 in the top of the 7th as Juan Uribe doubled bringing in Aaron Miles from 3rd. Miles was at 2nd but was awarded 3rd as Ryan Webb balked.

The Marlins looked to have a rally in the 9th as lead off man in Greg Dobbs singled off of Matt Guerrier (Dobbs then replaced by a pinch runner, Osvaldo Martinez), Emilio Bonifacio singled on a bunt, Brett Hayes sacrificed himself and got the runners to 2nd and 3rd with now just 1 out, Scott Cousins struck out, and John Buck came into pinch hit and grounded out to shortstop.

Top of the 10th Brian Sanches came to the mound and allowed a lead off home run to Andre Ethier giving the Dodgers the 5-4 lead. Sanches got the next 3 out in order with a strike out. The Marlins offense couldn't pull off another come-from-behind win as Vincente Padilla came into close for the Dodgers and pitched a perfect 10th. Omar Infante grounded out to shortstop, Hanley Ramirez grounded out to 3rd base, and Gaby Sanchez grounded out to 2nd base to end the game. Brian Sanches with the losing decision, Matt Guerrier with the win, and Vincente Padilla with the save.

Dodgers avoid the sweep and get back to .500 on the season with a record of 13-13 while the Marlins fall to 15-8 and to 2nd place in the NL East as the Philadelphia Phillies won 8-4 versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Suns come from behind to win in the 9th; Tennessee Smokies vs. Jacksonville Suns

The Suns starter Darin Downs pitched a great 6 innings of work allowing 4 hits, walking none, striking out 3, but did allow a run, the only run of the game until the 9th. Jhan Marinez pitched in relief in the 7th allowed only a walk and a strike out, Dan Jennings pitched a perfect 8th, and Sandy Rosario despite a rough 9th in Monday's game was able to throw a perfect 9th with a strike out and recieve the winning nod.

The Smokies starter Robert Whitenack pitched 6 innings as well and allowed 3 hits, no walks, struck out 3, and gave up no runs. Blake Parker came into relief for 2 innings allowing only 1 hit, walking none as well, struck out 1, and gave up no runs. The Smokies closer David Cales would blow the save and recieve the loss as he allowed 3 hits, walk 2 (1 was intentional), strike out none, and allow 2 earned runs in 0.1 innings of work in the bottom of the 9th.

The Smokies 3 hits of 4 and only run came in the 2nd inning. Rebel Ridling lead off with a ground out, Josh Vitters singled off Downs to left field, Blake Lalli singled to right field, James Adduci grounded out and reached 1st safely as it was a fielders choice to get the out at 2nd, Nate Samson then with the only RBI on a single to center field, and Robert Whitenack, the Smokies pitcher, left 2 on base as he grounded out to 2nd base.

Whitenack had a perfect game going until the bottom of the 4th when Jake Smolinski singled with 2 outs but was left on base by Kyle Skipworth. 5th inning was another perfect inning for Whitenack. In the 6th Alex Romero singled with 1 out and Kevin Mattison singled right after him but Mattison misjudged the ball and tried for 2 and was tagged out inbetween 1st and 2nd for the 2nd out as Romero got to 3rd, and Chris Gutierrez popped out to 2nd base leaving Romero in scoring position. Smolinski would lead off with a single in the 7th, off of Blake Parker, but then was out in a double play from a grounder to 2nd base off the bat of Skipworth and Jorge Padilla would get the 3rd out for the Smokies on a ground out to shortstop. A perfect 8th for Blake Parker has he got Ben Lasater, Paul Gran, and Jim Negyrch out in order.

The Suns down 1-0 headed to the bottom of the 9th with Erik Lis in to lead off. Lis singled to right field off of David Cales, Mattison hits a grounder to 1st base and the Smokies 1st baseman Josh Vitters elected to get the out at 2nd, Gutierrez walked,  Smolinski hit the game tieing single that brought in Mattison, and Cales intentionally walked Skipworth to fill the bases for Padilla. Padilla then knocked the ball into right field to bring in the game winning run in Gutierrez with 1 out.

Marlins Beat the Dodgers Dramatically in the 9th

The Marlins strike first in the bottom of the 3rd by a solo home run by Chris Coghlan. The Dodgers answer back in the top of the 4th with lead off single by Jamey Carroll and then 2 outs later Jerry Sands brought him home on a single to center field.

Coghlan hit another solo home run in the bottom of the 6th to give the Marlins the lead back at 2-1. Dodgers again answer back in the next half inning with a ground out that brought in Tony Gwynn Jr. by Aaron Miles and an RBI single by Jamey Carroll to first tie the game and then to give the Dodgers their first lead at 3-2. James Loney hit an RBI single in the top of the 8th to extend the Dodger lead to 4-2. Gaby Sanchez got the Marlins deficit back to 1 with a RBI single with 1 out in the bottom of the 8th bringing Coghlan in, 4-3 Dodgers. Coghlan at this point had scored all of the Marlins runs.

Brian Sanches comes into relieve in the top of the 9th and throws a perfect inning. In the bottom of the 9th Greg Dobbs struck out hitting lead off and John Buck grounded out for the 2nd out, looked like Jonathan Broxton would recieve the save. Broxton then walked Emilio Bonifacio, the Marlins bring in Hanley Ramirez to pinch hit for Donnie Murphy as Hanley had the day off since he had been in a slump, Hanley gets the off the bench single continuing hope for the Marlins, Scott Cousins reached 1st due to a fielding error on Jamey Carroll and the Marlins tieing run in Emilio Bonifacio scored, Broxton intentionally walked Coghlan, and Omar Infante hit a walk off single bringing in the game winning run in Hanley Ramirez.

Marlins win 4-3. Brian Sanches recieved the win and Jonathan Broxton with the loss. Marlins are now 14-7 on the season.

Graham Taylor falls in his 2nd appearance since Tommy John surgery; Tennessee Smokies vs. Jacksonville Suns

Graham Taylor last appearance pitching, before having to get Tommy John surgery during the 2009 offseason and missing all of the 2010 season, was in a win versus the Tennessee Smokies in the 2009 Southern League Championship series where the Jacksonville Suns would wind up winning the championship in Tennessee.

Taylor got the loss in this particular regular season game after allowing 11 hits, 6 runs, 5 earned runs, 2 home runs, and struck out only 2 in 6 innings. In the 2nd, after Taylor had given up a lead off double to Blake Lalli, Nate Samson hit a 2 run home run tieing the game at 2 after the Suns had a 2 run shot of their own by Jake Smolinski in the 1st. Taylor gave up another single right after the home run to Marwin Gonzalez but was able to get the 1st out of the inning by picking him off at 1st base with the help of 1st baseman Ben Lasater. In the 3rd Taylor gave up another lead off single, to DJ LeMahieu, the next 2 batters flew out, but then with 2 outs Josh Vitters homered off of Graham to give the Smokies the lead at 4-2. Lalli backed up the home run with a double. Nate Samson singled on a fly ball to center field, Lalli scores as Jorge Padilla, center fielder, threw in time to catcher Luke Montz who tagged in time but without the ball in his glove, error on Montz and an unearned run for Taylor (6-2 Smokies). Taylor would then go on throwing perfect 4th and 5th innings and just allowed 1 hit, a double, in the 6th.

Luke Montz made up for his error in the 3rd with a solo home run in the 5th, sadly this wasn't enough to spark the Suns offense and start a rally. The Suns only runs were off home runs by Smolinski and Montz. The Suns as a team batted a .278 in the game with 10 hits versus the Smokies 13 hits with a team average of .342 in the game. Daniel Jennings gave up a solo home run to Matthew Spencer, supposedly known as the Morsetown Masher as he likes to hit home runs, which was the 3rd Smokie home run in the game and 5th in the game including the 2 Suns home runs.

The Suns fall 7-3 to the team they have beaten twice consecutively in the Southern League Championship series to win back-to-back championships.

Anibal jinxed out of a no-hitter by MLB Network; Colorado Rockies vs. Florida Marlins

Anibal Sanchez pitched a no-hitter through 8 innings even though the Rockies had a run in the 1st. The run came off an missed catch error on Gaby Sanchez to get a routine out at 1st off an assist from Emilio Bonifacio. Dexter Fowler the leadoff hitter for the Rockies in the 9th ended Anibal's no-hitter with a single. Edwin Rodriguez, Marlins manager, allowed Anibal to finish the game which was the first complete game for any of the Marlins starting pitchers on the season. Anibal recieved the winning decision as the Marlins won 4-1 and as he pitched a 1-hitter.

MLB Network yesterday kept repeating and repeating that Josh Beckett and Roy Oswalt were pitching no-hitters. In the top of the 6th with a lead off single Beckett lost his no-hit bid after MLB Network analysts said 6 times in 3 sentences that he was pitching a no-hitter. After that then they said that Oswalt was the #1 story so since I was angry at them I helped them also jinx Oswalt. Later one of the analysts was talking about a good game a Mariners pitcher was pitching, not a no-hitter, and asked the other analysts not to jinx him too. The host says well he's not pitching a no-hitter, so they know they were doing wrong yet the continued to persistently announce they are pitching a no-hitter instead of using different wording or just showing the box score and circling the 0 hits. They also did the same thing to JJ two times, the 1st game I was able to watch the actual broadcast so didn't have to hear MLB Network jinx him and the 2nd game I was watching a Red Sox game and following the Marlins game on Game Day. So today since the Marlins game was telecasted and I was told that MLB Network was showing the game while Anibal was pitching. So when the Marlins were batting and during breaks all they were saying was Anibal is pitching a no-hitter and showing stats of when he had pitched a no-hitter as a rookie in 2006 vs. the Diamondbacks.

On a side note; Chris Coghlan hit his 5th career lead off home run (2nd home run of the season) and Gaby Sanchez hit his 2nd season home run, both solo shots. Omar Infante went 2-3 who has been a little off offensively, batting an overall average of .233. Scott Cousins started in left field due to Logan Morrison being put on the disabled list after the game last night, he went 0-4 in the game after going 2-4 last night with his first career home run, a grand slam.

Rockies' sluggers Carlos Gonzalez went 0-4 with 2 strike outs and Troy Tulowitzki went 0-3 with no strike outs.


Link to box score- MLB.com: http://atmlb.com/eBpkSi