Daily Links, Nov. 6
Another set of links to post while marveling at the genius which is Parks & Recreation. People, if you’re not watching this show, please start.
We start today in Winston-Salem and hunt for links until we reach Chestnut Hill. All names in bold are those of recent ACC Sports Journal contributors.
Wake Forest will need to be consistent from the 3-point arc to get anywhere this season, writes Winston-Salem’s Dan Collins. If not, the Deacons’ season could end up similar to last year's: full of bitterness and unfulfilled goals.
Virginia Tech avoided its first three-game losing streak in six years last night, beating ECU 16-3. The Hokies finally got their third-down defense in gear, notes **Norm Wood** of the Newport News Daily Press. Lyndell Gibson made his first career collegiate start, reports Norfolk's Kyle Tucker. He recorded one tackle in the first half, and recovered a fumble early in the third quarter.
Al Groh might not be coming back to Virginia, but committed recruits aren’t changing their minds. Roanoke’s Doug Doughty takes some time to dish on insider UVA news.
Raleigh’s Ken Tysiac reports that N.C. State kick returner and wide receiver T.J. Graham is done for the season. Freshman Scott Wood made a name for himself Thursday night as the Wolfpack beat St. Paul’s College 84-42.
Teams can’t reveal specific details about workouts with other Division I schools, so after North Carolina scrimmaged with Vanderbilt Sunday, Roy Williams was cryptic with his report. Hmm, if only we could decipher what he really meant by yucky and ugly. This basketball season will bring a lot of change for the Tar Heels, but the end goal is the same, writes Winston-Salem’s Bill Cole.
Miami’s injury report, though getting better, still has a significant number of important players on it, writes Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald. Fort Lauderdale’s Shandel Richardson writes about how Hurricane injuries this season have shaped the team.
Maryland needs to win its last four games to be considered for a bowl, and the Terrapins are trying to remain upbeat about the situation, reports the Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell The team is still trying to win games, but Friedgen is also hoping to get some young players playing time. Those goals are likely to clash.
Georgia Tech’s offense can look as great as anybody’s in the countries at times, so Atlanta’s Ray Glier asks why are the Yellow Jackets the only ones running it? Sometimes a team needs something more than the blue chippers to beat the big names, and Georgia Tech’s offense is that something more. Macon’s Coley Harvey has a Q&A with offensive lineman Nick McRae.
I wonder if FSU’s new lightweight Nike uniforms will make the defense more effective? At least they’ll look good, eh? Tampa Bay’s Brian Landman writes that the uniforms will be unveiled at the Nov. 21 game against Maryland. That’s the same game in which Florida State will honor Mickey Andrews, reports Orlando’s Andrew Carter.
On a more serious note, Duke’s J.J. Redick is releasing a rap album, writes Raleigh’s J.P. Giglio. Some teammates questioned Conner Vernon's speed when he arrived on campus this season. They're not questioning it anymore.
Kyle Parker might be young, and there was never any question of his raw talent, but Clemson was wary at first of having him the steer the offense. Greenville's **Ed McGranahan** writes that there is a lot more confidence in the Tiger locker room now. Parker and other Clemson players came from a 160-mile stretch of Interstate 10 in Florida. It's one of the most important recruiting corridors Dabo Swinney has.
Rich Gunnell is not the flashiest receiver Boston College has ever had, but he’s inching toward becoming one of the best, reports the Boston Herald’s Steve Conroy. There’s no question that the Eagles are going bowling, but there is no answer as to where. The Boston Globe’s Mark Blaudschum tries to figure it out. Earlier this season former BC quarterback Matt Hasselbeck benched himself on his fantasy team. His real self then went out and threw for four TDs while his fantasy self languished on the bench. That, folks, is fantasy football in a nutshell.
That’s all for today. High school football tonight. College football tomorrow.
