2008 October | College Beat: Bloggin' With Scroggin
Oct 30

Fresh from Cal Poly football practice, I have a couple tidbits to report.

It looked like Mustangs running back James Noble, who’s missed the past two games with a broken hand, was practicing with the first team. Expect him to be back in the lineup somewhere barring a setback.

Quarterback Jonathan Dally’s arm must still be tired after passing for 410 yards and six touchdowns a week ago. He was sitting out when I got there as sophomore transfer from Utah Tony Smith ran the offense toward the end of practice.

Cal Poly coach Rich Ellerson said Dally is fine, that he was held out because of a bruise on his arm.

I was able to chat with Noble after practice. He gave me an exlusive look at the wrapped-and-gloved left hand. From afar, its hard to tell he even has anything there, but up close, you can see a little bulge.

He seemed ready to go after seeing action in practice Wednesday for the first time since having surgery nearly three weeks ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eh5ZFC8Ywk

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Oct 29

Here’s some first-half video from Cal Poly’s 69-41 win over Southern Utah. (CLICK HERE)

By now you know, the Mustangs broke a slew of school records, and Ramses Barden passed Jerry Rice for the most number of college games with a touchdown catch.

The highlights are top-notch. Shot and edited by Tribune videographer Nick Lucero.

That’s me introducing the clips. A little behind-the-scenes tidbit: The vein on the left side of my neck is popping out like Skeletor because of stress. My laptop died 30 seconds before kickoff, and I was scrambling through contingency plans before finally figuring out a solid solution. All the while, one of the most prolific offensive first halves in history was unfolding.

Here’s a question I want to pose to you readers. What did you think of Cal Poly’s defensive performance against Southern Utah?

It’s looking like the Mustangs are headed for the playoffs. The offense can score with the best. But will the defense do them in?

Let me know what you think, and vote in the new poll!

Posted in Football | 1 Comment »
Oct 23

I swear I was going to do a big feature on Jonathan Dally having yet to throw an interception this season had he lasted past the South Dakota State game.

I was keeping quiet about it so I could make a big splash with the story.

But while waiting for my perfect plan to develop, Dally threw a pick last Saturday.

Even so, he remains the top-rated passer in the FCS, and I talked to him about that and the interception at practice Thursday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGnT5nIT_t4

Posted in Football | 3 Comments »
Oct 23

Thanks to cp alum for the link to the NCAA FCS football records.

I did a quick check to see where Cal Poly receiver Ramses Barden was to any of the career records, and though while nothing’s impossible, he’ll be hard-pressed to see his name atop those lists.

Barden has already tied Jerry Rice for one record and is closing in on another one.

Rice, who played for Mississippi Valley State from 1981-84, and Barden are tied for most career games catching a touchdown pass. Each has done it in 26 games.

Barden is three games shy of tying Rice for record for consecutive games with a touchdown catch. Dating back to last season, Barden has caught TDs in the past 14 games.

Perhaps the closest Barden is to any of the other records is in career receiving yards.

He currently sits 1,081 yards behind 4,693 yards  Rice put up. Barden would have to average 216.2 yards per game in the final five games to tie Rice in the regular season.

Though he’s having a great season with 666 yards and eight touchdowns, Barden’s best receiving game of the season so far is only 176 yards. He’d have to go on a major tear. Any postseason games would count as well.

Surprisingly, Rice does not hold the career receiving touchdown record. That one belongs to David Ball of New Hampshire, who break the record with 58 TD scores between 2003-06. Barden has 40 touchdowns. He’d have to average more than three-and-a-half touchdowns the rest of the season to get to Ball’s total by the playoffs.

Posted in Football | No Comments »
Oct 23

This cool little slideshow and video was put together by Tribune photographer David Middlecamp, who covered Cal Poly’s 1-0 loss to UC Santa Barbara on Friday.

Oh, and the video portion at the end was from his cell phone on the fire escape from the building outside the stadium. I think he moved up there to avoid any “flying hazards,” but I’m not sure.

Either that, or he was trying to find “true north.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgpTKPlnBxQ

Posted in Soccer | No Comments »
Oct 16

It’s been talked about all week. Cal Poly running back James Noble got hurt this week in practice.

College football as an institution is notorious for locking away as many secrets as possible, including keeping injury info to a minimum, but for fans interested in an update, here is what I can tell.

Noble broke a couple bones in his hand Monday and will likely miss Saturday’s game at South Dakota State. I didn’t see Noble at practice on Thursday, the team’s final prep before leaving town early Friday.

He did play at times with a cast on his hand last season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Noble somehow suits up against the Jackrabbits. That said, it seems like the Mustangs are prepared to go with or without their leading rusher.

Make sure to check out Saturday’s game preview coverage in The Tribune for more detailed info.  And let me know how you think Noble’s potential absence could affect Cal Poly.

Posted in Football | 9 Comments »
Oct 9

Who hasn’t wondered how Cal Poly receiver Ramses Barden would do against college football’s elite?

Barden (6-6, 227 pounds) — the all-everything record-breaking machine —  will get that chance at the East-West Shrine Game in January.

He seemed reserved about it when we talked at the team photo session today, not overly excited.

Before you read his comments tomorrow in The Tribune, let me know what your projections are for Barden. How do you expect him to do in the Shrine game?

Posted in Football | 8 Comments »
Oct 9

Seems the Mustangs men have finalized their basketball schedule.

After playing big names USC and Arizona State last season, Cal Poly’s biggest non-conference foes this upcoming season appear to be Western Athletic Conference teams Fresno State, which comes to Mott Gym on Dec. 29, and Utah State.

Cal Poly also plays Mountain West team BYU and Conference USA school Rice in the Basketball Travelers Invitational.

“Travelers” seems an apt name for the Mustangs.  Seven of their first 12 games are on the road.

Look for more coverage in the print and online versions of The Tribune to read what Cal Poly coach Kevin Bromley has to say about the schedule.

Until then, let me know what you think of it.

Posted in Football | 5 Comments »
Oct 5

Check out this highlight package from Cal Poly’s 49-22 win over South Dakota.

There are some cool angles on a few great grabs by Mustangs receiver Ramses Barden, who had three touchdowns in the win, as well as many other big plays.

I introduce the video in the beginning, but I can’t take any credit for putting it together. All kudos for production go to videographer Nick Lucero. Tribune Web editor Brian Milne handled the uploading.

Let us know what you think about it. Would you like to see more highlight reels?

Posted in Football | 3 Comments »
Oct 4

Cal Poly junior setter Hailey Fithian had a public admirer in the Mustangs’ 3-0 win over UC Davis in Mott Gym on Friday.

This guy held up a sign saying, “Hailey will you marry me.”

img_0410.JPG

Of course, she accepted.

The only problem was she had no idea who the guy was/is.

I got her on camera to talk about it. And I’ll keep you posted on the story as it develops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5G0c_mH8Lk

Posted in Volleyball | No Comments »

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