FanHouse

Three Years After His Murder, Bryan Pata's Spirit Lives On

Jim Henry — 2009-11-06T04:00:00 00:00

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The telephone conversation between brothers, as always, was friendly and upbeat.

The noise in the Miami bowling alley, however, made it difficult for Bryan Pata to hear, so he quickly squeezed his feet into a snug pair of bowling shoes and walked outside for better reception. Edwin Pierre Pata was 400 miles away in Florida's Panhandle, standing near his car, but their bond was not diminished by distance or time. Or school allegiance.

Bryan was a Hurricane; Edwin a Seminole.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Even in Wheelchair, Aubry Boyd's Spirit Still Runs Strong

Jim Henry — 2009-11-05T21:00:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: ACC, Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tuesday's weather in Florida's state capital was Sunshine State-perfect for early November. Aubry Boyd opened his eyes and welcomed the bright, 75-degree day with a wish he has repeated for the past 14 years.

"Every day I wake up hoping it's a better day than it was yesterday," Boyd told FanHouse. "I am not complaining because I am still here. I still want to be part of life."

Paralysis and a motorized wheelchair have not stolen Boyd's genuine love for vitality and people. He still talks hoops, politics, religion and women over cold suds and wings with the fellas. He still wants to make a difference.

Boyd's smile and personality -- continued sources of pleasure and inspiration -- were on display Tuesday night when the Florida State basketball program honored one of its own.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

ACC Notebook: Bowden Still Boss

Jim Henry — 2009-11-05T15:00:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

It's becoming clear that Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who turn 80 on Sunday, wants to coach the Seminoles in 2010.

The feisty Bowden has tipped his hand many times since coming under fire from high-level boosters, fans and the media following a 2-4 start.

Consecutive victories over North Carolina and North Carolina State have helped quiet restless critics -- and a victory Saturday at Clemson would vault FSU into second place in the ACC Atlantic Division -- and Bowden said Wednesday he will make the final call on who replaces retiring Mickey Andrews as defensive coordinator.

However, Bowden also stressed that head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher will make a strong contribution to the process, so don't expect a disagreement conspiracy between the pair.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

LSU's Marucci Has Eye on Tigers, Series

Jim Henry — 2009-11-04T13:48:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: LSU, SEC

Jack Marucci's focus this week has been the health of his LSU Tigers as they prepare for Saturday's SEC showdown at third-ranked Alabama. But Marucci can't help but sneak a peek at the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Especially after Marucci prior to the start of the Series received a message from Philadelphia's Chase Utley that indicated he wanted a special bat to swing against New York reliever Mariano Rivera.

"It's the same wood but a different style, a little thicker and shorter," Marucci told FanHouse Wednesday.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tide Still Searching For Big Plays

Jim Henry — 2009-11-04T10:21:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Alabama, LSU, SEC

Alabama's offense has mellowed over the past three games.

The Crimson Tide has registered only a pair of rushing touchdowns in victories over Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Ten trips into the red zone have resulted in eight field goals. The passing game hasn't featured many deep throws, and Alabama's Wildcat offense, which started as a gimmick, has become more relevant.

Third-ranked Alabama realizes it will need a better all-around effort on Saturday to beat No. 9 LSU, the only remaining ranked team on the Crimson Tide's schedule. The Crimson Tide can clinch the SEC West title with a win and would then meet No. 1 Florida on Dec. 5 in the SEC title game.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Urban Meyer to Address Fightin' Gators

Jim Henry — 2009-11-01T19:50:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Florida, Georgia, SEC

All is good with top-ranked Florida. Scout's honor, according to head coach Urban Meyer.

Meyer denied on Sunday that his Fightin' Gators -- specifically seniors Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes -- were involved in a "skirmish" following UF's (pardon the pun) hard-fought victory at Mississippi State two weeks ago. Spikes admitted to the media following the Gators' 41-17 win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday that the "skirmish" was more like two brothers venting at each other.

Meyer, however, did stress that he planned to talk with Spikes after news that a video surfaced on YouTube late Saturday night that showed Spikes appearing to gouge at the eyes of Georgia's Washaun Ealy after making a tackle.

"I'll talk with him today," Meyer said during his Sunday teleconference with the media. "He's a very emotional player. If that's the case, I'll have a very serious talk with him."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Florida Gives Georgia 'Tail Whipping

Jim Henry — 2009-10-31T20:06:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Florida, Georgia, SEC

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Two weeks, two months, two years.

The Georgia Bulldogs could have used all the time they wanted to prepare for the top-ranked Florida Gators and it probably wouldn't have made a difference in Saturday's Halloween showdown here on the banks of the St. Johns River. In fact, the Bulldogs haven't done much over the past two decades against their rivals.

UF beat the Bulldogs 41-17 for its 17th win in the last 20 meetings between the Southeastern Conference adversaries. More importantly, the Gators clinched the SEC East title and secured a spot in the conference championship game when good friend Tennessee, wearing new black jersey tops, beat South Carolina later Saturday night.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

SEC Notebook: Auburn Ignoring Critics

Jim Henry — 2009-10-30T13:00:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, SEC

Auburn's offensive struggles in October have been discussed and dissected.

The Tigers have dropped three of their last four games this month, including last Saturday's 31-10 stinker against LSU. Auburn gained a season-low 193 yards on a season-low 61 plays in that game, igniting a wave of criticism from fans who are still smarting from last season's collapse that saw the Tigers open 4-1 before losing six of their last seven.

Auburn (5-3 overall, 2-3 SEC) is determined to snap out of its funk Saturday against visiting Mississippi (5-2, 2-2), which marches into Jordan-Hare Stadium on a two-game win streak and winners of three of its last four.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Katrina Seniors Stick Together

Jim Henry — 2009-10-29T18:05:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: LSU, Tulane

A few days turned into four months. And those four months have since turned into four years, and counting. It's a span that continues to teach the definitions of perseverance, spirit and courage.

Eight current Tulane players were on the team in August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and forced Tulane to play 11 games during an 11-week span in 11 different cities. For the "Katrina Seniors," forever linked by struggle and friendship, their collegiate careers are quickly winding to a close.

"We need some more wins but we are not giving up," defensive tackle Reggie Scott, a Katrina Senior who has played in 37 career games, told FanHouse. "We are working over here. There ain't no quit in us."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

ACC Notebook: Hokies, Heels Look to Bounce Back

Jim Henry — 2009-10-29T09:26:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Boston College, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, ACC

Both Virginia Tech and North Carolina want to move forward Thursday night following difficult losses. One of the two will be disappointed.

The No. 14 Hokies (5-2 overall, 3-1 ACC) say they are no longer stewing over their 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech on Oct. 17, despite the lingering chatter about the Yellow Jackets' chop-blocking techniques and how Virginia Tech no longer controls its destiny in the ACC's Coastal Division.

UNC is coming off a tough loss, too. Playing its first Thursday night home game a week ago, the Tar Heels led Florida State 24-6 after halftime and then fell apart, losing 30-27. The Seminoles had 285 of their 395 passing yards in the second half to keep the Tar Heels (4-3, 0-3) winless in the ACC.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Spiller Makes All the Right Moves

Jim Henry — 2009-10-27T22:40:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Clemson, University of Miami, ACC

It seems as if C.J. Spiller's career has been punctuated by big decisions and big plays.

Spiller selected the Clemson Tigers over childhood favorite Florida State and others out of Lake Butler (Fla.) Union County. A frustrating freshman season nearly prompted him to transfer to Florida. Spiller could have entered the NFL Draft last year as a possible first-round selection. Known as a quiet leader, Spiller promised to speak up this season.

Check, check and check -- Spiller has made all the right moves.

"It has gone by so fast," Spiller told FanHouse Tuesday morning. "It seems like I just got here, and now ... these last five [regular-season] games I am going to enjoy the best way I can with my teammates. Coming back was the best decision I've made in my life. You don't have a better experience than your college one."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Georgia Blends Rest, Preparation for Upset 'Cocktail'

Jim Henry — 2009-10-27T06:00:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Florida, Georgia, SEC

LSU was fresh from its off week and waxed Auburn Saturday night. Tennessee was rested from its break and nearly upset Alabama earlier Saturday. Florida, of course, had the opportunity to rest injured quarterback Tim Tebow during its off week earlier this month before traveling to LSU and beating the Tigers with Tebow behind center.

Now it's Georgia's turn to see how it fares following a breather last Saturday.

While the Bulldogs enter Saturday's SEC showdown against top-ranked Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., as a double-digit underdog, they at least have a little history on their side. Georgia is 11-3 under head coach Mark Richt following an open date, including 1-0 (42-30 two seasons ago) when it comes before playing UF.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gators Determined to Ignore Critics

Jim Henry — 2009-10-25T20:30:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, SEC

The Florida Gators are circling the wagons.

Even while UF regained the top spot Sunday in The Associated Press poll from Alabama, which was ranked No. 1 for a week ahead of the Gators, UF coach Urban Meyer appears to be growing weary of critics focusing only on his team's blemishes.

Though the Gators pulled away from Mississippi State in the fourth quarter for a 29-19 victory Saturday night to push their season record to 7-0 for the fifth time in team history and first time since 1996, questions continue to outnumber answers.

More Coverage: Latest Rankings | FanHouse Top 25

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

SEC Notebook: Polls Not Tide's Concern

Jim Henry — 2009-10-23T13:15:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, SEC

When it comes to debating rankings, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is a fuddy-duddy.

So there's no need to waste your time, even if the Crimson Tide leapfrogged SEC rival Florida into the top spot of this week's Associated Press poll. Of course, Alabama is also ranked second behind the Gators in the initial installment of the weekly BCS poll that will determine national title invites by early December.

Saban doesn't mean to be a killjoy -- or does he? -- but his game-at-a-time mantra is focused on Saturday's showdown against visiting Tennessee.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

ACC Notebook: FSU Needs Victories

Jim Henry — 2009-10-22T11:26:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, Notre Dame, ACC

It has reached this point at Florida State: panicking Seminole fans are searching for victories.

At 2-4, FSU and head coach Bobby Bowden need to find four more victories in their remaining six games to become bowl eligible. That challenge starts Thursday night in a nationally-televised game at North Carolina. The Seminoles close October against North Carolina State and tangle with Clemson, Wake Forest, Maryland and Florida in November.

FSU has played in 27 consecutive bowl games dating back to 1981, when the Seminoles went 6-5.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Feel-Good Wildcats Keep on Survivin'

Jim Henry — 2009-10-21T14:15:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Auburn, Kentucky, LA Monroe, SEC

Kentucky has been besieged by bad breaks and injuries this season.

Of course, just when you thought it was time to toss dirt and plant daisies on the Wildcats, they responded with their biggest victory of the year. Their first win over Auburn in more than four decades last Saturday helps validate what head coach Rich Brooks has preached about his team since preseason drills.

"I have said all along that I thought that we were a good football team and we still were a good football team even though we weren't healthy and didn't have all of our parts -- and we still don't," Brooks said.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

At Florida State, UConn Stabbing Death Opens Painful Memories

Jim Henry — 2009-10-20T14:00:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Herb Gainer's heart sagged.

As Gainer read the details Monday afternoon surrounding the stabbing death of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard, an eerie feeling overcame him. A day doesn't go by that Gainer doesn't think about -- even talk to -- his former friend and Florida State teammate, Pablo Lopez (pictured right).

Lopez was shot to death outside a campus dance in 1986. Gainer rushed to Lopez's side and held his hand as the offensive lineman lay mortally wounded.

There are at least two unidentified Connecticut players who have been so strongly affected by the stabbing death of Howard that they may not play Saturday at West Virginia. One player held Howard in his arms, while another tried to address the wound and was covered in blood.

Gainer can relate to their grief and emotion.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Sense of Urgency Surrounds Gators

Jim Henry — 2009-10-18T14:18:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, SEC

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- A majority of callers that flooded local radio sports talk shows late Saturday night were not thrilled with their top-ranked Florida Gators. Most complaints focused on the offense. Agitated fans moaned about turnovers, predictable play-calling and porous blocking along the line.

UF had escaped with its life hours earlier over Arkansas, 23-20, but it was obvious not everyone was impressed with the Gators. Include head coach Urban Meyer and Associated Press voters in that mix, too.

Not even a restless night's sleep made it any better for Meyer, who admitted his team -- the defending BCS champion and winners of a nation-best 16 straight -- needs to get its act together. AP voters also noted UF's struggles, dropping the Gators behind Alabama in Sunday's poll.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gators Come Through in 'Tebow Time'

Jim Henry — 2009-10-17T21:30:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Arkansas, Florida, SEC

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It was less than 24 hours earlier during Florida's Gator Growl, claimed to be the largest student-run pep rally, when comedian Dana Carvey turned to Florida head coach Urban Meyer and quipped, "You freakin' rock. That self-tanner was working." Following a sunny but cool Saturday afternoon, Meyer's face, if not the face of the entire Gator Nation, was nearly drained of color.

That was OK, though, because the collective sigh of relief that bellowed from The Swamp meant that UF's perfect season and likely No. 1 ranking remained intact.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

ACC Notebook: Hokies Can't Let Up

Jim Henry — 2009-10-16T11:05:00 00:00

by Jim Henry

Filed under: Boston College, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, ACC

Virginia Tech travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday in what may be the biggest hurdle left on the Hokies' regular season schedule. The fourth-ranked Hokies are in prime position to be in the national title race with some help. They will also virtually wrap up the ACC Coastal Division with a win in Atlanta.

Of course, this isn't expected to be a walk in the park for Tech either.

The Yellow Jackets, who have won three straight, present a unique challenge to the Virginia Tech defense behind their triple-option. Over the last three games, Georgia Tech has averaged 472.3 yards of total offense. The Hokies, always strong on defense and special teams, appear to be finally clicking on all cylinders now that quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back Ryan Williams are propelling the offense.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments