Morning coffee... July 23, 2010

Ty Wiggington wasn't happy last night. You can click here to see why.

College News

Montana Tech women's basketball signs JC transfer
Quanessa Batiste of Mansura, La., has signed a letter of intent to join the Lady Orediggers.

Eastern edges Montana for Big Sky Conference President's Cup
For the first time in that school's history, they're the most successful school in the conference on the field and in the classroom.

National News

Stephen Jackson gets robbed
The Charlotte Bobcats player lives in a gated community in a two-million dollar house and got robbed. Kind of scary stuff for pro athletes. Look for his stuff to pop up on Ebay.

Chris Paul has asked to be traded
Uh-oh New Orleans is in trouble. And... let the rumors of him going to Miami begin!

Local News

Your Mission Valley Mariners won their opening game during the Legion Baseball District Tournament, defeating Glacier 13-9

MSU QB will play for BC Lions

Former Montana State QB Travis Lulay will be suiting up for the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League

VANCOVUER, British Columbia — Former Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay will make his first start of the season for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League when they visit the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night.

Lulay replaces Casey Printers, who suffered a knee injury two weeks ago, as the Lions (1-2) try to end a two-game losing streak.

“It’s unfortunate for Casey that he is dinged up. That’s the nature of the business sometimes,” Lulay told the Canadian Press. “I have been preparing myself mentally to be ready whenever I got the call. It’s this week and it’s time to go.”

Lulay’s last professional start was June 3, 2007, when he played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe. The Thunder lost and Lulay was injured during the game and didn’t play for the rest of the season.

I remember Lulay playing against Eastern and us hating him a lot. But hey, sounds like he's doing pretty good for himself. I will say that it kind of sucks for these FCS players now that NFL Europe is no longer in business. At least there you were one step away from the NFL, the CFL and AFL are considerable more isolated and separated from the big time.

He's a good QB though, I expect him to do well.

Rafting is scary

Since today is Thursday, all our articles get published online. Here's my experience rafting down the Flathead River and through the Wild Buffalo Rapids. Here's a little snippet...

"I love 15,000, I love 15,000!" he sang.

Matt Bishop, a rafting guide for the Flathead Rafting Co. located in Polson, was crafting a melody during the bus ride to the launching point about the current cubic pounds per second that the Lower Flathead River was flowing.

I'm not the most adventurous of people. I don't wear socks two days in a row, I drive five miles below the speed limit and have nightmares about spiders. I'd much rather have heard "I love slow flowing water with nary a bump," or "We're going to the laundromat instead."

You can read the full story here.

Updates from High School Rodeo Nationals

Tara Sheridan has been sending me updates from the National High School Rodeo Finals. Here's what we've received so far...

June 21 -

Emily Schall had a 18.137 in barrels on Tuesday night. Cody Sheridan and Colt Nagy got a no time this morning in the performance but are up tonight. The kids are having a great time with all the events going on other then rodeo... such as the volleyball tournament, Montana beat Texas in the first round but lost to Illinois on the second. They also are enjoying NRA shooting competition on a college fair.

June 22 -

Cody Sheridan caught the steer right put of the box... steer fell down... Colt Nagy missed no time. Emily Schall is up this morning.

Morning coffee... July 22, 2010

What the heck Pete Rose? What the heck?

College News

Bobcats have five players named to preseason All-Big Sky
I'm just saying... Montana State will be a force to be reckoned with this year.
 
National News

Baseball player's wife pleads guilty to kidnapping
She stole a baby and told the player that he was the father... parent of the year!

Contador set for title
I have no idea how the Tour de France works but they say he's got it in hand.

Local News

The Missoula Osprey fell to the Orem Owlz last night 2-0 on the road.

Missoula Osprey update

The Missoula Osprey have won four of their last six games, including an 8-4 victory on Monday over the Orem Owlz. They lost last night though, 12-10. They're still in last place of the division, sitting at 12-17, just five games out from first.

If you want more information, you can head to their website here.

Preseason Big Sky Conference football polls out

College football is coming! College football is coming! WOOOOOO! And the Big Sky Conference just released their latest coaches and media polls. The Montana Grizzlies were picked (big suprise) to repeat as conference champions. The No. 2 team?

The Eastern Washington University. You'd better watch out Montana! My Eagles are on your coattails! Although, I have to say that I'm approaching this season with guarded optimism as the Eagles are starting a new quarterback this year. Remember the last time that happened? Chris Peerboom... bleech.

Montana loses a lot of starters too, so even though the coaches and media seem convinced (I mean, what do they know anyways) that they're a shoe-in this year. I'm going to again be guarded with that selection because Montana State and the rest of the Big Sky look pretty competitive this year.

Coaches Poll
1. Montana

2. Eastern Washington <---- GO EAGS!

3. Montana State
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State

Media Poll
1. Montana

2. Eastern Washington <-- We'll get you some year, Montana!

3. Montana State
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State

In the Media Poll, Eastern Washington got one first-place vote, so did Northern Arizona. Montana got the other 40. I'm guessing the Spokane and Flagstaff beat writers decided to stick their tongues at the Griz.

In the Coaches Poll, Montana got eight first-place votes and Northern Arizona got one. Beau Baldwin is probably the one, that's my hunch.

Eric Groff is kind of awesome

Yesterday, Missoula's Eric Groff became the first Osprey play to hit three home runs in one game as his team defeated the Orem Owlz 8-6.

MISSOULA, MT - Eric Groff made Missoula Osprey history and drove in the game-winning runs all in one swing on Friday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, in front of 2,551 witnesses.

Groff hit his third home run of the game with a man on and two out in the bottom of the seventh inning, snapping a 6-all tie and giving the Osprey an 8-6 win over the Orem Owlz. It gives the Osprey (10-15) its first series win against the Owlz since 2006, and it's only the fourth time they have beaten the Orem franchise since they started in Provo in 2001.

Four series wins against a team in nine years? Yikes, talk about getting a monkey off your back.

Morning coffee... July 18, 2010

Just shortly after USC got slammed with massive NCAA sanctions, new Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been plugging his new book on being the coach of the Trojans. Is that right? Read the full story here.

National News

Big Ten hold championship game at Lambeau Field?
Wouldn't that be interesting? Lets see you top that SEC.

Charles Woodson saves man from house fire
More awesome Green Bay Packers news.

"Major League" dies at age 70
Best on screen manager ever. May he rest in peace.