"Dragon Breath" A UAB Dynasty (NCAA12)

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SAME TASK DIFFERENT YEAR:
BLAZERS HEADED TO THIRD STRAIGHT BCS TITLE

• Birmingham, Ala - After a dominating performance in the SEC championship game the UAB Blazers found out Sunday that they will be headed to Glendale, Arizona to take on the Cal Bears. UAB jumped Cal from the #2 two ranking to become #1 in the BCS for the first time in school history. This time around they are the favorites and they know it. "I mean coming here for the third straight year, why not?" Chuckled head coach Travis Rhatigan who is still looking for his first BCS bowl win after losing to both TCU and Iowa in the previous two national championships. UAB will take the week off before stating practice up after Christmans and then flying out to Arizona on January 4th.

BLAZERS BRING OUT THE HARD HATS:
BLAZERS BRING HOME PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

• Orlando, FL - Defensive end Tom Cox, Outside Linebacker Cortez Means and Wide Receiver Travis Jackson were all recognized for their stellar play this year. Tom Cox had the hat trick bringing home both the Nagurski and Bednarik awards and also the Lombardi award for the Nations top defensive linemen. "Im just blessed." Means said after the ceremony in Orlando on Tuesday. "Two years ago I was in Junior College just looking to find a home, now I have a chance to win a national championship and along the way won some awards." It's been well documented that Cox needs just one more sack to break the NCAA single season record. Cortez Means was in the same situation as Cox, being a transfer and losing a year he just wished a school would give him a chance. "Coach Rhat, said he'd welcome me on and the fiirst sign of distraction he'd also let me go. So I busted my tail off the whole year I lost learning the system, when I got my chance I made the most of it." The senior said. He along with Timi McCollum formed a terrorizing duo as both were finalist for the Linebacker of the Year award. In the end Means four forced turnovers and 14.0 sacks won him over. When Matt Ford went down to injury someone had to step up. Bill Cooley and Travis Jackson were the two to do just that. But it was Jackson who took his game to another level. The Sophomore receiver from Tuskegee made big catch after big catch hauling in 15 touchdown receptions to go along with his 1,168 yards. Because of that he earned the Fred Biletnikof award handed to the nations top receiver. "Anyone of our guys could've won this award as well as the other finalist. Im honored to be mentioned with some of the greats to have won this award."

BLAZERS GET 8 ON ALL AMERICAN TEAMS

(#8 CORTEZ MEANS, #52 TIMI MCCOLLUM, #29 CARL HOLYCROSS, #86 TRAVIS JACKSON, AND #55 TOM COX WERE UAB'S FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS)
BLAZERS LEAD THE COUNTRY IN NUMBER OF ALL AMERICAN SELECTIONS

Birmingham, Ala - The Blazers placed eight players on both the first and second All America teams, led by second time first team selection Timi McCollum and Tom Cox. Along with McCollum and Cox were Free Safety Carl Holycross, linebacker Cortez Means and Wide receiver Travis Jackson. For the second straight year strong safety Dominique Rhodes was named to the second team along with corner Vince Jones and tailback Cody Gore.
"As is anytime your guys get named to an exclusive list like this, your proud. It's great to see their talents recognized. It makes the guys around them play that much harder." Head Coach Travis Rhatigan said.
With the #1 defense in the land it was no suprise the Blazers would get a few players on the All America teams. Led by Nagurski award winner Tom Cox and his 23.5 sacks there was no doubt Timi McCollum and Cortez Means would be selected. Means was second on the team and in the country with 14.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. McCollum, the teams captain as a junior he recorded 56 solo tackles to go along with his 10.5 sacks. Defensive backs Vince Jones, Carl Holycross and Dominique Rhodes also had impressive stats with Holycross leading the way. The Apple Valley California native registered 61 total tackles and three sacks from the safety position to go with his two interceptions, but it was his hard hitting that turned heads, he led the country with five forced fumbles. Vince Jones did not lead the team in interceptions only grabbing four but of the four he returned three for scores and completely shutting down his side of the field. Dominique Jones led the country in tackles with 98. A hybrid safety mainly in the box for run support he grabbed 5.5 sacks and three interceptions. When asked about Rhodes play and his value, Rhatigan had this to say: "I dont see why he was not in the running for all the defensive awards and even first team All America, his play allows us to do so much, he's so active that teams forget about Cox, and Means to name a few. Rhodes is a great athlete for us."

• Side Note: Freshmen Bill Cooley(WR), John Rhoden(DT), and Shane Jordan(K) were named to the ESPN All Freshmen teams
  

SOPHOMORE ADAM DYKS NAMED SEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR AS ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS ARE SELECTED

Atlanta, GA - Sophomore quarterback Adam Dyks and defensive end Tom Cox named conference Offensive and defensive players of the year. Tom Cox keeps rolling in the hardware, just days after being named the AP defensive player of the year along with the Lombardi, Bednarik, and Nagurski awards, Cox nabs conference player of the year. For Sophomore Adam Dyks, a great season was overshadowed by such a dominate defense, most thought a trip to New York was warranted for the quiet Dyks who passed for 3,658 yards and 46 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. "He will be one of the best quarterbacks to ever play by the time he leaves." Alabama coach Nick Saban said. ****s decreased his interceptions from 20 a year ago as a freshmen to 15. In fact in his final five games his Touchdown to interception ratio was 16-5. "Oh you can see it." Rhatigan said when asked about his quarterback. "We give him a gameplan on Monday and he's back adding more on Tuesday, he's getting better by the week and he deserves the honor." Dyks actually beat fellow teammate Cody Gore for award. Gore burst on the scene rushing for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. Here are the Selections from UAB.
First Team
QB Adam Dyks
RB Cody Gore
WR Travis Jackson
DE Tom Cox
LB Cortez Means
LB Timi McCollum
DB Vince Jones
DB Carl Holycross
DB Dominique Rhodes

Second Team:
WR Bill Cooley
CB Harvey Nelson

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Dec 29th 2014

AMERICA'S TEAM!
THE MIDSHIPMEN LOOK FOR HISTORY AS THEY ARRIVE TO GLENDALE:

• Navy got a huge send off from Annapolis, Maryland today as they gear toward the school's first ever BCS Bowl game. It was a time when the annual Army/Navy classics was the school's last football game of the year, but since 2003 the Midshipmen have been in bowl games ever since. The schools highest final rankings since the BCS era has been #24 and with a#10 ranking they hope to get even higher with an upset of Oregon. This remarkable journey started with a huge win over the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-24, but a lost to Air Force in a bad way had this team looking in the mirror says All American receiver J. Robinson. "That was it we vowed to do everything in our best nature to win out." Navy then upset USC and the huge one Notre Dame before reeling off 8 straight wins to finish the season with a 11-1 record. Should be a great one and expect Navy to give it their all.

AROUND THE NCAA:

• Alabama/Florida State Chick-Fil-A Bowl preview
• Lawrence, Yellow Jackets look forward to the challenge from Wisconsin
  
• Player Spotlight: A man amongst boys, UAB's Tom Cox
• A new life: Texas' Ryan Russ talks about life after winning Heisman
• Sophomore QB Hairston leads Boise to New Mexico Bowl win
• Beef O' Brady bowl sees Memphis 14 point comeback in the last 90 seconds
• Trojans prove tough for Air Force in Las Vegas Bowl
• Buck Browning and Mississippi State end season with Hawaii Bowl blowout of San Diego State
• Wolverines route Northern Illinois in Little Caesars Bowl
• Louisville wins Belk Bowl in Over-Time fashion
• Gators head into off-season with huge bowl win

BOWL SCORE'S

• New Mexico Bowl - Boise State over UCF 38-19
• Beef O' Brady Bowl - Memphis over Miami (OH) 27-24
• New Orleans Bowl - Arkansas State over UL Monroe 21-17
• Las Vegas Bowl - USC over Air Force 27-21
• Poinsetta Bowl - Fresno State over West Virginia 34-30
• Hawaii Bowl - Mississippi State over San Diego State 48-21
• Little Caesars Bowl - Michigan over Northern Illinois 27-7
• Belk Bowl - Louisville over Virginia Tech 34-31 OT
• Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl - Florida Atlantic over Arizona 28-24
• Music City Bowl - Florida over Clemson 41-14
• Independence Bowl - Hawaii over North Carolina 35-20
• Military Bowl - Buffalo over Army 24-13
• Champs Sports Bowl - Notre Dame over Pittsburgh 27-17

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ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIVE
Jan 2nd, 2015

ALL ON THE LINE:
COULD UAB'S TRAVIS RHATIGAN BE ON THE HOT SEAT?

• Glendale, AZ - He's won 52 games and only lost 3 times in the past four seasons. He has coached over 29 All American players, his players have received 14 awards over his fours years of coaching. He's even won some form of coach of the year the last four years. So why would Travis Rhatigan's job be on the line you say? According to experts UAB wants a national championship. The Blazers have been there the past two years only to get embarrassed by Heisman trophy winning running backs. After winning the Liberty Bowl and brandishing a 13-1 record his first season the University rewarded him with a five year extension but two straight BCS losses has skeptics wondering if he can win the big one. "Rhatigan is hands down one of the best coaches in the game today." Cal's defensive coordinator Tommy Tubberville said in a interview last week. His defense will have to try to stop sensational sophomore quarterback Adam Dyks in next week's BCS Title game. "When you look at his body of work its ludicrous to think his job would be on the line but I know as well as anyone that this is a crazy business." referring to his untimely let go at Auburn a few years back and most recently Texas Tech. No team has went to more BCS National Championships than Bob Stoops and the Sooners. But Rhatigan is flirting with a record only Stoops has and thats losing three title games. Stoops lost to USC, LSU and Florida. A win for Rhatigan will most definitely keep him out those talks.

AROUND THE NCAA:

• BCS Bowl games kick off tonight
• Purdue's Hall breaks NCAA record after 5 touchdown passes in Texas Bowl
• UAB/Cal arrive to Arizona, begin preparations
• Hawkeys ready for Longhorns rush attack, eye first rose bowl win since '59
• OU's Neal guarantees victory over Auburn
• Utes close out season with impressive Holiday bowl win
• More than pride: Ducks feel the nations against them in fiesta bowl vs Navy
• Jimmy Woods 4 touchdown tosses lead Canes over Nevada
• Willaims and BC shut out in Sun Bowl by Huskies
• Marshall claims 11 win season after Liberty Bowl win
• Tide on the right track after Chick-Fil-A win over Seminoles in Classic
• Nebraska wins capital one bowl with gutsy performance over LSU

BOWL GAME SCORE'S:

• Humanitarian Bowl - Toledo over Idaho 21-3
• Holiday Bowl - Utah over Kansas State 48-7
• GoDaddy.com Bowl - Bowling Green over Western kentucky 23-3
• Armed Forces Bowl - Miami over Nevada 52-14
• Sun Bowl - Washington over Boston College 17-0
• Texas Bowl - Purdue over Houston 52-27
• Liberty Bowl - Marshall over East Carolina 26-14
• Insight.com Bowl - Missouri over Ohio State 31-24
• Chick-Fil-A Bowl Alabama over Florida State 30-24
• Outback Bowl - Georgia over Michigan State 29-9
• Gator Bowl - Ole Miss over Penn State 45-17
• Capital one Bowl - Nebraska over LSU 20-10
• Ticket City Bowl - Illinois over Southern Miss 31-13

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Jan 3rd, 2015

PROVIN' THEM WRONG!
BLAZER'S BEGAN PREPARATIONS FOR 2014 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AS THEY ARRIVE IN GLENDALE:


GLENDALE, ARIZONA - The Blazers finally arrived in Glendale to prepare for the title. Its been quite a month says Blazer players. Appearances interviews and finals to name a few distractions but they look ready to go. The Blazers are looking to avoid their third straight BCS bowl game loss. Rhatigan says nothing will change from his previous trips, the same curfews and practice schedule will be in affect. But the players know how big this game is this time around. " We have a different confidence this time around." Says Soft spoken leader Adam Dyks, " Unlike last year, there is more experience with this group, in the words of Timi we got more swag." The Blazers will practice today and the next four days before holding a final walk through on the eighth.

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ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIVE
Jan 5th, 2014


WELCOME TO THE BIG STAGE!
CAL SAYS THEY ARE READY FOR THE
CHALLENGE UAB BRINGS:

• Just days from the big show and Cal has already made headlines. Tailback Tim Mason provided the ultimate chalk board material, he guaranteed that his Golden Bears would be victorious and successful against the UAB Blazers. " What am I supposed to say?" Mason started off after being asked if they'd think they would win. "We have respect for all our opponents, but I'm, no we're confident that we will come out on top against them." He backed doored that by saying "Thats a promise #GOBEARS" on his twitter. First year head coach Owen Cain said he didnt mind the confidence from Mason. "Tim has been a vocal leader for us all year, he steps up in big games, I dont at all see this as a distraction but a challenge for he and his teammates to back it up." UAB has been quiet with the taunts. UAB has been very boisterous this year claiming the number one total defense this year but they seem to be taking a more focused approach.

AROUND THE NCAA:

• Texas rolls by Iowa despite Russ reaching the end zone
• National Championship preview
• Auburn Holds on in OT, beat Sooners
• Wisconsin out paces Georgia Tech in Orange Bowl
• Ducks spoil Navy's season by dominating the Fiesta Bowl

BCS BOWL SCORE'S

• Rose Bowl - Texas over Iowa 30-14
• Alamo Bowl - Oklahoma State over Stanford 27-20
• Sugar Bowl - Auburn over Oklahoma 44-38 OT
• Orange Bowl - Wisconsin over Georgia Tech 42-30
• Fiesta Bowl - Oregon over Navy 25-7

[MarchotehMrgnFreemns]

love this dynasty! probably my favorite on OS. i've been following for a while now. good luck with the national championship!

[gorillapittpray]

Jan 8th, 2015

IT'S GO TIME
#1 UAB SET TO DO BATTLE WITH #2 CAL FOR THE SEARS TROPHY

#24 TIM MASON HOPES TO HAVE SUCCESS AGAINST #52 TIMI MCCOLLUM, #55 TOM COX AND THE NATIONS NO. 1 DEFENSE

Matchup Preview | January 9, 2015
	@
#2 California Golden Bears (13-0, Away)		#1 UAB Blazers (13-0, Home)
Team Comparison 31.4 PPG POINTS PER GAME 47.2 PPG J. ROGERS 2,812 YARDS 21 TD, 21 INT QUARTERBACK A. DYKS 3,658 YARDS 46 TD, 15 INT T. MASON 1,321 YARDS 13 TD RUNNING BACK C. GORE 1,520 YARDS 18 TD F. EATON 60 REC, 857 YARDS, 5 TD RECEIVER T. JACKSON 46 REC 1,168, 15 TD (LB) A. DENMEN 75 TACKLES TACKLES (LB) T. MCCOLLUM 75 TACKLES (RE) J. ROBINSON 6.5 SACKS SACKS (DE) T. COX 23.5 SACKS (FS) G. LYLES 4 INT INTERCEPTIONS (CB) H. NELSON 6 INT T. GOLDEN 20-27 FG 45-45 XP (45 LG) KICKER S. JORDAN 11-12 FG, 81-81 XP (52 LG) 403.2 YARDS PER GAME (#38) TOTAL OFFENSE 454.5 YARDS PER GAME (#14) 294.9 YARDS PER GAME (#7) TOTAL DEFENSE 224.6 YARDS PER GAME (#1)

| #2 UAB vs #5 AUBURN

PURCHASE TICKETS

(GAME NOTES)
UAB and CAL look for school's first BCS Championship

UAB OVERVIEW: Let's start with defending National runner up UAB. The Blazers seem primed for the title and a look back at their work you should agree. They ran away from great teams almost making it look easy. If Cal has a chance it's because they watched film from UAB vs both Georgia and Florida. You can't turn the ball over against them and let that defense feed off that energy. UAB is a quick scoring offense and relies on quick hitting plays to gain momentum setting up their running game.
KEY PLAYERS: Offensively Cal will need to pressure Adam Dyks. Dyks is one of the best pocket passing quarterbacks in the country. His weapons are deadly. Biletnikof award winner Travis Jackson is his favorite target. But (RS) Freshmen Bill Cooley has came on strong to end the season, Cooley brings great height and speed to the equation and catches everything at 6'3 he is a easy target for Dyks. Running back Cody Gore, gets momentum from UAB's pass game. When it goes his legs go. The hard nose tailback is great between the tackles and if he gets to the edge its good night.
Defensively there is no one playmaker, they all make plays. Primarily a nickle front linebackers Timi McCollum and Cortez Means do a great job in the Blazers zone blitz scheme, they will be key in protecting the short middle but are very good late blitzers as well. Tom Cox is the best defensive end in the country and does a great job of speed rushing, his pressure is the reason UAB's secondary makes a lot of plays. A very confident group led by both safeties in Holycross and Rhodes they do a great job switching coverage.

CAL OVERVIEW: Cal is a big play offense, they try to hit you in the gut right away and jump on you from that momentum. They run a tough defensive scheme that confuses opposing quarterbacks with a lot of pre-snap movement. To beat Cal UAB will have to study the game against Stanford and Oregon, matching Cal's big plays could shock their confidence as it almost did in those games.
KEY PLAYERS: Offensively it starts with Rogers the quarterback, he's thrown a lot of interceptions but he's made a lot of big time plays for the Bears as well. His weapons are TE Freddie Eaton and speed burner Demetrius Bernard. Freddie gets this pro style west coast offense going with his quick catches and yac yards, his short routes sets up Bernard deep who seemingly has ran by everybody this season. The big time play maker however is running back Tim Mason. The Pac-12 player of the year he brings explosive speed and quickness to the table, if Cal gets him going that will be a big plus.
Defensively Cal's secondary ar the leaders. They have shut down every big time passing offense they faced this year including grabbing a total of 11 interceptions in two games against Utah. With at least five players with four interceptions this unit is led by free safety Gary Lyles, he's very smart back there and takes chances because of his physical corners. All American linebacker Aaron Denman controls the middle and is known for his hard hits, his play has raised the level of his defensive line.

KEYS TO THE GAME:
UAB

• Early and often: The Blazers need to start fast and shock the Bears
• Dyks needs to be smart against the nations second best pass defense
• Stay aggressive on defense, Rogers throws interceptions keep the pressure on him

CAL

• Get Sacks: UAB struggled in the Georgia and Florida games because Dyks got pressure
• Get the passing game started early to slow down the pass rush of UAB
• Rogers needs to be flawless, throwing interceptions in this game could prove costly
  

GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time	Friday, January 9th, 2015 at 8:07 p.m. (ET)
Location	Glendale, Arizona. (Phoenix Stadium)
Television	FOX (National)
On The Web	Live in-game statistics and other coverage can be found at blazer weekly or ESPN.COM and FOX.COM

[gorillapittpray]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarchotehMrgnFreemns

love this dynasty! probably my favorite on OS. i've been following for a while now. good luck with the national championship!

thanks for follwing, Im having fun typing of the dynasty and even more fun adding side stories, as for the national championship Ive watched Cal play quite a few times this season they have a good run game and solid defense should be fun!!!