shortening up the game if South Carolina State was.

Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers has topped Joe Maddon and Dusty Baker to win the National League Manager of the Year Award.After taking over for Don Mattingly this past season, Roberts continued the Dodgers trend of playoff appearances by guiding the club to a 91-71 record and a fourth consecutive NL West title. The Dodgers have now reached the postseason in four consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history.I think, you know what, its about the process, and I think this is actually the first day Ive had a chance to reflect on what happened from the first day of spring training to now, Roberts said. And even after the postseason, I didnt really play the season out in my head too much. But I think to set goals, to play every out and try to get better, I think that as a group, as an organization, we did that. Obviously we came up short in the sense of winning a world championship, but Im just proud of the way our guys battled adversity all year.As much as the teams on-field success defined Roberts rookie season as a manager, so did the player injuries he was forced to overcome. The Dodgers broke camp in spring training with 10 players on the disabled list, believed to be a record to open a season.It did not get any better for the Dodgers, as 28 players ultimately hit the disabled list, the most players any club has put on the DL in the past 30 seasons. The list of injured players included staff ace Clayton Kershaw, who was lost for 75 days after a back injury in late June.Did I expect us to have the injuries that we did? I think when you look at it from that lens, [the season was] more challenging [than expected], Roberts said. But I think that the support that I had completely exceeded what my anticipation was. The relationship with the front office, the coaches, the way that the players bought into us, made this whole season considerably easier than I anticipated.I think the focus on the day-to-day, and not getting even ahead to tomorrow or the next day, made it a lot easier. And I think that at any point of the season, [if] I would have stepped back and looked at the expectation or the injuries, it would have felt daunting, but it never really felt that way, even in late June when we were eight games back.Instead of the team collapse that was predicted, the Dodgers turned an eight-game NL West deficit at the time of Kershaws June 26 injury into a division-title-clinching celebration one week before the regular season was completed. The Dodgers ended up winning the division over the San Francisco Giants by four games.Roberts also gave credit to Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians, who won the American League Manager of the Year Award. Roberts played for Francona when Francona was Bostons manager.He definitely influenced me, and I think that the way he related to players, his relationship to the front office and fans, Roberts said. To me, the main thing with Tito is that he just let players play, and when you as a coach or manager can empower your players, it goes a long way. From Tito to a lot of different managers and coaches that Ive had the great pleasure of being around, helped me form, I guess my managing, I guess, style.Roberts becomes just the second Dodgers rookie manager to lead the team into the postseason after Tommy Lasorda in 1977 and only the sixth rookie manager to ever win the award.The Dodgers won 90-plus games for the fourth consecutive season, a feat that had been accomplished just one other time in franchise history, when they won 90-plus games in six consecutive seasons from 1951 to 56. Cheap Randy Jones Jersey . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Cheap Padres Jerseys China . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. http://www.cheappadresjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-tony-gwynn-jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Cheap Padres Jerseys Authentic . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Cheap Rollie Fingers Jersey . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. We have a new superstar player to celebrate in college football, but not a new No. 1 team.Boy, was it close, though.For the first time in the history of the Associated Press poll, the top three teams played on the road against ranked teams, so we expected some shake-up. And by the time Cal completed its upset of No. 11 Texas, seven ranked teams had fallen in Week 3.?No. 1 Alabama found itself in familiar territory, trailing SEC West nemesis Ole Miss for the third straight season.The No. 19 Rebels held a 24-3 lead late in the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, but the Crimson Tide scored two touchdowns in the final 2:10, the second coming on Eddie Jacksons 85-yard punt return.After Alabama went ahead 48-30 late in the fourth quarter, Ole Miss scored two touchdowns in eight seconds, thanks to a successful onside kick, before the Crimson Tide survived with a 48-43 victory. For the Tide, the 21-point deficit matched the largest comeback in the programs storied history. For the Rebels, it was the second game this season in which theyve lost after leading by 21 points. (The other was against Florida State.)It was a taxing win for the Crimson Tide, and many of their players and coaches needed an IV -- but not Nick Saban.You have coaches getting IVs, Saban said. You have players getting IVs. But the old fella doesnt need an IV because they dont make em like they used to.While Alabama took some time to find its footing against Ole Miss, No. 2 Florida State was run out of the building at Louisville. The Seminoles were embarrassed in a 63-20 loss against the 10th-ranked Cardinals -- it was the third-largest victory over a top-two team in the 80-year history of the AP poll and the biggest since 2008.Although were only one-third of the way into the season, Louisvilles Lamar Jackson might be an early runaway winner of the Heisman Trophy. The sophomore quarterback continued his sizzling start by running for four touchdowns and throwing for one more against FSU. Jackson has accounted for 18 touchdowns in three games.?The Cardinals are more than a one-man circus, however. Louisvilles defense held FSU star tailback?Dalvin Cook?to only 3.4 yards per carry and harassed freshman quarterback?Deondre Francois?into 7-of-18 passing.After humiliating the Seminoles, the Cardinals will get their chance against defending ACC champion Clemson on the road on Oct. 1.We look at the start of the season and we know that everything has to go through Florida State and Clemson, Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said.Alabama doesnt seem ready to loosen its grip on No. 1, but it might be hard to argue that the SEC is still the best league. In fact, that distinction might belong to -- gasp! -- the Big Ten, which figures to have at least three teams ranked in the top 10 when new polls are released Sunday.No. 3 Ohio State scored 35 points in the first half at Oklahoma and all but knocked the No. 14 Sooners out of the College Football Playoff race with a 45-24 victory. The Buckeyes are 19-0 in road games under coach Urban Meyer, and theyve won five consecutive road games against ranked foes. After losing nine underclassmen to the NFL draft, the Buckeyes were supposed to be a year away from challenging for one of the four spots in the CFP. But even with eight new starters on both sides of the ball, Ohio State again looks as if it might be the team to beat in the Big Ten.Quarterback J.T. Barrett threw four touchdown passes against Oklahoma, all of them to sophomore Noah Brown, who might have already turned in the touchdown catch of the season with a behind-the-back (of the defender) grab late in the first half.Although Ohio State won easily for the third week in a row, No. 4 Michigan was actually tested for the first time. The Wolverines fell behind Colorado by 14 points twice in the first quarter before rallying for a comfortable 45-28 victory at the Big House.In the first two games, we were never really punched in the face, Michigan tight end Jake Butt told reporters. It wasnt going to be a fairy tale the whole season.Ohio State probably wont be Michigans lone competition in the Big Ten. No. 12 Michigan State built a 29-point lead in the third quarter at No. 18 Notre Dame before the Fighting Irish fought back for three late touchdowns. The Spartans held on for a 36-28 victory to end a three-game losing streak against Notre Dame.Along with Oklahoma, the Fighting Irish have already lost two games and are probably eliminated from the CFP race before the calendar even turns to October. So is USC, which lost 27-10 at Stanford on Saturday night. Cardinal star Christian McCaffrey had 260 all-purpose yards, scoring on a 56-yard catch and 1-yard run.Nebraska also figures to enter the top-25 rankings after beating No. 22 Oregon 35-32. The Cornhuskers were aided by the Ducks decision to keep trying two-point conversions; Oregon went 1-for-5 on the attempts, the most missed conversions by a team in the past 10 seasons.With a 3-0 start, Nebraska suddenly looks like the favorite in the Big Ten West. FCS national champion North Dakota State stunned No. 13 Iowa 23-21 with a last-second field goal in Iowa City. The Bison are the first FCS program to defeat an AP-ranked opponent since 2013 and the fourth to do so since the FBS/FCS split in 1978.I told them before the game we belonged. I told them at halftime we belonged, North Dakota State coach Chris Klieman said. Thats a great football team we beat today. You cant tell anyone in our locker room were not good enough to beat anybody.After a wild start to the 2016 season, the Crimson Tide werent the only ones who needed to catch their breath Saturday.This game was so wild and woolly, Saban said. It was an unbelievable game for fans to watch. It was a really difficult game for a coach to have to suffer through, but we made it.We made it.Thats more than a lot of the spoorts traditional powers could say after Saturday.dddddddddddd.Playoff teams after Week 31. Alabama: Freshman Jalen Hurts ran for 146 yards in a 48-43 win at Ole Miss, becoming the first quarterback to run for more than 100 yards on a Saban-coached team (in college or the NFL).2. Louisville: The Cardinals made an emphatic statement in their 63-20 rout of Florida State. They were the first ACC team to score 60 points in three straight contests, and the 63 points were the most given up by a Seminoles team in a game.3. Ohio State: The Buckeyes scored 35 points in the first half of a 45-24 win at Oklahoma, the most points the Sooners gave up in the first half of a game at Memorial Stadium. OSU opens Big Ten play in two weeks against Rutgers at home after a bye this coming week.4. Michigan: The Wolverines fell behind Colorado 21-7 early but pulled away behind their dominant defense. The Buffaloes had more points, yards and first downs in the first quarter than they had in the final three quarters combined.Next four in contention1. Houston: After a slow start at Cincinnati on Thursday night, the Cougars exploded for 28 points in the fourth quarter of a 40-16 victory. Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. returned from a shoulder injury and passed for 326 yards with three total touchdowns (two rushing and one passing).2. Clemson: After two so-so performances to start the season, the Tigers demolished FCS foe South Carolina State 59-0 at Death Valley. It was so bad that the coaches agreed to play 12-minute quarters in the second half.3. Stanford: The Cardinals win over USC was their third straight victory over the Trojans by double digits, a first in the programs history. Stanford will play three of its next four games away from home: at UCLA, at No. 8 Washington and at No. 18 Notre Dame.4. Michigan State: The Spartans built an early 29-point lead, then held on for a 36-28 win at Notre Dame. It was Michigan States first win in the rivalry since 2010 and its first in South Bend, Indiana, since 2007.Heisman candidates1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville: Jackson accounted for five more touchdowns against Florida State (one passing, four rushing) to give him an FBS-high 18 in three games this season. Entering Saturday, none of the 127 FBS teams other than Louisville had scored 18 touchdowns this season. It was Jacksons fifth consecutive game with 100 rushing yards and 100 passing yards.2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford: USC has become McCaffreys favorite opponent. In his past three games against the Trojans, including two games last season, McCaffrey is averaging 320 all-purpose yards. Saturday was his 13th straight game with at least 200 all-purpose yards, best in the FBS.3. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State: Barrett had four passing touchdowns and rushed for 74 yards on the ground in the Buckeyes convincing win over Oklahoma. Barrett passed Braxton Miller and Troy Smith on Ohio States all-time list with his 55th career touchdown pass.?4. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State: Pumphrey ran for 220 yards with three touchdowns on 23 carries in the Aztecs 42-28 win at Northern Illinois. It was his second straight game with more than 200 rushing yards, and he set a Mountain West Conference record with his 52nd career touchdown.Best momentsBest playsWorst plays1. Clemsons Ray-Ray McCloud can sleep better at night. South Carolina States Ahmaad Harris fielded a kickoff and flipped the ball to an official --?without taking a knee. The Tigers recovered the fumble for a touchdown.Tweets of the nightQuotes of the night1. I saw that the linebackers were down the middle. I had to get the corner to the middle of the field, and once they called hike I said, I got to get to the middle before he does. Before he beats me there. Thats what I did. He threw a good pass; I had to adjust and come down with it and secure it. That put us on top. -- Georgia receiver Isaiah McKenzie on his winning touchdown catch against Missouri2. As a quarterback, you cant do that. It stinks that Im sitting here and saying that its my mistake again, but I have to correct it because its on me. If we dont turn that ball over like that, we probably sit here and win the game. -- Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly3. Everybody knew that it was not a fluke. It was physical play. It got our attention. I did not have to say something magical to get them fired up. -- Miami coach Mark Richt, about how Appalachian State got his teams attention with its overtime loss at Tennessee in its opener. The Hurricanes defeated the Mountaineers 45-10 on the road.4. The refs came over to me right before the half and asked if Id be OK with shortening up the game if South Carolina State was. I said itd be fine with me. They came over again before the start of the third quarter and asked if Id be OK with 12-minute quarters. It was fine with me. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, who agreed to play 12-minute quarters in the second half against FCS foe South Carolina State, after taking a 45-0 lead at the halfStats that matter1. $2,175,000: Amount of money that North Dakota State has been paid by the six FBS opponents it has defeated since 2010.2. 82: Oregons streak of 82 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass, an NCAA record, ended in its loss at Nebraska. The last time the Ducks didnt throw a touchdown pass was in a 26-17 loss to Ohio State in the 2010 Rose Bowl.3. 6: Auburns 29-16 loss to Texas A&M was its sixth consecutive defeat in an SEC home game. The Tigers havent beaten an SEC foe at home since knocking off South Carolina 42-35 on Oct. 25, 2014.4. 14: Since 2005, Nebraska coach Mike Riley has 14 victories over ranked opponents while his own team was unranked, the most by any FBS head coach during that span. ' ' '