Anthony Robles= National Champ

((HT: SSN/ASUAthletics))

Two Arizona State wrestlers won national titles last night...

Yeah, the HQ knows what you're thinking: Big deal...

It actually is a big deal... one of them, 125-pounder Anthony Robles, was wrestling with one leg. Robles was the top overall seed heading into the tournament and he knocked off second seed Matt McDonough of Iowa, 7-1.

McDonough was the 2010 national champ...

Here's a feature done at the school that just scratches the surface...

Arizona State Baseball player fractures spine stealing base

Hahn trying to slide/Courtresy: Ron Galosic-LATimes

((ht: collegebaseballdaily.com))

This sounds rough. Arizona State freshman outfielder and pitcher Cory Hahn badly injured himself on Sunday in a game against New Mexico.

He apparently tried to slide head first while trying to steal second base in the 1st inning of the game. He hit the knee of the New Mexico second baseman, which appeared to knock him out. He was taken off the the field on a stretcher to a local hospital.

The updated report on Hahn, according to College Baseball Daily, a C-5 fracture of the Spinal cord. He'll be in ICU at the Hospital for at least a week.

More from collegebaseballdaily.com RIGHT HERE

Hahn, a highly recruited athlete from the Los Angeles area faces a really uncertain future. The injury is not something easily recovered from. According to the report, it's similar to the injury suffered by Boston University hockey player Travis Roy a few years ago. We wish him the best in his recovery.

Here's 12News Bruce Cooper with an update...


And then it's KTVK-TV's report from Stacy Delikat

OSG Is Tempe: Pac-11 Herbivores...???

Just look at how exciting Pac-11 hoops can be when the conference isn't in play...

The HQ had to kill time because of all of the weather back east- two days worth of time to kill. So, that meant trying to see what could be done in the Mill Street district in downtown Tempe. So, that meant a Herb Sendek update...

Oh... the "Herbivores" reference...??? Go to Cactus Sports just off Mill and 6th and you'll see what we're talking about...

Without looking at the team's win-loss record, we all had a good idea what we were getting into at the Arena. An average team having problems in an average conference with a game to play before going completely Pac-11 and a team in CONFUSA ((enough said)).

And, sure enough, ASU went into the game 8-7 beating the teams they should, and losing to the teams they shouldn't. The rundown: wins over UAB, Houston Baptist, Weber State, Gardner-Webb, NCA&T, Nevada, Long Beach, and at Oregon. The losses: New Mexico, St. John's, Baylor, Richmond, at Oregon State, at Stanford, and at Cal.

Tulsa...? Wins against Oral Roberts, Missouri State, Stanford, Northridge, Weber, TCU, Rice, and UTSA. Losses were to App State, UNLV, UALR, Oke State, Princeton, Wichita State, and UTEP...

The one thing you can take from both these squads is that they'll both go as far as their backcourts will take them. Ty Abbott had 25 points and 9 in Arizona State's 69-59.

Carrick Felix added 21 points.

Justin Hurtt scored 17 points while Steven Idlet and Scottie Haralson added 11 points each for the Golden Hurricane (now 8-8).

Abbott hit six of his first seven 3-point attempts and went into halftime with 20 points to give Arizona State a 45-25 lead at the break. Felix gave Arizona State its largest lead, 52-29, with two free throws with 15:49 to go.

See where I'm going with this...???

Tulsa came back as Haralson scored five points to spur an 11-2 run. Tulsa twice cut the lead to 10 points, the final time on a lay-in by Joe Richard with 1:02 remaining that made it 66-56, but that was as close as they got.

When Abbott and Felix have 43 of your 54, that may be a problem down the line. And the reason that Tulsa got the lead to ten was that the outside scoring that got ASU the lead went cold in the second half- almost at a bad time. Doug Wojcik's guys can shoot from the outside, but they looked gassed trying to get back in the ballgame late in the second half. They were 4-for-21 from three-point range in Tempe.

There's a key stretch for them in January and mid-February where they play 5 of 7 conference games at home. That will determine their post-season place.

ASU shot only 25-percent from the floor in the second half after 55-percent in the first. That won't get you many places come March.

Oh, and the arena itself doesn't have a bad seat. For $10 plus shipping, handling, and printing, TBH and I sat third-row upper deck- scared by the cap-wearing, earring-displaying security personnel.

But, after all it was Tempe...???
I guess that's normal for the place...

Hey, Sparky... Put The Computer Down...

Especially since you, allegedly, don't want to use the things to actually study or something...

Two Arizona State football players apparently robbed fellow teammates of several pieces of electronic equipment- video game player, games to go with, and a couple of Mac computers.

Jamil Douglas and Lee Adams have been charged with second-degree burglary. They were caught on videotape when others living in the dorm were fed up with trash and general bad stuff going on.

The tape was given to ASU cops and they made the charges.

AZ3's Tyler Baldwin sends us to the videotape...


The stupid part... Douglas was caught using one of the computers when he was confronted and arrested.

Both have been suspended indefinitely. The HQ will always maintain that the amount of football success is inversely proportional to the quality of the majority of individuals on the roster.

So, this incident makes sense if you think about it...

Stevin Smith Speaks

((HT: MyFoxPhoenix))

For the first time since the point-shaving scandal at Arizona State in 1994, Stevin Smith sat down with Fox 10's Jude LaCava to discuss all the whys and wherefores and get his side of the story out once and for all...

Pretty gripping stuff... as now Smith has a message for anyone willing to listen...

SoCal High Schooler Escapes Streets For Full Ride

Millikan High School in Long Beach, California has a gem for a quarterback in Alden Darby. Darby is headed to Arizona State for his college education after a season that included a win over rival Long Beach Poly High School...

You're saying, "So what?"

The HQ wants you to watch the following story on how a kid escapes the mean streets of 21st and Lewis and gets a college education...

CBS2's Gary Miller has the details...
((HT: KCBS-TV))

TWTW: Georgia Escapes 20-17 Over Arizona State

((HT: Online Athens/Weiszer))

If anyone wondered who Georgia WR AJ Green was outside of the southeastern United States, those of us at OSG HQ think very few will need to ask the question after Saturday night's 20-17 win over Arizona State in Athens.

Another close call with too many turnovers...

"If it keeps happening like this we won't complain, but obviously, we don't believe that it's something that can continue," said quarterback Joe Cox, who completed 17 of 31 passes for 241 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

"It does get frustrating. I'm glad our defense bailed us out tonight. We left them in a couple of tough spots."

You heard right, Joe Cox said the DEFENSE bailed them out

Georgia now has 12 giveaways - three in each of its four games - but has managed to overcome them to win three straight.

"We did it again," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "We found a way to win a close one. We found a way to make it close, and then we found a way to win it. I want to give credit to the entire team for just having that body and spirit that no matter how bad things get, they don't fold up."

Green blocked the potential go-ahead ASU field goal, caught a 36-yard pass from Cox that set up Georgia's turn...

Which led to this...
The Blair Walsh Project was a success...
((HT: The Youtube))

College Basketball: Pac 10 Predictions

UCLA rules the west coast and Ben Howland has another great team returning to Westwood. Arizona State could make life hell for the Bruins though.

Best Team In The Pac-10: UCLA Bruins
UCLA has the brand name, gets all the top 5 star talent out west and has a brilliant head coach in Ben Howland. Darren Collison returned for his senior season and is a playmaker and a shut down defender. The Bruins may have lost Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Richard Mbah a Moute to the NBA but don't worry, UCLA has the goods to go back to the Final Four.

Best Player In The Pac-10: James Harden - Arizona State
It would be easy to pick Collison but Harden is the real deal. He can shoot, defend, drive the hoop and finish plus draw fouls. Enjoy him Sun Devil fans, Harden won't be around much longer. NBA millions beckon.

Team That Could Surprise: Washington State Cougars
Wazzou lost 3 key starters but this team still has some veteran leaders. Most importantly, Tony Bennett is an outstanding coach and will find ways to get 20 wins and a upper division finish in the Pac-10

Who Goes Dancing: UCLA, Arizona State, Southern California, Washington State

Who Plays For Number 66: Washington, California, Arizona

Pac-10 Notes: Former Stanford head coach Mike Montgomery has moved to the other side of the tracks taking over at California. Bears fans have embraced their former enemy. Stanford has a new head coach to, former Duke assistant Johnny Dawkins, he doesn't have the Lopez twins around. It might be a long year on the farm.

Pac-10 Predictions

1. UCLA
2. Arizona State
3. Southern California
4. Washington State
5. Washington
6. California
7. Arizona
8. Oregon
9. Stanford
10. Oregon State

Photo Courtesy: AP

College Football Week 3: Ohio State Dominated Again

Once again the Ohio State Buckeyes wet the bed in a big game in front of a national TV audience as top ranked Southern California dominated 35-3 in front of 93,607, a record crowd at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

Just like the Florida and LSU BCS title games, the Buckeyes couldn’t handle a team that is loaded with speed at the skill positions. The Trojan receivers got separation which enabled Mark Sanchez to torch the Ohio State secondary with 4 touchdown passes, 2 went to Damien Williams in the 3rd Quarter while Joe McKnight gained 105 yards on 12 carries.

Does this hurt Ohio State’s national championship hopes? Probably so because this loss is sure to linger especially when you couple this with the Buckeyes lackluster showing last week against Ohio U who they barely beat.

Next up for Ohio State is Troy at the Horseshoe which might be a tougher game than you might think. Then it’s Minnesota before an October 4th showdown against Wisconsin at Madison.

Since the Badgers won at Fresno State Saturday night, Wisconsin’s stock is up, Ohio State’s is down.

Sun Devils Done In

How could Arizona State lose in overtime to UNLV at Sun Devil Stadium? You get the feeling the Sun Devils thought they would cruise over the Rebels and were looking ahead to Georgia next week. Only problem is UNLV bit them in the backside.

“It starts with me. I didn't have them ready to play and I'll take the blame. But we have to play better as a group. There are a lot of guys in that locker room that understand that." Arizona State Head Coach Dennis Erickson said.

“I just want to say that obviously, UNLV, we have to give all the credit to them. They played a great game, and they're the reason why we lost. They played a great game, so we lost. Other than that, we practiced fine, but we just didn't execute it in the game. We didn't score, we turned the ball over, and we didn't do well in all three aspects of the game, and when you don't, you're going to lose."
Said Quarterback Rudy Carpenter who threw for 242 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

UNLV head coach Mike Sanford sensed all week the Sun Devils weren’t taking his Rebel team seriously with the Georgia Bulldogs stepping on the Sun Devil Stadium turf next week. So he played that up as the Rebels prepared for the Sun Devils.

"Yes we did, of course. We were out to gain respect." Sanford said.

Now after this unexpected loss, can Arizona State regroup and get up for the Bulldogs?

Here's how the word got out in Vegas... thanks to our friends at KTNV/ABC 13
((We remember weekend anchor Bryan Salmond when he was just a mere pup in the biz... and we agree with him about the Phillip Payne catch, by the way...))


SEC Time Warp

Those who have been to Starkville, Mississippi sometimes feel this small town is behind the times. Well time went back 50 years when Auburn and Mississippi State game ended in a 3-2 with the Tigers prevailing. That’s right, a field goal and a safety were all the points scored. Rumor has it that single bar facemasks were worn. This was a dirty low down defensive battle.

This is the kind of game that’s to the liking of Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville.

“I am an old defensive coach so I was liking it a little bit but I wish we had scored a few more points. We just wasted a few opportunities. That was a true defensive game.”
Tuberville said.

Auburn’s defense was outstanding not giving up a first down to Mississippi State.

“It is all about defense when you go on the road. Our guys came to play today. We gave up zero first downs today on 14 chances and only 116 yards total offense. You can win a lot of games that way. Our guys played hard and played with enthusiasm.”
Tuberville said.

Mississippi State’s promising season is now stuck in the mud at 1-2 and it just gets harder for the Bulldogs. Next up is a trip to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech.

Ohio State/USC Photos Courtesy: AP

UNLV/Arizona State Photos Courtesy: AP
Auburn/Mississippi State photo courtesy – Mansel Guerry

Trojans Picked To Rule Pac-10

Here's a shock, the Southern California Trojans were picked to win the Pac-10 Conference by the media. I know, what's new. It was near unanimous except for the dude that gave Cal a first place vote. Remember, USC did have to share the Pac-10 title last year to Arizona State, see what happens when you lose to Stanford. The Sun Devils will give Southern Cal hell again this year.

Here's your Pac-10 Conference Media Poll

1. USC (38)389
2. Arizona State 330
3. Oregon 295
4. California (1) 274
5. UCLA 204
6. Oregon State 192
7. Arizona 185
8. Washington 139
9. Stanford 76
10. Washington State 61

A Consistent Lack of Recollection

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has concluded its 16-month investigation into the events surrounding the friendly-fire death of Pat Tillman ((pictured- thanks cbssports.com)). The purpose of the investigation, looking upward in the chain of command, was to determine who knew "what" when. The Committee cites what they refer to as a "near universal lack of recall" that contributed to a great deal of internal frustration in getting to any kind of ultimate decision.

The Committee interviewed then-Communications Director Dan Bartlett, Press Secretary Scott McClellan, and chief speech writer Michael Gerson. Not a one of them could recall when he learned about the Tillman incident, or what he did in response.

The most classic quote of the whole findings comes from then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld:

“I don’t recall when I was told and I don’t recall who told me.”

Pleasant, don't you think...?

I am asking the next question because I, legitimately, don't know- Was this topic discussed at all in McClellan's new book?

The 51-page document, which also goes into the handling of the Jessica Lynch saga can be found hyah

The Committee, clearly frustrated by the whole process, came up with new information, but no real solutions or recommendations. This is, regrettably, the last we'll hear of this on Capitol Hill.

The report is a challenging read, but a word of warning, the more you read the more you get frustrated yourself with the government and how they lack accountability in situations like this.

This is the bottom line- and the last paragraph:

"The pervasive lack of recollection and absence of specific information makes it impossible for the Committee to assign responsibility for the misinformation in Corporal Tillman’s and Private Lynch’s cases. It is clear, however, that the Defense Department did not meet its most basic obligations in sharing accurate information with the families and with the American public."

Well, duh...

Countdown with Keith Olbermann interviewed Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, on May 9, 2008. Here's the interview, courtesy MSNBC and YouTube.

--Jon Nelson