OCR Text |
Show S Wednesday, Sept. 27,2006 Take Note: Undefeated New Mexico State comes to the Spectrum on Thursday at 7 p.m. to challenge volleyball. 797-1761 sports@statesman.usu.edu Offensive coordinator resigns position Down I Line iSportsNotes • Santiago leaves over "philosophical differnces"; Stevens to take over BY G. CHRISTOPHER TERRY Senior Writer Utah State Offensive Coordinator Mike Santiago's resignation was accepted by Head Coach Brent Guy on Monday. The former head man at Stephen F. Austin, Santiago's offense has been held scoreless through four games. "Due to philosophical differences, I am resigning as the offensive coordinator of the Utah State University football team," Santiago said in a statement. "I would like to take this time to say how much I respect the work, leadership and especially the friendship of Colonel Randy Spetman. I wish the studentathletes all the best in their futures here at Utah State and beyond." Santiago will be replaced in the interim by Greg Stevens, who has been USU's wide receivers coach. Stevens was Santiago's offensive coordinator at Stephen F. Austin and moved to USU with him. Stevens said while it's tough to see Santiago go, his focus is on getting the philosophical differences that predicated Santiago's resignation, he did say he was planning on making "some small changes." "We can't do anything drastic just because we only have three practices to get ready for Idaho," Stevens said. The Herald Journal quoted Guy as saying, "It is a bad situation, and there really is no way to define it other than it is a tough business and you have to sometimes do things," when asked about the philosophical dif- offense ready to play Idaho in USU's WAC opener on Saturday. "I wish him and his family the best but we've got to move on as a football team and try to get better," Stevens said. "Before we win we've got to learn how to score points in games." Guy expressed confidence in Stevens' abilities. "Greg Stevens has been a coordinator and has coached quarterbacks before," he said. Although Stevens wouldn't comment on the ferences. One item of business Stevens said he is working on is getting the ball into the hands of Kevin Robinson, USU's best big play threat a year ago. "We're going to try and get him the ball more and get him more opportunities to make plays," Stevens said. "When he has opportunities he has to do it as well. He's had a couple of drops this year and he can't do that. He knows that and I think he has rededicated himself." -grahum@cc.usu.edu Aggies battle Aggies for WAC first place spot BY SAMMY HISLOP Assistant Sports Editor It's not easy to win a volleyball game in a hostile environment. But in the midst of the New Mexico State baseball players shouting out inappropriate things with pantyhose on their heads? USU outside hitter Amanda Nielson remembers that kind of a setting from last years game against the NMSU Aggies (a team that ranked 11th in the nation last year in home attendance) in Las Cruces, N.M., Nov. 12. "We had some trouble when we were down there last year with their crowd," Nielson said of the game, which NMSU won, 3-1. "The baseball team dressed up and they said things that shouldn't be said. They were just terrible." The pantyhose, Nielson said, was to make them look like the NMSU volleyball coach, Mike Jordan (a USU assistant in 1996 and 1997), who is bald. USU ended up beating NMSU in the WAC tournament semifinals in five games. For Nielson and the rest of her team, now is the time to get 24th-ranked NMSU Aggies back again. Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Spectrum USU hosts their foes from the south. "We're ready," Nielson said. "I think we're ready. Conference is always a big rivalry, especially New Mexico State. I think we kind of have a little personal battle with them. We're just really excited to play them. I am, anyway." What makes this Thursday's 7 p.m. match-up with the southern Aggies (16-0, 2-0 in WAC play) in the Spectrum even more intriguing is the fact that these two teams are tied for first place in the WAC (Hawaii is ranked 15th in the nation with a 6-4 record, but they have not played any league games yet). • TOP SPOT Trevor Nielson/ctnQcc.usu.edu see page 7 0 FRESHMAN STAR HAILEY JEPPSON spikes the ball against Fresno State. The volleyball team will face undefeated New Mexico State on Thursday. Failure at little league football makes for great golf another round of golf," Blair said. "It's a mental thing." When asked what course he would One of the USU golf team captains, love to play, there was no hesitation in his Blair looks to focus on improvement this answer of Augusta National in Augusta, season, after a failed little league football Ga. Taking time out to attend the Masters career. tournament at Augusta last year only "As you can see, I'm not the biggest kid," fueled his passion for the game. Blair said. " I played really well, but just Always looking forward to traveling with always got hurt." the team, Blair enthusiastically defines Due to frequent injuries while attempttheir chemistry as "awesome." He said he ing tackles and interceptions as a child, prefers road travel to flying when heading Blair found golf. Now a senior at USU to tournaments, as it's easier to get to know majoring in outdoor parks and recreation, teammates when driving in a van. Blair has reluctantly given up his dream "On the road, we have a blast," said of becoming a football star and opted for a Blair. "We just laugh all the time. We get life of fairways and birdies. along great." Taking an interest in golf along with his Still not satisfied with his performance dad and brother, Blair found he liked the in Colorado Springs or at the Red and sport early on and decided to continue. A Purple Golf Invitational on Sept. 18 and fan of golf greats Davis Love III and Chris 19, where he tied for 36th overall, Blair has DiMarco, Blair admires those who give 100 seen improvement in his game. Hard work percent to the game. in practices and learning from mistakes "Anyone who plays against Tiger made on the course will help in figuring [Woods] is an underdog," said Blair of out how to make adjustments to further his DiMarco. "He always tries to rise to the game, he said. challenge." Blair said he hopes to take skills learned Taking the example of these players during his years at USU to become the and applying them to his game, he enjoys manager of a golf course some time in the every minute he spends on a golf course. future. His outdoor parks and recreation His favorite course, however has been major will certainly play a large role in this the Eisenhower Golf Course in Colorado endeavor. Springs, Colo., where he came in second in As the Aggie golf team continues throuthe USU team standings behind teammate ghout the season, Blair is wanting to Preston Otte on Sept.10, during the Gene become a more accomplished player. Blair Miranda Falcon Invitational. said he knows improvement is something Before tournament play, Blair, a graduthe team is very capable of doing. Golf ate of Sky View High School in Smithfield, season for the Aggies will continue on Oct. pays close attention to staying calm. When 21 and 22 at the Southern Utah Duel in his nerves get the best of him, he said it Cedar City, Utah. helps to remain focused and prepared "I'm looking forward to not only making for whatever happens on the first tee and ourselves better," said Blair, "but coming throughout the entire day on the course. together and doing it as a team." "You just have to remind yourself it's just -eawads@cc.usu.cdu Jeppson named WAC Player of the Week BY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Utah State volleyball player Hailey Jeppson has been named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week it was announced by the league office on Monday. Jeppson becomes the second Aggie to earn the award since Utah State joined the WAC prior to the 2005 season. Former All-American Zuzana Cernianska was named the WAC's Player of the Week on Sept. 26, 2005 after leading USU to a pair of home wins against New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech. Jeppson, a 6-0 freshman outside hitter from Pleasant Grove, Utah, hit .278 and averaged 5.06 points, 4.50 kills, 3.00 digs, and 0.88 blocks per game in leading Utah State to a pair of home wins against Fresno State and San Jose State last weekend. Against Fresno State, she recorded a season-high 21 kills and hit a season-high .308 (21-5-52) in the match. She also recorded 11 digs and two blocks against the Bulldogs. Against San Jose State, Jeppson added 15 kills, 11 digs andfiveblocks, marking the fifth time in her last six matches that she has recorded a double-double. On the season, Jeppson ranks second on the team with 3.64 points, 3.14 kills, and 2.76 digs per game. Utah State is 9-7 on the season and tied for firstplace in the WAC with a 2-0 league record. Standings ScorebddrdT&TVlW^ Major League Baseball AMERICAN LEAGUE East W L y-NY Yankees 94 62 ,603 -- Toronto 8 3 73 .532 Boston 8 3 74 .529 11.5 Baltimore 68 88 .436 26.0 Tampa Bay 60 96 .385 34.C Central BY ERIN WADSWORTI I Staff Writer Pet GB n.o W L x-Detroit (5) 94 62 .603 . . x-Minnesota 9 3 63 .596 1.0 Chi White Sox 37 70 .554 7.5 Cleveland 73 83 .468 21.0 Kansas City 58 98 .372 36.0 West Pet GB W L Oakland (2) 90 Pet GB 66 .577 -- LA Angels 85 71 .545 5.0 Texas 78 79 -497 12.5 Seattle 76 81 .484 14.5 NATIONAL LEAGUE East y-NY Mcts 1 P I T " ' " fat" w J V i- • - • i m i .. V- Pet GB 93 63 .596 - Philadelphia 82 74 .526 11.0 76 SO .487 17.0 Atlanta 75 81 .481 18.0 Washington 69 87 .442 24.0 W L Central Pet GB St. Louis (5) 80 75 .516 -- Houston 78 78 .500 2,5 Cincinnati 77 79 .494 Milwaukee 73 83 .468 7.5 Pittsburgh 65 91 .417 15.5 Chi Cubs 63 3.5 94 .401 18.0 San Diego (4) Pet GB 84 72 .538 - LA Dodgers 82 74 .526 2.0 San Francisco 75 81 .481 9-0' Arizona 74 82 .474 10.0 Colorado 74 82 .474 10.0 W L •-•4 -_' • *•-•. J. '-' • -• .v * '* i :. L Florida West i W ' • ; . . James Schultz/schultz^a.usu.edu GOLFER JAKE BLAIR watches the ball after taking a shot in practice. Blair said he started golf after failing at linle league football. x-clinched playoff spot y-division champion m (*) magic number for division championship |