Video: UConn Men’s Rally Falls Short in 69-61 Loss To Pitt

UConn battled Pitt at Petersen Events Center Saturday afternoon.

Woman Reporter: (Running to catch up with McGinty heading to the locker room for halftime) Coach, what will Washington need to get back into this game?
Jimmy McGinty: (pause) You've got to have heart.

At halftime of the UConn Huskies men's basketball game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Panthers, the above quote from "The Replacements" popped in my head. If UConn was to get back into the game, they were going to need to play with more heart.

While they did rally back, ultimately the Huskies fell short as Pitt pulled out a 69-61 win in front of 12,510 and nationally televised audience on ESPN2 at the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

It's the first time this season, UConn had lost two games in a row as they fall to 12-5 (2-3 Big East). Pitt improves to 15-4 (3-3).

Ryan Boatright led the way for the Huskies with 20 points and six assists. Omar Calhoun was the only other Husky in double-digits with 14 points and he had five rebounds.

Tyler Olander led the Huskies with six rebounds to go along with four points.

Lamar Patterson paced the Panthers with 14 points and had five assists. Tray Woodall added 13 points and six assists while James Robinson had 12 points.

Steven Adams had just three points but led all rebounders in the game with nine.

UConn found themselves down by 13 at the half and it stayed that way early in the second half. Trailing 47-33, the Huskies battled back to tie the game behind Boat and Calhoun.

It was Niels Giffey who tied the game at 55 on a dunk but Robinson put them back ahead by three. Boatright got an old fashioned three-point play to tie the game at 58 but that's as close as the Huskies would get as the Panthers closed out the game on 11-3 run.

The Huskies had been doing a great job as of late on the boards. It all went to the wayside as the Panthers dominated the glass 38-27.

That was one of the biggest differences of the game and it really hurt the Huskies.

UConn will get a week to work out things as they return to the court next Sunday (Jan. 27) when they'll host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the XL Center at 2 p.m.

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UConn Huskies @ Pittsburgh Panthers 1.19.13 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Kevin Ollie.

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photo credit:  brad horrigan – hartford courant (no. 11 in gallery)

Report: Breslow, Red Sox Avoid Arbitration With Two-Year Deal

After signing seven players to one-year deals on Friday, the Boston Red Sox had only one player to avoid going to salary arbitration with. And that was reliever Craig Breslow.

Craig Breslow #32 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the game on August 1, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.Well it didn't take long to get Breslow wrapped up as well.

According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Red Sox and Breslow have agreed to a two-year deal worth $6.25 million with an option for a third year that could take it to $10.15 million.

When this deal becomes official, it will continue a streak of avoiding salary arbitration with players started by former GM and now Chicago Cubs Executive VP Theo Epstein of the Red Sox and now continued by Sox GM Ben Cherington.

The last time they went to arbitration was in 2002 was with pitcher Rolando Arrojo.

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photo credit:  getty images

UConn Women To Debut Nike Hyper Elite Road Jersey on 3/4

While there are no images available right now, we do know that the UConn Huskies women's basketball team will be debuting a new uniform this season.

When the Huskies take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 4th in South Bend, IN, they will be wearing a new Nike Hyper Elite Road Jersey. The Huskies are one of 12 schools to wear these special uniforms.

Once the images of the UConn women's uniform are available, we'll be sure to update you with them.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Nike Hyper Elite Road JerseyHere's the release from Nike and a look at the Gonzaga Bulldogs uniform:

In the quest for a title, protecting your own turf is key, but character and greatness are built on the road, in the harsh environs of the opponent.  The away team relies on its unified energy, collective swagger and every advantage to compete — each opposing player and fan standing in the way of victory.

This college basketball season, select men’s and women’s Nike and Jordan Brand teams will face that challenge in new away uniform designs.  The Nike Hyper Elite Road Jersey and Nike Hyper Elite Short offer lightweight performance through sustainable materials.  The short is made of 100% recycled polyester while the jersey is made from at least 96% recycled polyester — an average of 22 recycled plastic bottles per uniform.   A logo inspired by each team’s home court appears on the jersey’s center chest, a piece of “home away from home” to wear with pride.  The back nameplate also features iconic references to the team’s mascot and home crowd.  

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will debut their uniform on-court January 19. The other elite teams wearing these designs are:  

North Carolina Tar Heels on 1/26, Baylor Lady Bears on 1/30, Villanova Wildcats on 1/30, Southern California Trojans on 1/30, Ohio State Buckeyes on 2/5, Kentucky Wildcats on 2/12, Stanford Cardinal (Women) on 2/15, Georgetown Hoyas on 2/15, Duke Blue Devils on 2/16, Texas Longhorns on 2/16 and Connecticut Huskies (Women) on 3/4.

Additional features of the Nike Hyper Elite Road Jersey include:

  • 3D-structured Dri-FIT fabric pulls sweat away to help reduce cling
  • Slim cut reduces bulkiness
  • Nike Aerographics construction provides lightweight ventilation
  • Heat-transferred, sublimated lightweight twill logos, numbers and graphics

Additional features of the Nike Hyper Elite Road Short include:

  • Laser-cut perforations increase ventilation
  • Lightweight Dri-FIT stretch woven fabric moves with the player
  • Waistband’s silicone elastic grips for a secure, comfortable fit. Engineered perforations enhance ventilation and comfort
  • Unique sublimated pattern on the side panel

The men’s teams will also wear the Nike Hyper Elite Tourney Warm-Up Hoody, which offers functional tailoring for optimal mobility and performance fleece to help keep you warm and comfortable on your way to and from the game.

The Nike Hyper Elite Road Jersey ($120), Nike Hyper Elite Road Short ($80) and Nike Hyper Elite Warm-Up Hoody ($75) will be available at Nike.com

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photo credit: nike, inc.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/19

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's and women's basketball teams.

First up are the UConn men as they are in Pittsburgh to take on the Pitt Panthers at the Peterson Events Center. Tip is scheduled for 12 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. The game is also available online at WatchESPN. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

The UConn women will host the Syracuse Orange at the XL Center in Hartford, CT this afternoon. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on SNY. You can watch the game online for a small fee at SNYUConn.com. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

My apologies for skipping out on yesterday's post. I had to take the day off from the site for personal reasons. Everything is fine and as you can see we're back up and running. Any posts you see from yesterday were back dated with the exeception of Steve's Patriots preview.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men's Basketball links

Notes, Quotes From UConn Practice Thursday [dom amore – hartford courant]

Shabazz Napier Practices, But His Status for Pitt is Still Uncertain [dom amore – hartford courant]

Jim Calhoun to be Feted at Dick Vitale Gala in May [david borges – new haven register]

Shabazz Napier Sidelined by Shoulder Injury, Hopes to Play Saturday vs. Pitt [david borges – new haven register]

Shabazz Napier a Game Time Decision on Saturday [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes Jan. 17: “It’s hard for me to sleep some days” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Napier a game-time decision vs. Pitt [kevin duffy – ct post]

Napier sidelined with shoulder injury [gavin keefe – the day]

Napier's status a game time decision [gavin keefe – the day]

Napier (shoulder) misses practice, is day-to-day [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

Updated: Napier questionable for Saturday [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Men's Basketball Heads To Pittsburgh [uconnhuskies.com]

Calhoun asks for help of 'family' with basketball facility [ct post]

UConn's Giffey a role player and realist [ct post]

UConn might play at Pitt without Napier [ct post]

UConn Men: Looking Back And Looking Forward [hartford courant]

UConn's Shabazz Napier Bothered By Shoulder; Playing Vs. Pitt Is Uncertain [hartford courant]

UConn, Pitt: Many Similarities [hartford courant]

Zoo-ology studies ending [journal inquirer]

Shabazz Napier hurt, may miss Pitt game [new haven register]

Shabazz Napier a game-time decision, but others ready to step up [new haven register]

Will UConn's Napier play Saturday? 'I really hope so' [the day]

Huskies may be forced to play without Napier [the day]

UConn Women's Basketball links

UConn’s Stewart ready for action [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Dolson becomes center of attention [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

UConn’s Top 20 Hits Of 2012-13 [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Quentin Hillsman Offers Praise To Doug Bruno [john altavilla – hartford courant]

It Takes A Great Medical Trainer To Make A Championship Team [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Geno On Stokes – And Tonya Cardoza [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Stokes Questionable For Game Vs. Syracuse Saturday [rich elliott – ct post]

Stewart Ready To Get Back In The Game [rich elliott – ct post]

Stewart Looking To Snap Out Of Slump Vs. Syracuse [rich elliott – ct post]

Hartley Looking To Build On Performance Vs. Louisville [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn recruiting target on a roll [jim fuller – new haven register]

Moore one step closer to WCBA title [jim fuller – new haven register]

Breanna Stewart anxious to play again [jim fuller – new haven register]

No. 3 UConn Hosts No. 23 Syracuse on Saturday at 4 p.m. [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn women, so far, overcoming injuries [ct post]

UConn Women: Looking Back And Looking Forward [hartford courant]

A Patched-Up UConn Women's Team Prepares For Syracuse [hartford courant]

Grand gesture awaits [journal inquirer]

Healthy Stewart ready to step up again [journal inquirer]

Breanna Stewart to return against Syracuse, her hometown team [new haven register]

The Geno Auriemma Show: Road Game [snyuconn.com]

No. 3 UConn women expect a test from Syracuse [the day]

Healed Hartley playing like old self [graham hays – espnW]

UConn Football links

DC answered some questions in his mailbag [desmond conner – hartford courant]

St. Luke’s Noel Thomas Jr. signs with UConn [chris elsberry – ct post]

Three Huskies in action today [jim fuller – new haven register]

2012 report cards: Connecticut [matt fortuna – espn.com]

Other UConn related links

M. Track. Chapman Leads Huskies at URI Heptathlon [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies Capture First Place at the Great Dane Classic [uconnhuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Bolles to Compete at Australian Youth Olympic Festival with U.S. Junior Women [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Three Power-Play Goals Propel UConn Past Mercyhurst, 5-4 [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Flowers Wins Shot Put & Weight Throw to Lead Huskies at Great Dane Classic [uconnhuskies.com]

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2013 Nike Korean National Baseball Uniforms For WBC

Korean National Baseball Team 2013 WBC Uniform

On Jan. 15, Korea’s National Baseball Team officially unveiled its uniform for the 2013 World Baseball Classic that begins in March. Nike, the creator of the team’s uniforms since 1998, developed the innovative design for speed, power and movement. After earning gold medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2010 in Guangzhou, the Korean National Team hopes to achieve a Baseball Grand Slam by winning the upcoming classic.

In a change from previous uniforms, the top's design features a V-neck instead of a button-down, which can help reduce potential injuries caused by rough sliding. Twill fabric combined with nylon and spandex helps maximize each player’s full range of dynamic motion.

The new uniform also features a mesh fabric with antiperspirant and anti-odor technology as well as an ergonomic design to reduce chafing. With the use of innovative fabrics and minimization of seams, the uniform is 17 percent (top) and 51 percent (bottom) lighter than the previous uniform.

The uniforms emphasize the team’s heritage with the use of the same cursive "Korea" that was used in 2008 in Beijing, as well as the traditional white and blue colors.

The uniform includes a white top and bottom for home games and a blue top and white bottom for away games, as well as a Nike Pro base layer worn under the top that features a second-skin fit and moisture-wicking technology to keep players cool and dry.

Innovative technology for speed, power and full range of motion

  • The new pullover constructed V-neck design features chafe-free flatlock seams.
  • The button-less and seamless design on the front can help minimize injuries during head-first sliding or diving catches.
  • Motion Relief Gusset technology applied under each arm maximizes range of motion while batting or throwing.
  • Seams on sides of top maximize full range of motion in the arms.
  • Double-layered ergonomic knees increase durability and can help minimize injuries.

Uniform design combines traditional and modern elements

  • White and blue are traditional colors representing Korea and the team.
  • Traditional Korean calligraphy is applied on the top in "Korea" and in the "K" on the baseball cap, continuing the heritage of the Korean National Team from Beijing 2008.

Mesh fabric and laser-cutting technology boost breathability

  • Nike Dri-FIT is featured in the Nike Pro base layer, which provides a second-skin fit and moisture-wicking technology to keep players cool and dry during competition.
  • Open mesh in the front of the top maximizes breathability.
  • Laser-cut mesh on the side of the top works to keep players cool and dry and eliminates distraction.
  • Mesh fabric on inner legs adds ventilation.

Korean National Baseball Team 2013 WBC Uniform

Korean National Baseball Team 2013 WBC Uniform

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photo credit: nike, inc.

Springfield Falcons 4, Connecticut Whale 2

Springfield, MA, January 18, 2013 – Kris Newbury scored on the first shift of the game for the Connecticut Whale Friday night at the MassMutual Center, and again with 34 seconds left in the third, but the Springfield Falcons scored four goals in between for a 4-2 victory.

CT Whale“I thought we had a good start, scoring on the first shift obviously helps, but we had a little letdown and they were able to capitalize,” Newbury said.  “They’ve got skilled forwards that can put the puck in the net.  So we’ve just got to tighten it up.”

Nick Drazenovic and former Whale Tim Erixon had a goal and an assist each for the Falcons, and Allen York made 24 saves.  Mike Vernace assisted on both of Newbury’s goals for the Whale.

Newbury scored on a partial breakaway at the 49-second mark, on the game’s first shot.

Vernace sent a perfect lead pass through center ice to Newbury, who got a step on the Springfield defense and fired a shot past York high to the stick side.

Erixon got that goal back less than four minutes later, though, at 4:07.  Whale defender Logan Pyett tripped and fell, allowing Erixon to get to the net down the left side, and Erixon’s shot went off Connecticut netminder Cam Talbot (24 saves) and over the goal line.

The goal was Erixon’s fifth of the year, and four of them have come against the Whale.

Drazenovic then gave the Falcons their first lead at 9:57.  Breaking into the Whale zone on a two-on-one, the left-handed-shooting Drazenovic snapped a shot from the right-wing circle and got it past the catching glove of Talbot.

Springfield then got two more in the second period, the first coming at 8:34 off the stick of Ryan Craig.  A snapshot by Erixon from the left point hit Craig and dropped down into the slot, and Craig was able to fight off Vernace and slip the puck past Talbot.

A Tomas Kubalik power-play goal at 18:35 made it 4-1, as Kubalik deflected in a shot by Nick Holden from the middle of the blue line.  That came with only five seconds remaining in a roughing penalty to Jason Wilson, who was playing his first career AHL game for the Whale.

The Whale outshot Springfield 11-8 in the third period, but were not able to cut the Falcons’ lead until the 19:26 mark, when Newbury tipped Vernace’s left-point shot through York to make it 4-2.

Connecticut then pulled Talbot for an extra attacker after winning the center-ice faceoff, but could not get any closer.

The Whale continue a stretch of six straight road games Saturday night, when they head to Portland for a 7:00 PM matchup with the Pirates.  All of the action of that game can be heard live on “The Rock” 106.9 WCCC and on-line at www.ctwhale.com.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com. 

The Whale’s next home game is Wednesday, January 23, a 7:00 game against the Adirondack Phantoms.  For that and all Whale home games, tickets start as low as $10 each ($12 each when tickets are purchased on the day of the game), at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, through TicketMaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Connecticut Whale 2 at Springfield Falcons 4
Friday, January 18, 2013 – MassMutual Center

Connecticut 1 0 1 – 2
Springfield 2 2 0 – 4

1st Period-1, Connecticut, Newbury 13 (Vernace, Collins), 0:49. 2, Springfield, Erixon 5 (Drazenovic, Audy-Marchessault), 4:07. 3, Springfield, Drazenovic 11 (Collins, Weber), 9:57. Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period-4, Springfield, Craig 12 (Erixon, Chaput), 8:34. 5, Springfield, Kubalik 10 (Holden, Chaput), 18:35 (PP). Penalties-Tessier Ct (holding), 3:54; Wilson Ct (roughing, fighting), 16:40; Smith Spr (fighting), 16:40.

3rd Period-6, Connecticut, Newbury 14 (Kolarik, Parlett), 19:26. Penalties-Weber Spr (holding), 8:37; Newbury Ct (hooking), 13:43.

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 9-6-11-26. Springfield 10-10-8-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 0 / 1; Springfield 1 / 3.
Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 13-17-0 (28 shots-24 saves). Springfield, York 4-3-0 (26 shots-24 saves).
A-3,888
Referees-Jean Hebert (43), Trevor Hanson (47).
Linesmen-Glen Cooke (6), Kevin Redding (16).

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Red Sox Avoid Arbitration With Seven Players

When Jarrod Saltalamacchia signed a one-year deal on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox had eight players left to sign in order to avoid going to salary arbitration. On Friday, seven of those players signed deals.

Boston Red SoxThe Red Sox agreed to terms with Alfredo Aceves ($2.65 million), Andrew Bailey ($4.1 million), Daniel Bard ($1.8625 million), Jacoby Ellsbury ($9 million), Joel Hanrahan ($7.04 million), Andrew Miller ($1.475 million), and Franklin Morales ($1.487 million).

The only player left for the Red Sox to sign to avoid arbitration is Craig Breslow. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Breslow filed for $2.375 million and the Red Sox filed for $2.325 million.

Since that number is so close, I fully expect that we'll hear in the coming days that Breslow and the Red Sox have agreed on a deal.

To read the full release from the Red Sox, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

BOSTON, MA— The Boston Red Sox today agreed to terms with right-handed pitchers Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard and Joel Hanrahan, left-handed pitchers Andrew Miller and Franklin Morales, and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury on one-year, non-guaranteed contracts for the 2013 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration.  Terms were not disclosed.  The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.

Aceves served as Boston's primary closer for much of the 2012 season and recorded a career-high 25 saves.  He finished second among AL relievers with 84.0 innings and averaged a career-high 8.04 strikeouts per nine innings while going 2-10 with a 5.36 ERA in a team-leading 69 appearances.  The 30-year-old leads the AL with 269.2 innings of relief work since 2009.  Signed by Boston prior to the 2011 season, he owns a 26-13 record (.667) with a 3.56 ERA over 183 career major league outings (nine starts) between the New York Yankees (2008-10) and Red Sox (2011-12).

The 28-year-old Bailey was limited to 19 games for the Red Sox last year after opening the season on the 60-day disabled list recovering from right thumb surgery.  He posted a 1-1 record with six saves, a 7.04 ERA, and 14 strikeouts with Boston and combined for a 1.42 ERA (1 ER/6.1 IP) with 10 strikeouts over six rehab appearances prior to his August 14 activation.  Acquired from Oakland in December 2011, Bailey has 81 saves and a career 2.47 ERA to go along with an 8-11 record and 188 strikeouts over a four-year major league career with the A's (2009-11) and Red Sox (2012).

Bard, 27, appeared in 17 games for the Red Sox last season, including the first 10 starts of his career, and went 5-6 with a 6.22 ERA.  In 209 big league appearances with the Red Sox over the last four seasons, he is 10-19 with five saves, a 3.65 ERA, and 251 strikeouts.  He set new club single-season records for holds in both 2010 (1st in AL, 32) and 2011 (T-1st in AL, 34), and his 79 career holds rank fifth in the AL since the start of 2009.  A first-round selection in the June 2006 draft, Bard also ranks among AL relief leaders in strikeouts (10th, 217) and opponent batting average (5th, .196) over the last four seasons.

Ellsbury, 29, hit .271 with 18 doubles, four home runs, 26 RBI, 43 runs and 14 stolen bases in 74 games with the Red Sox in 2012.  He missed 79 games after suffering a right shoulder subluxation on April 13.  He returned July 13 and played in 67 games.

Boston's first-round selection in the June 2005 draft, Ellsbury has a .297 career average with 124 doubles, 23 triples, 56 home runs, 261 RBI, 384 runs, and 189 stolen bases in 581 major league games, all with the Red Sox, from 2007-12.  He earned All-Star, Silver Slugger, Rawlings Gold Glove and American League Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2011, finishing second in AL MVP voting that year.

A two-time All-Star closer, Hanrahan was acquired by the Red Sox in a six-player trade with Pittsburgh on December 26.  The 31-year-old went 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 67 strikeouts over 59.2 innings in 63 games with the Pirates in 2012, finishing fifth in the NL with both 36 saves and a 90.0 percent save rate (40 chances).  He held opponents to a .187 average last year, sixth-best among qualifying National League relievers.  Hanrahan ranks fourth among NL relievers over the last two seasons with 76 saves and a 2.24 ERA (min. 100.0 IP).  Selected by the Dodgers in the second round of the June 2000 draft, he has compiled a 22-17 record with 96 saves, a 3.74 ERA and 436 strikeouts in 353 games (11 starts) over his six-year major league career with the Nationals (2007-09) and Pirates (2009-12).

Miller, 27, went 3-2 with a 3.35 ERA and 51 strikeouts compared to 20 walks in 53 relief appearances with the Red Sox in 2012.  He posted career-best marks in games, holds (13), ERA, WHIP (1.19) and opponent AVG (.194) en route to being named the Red Sox Fireman of the Year by the Boston BBWAA.  Miller limited left-handed batters to a .149 average (13-for-87) last year, the second-lowest mark in the AL (min. 100 batters faced) and top by a Sox lefty since at least 1974, and stranded 39 of 46 inherited runners (84.8 percent) for the AL's fifth-best rate.  Signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in December 2010, Miller owns a 24-31 record with a 5.54 ERA and 339 strikeouts in 149 major league games (66 starts) over parts of seven seasons with the Tigers (2006-07), Marlins (2008-10) and Red Sox (2011-12).  He was originally a first-round selection of Detroit in the June 2006 draft.

The 26-year-old Morales made 37 appearances last season, including a career-high nine starts, in his first full season in the Red Sox organization before missing the club's last 37 games due to injury.  He totaled a 3-4 record with one save and a 3.77 ERA, including a 4.14 mark (21 ER/45.2 IP) as a starter and 3.23 (11 ER/30.2 IP) out of the bullpen.  The left-hander struck out 76 batters, including an average of 9.26 strikeouts per 9.0 innings as a starter (47 K/45.2 IP), and limited left-handed hitters to a .184 clip (18-for-98) with just two extra-base hits all year.  Acquired from the Rockies in May 2011, Morales is 11-16 with 11 saves, a 4.36 ERA, and 221 strikeouts in six major league seasons between the two clubs.

With today's agreements, left-handed pitcher Craig Breslow is the only remaining unsigned Red Sox player eligible for salary arbitration.

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UConn Football’s 2013 Big East Opponents Announced, Again

With the Boise State Broncos and San Diego State Aztecs deciding not to come to the Big East in 2013 for football, the conference had to realign the schedule for the UConn Huskies and other members of the conference.

Here's the release from UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut football team will play an eight-game league schedule and host seven games overall at Rentschler Field in the latest release sent out by the BIG EAST, revising the conference’s home and away schedule breakdown.  The schedule was originally established in December before the league’s membership went from 12 to 10 teams for 2013.

UConn Huskies footballUConn will play home BIG EAST Conference games against Louisville, Memphis, Rutgers and USF. The Huskies’ non-league home games will be Maryland (Sept. 14), Michigan (Sept. 21) and Towson State (Aug. 29). The exact dates for BIG EAST games will be announced in early 2013.

Memphis was added to Connecticut’s home schedule to replace the departure of San Diego State to the Mountain West Conference, along with Boise State.

Road conference games for the Huskies in 2013 will be Central Florida, Cincinnati, SMU and Temple. UConn’s lone non-conference road game will be at Buffalo (Sept. 28).

UConn’s home schedule features three teams that played in bowl games this year, including: Louisville, winners of the Allstate Sugar Bowl vs. Florida; Michigan in the Outback Bowl vs. South Carolina; and Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl vs. Virginia Tech.

The Huskies also play road games against three bowl teams: Central Florida, winners of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl vs. Ball State; Cincinnati, winner of the Belk Bowl vs. Duke; and SMU, winners over Fresno State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

The BIG EAST Conference will have 10 football playing schools in 2013, the largest membership in the league’s 23 seasons of football. Each team plays eight conference games with four games at home and four on the road.

Editor's note: Not mentioned in the release is the fact that the only Big East team the Huskies will not play is the Houston Cougars.

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In The Red Zone: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots AFC Championship Game Preview

In the Red Zone

This Week

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

The New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

The Ravens —- The Patriots
Overall 12-6 Overall  13-4
Road record 5-4 Home record 7-2
AFC East  1-0 AFC North  0-1
AFC 10-4 AFC 12-1

Bill Leavy is the referee assigned to the game.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from 5dimes.eu via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 9.  The over/under is 51.5. 

My Prediction is Patriots 28, Ravens, 21.  Give the points (RAVENS) and take the UNDER.  I am 4-13 against the spread and 11 of 17 on calling the over/under in 2012.

Tickets

The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 205th consecutive sell out dating back to the 1994 season opener.  The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster.  You can check the availability here.

After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Foxboro make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Foxboro MA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and a Gillette Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com.  There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack.  I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good. 

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages.  With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks.  You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.

Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time.  Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver.  Remember You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS in televising the game nationally and Jim Nantz will do play by play while Phil Simms will provide the game analysis.  You can look here for your local affiliate.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Gil Santos, who is retiring after the playoffs, handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do the game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 3:30 p.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

The Patriots Radio Network call is available on Sirius Channel 86, XM Channel 226 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Ravens Radio Network has Gerry Sandusky calling the game while Qadry Ismail and Stan White provide the game analysis via their flagship station of WIYY-FM and WBAL.

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 92, XM Channel 225 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 802.

Dial Global Sports is carrying the game nationally via their affiliate network.  Kevin Harlan, Dan Fouts and Mark Malone will call the game starting at 6:15 p.m.

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 88, XM Channel 88 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 88.

Patriots All Access

Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team.  It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.

  • Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
  • Portland ME on WMTW Sunday at 5 a.m.
  • Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
  • Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
  • Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.

You can also watch it anytime on the teams website in the media section.

To continue reading the Baltimore Ravens at New England AFC Championship Game Preview, please click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Last Week

The Patriots closed out the Texans, 41-28 at Gillette Stadium in the AFC Divisional Round.  The Ravens edged the Broncos 38-35 in 2 OT’s at Mile High in the AFC Divisional Round.

History

  • This is the 10th meeting between the Patriots and the Ravens since Baltimore became a franchise in 1996 when the Cleveland Browns relocated.  The team was unable to keep the Browns past records, nicknames and colors and was considered an expansion franchise.
  • This is the third time the teams have faced each other in the post season with each team winning once.
  • The Patriots lead the overall series 7-2 including playoffs.
  • This is a rematch off the 2011 AFC Championship Game that the Patriots won at Gillette Stadium, 23-20.
  • This is the first AFC Conference Championship Game rematch since the 1986 and 1987 when the Browns faced the Broncos.  It’s the first Conference Championship rematch in either conference since 1992-94 when the 49ers and Cowboys met three times in a row.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2012 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 426-369-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances.  Overall they are 24-16 in the post season.

They are 1-0 in the 2012 playoffs having beaten the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round.

The Patriots are the defending four-time AFC East Champions as well as the defending AFC Conference Champions.  They have won the division 10 times including this season and the conference 5 times since 2000.

The Patriots are 15-5 all-time against the AFC North in the regular season and 2-1 in the playoffs.

Patriots Playoff History (20 seasons)

Year

How Qualified

Seed

Record

Result

 

 

 

24-16

 

2012

Division Champs

2

1-0

TBD

2011

Division Champs

1

2-1

AFC Champions

2010

Division Champs

1

0-1

AFC Divisional

2009

Division Champs

3

0-1

Wild Card Round

2007

Division Champs

1

2-1

AFC Champions

2006

Division Champs

4

2-1

AFC Finalist

2005

Division Champs

4

1-1

AFC Divisional

2004

Division Champs

2

3-0

Super Bowl Champs

2003

Division Champs

1

3-0

Super Bowl Champs

2001

Division Champs

2

3-0

Super Bowl Champs

1998

Wild Card

6

0-1

Wild Card Round

1997

Division Champs

3

1-1

AFC Divisional

1996

Division Champs

2

2-1

AFC Champions

1994

Wild Card

5

0-1

Wild Card Round

1986

Division Champs

3

0-1

AFC Divisional

1985

Wild Card

5

3-1

AFC Champions

1982*

16-Team Format

7

0-1

First Round

1978

Division Champs

2

0-1

AFC Divisional

1976

Wild Card

4

0-1

AFC Divisional

1963

Division Champs

NA

1-1

AFL Finalist

*-Strike Year

New England has the 4th highest winning percentage (.600) in the post season of teams having played a minimum of 15 games.  Only Pittsburgh (.611), Green Bay (.625) and Baltimore (.632) have higher winning percentages.

Since 2001 the Patriots have secured a bye week 7 times.  It is the highest total in the NFL in that time span.  Chicago and Pittsburgh have done it 4 times each since 2001.

This is the third time in team history that the Patriots have played in back-to-back Conference Championship Games (2003-04, 2006-07 and 2011-12).

New England is 4-0 in Conference Championship Games played in Foxboro (3-0 in Gillette Stadium).

The Patriots 9 Conference Championship appearances are 5th most in the Super Bowl era.  They trail only Oakland (11), San Francisco (14), Dallas (14) and Pittsburgh (15).

In addition to Baltimore/New England (2011-12) and Cleveland/Denver (1986-87) the other back-to-back AFC Conference Championship Games are Pittsburgh/Houston (1978-79) and Oakland/Pittsburgh (1974-76).

With a win on Sunday the Patriots will advance to their 8th Super Bowl it would tie them for the most all-time with Dallas (5-3) and Pittsburgh (6-2).

With a win on Sunday New England would return to the Super Bowl for the 2nd consecutive season.  They’d be the 8th team to return after losing the previous season.  The previous 7 returning teams are 2-5.

Team

Lost Super Bowl

Result of Return

Dallas

V

Won Super Bowl VI

Miami

VI

Won Super Bowl VII

Minnesota

VIII

Lost Super Bowl IX

Denver

XXI

Lost Super Bowl XXII

Buffalo

XXV

Lost Super Bowl XXVI

Buffalo

XXVI

Lost Super Bowl XXVII

Buffalo

XXVII

Lost Super Bowl XXVIII

This will be the 31st playoff game of the Kraft ownership era.  They are 20-10 in the post season since 1994.

Patriots Conference Championship Results (7-1)

Date

Opponent

Result

Score

1/20/2013

Baltimore

TBD

TBD

1/22/2012

Baltimore

W

23-20

1/20/2008

San Diego

W

21-12

1/21/2007

at Indianapolis

L

34-38

1/23/2005

at Pittsburgh

W

41-27

1/18/2004

Indianapolis

W

24-14

1/24/2002

at Pittsburgh

W

24-17

1/12/1997

Jacksonville

W

20-6

1/12/1986

at Miami

W

31-14

 

Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002 New England is 10-2 at home in the playoffs.  One of those losses is at the hands of Baltimore in the 2009 AFC Wild Card Round.

Overall the Patriots are 14-3 (.824) as the home team in the postseason and have the best post season homefield winning percentage.

The Patriots had seven non-offensive touchdowns in 2012. The 2010 Patriots and 1961 Patriots teams own the team record with nine non-offensive touchdowns.

Date

Game

Touchdown

9/9/2012

at Tennessee

Dont’a Hightower 6-yd. Fumble Return

10/21/2012

New York Jets

Devin McCourty 104-yd. Kickoff Return

11/18/2012

Indianapolis

Julian Edelman 68-yd. Punt Return

11/18/2012

Indianapolis

Aqib Talib 59-yd. Int. Return

11/18/2012

Indianapolis

Alfonzo Dennard 87-yd. Int. return

11/22/2012

at New York Jets

Steve Gregory 32-yd. Fumble Return

11/22/2012

at New York Jets

Julian Edelman 22-yd. Fumble Return

New England set a NFL record with 444 first downs in 2012.

They had the fewest fumbles (7) in team history and led the NFL in turnover differential (+25) which was the second highest total in team history.

When the Patriots have a positive turnover ratio in a playoff game they are 18-1.  They are 3-3 when the turnovers are even and are 3-12 when they have a negative turnover ratio.

The Patriots have never lost a playoff game when they had a 100-yard rusher; they are 7-0.

In the Week 3 game against the Ravens the Patriots were 3 for 5 (60%) in the red zone with 3 TDs and 2 FG’s.  New England was 7 for 15 (47%) on third down conversions and 0 for 0 on 4th down attempts.

This season New England led the NFL in yards per game (427.9), interception rate (1.40%), first downs per game (27.8), third down conversions (48.6%), red zone pct (70%), points per game (34.8) and point differential (14.1).

The Patriots lead the league in points per game with 34.8.  While they allowed 20.7 points per game good for a tie for 9th.

The New England defense sacked the opponents quarterback 37 times this season while Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett were sacked 27 times.

New England ended the season PLUS 25 in turnover differential, 1st in the NFL. The offense gave up 9 INT and 7 fumbles, while the defense had 20 INTs and 21 fumble recoveries. 

For the season the Patriots were 110 for 226 (48.6%) in 3rd down efficiency and 8 for 12 (75%) on fourth down attempts.  Opponents were 82 for 205 (40%) in 3rd down efficiency and 9 for 23 (39.1%) on 4th down attempts.

For 2012 New England was 40 of 58 (70%) in the red zone while opponents were 20 for 36 (55.5%) in the red zone in 2012.

In goal to go situations New England was 31 for 37 (83.7%) and opponents were 15 for 21 (71.4%).

In 2012 the Patriots scored over 400 points for the 6th consecutive season.  They also became the first NFL franchise to have 4 consecutive seasons of 500+ points.

New England led the NFL with 25 rushing TD’s in 2012.

Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:

  • Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
  • Have the most regular season wins, 206.
  • Have the most wins including playoffs, 225.
  • Have the most conference titles, 6.
  • Have the most division titles, 12.
  • Have the most playoff wins, 20.
  • Have played the most playoff games, 30.
  • Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 14.
  • Have the best playoff win percentage, .671.
  • Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Dolphins.

Bill Belichick coached teams are 6-2 vs. Baltimore (including playoffs 1-1) all with New England.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 187-101 in his 18th NFL season.  He is 151-57 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland.  He is 18-7 in the playoffs, 17-6 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.  When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 205-108.

Belichick’s 205 wins are good for at tie for 6th all-time with Marty Schottenheimer who coached the Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers.

His 18 playoff wins are third most all-time behind only Don Shula (19) and Tom Landry (20).

With a win on Sunday Belichick will match Don Shula for the most Super Bowl appearances as a head coach (6).

Belichick’s .720 post season win percentage is 3rd all-time behind Tom Flores (.727) and Vince Lombardi (.900).

Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3).  Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.

He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.

He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 10 consecutive seasons.

Belichick has 10 seasons of 11+ wins he is tied for 2nd most all-time with Tom Landry.  Don Shula is the all-time leader with 13 seasons of 11+ wins.

Staff with Baltimore ties:

Belichick was born in Baltimore and raised in Annapolis MD.

Special Teams Coach Scott O'Brien worked for the Baltimore Ravens as the Special Teams Assistant.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: Soldier
  • LG: Mankins
  • C: Wendell
  • RG: Connolly
  • RT: Vollmer
  • TE: Hernandez
  • WR: Branch
  • WR: Lloyd
  • WR: Welker
  • QB: Brady
  • RB: Ridley

Defense:

  • DE: Ninkovich
  • DT: Wilfork
  • DT: Deaderick
  • DE: Francis
  • LB: Mayo
  • LB: Spikes
  • LB: Hightower
  • LCB: Talib
  • RCB: Dennard
  • S: McCourty
  • S: Gregory

Patriots Players Notes

This is Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 5-2 vs. Baltimore in his career including playoffs (1-1).

Overall Brady is 136-39 as a starting QB and is 17-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 153-45.  Brady is an 8 time Pro Bowl QB; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP.  He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.

Brady is 11-2 at home in the post season.

With a win on Sunday Brady will equal DL Mike Lodish for most Super Bowl appearances by a player (6).  Lodish went 4 times with Buffalo and twice with Denver.

He is 3rd all-time in postseason TD passes with 41.  Brett Favre is 2nd with 44 and Joe Montana leads with 45.

Brady shares the record with 6 TD passes in one post season game (Denver 2011) with Oakland’s Darryl Lamonica (Houston 1969) and San Francisco’s Steve Young (San Diego 1994, Super Bowl XXIX).

Brady holds the NFL record with 524 postseason completions.

Brady’s 17 playoff wins are 1st all-time.

Brady is the franchise leader with most playoff games as a Patriot (23).

In 2012 Brady was 401 of 637 (63%) for 4827 yards with 34 TDs and 8 INTs his passer rating was 98.7.

Earlier this season against Baltimore, Brady was 28 of 41 for 335 yards, 1 TD, 2 sacks and 0 INT’s. His passer rating was 101.2.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 118 consecutive games including playoffs, 101 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

Welker led the team with 118 catches for 1354 yards and he was 2nd on the team with 6 receiving TD’s.

He is the 1st player in NFL history to have five 100+ catch seasons.

Welker has the second most receptions (768) all-time among undrafted receivers. Rod Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader with 849.

Welker is the Patriots franchise leader with 61 playoff receptions.

WR Deion Branch is third in franchise history with 54 playoff receptions.  Troy Brown is 2nd with 58.

Branch is the franchise leader in postseason receiving yards with 836.

In Week 3 at Baltimore Welker and Lloyd combined for 17 catches and 250 receiving yards.

RB Stevan Ridley finished the season with 290 attempts for 1263 yards and 12 TD’s.

Ridley was the 5th Patriot to have at least 1200 yards rushing in a season and he led the team in TD’s with 12.  TE Rob Gronkowski, who missed 5 weeks with an arm injury, was 2nd with 11 TD’s.

Ridley’s 1263 yards were the fourth highest total in Patriots history.

TE Rob Gronkowski joined WR Randy Moss and RB Corey Dillon as the only Patriots players to have had three straight seasons with 10+ TD’s.

K Stephen Gostkowski led the NFL in points with 153.

LB Jerod Mayo was the team leader in tackles again with 184 tackles (115 solo) it was the 5th highest total in team history.

Mayo (184) and LB Brandon Spikes (128) became the first Patriots teammates to record 100+ tackle season in the same year since 2006.

DE Rob Ninkovich finished with a team high 8 sacks in 2012.

Spikes and Ninkovich tied a team record this year with 5 forced fumbles each.  Mayo was second with 4 forced fumbles.

DT Vince Wilfork and Ninkovich had a team high 4 fumble recoveries in 2012.

Rookie DE Chandler Jones had a team high 12 QB hits and he was second on the squad with 6 sacks.

CB/S Devin McCourty had 5 INT’s to lead the team.  Rookie S Tavon Wilson had 4 INT’s; rookie CB Alfonzo Dennard and S Steve Gregory each had 3 INT’s.

It was the 2nd time in 3 years that McCourty has led the team and the AFC in INT’s.

McCourty also led the team in passes defensed with 13, while CB Kyle Arrington was 2nd for the year with 11 passes defensed.

Since CB Aqib Talib came to New England only the Tennessee Titans gave up fewer plays of 30 yards or more.

WR Matthew Slater had 20 tackles on special teams and rookie S Nate Ebner was 2nd with 17 tackles on special teams.

Patriots with Baltimore Connections:

  • CB Kyle Arrington is a native of Accokeek MD and attended Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine MD
  • DE Chandler Jones is the younger brother of Ravens DE Arthur Jones.  Their other brother, Jon “Bones” Jones is a Champion UFC fighter.
  • S Derrick Martin was a 6th round draft pick of the Ravens in 2006.

There are only three players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3), Deion Branch (2) and Wilfork (1).

Roster moves this week:

  • TE Rob Gronkowski was placed on the IR

The Patriots captains for 2012 are QB Tom Brady, DT Vince Wilfork, G Logan Mankins, LB Jerod Mayo, CB Devin McCourty and WR Matthew Slater (special teams).

The Patriots have 5 New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA); LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT) and OL Jamey Richard (Weston CT – IR). 

They have 10 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are CB Will Allen (Syracuse – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); RB Tony Fiametta (Syracuse – Exempt List); DE Justin Francis (Rutgers); S Stephen Gregory (Syracuse); DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); OL Donald Thomas (UConn); RB James Develin (Brown – Practice Squad) and NT Vince Wilfork (Miami).

The Patriots have 6 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.

Ravens Team Notes

Here is the Ravens roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2012 Ravens Schedule/Results

Baltimore’s all-time record is 150-121-1 they are 12-7 in the post season. The Ravens have won one Super Bowl in their only appearance beating the New York Giants (XXXV).

The Ravens are the two-time defending AFC North champions.

Baltimore is 2-0 is 2012 playoffs having beaten Indianapolis 19-13 at home in the AFC Wild Card Round and Denver 38-35 in 2 OT’s on the road in the AFC Divisional Round.

Ravens in AFC Championship Game (1-2)

Date

Opponent

W-L

Score

1/14/2001

at Oakland

W

16-3

1/18/2009

at Pittsburgh

L

14-23

1/22/2012

at New England

L

20-23

1/20/2013

at New England

TBD

 

Baltimore is 8-5 on the road in the playoffs.

The Ravens along with the Patriots are two of three teams to make the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons.  The third team is Indianapolis.

Baltimore is the only team to make the post season the last 5 seasons.

Baltimore has the best post season winning percentage (.632) of any team with at least 15 games played.

This is the third AFC Championship game for the Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh.

All four of the Ravens playoff losses under Harbaugh have come at the hands of the team that ended up representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Baltimore has the second most wins in the NFL since 2008 with 61.

Since 2008 Baltimore is 6-2 vs. the AFC East with both losses being to New England.

The Ravens set a franchise record by scoring 398 points in the regular season.

Baltimore had 72 plays in 2012 of 20+ yards.

In Week 3’s 31-30 victory vs. New England, the Ravens’ offense produced a 300-yard passer (Joe Flacco – 382), a 100-yard rusher (Ray Rice – 101) and a 100-yard receiver (Torrey Smith – 127) for just the fifth time in franchise history.

The Ravens were 10th with points per game with 24.9.  While they allowed 21.5 points per game good for a tie for 12th in the NFL.

The Baltimore defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 37 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 38 times.

Baltimore is PLUS 9 in turnover differential tied for 8th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 11 INT and 5 fumble, while the defense has 13 INT and 12 fumble recoveries. 

The Ravens are 80 for 217 (36.9%) in 3rd down efficiency and 6 for 14 (42.9%) on fourth down attempts.  Opponents are 83 for 232 (35.8%) in 3rd down efficiency and 6 for 12 (50%) on 4th down attempts.

Ravens Staff Notes

Read what Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and others had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Harbaugh is in his 5th season with the team, he is 54-26 since taking over and is 7-4 in the playoffs for an overall record of 61-30. 

He is 2-3 vs. New England in his career including 1-1 in the post season.

Harbaugh’s brother Jim is in his second season as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and for the second year in a row the brothers are one win away from facing each other in the Super Bowl.

He has won two AFC North Division titles as the head coach of the Ravens and his teams have made the playoffs all five years he has been in Baltimore.

He is the only NFL head coach to have won a playoff game in each of his first five seasons.

He is just one of three coaches to make the playoffs in each of his first five seasons the others are Bill Cowher (6 years) and Chuck Knox (5).

Staff with New England ties:

Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg was the secondary coach at Boston College.

Defensive Line Coach Clarence Brooks went to high school in New Bedford, MA. before playing guard at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He was also a coach at UMass.

Offensive Quality Control Coach Jason Brooks, son of Clarence Brooks, was born in Amherst, MA. Brooks, like his father, severed as a coach at UMass.

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach John Dunn was born in Great Barrington MA

Assistant Offensive Line Coach Craig VerSteeg served as the Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach at Harvard University.

Ravens Linebackers Coach Dean Pees served as the Linebackers coach and Defensive Coordinator for New England.

Baltimore Assistant Offensive Line Coach Todd Washington coached the offensive line for the Hartford Colonials (UFL) in 2010.

Ravens Defensive Quality Control Coach Matt Weiss is a native of Cheshire CT and attended the Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven CT.

Baltimore Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta is a native of Taunton MA and graduated from Colby College in Waterville ME.

Ravens Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: McKinney
  • LG: Osemele
  • C: Birk
  • RG: Yanda
  • RT: Oher
  • TE: Pitta
  • TE: Dickson
  • WR: Smith
  • WR: Bolden
  • QB: Flacco
  • RB: Rice

Defense:

  • DT: Ngata
  • NT: Kemoeatu
  • DE: Kruger
  • LB: Suggs
  • LB: Ellerbe
  • LB: Lewis
  • LB: Upshaw
  • LCB: Graham
  • RCB: Williams
  • S: Pollard
  • S: E. Reed

Ravens Players Notes

Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco is 54-26 in his career in the regular season and 7-4 in the playoffs for an overall record of 61-30 in 5 seasons.

Flacco was a 1st round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Delaware.

He is 2-3 vs. New England in his career including 1-1 in the playoffs.

In his last two games against the Patriots, Flacco is 50 of 75 for 688 yards, 5 TD’s and 2 INT’s.

Flacco threw for a career-high 3,817 yards, 22 TDs (second most of his career) and just 10 INTs (tying a career low) in 2012.

Flacco has the third current longest consecutive starts by a QB with 80.

RB Ray Rice totaled 1,621 yards from scrimmage (1,143 rushing and 478 receiving), the NFL’s ninth most. It marked Rice’s fourth-straight season with at least 1,600 yards from scrimmage.

Rice averages 100 yards per game rushing vs. New England.  In 5 career games he has 518 yards.

WR Torrey Smith was the Sox and Dawgs Offensive Player of the Game in Week 3, he had 6 catches for 127 yards and 2 TD’s on the day his younger brother died in a motorcycle accident.

Smith was 4th in the NFL in yards per catch with 17.4.

He led the Ravens with 8 TD catches.

WR/KR Jacoby Jones led the NFL with a 30.7 yards per KOR.

He had three returns for TD’s in 2012, 2 on kickoffs and 1 on a punt.

Jones made his first Pro Bowl as a special teams starter.

WR Anquan Boldin led Baltimore with 921 receiving yards.

TE Dennis Pitta had 7 TD catches most in franchise history for a tight end.

Rookie K Justin Tucker made 30 of 33 FGAs (90.9%), producing the second-best success rate in Ravens single-season history and also the second-best mark by a rookie kicker in NFL history.

Future Hall of Fame LB Ray Lewis is in his 17th and final season.  In his career he has 2,643 tackles, 31 INT’s and 20 recovered fumbles.

He is the only 40-sack/30 INT player in NFL history and along with another future Hall of Famer former Patriots S Rodney Harrison they are the only 30/30 players in the NFL history.

Lewis has 6 career forced fumbles in the post season.  He is tied with Neil Smith for most all-time.

He had a game high 17 tackles at Denver last week.

Future Hall of Fame S Ed Reed has 61 career INT’s and has returned 7 of them for TD’s.  The 61 INT’s are good for 10th all-time.

Reed has 8 INT’s in 13 career post season games. Only Charlie Waters, Bill Simpson and Ronnie Lott have more post season INT’s they all have 9.

He is the only NFL player to have scored return TD’s off of an INT, punt return, blocked punt and fumble recovery.

Overall Reed has 14 career TD’s.

Reed and CB Cary Williams led the Ravens with 4 INT’s each.

He is the NFL’s all-time leader in INT return yards with 1,541.

Since 1966 Reed has the most 2+ INT games in NFL history with 12.

Reed has the two longest INT returns for TD’s in NFL history 107 yards and 106 yards.

LB Terrell Suggs is the Ravens all-time franchise sack leader with 84.5.

Suggs has 12 sacks in 13 post season games.  He is tied for 3rd all-time with Reggie White.  Only Bruce Smith (14.5) and former Patriots LB Willie McGinnest (16) have more.

DT Haloti Ngata was the Sox and Dawgs Defensive Player of the Game in Week 3 when he had 9 tackles (7 solo), 0.5 sack, 2 QB hits and 1 tackle for loss.

S Bernard Pollard led the Ravens with 98 tackles in 2012.

Baltimore has no permanent captains, they are announced on a weekly basis.

Ravens with New England ties:

  • S James Ihedigbo, an Amherst MA native and UMass grad, played for the Patriots in 2011.
  • LB Ricky Brown (Injured Reserve) was in training camp with the Patriots in 2011.
  • WR and Return Specialist David Reed is a native of New London CT and played for New Britain High School until he transferred to New London High School for his senior season.

Baltimore had 6 players named to the Pro Bowl.  They are S Ed Reed, RB Ray Rice, WR/KR Jacoby Jones, RB Vonta Leach, DT Haloti Ngata and G Marshal Yanda.

There are 9 players on the Baltimore roster from Big East Universities and New England based colleges.  They are C Matt Birk (Harvard); LB Ricky Brown (Boston College – IR); CB Corey Graham (New Hampshire); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); CB Chris Johnson (Louisville); DT Arthur Jones (Syracuse); LB Jameel McClain (Syracuse); RB Bernard Pierce (Temple); TE Alex Silvestro (Rutgers – Practice Squad) and RB Ray Rice (Rutgers).

The Ravens have no retired numbers.

Next Week

If the Patriots win on Sunday they will either play the winner of San Francisco and Atlanta in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome in New Orleans LA on Sunday February 3rd on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII