The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition - Pumpkin Fatigue

Fall is in the air and the flavor of pumpkin is everywhere. May your pumpkin spice latte bring you as much joy as today’s Rundown.

Non-fat please,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – This weekend’s tailgate treat is not made of pumpkin but liquid gold - Kristen’s chorizo queso. Pop that Lipitor and enjoy.  

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NCAA football (College)

• Don’t hold your breath. ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast from Knoxville, TN ahead of the matchup between University of Florida Gators (#19) and Tennessee Volunteers (#14). Tennessee has been unsuccessful in beating Florida in their last 12 attempts. In sports, there’s always hope. Will this be the year the Vols beat the Gators?
• Beak not included. The University of Oregon Ducks are known for having a plethora of uniforms because of their close relationship with Nike. This weekend they’ll be sporting uniforms that look like their mascot, The Fighting Duck.  

Need to schedule your Saturday around your team? Here’s the schedule.

NFL (National Football League)

• I got this coach. New England Patriots’ Bill Belichick coached third-string rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a stellar shutout game last night against the Texans. Brissett replaces Tom Brady and back up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Viking strong. After losing their starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the preseason, the Minnesota Vikings have also lost their star Adrian Peterson to knee surgery. Peterson is likely out for the season. Although if anyone can return it is Peterson. He returned to the field nine months after ACL surgery (which typically requires a least a year recovery).  
• Rivalry. Bragging rights for the Keystone State are on the line this weekend when Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles face off. Both teams are undefeated this season. The matchup is led by two quarterbacks who are on opposite ends of their careers – Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger is a veteran with hall of fame-type credentials and Eagles’ quarterback is rookie Carson Wentz from North Dakota State who was the second pick in the NFL draft. 
• Commitment. What kind of dedication does it take to go from North Dakota State’s quarterback last season to the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles this year? Sacrifices have to be made. Carson Wentz’s girlfriend said she has caught him watching game film under the table on their dates. We’ll have the chicken with a side of touchdown.  

When is your team playing? Here’s the schedule.

Overtime

• Former NBA player and current Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, was at a charity event when a protestor smashed a pie in his face. (It was coconut cream in case you were curious). Johnson reacted quickly and punched the pie thrower in the face. The pie assaulter ended up with stitches, a trip to the hospital and then to jail, where he faces a felony charge for assaulting a public official.  

Sideline stat

• The final stop on the PGA FedExCup Tour (i.e. the end of the PGA - golf - season) is this weekend in Georgia. The golfer with the most points at the end of the season wins bragging rights along with a $10 million check. Dustin Johnson is leading in FedExCup points and is currently tied in the Georgia tournament. Come Sunday Johnson could be in a higher tax bracket. (Johnson is also the husband of Paulina Gretzky, daughter of famed hockey player Wayne Gretzky).   

Coaches’ corner

• What do you mean by third-string? A player, such as Patriots’ Jacoby Brissett, is considered a third-string player for his position. That means there are two other players ahead of him who will play before he does. In the Patriots’ situation, starting quarterback Tom Brady is suspended and back up Jimmy Garoppolo is injured.

The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - The Edge of Glory

Sometimes we wish we could predict the future simply for the sake of our fantasy football teams. While we can’t predict the future, we can tell you that the newly selected Super Bowl halftime show performer will be entertaining.

Born this way,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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NFL (National Football League)

• Who’s the new guy? New England Patriots beat Miami Dolphins, but replacement quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury that could keep him out for awhile. With Tom Brady’s suspension lasting another two weeks, Patriots rookie Jacoby Brissett will now take on the task of leading the Patriots.

NCAA Football (College)

• The prodigal son returns. Tom Brady is making the most of his four game suspension from the Patriots. This week he traveled to his alma mater Michigan to serve as the honorary captain. Brady and Michigan head coach, Jim Harbaugh, even played a spirited game of catch before the game.
• Bummer sooner. Oklahoma Sooners and Notre Dame Fighting Irish may be on the outside looking in at the college football playoffs because both ranked teams suffered their second loss of the season at home this weekend. The Fighting Irish lost to Michigan State and the Sooners lost to Ohio State.

Did your team win? Find out here.  

F1 (Formula One Racing)

• Light it up. Nico Rosberg won the Singapore Grand Prix, his first ever win under the lights. (Singapore is a night track). Rosberg also took the overall points lead from his teammate Lewis Hamilton with six races to go in the season.
• Oh the irony. Singapore is known as a “fine city” because they don’t hesitate to penalize anyone who breaks their rules. One Ferrari team member, who happened to also be an ex-Philip Morris staffer, found that out the hard way. He was fined $730 USD for throwing his cigarette butt on the ground while in the country. 

Hockey

• Tough loss. In a shocking victory, Team Europe upset Team U.S.A in the World Cup of Hockey. To advance Team U.S.A. must beat favored Team Canada on Tuesday, or hope for a miracle. Same same but different.  

NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing)

• Cowabunga. Martin Truex Jr won the first “Chase for the Cup” race this weekend at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400. (Yes that’s the real name – we can’t make this stuff up).

Overtime

• After rumors that Adele turned down the opportunity, the all important halftime performance for this season’s Super Bowl has been announced. Lady Gaga has accepted the challenge of entertaining the nation in February. We have no doubt she’ll put together a memorable performance.

Sideline stat

• Los Angeles Rams beat Seattle Seahawks 9-3 as football returned to L.A. The Rams scored in the game with three field goals which means they still have not scored a touchdown as the L.A. Rams since 1994 (that’s when the team left L.A).

Coaches’ Corner

• What is this NASCAR “The Chase for the Cup?" The “Chase” is an elimination-style playoff to crown the best driver in NASCAR. It starts with 16 drivers in 10 races. It’s quite an in depth points system so if you’re interested in hearing more click here to learn from the experts. We just play ones on TV. 

The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - Sweet As Pie

Monday is here again. Don’t worry, we’ll provide you with a ray of sunshine and a little something about the world of sports to sweeten your day.

Sweet as pie,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Only 18 days until the start of the Olympics! Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for all the Olympic excitement.

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Golf

• Age ain’t nothing but a number. The Open wrapped up yesterday in Scotland and age seemed to be the most important factor in a field of youngins. Phil Mickelson (46) and Henrik Stenson (40) went back and forth with the lead in what became a two-man race for the win. Stenson ultimately prevailed as the winner. He is the first Major winner from the country of Sweden. (The Majors are the four big tournaments in golf).  

NFL (National Football League) 

• Fight over football. After over 500 days of a legal battle concerning deflated footballs, New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady has given up his fight to have his four game suspension overturned by the next step in the legal system, the Supreme Court. Yes, the Supreme Court.  Brady will miss the first four games of the season.

But don’t worry ladies, Brady’s backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, will fill the void in your hearts. Although no word on his in-game skills as it’s the first time the Patriots will start a quarterback not named Tom Brady since 2008.  

NBA (National Basketball Association) 

• Shootin’ hoops. The NBA summer league final game is set for tonight and the Minnesota Timberwolves team will play the Chicago Bulls team for the championship. The summer league is a launching pad for NBA talent where first and second year players get a chance to show off their skills in hopes of becoming the next LeBron or Michael Jordan. 

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) 

• Breaking the law. Matt Kenseth won the race in New Hampshire this weekend. The high of victory didn’t last long as Kenseth’s car failed the post-race inspection. The team’s penalty will be announced on Wednesday after further review.  
• Don’t call it a comeback. Sunday’s race was missing one of NASCAR’s biggest stars, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who was unable to race due to concussion-like symptoms. If Earnhardt is unable to race next weekend, retired legendary driver and current commentator, Jeff Gordon, will take over the driving responsibility for the Nationwide #88 (Earnhardt’s) team. 

Overtime

• Former NFL running back Jahvid Best, who had his football career cut short due to injuries, has reinvented himself and will be the first former NFL player to compete in the Olympics. Best will compete for St. Lucia in the 100-meter race.

Sideline stat

• Tom Brady’s financial team was prepared that Brady may have to serve out his four game suspension. In the offseason they renegotiated his contract adjusting his salary for this year to just $1 million, down from $9 million. This move will save him almost $2 million which would’ve been lost salary. (Players forfeit their prorated game salary if suspended). In case you were wondering, minimum salary for an NFL player with 10+ years experience (like Brady) is $985,000/year.  

Coaches’ corner

• What does it mean to fail NASCAR’s post-race inspections? All cars must face a post-race examination to ensure that the cars meet the standards set by NASCAR. Kenseth’s car did not meet the requirements in the laser inspection station. Another example, a team earlier in the year was found to have a rigged 22-gallon fuel tank that read full but only contained five gallons of gas during a qualifying race. NASCAR rules call for a car to have a full tank of gas. Less fuel makes the car lighter (i.e. faster) or allows the crew to put the weight in a more advantageous place for a faster race.