The Rundown: We're Never Eating Again

We made it through the holiday season and 2017 is finally here. We don’t know about you but the diet starts today. All that couch surfing while watching sports and spiked eggnog has finally caught up with us.

Break out the stretchy pants,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – Don’t forget to share your excitement for Last Night’s Game with your newly found treadmill buddy. 2017 is the year of the sports savvy!

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NCAA Football (College)

• Have we met? While you were celebrating the end of 2016, Alabama beat Washington and Clemson shutout Ohio State. The winners move on to the National Championship game on January 9th. The game will be a rematch of last year’s final game, which Alabama won. 
• But wait there’s more. Don’t worry, if you missed out on bowl season football there are still a few major bowl games today. These games were moved from their typical New Year’s Day time slot because of an NFL scheduling conflict (the NFL played on Sunday).
  • Cotton Bowl (Arlington, TX) - Western Michigan vs Wisconsin
  • Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA) - Penn State vs USC
  • Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, LA) - Oklahoma vs Auburn  

NFL (National Football League)

• See ya. Unlike most NFL coaches, Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is leaving the games on his terms. Kubiak informed the team he is retiring as head coach. Rumors have it he’s retiring for health reasons but we think it’s because he misses Peyton Manning.

Overtime

• NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. may have been out most of the season with a concussion but he took the plunge on New Year's Eve. Earnhardt married his longtime girlfriend and everyone was there. Guess which leading lady caught the bouquet and might be the next one to walk down the aisle? (FYI - NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing).  

Sideline stat

• On Friday night Ronda Rousey made her much anticipated return to fighting after a lengthy absence. Albeit all that training for her comeback fight didn’t pay off as she hoped because she was knocked out in 48 seconds by champion Amanda Nunes. All signs point to Rousey retiring after her loss but pour one out for her because she’s a pioneer - the Amelia Earhart of women’s MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) if you will.

Coaches’ corner

• Today is known as Black Monday in the NFL. It is the Monday after the regular season finishes when many losing coaches are shown the door. There have already been five coaches fired before today therefore the infamous day might not live up to the hype this year. “Tell me about it” said Black Friday.

The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition – Hotline Bling

Who doesn’t love the holiday season? It offers so many delightful things like a plethora of sports, family and Grandma’s apple pie. It also has its awkward moments such as election talk and rapper Drake wearing a shirt with your face on it.

Started from the bottom now we're here, 

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Speaking of apple pie, today’s tailgate treat is like your grandma’s apple pie but in a glass, with alcohol. We’re warming hearts and bellies everywhere. Recipe

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NCAA Football (College)

• About last night. The University of Louisville was sitting pretty at #5 in the college football rankings and their quarterback Lamar Jackson was the front runner in the Heisman Trophy race. Then last night happened. They were blown out by the University of Houston. Jackson all but had the Heisman locked up going into the game, but after his sub-par performance the field is wide open. Find out who’s still in contention for the Heisman. 
• All aboard. ESPN’s College GameDay heads to an unlikely destination on Saturday - Kalamazoo, MI. There they will cover the undefeated Western Michigan Broncos as they take on the Buffalo Bulls. Western Michigan’s coach, 35-year-old P.J. Fleck, is one of the top emerging coaches in the nation. His “Row the Boat” mantra has taken his team from one of the worst in college football to an undefeated one this season.  

NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing)

• Shake and bake. Sunday’s race is the final race of the season therefore the “Sprint Cup Champion” will be crowned. One of the four drivers in contention for the title, Jimmie Johnson, is looking to tie legends Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty with his seventh championship. 

MLB (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)

• Forever young. MLB announced its 2016 season MVPs yesterday. Kris Bryant from the Chicago Cubs and Mike Trout of the Los Angles Angels took home the prestigious award. Both of the MVPs are 25 years old or younger. Ahh remember those days?

Overtime

• Canadian rapper Drake is the global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors (NBA – National Basketball Association). During the season the team hosts a “Drake Night.” Drake took advantage of his namesake evening to share his affinity for ESPN reporter Doris Burke. He wore a shirt with her face on it that said “Women Crush Everyday” and then invited her over for dinner, alone. No word from Rihanna if she will chaperone.

Sideline stat

• This is the last year Sprint will be the main sponsor of NASCAR, a partnership that began in 2008. Sprint paid between $50-$75 million a year for the right. NASCAR has yet to name a replacement and is seeking $100 million per year for 10 years. Will they take a check? 

Coaches’ corner

• The Stanford University band has been banned from traveling to away games since May 2015 due to various violations (offensive acts, hazing and violations of alcohol and controlled substances to name a few). There was hope they would be eligible to travel to rival Cal this weekend to support their team with music, but alas the ban remains as not all issues have been resolved. This one time at band camp….

The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up Edition - Getting You Up To Speed

If you thought your weekend was rough, be glad you weren’t playing college football or fighting in the octagon where mayhem ensued. Don’t worry, your Monday will be better.

Deep breath,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Want to share us with your friends? Use the handy dandy share button at the bottom. 

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UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)

• Kind of a big deal. Conor McGregor once again lives up to the hype surrounding his fights.  He knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the second round on Saturday night to be crowned the lightweight champion. McGregor became the first fighter to simultaneously hold two different championship belts (lightweight and featherweight). The fight drew a record $17.7 million in ticket sales for the first ever UFC event in New York.   

NCAA Basketball (College)

• There goes the neighborhood. College basketball season began over the weekend. To celebrate the start of the college basketball season, ESPN will show 24 hours of live men’s and women’s college basketball starting tonight. We’re calling in sick with basketball fever. Games begin at 6 pm EST. Want the full schedule? It’s right here.

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

• It’s getting good. In the Chase for the Cup, Joey Logano won the race in Phoenix securing his spot in the final round of four which takes place Sunday. The other drivers in the final round are Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards.

Soccer

• Adios amigos. Team U.S.A men’s soccer team lost on Friday to Mexico in World Cup qualifying game. They will play an important game against Costa Rica on Tuesday. 

Overtime

• This weekend the NFL (National Football League) observed Veteran’s Day by honoring veterans in its “Salute to Service.” The Carolina Panthers took it a step further by putting decals on their helmets representing the initials of a fallen soldier that they were playing for. The team provided each of the players with the story of their solider to understand their sacrifice. The players signed the helmets and sent messages to the families of the fallen soldiers.  

Sideline stat

• It was a tough weekend to be a top 10 ranked college football team with three of the top four teams losing (Clemson #2, Michigan #3, Washington #4). There are only two undefeated teams left in college football – Alabama (#1) and Western Michigan (#21).

Coaches’ corner

• In the most dramatic ending since The Bachelorette finale, the Denver Broncos blocked the New Orleans Saints extra point and ran it back to score and win the game. In the NFL, the defense can return a blocked extra point, which happens after a touchdown, for two points. Like The Bachelorette, there are many ways to score in football.