Ten champs and look like a real national champions

With the Grey Cup in on home turf this year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders would very much like to headline rather than just host. So it isnt surprising they tapped the piggy bank to land some marquee players that might help make that happen. The CFLs all-time leader in receiving yards, Geroy Simon, and last years most-outstanding Canadian at the Grey Cup, Ricky Foley, head the list. At 37, Simon seriously increases the average age of Reginas receiving corps, but general manager Brendan Taman says hes worth the price it took to get him in a trade with B.C. "We feel hes got some game left for sure," Taman said Tuesday in a CFL pre-season conference call. Sophomore head coach Corey Chamblin hopes the pair of experienced pros can keep the Roughriders on a more even keel than last season. "The biggest thing you hope those guys bring is their veteran presence," Chamblin said. "Making sure we dont get too high with the highs and too low with the lows. I think we did that last year." After finishing a mediocre 8-10 last year, the Riders were bounced out of the West semifinal 36-30 by the Calgary Stampeders after losing the lead late in the fourth quarter. Defensive tackle Keith Shologan is looking forward to teaming up with Foley for 2013. "He goes and thats what we need," said Shologan, himself the top Canadian in the Roughriders 2010 Grey Cup loss to the Montreal Alouettes. "Guys that dont take plays off and guys that are going to go and make some disruption out there and I think hes that guy. . . Im kind of excited about it." The Roughriders signed Foley away from Toronto as a free agent. "To have a winning team you have to have youth and you also have to have that veteran experience and I think thats whats going to make us a complete team this year," said Chamblin. Another key to Saskatchewans success or failure this season will be quarterback Darian Durant, now entering his eighth season with the Roughriders and their starter since 2009. Chamblin says be believes Durant has the makings of a great CFL quarterback and this year is a good time to prove it. "Id like to see him take that next step because I think he has the tools to be a great quarterback and to be remembered in this league. Thats the pressure that I put on him," Chamblin said. "Every time I see him I talk about it because he has the ability to be that Steve McNair type, to take a game over with his legs or also with his arm and thats very unique. I dont think this league has had it for a while." Last season, his passing numbers were among his best so far as he completed 313 of 486 passes for 64.4 per cent, although his yards were only slightly better than a disastrous 2011, when the team finished last in the CFL at 5-13. Adding Simon to Durants pool of receivers should help. Injuries are likely all that stopped Simon from adding a 10th 1,000-yard-plus season to his league-leading record last year. The Roughriders, meanwhile, have already sold more than 28,000 season tickets and theyve sold more than 30,000 for the Grey Cup. Cheap Kevin Durant Shoes . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Kevin Durant Shoes Outlet . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. https://www.kevindurantshoescheap.com/ . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Kevin Durant Shoes Deals . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Clearance Kevin Durant Shoes .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. INDIANAPOLIS -- As Penn States band played and Lucas Oil Stadium rocked, thousands of fans clad in their traditional white shirts chanted We Are Penn State.It might have been more fitting if had it been We are Penn State -- and we are back.Five years after a child sex abuse scandal tainted the reputation of the school and its football program along with the legacy of late coach Joe Paterno, quarterback Trace McSorley put the Nittany Lions squarely back in the national spotlight Saturday night with an epic 38-31 come-from-behind victory over No. 6 Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. It was the largest comeback in the six-year history of the game.Before coach James Franklin left the field, he was already lobbying the playoff committee to put No. 8 Penn State in the final four.What I do know is that we just won the toughest conference in college football, he said. Weve won nine straight. They say youre allowed to overcome minor setbacks. Weve done that. Its up to you, committee.The Nittany Lions resume is impressive.Since rebounding from a 39-point thumping against Michigan on Sept. 24, Penn State (11-2, No. 7 CFP) has won every game, handed No. 2 Ohio State its only loss of the season and on Saturday rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to end the Badgers six-game winning streak. Penn State also finished as co-champs of the Big Ten East, a division many considered the toughest in the nation, and now has its first conference crown in eight years.Many, including die-hard Penn State fans, wonder whether that will be enough to jump up three spots in the committees rankings. Some fans even held signs that read we smell roses.While McSorley, who was named the games MVP after a record-breaking performance, has even higher hopes, hes content to let his coach lobby for a playoff spot.Coach said what he needed to say, Im going to enjoy this moment with my teammates, McSorley said before leaving the stage on the field.It was certainly a moment worth savoring.McSorley finished 22 of 31 for 384 yards with four TD passes, breaking the title game records for yards and TD passes. He also broke the schools single-season records for yards passing and touchdown passes.And McSorley wasnt the only one putting on a show. Saeed Blacknall caught six passes, two for touchdowns, and finished with a championship-game record 155 yards. DaeSean Hamilton caught eight passes for 118 yards, most in the second half when the Nittany Lions repeatedly burned the nations No. 3 defense with deep throws.What was most imppressive was how they won it.ddddddddddddenn State trailed 28-7 with 5:15 left in the first half. Thats when McSorley and the Nittany Lions offense finally got in sync by scoring touchdowns on each of their next four possessions -- the last an 18-yard TD pass to Saquon Barkley with 13:41 left in the game. The Nittany Lions never trailed again.They made some plays down the field and we didnt make enough to make McSorley feel uncomfortable, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.Wisconsin (10-3, No. 6 CFP) played without starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook but jumped to the big lead behind Corey Clement, who ran 21 times for 164 yards including a 67-yard TD run in the first quarter.But the Badgers usually stout defense allowed a season-high point total.Wisconsins final chance ended when Clement was stopped short of a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Penn State 24-yard line with 1:01 to go.THE TAKEAWAYPenn State: Consider the turnaround is complete. Five years after the Jerry Sandusky scandal tainted the program and the late Joe Paternos legacy, and the ensuing NCAA sanctions seemed to put the Nittany Lions on the fast track to nowhere, they are Big Ten champs and look like a real national championship contender.Wisconsin: After winning their first two title game appearances, the Badgers have now lost their two -- in shocking fashion. Coach Paul Chryst never could have expected this from a defense that hadnt allowed more than 30 points all season and had only allowed No. 2 Ohio State to gain more than 400 yards in a game this year.POLL IMPLICATIONSPenn State: Coach James Franklin insisted all week that his team was focused more on winning a Big Ten title. Now, the lobbying can begin -- if Franklin wants to. The argument goes like this: Co-champs of the toughest division in college football, championship game winners of the best conference in football and the only team to beat No. 2 Ohio State. Will it be enough?Wisconsin: In the first half, the Badgers looked like they would be making their case to the committee. Instead, the Badgers have no idea what will happen next.UP NEXTPenn State: Will eagerly wait to see who is next on the schedule.Wisconsin: Will wait to see who the Badgers will get in the postseason, one that could have been much more interesting had they protected their lead.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '