Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Oct. 12, 2006, edition 1 / Page 19
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3C SPORTS/^e Cljarlotte $o£t Thursday, October 12, 2006 Panthers defense makes case II PHOTOWADE NASH Carolina cornerback Richard Marshall celebrates on the way to the end zone with his first NFL interception. Continued from page 1C defensive player be able to just dominate a game the way Julius is. How many times in a row is he hitting the quarterback? It’s incredi ble,” The Panthers are in the bottom half of the NPL in total defense, but stand out in one key stat: third down efficiency. Carolina is 18th in the league in total defense at 322.8 yards per game, but is first in third down percentage at 24.6 percent. “That’s when football is fun,” defensive end Mike Rucker said, “when you’re out there in that zone and guys are out there having fun, getting hits on the quarterback, getting sacks, interceptions and touchdowns. That’s what ball’s about.” It’s also helped the defenders behind the line. The revamped, linebacker corps, which has adjusted to fimctioning without Dan Morgan in the middle, is getting to the ball faster. The secondary has also flourished in pass coverage despite nagging injuries to cornerback Ken Lucas and safety Shaim Williams. “I tip my hat to them,” said cornerback Richard Marshall, who returned his first NFL interception for a touchdown against Cleveland. “Without them, it wouldn’t be (as easy) for us. Without them getting pressure on the quarterback, the receivers would have aU day running and Fm glad they’re able to get pressure on the quarterback and make them get the ball out faster.” Elizabeth City State changes CIAA dynamic Continued from page 2C specialists Darrell Nesbitt and Eddie Montgomery were a huge loss, but the bulk of the starters are veterans. And don’t blame having a new quarterback. The Eagles have a new QB, and they haven’t skipped a beat. I hear you Falcon fans: “Why are you beating down oiu team? They started 8-0 last year.” But where were they in November? H-O-M-E! What’s that slogan? It’s not how you start but where you finish. And right now, St. Aug’s is dangerously close to finishing at the bottom of the pack. That’s never good news for contract extensions. BONITTA BEST is sports editor at The Triangle Tribune in Durham. Charlotte’s ultimate source for HBCU sports. tKIje Cljarlotte Posit Delaware State first HBCU to field an equestrian program oBVB 0/1QBS. y. Continued from page 1C and practice purposes Under the rules of NCAA-sanctioned eques trian sports, riders compete on unfamiliar horses in either the English or Western riding categories. Of the six founding DSU team members, only Scuse will compete in the Western category, with the rest competing as English riders. Also working with the team is Sheldon Powell, bam manager. ‘We have a beautiful facility, an amazing staff, and we’re getting great horses; now we need to get more riders,” Nichol said. “The way we are set up, we should be pretty successful.” The 2006-07 season will take the equestrian team to the far north, south and western reaches of the United States. All of the meets wiU be away during their inaugural season. Fans, strangers celebrate baseball ambassador O’Neil’s life and legacy By Dave Skretta THE ASSOCIATED PRESS KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Baseballs left on a table, signed by dozens of his fans, told sto ries of how he touched their lives. Flowers piled up on another table 0”Neil near a portrait of the dapper, gregarious man who came to embody the story of the Negro Leagues. Friends and strangers alike gathered on Saturday at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to celebrate the life of John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil. ONeil died on Friday night fium complications of conges tive heart failure and recent ly diagnosed bone marrow cancer at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, said Bob Kendrick, marketing director for the museum. He was 94. Some of the tributes talked of how O’Neil played catch with children, or never turned down an autograph request. One had a bible verse, Matthew 25:21, that read in part, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Children and adults wan dered through the museum, many dressed in the red and white Kansas City Monarchs jerseys and caps that O’Neil made famous. More than usual paused in front of a glass case that held O’Neil’s first baseman’s glove, a tro phy inducting him into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, and other trinkets. “I’m going to miss him, because he was always very positive with me and was always rooting for me,” Mets manager Willie Randolph said before Game 3 of New York’s NL playoff series against Los Angeles. “As a matter of fact, when I got the job, he left a voice mail congratulating me. It goes, ‘Hi, Skippah. Nice goin’.’ I still have that on my phone, and once in a while, I just play it back with the other messages I get. It means a lot to me,” he said. “He’s someone I’ll always remember.” ONeil win Me in state on Friday at the museum’s Field of Legends gallery, where well-wishers can pay their respects. A private funeral and burial service are sched uled for next Saturday at a place and time to be deter- • mined, and a separate memo rial service open to the public will follow. “We lost, obviously, a great piece of not only sports histo ry, but American history with the death of Buck ONeil,” said Kendrick, who smiled when he said ONeil had rest ed comfortably during his last few hours. “Buck was 94 years old. Buck Mved a wonderful life,” Kendrick said. “But Buck knew, as well as we all knew, none of us are bom to live for ever. The great man that he was, the great mind that he was, the great visionary that he was, he prepared us for this day.” Kendrick said he hopes the John “Buck” O’Neil Education and Research Center, to be located in a YMCA around the comer from the museum, will serve as a tribute to ONeil. Vacation “at home” in Nc^th Caroiina if®" . From Manteo to Murphy, from Calabash to High Hampton, scores of fascinating places to go, things to study, do ang.- see...all within an easy one-day drive, or less. For free information about specific reso'rtsi attraction-, or destinations contact theN.C. Department of Tourism - ■“ -iv-. Crown Park Hotel 600 Willard St. Durham, NC 27701 Phone: (919)956-9444 Fax: (919)956-5553 Is Pleased to Offer Special Rates .fust Call Us ! I-SOO-VISIT NC .i Compass masters crossover SUV competition for Jeep Jeep started this whole sport utility thing decades ago but has been slow to Test respond to market needs. The DriV6 Commander - Jeep’s first tme big SUV - debuted this year to good revievre and sales. It only took the company a decade to respond. Jeep has now turned its sights to the crossover segment. The Compass is not quite the walk- off homerun as the Commander, Winfred ^ two-nm double. B Cross Ifthe Compass looks famiMar it should. Jeep gives it the compa ny’s classic grin and roimd headlamps. But it also looks like Dodge’s Caliber, on which fhe Compass is based. It has much more ground clearance but essentially has the same shape. It’s a cool design that should appeal to first time buyers and then some. The interior is nicely sorted, but has an over abundance of plastic. It’s not bad looking, but plastic nonetheless. I especially Mke the gauge package and how easy you can reach controls. There’s seating for five, with the option of folding the rear seats for more stowage space. There are nice compartments for smaller items and the cup holders actually hold cups in place. The engine is a foim-cyMnder unit that makes 172 horsepower with 165 pounds-feet of torque. It’s not the most powerful thing but gets the job done admirably. The standard transmission is a wonderfully slick five-speed. A continuously variable automatic is available but the stick is so easy it’s worth teaching someone how to use. The Compass’ handling is Mke that of a small car - i.e. nimble with quick steering. The fuUy independent suspension helps with the smooth ride. It’s designed primarily for on-road use but the optional 4WD will allow for light off-road- ing. Combined with the standard traction con trol it will handle inclement weather like a champ. The base model starts at $17,025. Add major options like air, Bluetooth capabiMties, CD changer, sunroof and the like and the price climbs to about $22,000. Go for the limited ver-' sion and you get much of that standard at $19,200. Either way you get one heck of a bargain in a Crossover. I’d love for my college freshman niece to have one of these. The Jeep name and the cool design make this a winner. Featuring Data Ports Business Center Interior corridors 25” Color Television Spacious Guest Rooms Near E)urham Bulls Athletic Park Free Shuttle to Duke, VA Hospitals Free Secured and Wireless Internet Complementary Continental Breakfast All rooms include coffee makers, iron & ironing board, hair dryers Stay close to the action at a price you can afford at the Crown Park Hotel of Durham. This month save with Special rate at this convenient hotel located near downtown Durham, and only minutes from Duke, NCCU, UNC and the RDU Airport Take a campus tour, visit Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the AAA Durham bulls, or go to the Museum of Life & Science, rated in the top four family- friendly museums in the Southeast by Family Fun magazine. Located in the his toric tobacco district, enjoy the newly con- stmcted American tobacco building with abundant eateries and sports bars. Play a challenging round of golf, or shop at an abundance of unique stores. The courteous staff at the Qown Park Hotel of Durham provides a warm and inviting atmosphere and loads of amenities to make your stay most enjoyable. The Crown Park Hotel of Durham has spacious, clean rooms, and excellent service - everything you need for a pleasant stay. We shall make every effort to meet and exceed your expectations.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 12, 2006, edition 1
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