Ferguson football coach, team get $25K from Ellen DeGeneres

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

 

Howard Brown has a firm grip on the coaching reins of the McCluer South-Berkeley High football team — requiring his players to be “good citizens, good people, good students.”

Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Filed Under: Sports

Saluki Football at Illinois State notes & links

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Southern Illinois (1-4, 0-2 MVFC) at No. 12/12 Illinois State (4-1, 1-1)
Date & Time Oct. 13, 2018 | 2 p.m. CT
Location Normal, Illinois | Hancock Stadium (13,391)
TV/Video Stream ESPN3, Brad Wells, Danan Hughes, Kelly Burke
Live Stats Provided by ISU
Radio Saluki Radio Network with Mike Reis (play-by-play), Gene Green (analysis) and Connor James (analysis)
Radio Stream TuneIn (free)
Southern Illinois Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide (PDF)
Illinois State Game Notes | Stats | Media Guide (PDF)
MVFC Weekly Notes | Stats
All-Time Series         Salukis lead, 41-36-3 (H: 24-16-1, A: 17-20-2)
Social Media @SIU_Football image 4  |  @SIUSalukis image 7  |  Saluki Football image 6


Series versus Illinois State
The teams have met every season since 1970. Since 2002, SIU holds a 9-7 series lead, but interestingly, the outcomes of the games have been lopsided. The average margin of victory for either team since 2002 is 19 points, and only once has a game been decided by less than a touchdown.

QB Sam Straub expected to return
QB Sam Straub (6-4, 247, Sr.) missed last week’s game versus Youngstown State with a concussion, but he is expected to return this week. Straub also missed the last three games in 2017 with a broken wrist. In 15 career starts, Straub has passed for more than 300 yards eight times and has a 7-8 career record. He holds the school record for career 300-yard passing games (8), career 30+ completion games (4), and ranks ninth at SIU in career passing yards (4,208) and sixth in touchdown passes (37). His career high in passing is the school-record 450 yards versus Western Illinois on Nov. 19, 2016. 

S Jeremy Chinn has created 12 turnovers in the last 17 games
In the last 17 games, S Jeremy Chinn (6-2, 211, Jr.) has six interceptions and six forced fumbles. A preseason All-MVC pick, he is tied for second all-time at Southern in forced fumbles (6), trailing only Tyler Williamson (8, 2012-14). Chinn has started 22-straight games at safety for SIU — the longest active starting streak on the team. Chinn will not play during the first half against Illinois State due to a targeting penalty he received in the Youngstown State game.

RB D.J. Davis leads league in All-Purpose Yards
RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 168, Jr.) opened the season with four-straight 100-yard rushing games. The last Saluki to do that was Deji Karim, who had five-straight 100-yard games in 2009. Also a prolific receiver and return man, Davis leads the league in All-Purpose yardage per game (167.8). He is sixth all-time at SIU with 3,424 career all-purpose yards (1,155 rushing, 632 receiving, 1,637 return).

WR Raphael Leonard second in MVFC in catches
WR Raphael Leonard (6-2, 193, Sr.) is second in the MVFC with 28 catches and ranks second in touchdown catches with four. He has caught at least one pass in all 16 games he has played at Southern. Prior to SIU,  Leonard played at East Mississippi Community College football team in 2016, where he was part of Season 2 of the popular Netflix documentary Last Chance U.

Anthony Knighton — sack leader
DE Anthony Knighton (6-4, 253, So.) is the active team leader in career sacks (10.0) and tackles for loss (16.0). In 2017, he was runner-up for MVFC Freshman of the Year after recording 6.5 sacks. This year, he leads SIU with 3.5 sacks. He has started all 16 games in his career and also has two forced fumbles, five pass breakups and one blocked kick. 

Dawg Bites

  • SIU has led at halftime in all five games. The Salukis are +30 in scoring in the first half and -40 in the second half.
  • Against Youngstown State, SIU played without seven injured starters — QB Sam Straub, TE Jacob Varble, OLB Cody Crider, OLB Withney Simon, S Qua Brown, CB James Ceasar and LS Dan Heilbron. During the game, four more starters exited with injuries — LT Ernest Dye Jr., C Jacob Marnin, TE Nigel Kilby and CB Torian Lewis, plus S Jeremy Chinn due to targeting.
  • SIU has had a 100-yard rusher in all five games this year (D.J. Davis/Matt DeSomer) — the longest streak since 2009 (Deji Karim). The last time SIU had six-straight games with a 100-yard rusher was in 2006 (Arkee Whitlock/Nick Hill).
  • The defense has recorded 10+ Tackles For Loss in consecutive games (12.0 vs. South Dakota, 10.0 at Youngstown State) for the first time since 2007. The last Saluki team with three-straight games with 10+ TFL was the 2001 squad.
  • After starting the season +4 in the turnover battle at Murray State, the Salukis are -7 in the last four games.
  • SIU ran 63 plays on offense at Youngstown State after averaging 95 plays during the first four games.


Saluki offense posting historic numbers

  • SIU had 1,703 yards of total offense in Weeks 2-4 — the most yards in a three-game span in school history.
  • SIU topped 500 yards of total offense in Weeks 2-4  — the longest streak since the 2002 squad did it four-straight games.
  • SIU recorded 70 first downs in Weeks 3-4. The 37 versus SEMO was a school record and the 33 versus South Dakota ranked fourth all-time.


Dawg Bites II

  • The last time SIU beat a team ranked in the top 12 on the road was at No. 9 Illinois State on Oct. 6, 2012. SIU won, 17-0, despite gaining only 182 yards of offense. SIU blocked a punt for a TD and had four interceptions.
  • LB Bryce Notree (6-2, 235, So.) leads the team with 36 tackles. He had 11 as a freshman last year. Notree also has 4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, one interception and three QB hurries.
  • SIU’s defense has 16 sacks and 41 TFL through five games and is on pace to top last year’s marks of 23 sacks and 65 TFL.
  • RB Jonathan Mixon (5-11, 230, Sr.) is the team’s active scoring leader with  16 career touchdowns (96 points). He has missed two games this year due to injury.
  • Twelve different players have scored touchdowns for SIU this season, including three players on defense.
  • QB Matt DeSomer has rushed for 100 yards twice in his career. The school record for career 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback is three, set by Fred Gibson in 1987-88.
  • TE Nigel Kilby has caught 12 passes this year and four have been for TDs.
  • TE Logan Crouse is a 22-year-old true freshman who played three seasons of pro baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system prior to SIU.
  • K Nico Gualdoni (6-0, 227, So.) missed his first career field goal (from 44 yards) last week at Youngstown State. He is 8-for-9 on field goals, with a career long of 39 yards, and 30-for-30 on PATs.
  • The offensive line allowed only four sacks during Weeks 1-4 (183 pass attempts), but yielded four during Week 5 (36 attempts). Last year, the Saluki offensive line surrendered just 10 sacks for an MVFC leading average of 0.91 sacks per game.


Darrell James climbing career receiving list
With 1,744 career receiving yards, WR Darrell James (6-0, 209, Sr) needs 66 yards to pass Justin Roebuck into fourth place all time at SIU. James has caught at least one pass in 22-straight games — the team’s longest active streak.

Matt DeSomer’s versatility
Backup QB Matt DeSomer (6-0, 215, Sr.) made his second-career start at quarterback last week. He has played quarterback, wide receiver, safety and special teams during his 35-game career at SIU. His career stats include 648 rushing yards, 416 passing yards, 110 receiving yards, six rushing touchdowns, three passing touchdowns and seven tackles.

WR Landon Lenoir with breakout season
Entering the year with nine catches, slot receiver Landon Lenoir (5-11, 190, So.) has already caught 23 passes this season, is second on the team in catches and has caught at least two balls in every game. Lenoir has two relatives currently in the NFL. Brother Lance Lenoir (age 23), who holds the Western Illinois school record for career touchdown catches (28), is currently a member the Dallas Cowboys. Cousin Laquon Treadwell (age 23) is a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings

Filed Under: Sports

Javier Baez projected to receive $6 million raise in arbitration

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Cubs President Theo Epstein wasn’t ready last week to say whether the team would invest heavily in the free-agent market amid speculation the Cubs could make a push for Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Filed Under: Sports

Repeat: Boston and Houston set to meet again in ALCS

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Craig Kimbrel and the Boston Red Sox held off the Yankees‘ ninth-inning rally that ended with a video replay, eliminating New York with a 4-3 victory Tuesday night that set up a postseason rematch with the World Series champion Houston Astros.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Filed Under: Sports

Commentary: After the fight over Kavanaugh: Why Dems and the GOP will only make our politics uglier

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Confirming Brett Kavanaugh was the best outcome at the end of a hellish decision tree that left the country with no ideal option.

Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.

Filed Under: Columns

Business group says ‘none of the above’ in race for Illinois governor

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

As the November election looms, interest groups and newspaper endorsements are rolling in, but not all of them are pleased with the choices on the ballot.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Real estate experts say Pritzker’s toilet troubles could be criminal

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Real estate experts say J.B. Pritzker, Democrat candidate for Illinois governor, may have some serious legal problems stemming from a leaked report outlining how he allegedly manipulated Cook County’s tax system to lower his property tax bill.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Breaking News

RLC awarded largest 2018 Brookwood-Sago grant

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College has been chosen as the largest recipient of the 2018 Brookwood-Sago grant totaling $97,853.50 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

The grant is part of $250,000 in awards issued by the MSHA this year. The funding is designed to help organizations develop and conduct training programs that support safety and prevent health hazards in underground mines.

Specifically, RLC will utilize the funds for its Mine Emergencies: Train, Prepare and Prevent project, said Gabriele Farner, Dean of Applied Science & Advanced Technology. This two-fold project includes, first, an invitation to rescue teams and fire brigades from Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky to participate in mine rescue and firefighting skills at RLC’s Coal Mine Training Center or at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg. The grant funds will provide for instruction and food during the training.

“Being awarded the Brookwood-Sago grant allows a regional partnership between RLC and Southeastern Illinois College. This reinforces a regional commitment to mine safety and skill readiness to meet the demands of the mining industry,” Farner explained. “Mine rescue teams provided letters of support for this project, and now they will benefit with a free day of training.”

Part two of the project will utilize grant funds to reduce training costs for new miners in accordance with MSHA standards, thereby helping many local, small mines to create a stronger pool of candidates.

All of the trainings funded by the grant will begin this month and run through the end of September 2019. Farner estimates 400 miners will be trained at RLC and SIC during this time.

RLC was first awarded a Brookwood-Sago grant in 2009 totaling $50,000, which was used to train mine fire brigades and rescue teams, plus develop new curriculum for future trainings. In 2012, RLC received a second $93,000 grant that, in addition to training, allowed for the construction of the three-story firefighting facility, built from shipping containers, on the west side of campus. A third grant in 2016 of $133,240 focused on continued training and preparedness for mine emergencies.

A provision in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 established the Brookwood-Sago grant program to promote mine safety while honoring the 25 miners who died in Brookwood, Ala., in 2001, at the Jim Walter Resources #5 mine, and in Buchannon, W. Va., in 2006, at the Sago Mine.

For more information about RLC’s Brookwood-Sago grant or mine trainings, contact the Applied Science and Technology Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261. Read more about the Brookwood-Sago grants online at www.msha.gov.

Other recipients of the 2018 grants are as follows:

  • Pennsylvania State University in State College, Penn., is receiving $50,000 to plan, design, develop, and evaluate a three-model training program that will enhance safety regarding inspecting, working around, and performing maintenance on conveyor belts.
  • United Mine Workers of America Career Centers Inc. in Prosperity, Penn., is receiving $50,000 to develop a video and companion training documents to better prepare responsible persons for Mine Emergency Response Development exercises.
  • West Virginia University Research Corporation in Morgantown, W. Va., is receiving $52,146.50 to provide emergency prevention and preparedness training to coal miners and coal mine operators in the areas of self-contained self-rescuer expectations and mine rescue.
Filed Under: Breaking News

Pastor Rick Warren: Three Reasons God Says to Forgive Others

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Rick Warren

1.3K

”For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV).

It’s possible that you are carrying some deep wounds that you’ve carried for months, maybe even years. When you think about the person who hurt you, it’s still as fresh as if it happened this morning. The pain is still there, and you’re still filled with resentment.You say, “Why in the world should I forgive that person who hurt me so much? You have no idea how much they hurt me. Why should I offer grace to that person?”

Let me offer three reasons for making that choice:

  1. Be gracious to others and forgive those who’ve hurt you because God has been gracious to you.

You will never have to forgive anyone else more than Jesus Christ has already forgiven you. Remember that you haven’t always gotten what you deserved, either. God has been gracious with you. Now choose to be gracious with others.

  1. Forgive others because the alternative is bitterness.

Scientists tell us that resentment is the unhealthiest emotion there is. It always hurts you more than anybody else! Resentment will not change the past, and it won’t solve the problem. It doesn’t even make you feel better. In fact, it makes you feel worse.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:15, “Be careful that none of you fails to respond to the grace which God gives, for if he does there can very easily spring up in him a bitter spirit which is not only bad in itself but can also poison the lives of many others” (PHILLIPS).

  1. Show grace to and forgive others because God wants you to do it.

Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (NIV). Jesus says we cannot receive what we are unwilling to give. If you say, “I could never forgive that person,” then I hope you never sin. If you just don’t feel like doing it, do it anyway, because it’s the right thing to do.

 

One reason you may have a hard time forgiving others is because you don’t feel forgiven. Would you pray this prayer of liberation and freedom in your heart?

“Dear Jesus Christ, you know I’ve been hurt by others. You know that my resentment has made me act in ways that have been unreasonable and unhelpful and unhealthy. I need your power to release and forgive those who’ve hurt me so I can stop letting them control me. Would you please replace my hurt with your peace? God, I realize that I’ve hurt a lot of other people with my habits and my bad decisions and my hang-ups. Would you please forgive me for the way I’ve hurt others? Help me to make a list of those I’ve harmed and to humbly seek to make amends in the right way and at the right time. Jesus Christ, I want to refocus my life on you. I want to face the future courageously with love and peace in my heart. Would you replace my resentment with your love, my bitterness with your grace? Thank you for your graciousness to me. Thank you for forgiving me for the wrong things that I’ve done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Perhaps you need to go a step further. Have you trusted Jesus for your salvation?

No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you can have a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.

Are you ready? Here’s a prayer you can start with —

“Dear God, I know that when I die I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess that I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and move toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know that only your grace can save me, Lord. I could never be good enough to get into a perfect place.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I ask you to save me from the sins and the habits that are messing up my life right now. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly and certainly and completely and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d love to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

Your Daily Prayer – A Prayer for America

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment

A Prayer for America – Your Daily Prayer

Your Daily Prayer Devotional Banner

A Prayer for America
By Debbie McDaniel

It is “God who changes the times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:21

Sometimes in the midst of heated political battles and uncertain times, it’s difficult to even know how to pray or where to begin. We just know we have a deep ache in our hearts that cries out for God’s mercy, and a longing to see him heal our land. Maybe other times we wonder how effective our prayers even are.

Yet God is faithful, no matter how we feel, and His Presence of power and peace still reigns over all that swirls around us in our nation today. That same power that broke prison chains, raised Lazarus from the dead, and parted the Red Sea, the same power that healed the blind man, and delivered the delirious from demons, that same power is at work even today. He is the same. Yesterday, today, and forever.

May we stand together in unity as believers in Christ, and pray for God to heal our land, and strengthen His people. May we pray for all those in authority. May we pray for God’s miraculous intervening, for blind eyes to be opened, for many to see the power of our Lord as never before.

Dear God,

Thank you for your great power.  We praise you for your Truth.  We’re grateful that you have set us free from the clutching grasp of sin and death.

Would you be with your people, extending your grace, granting your freedom, providing your protection, and empowering with your strength.  We ask that you’d bring about an awakening of your presence as never seen before.  We ask that your Name be proclaimed, that all plans to silence the Name of Jesus would be thwarted and crushed.

We pray that many would come to know you as Lord and Savior, we pray that many would see your Light, that you would open blind eyes and release those still imprisoned.

We pray that you would unify your people for the glory of your Name, that all who call themselves Christians would rise up, believing your great Truth.

Wake us up Lord! Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, to listen to your words, to be willing to make a difference in this land.

We pray for all those in authority, that you would give them your wisdom and discernment as they lead. We ask that you would appoint strong, faithful men and women to serve this nation and our people.

We pray for your great healing on our land. Shine your face on us dear God. We need you now, more than ever before. Our times are in your hands.

Thank you that you are rich in mercy and full of grace. Thank you that you are forgiving and merciful. Thank you that you are strong and mighty. Thank you that you are for us and that you fight for us still today.

Bring honor to your Name, Oh Lord, for You alone are worthy.

In the Powerful Name of Jesus we pray,

Amen.

Filed Under: Columns
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