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On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 6 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks against NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 6 in football at the professional level (especially in 1977 and 2005 plus ex-hoopers with the Browns, Cardinals and Giants):

NOVEMBER 6

  • Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) rushed for two touchdowns (9 and 20 yards) in a 19-6 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 28-7 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1977.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Clyde Conner (two-time All-CBA second-team selection averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Pacific in 1953-54 and 1954-55) tied his career high with nine pass receptions in a 24-0 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1960.

  • Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught eight passes for 161 yards in a 45-28 AFL setback against the Dallas Texans in 1960.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught seven passes for 97 yards in a 24-14 win against the New England Patriots in 1977.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught eight passes for 132 yards in a 31-26 win against the New York Jets in 2005.

  • Boston Patriots WR Art Graham (collected one point and three rebounds in two basketball games with Boston College in 1961-62) registered an AFL career-high 167 receiving yards (on eight catches) in a 25-24 win against the Houston Oilers in 1964.

  • Houston Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 45-25 win against the Denver Broncos in 1960. Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 10 of his AFL-leading 92 pass receptions.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 38-24 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1960.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 141 yards - including three touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 34-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2011.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted eight times for 46.9-yard average in a 24-10 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1977.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 2005.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Chuck Kassel (Illinois hoops letterman in 1925 and 1926) opened the game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 16-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1929.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Cliff Lewis (Duke hoops letterman in 1945) threw a career-long 55-yard touchdown pass in 35-2 AAFC win against the Chicago Hornets in 1949.

  • Chicago Cardinals B Ike Mahoney (Creighton hooper in early 1920s) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in 33-7 setback against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1926.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Kay McFarland (three-year hoops letterman for Colorado State was honorable mention UPI All-Skyline Conference selection in 1961) had a career-high four pass receptions for 89 yards in 21-13 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 304 yards in a 17-10 setback against the Washington Redskins in 2005.

  • WR Jordan Norwood (collected one rebound and one assist in four basketball games for Penn State in 2006-07) accounted for the Denver Broncos' first score with a 36-yard touchdown reception in 30-20 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2016.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 34-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005.

  • New York Bulldogs E Hal Prescott (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman multiple seasons in early 1940s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) in 31-24 win against the New York Giants in 1949. Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 67 yards for TD while E Ray Poole (Ole Miss' leading hoops scorer in 1942-43 with 12.3 ppg) provided a career-high nine pass receptions.

  • Cleveland Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1955.

  • TE Oscar Roan (averaged 5.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Southern Methodist in 1973-74) accounted for the Cleveland Browns' only touchdown with a pass reception from Brian Sipe in 10-7 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1977.

  • Detroit Lions WR Scottie Vines (collected 32 points and 22 rebounds in 17 games for Wyoming in 2000-01) had career highs of nine pass receptions and 109 receiving yards in a 27-14 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2005.

  • Cincinnati Bengals DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) opened the Cincinnati Bengals' scoring by securing a safety in 20-17 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1994.

Dribble Handoff: First Goal For New Head Coaches as 2024-25 Season Unfolds

First things first! As part of building blocks, following are first goals for new NCAA DI head coaches:

School New Head Coach Goal as 2024-25 Season Unfolds
Arkansas John Calipari Return to 20-victory plateau like Razorbacks had six times in seven-season span from 2016-17 through 2022-23.
Brigham Young Kevin Young Post first NCAA Tournament victory since 2012.
Cal Poly Mike DeGeorge End streak of nine consecutive 20-loss campaigns.
Canisius Jim Christian First full season with winning record since 2017-18.
Central Arkansas John Shulman Post second winning record in Southland Conference since joining league in 2006-07.
Charleston Southern Saah Nimley Absorb fewer than 18 defeats for first time since 2018-19.
Chicago State Scott Spinelli End streak of 15 consecutive losing campaigns.
Coastal Carolina Justin Gray End streak of two straight 20-loss seasons.
College of Charleston Chris Mack Post at least 24 victories for sixth time in last nine seasons.
Cornell Jon Jaques Participate in NCAA Tournament for first time since 2010.
DePaul Chris Holtmann Return to NCAA Tournament for first time since 2004.
Detroit Mark Montgomery First season in 21st Century with single-digit defeats.
Drake Ben McCollum Reach 20-win plateau for sixth consecutive campaign.
Duquesne Dru Joyce III Come closer to 20-win plateau comparable to previous two seasons instead of anemic 6-24 worksheet in 2021-22.
Eastern Washington Dan Monson Assemble winning record for 10th time in last 11 seasons.
Florida A&M Patrick Crarey II First winning record since 2006-07.
Florida Atlantic John Jakus Secure seventh straight winning record.
Fresno State Vance Walberg Second winning mark in last six seasons.
Gardner-Webb Jeremy Luther Supply 13th consecutive non-losing Big South Conference record.
Green Bay Doug Gottlieb Manage back-to-back seasons of at least six games above .500 in Horizon League competition for first time since 2013-14 and 2014-15.
Hampton Ivan Thomas First season with fewer than 14 setbacks since 2015-16.
Houston Christian Craig Doty Seeking second overall winning record since 1986-87.
Illinois-Chicago Rob Ehsan Craving winning record for first time since 2019-20.
Indiana State Matthew Graves Three straight winning records in Missouri Valley Conference for first time since 1998-99 through 2000-01.
IUPUI Paul Corsaro Create first winning record since 2010-11.
James Madison Preston Spradlin Three straight winning records in conference competition (Sun Belt) for first time since 1992-93 through 1994-95 in CAA.
Kentucky Mark Pope Return UK to Final Four for first time since 2015.
Long Beach State Chris Acker Notch first season with single-digit defeats since 2011-12.
Louisville Pat Kelsey Post first NCAA Tournament victory since 2017.
Loyola (Md.) Josh Loeffler First winning record since 2012-13.
Marshall Cornelius Jackson Avoid 20-loss season for the third time in last four campaigns.
Maryland-Eastern Shore Cleo Hill Jr. Accrue more than 14 triumphs for second time in last 10 seasons.
Mercer Ryan Ridder End streak of three straight seasons with at least 17 setbacks.
Michigan Dusty May Cease streak of three consecutive campaigns with at least 15 defeats.
Missouri State Cuonzo Martin Win more than 18 games for second time since 2013-14.
Morehead State Jonathan Mattox Post at least 22 triumphs for fifth consecutive campaign.
Mount St. Mary's Donny Lind Win more than 14 contests for first time since 2017-18.
New Orleans Stacy Hollowell Sustain fewer than 12 setbacks for second time since 1996-97.
Ohio State Jake Diebler Notch second season with single-digit defeats since 2013-14.
Oklahoma State Steve Lutz Secure second NCAA Tournament victory since 2009.
Old Dominion Mike Jones Collect more than 15 victories for second time since 2018-19.
Pacific Dave Smart Compile second winning record since 2013-14.
Pepperdine Ed Schilling Notch second winning ledger since 2015-16.
Rice Rob Lanier Attain second 20-win season since 2003-04.
Sacramento State Michael Czepil Register third winning record in Big Sky Conference competition since joining league in 1996-97.
Saint Louis Josh Schwertz Register in excess of 20 victories for fifth time in last seven seasons.
Siena Gerry McNamara Post more than 15 victories for second time in last five campaigns.
Southern California Eric Musselman Post first NCAA Tournament victory since 2021.
Southern Illinois Scott Nagy Assemble first season with single-digit defeats since 2006-07.
Southern Methodist Andy Enfield Notch first NCAA Tournament victory since 1988.
USC Upstate Marty Richter End streak of seven straight seasons with non-winning records.
Stanford Kyle Smith Return to NCAA Tournament for first time since 2014.
UT Martin Jeremy Shulman Accumulate at least 19 triumphs for third consecutive campaign.
UT-Rio Grande Valley Kahil Fennell Notch second winning record since 2007-08.
UTSA Austin Claunch Register more than 15 victories for first time since 2018-19.
Utah State Jerrod Calhoun Secure at least 18 wins for seventh straight season.
Vanderbilt Mark Byington Earn first NCAA Tournament victory since 2012.
Virginia Ron Sanchez (interim) Collect at least 18 victories for 14th consecutive campaign.
Washington Danny Sprinkle Participate in NCAA Tournament for second time since 2011.
Washington State David Riley Manage sixth straight non-losing record.
West Virginia Darian DeVries Post second NCAA Tournament victory since 2018.
Western Carolina Tim Craft Supply third winning mark in a row for first time since 2008-09 through 2010-11.
Western Kentucky Hank Plona Manufacture at least 17 victories for eighth consecutive season.
William & Mary Brian Earl End streak of four successive losing records.
Wright State Clint Sargent Win at least 18 games for 10th year in a row.
Wyoming Sundance Wicks Avoid at least 17 setbacks for fifth time in last seven seasons.
Youngstown State Ethan Faulkner Compile at least 19 victories for fourth consecutive campaign.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 5 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks about NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 5 in football at the professional level (especially in 1950 and ex-hoopers with the Giants):

NOVEMBER 5

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) posted a career-high eight pass receptions in 23-16 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1978.

  • New York Giants E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught two first-half touchdown passes (30 and 50 yards) in a 45-6 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1929.

  • Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on 17-yard interception return in 24-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2006.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2006. Six years earlier, Gonzalez caught nine passes in a 49-31 reversal against the Oakland Raiders in his fourth consecutive contest with at least 100 receiving yards in 2000. Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two second-half TD passes from Rich Gannon after Raiders WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two first-half TD passes.

  • Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) scored three touchdowns - including 80-yard pass reception - in a 55-14 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1961.

  • New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted four times for 51.8-yard average in 20-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three of his league-high 19 touchdown passes in a 35-17 win against the New York Jets in 1972.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) rushed for two 15-yard fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 35-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1950 after Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for two first-half TDs.

  • New York Giants rookie WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) opened game's scoring with a 36-yard touchdown catch in 24-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1950. McChesney finished contest with career-high four pass receptions. Teammate Ray Poole (Ole Miss' leading hoops scorer in 1942-43 with 12.3 ppg) provided the margin of victory with a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

  • Baltimore Colts rookie DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned an interception 45 yards for touchdown in 41-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950.

  • Detroit Lions HB Kent "Rip" Ryan (two-time All-Rocky Mountain first-team choice for Utah State averaged 8.1 ppg in league play in 1933-34, 9.9 ppg in 1934-35, 9.3 ppg in 1935-36 and 7.6 ppg in 1936-37) scored go-ahead touchdown in fourth quarter with a six-yard pass reception in 18-14 win against the New York Giants in 1939. B Len Barnum (West Virginia Wesleyan hooper) opened the Giants' scoring with a 47-yard TD pass to Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s).

  • New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor letterman in 1956) had three touchdown receptions in a 53-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) had 10 pass receptions - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-28 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2001.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1967.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned an interception 20 yards for touchdown in 31-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 2006.

  • Detroit Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU letterman as freshman in 1945-46) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1955.

  • Minnesota Vikings CB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) had an interception and returned four punts for 57 yards in 37-6 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1972. Saints WR Creston Whitaker (North Texas State guard led MVC in field-goal shooting as junior in 1968-69 when averaging 20 ppg and 6 rpg) notched his lone NFL pass reception (five-yard catch).

Memory Lane: November Calendar Regarding Record-Setting Hoop Contests

Did You Know?: Rick Barnes (Texas), Gene Bartow (UAB), Bob McKillop (Davidson), Mike Montgomery (Stanford) and Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) incurred defeats in their debuts before eventually becoming the all-time winningest coaches for these schools. As the 2024-25 campaign unfolds, check out the following November calendar citing memorable games in NCAA major-college history:

NOVEMBER

8 - Utah set an NCAA record for largest margin of victory vs. a Division I opponent (94 points) with a 143-49 mauling of Mississippi Valley State in 2019. . . . UMass Lowell's Christian Lutete (51 points at LIU in 2019) and Northeastern's Jordan Roland (42 vs. Harvard in 2019) set school single-game scoring records.
9 - Brad Stevens made his Butler head-coaching debut in 2007 with a 61-45 victory at Ball State before guiding the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament championship game in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011. . . . David Holston (43 points vs. St. Bonaventure at Austin, Tex., in 2006) set Chicago State's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Junior Hairston (21 rebounds vs. Loyola Maryland in 2007) set Towson's NCAA Division I single-game rebounding record (subsequently tied).
10 - Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Martaveous McKnight (41 points at Colorado State in 2018) and North Dakota's Geno Crandall (41 vs. Troy at Honolulu in 2017) set school single-game scoring records against NCAA DI opponent.
13 - Rotnei Clarke (51 points vs. Alcorn State in 2009) set Arkansas' single-game scoring record before transferring to Butler. . . . Felipe Haase (41 at Winthrop in 2021) tied Mercer's single-game scoring standard against DI opponent. . . . Gregg Marshall made his Wichita State debut in 2007 with a 61-56 victory vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff before guiding the Shockers to 2013 Final Four and becoming national COY in 2014. . . . Siena's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Vermont (80-76 in 2010). . . . Shaka Smart made his Virginia Commonwealth coaching debut in 2009 with a 77-51 triumph vs. Bethune-Cookman before directing the Rams to 2011 Final Four.
14 - Robert Morris' Josh Williams tied NCAA single-game record with 15 three-pointers in a 104-57 victory against Mount Aloysius PA in 2018, finishing with a school-record 49 points. . . . Jamie Dixon made his Pittsburgh coaching debut in 2003 with a 71-62 triumph vs. Alabama in New York before becoming national COY in 2009. . . . Larry Eustachy made his Idaho debut in 1990 with an 88-54 victory vs. Simon Fraser before becoming national COY with Iowa State in 2000 and the first coach in NCAA history to compile at least 24 wins in a single season with five different DI schools. . . . Bill Guthridge made his North Carolina debut in 1997 with an 84-56 success vs. Middle Tennessee State en route to becoming the winningest first-year coach in NCAA history and national COY.
15 - Furman's Jordan Lyons tied NCAA single-game record with 15 three-pointers and set NCAA mark for most attempts beyond the arc (34) in a 107-67 victory against North Greenville in 2018.
16 - Al Skinner made his Boston College debut in 1997 with an 87-54 victory vs. Central Connecticut State before going on to become the Eagles' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2001.
17 - Rick Barnes made his Texas debut in 1998 with a 71-69 reversal at Houston before going on to become the Longhorns' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bo Ryan made his Wisconsin debut in 2001 with a 74-69 defeat at UNLV before going on to become the Badgers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Florida's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Miami FL (69-67 in 2014).
18 - Mike Brey made his Notre Dame coaching debut in 2000 with a 104-58 rout of Sacred Heart before becoming national COY in 2011. . . . Jim Larranaga made his George Mason debut in 1997 with a 78-72 victory at Howard University before going on to become the Patriots' all-time winningest coach and guiding them to 2006 Final Four.
19 - Frank Kaminsky (43 points vs. North Dakota in 2013) set Wisconsin's modern-era single-game scoring record.
20 - Okechi Egbe (44 points vs. Bethel in 2000) set Tennessee-Martin's single-game scoring record at NCAA Division I level. . . . Tom Izzo made his Michigan State debut in 1995 with a 69-66 triumph at Chaminade en route to becoming the Spartans' all-time winningest coach. . . . Chicago product Ben Wilson, entering his senior season generally regarded as the nation's premier prospect because of Magic Johnson-like skills, was shot within a block of high school campus and died the next day after bumping into two gang members in 1984 while walking down the street following lunch break.
21 - Nick Davis (23 rebounds vs. Jackson State in 1997) set Arkansas' single-game rebounding record. . . . Mark Few made his Gonzaga debut in 1999 with a 76-61 triumph at Montana en route to becoming the Zags' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bill Self made his Kansas coaching debut in 2003 with a 90-76 victory vs. Chattanooga before guiding the Jayhawks to two NCAA Tournament championships (2008 and 2022). . . . Jay Wright made his Villanova coaching debut in 2001 with an 82-68 victory vs. Grambling State before twice becoming national COY (2006 and 2016) plus guiding the Wildcats to two NCAA Tournament titles (2016 and 2018).
22 - Billy Donovan made his Florida debut in 1996 with an 80-63 triumph vs. UCF en route to becoming the Gators' all-time winningest coach. . . . Scott Drew made his Baylor debut in 2003 with a 72-59 success vs. Texas Southern en route to becoming the Bears' all-time winningest coach. . . . Kevin Martin (46 points vs. Coastal Carolina in 2002) set Western Carolina's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Bruce Weber made his Illinois coaching debut in 2003 with a 94-66 victory vs. Western Illinois before becoming national COY in 2005 when guiding the Illini to the NCAA Tournament championship game.
23 - Kevin Stallings made his Vanderbilt debut in 1999 with a 72-55 triumph over Belmont en route to becoming the Commodores' all-time winningest coach.
24 - Gene Bartow made his UAB debut in 1978 with a 64-55 defeat against Nebraska before becoming the Blazers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Steve Fisher made his San Diego State debut in 1999 with a 73-57 victory vs. UC Riverside en route to becoming the Aztecs' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2011. . . . Nolan Richardson Jr. made his Arkansas debut in 1985 with an 86-72 triumph over Southern Illinois en route to becoming the Razorbacks' all-time winningest coach and guiding them to 1994 NCAA championship.
25 - Kevin Franklin (48 points at Loyola Marymount in 1989) set Nevada's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Louisiana Tech's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Stephen F. Austin (67-58) in 1985. . . . Steve Alford made his Southwest Missouri State coaching debut in 1995 with an 83-71 win against Texas-Pan American en route to guiding four different DI schools to the NCAA playoffs. . . . Lute Olson made his Arizona debut in 1983 with a 72-65 triumph over Northern Arizona en route to becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob Huggins made his Cincinnati debut in 1989 with a 66-64 triumph over Minnesota en route to becoming the Bearcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Gale Catlett made his West Virginia debut in 1978 with an 86-66 triumph over Rider en route to becoming the Mountaineers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob McKillop made his Davidson debut in 1989 with an 84-65 setback at Wake Forest before becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach and earning national COY acclaim in 2008. . . . Roy Williams made his Kansas coaching debut in 1988 with a 94-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage before becoming four-time national COY. . . . Eventual national player of year Tim Duncan went scoreless in his Wake Forest debut, a 70-68 loss at NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage in 1993.
26 - Dana Altman made his Creighton debut in 1994 with a 68-61 win at Oral Roberts en route to becoming the Bluejays' all-time winningest coach. . . . Dave Bliss made his New Mexico debut in 1988 with a 96-71 success vs. Loyola (Md.) en route to becoming the Lobos' all-time winningest coach. . . . Jim Boeheim made his Syracuse coaching debut in 1976 with a 75-48 triumph over Harvard en route to setting the NCAA career record for most victories for a single school. . . . Larry Brown made his Kansas coaching debut in 1983 with a 91-76 reversal at Houston before guiding the Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA title when named national COY. . . . John Calipari made his Massachusetts coaching debut in 1988 with an 84-61 success vs. Southern Connecticut before directing the Minutemen and two more schools to Final Four. . . . In his freshman debut, Rudy Macklin (32 rebounds vs. Tulane in 1976) set Louisiana State's single-game rebounding record. By contrast, eventual national player of year David Robinson went scoreless with only one rebound for Navy in his first game against a DI opponent (Yale in 1983). . . . Kelvin Sampson made his Oklahoma coaching debut in 1994 with an 85-74 victory vs. Coppin State before becoming a two-time national COY with the Sooners. . . . . Bill Self made his ORU debut in 1993 with a 78-66 win vs. Sam Houston State before becoming the only coach in NCAA history to reach a Division I Tournament regional final in back-to-back years with different schools. . . . Tubby Smith made his Tulsa debut in 1991 with a 94-81 setback at TCU before becoming the only coach to take three consecutive teams seeded sixth or worse to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA playoffs and earn national COY acclaim with Kentucky in 2003.
27 - Jacksonville State's Jalen Gibbs (40 points at Elon in 2021), Samford's Demetrius Denzel-Dyson (40 vs. Nicholls State in 2OT in 2016) and Valparaiso's Brandon Wood (39 at Georgia Southern in 2009/subsequently tied) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. . . . P.J. Carlesimo made his Seton Hall coaching debut in 1982 with an 87-63 victory vs. St. Anselm (N.H.) before directing the Pirates to an NCAA Tournament runner-up finish in 1989 when he was named national COY. . . . Lon Kruger made his Texas-Pan American debut in 1982 with a 66-58 setback vs. Louisiana Tech before becoming the first coach to direct five different schools to Top 20 of a final wire-service poll. . . . John Thompson Jr. made his Georgetown debut in 1972 with a 61-60 triumph over St. Francis (Pa.) en route to a school-record 596 victories with the Hoyas. . . . Alvan Adams (28 vs. Indiana State in 1972) set Oklahoma's single-game rebounding record.
28 - Tom Davis made his Iowa debut in 1986 with a 91-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage en route to becoming the Hawkeyes' all-time winningest coach. . . . Lou Henson made his Illinois debut in 1975 with a 60-58 triumph at Nebraska en route to becoming the Illini's all-time winningest coach. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Army head coaching debut in 1975 with a 56-29 victory over Lehigh before becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA DI history with Duke. . . . Mike Montgomery made his Stanford debut in 1986 with a 67-65 defeat against Georgia Tech at Richmond before becoming the Cardinal's all-time winningest coach.
29 - The three-point goal was an experimental rule in the Southern Conference in 1980 when Western Carolina's Ronnie Carr made the first three-pointer in history at Reid Gymnasium vs. Middle Tennessee State. . . . Craig Bradshaw (42 points at Ohio University in 2014) set Belmont's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Alan Williams (39 vs. South Dakota State in 2013) tied UC Santa Barbara's single-game scoring record. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Duke debut in 1980 with a 67-49 triumph over Stetson en route to becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA DI history. . . . Jim Calhoun made his Connecticut debut in 1986 with a 58-54 triumph over Massachusetts en route to becoming the Huskies' all-time winningest coach and capturing three NCAA Tournament titles. . . . Cliff Ellis made his South Alabama debut with an 82-68 defeat vs. Centenary before becoming the only coach in the 20th Century to hold three school single-season records with at least 25 victories at the same time. . . . Billy Tubbs made his Lamar head coaching debut in 1976 with an 80-73 triumph over Houston Baptist en route to more than 600 victories with three NCAA DI schools. . . . Gene Keady made his Purdue debut in 1980 with a 72-59 triumph over Colorado State en route to becoming the Boilermakers' all-time winningest coach.
30 - Dartmouth set an NCAA single-game record by having nine different players contribute at least one three-point basket vs. Boston College in 1993. . . . John Chaney made his Temple debut in 1982 with a 68-67 triumph at George Washington en route to becoming the Owls' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bobby Cremins made his Georgia Tech debut in 1981 with an 82-66 triumph against Presbyterian (S.C.) en route to becoming the Yellow Jackets' all-time winningest coach. . . . Tom Penders made his Columbia debut in 1974 with a 90-79 setback against CCNY en route to 594 victories coaching six NCAA DI schools.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 4 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks about NFL "slavery" and politized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 4 in football at the professional level (especially in 1951 plus WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Terrell Owens each excelling with two different franchises):

NOVEMBER 4

  • Green Bay Packers BB Larry Craig (scored two points in seven South Carolina basketball games in 1936) returned a fumble recovery 18 yards for touchdown in 28-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1945.

  • HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with a six-yard pass in 10-9 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1945.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 33-22 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2007.

  • Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two first-half touchdown receptions in a 35-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1956.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 10 pass receptions in a 19-17 win against the Denver Broncos in 2018. Six years later with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hopkins caught two go-ahead touchdown passes from QB Patrick Mahomes in 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 365 yards in a 31-28 setback against the New York Giants in 1962.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two touchdowns in a 39-31 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1962.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 24-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. A 47-yard pass reception for TD in fourth quarter by HB Doak Walker (Southern Methodist hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) proved decisive for the Lions.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 21-13 win against the Detroit Lions in 2001. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens had 10 pass receptions for 174 yards in a 38-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007.

  • Chicago Bears rookie HB Brad Rowland (four-sport participant for McMurry TX in late 1940s and early 1950s) rushed twice for 21 yards in a 27-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1951.

  • A 49-yard touchdown catch by WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) late in fourth quarter lifted the Denver Broncos to 22-21 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1996.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) completed 14-of-18 passes - including three touchdowns - in a 38-10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1973.

  • New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a kickoff 100 yards for touchdown in 37-31 win against the New York Yanks in 1951. Teammate Ray Poole (Ole Miss' leading hoops scorer in 1942-43 with 12.3 ppg) provided three first-half field goals.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers HB Sid Watson (averaged 4.1 ppg as Northeastern freshman in 1951-52) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 17-14 setback against the New York Giants in 1956.

  • Denver Broncos FS Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two Texas-El Paso games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) returned an interception 26 yards in 10-3 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1979.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw three touchdown passes in a 45-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1945.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 3 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick's Netflix licks on NFL "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 3 in football at the professional level (especially in 1968 and 49er receivers):

NOVEMBER 3

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw three touchdown passes for third time in a four-game span in 1974.

  • Philadelphia Eagles LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had an interception in 49-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2013.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers E Wayland Becker (Marquette hoops letterman in mid-1930s) opened game's scoring with a first-quarter touchdown reception in 13-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. Dodgers E Bud Hubbard (San Jose State hoops letterman in 1934) caught a 56-yard TD pass from Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) for decisive score.

  • Green Bay Packers WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre in 28-18 win against the Detroit Lions in 1996.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 223 yards on 28 carries in a 23-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1963.

  • New York Giants E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 26-14 win against the Chicago Bears in 1929.

  • New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught nine passes for 116 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 26-20 setback against the New York Jets in 2013.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-28 AFL setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1968.

  • Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-28 AFL setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1963.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 313 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-24 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2002.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1968. Vikings rookie DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) set a franchise record by returning punt 98 yards for TD and Redskins rookie QB Harry Theofiledes (averaged 9.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Waynesburg PA in 1964-65 and 1965-66) threw a TD pass to TE Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s).

  • Cleveland Browns WR Greg Little (collected five points and five rebounds in 10 basketball games for North Carolina in 2007-08 under coach Roy Williams) had a career-high seven pass receptions in 24-18 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

  • Rookie E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) scored the Philadelphia Eagles' touchdown with a 55-yard pass reception in 7-6 win against the Boston Redskins in 1935. Redskins rookie B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) opened game's scoring with a 57-yard rushing TD.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) rushed for a touchdown in his fourth consecutive contest in 2002.

  • Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) opened game's scoring by intercepting a Joe Namath pass and returning it 22 yards for touchdown in 27-22 win against the New York Jets in 1974.

  • A 41-yard touchdown catch by rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) in fourth quarter gave the San Francisco 49ers a 35-31 win against the Detroit Lions in 1957. In the midst of catching a TD pass in four different contests in a five-game span, Clyde Conner (two-time All-CBA second-team selection averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Pacific in 1953-54 and 1954-55) opened the 49ers' scoring with a reception from Y.A. Tittle.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 12 pass receptions for 191 yards in a 23-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2002.

  • A 43-yard field goal by Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) in fourth quarter boosted the Chicago Bears to 13-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1968.

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in two seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94) had a career-high seven pass receptions in 23-15 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002.

  • New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore) had two interceptions - returning one of them 36 yards for touchdown - in a 25-21 AFL win against the Buffalo Bills in 1968.

  • Chicago Bears DE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) opened game's scoring by returning a fumble recovery 30 yards for touchdown in 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1946.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Morris Stroud Jr. (tallest TE in NFL history averaged 7.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 1967-68 when 6-10 junior shot team-high 50.9% from floor for Clark Atlanta GA) had a career-high five pass receptions in 33-27 setback against the New York Giants in 1974.

  • New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned an interception 52 yards for touchdown in 31-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957.

  • Dallas Cowboys rookie P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted five times for 267 yards (53.4 average) - including an NFL-high 84-yarder - in 17-3 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1968.

Starting Block: What's Ahead For Newcomers Mercyhurst and West Georgia?

Five years ago, Merrimack (2019-20) joined South Dakota (2008-09) as the only NCAA Division I newcomers in the last 36 seasons to reach the 20-win plateau in its inaugural campaign. How will newbies Mercyhurst (Pa.) and West Georgia fare this campaign in their inaugural campaign at DI level?

Only 11 of the first 51 schools (including Queens NC two years ago) moving up to compete at DI in the 21st Century posted a winning record in their debut campaign. The average first-year mark for the previous 42 newcomers was 10-18. Eight of the nine best first-year seasons occurred in the 1970s when 40 of the 70 institutions elevating their programs to DI during the decade promptly posted winning records.

In 1971-72, Southwestern Louisiana, subsequently known as Louisiana-Lafayette and University of Louisiana, became the only school ever to finish in Top 10 of final DI rankings the year after placing in Top 10 of final Division II poll. The Ragin' Cajuns were one of three schools from the Pelican State to win at least 80% of their games in inaugural campaign at DI level in the 1970s (joined by Southern and McNeese State). But it wasn't long before USL was prohibited from fielding a formal team for two seasons (1973-74 and 1974-75) as part of an NCAA probation. Larry Fogle (transferred to Canisius), Fred Saunders (Syracuse) and Robert Wilson (Iowa State) - three of USL's top four rebounders in 1972-73 - were immediately eligible at other schools the next season, combining for 59.4 ppg and 32.6 rpg in 1973-74 when Fogle became the last sophomore to lead nation in scoring in the 20th Century (Griffs-record 33.4 ppg).

Alabama State (22-6 in 1982-83) is the only school since the 1970s to win more than three-fourths of its games in its DI debut campaign. Following is a first-year summary of schools moving up to the major-college ranks after the initial season of NCAA classification in 1947-48:

School Moving Up to DI Season W. L. Pct.
Maryland-Eastern Shore 1973-74 27 2 .931
Oral Roberts (Okla.) 1971-72 26 2 .929
Southwestern Louisiana 1971-72 23 3 .885
Seattle 1952-53 29 4 .879
Old Dominion (Va.) 1976-77 25 4 .862
Long Beach State 1969-70 24 5 .828
Hawaii 1970-71 23 5 .821
Southern (La.) 1977-78 23 5 .821
McNeese State (La.) 1973-74 20 5 .800
Jackson State (Miss.) 1977-78 19 5 .792
Alabama State 1982-83 22 6 .786
Alcorn State (Miss.) 1977-78 22 7 .759
Idaho State 1958-59 21 7 .750
Memphis State 1955-56 20 7 .741
Air Force 1957-58 17 6 .739
Stephen F. Austin (Tex.) 1986-87 22 8 .733
Georgia Southern 1973-74 19 7 .731
Northeastern (Mass.) 1972-73 19 7 .731
Virginia Commonwealth 1973-74 17 7 .708
College of Charleston (S.C.) 1991-92 19 8 .704
Miami (Fla.) 1948-49 19 8 .704
New Orleans 1975-76 18 8 .692
South Dakota 2008-09 20 9 .690
George Mason (Va.) 1978-79 17 8 .680
Weber State (Utah) 1963-64 17 8 .680
American (D.C.) 1966-67 16 8 .667
Fairfield (Conn.) 1964-65 14 7 .667
Florida A&M 1978-79 18 9 .667
Mercer (Ga.) 1973-74 16 8 .667
Tennessee Tech 1955-56 14 7 .667
Morehead State (Ky.) 1955-56 19 10 .655
James Madison (Va.) 1976-77 17 9 .654
Northwestern State (La.) 1976-77 17 9 .654
UNLV 1969-70 17 9 .654
Merrimack (Mass.) 2019-20 20 11 .645
Bellarmine (Tenn.) 2020-21 14 8 .636
Abilene Christian (Tex.) 1970-71 15 9 .625
Arkansas State 1970-71 15 9 .625
Drexel (Pa.) 1973-74 15 9 .625
Lamar (Tex.) 1969-70 15 9 .625
Massachusetts 1961-62 15 9 .625
Northern Colorado 1973-74 15 9 .625
UC Santa Barbara 1963-64 18 11 .621
Incarnate Word (Tex.) 2014-15 18 11 .621
Delaware State 1973-74 18 11 .621
Illinois State 1971-72 16 10 .615
North Carolina A&T 1973-74 16 10 .615
UNC-Wilmington 1976-77 16 10 .615
Northeast Louisiana 1973-74 16 10 .615
Texas Southern 1977-78 16 10 .615
Austin Peay (Tenn.) 1963-64 14 9 .609
Southern Mississippi 1968-69 15 10 .600
Chattanooga 1977-78 16 11 .593
Chicago State 1984-85 16 11 .593
Wright State (Ohio) 1987-88 16 11 .593
Loyola New Orleans (La.) 1951-52 20 14 .588
Los Angeles State 1970-71 15 11 .577
UNC Asheville 1986-87 15 11 .577
San Jose State 1952-53 15 11 .577
UAB 1978-79 15 11 .577
New Mexico State 1950-51 19 14 .576
Kentucky Wesleyan 1956-57 16 12 .571
North Dakota 2008-09 16 12 .571
North Dakota State 2005-06 16 12 .571
Radford (Va.) 1984-85 16 12 .571
Sam Houston State (Tex.) 1986-87 16 12 .571
Utah Valley 2004-05 16 12 .571
East Tennessee State 1958-59 13 10 .565
East Carolina 1964-65 12 10 .545
Queens (N.C.) 2022-23 18 15 .545
Cal State Fullerton 1974-75 13 11 .542
New Mexico 1950-51 13 11 .542
Southern Illinois 1967-68 13 11 .542
Boise State (Idaho) 1971-72 14 12 .538
Central Michigan 1973-74 14 12 .538
UNC Charlotte 1972-73 14 12 .538
West Texas State 1950-51 14 12 .538
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 1973-74 14 12 .538
Oklahoma City 1950-51 16 14 .533
Iona (N.Y.) 1953-54 11 10 .524
Corpus Christi (Tex.) 1972-73 13 12 .520
Belmont (Tenn.) 1998-99 14 13 .519
Eastern Illinois 1981-82 14 13 .519
Illinois-Chicago 1981-82 14 13 .519
Southeastern Louisiana 1980-81 14 13 .519
Western Illinois 1981-82 14 13 .519
Wisconsin-Green Bay 1981-82 14 13 .519
Cal State Bakersfield 2006-07 15 14 .517
Gonzaga (Wash.) 1952-53 15 14 .517
California Baptist 2018-19 16 15 .516
Catholic (D.C.) 1976-77 13 13 .500
Centenary (La.) 1959-60 12 12 .500
Grand Canyon (Ariz.) 2013-14 15 15 .500
Saint Peter's (N.J.) 1964-65 10 10 .500
Tarleton State (Tex.) 2020-21 10 10 .500
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1999-00 13 13 .500
Texas Tech 1950-51 14 14 .500
Vermont 1961-62 12 12 .500
Southern Indiana 2022-23 16 17 .485
Murray State (Ky.) 1953-54 15 16 .484
Troy State (Ala.) 1993-94 13 14 .481
Hofstra (N.Y.) 1966-67 12 13 .480
Tennessee State 1977-78 11 12 .478
Regis (Colo.) 1961-62 10 11 .476
Le Moyne (N.Y.) 2023-24 15 17 .469
Bethune-Cookman (Fla.) 1980-81 13 15 .464
Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) 1950-51 13 15 .464
South Carolina State 1973-74 13 15 .464
Southwest Missouri State 1982-83 13 15 .464
Marist (N.Y.) 1981-82 12 14 .462
San Diego State 1970-71 12 14 .462
Maine 1961-62 11 13 .458
Fairleigh Dickinson (N.J.) 1967-68 10 12 .455
Stonehill (Mass.) 2022-23 14 17 .452
Mount St. Mary's (Md.) 1988-89 12 15 .444
Oakland (Mich.) 1998-99 12 15 .444
South Florida 1973-74 11 14 .440
Coastal Carolina (S.C.) 1986-87 12 16 .429
Maryland-Baltimore County 1986-87 12 16 .429
Southeast Missouri State 1991-92 12 16 .429
Howard University (D.C.) 1973-74 11 15 .423
West Chester State (Pa.) 1973-74 11 15 .423
Grambling State (La.) 1977-78 10 14 .417
Northern Illinois 1967-68 10 14 .417
Saint Francis (Pa.) 1955-56 10 14 .417
Kennesaw State (Ga.) 2005-06 12 17 .414
UC San Diego 2020-21 7 10 .412
Elon (N.C.) 1998-99 11 16 .407
IUPUI (Ind.) 1998-99 11 16 .407
Northern Kentucky 2012-13 11 16 .407
Delaware 1957-58 8 12 .400
Texas-El Paso 1950-51 10 15 .400
Texas A&M-Commerce 2022-23 13 20 .394
Albany (N.Y.) 1999-00 11 17 .393
UC Davis 2004-05 11 17 .393
Houston 1950-51 11 17 .393
Cleveland State 1972-73 9 14 .391
High Point (N.C.) 1998-99 10 16 .385
Dixie State/Utah Tech 2020-21 8 13 .381
Louisiana Tech 1973-74 8 13 .381
Ball State (Ind.) 1971-72 9 15 .375
Campbell (N.C.) 1977-78 9 15 .375
Rider (N.J.) 1967-68 9 15 .375
Alabama A&M 1998-99 10 17 .370
Coppin State (Md.) 1985-86 10 17 .370
Jacksonville State (Ala.) 1995-96 10 17 .370
Liberty (Va.) 1988-89 10 17 .370
Central Florida 1984-85 10 18 .357
UMass Lowell 2013-14 10 18 .357
Southern Utah 1988-89 10 18 .357
Nebraska-Omaha 2012-13 11 20 .355
Florida State 1956-57 9 17 .346
Fresno State 1955-56 9 17 .346
Hampton (Va.) 1995-96 9 17 .346
Loyola Marymount (Calif.) 1949-50 9 17 .346
Middle Tennessee State 1958-59 9 17 .346
Pacific (Calif.) 1953-54 9 17 .346
Towson State (Md.) 1979-80 9 17 .346
Lindenwood (Mo.) 2022-23 11 21 .344
Central Arkansas 2006-07 10 20 .333
Missouri-Kansas City 1987-88 9 18 .333
Quinnipiac (Conn.) 1998-99 9 18 .333
SIU-Edwardsville 2008-09 10 20 .333
St. Thomas (Minn.) 2021-22 10 20 .333
U.S. International (Calif.) 1981-82 9 18 .333
Western Carolina 1976-77 8 16 .333
Florida Gulf Coast 2007-08 10 21 .323
Binghamton (N.Y.) 2001-02 9 19 .321
Florida International 1987-88 9 19 .321
Portland State 1972-73 9 19 .321
UC Irvine 1977-78 8 17 .320
UC Riverside 2000-01 8 17 .320
Jacksonville (Fla.) 1966-67 8 17 .320
Texas-Pan American 1968-69 8 17 .320
Portland 1953-54 6 13 .316
North Alabama 2018-19 10 22 .312
South Dakota State 2005-06 9 20 .310
Eastern Michigan 1973-74 8 18 .308
Texas-Arlington 1968-69 8 18 .308
Arizona State 1950-51 8 19 .296
Northern Arizona 1950-51 8 19 .296
Northern Iowa 1980-81 8 19 .296
Texas-San Antonio 1981-82 8 19 .296
South Alabama 1971-72 7 17 .292
Augusta (Ga.) 1984-85 8 20 .286
Cal State Northridge 1990-91 8 20 .286
Winthrop (S.C.) 1986-87 8 20 .286
Central Connecticut State 1986-87 8 21 .276
Bryant (R.I.) 2001-02 7 19 .269
Providence 1948-49 7 19 .269
Robert Morris (Pa.) 1976-77 7 19 .269
Tennessee-Martin 1992-93 7 19 .269
Evansville (Ind.)* 1977-78 1 3 .250
Hartford (Conn.) 1984-85 7 21 .250
IU PU-Fort Wayne (Ind.) 2001-02 7 21 .250
UNC-Greensboro 1991-92 7 21 .250
Houston Baptist 1973-74 6 19 .240
Trinity (Tex.) 1970-71 5 16 .238
South Carolina Upstate 2007-08 7 23 .233
Arkansas-Little Rock 1978-79 6 20 .231
Southwest Texas State 1984-85 6 20 .231
Stetson (Fla.) 1971-72 6 20 .231
Lipscomb (Tenn.) 2001-02 6 21 .222
Monmouth (N.J.) 1983-84 6 21 .222
Norfolk State (Va.) 1997-98 6 21 .222
Armstrong State (Ga.) 1986-87 6 22 .214
Nicholls State (La.) 1980-81 6 22 .214
North Florida 2005-06 6 22 .214
Stony Brook (N.Y.) 1999-00 6 23 .207
Appalachian State (N.C.) 1973-74 5 20 .200
Baptist (S.C.) 1974-75 4 16 .200
Buffalo 1973-74 5 20 .200
Samford (Ala.) 1972-73 5 20 .200
San Diego 1979-80 5 20 .200
Longwood (Va.) 2003-04 5 22 .185
Gardner-Webb (N.C.) 2002-03 5 24 .172
New Jersey Institute of Tech 2006-07 5 24 .172
Winston-Salem State (N.C.) 2006-07 5 24 .172
Presbyterian (S.C.) 2007-08 5 25 .167
Baltimore 1978-79 4 21 .160
Savannah State (Ga.) 2000-01 4 21 .160
Eastern Washington 1983-84 4 22 .154
Utica (N.Y.) 1981-82 4 22 .154
Wofford (S.C.) 1995-96 4 22 .154
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1997-98 4 23 .148
Cal State Sacramento 1991-92 4 24 .143
North Texas State 1957-58 3 18 .143
North Carolina Central 2007-08 4 26 .133
New Hampshire 1961-62 3 20 .130
Wagner (N.Y.) 1976-77 3 21 .125
Florida Atlantic 1993-94 3 24 .111
Mississippi Valley State 1979-80 3 24 .111
Morgan State (Md.) 1984-85 3 25 .107
Sacred Heart (Conn.) 1999-00 3 25 .107
Prairie View A&M (Tex.) 1980-81 2 22 .083
Pepperdine (Calif.) 1955-56 2 24 .077
Northeastern Illinois 1990-91 2 25 .074
Georgia State 1973-74 1 25 .038
Cal Poly 1994-95 1 26 .037

*Evansville had an abbreviated schedule because of tragic plane crash.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 2 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick with Netflix licks about "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 2 in football at the professional level (especially QBs in 1969 and multiple ex-hoopers with the Dolphins, Eagles, 49ers and Redskins):

NOVEMBER 2

  • Washington Redskins DL Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) returned an interception 25 yards for touchdown in 23-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1941.

  • WR Clyde Conner (two-time All-CBA second-team selection averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Pacific in 1953-54 and 1954-55) opened the San Francisco 49ers' scoring with a touchdown reception from John Brodie in 24-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1958.

  • New York Giants DB Scott Eaton (three-year Oregon State letterman averaged 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg) returned an interception 23 yards for touchdown in 23-20 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-7 AAFC win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1947.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw four touchdown passes in a 34-31 setback against the New York Jets in 1969. Six years later, Griese threw three TD passes in a 46-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 1975.

  • Rookie E Dick Humbert (three-year starter captained Richmond team as senior when averaging 7.4 ppg) accounted for the Philadelphia Eagles' only scoring with a 26-yard touchdown catch in 15-6 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 323 yards and threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 17-14 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2003.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 374 yards and six touchdowns in a 51-42 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1969. Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) passed for 345 yards and six TDs. Six years later with the Washington Redskins, Kilmer threw three TD passes in a 30-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975 to offset Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) throwing two second-quarter TD passes.

  • Dallas Cowboys DE Too Tall Jones (backup center averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had four sacks in a 33-24 win against the New York Giants in 1987.

  • Baltimore Ravens WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown in 43-23 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars WR Matt Jones (started two of his 11 Arkansas games in 2001-02 when averaging 4.2 ppg and 2.3 rpg and 10 of 17 in 2003-04 when averaging 5 ppg and 4.5 rpg) had at least seven pass receptions for third consecutive contest in 2008.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Chicago Bears in 1969.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 349 yards - including two second-quarter touchdowns - in a 26-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2008. Five years earlier, McNabb passed for 312 yards in a 23-16 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2003.

  • Miami Dolphins RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) returned two kickoffs for 76 yards in a 9-6 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1997.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) had seven pass receptions for 113 yards - including two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jim Kelly - in a 34-28 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986.

  • Los Angeles Rams DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned an interception 97 yards for touchdown in 42-20 win against the Dallas Texans in 1952.

  • San Francisco 49ers E Bob Titchenal (San Jose State hoops letterman in 1939) caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Frankie Albert in 27-14 AAFC win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1946.

  • B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) supplied the Staten Island Stapletons' lone score with a 63-yard touchdown pass in 9-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1930.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 1 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick with Netflix licks about "slavery" and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad promptly selected among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 1 in football at the professional level (especially in 2009 plus ex-college hoopers with the Eagles and Giants):

NOVEMBER 1

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for five touchdowns - one for 70 yards - in a 38-31 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1959.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught five passes for 151 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown from Ron Jaworski, in a 17-14 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1981.

  • Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) scored two third-quarter touchdowns - one rushing/one receiving - in a 26-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1959.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) completed 23-of-38 passes for 435 yards - including six touchdowns - in a 49-39 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1964.

  • Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned a kickoff 99 yards for touchdown in 35-0 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1970.

  • New York Giants QB Arnie Galiffa (Army's third-leading scorer as junior and second-leading scorer as senior with more than 9 ppg each year) threw his only NFL touchdown pass - a decisive 75-yarder to Kyle Rote in 23-20 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1953.

  • Rookie TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer was hoops letterman for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) scored the first two touchdowns in New York Giants' NFL history in a 19-0 win against the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1925.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught eight passes in a 24-16 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2009.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 306 of a league-high 3,045 yards in 34-17 setback against the New York Giants in 1964.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Chuck Kassel (Illinois hoops letterman in 1925 and 1926) opened game's scoring with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1929.

  • New York Giants rookie FB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) threw a touchdown pass in his third consecutive contest in 1936.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 17-of-23 passes - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 40-17 win against the New York Giants in 2009.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 13 yards for touchdown in 34-21 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.

  • Philadelphia Eagles rookie HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had a 97-yard kickoff return for touchdown in 30-27 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1942.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-17 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1970.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 48 yards for touchdown in 30-25 win against the New York Jets in 2009.

  • Kansas City Chiefs WR Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had four pass receptions for 129 yards in a 17-17 tie against the Oakland Raiders in 1970.

  • New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) sacked Dan Marino in end zone for a safety in 26-14 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1992.

  • New York Giants B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) opened game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in 14-0 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1931.

Hot Stove League: MLB November Transactions Involving Ex-College Hoopers

Two-time basketball All-Americans Dick Groat (Duke/1951 and 1952) and Ryan Minor (Oklahoma/1995 and 1996) were involved in MLB transactions this month. They are among the following ex-college hoopers involved in MLB off-season transactions during the month of November:

NOVEMBER

1: RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) traded by the New York Yankees to Seattle Mariners in 1979. . . . INF Gene Handley (Bradley hoops letterman in 1932-33 and 1933-34) selected from Sacramento (PCL) by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945 Rule 5 draft. . . . RHP Lee Pfund (Wheaton's all-time winningest basketball coach for Wheaton IL with 362-240 record in 24 campaigns from 1951-52 through 1974-75) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944 Rule 5 draft. . . . OF Fuzz White (four-year hoops letterman for Drury MO during second half of 1930s) selected from the St. Louis Browns by New York Giants in 1946 Rule 5 draft.
2: INF Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) selected from St. Paul (American Association) by the Chicago White Sox in 1942 Rule 5 draft. . . . RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer during two years he attended Mount Morris IL in early 1930s) selected from the Boston Red Sox by St. Louis Browns in 1942 Rule 5 draft. . . . LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) traded by the Atlanta Braves to New York Mets in 1972.
3: 1B Ron Jackson (second-team All-Mid-American Conference selection from 1951-52 through 1953-54 led Western Michigan in scoring and rebounding each of his last two seasons) traded by the Chicago White Sox to Boston Red Sox in 1959. . . . RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) traded by the Houston Astros to Cleveland Indians in 1973.
4: 1B George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Tournament with Tennessee State's hoops team) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with Bill Wakefield to New York Mets for RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman squad) in 1963.
5: INF Frank Callaway (Tennessee hoops letterman in 1918 and 1919) traded by the Philadelphia Athletics to Milwaukee (American Association) in 1922. . . . C Bill Conroy (Illinois Wesleyan hooper in early 1930s) shipped with two additional players by the Philadelphia Athletics to Oakland (PCL) in 1937 to complete a trade made the previous month. . . . 1B-OF Doug Howard (All-WAC second-team selection with Brigham Young in 1968-69 and 1969-70) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Toronto Blue Jays in 1976. . . . INF Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) selected from the New York Yankees by Toronto Blue Jays as 41st pick in 1976 expansion draft. . . . RHP Dave Lemanczyk (averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Hartwick NY teams compiling 51-21 record from 1969-70 through 1971-72) selected from the Detroit Tigers by Toronto Blue Jays as 43rd pick in 1976 expansion draft. . . . INF Nolen Richardson (Georgia hoops captain in 1925-26 as member of All-Southern Conference Tournament team) purchased from the New York Yankees by Baltimore (International) in 1937. . . . RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA leading scorer when named All-Evergreen Conference in 1958-59 and 1959-60) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to Cincinnati Reds in 1969.
7: 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) traded by the Chicago Cubs to San Diego Padres in 1973. . . . OF Lindsay Deal (leading scorer for Lenoir-Rhyne NC with 7.4 ppg in 1933-34) selected from Atlanta (Southern Association) by the Boston Red Sox in 1944 minor league draft. . . . RHP Frank Linzy (listed on Oklahoma State's freshman hoops roster in 1959-60) traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973.
8: OF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) acquired from Toronto (International) by the Milwaukee Braves as part of minor-league working agreement in 1961.
9: C Frank Grube (starting hoops guard for Lafayette as senior in 1926-27) traded by the Chicago White Sox to Dallas (Texas) in 1936. . . . INF Gene Handley (Bradley hoops letterman in 1932-33 and 1933-34) purchased from the Philadelphia Athletics by Hollywood (PCL) in 1947. . . . OF Les Mann (Springfield MA hooper in 1913 and 1914) purchased from the Boston Braves by St. Louis Cardinals in 1920. . . . 2B Marv Olson (All-Iowa Conference hoops selection in 1929-30 with Luther IA) traded by the New York Yankees to Baltimore (International) in 1933.
10: C Ferrell Anderson (Kansas hoops letterman in 1936-37 and 1937-38) selected from the Brooklyn Dodgers by Cincinnati Reds in 1947 Rule 5 draft. . . . OF John Simmons (starting guard averaged 8.7 ppg for NYU's 17-6 NCAA Tournament team in 1943) selected from the Brooklyn Dodgers by Washington Senators and RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) selected from the Cleveland Indians by Philadelphia Athletics in 1948 Rule 5 draft.
11: RHP Bill Crouch (Eastern Michigan hoops captain in 1927-28) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to Philadelphia Phillies in 1940.
12: INF Eddie Grant (paced Harvard's freshman squad in scoring in 1902 and played varsity as sophomore before declared ineligible for receiving money in independent summer baseball league) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to Cincinnati Reds in 1910. . . . OF Jimmy Moore (Union TN hoops standout in late 1920s) traded by the Philadelphia Athletics to Portland (PCL) in 1931.
14: C Bob Garbark (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Allegheny PA in 1932) purchased from the Philadelphia Athletics by Boston Red Sox in 1944.
15: OF Grant Dunlap (Pacific hoops letterman in 1942-43 and 1946-47) selected from the Cleveland Indians by New York Yankees in 1948 minor league draft.
16: 3B Ryan Minor (two-time All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection for Oklahoma was league player of year as junior in 1994-95 when averaging 23.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg) awarded off waivers from the Montreal Expos to Seattle Mariners in 2001. . . . 2B Johnny Temple (briefly played hoops for Catawba NC in 1945 before serving in U.S. Navy) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Baltimore Orioles in 1961.
17: C Mickey Cochrane (played hoops for Boston University in early 1920s) traded by Portland (PCL) to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1924. . . . INF Billy Hunter (multi-sport athlete for Indiana PA post-WWII) traded by the Baltimore Orioles to New York Yankees in 1954. . . . LHP Joe Ostrowski (leading scorer for Scranton PA in 1942-43) traded with RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) by the Boston Red Sox to St. Louis Browns in 1947. . . . OF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to Pittsburgh Pirates in 1933. . . . OF John Simmons (starting guard averaged 8.7 ppg for NYU's 17-6 NCAA Tournament team in 1943) selected from the New York Yankees by Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 minor league draft. . . . SS Tom Upton (led SEMO in scoring three years last half of 1940s and was All-EIBL first-team selection with Penn in 1945-46 while serving in military) selected from the New York Yankees by St. Louis Browns in 1949 Rule 5 draft.
18: INF Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament hoops championship team) traded by the Kansas City Athletics to Detroit Tigers in 1963. . . . RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to San Diego Padres in 1974. . . . OF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) selected from the Florida Marlins by Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1997 expansion draft.
19: SS Dick Groat (two-time hoops All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to St. Louis Cardinals in 1962. . . . OF Rip Repulski (started a few games for St. Cloud State MN) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to Philadelphia Phillies in 1956. . . . OF Kite Thomas (averaged 5.1 ppg for Kansas State in 1946-47) selected from the New York Yankees by Philadelphia Athletics in 1951 Rule 5 draft.
20: 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) awarded off waivers from the Detroit Tigers by Boston Red Sox in 2001. . . . RHP Don Schwall (All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection as sophomore in 1956-57 when leading Oklahoma in rebounding) traded by the Boston Red Sox to Pittsburgh Pirates in 1962.
21: 1B-OF Dick Gernert (hoops letterman with Temple in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) traded by the Boston Red Sox to Chicago Cubs in 1959. . . . UTL Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) traded by the Chicago Cubs to Philadelphia Phillies in 1933. . . . OF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) purchased from the Chicago White Sox by Yakult Swallows (Japan Central) in 1997. . . . CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) traded by the Chicago Cubs to Oakland Athletics in 1972. . . . RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to Philadelphia Phillies in 1935. . . . C-UTL Billy Sullivan Jr. (Portland hoops letterman in 1927-28) traded by the Chicago White Sox to Indianapolis (American Association) in 1934. . . . SS Coot Veal (averaged team-high 10.9 ppg as Auburn sophomore in 1951-52 before transferring to Mercer) purchased from the Washington Senators by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961.
22: 1B-OF Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) purchased from the Boston Red Sox by St. Louis Cardinals in 1934. . . . OF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1915) traded with another player by the Cincinnati Reds to Philadelphia Phillies for LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1911-12 and 1913-14).
23: C-OF Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to Houston Astros in 1976.
24: INF Pat Crawford (Davidson hoops captain in early 1920s) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to Hollywood (PCL) in 1930. . . . INF Chick Gagnon (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1920-21 and 1921-22) traded by the Detroit Tigers to Washington Senators in 1922. . . . LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg from 1977-78 through 1979-80) shipped by the California Angels in 1982 as player to be designated to New York Yankees to complete deal made three months earlier for LHP Tommy John.
25: 1B-DH-3B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to Chicago White Sox in 2005.
26: OF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after finishing runner-up in both categories previous season) selected from the Cincinnati Reds by Washington Senators in 1962 first-year draft. . . . RHP Rich Beck (listed on Gonzaga's hoops roster in 1961-62) selected from the New York Yankees by Philadelphia Phillies in 1962 first-year draft. . . . 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) selected from the Boston Red Sox by Chicago Cubs in 1962 first-year draft. . . . RHP Casey Cox (juco recruit averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Cal State Los Angeles in 1961-62) selected from the Cincinnati Reds by Cleveland Indians in 1962 first-year draft. . . . INF Gene Freese (hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) purchased from the Cincinnati Reds by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1963. . . . OF Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg as Tampa freshman in 1961-62) selected from the Cleveland Indians by Washington Senators in 1962 first-year draft. . . . INF Ted Schreiber (played hoops briefly for St. John's in 1957-58 under coach Joe Lapchick) selected from the Boston Red Sox by New York Mets in 1962 Rule 5 draft. . . . 1B Moose Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) traded by the New York Yankees to Los Angeles Dodgers in 1962.
27: 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading scorer in 1945-46) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to Cleveland Indians in 1962. . . . SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) traded by the San Diego Padres to Montreal Expos in 1979. . . . RHP Buddy Harris (Philadelphia Textile hoops letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67) traded by the Houston Astros to New York Mets in 1972. . . . RHP Wynn Hawkins (Little All-American was all-time leading scorer for Baldwin-Wallace OH upon graduation in 1957) purchased from the Cleveland Indians by New York Mets in 1962. . . . 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) traded by the Washington Senators to New York Mets in 1967. . . . OF-1B Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) selected from the New York Giants by Chicago Cubs in 1955 Rule 5 draft. . . . INF Jerry Kindall (averaged 6.9 ppg for Minnesota as junior in 1955-56) traded by the Chicago Cubs to Cleveland Indians in 1961. . . . 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) traded by the Cleveland Indians to New York Yankees in 1972. . . . RHP Ray Rippelmeyer (led Southern Illinois in scoring and rebounding as sophomore in 1952-53 before transferring and becoming two-time All-MIAA first-team selection by pacing Southeast Missouri State in scoring in 1953-54 and 1954-55) selected from the Cincinnati Reds by Washington Senators in 1961 Rule 5 draft. . . . 1B-OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State) squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953) traded by the Kansas City Athletics to Baltimore Orioles in 1963. . . . SS Tom Upton (led SEMO in scoring three years last half of 1940s and was All-EIBL first-team selection with Penn in 1945-46 while serving in military) traded by the St. Louis Browns to Chicago White Sox in 1951 before promptly dealt to Washington Senators.
28: C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1929 and 1930) purchased from the Detroit Tigers by Hollywood (PCL) in 1934. . . . RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) traded by the Baltimore Orioles to Cleveland Indians in 1967. . . . INF Billy Harrell (averaged 10.3 ppg in three seasons for Siena in early 1950s) selected from the Philadelphia Phillies by Boston Red Sox in 1960 Rule 5 draft. . . . OF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to Pittsburgh Pirates in 1962. . . . RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) shipped as player to be designated by the Washington Senators to Cincinnati Reds to complete trade made two months earlier. . . . RHP Darrell Sutherland (averaged 8.1 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Stanford from 1960-61 through 1962-63) selected from the New York Mets by Cleveland Indians in 1967 minor league draft. . . . RHP Billy Wynne (one of prime hoopers in mid-1960s for Pfeiffer NC) selected from the New York Mets by Cleveland Indians in 1966 Rule 5 draft.
29: OF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after finishing runner-up in both categories previous season) selected from the Minnesota Twins by Oakland Athletics in 1971 Rule 5 draft. . . . 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola New Orleans in late 1920s and early 1930s) traded with two additional players by the Cleveland Indians to Indianapolis (American Association) for RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler hoops All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) in 1930. . . . 2B Marv Breeding (Samford hooper in mid-1950s) selected from the Baltimore Orioles by Atlanta Braves in 1965 Rule 5 draft. . . . OF-1B Jim Hickman (Ole Miss freshman hooper in 1955-56) traded by the New York Mets to Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966. . . . OF-INF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC before serving two years in U.S. Army in mid-1950s) traded by the Cleveland Indians to California Angels for OF Jose Cardenal in 1967. . . . LHP-1B Ossie Orwoll (Luther IA hooper in first half of 1920s) traded by the Philadelphia Athletics to Portland (PCL) in 1930. . . . RHP Wayne Schurr (Hillsdale College MI hooper in late 1950s) traded by the Chicago Cubs to California Angels in 1966. . . . UTL Jimmy Stewart (All-Volunteer State Athletic Conference selection for Austin Peay State in 1959-60 and 1960-61) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to Houston Astros in 1971.
30: OF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after finishing runner-up in both categories previous season) shipped as player to be designated by the Oakland Athletics to Texas Rangers in 1972 to complete trade made one month earlier. . . . INF Joey Amalfitano (Loyola Marymount hooper in 1952-53) selected from Toronto (International) by the San Francisco Giants in 1959 Rule 5 draft. Three years later in 1962, he was traded by the Houston Colt .45s to San Francisco Giants. . . . CF Ken Berry (Wichita freshman hooper in 1959-60) traded with RHP Billy Wynne (one of prime hoopers in mid-1960s for Pfeiffer NC) by the Chicago White Sox to California Angels in 1970. . . . RHP Vince Colbert (averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg for East Carolina in 1966-67 and 1967-68) traded by the Cleveland Indians to Texas Rangers in 1972. . . . INF Tim Cullen (starting guard for Santa Clara in 1962-63 when averaging 10 ppg and 3.4 rpg) selected from the Boston Red Sox by Washington Senators in 1964 first-year draft. . . . RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) traded by the San Francisco Giants to Chicago White Sox in 1961. . . . 1B-OF Gary Holman (USC hoops letterman in 1962-63) selected from the Los Angeles Dodgers by Washington Senators in 1964 first-year draft. . . . 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) traded by the Baltimore Orioles to Atlanta Braves in 1972. . . . OF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to Chicago Cubs for INF Paul Popovich (teammate of All-American Jerry West averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) and another player in 1967. . . . OF Don Lock (led Wichita in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58) traded by the Washington Senators to Philadelphia Phillies in 1966. . . . SS Gene Michael (Kent State's scoring leader with 14 ppg in 1957-58) purchased from the Los Angeles Dodgers by New York Yankees in 1967. . . . RHP Ray Rippelmeyer (led Southern Illinois in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore in 1952-53 before transferring and becoming a two-time All-MIAA first-team selection by pacing Southeast Missouri State in scoring in 1953-54 and 1954-55) selected from the Milwaukee Braves by Cincinnati Reds in 1959 minor league draft. . . . UTL Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) traded by the Chicago Cubs to Cleveland Indians in 1961. . . . OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in final two seasons with C.W. Post NY in 1962-63 and 1963-64) traded by the Kansas City Royals to Cincinnati Reds in 1972. . . . UTL Roe Skidmore (scored 41 points in single game for Millikin IL in 1965-66) traded by the Chicago Cubs to Chicago White Sox in 1970. . . . C John Stephenson (scored 1,361 points for William Carey MS in early 1960s) selected from the San Francisco Giants by California Angels in 1970 Rule 5 draft.

Happy Birthday! November Celebration Dates For A-As & Hall of Fame Coaches

Six days in November (2nd/3rd/13th/21st/24th/25th) each had six NCAA Division I All-Americans born on that date. Two All-Americans for North Carolina (Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson/3rd), Boston College (Troy Bell and Craig Smith/10th), Kentucky (Louie Dampier and Antonio Reeves/20th) and Kentucky (Jamal Mashburn and Julius Randle/29th) were born on the same day this month. UK (six) and Michigan (five) contributed the most A-As born in November. Oregon had four All-Americans born the first half of month while Marquette had four the second half of month. Following are A-As and Hall of Fame coaches born in November:

NOVEMBER

1: All-Americans Joe Caldwell (1941/Arizona State), David "Corky" Calhoun (1950/Penn) and Johnny Cox (1936/Kentucky).
2: All-Americans Keith "Mister" Jennings (1968/East Tennessee State), Ted Kitchel (1959/Indiana), Ron Lee (1952/Oregon), Oscar "Sonny" Olson (1917/Carleton MN), Myer "Whitey" Skoog (1926/Minnesota) and Tom Thacker (1939/Cincinnati).
3: All-Americans Tyler Hansbrough (1985/North Carolina), Steve Johnson (1957/Oregon State), Ty Lawson (1987/North Carolina), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (2000/Villanova), Dick Triptow (1922/DePaul) and George Yardley (1928/Stanford).
4: All-Americans Trevon Bluiett (1994/Xavier), Dick Groat (1930/Duke), Gene Rock (1921/Southern California), George Stanich (1928/UCLA) and Lorenzen Wright (1975/Memphis).
5: All-Americans Jerry Stackhouse (1974/North Carolina), Bill Walton III (1952/UCLA) and Mark West (1960/Old Dominion).
6: All-Americans Luke Jackson (1981/Oregon) and Jack Murdock (1934/Wake Forest).
7: All-Americans Kyle "Flip" Filipowski (2003/Duke) and Tony Jackson (1942/St. John's).
8: All-Americans Don Hennon (1937/Pittsburgh), Chester "Chet" Jaworski (1916/Rhode Island State), Brevin Knight (1975/Stanford) and Tom "Satch" Sanders (1938/NYU) plus Hall of Fame coach Frank McGuire (1913/St. John's, North Carolina and South Carolina).
9: All-Americans Mel Davis (1950/St. John's), John Dick (1918/Oregon) and Frank Selvy (1932/Furman).
10: All-Americans Darryl "D.J." Augustin (1987/Texas), Troy Bell (1980/Boston College), Barry Kramer (1942/NYU), Jacob Pullen (1989/Kansas State) and Craig Smith (1983/Boston College).
11: All-Americans Richie Fuqua (1950/Oral Roberts) and Andre Woolridge (1973/Iowa).
12: All-Americans Paolo Banchero (2002/Duke) and Trey Burke (1992/Michigan).
13: All-Americans Ron Artest (1979/St. John's), Forrest "Whitey" Baccus (1911/Southern Methodist), Gene Brown (1935/San Francisco), Rumeal Robinson (1966/Michigan), Scott Steagall (1929/Millikin IL) and Rich Yunkus (1949/Georgia Tech) plus Hall of Fame coach Roland "Rollie" Massimino (1934/Stony Brook, Villanova, UNLV and Cleveland State).
14: All-Americans Wally Borrevik (1921/Oregon), Jason Gardner (1980/Arizona), Simmie Hill (1946/West Texas State) and Lionel Simmons (1968/La Salle).
15: All-American Karl-Anthony Towns (1995/Kentucky).
16: All-Americans Art Bunte (1933/Utah) and Denzel Valentine (1993/Michigan State).
17: All-Americans Elvin Hayes (1945/Houston), Terry Rand (1934/Marquette), Glen Smith (1928/Utah) and Steve Stipanovich (1960/Missouri) plus Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim (1944/Syracuse).
18: All-Americans Irv Bemoras (1930/Illinois), Len Bias (1963/Maryland), Julius Hodge (1983/North Carolina State), Don Lofgran (1928/San Francisco) and Richard "Buzz" Wilkinson (1932/Virginia) plus Hall of Fame coach Forrest "Phog" Allen (1885/Kansas).
19: All-Americans Justin Anderson (1993/Virginia) and Kenneth Faried (1989/Morehead State).
20: All-Americans Carlos Boozer (1981/Duke), Louie Dampier (1944/Kentucky), Howard Engleman (1919/Kansas), Antonio Reeves (2000/Kentucky) and Phil Sellers (1953/Rutgers).
21: All-Americans Terry Dischinger (1940/Purdue), John Lucas III (1982/Oklahoma State), Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell (1955/UNC Charlotte), Earl "The Pearl" Monroe (1944/Winston-Salem State), Miles Simon (1975/Arizona) and Stromile Swift (1979/Louisiana State).
22: All-Americans Benoit Benjamin (1964/Creighton), Byron Houston (1969/Oklahoma State) and Mel Hutchins (1928/Brigham Young).
23: All-Americans Steve Alford (1964/Indiana), Frank Johnson (1958/Wake Forest), Malik Rose (1974/Drexel), Andrew Toney (1957/Southwestern Louisiana) and Lloyd Walton (1953/Marquette).
24: All-Americans Henry Bibby (1949/UCLA), Dave Bing (1943/Syracuse), Jimmy Collins (1946/New Mexico State), John Horan (1932/Dayton), Oscar Robertson (1938/Cincinnati) and Rudy Tomjanovich (1948/Michigan).
25: All-Americans Chris Carrawell (1977/Duke), Lorenzo Charles (1963/North Carolina State), Hunter Dickinson (2000/Michigan and Kansas), Jared Jeffries (1981/Indiana), Bob Kessler (1914/Purdue) and Anthony Peeler (1969/Missouri).
26: All-Americans Kresimir Cosic (1948/Brigham Young) and Luther Head (1982/Illinois).
27: All-Americans Brendan Haywood (1979/North Carolina), Jim Price (1949/Louisville) and Nick Van Exel (1971/Cincinnati).
28: All-Americans Andrew Bogut (1984/Utah), Don Collins (1958/Washington State) and Roy Tarpley (1964/Michigan).
29: All-Americans Don "Red" Goldstein (1938/Louisville), Jamal Mashburn (1972/Kentucky), Julius Randle (1994/Kentucky), Charles E. Smith IV (1967/Georgetown) and George Thompson (1947/Marquette).
30: All-Americans Jim Chones (1949/Marquette), Tom Kondla (1946/Minnesota), Paul Westphal (1950/Southern California) and Grant Williams (1998/Tennessee) plus Hall of Fame coach Joe B. Hall (1928/Kentucky).

Birthdays in January for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in February for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in March for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in April for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in May for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in June for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in July for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in August for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in September for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in October for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in November for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in December for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 31 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 31 in football at the professional level (especially in 1948 and 2004 plus ex-hoopers with the Eagles):

OCTOBER 31

  • Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in 31-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1965.

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw six touchdown passes - three of them at least 44 yards - in a 48-10 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943. Five years later, Baugh threw four TD passes - all of them at least 38 yards - in a 59-21 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948 when Redskins rookie B Howard Hartley (Duke hoops letterman in 1944) rushed for a 26-yard TD.

  • Philadelphia Eagles E Tony Bova (St. Francis PA hoops letterman in 1942) caught two touchdown passes (31 and 26 yards) from Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as hoops center in 1938 and 1939) in a 34-13 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1943.

  • Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 14-13 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1937.

  • Denver Broncos WR Andre Cooper (collected 29 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in seven Florida State games as freshman in 1993-94) had a career-high four pass receptions in 23-20 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1999.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 42-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2004.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught eight passes for 125 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 45-35 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004.

  • New England Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) provided 13 solo tackles in a 34-20 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Red Hickey (three-time All-SWC selection and member of Arkansas' 1941 Final Four team) caught three second-half touchdown passes in a 27-22 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948.

  • Chicago Bears rookie E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had four of his league-high 12 touchdown receptions in a 31-27 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had an interception and returned three kickoffs a total of 97 yards in 23-20 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1976.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2010.

  • Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) scored three touchdowns (two rushing/one receiving) in a 35-17 AAFC win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two fourth-quarter TD passes (49 and 35 yards).

  • Cincinnati Bengals WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Carson Palmer in a 22-14 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2010.

  • Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked three field goals in a 23-19 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.

  • Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns (55-yard punt return and 18-yard fumble return) in a 34-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1948.

  • Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 50.2 yards on five punts in a 23-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions for 147 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 31-24 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught nine passes for 208 yards - including 80-yard touchdown from Jake Plummer - in a 41-28 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 31

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether nothing is scarier on Halloween than risk of creepy Plagiarist Biledumb's America having anything to do with your 'garbage" life turning you into Dr. Frankenstein creation like hideous Hunter, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Mike Flanagan, who averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' freshman hoop squad in 1971-72 a year after Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino averaged 16.1 ppg for UMass frosh, won the 1979 American League Cy Young Award as Baltimore Orioles LHP on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 31 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 31

  • SS Alvin Dark (basketball letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana during World War II) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to the San Francisco Giants in 1960.

  • Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) named winner of 1979 American League Cy Young Award.

  • RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) started Game 4 for the Kansas City Royals when they defeated the New York Mets, 5-3, to take a commanding 3-1 lead in 2015 World Series.

Ex-Hooper Will Venable Unafraid to Take On Challenge as White Sox Manager

Two-time All-Ivy League hoops selection Will Venable isn't afraid to take on a challenge. Former Princeton basketball standout was named manager of the Chicago White Sox after the Pale Hose set a modern MLB record with 121 defeats this past season. Previously, all-conference hoopers Don Kessinger (Ole Miss in SEC) and Ted Lyons (Baylor in SWC) served as White Sox skippers. Venable joins the following alphabetical list of former MLB managers who were college basketball players:

JOE ADCOCK, Louisiana State
First baseman hit .277 with 336 home runs and 1,122 RBI in 17 seasons from 1950 through 1966 with the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves, Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles/California Angels. He hit four homers and a double for the Braves against the Brooklyn Dodgers on July 31, 1954, setting a major league record for most total bases in a game (18). Adcock was the Braves' regular first baseman on 1957 and 1958 National League champions. He failed to get an extra-base hit in nine World Series games against the Yankees, but his sixth-inning single accounted for Game Five's only run in 1957 when Lew Burdette outdueled Whitey Ford. Adcock, who blasted a career-high 38 homers in 1956 between injury-plagued seasons, was an All-Star in 1960 and managed the Indians in 1967.

He played three seasons from 1944-45 through 1946-47 for LSU as a 6-4, 190-pound center. Leading scorer with 18.6 ppg for the 1945-46 Tigers team compiling an 18-3 record and losing against Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference Tournament final. He set SEC Tournament record with 15 field goals in a game against Tulane in 1946.

WALTER ALSTON, Miami (Ohio)
Member of Baseball Hall of Fame managed the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 seasons from 1954 through 1976, winning seven National League pennants and three World Series. His managerial record was 2,040-1,613 (.558) with 23 one-year contracts. In eight All-Star Game assignments, Alston was the winning manager a record seven times. He struck out in his only major league at-bat with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936.

The 6-2, 195-pound Alston, a charter member of his alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame, lettered in basketball from 1932-33 through 1934-35. He scored 10 of Miami's 15 points in a 32-15 defeat against Indiana in his senior season.

JOHN "JOEY" AMALFITANO, Loyola Marymount
Infielder, primarily a second baseman, hit .244 with the New York/San Francisco Giants, Houston Colt .45's and Chicago Cubs in 10 seasons (1954, 1955 and 1960 through 1967). He posted a career-high .277 bating average with the Giants in 1960. Traded by the Colt .45's back to the Giants for Dick LeMay and Manny Mota on November 30, 1962. Also registered a 66-116 record as manager of the Cubs from 1979 to 1981.

Collected six points and six rebounds in eight basketball games for the Lions in 1952-53.

JOHN "JACK" BARRY, Holy Cross
Infielder, primarily a shortstop, hit .243 with the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox in 11 A.L. seasons from 1908 through 1919. Ranked fifth in the league in RBI in 1913 with 85 for the Athletics as a key component of Connie Mack's first dynasty. Participated in five World Series, four with the champion, in a six-year span from 1910 through 1915. Compiled a 90-62 managerial record with the Red Sox in 1917 before winning more than 80 percent of his games coaching his alma mater for 40 years (including capturing the 1952 College World Series).

The 5-9 Barry was a basketball letterman for the Crusaders in 1908.

LOU BOUDREAU, Illinois
Hall of Fame infielder hit .295 in 15 seasons from 1938 through 1952 with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Managed Indians, Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics and Chicago Cubs, starting his managerial career at the age of 24 in 1942. As player-manager in 1948, the shortstop led Cleveland to the A.L. title and earned MVP honors by hitting .355 with 116 RBI. He hit a modest .273 in the World Series. The seven-time All-Star led the A.L. with 45 doubles on three occasions (1941, 1944 and 1947) and paced the league in batting average in 1944 (.327). Ranked among the A.L. top 10 in batting average five times in a six-year span from 1943 through 1948.

Played two varsity basketball seasons for Illinois (1936-37 and 1937-38) under coach Doug Mills. As a 5-11 sophomore, Boudreau led the Illini in scoring with 8.7 ppg as the team shared the Big Ten Conference title. Compiled an 8.8 average the next year. After helping the Illini upset St. John's in a game at Madison Square Garden, the New York Daily News described him as "positively brilliant" and said he "set up countless plays in breathtaking fashion." Averaged 8.2 ppg for Hammond (Ind.) in the National Basketball League in 1938-39. He was one of three individuals to coach Hammond the next season, compiling a 1-4 record.

ALVIN DARK, Louisiana State/Louisiana-Lafayette
Three-time All-Star infielder hit .289 in 14 years (1946 and 1948 through 1960) with the Boston Braves, New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. He hit a career-high .322 with the Braves in 1948 when he won the Rookie of the Year award. Dark led the N.L. in doubles with the Giants with 41 in 1951 and paced the league's shortstops three times each in putouts and double plays. Ranked among the N.L. top 10 in hits seven times in a 10-year stretch from 1948 through 1957. He hit .323 in three World Series ('48 with Braves; '51 and '54 with Giants). Dark compiled a 994-954 record in 13 years (1961-64, 1966-71, 1974, 1975, 1977) as manager of the Giants, Kansas City/Oakland A's, Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres. He won the 1962 N.L. pennant with the Giants and 1974 World Series with Oakland.

As a sophomore in 1942, Dark was a 5-11, 160-pound tailback who led LSU in rushing (433 yards in 60 carries) and passing (completed 40 of 106 passes for 556 yards and five touchdowns). Third-round NFL draft choice by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945 (25th pick overall). Member of LSU's 1942-43 basketball squad before entering military service (Marine Corps V-12 program) during World War II. Dark, known as the "Swamp Fox," was five-sport letterman at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now Louisiana-Lafayette) during 1943-44 when he led the Bulldogs to an Oil Bowl victory over Arkansas A&M in Houston with a TD run, TD pass, field goal and three PATs.

LARRY DOBY, Virginia Union
Outfielder hit .283 with 253 home runs and 969 RBI in a 13-year career from 1947 through 1959 with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The first black player in the American League twice led the A.L. in homers (32 in 1952 and 1954). He was the first African-American to lead a league in homers (1952 and 1954) and the first to participate in the World Series (1948). Hit 20 or more round-trippers eight consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1956 while finishing among the A.L. top nine in slugging percentage each year. The seven-time All-Star drove in 100 or more runs five times, leading the A.L. with 126 in 1954 when the Indians won 111 games before being swept by the New York Giants in the World Series. Appeared in 1948 and 1954 World Series with the Indians, winning Game 4 in '48 with a homer off Braves star Johnny Sain. Doby managed the White Sox for most of 1978 (37-50 record).

The 6-1, 180-pounder attended LIU on a basketball scholarship but transferred to Virginia Union prior to the start of the season after Uncle Sam summoned him for World War II service. Doby was told Virginia Union had a ROTC program and he could complete his freshman season before being drafted. He became eligible the second semester of the 1942-43 season and was a reserve guard on a team that won the CIAA title.

JIM FANNING, Buena Vista (Iowa)
Catcher hit .170 in 64 games with the Chicago Cubs in four years from 1954 through 1957. Long-time MLB executive managed the Montreal Expos to a 116-103 record in three years the first half of the 1980s. His biggest trades as general manager with the Expos involved Rusty Staub (acquired from Houston Astros and shipped to New York Mets).

He collected 25 points for Buena Vista in 1947-48 and 1948-49.

KERBY FARRELL, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)
First baseman hit .262 for the Boston Braves and Chicago White Sox in three seasons from 1943 through 1945. Three-time Minor League Manager of the Year (1954, 1956 and 1961) managed the Cleveland Indians to a 76-77 record in 1957.

Key player for a couple of strong FHC basketball squads in the mid-1930s.

FRANKIE FRISCH, Fordham
Hall of Famer compiled a run of 11 consecutive .300 seasons and set fielding records for chances and assists with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1927. As player-manager with the Cards, he instilled the rollicking all-out style of hardnosed play that prompted a team nickname of "The Gashouse Gang." His season strikeout total topped 20 only twice en route to a .316 average in his 19-year career, which also included a stint with the New York Giants. N.L. MVP in 1931 when he led the league in stolen bases for the third of three times.

According to his bio in Total Baseball, "The Fordham Flash" captained the Rams' basketball squad. In 1925, Frisch officiated the first-ever game played in the Rose Hill Gym (the oldest NCAA Division I facility in the nation).

DALLAS GREEN, Delaware
Compiled a 20-22 pitching record in eight seasons from 1960 through 1967 with the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Senators and New York Mets. Managed the Phillies to victory over the Kansas City Royals in the 1980 World Series. Assembled a 395-406 managerial record with the Phillies and Mets.

Green played two seasons of varsity basketball for the Blue Hens, averaging 6.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg as a sophomore in 1953-54 and 12.1 ppg as a junior in 1954-55, when the 6-5 center was the school's second-leading scorer and rebounder (10.6 rpg).

MIKE HARGROVE, Northwestern Oklahoma State
First baseman hit .290 with the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians in 12 years from 1974 through 1985. Rookie of the Year when he posted a career-high .323 batting average (fifth in A.L.). Lefthander earned a spot on the A.L. All-Star team in 1975. Compiled a 1,188-1,173 managerial record for the Indians, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners in 16 A.L. seasons from 1991 through 2007, guiding Cleveland to five consecutive Central Division titles from 1995 through 1999.

The 6-0, 190-pounder (class of '72) is the school's last athlete to letter in all three major sports (including football).

GIL HODGES, St. Joseph's (Ind.)/Oakland City (Ind.)
Dead-pull hitter had a .273 batting average with 370 home runs and 1,274 RBI in an 18-year playing career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. Became a three-time Gold Glove first baseman after being switched from catcher by manager Leo Durocher because of the emergence of Roy Campanella. Eight-time All-Star swatted four home runs against the Braves on August 31, 1950. The 6-1 1/2, 200-pounder drove in more than 100 runs seven consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1955 and hammered 20 or more homers 11 straight years from 1949 through 1959. Finished among the N.L. top three in homers four times in a five-year span from 1950 through 1954. Hodges, who hit 14 grand slams, achieved career highs in 1954 by hitting .304 with league runner-up totals of 42 homers and 130 RBI. He appeared in seven World Series. After a woeful 0-for-21 performance in a 1952 World Series loss to the Yankees, he led the Dodgers' regulars with a .364 World Series average the next year. Hodges homered in each of his last four World Series with the Dodgers, including blasts that won 1956's Game One vs. the Yanks and 1959's Game Four vs. the White Sox. Hodges hit the first homer in Mets history in 1962 before he was traded to the Senators for OF Jim Piersall the next year. Managed the "Miracle Mets" to the 1969 World Series championship, compiling a 660-753 record (.467) with the Senators and Mets in nine years from 1963 through 1971.

Gil and his brother (Bob), natives of Petersburg, Ind., enrolled at St. Joseph's (Ind.) in the fall of 1941. Gil, a Marine who spent 18 months in the Pacific with 80 of those days in combat on Okinawa, later attended Oakland City, where he played basketball in 1947 and 1948. Morris Klipsch, a Petersburg auto dealer, says Gil may have liked basketball as much as baseball. "I recall him saying one fall after the Dodgers season was over that he would like to join a pro basketball team," Klipsch said.

DAVEY JOHNSON, Texas A&M
A.L. Manager of the Year in 1977 with the Baltimore Orioles directed the New York Mets to victory over the Orioles in the 1986 World Series. His managerial record in 14 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers was 1,148-888 (.564) before leaving the Washington Nationals' front office in the middle of the 2011 campaign to become their manager. Johnson finished first or second 11 times in his first 15 seasons as a big league skipper. Four-time All-Star hit .261 as an infielder in a 13-year career (1965 through 1975, 1977 and 1978) with the Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs. Earned three straight A.L. Gold Gloves as a second baseman with the Orioles from 1969 through 1971. Slugged 43 (N.L. runner-up) of his 136 career homers for the Braves in 1973 after appearing in four World Series with the Orioles (1966, 1969, 1970 and 1971). Owns the distinction of being the only player to have hit behind both Hank Aaron and Japan's all-time home-run king, Sadaharu Oh.

Averaged 1.7 ppg as a sophomore in his only varsity season (1961-62) with the Aggies before signing a pro baseball contract. One of his hoop teammates was Bennie Lenox, who set the Aggies' single-game scoring record two seasons later.

DON KESSINGER, Mississippi
Shortstop hit .252 in 16 seasons from 1964 through 1979 with the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox. Managed the White Sox in 1979 before becoming coach at his alma mater. Led N.L. shortstops in putouts three times, assists four times and double plays four times. The 6-1, 170-pound switch-hitter played in six All-Star Games in a seven-year span from 1968 through 1974. His best season was 1969 when he scored 109 runs (fourth in N.L.), had 181 hits (seventh), stroked 38 doubles (runner-up) and earned one of his two Gold Gloves.

Selected to the 10-man All-Southeastern Conference team all three of his varsity seasons from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among the nation's top 45 scorers each year. In scoring for all games, he ranked third in the SEC as a sophomore (21.4 ppg), second as a junior (21.8 ppg) and second as a senior (23.5 ppg). He scored 49 points on 22-of-28 field-goal shooting against Tulane on February 2, 1963, and exploded for 48 points at Tennessee 10 nights later. Excerpt from school guide: "One of the nation's most gifted athletes, he features every shot in the book but the specifics are one-handed push shots, usually a jumper, and driving layups." One of his sons, Keith, earned two basketball letters at Ole Miss before eventually reaching the major leagues as an infielder with the Cincinnati Reds.

HARVEY KUENN, Wisconsin
Infielder-outfielder hit .303 in 15 years from 1952 through 1966 with the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. In his career with the Tigers, he led the A.L. in batting average once (.353 in 1959), hits four times (209 in 1953 when he was rookie of the year, 201 in 1954, 196 in 1956 and 198 in 1959) and doubles on three occasions (38 in 1955, 39 in 1958 and 42 in 1959). Ranked among the A.L. top seven in batting average seven times (1953-54-55-56-58-59-60). He went 1 for 12 (.083) in 1962 World Series with the Giants. Kuenn compiled a 160-118 record as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 and 1983, guiding them to the World Series in his first season.

Played in five games for Wisconsin's basketball team in the 1951-52 season. The 6-2, 185-pounder missed all eight of his field-goal attempts and hit three of seven free throws.

DAVEY LOPES, Iowa Wesleyan/Washburn (Kan.)
Four-time All-Star second baseman hit .263 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland A's, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros in 16 seasons from 1972 through 1987. Led the N.L. in stolen bases in back-to-back campaigns in 1975 (77) and 1976 (63) after finishing runner-up in 1974 (59). Swiped five bases in a game on August 24, 1974, to tie a 70-year-old N.L. record before establishing a since-broken N.L. mark with 38 consecutive successful thefts the next year. Pilfered 47 bases at age 39. Appeared in four World Series with the Dodgers in an eight-year span from 1974 through 1981, swatting two homers in Game One of the 1978 World Series against the New York Yankees. Posted a .424 batting average in postseason competition with runners in scoring position. Compiled a 144-195 managerial record for the Milwaukee Brewers in three years from 2000 through 2002.

The 5-9 NAIA All-District 15 selection averaged 16.9 ppg and 3.4 rpg as an All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first-team choice freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as a sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring to Washburn with his coach who became athletic director. Lopes was an All-CIC selection in 1967-68 when averaging 7.6 ppg for Washburn's NAIA Tournament team.

TED LYONS, Baylor
Member of Baseball Hall of Fame spent his entire 21-year career with the Chicago White Sox (1923 through 1942 and 1946) after never playing in the minors. Managed the White Sox from 1946 through 1948. Three-time 20-game winner compiled a 260-230 record and 3.67 ERA in 594 games, completing almost three-fourths of his 484 starts. Righthander pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1926. In 1939, the All-Star hurled 42 consecutive innings without issuing a walk. Ranked among the A.L. top six in ERA nine times, including a league-best 2.10 mark in 1942.

Earned four basketball letters with Baylor from 1919-20 through 1922-23. Consensus first-team selection on All-Southwest Conference squad as a sophomore and senior.

MEL McGAHA, Arkansas
Former manager of the Cleveland Indians (1962) and Kansas City Athletics (June 11, 1964-May 14, 1965). Compiled a 123-173 record (.416).

The first player in Arkansas history to earn four letters in basketball (1943-44 through 1946-47). Played for the New York Knickerbockers of the Basketball Association of America in 1948-49.

SAM MELE, New York University
Major league outfielder for 10 years from 1947 through 1956 and manager of the Minnesota Twins for seven years from 1961 through 1967. Hit .267 in 1,046 games with the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. Played for two different teams in a single season four times in a seven-year span from 1949 through 1955. Led the A.L. with 36 doubles for the Senators in 1951 and drove in six runs in one inning in a 1952 game for the White Sox. Compiled a 524-436 managerial record from 1961 through 1967 with the Twins, winning the 1965 A.L. title with a 102-60 mark.

The 6-0, 180-pound guard played two seasons of varsity basketball before entering the military. Named to the first five on the All-Metropolitan New York team as a sophomore in 1942-43 when he was the Violets' leading scorer in the NCAA Tournament (losses against Georgetown and Dartmouth).

LOU PINIELLA, Tampa
Hit .291 with 102 homers and 766 RBI as an outfielder during 18 seasons (1964 and 1968 through 1984) with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees. Named A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1969 after hitting .282 for the Royals. All-Star in 1972 when he led the A.L. in doubles (33) and was runner-up in batting average (.312). Hit .319 in 22 World Series games with the Yankees in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1981. Compiled a 1,835-1,713 managerial record in 23 years with the Yankees (1986 through 1988), Cincinnati Reds (1990 through 1992), Seattle Mariners (1993 through 2002), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003 through 2005) and Chicago Cubs (2007 to 2010). Led the Reds to a four-game sweep of the Oakland A's in the 1990 World Series.

Accepted a college basketball scholarship in 1961 after establishing a Tampa city single-season high school scoring record that stood until 1984. Less than a year after enrolling at UT, the 6-2 Piniella signed to play baseball with the Indians.

JIM RIGGLEMAN, Frostburg State (Md.)
Compiled a 662-824 managerial record (.445) in 12 years with the San Diego Padres (1992 to 1994), Chicago Cubs (1995 through 1999), Seattle Mariners (2008) and Washington Nationals (2009 to 2011). Resigned as the Nationals skipper in mid-season on the heels of them winning 11 of 12 games when the franchise failed to give him a contract extension.

Two-year basketball letterman averaged 7.2 ppg in early 1970s and was considered an outstanding ball-handling guard.

ROBERT "RED" ROLFE, Dartmouth
Third baseman hit .289 in 10 years with the New York Yankees. The four-time All-Star led the A.L. in triples with 15 in 1936 and paced the league in hits (213), doubles (46) and runs (139) in 1939. Rolfe appeared in six of the seven World Series from 1936 through his final season in 1942, hitting .400 against the New York Giants in '36. He compiled a 278-256 record in four years as manager of the Detroit Tigers from 1949 through 1952.

The 5-11 1/2, 170-pounder appeared in two basketball games for Dartmouth as a freshman in 1927-28 and four contests as a junior in 1929-30. He coached the Toronto Huskies of the Basketball Association of America for the last 44 games of the 1946-47 campaign after coaching Yale to a 48-28 record in four years from 1943-46. Rolfe has the highest winningest percentage (.632) of any individual who coached Yale more than two seasons.

GEORGE "BIRDIE" TEBBETTS, Providence
Four-time All-Star catcher hit .270 with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians in 14 A.L. seasons from 1936 through 1942 and 1946 through 1952. Hitless in 11 at-bats in 1940 World Series with the Tigers against the Cincinnati Reds. Compiled a 748-705 managerial record (.515) with the Reds, Milwaukee Braves and Indians from 1954 through 1958 and 1961 through 1966.

Scored six points in four games for PC in 1932.

WILL VENABLE, Princeton
Lefthanded outfielder hit .249 with the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers in nine seasons from 2008 through 2016. Venable, who didn't play baseball his freshman year in college, finished among the N.L. top 10 in triples (8th with 7) and stolen bases (9th with 29) in 2010. He had a career-high 22 homers in 2013. Son of 12-year major league outfielder Max Venable was the Padres' seventh-round choice in the 2005 MLB amateur draft.

All-Ivy League first-team selection as a junior and second-team choice as a senior averaged 9.3 ppg under coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05. Scored a team-high 16 points and contributed game highs of 8 rebounds and 3 steals in a 2004 NCAA tourney setback against Texas.

BILL VIRDON, Drury (Mo.)
Outfielder hit .267 with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in 12 N.L. seasons from 1955 through 1965 and 1968. N.L. Rookie of the Year with the Cardinals in 1955 after he was acquired from the New York Yankees in a deal involving Enos Slaughter. Lefthanded swinger was runner-up in the N.L. in batting average in 1956 with a .319 mark (.211 for the Cards and .334 for the Pirates). Led the N.L. in triples in 1962 with 10 after ranking among the top five three straight years from 1956 through 1958. Gold Glove center fielder in 1962 two years after helping the Pirates win the World Series over the Yankees with three doubles and five RBI. Compiled a 995-921 managerial record with the Pirates, Yankees, Houston Astros and Montreal Expos in 13 seasons from 1972 through 1984. Boasts the distinction of being named Manager of the Year in both the American League (Yankees in 1974) and National League (Astros in 1980).

The 6-0 Virdon played basketball for Drury in 1949.

JOHN WATHAN, San Diego
Kansas City Royals catcher-first baseman (.262 batting average in 10 years from 1976 through 1985) and manager (287-270 record in five years from 1987 through 1991 before posting 39-50 mark with California Angels in 1992). Participated in World Series in 1980 and 1985. Despite missing five weeks due to injury, his 36 thefts in 45 attempts in 1982 broke MLB record for single-season stolen bases by a backstop. His son, Dusty, was a Royals catcher in 2002 and third-base coach for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022 World Series.

Wathan averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 USD basketball games in 1968-69.

BOBBY WINKLES, Illinois Wesleyan
Coached Arizona State to College World Series titles in 1965, 1967 and 1969 before managing the California Angels in 1973 and through the first 74 games of 1974 (170-213 major league record). Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday and Sal Bando were among the more than 20 future major leaguers he coached at ASU.

Led Illinois Wesleyan in scoring as a senior in 1950-51 (12 ppg). The 5-9, 170-pound guard was a first-team selection in the College Conference of Illinois.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 30 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 30 in football at the professional level (especially in 1966 and 1977 plus ex-hoopers with the Redskins):

OCTOBER 30

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Reg Carolan (Idaho three-year hoops letterman in early 1960s averaged 4 ppg and 4.7 rpg) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 48-23 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1966. In midst of five consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had five pass receptions for 187 yards.

  • New York Jets TE Tyler Conklin (averaged 1.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 1.4 apg with Northwood MI in 2013-14 before transferring after first semester to concentrate on football at Central Michigan) caught two touchdown passes in a 22-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2022.

  • Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) provided a rushing touchdown and two extra points in 14-6 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1927.

  • Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman hooper in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 12 tackles, seven assists and an interception in a 23-0 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2011.

  • Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 23-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977. Redskins DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had an interception in his third different game of the month.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught 10 passes for 145 yards - including three for touchdowns - from Drew Brees in a 28-20 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005.

  • Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg while leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught an 84-yard touchdown pass from Don Meredith in 52-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1966. Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) returned an interception 13 yards.

  • Green Bay Packers B Roger Grove (forward led Michigan State in scoring in 1929-30 and 1930-31) caught two touchdown passes in a 26-0 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932.

  • Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had three of his league-high nine touchdown receptions in a 31-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955. Rams LB Bob Griffin (Arkansas hooper in 1950-51) returned an interception 20 yards.

  • Green Bay Packers RB-K Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) kicked four field goals in a 19-13 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1960.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight UTEP basketball games as freshman in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 143 yards on 20 carries in a 27-17 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2022.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 14-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1977. The next year, Lawrence had two INTs in a 15-7 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978.

  • New York Giants rookie E Frank LoVuolo (three-year St. Bonaventure hoops letterman in mid-1940s) returned a fumble recovery 25 yards for touchdown in 41-38 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949.

  • Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 25 yards for touchdown in 48-35 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960.

  • Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (89 and 17 yards) in a 17-3 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes - including a 91-yarder to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in 49-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 2005.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Kelly in a 44-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1994.

  • Duluth Eskimos FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for three touchdowns in a 21-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1927.

  • Houston Oilers QB Gifford Nielsen (BYU swingman averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75) threw two touchdown passes to Mike Renfro in a 25-19 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1983.

  • Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 153 yards on 18 carries - including a 78-yarder for touchdown - in 44-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977.

  • Denver Broncos S Al Romine (four-year hoops letterman from 1951-52 through 1954-55 for Florence State AL) returned an interception 20 yards in 17-14 AFL setback against the Dallas Texans in 1960. Broncos DB Bob McNamara (averaged 1.3 ppg for Minnesota in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Ozzie Cowles) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Frank Tripucka.

  • Cleveland Bulldogs rookie RB Jim Simmons (made half-court shot at buzzer boosting Southwestern Oklahoma State to conference crown) had rushing touchdown in fourth game in a row in 1927.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 37-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 1977.

  • New York Giants rookie B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) returned an interception for touchdown in 16-0 win against the Pottsville Maroons in 1927.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 30

Extra! Extra! Plagiarist Biledumb's Administration left several hundred thousand weapons behind for Taliban thugs to utilize and then lectures U.S. citizens on gun control while calling half of country "garbage" (Trump supporters). Instead of seeking to shake DC Swamp like an Etch A Sketch to start representative government over, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

In 1963, it was announced former college hoopers Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati) and Dick Groat (Duke) finished 1-2 in National League MVP balloting on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 30

  • Washington Nationals LHP Patrick Corbin (hooper for Mohawk Valley Community College NY in 2007-08) hurled three scoreless innings of relief in posting a 6-2 victory against the Houston Astros in decisive Game 7 of 2019 World Series.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman basketball squad in 1953-54) and St. Louis Cardinals SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when placing among nation's top five scorers each season) finished 1-2 in N.L. MVP voting in 1963.

  • 1B Gary Holle (Siena's scoring and rebounding leader in 1974-75 and 1975-76) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981.

  • Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hired as Baltimore Orioles manager in 1995.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 29 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 29 in football at the professional level (especially in 1950, 1961 and 1978 plus ex-hoopers with the Rams):

OCTOBER 29

  • New York Giants E Red Badgro (All-Pacific Coast Conference first-five pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened game's scoring with a 15-yard touchdown reception in 34-7 win against the Newark Tornadoes in 1930.

  • Buffalo Bills rookie WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) delivered a 63-yard touchdown reception in 31-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1989.

  • Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1944.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught seven passes for 126 yards in a 16-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. Rookie WR Dave Stief (hoops teammate of Portland State All-American Freeman Williams in 1977-78) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Jim Hart to put the Cardinals ahead to stay.

  • In 1950, Los Angeles Rams rookie RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) scored a touchdown in his third different game of month (45-yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin). Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half TD passes of more than 40 yards to John Greene in 65-24 setback against the Rams.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie E Ben Douglas (two-time All-MVC second-team hoops selection for Grinnell IA in 1929-30 and 1930-31) accounted for game's only score with a touchdown on pass reception in 7-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1933. It was Douglas' lone professional TD.

  • Chicago Bears WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught five passes for 141 yards in a 27-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972.

  • TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two touchdown passes from Russell Wilson in the last 5 1/2 minutes to give the Seattle Seahawks a 41-38 win against the Houston Texans in 2017. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught eight passes for career-high 224 yards.

  • Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) had an interception in his fourth consecutive contest of the month in 1967.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 26-8 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1978.

  • Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) had two of his AFL-leading 17 pass reception touchdowns in a 28-16 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1961. Groman was in the midst of having at least two TD catches four times in a five-game span.

  • New York Giants rookie E Clyde "Pete" Hall (collected 25 points and 16 rebounds in 21 Marquette games from 1957-58 through 1959-60) caught a career-long 20-yard pass in 17-16 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. Cowboys rookie FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) had a career-high 66 rushing yards.

  • Cleveland Rams rookie TB Parker Hall (Ole Miss hoops letterman in 1938) scored on an 88-yard rushing touchdown to open game's scoring in 14-14 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1939.

  • Green Bay Pacers HB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg for Notre Dame as sophomore in 1954-55) threw a touchdown pass to WR Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection led Michigan in scoring as sophomore and junior before finishing runner-up as senior All-American in 1956-57) in 28-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1961.

  • Washington Redskins rookie TE Jimmie Johnson (averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Howard University in 1988-89) had a 39-yard pass reception in 37-24 setback against the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989.

  • San Diego Chargers LB Bob Laraba (collected eight points and six rebounds in five UTEP basketball games in 1957-58 and 1958-59) returned an interception 57 yards for touchdown in 37-0 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1961.

  • Chicago Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) threw two touchdown passes in a 14-10 win against the New York Giants in 1933.

  • E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) had at least 100 receiving yards for first of six times in the San Francisco 49ers' last eight games of 1961 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 34-24 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2000.

  • New York Yankees E Barney Poole (Ole Miss hoops letterman in 1943) caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in fourth quarter in a 38-27 win against the Chicago Bears in 1950.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had seven pass receptions for 173 yards in a 29-26 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes in a 41-20 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1978.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Bob Shaw (Ohio State hoops starter in 1942 and 1943) caught a touchdown pass in all five games of month in 1950.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as hoops center in 1938 and 1939) rushed for a fourth-quarter touchdown to account for decisive score in 24-17 win against the New York Giants in 1944.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 29

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether MAGA rallies and fan-filled football games featuring "Let's Go Brandon!" plus "U.S.A.!" chants were super spreaders according to COVID connoisseurs such as Dr. Fraudci and chronically-confused CDC chief but not peak-insanity BLM riot throngs at minimum spreading destruction, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former college hoopers Dallas Green (Delaware) and Wally Roettger (Illinois) made National League news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 29

  • Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) stepped down as president and general manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1987.

  • OF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) purchased from the New York Giants by the Cincinnati Reds in 1930.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 28 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 28 in football at the professional level (especially in 1934 and 1962 and ex-hoopers with the Bears and Cardinals):

OCTOBER 28

  • Indianapolis Colts rookie TE Mo Alie-Cox (three-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Team selection averaged 7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.8 bpg for four Virginia Commonwealth NCAA playoff squads from 2014 through 2017) opened game's scoring with a one-handed, 26-yard touchdown reception from Andrew Luck in 42-28 victory against the Oakland Raiders in 2018.

  • Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) had four of his NFL-leading 12 rushing touchdowns in a 38-21 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956, giving him 10 rushing TDs during month.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) provided a game-tying touchdown in fourth quarter with 49-yard pass to Joe Geri in 28-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951.

  • Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns - including one for 82 yards - in a 38-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1934.

  • For the third consecutive contest, B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) accounted for all of the Chicago Cardinals' scoring in a 13-3 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1923.

  • Chicago Bears rookie HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) scored two touchdowns for the second straight game in 1934. Bears B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four hoops scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) threw two TD passes in 27-14 win against the Green Bay Packers.

  • A seven-yard touchdown reception by Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) in fourth quarter from Joe Ferguson gave the Buffalo Bills a 20-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1979.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2007.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-13 win against the New York Giants in 1951.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) scored two touchdowns - including a 72-yard punt return - in 21-3 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had three sacks and five tackles in a 23-22 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2012.

  • Boston Redskins B Steve Hokuf (first-team All-Big Six Conference hoops selection for Nebraska in 1931 and 1933) supplied game's lone touchdown with a 45-yard pass in 9-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1934.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2001.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught two of Johnson's TD passes including opening game's scoring with an 86-yard strike. Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 40-28 win against the New York Jets in 1973.

  • Carolina Panthers TE Jeff King (collected 18 points and 23 rebounds in 16 games as Virginia Tech freshman in 2004-05) had 10 pass receptions in a 31-7 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2007.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-23 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1951.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 333 yards in a 23-16 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2007.

  • Denver Broncos TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Frank Tripucka in 45-38 AFL setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1962.

  • New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had 11 pass receptions for 269 yards in a 49-34 win against the Washington Redskins in 1962. Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 346 yards - including four touchdowns (one in each quarter).

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught six passes for 159 yards in a 31-20 win against the New England Patriots in 2001.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-16 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973. Cowboys WR Otto Stowe (collected 12 points and five rebounds in four Iowa State basketball games in 1968-69) had two TD receptions.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 28

Extra! Extra! Instead of belly laughing at #Dimorats distraught about Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Creighton top hoops scorer Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals captured the Cy Young Award on this date. Seven years later on same date, former Ole Miss top scorer Don Kessinger was traded to the Cards. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 28

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) captured the Cy Young Award in 1968 after posting a microscopic 1.12 ERA. Incredibly, Gibson's 13 shutouts and 28 complete games that year were almost as many as the entire National League in 2021 (18 and 29, respectively).

  • A lead-off homer in bottom of sixth inning by Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) against the Cleveland Indians accounted for only run in Game 6 of 1995 World Series as the Braves became first franchise to win championships representing three different cities (previously Boston and Milwaukee).

  • SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-Southeastern Conference selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.

  • In Game 6 of World Series, 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as All-Iowa Conference freshman selection in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS where he was All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) posted his 10th stolen base in as many attempts during the Los Angeles Dodgers' 1981 championship-winning postseason.

  • OF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) traded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Seattle Mariners in 2002 for managerial rights of Lou Piniella (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Tampa as a freshman in 1961-62) and a player.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 27 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 27 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963 and 1968 and ex-hoopers with the Cardinals and 49ers):

OCTOBER 27

  • Denver Broncos QB Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 21-14 AFL win against the Miami Dolphins in 1968.

  • San Francisco 49ers rookie HB Don Durdan (Oregon State hoops letterman from 1941 to 1943) caught a touchdown pass from Frankie Albert in 34-20 AAFC win against the Cleveland Browns in 1946.

  • Houston Texans TE Darren Fells (led UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons while averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in 27-24 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2019. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 11 pass receptions.

  • New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two of his NFL-high 16 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 35-17 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2013.

  • Rookie B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) scored the Buffalo Bisons' only touchdown with a 55-yard pass reception in 14-6 setback against the Boston Bulldogs in 1929.

  • Green Bay Packers rookie RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-21 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1957.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught two of the TD passes in second half. Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-half TD passes in a 23-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1974.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) caught two touchdown passes from QB Aaron Rodgers in a 31-24 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. Decisive TD was a 67-yarder with 8:02 remaining in fourth quarter.

  • E Chuck Kassel (Illinois hoops letterman in 1925 and 1926) accounted for the Chicago Cardinals' lone touchdown with a 28-yard catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 7-6 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1929.

  • Miami Dolphins RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) scored two first-half touchdowns - 71-yard run from scrimmage and 10-yard pass reception from Dan Marino - in a 36-33 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1997. The previous year as a rookie, McPhail returned two kickoffs for 69 yards in 29-10 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia (21 and 61 yards) in a 38-28 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2002.

  • Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) converted all four of his field-goal attempts - including a decisive 47-yarder in fourth quarter - in 26-24 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1968.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 34-33 AFL win against the San Diego Chargers in 1963.

  • Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had a 45-yard pass reception for touchdown in 28-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1946.

  • B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) had the Detroit Lions' only score by returning a fumble recovery 36 yards for touchdown in 10-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1946.

  • Cincinnati Bengals rookie WR S.T. Saffold (two-time All-WCAC first-team choice led San Jose State in scoring and rebounding all three seasons from 1963-64 through 1965-66 while averaging 14.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg) had career highs of five pass receptions for 66 yards in a 31-10 AFL setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1968.

  • New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore) had two interceptions in a 48-14 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1968.

  • An 11-yard pass reception by E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) for fourth-quarter touchdown propelled the San Francisco 49ers to a 21-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1957.

  • TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett in fourth quarter to power the New England Patriots to a 17-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1974.

  • New York Giants LB Bill Winter (St. Olaf MN hoops letterman averaged 5.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1960-61 and 1961-62) had an interception in 33-6 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1963.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on October 27

Extra! Extra! Here's an undeniable truth of life: Never trust a "man" who throws ceremonial first pitch like a toddler. Rather than deriding sinister #Dimorat deity Dr. Fraudci of NIH gain-of-function research renown for funding cruel beagle puppy torture and trafficking coronaviruses with Egyptian fruit bats from Maryland zoo to Montana laboratory one year before pandemic started while nearly doubling Mr. Science's personal wealth during that span, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former college hoopers Dick Groat (Duke) and Bill White (Hiram OH) were traded as MLB infielders by the St. Louis Cardinals to Philadelphia Phillies on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 27

  • SS Dick Groat (two-time basketball All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) traded with 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) and C Bob Uecker by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies for C Pat Corrales, OF Alex Johnson and P Art Mahaffey in 1965.

  • In the longest opener in World Series history (14 innings), Kansas City Royals RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) fanned the side in the 12th en route to three hitless frames and earning the win against the New York Mets, 5-4, in 2015.

Hunt For Mr. October: Former College Hoopers Shining as World Series Stars

If it was easy excelling at multiple sports such as Bo Jackson, then everyone could do it. But just ask Charles Barkley's golf swing and contemplate how embarrassed manly Keith "Worst Person in the World" Olbermann would be if competing in swimming race against Outkick's classy Riley Gaines (Tennessee). After playing college hoops for current Division I universities, MLB All-Stars Joe Adcock (Louisiana State/no extra-base hit), Mickey Cochrane (Boston University/.245), Dick Groat (Duke/.204), Davey Johnson (Texas A&M/.192 and homerless), Harvey Kuenn (Wisconsin/.083), Wally Moon (Texas A&M/.240 with only one extra-base hit), Graig Nettles (San Diego State/.225 and homerless), Jackie Robinson (UCLA/.234), Norm Siebern (Southwest Missouri State/.167 with no extra-base hit) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota/.136 and homerless) struggled at the plate in World Series competition significantly more than they did during the regular season. At least they didn't get booed by classless DC swamp creatures and parasites at WS similar to what former President Trump endured several years ago.

In a view from Flyover Country, exalted Washington's crude crowd ambushing #TheDonald's contingent much like a menacing Mexican drug cartel should be locked out of the World Series for another 86 years or at least confronted by a red-state/right-handed half-a-peace sign. On second thought, it seems earthlings only have about 10 years remaining if you put any wizard stock in what rooftop-dancing genius bartender #AOC claims concerning climate change. Infected by ultimate charlatans such as deranged DC dunce Adam #SackofSchiff (ex-Chairman of the House Lack-of-Intelligence Committee) and pedantic presidential candidate Eric "Let Her Rip" Swalwell (a/k/a Chinese Check-Her-Out), perhaps the locals' warped scorn stemmed from the Russians possibly meddling with a vital voting count again "resisting" the elimination of former White House mouthpiece Sean Spicer from Dancing With the Stars despite his limited fluidity. Don't even get started regarding authenticity of corrupted computer involving Plagiarist Biledumb's spaced-out artist offspring (hideous Hunter).

On the flip side of success spectrum from "Let's Go Brandon" chants, which versatile athletes thrived in the Fall Classic? The premier pitcher and player overall in this category undoubtedly is pitcher Bob Gibson (Creighton), who secured seven straight complete-game victories with the St. Louis Cardinals in the mid-1960s. Elsewhere, the most regal regular may come from among outfielders Earle Combs (Eastern Kentucky), Tony Gwynn (San Diego State) and Riggs Stephenson (Alabama). Following is an All-Mr. October Team featuring do-everything former varsity basketball players who attended schools that are or were major colleges before excelling in the majors' World Series:

Position Ex-College Hooper DI School World Series Participation Summary
LHP Marius Russo Long Island Permitted only one earned run in winning both of his Fall Classic complete games with Yankees - 1941 (vs. Dodgers) and 1943 (Cardinals).
RHP Bob Gibson Creighton Compiled 7-2 record and 1.89 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 81 innings with Cardinals in 1964 (Yankees), 1967 (Red Sox) and 1968 (Tigers).
Reliever Ron Reed Notre Dame Allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in five relief appearances with Phillies in 1980 (Royals) and 1983 (Orioles).
C Tom Haller Illinois Hit .286 (4-for-14 including one homer off Hall of Fame P Whitey Ford) with Giants in 1962 (Yankees).
1B Hank Greenberg NYU Hit .318 (27-for-85) with 14 extra-base hits and 22 RBI in 23 games for Tigers in 1934 (Cardinals), 1935 (Cubs), 1940 (Reds) and 1945 (Cubs).
2B Charles "Buddy" Myer Mississippi State Hit .286 (8-for-28) in eight games with Senators in 1925 (Pirates) and 1933 (Giants).
3B Billy Werber Duke Hit .326 (14-for-43) in 11 games with Reds in 1939 (Yankees) and 1940 (Tigers).
SS Alvin Dark LSU/USL Hit .323 (21-for-65) in 16 games for Braves (.167) and Giants (.415) in 1948 (Indians), 1951 (Yankees) and 1954 (Indians).
LF Riggs Stephenson Alabama Hit .378 (14-for-37) in nine games with Cubs in 1929 (Athletics) and 1932 (Yankees).
CF Earle Combs Eastern Kentucky Hit .350 (21-for-60) in 16 games with Yankees in 1926 (Cardinals), 1927 (Pirates), 1928 (Cardinals) and 1932 (Cubs).
RF Tony Gwynn San Diego State Hit .371 (13-for-35) in nine games with Padres in 1984 (Tigers) and 1998 (Yankees).
Most Overlooked Davis "Dave" Robertson North Carolina State RF hit .500 (11-for-22) in six games with New York Giants in 1917 under manager John McGraw. Robertson's 11 safeties remained a WS record for 36 years.
Most Underrated Charlie Keller Maryland OF hit .306 (22-for-72 with 10 extra-base hits) in 19 games with Yankees in 1939 (Reds), 1941 (Dodgers), 1942 (Cardinals) and 1943 (Cardinals).
Manager Walter Alston Miami (Ohio) Seven N.L. pennants with Dodgers resulted in four World Series championships (1955-59-63-65).

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle October 26 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and politicized multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 26 in football at the professional level (especially in 1969 and 1975 and ex-hoopers with the Browns and Steelers):

OCTOBER 26

  • WR Don Alley (collected 12 points and 13 rebounds in seven hoops games for Adams State CO in 1963-64) had a career-long 16-yard pass reception from Terry Hanratty for the Pittsburgh Steelers' lone score in 14-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1969.

  • A three-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter by Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) was the difference in 21-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1975.

  • A touchdown catch by New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) with 3:07 remaining was the difference in 21-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for four touchdowns - two of them for 41 and 62 yards - in a 38-24 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1958.

  • New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 25-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1930.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 20-17 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975.

  • New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in 38-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947.

  • Rookie B Clyde Crabtree (Florida hoops letterman in 1928 and 1929) scored only touchdown for the Frankfort Yellow Jackets (44-yard pass reception) in a 13-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1930.

  • Rookie WR Dobie Craig (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Howard Payne TX in 1960-61) opened the Oakland Raiders' scoring with a 34-yard touchdown catch from Cotton Davidson in 26-16 AFL setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962.

  • Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) caught two touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 27-7 win against the Boston Yanks in 1947.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw three of his league-high 20 touchdown passes - one of them to Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) - in a 34-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1952.

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) had career highs with seven pass receptions for 93 yards in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975. Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 314 yards.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 14-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-6 AFL win against the Buffalo Bills in 1969.

  • Cincinnati Bengals DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) returned an interception 70 yards for touchdown in 42-22 AFL setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969.

  • San Diego Chargers SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) returned a kickoff 40 yards for touchdown in 35-19 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1997.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 306 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-21 tie against the Cleveland Browns in 1969.

  • Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 73 yards for touchdown in 35-6 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 52-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1952.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught eight passes for 131 yards in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one of them 55 yards for fourth-quarter touchdown - in a 31-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1986.

  • Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) had three interceptions in a 24-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1969.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first hoops All-American in 1939) had a 75-yard rushing touchdown in 21-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940.

  • Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 23-13 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1930.

  • Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 84 yards for touchdown in 33-21 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003.

  • Rookie TE Oscar Roan (averaged 5.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Southern Methodist in 1973-74) accounted for the Cleveland Browns' only touchdown with a 15-yard pass reception from Brian Sipe in 23-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1975.

  • Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-35 AFL tie against the New York Jets in 1963.

  • New England Patriots LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) had two sacks in a 23-16 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2008.

  • B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) threw a 12-yard touchdown pass for the Staten Island Stapletons' only score in 6-6 tie with the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1929.

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