Bullying Tactics: Power-Conference Members Frequently Shun Mid-Major Stars
Any player worth his sneakers seeks to compete against quality, not inferior, opponents with something such as in-state bragging rights at stake rather than devouring cupcakes. LSU refrains from opposing Tulane in recent years but one of the greatest freshman debuts in college annals took place when Tigers forward Rudy Macklin grabbed a school-record 32 rebounds against the Green Wave to open the 1976-77 campaign. How many comparable splendid performances never had a chance to unfold on the court? Meanwhile, how many power-player schools fodder-bored torture us with age-old, one-sided arguments flapping their self-serving jaws about nothing to gain? Indiana likely will eventually somehow survive a defeat at IPFW a couple of years ago and last season's opener against Indiana State while many power-conference counterparts compete in exotic-outpost tournaments in front of disinterested algae, barnacles, crabs, mussels, sea shells, snails and handful of assorted beach creatures. Do they seek to be there just to by chance view Jay Bilas or some other ESPN personality in a bathing suit? Why don't more elite schools put an emphasis on what is best for the sport in general by scheduling more entertaining contests against competitive in-state foes? That was a relevant question to ask UCLA last year as the Bruins made three's-company travel arrangements regarding low-end trip back home for three high-end Louis Vuitton freshman scholars following their three-joint play paving way to theft detention in China.
Isn't this supposed to be the era for putting an end to bullying tactics? Prior to his exit, pompous pilot Rick Pitino said Louisville played "four white guys and an Egyptian" to not embarrass lowly Savannah State in a mismatch. If that is the case, then why schedule a Savannah vacation in the first place? Giving fans half-a-peace sign and Quaaludes reminiscent of Bill Cosby's victims, the hoop haughtiness of power schools denying fans stimulating non-league games isn't funny or a new phenomenon. For instance, LSU avoided potentially attractive in-state assignments for decades by never opposing McNeese State's Joe Dumars, Tulane's Jerald Honeycutt, New Orleans' Ervin Johnson, Louisiana Tech's Karl Malone, Northeast Louisiana's Calvin Natt, Centenary's Robert Parish and Southwestern Louisiana's Kevin Brooks, Bo Lamar and Andrew Toney. Two seasons ago, the Bayou Bengals didn't bother to give freshman sensation Ben Simmons an opportunity to oppose ULL's Shawn Long, one of only six players in NCAA history to finish career with more than 2,250 points and 1,400 rebounds.
Similarly over the years, North Carolina shunned Davidson first- and second-team All-Americans Stephen Curry, Mike Maloy and Dick Snyder during the regular season. The Tar Heels did defeat Davidson in exciting back-to-back East Regional finals by a total of six points in 1968 and 1969 when Maloy averaged 21.5 ppg and 13 rpg. In 1974, South Carolina's powerhouse boasting Mike Dunleavy, Alex English and Brian Winters, couldn't keep skirting Furman and succumbed in the East Regional, 75-67, when the Padadins' Clyde Mayes collected 21 points and game-high 16 rebounds. Dick Vitale-coached Detroit was eliminated from the NCAA playoffs in the 1977 Mideast Regional semifinals by Michigan after the Wolverines avoided the Titans' terrific trio comprised of Terry Duerod, John Long and Terry Tyler in the regular season that year and the previous campaign while opposing Fordham, Kent State, La Salle, Miami (Ohio), Rhode Island, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky.
Did we deserve to see national players of the year such as Indiana State's Larry Bird (never opposed Indiana), Princeton's Bill Bradley (Seton Hall), La Salle's Tom Gola (Villanova), Cincinnati's Kenyon Martin (Ohio State), Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson (Ohio State), Navy's David Robinson (Georgetown and Maryland), Xavier's David West (Ohio State) and Bradley's Hersey Hawkins (Illinois) strut their stuff in regular-season contests against nearby prominent programs? Ditto this year mid-major titans such as Gonzaga's Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke, South Dakota State's Mike Daum, UNC Greensboro's Francis Alonso, Murray State's Ja Morant, Western Kentucky's Charles Bassey, San Diego State's Jalen McDaniels plus Belmont's Dylan Windler.
The Terrapins only met "The Admiral" upon being forced to compete in the second round of 1985 Southeast Regional when Robinson contributed game-high figures in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Unbelievably, more than 30 All-Americans from Ohio colleges in the last 60 years never had an opportunity to oppose Ohio State during the regular season (including small-school sensation Bevo Francis of Rio Grande).
Power-conference members give appearance of parasites while playing more than 85% of their out-of-conference games at home or a neutral site. Check out the non-league parade of patsies predatory powers Kansas and Kansas State scheduled while avoiding Fred VanVleet for four years earlier this decade and Wichita State All-American Antoine Carr the first half of the 1980s. The following mid-major/non-power league All-Americans specifically and fans generally were shortchanged during the regular season by smug in-state schools since the accepted modern era of basketball commenced in the early 1950s:
| Mid-Major School | All-American | In-State Power League Member(s) A-A Didn't Oppose During Regular Season/Cupcakes Devoured While Avoiding Mid-Major A-A |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Western | Jim Barnes | SWC members except Texas in 1962-63 and 1963-64 |
| Seattle | Elgin Baylor | Washington and Washington State in 1956-57 and 1957-58/Huskies opposed Yale while Cougars met Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Montana and Whitworth during that span |
| Penn | Ernie Beck | Villanova from 1950-51 through 1952-53/Wildcats opposed Army, Delaware, Geneva, Iona, King's, LeMoyne, Loyola (Md.), Millersville State, Mount St. Mary's, Muhlenberg, Rider, Saint Francis (Pa.), Saint Peter's, Scranton, Siena, Tampa, Texas Wesleyan, Valparaiso and William & Mary |
| Cincinnati | Ron Bonham | Ohio State from 1961-62 through 1963-64/Buckeyes opposed Butler, UC Davis and TCU |
| Gonzaga | Frank Burgess | Washington from 1958-59 through 1960-61/Huskies opposed Hawaii |
| Marshall | Leo Byrd | West Virginia from 1956-57 through 1958-59/Mountaineers opposed Mississippi Southern and Yale |
| Wichita State | Antoine Carr | Kansas and Kansas State from 1979-80 through 1982-83/Jayhawks opposed Alcorn State, Birmingham Southern, Bowling Green, Cal State Bakersfield, Maine, Mississippi Valley State, Morehead State, Nevada-Reno, Rollins, Texas Southern, U.S. International and Wisconsin-Oshkosh while Wildcats met Abilene Christian, Auburn-Montgomery, UC Davis, Cal State Bakersfield, Eastern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Portland State, South Dakota, Southern Colorado, U.S. International, Western Illinois and Wisconsin-Parkside |
| East Tennessee State | Tom Chilton | Memphis State and Vanderbilt from 1958-59 through 1960-61/Tigers opposed Birmingham Southern, UC Davis, Hardin-Simmons, Lamar, Louisiana College, Louisiana-Monroe, Loyola (New Orleans), Missouri-Rolla, Montana State, North Texas, Rollins, Southern Mississippi, Spring Hill, Tampa, Texas Wesleyan and Toronto while Commodores met Arkansas State, Dartmouth, Hardin-Simmons, Navy and Yale |
| Dayton | Bill Chmielewski | Ohio State in 1961-62 |
| Illinois State | Doug Collins | DePaul, Illinois and Northwestern at DI level in 1971-72 and 1972-73/Blue Demons opposed Dubuque, Lewis, Parsons, Rocky Mountain, Saint Joseph's (Ind.), St. Mary's (Minn.), Westmont, Winona State, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Illini met DePauw, Furman, Loyola (New Orleans), South Dakota and Valparaiso, plus Wildcats tackled Ohio University, TCU and Valparaiso |
| San Francisco | Quintin Dailey | Stanford from 1979-80 through 1981-82/Cardinal opposed Air Force, UC Davis, Furman, Harvard, Penn, Portland, Rice, Seattle Pacific and U.S. International |
| Bowling Green | Jim Darrow | Ohio State from 1957-58 through 1959-60/Butler, Delaware, Princeton and Yale |
| Cincinnati | Ralph Davis | Ohio State from 1957-58 through 1959-60/Butler, Delaware, Princeton and Yale |
| Detroit | Dave DeBusschere | Michigan and Michigan State from 1959-60 through 1961-62/Wolverines opposed Ball State, Bowling Green, Brown, Butler, Denver, Drake, Idaho, Miami (Ohio), Penn, Portland, Washington (Mo.) and Western Ontario while Spartans met Bowling Green, Butler, Northern Michigan, Portland and Tulsa |
| Wichita State | Cleanthony Early | Kansas and Kansas State in 2012-13 and 2013-14/Jayhawks opposed American University, Belmont, Chattanooga, Iona, Louisiana-Monroe, Richmond, San Jose State, Southeast Missouri State, Toledo and Towson while Wildcats met Charlotte, Delaware, George Washington, Lamar, Long Beach State, North Dakota, North Florida, Northern Colorado, Oral Roberts, USC Upstate, South Dakota, Texas Southern, Troy, Tulane and UMKC |
| Detroit | Bill Ebben | Michigan from 1954-55 through 1956-57/Wolverines opposed Butler, Delaware, Denver, Kent State, Los Angeles State, Valparaiso, Washington (Mo.) and Yale |
| Oakland | Kay Felder | Michigan from 2013-14 through 2015-16/Wolverines opposed Bryant, Bucknell, Coppin State, Delaware State, Elon, Hillsdale, Holy Cross, Houston Baptist, Massachusetts-Lowell, Nicholls State, Northern Kentucky, Northern Michigan, South Carolina State and Youngstown State |
| St. Louis | Bob Ferry | Missouri from 1956-57 through 1958-59/Mizzou opposed North Dakota, Rice, South Dakota and UTEP |
| Dayton | Henry Finkel | Ohio State from 1963-64 through 1965-66/Buckeyes opposed Butler, UC Davis, South Dakota, TCU and West Texas |
| Columbia | Chet Forte | St. John's from 1954-55 through 1956-57/Redmen opposed Fairfield, Hofstra, Roanoke, Siena and Wagner |
| Cincinnati | Danny Fortson | Ohio State from 1994-95 through 1996-97/Buckeyes opposed Alabama State, Central Connecticut, Cleveland State, Drexel, George Mason, Kent State, LIU, Morgan State, Penn and Southwestern Louisiana |
| Oral Roberts | Richie Fuqua | Oklahoma and Oklahoma State at DI level in 1971-72 and 1972-73/Sooners opposed Charlotte, Indiana State, Samford, Stetson and Washburn while Cowboys met Arkansas State, Cal Poly-Pomona, Cal State Fullerton, Northwest Missouri State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
| Loyola Marymount | Hank Gathers | USC and UCLA from 1987-88 through 1989-90/Trojans opposed Boston University, Central Connecticut State, Delaware, Duquesne, Howard, Northern Arizona, Portland, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis, Seattle, UALR, U.S. International, Western Kentucky and Yale while Bruins met American University, Boston University, East Tennessee State, North Texas, Oral Roberts and Penn |
| Jacksonville | Artis Gilmore | Florida in 1969-70 and 1970-71/Gators opposed East Tennessee State, Fordham, Harvard, Morehead State and Samford |
| Oklahoma City | Gary Gray | Oklahoma State from 1964-65 through 1966-67/Cowboys opposed Abilene Christian, UC Santa Barbara, Creighton, Lamar, Regis and South Dakota State |
| Colorado State | Bill Green | Colorado from 1960-61 through 1962-63/Buffaloes opposed Creighton, Pepperdine and Texas Tech |
| Tennessee Tech | Jimmy Hagan | Tennessee and Vanderbilt from 1957-58 through 1959-60/Volunteers opposed Bucknell, Butler, Furman, Louisiana Tech, Sewanee, William & Mary, Wyoming and Yale while Commodores met Arkansas State, The Citadel, Dartmouth, Hardin-Simmons, Loyola (New Orleans), Navy, Rice, Sewanee, Southwestern, VMI, Wyoming and Yale |
| Loyola of Chicago | Jerry Harkness | DePaul, Illinois and Northwestern from 1960-61 through 1962-63/Blue Demons opposed Aquinas, Baldwin-Wallace, Bowling Green, Christian Brothers, Denver, Gannon, Illinois Wesleyan, Lawrence Tech, North Dakota, NE State College, St. Bonaventure, Tampa, Western Michigan, Western Ontario and Youngstown State; Illini met Butler, Colgate, Cornell, Creighton, Manhattan, Penn, San Jose State and Washington (Mo.), and Wildcats tackled Brown, Colorado State, Creighton, Dartmouth, Manhattan, Princeton, SMU and Western Michigan |
| Miami (Ohio) | Ron Harper | Ohio State from 1982-83 through 1985-86/Buckeyes opposed Brooklyn, Central Florida, Chattanooga, Chico State, Eastern Michigan, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Santa Clara, South Alabama, Stetson and Tulane |
| Western Kentucky | Clem Haskins | Kentucky and Louisville from 1964-65 through 1966-67/Wildcats opposed Air Force, Cornell Dartmouth and Hardin-Simmons while Cardinals met Army, Bellarmine, Central Missouri, Georgetown College, La Salle, Niagara, Princeton, Southern Illinois, Southwestern Louisiana and Tampa |
| Detroit | Spencer Haywood | Michigan and Michigan State in 1968-69/Wolverines opposed Bradley, Butler, Northern Illinois and Toledo while Spartans met Butler, Southwestern Louisiana, Toledo and Western Kentucky |
| Cincinnati | Paul Hogue | Ohio State from 1959-60 through 1961-62/Buckeyes opposed Army, Butler, Delaware and Evansville |
| Xavier | Tu Holloway | Ohio State from 2008-09 through 2011-12/Buckeyes opposed Alcorn State, Butler, Delaware State, Eastern Michigan, Florida Gulf Coast, Houston Baptist, IUPUI, Iona, Jackson State, Jacksonville, James Madison, Lamar, Lipscomb, Morehead State, UNC Asheville, North Carolina A&T, UNC Wilmington, North Florida, Oakland, Presbyterian, Saint Francis (Pa.), Samford, USC Upstate, Tennessee-Martin, Texas-Pan American, Valparaiso, VMI, Western Carolina and Wright State |
| Dayton | John Horan | Ohio State from 1951-52 through 1954-55/Buckeyes opposed Butler, Denver and Oklahoma City |
| Army | Kevin Houston | St. John's and Syracuse from 1983-84 through 1986-87/Redmen opposed Davidson, Fairleigh Dickinson, James Madison, Lafayette, Monmouth, Navy, Old Dominion, Southern, U.S. International, Wagner and Youngstown State while Orangemen met Boston University, C.W. Post, Duquesne, Fairfield, George Washington, Hawaii Loa, Lamar, La Salle, Loyola of Chicago, Maine, Navy and Northeastern |
| East Tennessee State | Mister Jennings | Vanderbilt from 1987-88 through 1990-91/Commodores opposed Alaska-Anchorage, Chaminade, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, East Carolina, Fordham, George Washington, Hawaii, Lehigh, Morehead State, Murray State, UNC Asheville, Rice, Samford, SMU and UAB |
| Memphis State | Larry Kenon | Tennessee and Vanderbilt in 1972-73/Volunteers opposed Niagara while Commodores met Columbia, SMU and Western Kentucky |
| Cincinnati | Sean Kilpatrick | Ohio State from 2010-11 through 2013-14/Buckeyes opposed Albany, American University, Bryant, Central Connecticut State, Chicago State, Delaware, Florida Gulf Coast, IUPUI, Jackson State, Lamar, Louisiana-Monroe, Morehead State, Morgan State, UNC Asheville, North Carolina A&T, UNC Wilmington, North Dakota State, North Florida, Northern Kentucky, Oakland, Savannah State, USC Upstate, Tennessee-Martin, Texas-Pan American, UMKC, Valparaiso, VMI, Western Carolina, Winthrop, Wright State and Wyoming |
| Loyola Marymount | Bo Kimble | USC and UCLA from 1987-88 through 1989-90/Trojans opposed Boston University, Central Connecticut State, Delaware, Duquesne, Howard, Northern Arizona, Portland, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis, Seattle, UALR, U.S. International, Western Kentucky and Yale while Bruins met American University, Boston University, East Tennessee State, North Texas, Oral Roberts and Penn |
| Bowling Green | Butch Komives | Ohio State from 1961-62 through 1963-64/Buckeyes opposed Butler, UC Davis, Detroit, Houston, TCU and Utah State |
| Oklahoma City | Bud Koper | Oklahoma and Oklahoma State from 1961-62 through 1963-64/Sooners opposed Colorado State, South Dakota and Southern Illinois while Cowboys met Abilene Christian, Colorado State, Drake, Hardin-Simmons, Lamar, Long Beach State, Los Angeles State, Montana and Regis |
| St. Bonaventure | Bob Lanier | St. John's and Syracuse from 1967-68 through 1969-70/Redmen opposed Davidson, Duquesne, Harvard, Holy Cross, Massachusetts, Princeton, Rhode Island, Roanoke, St. Mary's and Westminster while Orangemen met American University, Bowling Green, George Washington, Holy Cross, Lafayette, La Salle, Navy, Rochester and Yale |
| Xavier | Byron Larkin | Ohio State from 1984-85 through 1987-88/Buckeyes opposed Ball State, Brooklyn, Bucknell, Central Florida, Central Michigan, Chattanooga, Howard, Jacksonville, Lafayette, UMBC, UMSL, Siena, Stetson, Tulane and Western Michigan |
| Texas-El Paso | David "Big Daddy" Lattin | SWC members except SMU in 1965-66 and 1966-67 |
| Memphis State | Keith Lee | Tennessee and Vanderbilt from 1981-82 through 1984-85/Volunteers opposed American University, Biscayne, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cleveland State, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia State, Hardin-Simmons, Hawaii, Idaho State, Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Miami (Ohio), Montana State, Morehead State, Navy, New Orleans, Ohio Northern, Oklahoma City, Portland, Richmond, St. Francis (N.Y.), San Jose State, Southern Mississippi, UAB and Vermont while Commodores met Air Force, Alaska-Anchorage, Columbia, Eastern Kentucky, Indiana State, Long Beach State, Manhattan, North Alabama, Princeton, Samford, South Florida, Vermont, Western Carolina and Yale |
| Marshall | Russell Lee | West Virginia from 1969-70 through 1971-72/Mountaineers opposed Army, Bucknell, UC Irvine, Colgate, Columbia, East Carolina, Hawaii, New Mexico and Saint Francis (Pa.). |
| Wichita | Cleo Littleton | Kansas and Kansas State from 1951-52 through 1954-55/Jayhawks opposed Creighton, Denver, Rice, SMU, Tulane and Tulsa while Wildcats met Denver, Drake, Hamline, Wyoming and Yale |
| Cincinnati | Steve Logan | Ohio State from 1998-99 through 2001-02/Buckeyes opposed Albany, American University, Army, Coastal Carolina, Coppin State, Denver, Duquesne, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, IUPUI, Massachusetts, Morehead State, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Oakland, Robert Morris, Santa Clara, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee Tech, Valparaiso, Vermont, Winthrop and Yale |
| UC Irvine | Kevin Magee | USC and UCLA in 1980-81 and 1981-82/Trojans opposed Doane, Idaho State, New Mexico, Oral Roberts, Portland, Richmond and Wyoming while Bruins met Boston University, Evansville and VMI |
| Western Kentucky | Tom Marshall | Kentucky in 1951-52 and 1953-54/Wildcats opposed La Salle, Washington & Lee and Xavier |
| Bradley | Bobby Joe Mason | DePaul, Illinois and Northwestern from 1957-58 through 1959-60/Blue Demons opposed Army, Baldwin-Wallace, Bowling Green, Canisius, Christian Brothers, Creighton, Evansville, Illinois Wesleyan, Miami (Ohio), Nebraska Wesleyan, North Dakota, Ohio University, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan; Illinois met Butler, Ohio University, Pacific, Rice and Western Kentucky, while Wildcats tackled Boston University, Duquesne, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Western Michigan |
| UNC Charlotte | Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell | Duke and North Carolina from 1973-74 through 1976-77/Blue Devils opposed Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Kent State, Lafayette, Princeton, Rice, Richmond, South Florida, Tulane, Vermont, Western Kentucky, William & Mary and Yale while Tar Heels met East Tennessee State, Furman, Howard, Marshall, Oral Roberts, St. Thomas (Fla.), South Florida, Vermont, Weber State and Yale |
| Dayton | Don May | Ohio State from 1965-66 through 1967-68/Buckeyes opposed Army, Butler, UC Davis, Cornell, Hardin-Simmons, Northern Michigan, South Dakota and TCU |
| Furman | Clyde Mayes | South Carolina from 1972-73 through 1974-75/Gamecocks opposed Assumption (Mass.), Bucknell, Canisius, Creighton, Davidson, DePauw, Drake, Eastern Kentucky, Fairfield, Fordham, Georgia Southern, Lafayette, Manhattan, Marshall, Niagara, St. Bonaventure, St. Joseph's, Stetson and Toledo |
| Richmond | Bob McCurdy | Virginia in 1973-74 and 1974-75/Cavaliers opposed Davidson, Denver, George Washington, Kent State, Lehigh, Navy, Stetson and Washington & Lee |
| Wichita State | Xavier McDaniel | Kansas State from 1981-82 through 1984-85/Wildcats opposed Abilene Christian, Auburn-Montgomery, UC Davis, Centenary, Eastern Washington, Morgan State, North Texas, Northern Iowa, Northridge State, South Dakota, Southern Colorado, Truman State, U.S. International, Western Illinois and Wisconsin-Parkside |
| Western Kentucky | Jim McDaniels | Kentucky and Louisville from 1968-69 through 1970-71/Wildcats opposed Miami (Ohio), Navy, Penn and Xavier while Cardinals met Bellarmine, UC Riverside, Furman, Georgetown College, SMU, Southern Mississippi and Stetson |
| Dayton | Don Meineke | Ohio State from 1949-50 through 1951-52/Buckeyes opposed Butler, Cornell, Denver, Harvard and Princeton |
| Bradley | Gene Melchiorre | Illinois and Northwestern from 1947-48 through 1950-51/Illini opposed Butler, Coe (Iowa), Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Penn, Princeton and Toledo while Wildcats met Butler, Dartmouth, Navy, Princeton, Rice, Ripon (Wis.), Tulane, Western Michigan and Yale |
| Southern Illinois | Joe C. Meriweather | DePaul, Illinois and Northwestern from 1972-73 through 1974-75/Blue Demons opposed Brown, Charlotte, Duquesne, Gonzaga, Indiana State, Lewis, LIU, Manhattan, Marshall, Massachusetts, Niagara, Rocky Mountain, St. Bonaventure, St. Joseph's (Ind.), Saint Mary's (Calif.), St. Mary's (Minn.), San Jose State, Toledo, Westmont, Winona State and Wisconsin-Green Bay; Illini met Army, DePauw, Detroit, Duquesne, Furman, Northern Michigan, Tulane and Valparaiso, while Wildcats tackled Butler, Marshall, Miami (Ohio), Ohio University, Rollins and Valparaiso |
| Seattle | Eddie Miles | Washington from 1960-61 through 1962-63/Huskies opposed Air Force, Army, Colorado State and Hawaii |
| Drake | Red Murrell | Iowa from 1955-56 through 1957-58/Hawkeyes opposed Cornell, Denver, Loyola Marymount, Loyola (New Orleans) and SMU |
| Seattle | Twins Eddie O'Brien and Johnny O'Brien | Washington from 1950-51 through 1952-53/Huskies opposed Santa Clara |
| Lamar | Mike Olliver | Texas from 1977-78 through 1980-81/Longhorns opposed Alaska-Anchorage, Arkansas State, Army, Biscayne, Centenary, Hardin-Simmons, Harvard, Long Beach State, Murray State, New Mexico State, Northern Montana, Northwestern State, Oklahoma City, Pacific, San Francisco and Vermont |
| Gonzaga | Kelly Olynyk | Washington in 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2012-13/Huskies opposed Albany, Belmont, Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Jackson State, Long Beach State, Loyola (Md.), McNeese State, Montana, Nevada, Northern Illinois, Portland, Portland State, San Francisco, San Jose State and Wright State |
| Tulsa | Bob Patterson | Oklahoma from 1952-53 through 1954-55/Sooners opposed SMU |
| Dayton | Jim Paxson | Ohio State from 1975-76 through 1978-79/Buckeyes opposed Ball State, Butler, Cal Poly-Pomona, Cal State-Hayward, Davidson, Evansville, Loyola Marymount, Marshall, Penn, Princeton, Rochester, Stetson, Toledo, Tulane and Vermont |
| Bradley | Roger Phegley | Illinois and Northwestern from 1974-75 through 1977-78/Illini opposed Army, Cal Poly, Charlotte, DePauw, Furman, Kent State, Long Beach State, Missouri-Rolla, North Dakota State, Rice, San Jose State, Valparaiso and William & Mary while Wildcats met Brown, Butler, Duquesne, Fairfield, Miami (Ohio), Ohio University, Texas-El Paso and Valparaiso |
| Murray State | Bennie Purcell | Kentucky from 1948-49 through 1951-52/Wildcats opposed Bowling Green, Bradley, Holy Cross, Indiana Central, Tulsa, Washington & Lee, West Texas State, Western Ontario and Xavier |
| Western Kentucky | Bobby Rascoe | Kentucky from 1959-60 through 1961-62/Wildcats opposed Miami (Ohio), Northern Colorado, VMI and Yale |
| Long Beach State | Ed Ratleff | USC and UCLA from 1970-71 through 1972-73/Trojans opposed Fordham, Hardin-Simmons, La Salle, Penn, Princeton, Rochester and Texas-El Paso while Bruins met Baylor, Bradley, The Citadel, Dayton, Denver, Drake, TCU, Tulsa and William & Mary |
| Memphis State | Dexter Reed | Tennessee from 1973-74 through 1976-77/Volunteers opposed Army, Biscayne, Charlotte, Columbia, Harvard, La Salle, Navy, North Texas State, Penn, San Francisco, Santa Clara, South Florida, Tulane, Vermont and Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
| Oklahoma City | Hub Reed | Oklahoma from 1955-56 through 1957-58/Sooners opposed Baylor and Rice |
| Massachusetts | Lou Roe | Boston College from 1991-92 through 1994-95/Eagles opposed Brooklyn, Brown, Buffalo, Cal Poly, Chaminade, Coastal Carolina, Coppin State, Dartmouth, Fairleigh Dickinson, Fordham, LIU, New Hampshire, Hofstra and Santa Clara |
| Tennessee State | Carlos Rogers | Tennessee and Vanderbilt in 1992-93 and 1993-94/Volunteers opposed Charlotte, Furman, Mercer, Radford, UALR and Western Carolina while Commodores met Air Force, Bowling Green, Harvard, Illinois State, North Carolina A&T, Princeton and SMU |
| Drexel | Malik Rose | Villanova from 1992-93 through 1995-96/Wildcats opposed Alaska-Anchorage, American University, Bradley, Columbia, Delaware, Hofstra, Marist, New Orleans, Richmond, Rider, St. Mary's and Vermont |
| Bowling Green | Charlie Share | Ohio State from 1946-47 through 1949-50/Buckeyes opposed Butler, Cornell, Denver and Harvard |
| Oklahoma City | Arnold Short | Oklahoma from 1951-52 through 1953-54/Sooners opposed SMU |
| Creighton | Paul Silas | Nebraska from 1961-62 through 1963-64/Huskers opposed Air Force, Denver, Miami (Ohio), Northern Iowa, Ohio University, SMU and Wyoming |
| Tulsa | Bingo Smith | Oklahoma and Oklahoma State from 1966-67 through 1968-69/Sooners opposed Bradley, Butler, Centenary, Loyola (New Orleans), Nevada Southern, North Texas State, Southwest Missouri State and TCU while Cowboys met Cal State Fullerton, Creighton, Lamar, MacMurray (Ill.), Pan American, South Dakota State, Trinity (Tex.) and Wyoming |
| Weber State | Willie Sojourner | BYU and Utah from 1968-69 through 1970-71/Cougars opposed Cornell, Denver, Hawaii, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Santa Clara and Seattle while Utes met Army, Denver, Kent State, Loyola Marymount, Montana, NYU, Northern Michigan, Penn, Saint Joseph's, San Jose State, Seattle, VMI and West Texas State |
| Wichita | Dave Stallworth | Kansas and Kansas State from 1962-63 through 1964-65/Jayhawks opposed Denver and Montana while Wildcats met Denver and South Dakota State |
| Xavier | Hank Stein | Ohio State from 1956-57 through 1958-59/Buckeyes opposed Butler, Manhattan, Princeton, Tulane and Yale |
| St. Louis | Ray Steiner | Missouri in 1950-51 and 1951-52/Tigers opposed Central Methodist, CCNY, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri Valley, New Mexico State and Washington (Mo.) |
| St. Bonaventure | Tom Stith | Syracuse from 1958-59 through 1960-61/Orangemen opposed Alfred, Boston University, Clarkson, Columbia, Holy Cross, La Salle, Massachusetts and Utica |
| Saint Francis (Pa.) | Maurice Stokes | Penn State and Pittsburgh from 1951-52 through 1954-55/Nittany Lions opposed Alfred, American University, Bowling Green, Carnegie Tech, Colgate, Dickinson, Gettysburg, Ithaca, Navy, Toledo, Washington & Jefferson, Wayne State and Western Kentucky while Panthers met Carnegie Tech, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Geneva, George Washington, Loyola (New Orleans), Miami (Ohio), Navy, Ohio University, Princeton, Puerto Rico, Westminster, William & Mary and Yale |
| Pacific | Keith Swagerty | California and Stanford from 1964-65 through 1966-67/Bears opposed Air Force, Hawaii, Tulane and Wyoming while Cardinal met Air Force, Denver, Tulane, Utah State and Wyoming |
| Morehead State | Dan Swartz | Kentucky from 1953-54 through 1955-56/Wildcats opposed Dayton, Idaho, La Salle and Xavier |
| Miami (Ohio) | Wally Szczerbiak | Ohio State from 1995-96 through 1998-99/Buckeyes opposed Alabama State, Army, Cal State Northridge, Central Connecticut, Chattanooga, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, George Mason, Kent State, LIU, Oakland, Rider, Robert Morris, South Florida, Southwestern Louisiana, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee Tech and Wyoming |
| Princeton | Brian Taylor | Seton Hall in 1970-71 and 1971-72/Pirates opposed Army, Biscayne, UC Irvine, Colgate, Dartmouth, Fairfield, Fordham, Harvard, Holy Cross, Iona, Lafayette, LIU, Loyola (Md.), Morehead State, Pepperdine and Stetson |
| Cincinnati | Tom Thacker | Ohio State from 1960-61 through 1962-63/Buckeyes opposed Army, Butler, Creighton, Detroit, Evansville, St. Bonaventure and TCU |
| Princeton | Chris Thomforde | Seton Hall from 1966-67 through 1968-69/Pirates opposed American University, Army, Boston University, Canisius, Fordham, Hofstra, Iona, LIU, Loyola (Md.), Loyola (New Orleans), NYU, Niagara, Rice, Saint Francis (N.Y.) and Scranton |
| Bowling Green | Nate Thurmond | Ohio State from 1960-61 through 1962-63/Buckeyes opposed Army, Butler, Creighton, Detroit, Evansville, St. Bonaventure and TCU |
| Cincinnati | Jack Twyman | Ohio State from 1951-52 through 1954-55/Buckeyes opposed Butler, Denver and Oklahoma City |
| Dayton | Bill Uhl | Ohio State from 1953-54 through 1955-56/Buckeyes opposed Butler, Denver, Oklahoma City and Tulane |
| Bradley | Paul Unruh | Illinois and Northwestern from 1946-47 through 1949-50/Illini opposed Butler, Coe (Iowa), Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, University of Mexico, Penn, Princeton and Toledo while Wildcats met Butler, Dartmouth, Navy, Princeton, Ripon (Wis.), Western Michigan and Yale |
| Cincinnati | Nick Van Exel | Ohio State in 1991-92 and 1992-93/Buckeyes opposed American University, UC Santa Barbara, Chicago State, Howard and Illinois-Chicago |
| Wichita State | Fred VanVleet | Kansas and Kansas State from 2012-13 through 2015-16/Jayhawks opposed American, Belmont, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Chaminade, Chattanooga, Holy Cross, Iona, Kent State, Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Loyola (Md.), Montana, Northern Colorado, Rider, San Jose State, Southeast Missouri State, Toledo and Towson while Wildcats met Alabama-Huntsville, Columbia, Coppin State, Delaware, Lamar, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota, North Florida, Northern Colorado, Savannah State, South Carolina State, USC Upstate, South Dakota, Southern Utah, Texas Southern, Troy and UMKC |
| Bradley | Chet Walker | DePaul, Illinois and Northwestern from 1959-60 through 1961-62/Blue Demons opposed Army, Baldwin-Wallace, Bowling Green, Creighton, Illinois Wesleyan, Miami (Ohio), North Dakota, Valparaiso and Western Kentucky; Illini met Butler, Colgate, Cornell, Creighton, Manhattan, Ohio University and Western Kentucky, while Wildcats tackled Boston University, Brown, Creighton, Dartmouth, Manhattan, Princeton and Western Michigan |
| American University | Kermit Washington | Maryland from 1970-71 through 1972-73/Terrapins opposed Brown, Buffalo, Canisius, Delaware, Fordham, Holy Cross, Kent State, Lehigh, LIU, Loyola (Md.), Navy, Richmond, Tampa and Western Kentucky |
| Southern Mississippi | Clarence Weatherspoon | Mississippi and Mississippi State from 1988-89 through 1991-92/Rebels opposed Arkansas State, Austin Peay State, Bethune-Cookman, Christian Brothers, Hofstra, Indiana State, McNeese State, Metro State (Colo.), Nicholls State, Northeast Louisiana, Northwestern State, Oral Roberts, Prairie View A&M, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern (La.), Stetson and Tulsa while Bulldogs met Austin Peay State, Ball State, Centenary, Chattanooga, Christian Brothers, Delaware, Drake, East Carolina, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville, Mercer, New Orleans, Northeast Louisiana, Prairie View A&M, Rice, Southeastern Louisiana, Tennessee-Martin and Tennessee Tech |
| Ball State | Bonzi Wells | Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue from 1994-95 through 1997-98/Hoosiers opposed Alaska-Anchorage, Appalachian State, Bowling Green, Chaminade, Colgate, Delaware, Eastern Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Miami (Ohio), Morehead State, Princeton, Saint Louis, Santa Clara, Tulane, UALR and Weber State; Fighting Irish met Akron, The Citadel, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Drexel, Duquesne, Florida International, Fordham, Hofstra, Iona, Lehigh, Loyola of Chicago, Loyola (Md.), Loyola Marymount, Manhattan, Monmouth, New Hampshire, Nicholls State, Northeastern, St. Bonaventure, Sam Houston State, San Diego and Youngstown State, while Boilermakers tackled Austin Peay State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cornell, Florida A&M, Houston, Idaho, Illinois-Chicago, James Madison, Long Beach State, LIU, Massachusetts, Murray State, New Orleans, Niagara, Northeast Louisiana, Tennessee-Martin, UAB, Weber State and Western Michigan |
| LIU | Sherman White | St. John's and Syracuse from 1948-49 through 1950-51/Redmen opposed Bowling Green, Denver, John Marshall, Pratt, Rhode Island and Wagner while Orangemen met Baldwin-Wallace, Boston University, Bradley, Creighton, Denver, John Carroll, Lawrence Tech, Loyola of Chicago, Penn, Princeton, Queens, Rider and Toronto |
| Cincinnati | Bob Wiesenhahn | Ohio State from 1958-59 through 1960-61/Buckeyes opposed Army, Butler, Delaware, Detroit, Evansville, Princeton and St. Bonaventure |
| Memphis State | Win Wilfong | Tennessee and Vanderbilt in 1955-56 and 1956-57/Volunteers opposed Boston University, Colgate, Davidson, Furman, Kentucky Wesleyan, New Mexico State, Sewanee, Springfield, VMI and William & Mary while Commodores met New Mexico, New Mexico State, Sewanee and William & Mary |
| Portland State | Freeman Williams | Oregon from 1974-75 through 1977-78/Ducks opposed Air Force, Boise State, Bowling Green, UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Sacramento, Colorado State, Creighton, Doane, Duquesne, Grambling, Hawaii, Montana State, Pepperdine, Rice, Saint Mary's, San Jose State, Seattle Pacific and Vermont |
| Austin Peay | James "Fly" Williams | Tennessee and Vanderbilt in 1972-73 and 1973-74/Volunteers opposed Niagara, North Texas State, Santa Clara and South Florida while Commodores met Columbia, Rice, Samford, SMU, Vermont and Western Kentucky |
| Cincinnati | George Wilson | Ohio State from 1961-62 through 1963-64/Buckeyes opposed Butler, UC Davis, Detroit, Houston, TCU and Utah State |
| Cal State Fullerton | Leon Wood | USC and UCLA from 1981-82 through 1983-84/Trojans opposed American University, Colorado State, Fordham, New Mexico, Oral Roberts, Penn, Portland, Richmond, Texas-San Antonio and Wyoming while Bruins met Boston University, Howard, Idaho State and New Mexico |
| Cincinnati | Tony Yates | Ohio State from 1960-61 through 1962-63/Buckeyes opposed Army, Butler, Creighton, Detroit, Evansville, St. Bonaventure and TCU |
Military Salute: Veteran All-American Hoopers Serving Nation With Distinction
College basketball aficionados occasionally cite achievements they think never will be duplicated. On Veterans Day weekend, they should be reminded about truly incredible comebacks likely never to be matched. In 1946-47, Andy Phillip (Illinois) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma) returned to first-team All-American status after missing three seasons while serving in the U.S. military during World War II. Charles Black (Kansas) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming) also returned to All-American acclaim after missing two seasons serving in similar capacities. Such significant sacrifice is an off-the-chart achievement worthy of praise in stark contrast to unpatriotic NFL players stemming from #ColonKrapernick taking a National Anthem knee or sitting on their sorry butt, NeverTrump crybaby protestors, #BoweKnowsDesertion avoiding jail time and the incoherent hunger striker/professional student at Missouri majoring in Extortion 101 three years ago despite enjoying the black privilege of one-percenter father/executive VP for Union Pacific Railroad earning nearly $8.4 million in compensation.
Amid veterans honor, the follow-the-pack press dwelt more several years ago on the cultural idiocy of boycott-threatening Mizzou football players and their "Black Mobs Matter" anarchy-supportive $4.1 million-a-year former coach. But the diaper-donning dissidents and clueless cowering former Democratic governor Jay Nixon flailing around again comparable to the Ferguson fiasco pale in comparison to the honor, dignity and courage exhibited by military veterans. Actually, many Mizzou football fans thought the sheep-like players' subsequent performances show the "entitled" already had quit. What's next in "containing" this rank self-absorbed nonsense from amateur-hour "cry-bullies" annoyed how terrorism carnage in Paris and elsewhere diverted media attention? It was surprising the Tigers' social scholars in solidarity didn't boycott a game vs. BYU because the Cougars boast an honor code "discriminating" significantly more percentage-wise against African-Americans.
Infinitely more important, numerous truly honorable hoopers had their college playing careers interrupted by WWII; not sensitivity training. While much of the misguided media currently obsess with licking their wounds after getting "Trumped" by #TheDonald, even the toy department (sports) should be reminded about authentic American heroes and doing everything possible to implore bureaucrats to improve contemptible conditions at many Veterans hospitals. The press could focus on the following list of All-Americans - three each from Illinois, Kentucky and Notre Dame - who deserve to be honored, at least for a day amid the snowflake campus whining, after having their college careers interrupted in the mid-1940s while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces:
Air Force - Charles Black (Kansas) and Jack Parkinson (Kentucky).
Army - Don Barksdale (UCLA), Lew Beck (Oregon State), A.L. Bennett (Oklahoma A&M), Gale Bishop (Washington State), Vince Boryla (Notre Dame/Denver), Harry Boykoff (St. John's), Bob Brannum (Kentucky), Arnie Ferrin (Utah), Alex Groza (Kentucky), Ralph Hamilton (Indiana), Walt Kirk (Illinois), Allie Paine (Oklahoma), Don Rehfeldt (Wisconsin), Jack Smiley (Illinois), Odie Spears (Western Kentucky) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma).
Marine Corps - Aud Brindley (Dartmouth), John Hargis (Texas), Mickey Marty (Loras), Andy Phillip (Illinois), Gene Rock (southern California) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming).
Navy - Bobby Cook (Wisconsin), Howie Dallmar (Stanford/Penn), Dick Dickey (North Carolina State), Bob Faught (Notre Dame), Harold Gensichen (Western Michigan), Wyndol Gray (Bowling Green State), Hal Haskins (Hamline), Leo Klier (Notre Dame), Dick McGuire (St. John's) and John Oldham (Western Kentucky).
Texas Southern Leaves Historically Black Marks on Baylor, Oregon and A&M
There goes the neighborhood. Baylor's 72-69 defeat at home against Texas Southern wasn't what Bears fans had in mind to start this season when apparent adjunct member opposed SWAC opponents in their first three assignments. The embarrassing setback, leaving a historically black mark, ended Baylor's streak of 56 consecutive victories against SWAC members. Texas Southern also left post-Thanksgiving black marks at Oregon (89-84) after the Ducks moved into the Top Twenty and at Texas A&M (88-73). Two years ago, Oregon State succumbed at home against a MEAC member, giving the Beavers their third reversal this decade against a HBCU (Historically Black College or University) foe.
No HBCU institution ever has reached Sweet 16 of an NCAA Tournament, but following are additional HBCU road victories on a power league member's homecourt or neutral court during regular-season competition since South Carolina State stunned Miami (Fla.) and Penn State in 2004-05:
| Season | HBCU Winner on Road | Power League Member Loser | Competence of Power League School Incurring Defeat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | South Carolina State 60 | Miami (Fla.) 50 | Hurricanes won at NCAA playoff-bound Florida. |
| 2004-05* | South Carolina State 63 | Penn State 43 | Nittany Lions lost by three points against 20-game winner Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament. |
| 2005-06 | Bethune-Cookman 75 | South Florida 68 | Bulls beat NCAA playoff-bound Georgetown in regular-season finale. |
| 2006-07 | Jackson State 71 | Rutgers 70 | Scarlet Knights twice defeated Cincinnati. |
| 2007-08 | Tennessee State 60 | Illinois 58 | Illini beat Oklahoma State and Missouri in nonconference competition before bowing to TSU. |
| 2008-09 | Morgan State 79 | DePaul 75 | Blue Demons defeated Cincinnati (18-14) in Big East Tournament. |
| 2008-09 | Morgan State 66 | Maryland 65 | Terrapins participated in NCAA Tournament. |
| 2009-10 | Morgan State 97 | Arkansas 94 | Razorbacks prevailed at Ole Miss, a 24-game winner. |
| 2010-11 | Texas Southern 66 | Oregon State 60 | Beavers beat 30-game winner Arizona. |
| 2011-12 | Tennessee State 64 | South Carolina 63 | Gamecocks upended Clemson, Alabama and Georgia. |
| 2012-13 | Alabama A&M 59 | Mississippi State 57 | Bulldogs beat Marshall Henderson-led Ole Miss and twice defeated Frank Martin-coached South Carolina. |
| 2012-13 | Southern (La.) 53 | Texas A&M 51 | Aggies won at Kentucky in inaugural SEC season and also beat NCAA playoff-bound Mizzou. |
| 2013-14 | Coppin State 78 | Oregon State 73 | Beavers bow to second HBCU school under coach Craig Robinson in last four seasons before winning at Maryland. |
| 2013-14 | North Carolina Central 82 | North Carolina State 72 | Wolfpack suffered first-ever defeat against a MEAC member. |
| 2013-14 | Texas Southern 90 | Temple 89 | Owls defeated UAB on neutral court by 21 points before the Blazers beat North Carolina, which whipped three PS Top 5 teams (Louisville, Michigan State and Kentucky). |
| 2014-15 | Delaware State 72 | Wake Forest 65 | Demon Deacons defeated North Carolina State and Pittsburgh. |
| 2015-16 | Alabama State 85 | Virginia Tech 82 | Hokies defeated eventual NCAA regional #1 seed Virginia. |
| 2015-16 | Southern (La.) 76 | Mississippi State 72 | Bulldogs defeated Arkansas by 32 points. |
| 2016-17 | Delaware State 79 | St. John's 72 | Red Storm won on road against NCAA playoff-bound Syracuse and Providence. |
| 2016-17 | Savannah State 93 | Oregon State 90 | Beavers beat NCAA Tournament-bound Utah. |
| 2017-18 | Grambling State 64 | Georgia Tech 63 | Yellow Jackets beat Top 20 teams Miami (Fla.) and Notre Dame in ACC play. |
*Neutral court (Milwaukee).
Classiest Classes: Where Will Duke's Gifted Group Rank Among All-Time Best?
In 1965-66, the best team in the country might have been UCLA's freshman squad. The Bruins' frosh, led by 7-1 Lew Alcindor's 31 points and 21 rebounds, defeated the two-time NCAA champion UCLA varsity, 75-60. The yearlings compiled a 21-0 record, outscoring their opponents 113.2 points per game to 56.6. Starters for what is considered by some as the best freshman team in NCAA history included Alcindor (33.1 ppg and 21.5 rpg), forwards Lynn Shackelford (20.9 ppg and 9.3 rpg) and Kent Taylor (7.2 ppg) and guards Lucius Allen (22.4 ppg and 7.8 rpg) and Kenny Heitz (14.3 ppg).
Freshmen became eligible for varsity competition seven years later, but there are no guarantees despite a recruit's regal high school resume. In fact, UCLA had a couple of the most disappointing classes in memory thus far in the 21st Century before gifted groups for Duke and Kentucky failed to live up to great expectations the past couple of campaigns. Michigan saw both ends of the spectrum with a couple of its freshman recruiting crops in the 1990s that were highly acclaimed. One lived up to expectations while the other went from feast to famine.
The "Fab Five" in the first half of the decade probably will stand the test of time and earn recognition among the best classes in college basketball history. On the other hand, guard Louis Bullock was all that was left at the conclusion of the Wolverines' promising 1995-96 freshman class that included Tractor Traylor (left early to become an NBA lottery pick) and Albert White (transferred to Missouri where he was the Tigers' leading scorer in 1998-99 with 16.3 ppg). Minus Traylor and White, Michigan posted an anemic 12-19 record in 1998-99 and finished in a tie for ninth place in the Big Ten (5-11).
In the aftermath of Michigan's recruiting hauls, Duke had an amazing series of regal freshman classes. The Blue Devils' 1997-98 freshman crop (William Avery, Shane Battier, Elton Brand and Chris Burgess) dominated the ACC and was well on its way toward challenging Indiana's superb group in the mid-1970s as the premier class of all time until Avery and Brand left school early for the NBA and Burgess transferred to Utah. The splendid original class was eventually regarded as superior to Michigan's "Fab Five" but with only two years intact won't boast the extended excellence to supplant Indiana's brilliant crew that included Quinn Buckner, Scott May and Bobby Wilkerson.
In 1999-00, Duke's stunning freshmen included Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Jason Williams. In 2002-03, the Devils' frosh class included guards Sean Dockery and J.J. Redick plus centers Shavlik Randolph and Shelden Williams. All of these groups were Final Four-bound. As a means of comparison, the Blue Devils' outstanding class comprised of Mark Alarie, Jay Bilas, Johnny Dawkins and David Henderson embarked with an 11-17 mark in 1982-83 before concluding their collegiate careers with an NCAA single-season standard for victories (37-3 in 1985-86). But none of these gifted groups compare to Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen capturing an NCAA title as Blue Devil freshmen in 2015. Four years later, Duke may have assembled an even superior group of yearlings after R.J. Barrett, Cameron Reddish and Zion Williamson collaborated for almost as many points as Kentucky's entire team in a season-opening 118-84 whipping of the Wildcats. By the end of this campaign, we'll see if Fab Five motormouth Jalen Rose thinks Williamson could have started among UM's frontcourt.
Ranking recruiting classes regarding their long-term impact on college basketball is risky business. For instance, does Michigan's Fab Five, which never won a Big Ten Conference crown, deserve more acclaim than Butler's mid-major level class also reaching back-to-back NCAA championship games? Where does Kentucky's terrific title trio in 2012 deserve to be ranked insofar as it was around only one year? And what does the future hold for elite recruiting classes assembled again by Duke and Kentucky if they aren't normal one-year mercenaries? Each year's UK crop of late immediately goes to being labeled as perhaps the greatest in collegiate history but this year's group - three of top four scorers Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox and Edrice Adebayo plus part-time starter Wenyen Gabriel - will do well to simply be better than four previous Wildcats classes (1978, 1983, 2013 and 2015) in the mediocre SEC.
It is a simplistic copout to accept the instant visibility of icon programs and automatically cite them among the most influential in college history. Classes from Alcorn State, Butler, East Tennessee State, San Francisco, Southern Mississippi and Wichita State are mentioned in this appraisal. In an era of "one 'n done" freshmen, extended impact becomes an even more vital factor in separating the premier recruiting classes.
There is little doubt Kentucky's 2012 title team frosh class would have quickly moved up the pecking order if they had chosen to return. We'll see how Duke's acclaimed class performs the remainder of this campaign. It's highly unlikely the NCAA will tamper with a nation's fascination on freshmen by making them or future yearlings ineligible. Following is CollegeHoopedia.com's view, factoring in length of tenure (undergraduates declaring for the NBA draft), of the premier recruiting crops (excluding junior college signees) since the introduction of freshman eligibility in 1972-73:
1. Indiana (class of '76)
Recruiting Class: Tom Abernethy, Quinn Buckner, Jim Crews, Scott May, Bobby Wilkerson.
Achievements: Last NCAA champion to go undefeated compiled a 63-1 record in last two seasons this class was intact, climaxing a run of four Big Ten titles. Reached 1973 Final Four with freshmen Buckner and Crews as starting guards under coach Bob Knight (May was ineligible as a freshman for academic reasons). Posted an amazing 59-5 conference mark while capturing four consecutive Big Ten titles. Abernethy, Buckner, May and Wilkerson all played at least five seasons in the NBA while Crews went on to coach Evansville, Army and Saint Louis for more than 20 seasons
2. Duke (class of '01)
Recruiting Class: William Avery, Shane Battier, Elton Brand, Chris Burgess (transfer/Utah).
Achievements: Won 31 of 32 ACC games in two seasons together before Avery and Brand left early for the NBA draft. NCAA playoff runner-up in 1999 under coach Mike Krzyzewski
3. Georgetown (class of '85)
Recruiting Class: Ralph Dalton, Patrick Ewing, Anthony Jones (transfer/UNLV), Bill Martin.
Achievements: Won NCAA title in 1984, runner-up in 1985 and reached Final Four in 1982. Went 30-7, 22-10, 34-3 and 35-3 under coach John Thompson. The Hoyas' worst Big East record in that span was 11-5 in 1982-83 although their only conference crown was in 1984. Ewing was the only one of the group to play more than three season in the NBA.
4. Florida (class of '08)
Recruiting Class: Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, Al Horford, Joakim Noah.
Achievements: Brewer, Horford and Noah were top nine NBA draft choices as undergraduates after capturing back-to-back NCAA crowns in 2006 and 2007.
5. Duke (class of '18)
Recruiting Class: Grayson Allen, Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow.
Achievements: Okafor, Winslow and Jones left after capturing NCAA crown as freshmen to become NBA first-round draft choices. Allen, an improbable hero in the title game, went on to become an All-American the next season.
6. North Carolina (class of '06)
Recruiting Class: Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants, Sean May, David Noel, Bryon Sanders.
Achievements: Felton, McCants and May earned All-ACC honors in their final seasons as juniors when they captured the NCAA crown before becoming top 14 NBA draft choices.
7. Kansas (class of '03)
Recruiting Class: Nick Collison, Drew Gooden, Kirk Hinrich.
Achievements: Collison, Gooden and Hinrich each became an NBA lottery pick. After Gooden left early for the NBA draft, Collison and Hinrich were All-Americans in 2003 when the Jayhawks finished NCAA Tournament runner-up under coach Roy Williams. KU went unbeaten in the Big 12 Conference in 2002.
8. Duke (class of '03)
Recruiting Class: Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Jason Williams.
Achievements: Might have been the school's best if any of them had exercised all of their eligibility similar to teammate Shane Battier. Reached NCAA playoff final in 1999 and 2001 under coach Mike Krzyzewski.
9. Michigan (class of '95)
Recruiting Class: Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Jimmy King, Jalen Rose, Chris Webber.
Achievements: NCAA Tournament runner-up in 1992 (25-9) and 1993 (31-5) as freshman and sophomore starters. Howard, Rose and Webber became NBA first-round draft choices as undergraduates and each played more than 12 years in the league. Principal drawback is that none of the "Fab Five" was a member of a Big Ten Conference title team under coach Steve Fisher.
10. North Carolina (class of '10)
Recruiting Class: Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson, Alec Stephenson (transfer/Southern California), Deon Thompson, Brandan Wright.
Achievements: Wright was a "one 'n done" recruit, but core of group cruised to 2009 NCAA crown by winning their playoff games by an average of 20.2 points.
11. Notre Dame (class of '81)
Recruiting Class: Tracy Jackson, Gilbert Salinas, Kelly Tripucka, Stan Wilcox, Orlando Woolridge.
Achievements: Final Four participant in 1978 and Midwest Regional runner-up in '79. Irish went 23-8, 24-6, 22-6 and 23-6 under coach Digger Phelps. Jackson, Tripucka and Woolridge were its top three scorers each of their last three seasons. Tripucka (26.5 ppg/15.3) and Woolridge (25.1/10.6) had long NBA careers where they flourished as scorers, posting a pro career-high scoring average significantly higher than their college career mark.
12. North Carolina (class of '16)
Recruiting Class: Joel James, Brice Johnson, Marcus Paige, J.P. Tokoto.
Achievements: Compiled a 108-40 record over four seasons. Reached NCAA Tournament final as seniors despite Tokoto declaring early for the NBA draft after the previous campaign.
13. Louisville (class of '82)
Recruiting Class: Wiley Brown, Jerry Eaves, Scooter McCray, Derek Smith, Pancho Wright.
Achievements: Won NCAA title in 1980 with Brown, Eaves and Smith starting while McCray was sidelined with a knee injury. Reached the 1982 Final Four under coach Denny Crum. Went 24-8, 33-3, 21-9 and 23-10 with Metro Conference crowns the first three years.
14. Kentucky (class of '15)
Recruiting Class: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Kyle Wiltjer (transfer/Gonzaga).
Achievements: Undefeated SEC worksheet before capturing an NCAA title in their lone season together. Outside marksman Wiltjer was the only one not to declare for the NBA draft after their 38-2 freshman campaign under coach John Calipari.
15. North Carolina (class of '97)
Recruiting Class: Guy McInnis, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Serge Zwikker.
Achievements: Zwikker was the only Tar Heels representative for each of their three 28-win campaigns in this four-year span under coach Dean Smith.
16. Kentucky (class of '83)
Recruiting Class: Sam Bowie, Derrick Hord, Charles Hunt, Dirk Minniefield.
Achievements: Oft-injured Bowie played five years, reaching Final Four in 1984. Original class had respective records of 29-6, 22-6, 22-8 and 23-8, but never advanced beyond second game of NCAA playoffs. Captured three SEC championships in that span under coach Joe B. Hall.
17. UCLA (class of '77)
Recruiting Class: Marques Johnson, Wilbert Olinde, Gavin Smith (transfer/Hawaii), Jim Spillane, Richard Washington.
Achievements: Won John Wooden's] final NCAA title in 1975. Washington left for the NBA a year early. Bruins went 26-4, 28-3, 28-4 and 25-4 with four Pacific-8 Conference crowns. Reached Final Four in '76 under coach Gene Bartow.
18. Ohio State (class of '10)
Recruiting Class: Mike Conley Jr., Daequan Cook, David Lighty, Greg Oden.
Achievements: Known as the "Thad Five" (when adding juco recruit Othello Hunter), the Buckeyes compiled a 35-4 as NCAA Tournament runner-up in 2007. Oden and Conley were top four NBA draft choices following freshman campaign.
19. North Carolina (class of '77)
Recruiting Class: Bruce Buckley, Walter Davis, John Kuester, Tom LaGarde.
Achievements: Lost 1977 NCAA playoff final (28-5 record) after posting similar marks (composite of 70-18) the previous
three years. Captured ACC regular-season championships their last two seasons under coach Dean Smith.
20. North Carolina (class of '94)
Recruiting Class: Eric Montross, Derrick Phelps, Brian Reese, Clifford Rozier (transfer/Louisville), Pat Sullivan.
Achievements: Won NCAA title in 1993 after reaching 1991 Final Four as freshmen. Compiled records of 29-6, 23-10, 34-4 and 28-7 under coach Dean Smith. Only ACC regular-season championship was in 1993.
21. Illinois (class of '06)
Recruiting Class: James Augustine, Dee Brown, Deron Williams, Kyle Wilson (transfer/Wichita State).
Achievements: Bill Self's recruits became NCAA Tournament runner-up in 2005 under coach Bruce Weber.
22. Kentucky (class of '13)
Recruiting Class: Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, John Wall.
Achievements: Regional runner-up after winning SEC regular-season and league tournament titles in 2010 in their lone season together. All four recruits became NBA first-round draft choices.
23. Michigan State (class of '81)
Recruiting Class: Mike Brkovich, Magic Johnson, Rick Kaye, Jay Vincent.
Achievements: Recovered from embarrassing 18-point defeat to league cellar dweller Northwestern to win 1979 NCAA championship under coach Jud Heathcote with an average victory margin of 20.8 points. Went 25-5 and 26-6 and captured Big Ten titles in Johnson's two seasons before posting losing records (12-15 and 13-14) after he turned pro early.
24. Duke (class of '86)
Recruiting Class: Mark Alarie, Jay Bilas, Johnny Dawkins, David Henderson.
Achievements: Runner-up in 1986 NCAA playoffs with an NCAA-record 37-3 mark after going 24-10 and 23-8 the previous two years following an 11-17 worksheet as freshmen under coach Mike Krzyzewski. Senior season accounted for the group's lone ACC regular-season championship.
25. San Francisco (class of '79)
Recruiting Class: Winford Boynes, Bill Cartwright, Erik Gilberg, Raymond Hamilton (left after two seasons), James Hardy.
Achievements: Went 22-8, 29-2, 22-5 and 22-7 with WCAC championships the last three years. Boynes and Hardy were among the top 13 NBA draft picks after leaving school following their junior season when Dan Belluomini succeeded Bob Gaillard as coach. Cartwright was the third selection overall the next year.
26. Duke (class of '06)
Recruiting Class: Sean Dockery, Lee Melchionni, Shavlik Randolph, J.J. Redick, Shelden Williams.
Achievements: Three seasons with at least 28 victories as All-Americans Redick and Williams exercised all of their collegiate eligibility. Can't be ranked ahead of Michigan's Fab Five because they never reached a Final Four.
27. Kansas (class of '09)
Recruiting Class: Mario Chalmers, Micah Downs (transfer/Gonzaga), Brandon Rush, Julian Wright.
Achievements: Wright left school early for the NBA prior to KU's NCAA title in 2008. None of group was around for the 2008-09 campaign.
28. Syracuse (class of '06)
Recruiting Class: Carmelo Anthony, Billy Edelin, Gerry McNamara.
Achievements: Anthony, the 2003 Final Four MOP, led the champion Orange in scoring in five of its six playoff games. McNamara was Big East Conference Tournament MVP as a senior.
29. Connecticut (class of '07)
Recruiting Class: Josh Boone, Charlie Villanueva, Marcus Williams.
Achievements: Won 2004 NCAA title before each of them left school early for the NBA the next two years.
30. Kansas (class of '05)
Recruiting Class: Keith Langford, Michael Lee, Aaron Miles, Wayne Simien.
Achievements: Splitting time between coaches Roy Williams and Bill Self, this quartet combined for nearly 5,100 points.
31. Marquette (class of '09)
Recruiting Class: Dominic James, Wesley Matthews, Jerel McNeal.
Achievements: Recruited by Tom Crean and playing senior season under Buzz Williams, they combined for more than 5,400 points in compiling four 20-win seasons.
32. Arizona (class of '76)
Recruiting Class: Al Fleming, John Irving (transfer/Hofstra), Eric Money, Coniel Norman, Jim Rappis.
Achievements: Overshadowed by UCLA, UA's "Kiddie Korps" started off 16-10 before members of the original group went 19-7, 22-7 and 24-9 under coach Fred Snowden. Norman averaged 23.9 ppg and Money averaged 18.5 ppg before they turned pro after two seasons. Irving played one season with the Wildcats before transferring to Hofstra, where he led the nation in rebounding in 1975. Fleming became the school's all-time leading rebounder.
33. Purdue (class of '88)
Recruiting Class: Jeff Arnold, Troy Lewis, Todd Mitchell, Dave Stack, Everette Stephens.
Achievements: "The Three Amigos" (Lewis, Mitchell and Stephens) were instrumental in helping the Boilermakers compile a four-year record of 96-28 (.774), including a glittering 29-4 mark as seniors under coach Gene Keady. Lewis and Mitchell still rank among the school's all-time top 10 scorers. Group captured Big Ten Conference titles their last two seasons together. Stephens went on to have the most NBA experience with 38 games.
34. North Carolina (class of '99)
Recruiting Class: Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Ademola Okulaja.
Achievements: Coach Dean Smith must have been frustrated in his last two seasons that teams with talents such as Carter and Jamison lost a total of 18 games in 1995-96 and 1996-97.
35. Arizona (class of '05)
Recruiting Class: Will Bynum (transfer/Georgia Tech), Isaiah Fox, Channing Frye, Dennis Latimore (transfer/Notre Dame), Salim Stoudamire.
Achievements: Might have ranked higher if they didn't go through the turmoil of coach Lute Olson's swan song.
36. Kentucky (class of '78)
Recruiting Class: Jack Givens, Dan Hall (transfer/Marshall), James Lee, Mike Phillips, Rick Robey.
Achievements: Freshmen on UK's national runner-up in 1975. Givens (Final Four MOP), Lee, Phillips and Robey represented four of the Wildcats' top five scorers for the Wildcats' 1978 NCAA titlist under coach Joe B. Hall. UK had to settle for participating in the 1976 NIT when Robey missed more than half of the season because of a knee injury.
37. Kansas State (class of '11)
Recruiting Class: Ron Anderson Jr. (transfer/South Florida), Michael Beasley, Fred Brown, Jacob Pullen, Dominique Sutton (transfer/North Carolina Central), Bill Walker.
Achievements: Notched a 21-12 record in their only season together as Beasley and Walker departed for the NBA after freshman campaign.
38. Maryland (class of '81)
Recruiting Class: Ernest Graham, Albert King, Greg Manning.
Achievements: Graham, King and Manning all finished their careers with more than 1,500 points. The Terrapins went 15-13, 19-11, 24-7 (won 1980 ACC regular-season title) and 21-10 under coach Lefty Driesell.
39. Pittsburgh (class of '91)
Recruiting Class: Bobby Martin, Jason Matthews, Sean Miller (RS in 1990), Darelle Porter, Brian Shorter (Prop 48).
Achievements: All five players became 1,000-point scorers in their careers. The Panthers went 24-7 with a Big East Conference title in 1987-88 when they were freshmen before struggling the next couple of seasons under coach Paul Evans.
40. UCLA (class of '83)
Recruiting Class: Darren Daye, Rod Foster, Michael Holton, Cliff Pruitt (transfer/UAB).
Achievements: NCAA Tournament runner-up in 1980 as freshmen under coach Larry Brown. Won Pacific-10 title in '83 under Brown's successor (Larry Farmer). Compiled records of 22-10, 20-7, 21-6 and 23-6.
SPECIAL MENTION
(Underrated classes that didn't generate the headlines they deserved.)
Alcorn State (class of '85)
Recruiting Class: Eddie Archer, Aaron Brandon, Tommy Collier, Michael Phelps.
Achievements: Archer, Brandon, Collier and Phelps all finished their careers with more than 1,200 points. The Braves won three SWAC championships in four years from 1982 through 1985 under coach Davey Whitney, winning NCAA playoff games in 1983 and 1984 when they were eliminated by Georgetown and Kansas by a total of six points.
Butler (class of '12)
Recruiting Class: Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored, Chase Stigall (redshirt).
Achievements: Hayward nearly hit a game-winning half-court shot in 2010 NCAA title contest. Mack and Nored appeared in back-to-back NCAA championship games. Stigall went on to become one of the Bulldogs' top three-point shooters.
East Tennessee State (class of '91)
Recruiting Class: Greg Dennis, Major Geer, Keith Jennings, Alvin West.
Achievements: All four players became 1,000-point scorers in their careers. East Tennessee State coasted to three consecutive Southern Conference Tournament titles from 1989 through 1991 under coaches Les Robinson and Alan LeForce.
Georgia (class of '83)
Recruiting Class: Terry Fair, Lamar Heard, Dominique Wilkins.
Achievements: The Bulldogs averaged 19 victories annually from 1979-80 through 1982-83 after winning more than 14 games only once the previous 29 seasons.
Illinois (class of '86)
Recruiting Class: Doug Altenberger, Bruce Douglas, Scott Meents, Efrem Winters, Reggie Woodward.
Achievements: Illini won more than 20 games four consecutive campaigns under coach Lou Henson.
Indiana (class of '93)
Recruiting Class: Calbert Cheaney, Lawrence Funderburke (transfer/Ohio State), Greg Graham, Pat Graham, Chris Lawson (transfer/Vanderbilt), Todd Leary, Chris Reynolds.
Achievements: Reached 1992 Final Four en route to compiling 105-27 record under coach Bob Knight. Cheaney became IU's all-time leading scorer.
Iowa (class of '89)
Recruiting Class: B.J. Armstrong, Ed Horton, Les Jepsen (freshman redshirt), Roy Marble.
Achievements: George Raveling's final recruiting class with the Hawkeyes (including J.C. signee Kevin Gamble) all played in the NBA after helping Tom Davis capture national coach of the year acclaim in 1986-87.
Michigan State (class of '92)
Recruiting Class: Parish Hickman (transfer/Liberty), Mark Montgomery, Mike Peplowski (freshman redshirt), Matt Steigenga.
Achievements: Coming off back-to-back losing campaigns under coach Jud Heathcote, the Spartans averaged almost 22 wins annually the next four seasons from 1988-89 through 1991-92.
Minnesota (class of '82)
Recruiting Class: Mark Hall, Darryl Mitchell, Brian Pederson, Leo Rautins (transfer/Syracuse), Trent Tucker.
Achievements: Gophers compiled 74-44 record under coach Jim Dutcher from 1978-79 through 1981-82, averaging 21 victories annually last three seasons.
North Carolina (class of '69)
Recruiting Class: Jim Bostick (transfer/Auburn), Joe Brown, Bill Bunting, Rusty Clark, Dick Grubar, Gerald Tuttle.
Achievements: In three years of varsity competition (45-6 record against ACC foes and 81-15 overall), this group coached by Dean Smith became the first to finish No. 1 in the regular season, win the ACC Tournament and advance to the Final Four each year.
Ohio State (class of '81)
Recruiting Class: Marquis Miller, Kenny Page (transfer/New Mexico), Todd Penn, Carter Scott, Jim Smith, Herb Williams.
Achievements: Eldon Miller, Fred Taylor's coaching successor, returned the Buckeyes to national postseason competition with three four-year starters (Scott, Smith and Williams). Page, after starting most of his freshman season with OSU, twice ranked among the nation's top 11 scorers with the Lobos.
Southern California (class of '89)
Recruiting Class: Jeff Connelly (transfer/Santa Clara), Hank Gathers (transfer/Loyola Marymount), Bo Kimble (transfer/Loyola Marymount), Tom Lewis (transfer/Pepperdine).
Achievements: The nucleus of USC's class, recruited by Stan Morrison, left to become stars in the West Coast Conference after a modest freshman season (11-17) when George Raveling arrived as coach.
Southern Mississippi (class of '88)
Recruiting Class: Casey Fisher, Derrick Hamilton, Randolph Keys, John White.
Achievements: Keys, Fisher, Hamilton and White all finished their careers with more than 1,300 points. The Golden Eagles, overshadowed in the Metro Conference by Louisville, won the 1987 NIT under coach M.K. Turk when each of the quartet scored in double digits.
Syracuse (class of '95)
Recruiting Class: Anthony Harris (transfer/Hawaii), Luke Jackson, Lawrence Moten, J.B. Reafsnyder (RS), Glenn Sekunda (transfer/Penn State), Lazarus Sims (RS).
Achievements: The Orange were on NCAA probation in 1993 before Moten finished his career as the school's all-time leading scorer.
UNLV (class of '77)
Recruiting Class: Lewis Brown, Glen Gondrezick, Eddie Owens, Jackie Robinson.
Achievements: Core of freshmen, supplemented by JC signee Ricky Sobers first two seasons, wound up in 1977 Final Four under coach Jerry Tarkanian.
Utah (class of '81)
Recruiting Class: Karl Bankowski, Tom Chambers, Scott Martin, Danny Vranes.
Achievements: Formidable frontcourt featuring Bankowski/Chambers/Vranes helped enable Martin to pace the Utes in assists three successive seasons under coach Jerry Pimm.
Wake Forest (class of '82)
Recruiting Class: Mike Helms, Jim Johnstone, Guy Morgan, Alvis Rogers (RS in 1982).
Achievements: All four players finished their careers with more than 1,100 points under coach Carl Tacy. Morgan, Rogers and Johnstone each grabbed more than 550 rebounds. The Demon Deacons posted back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in school history (22-7 in 1980-81 and 21-9 in 1981-82 when they finished both years in third place in the ACC).
Wichita State (class of '83)
Recruiting Class: Antoine Carr, James Gibbs, Ozell Jones (transfer/Cal State Fullerton), Cliff Levingston.
Achievements: Posted marks of 17-12, 26-7, 23-6 and 25-3 under coach Gene Smithson. Group is somewhat overlooked because the school was on NCAA probation in 1982 and 1983. Levingston left after his junior year. Captured Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championships in 1981 and 1983. Jones played in the NBA with Carr and Levingston.
On This Date: November Calendar for Premier Games in NCAA Hoops History
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 2018-19 campaign commences, check out the following November calendar citing memorable games in NCAA major-college history:
NOVEMBER
9 - Brad Stevens made his Butler 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 Division I single-game rebounding record.
13 - Rotnei Clarke (51 points vs. Alcorn State in 2009) set Arkansas' single-game scoring record before transferring to Butler. . . . Gregg Marshall made his Wichita State debut in 2007 with a 61-56 victory vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff before guiding the Shockers to the 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 VCU coaching debut in 2009 with a 77-51 triumph vs. Bethune-Cookman before directing the Rams to the 2011 Final Four.
14 - Marcus Marshall (38 points vs. Eastern Illinois in 2014) set Missouri State's single-game scoring record as an NCAA Division I school. . . . Robert Morris' Josh Williams tied NCAA single-game record with 15 three-pointers in a 104-57 victory against Mount Aloysius PA in 2018. . . . 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 the 2006 Final Four.
19 - Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky (43 points vs. North Dakota in 2013/modern-era mark) set school modern-era single-game scoring record.
20 - Okechi Egbe (44 points vs. Bethel in 2000) set Tennessee-Martin's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . 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 2008 NCAA championship. . . . Jay Wright made his Villanova coaching debut in 2001 with an 82-68 victory vs. Grambling State before becoming national COY in 2006 and guiding the Wildcats to the 2009 Final Four and 2016 NCAA title.
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. . . . Western Carolina's Kevin Martin (46 points vs. Coastal Carolina in 2002) set school 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 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 national COY on four occasions. . . . 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 debut in 1976 with a 75-48 triumph over Harvard en route to setting the NCAA career record for most victories by a coach at 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 he was 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 the 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 - Brandon Wood (39 points at Georgia Southern in 2009) set Valparaiso's single-game scoring record 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 three different schools to the 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 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 Blue Devils' all-time winningest coach. . . . 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 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.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready For Some November Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick, 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 in November football at the professional level:
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 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 a 34-17 setback against the New York Giants in 1964. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Chuck Kassel (Illinois hoops letterman in 1925 and 1926) opened the 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 the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in 14-0 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1931.
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. . . . 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 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. . . . 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 a 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 the 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. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) passed for 345 yards and six touchdowns in a 51-42 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. 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. . . . 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 a 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 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.
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 the 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 the 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 the decisive score. . . . 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 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 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. 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). . . . 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 the 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 the 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 the fourth quarter gave the San Francisco 49ers a 35-31 win against the Detroit Lions in 1957. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC 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 the fourth quarter boosted the Chicago Bears to a 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 a 23-15 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions - returning one of them 36 yards for a touchdown - in 25-21 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1968. . . . Chicago Bears DE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) opened the 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 a touchdown in 31-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957. . . . Minnesota 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 touchdown in 27-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1968. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) 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.
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 a 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. . . . 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 the fourth quarter by HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) was the difference 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 (UTC 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. . . . 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 UTEP games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) returned an interception 26 yards in a 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.
5: 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 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 the 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. . . . 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 the go-ahead touchdown in the 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 a touchdown in a 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. . . . In 1972, New Orleans 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 against Minnesota Vikings).
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. . . . 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 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. . . . 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 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 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. . . . 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. . . . 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 SMU 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.
7: Chicago Bears HB J.R. Boone (hoops teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 21-6 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 62-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 1954. Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) had three touchdowns - two rushing/one receiving - in a 38-34 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) passed for 362 yards (including three TDs to Pete Retzlaff). . . . Green Bay Packers LB Fred Carr (hooper for defending NCAA champion Texas Western in 1967 playoffs) returned an interception 10 yards for touchdown in 32-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1976. . . . Detroit Lions rookie 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 touchdown passes in a 56-20 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught three touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 24-21 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1976. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught three touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 43-17 win against the New Orleans Saints 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 nine passes for 123 yards in a 34-31 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. . . . Seattle Seahawks 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 second-quarter touchdown passes from Russell Wilson in a 31-25 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2016. . . . New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass and rushed for 80-yard TD in 20-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1926. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes from Norm Van Brocklin in a 42-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. 49ers rookie RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two TDs. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . 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 10 pass receptions in a 13-10 win against the New England Patriots in 1993. . . . Cleveland Browns DE Mack Mitchell (varsity hooper for Houston in 1971-72) opened the game's scoring by registering a safety in 21-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1976. . . . Philadelphia Eagles B Dom Moselle (leading hoops scorer for Wisconsin-Superior in 1947-48 and 1948-49) caught a career-high seven passes for 100 yards - including 38-yard touchdown - in 30-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two of his AAFC-high 10 touchdowns - one of them for 68 yards - in a 26-21 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. Dodgers B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) returned a punt 70 yards for TD. . . . Cleveland Browns rookie HB Ara Parseghian (Miami of Ohio hooper in 1946-47 and 1947-48) rushed for a 15-yard touchdown in 28-7 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had a 65-yard rushing touchdown in 35-14 win against the New York Giants in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47.2 yards on five punts in a 23-7 win against the New York Giants in 1965. . . . First NFL touchdown catch for Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) gave the Baltimore Colts a 10-3 victory against the Washington Redskins in 1977. . . . TB Cy Wentworth (New Hampshire hoops letterman in 1922 and 1923) accounted for the Providence Steam Roller's only score by throwing a touchdown pass in 7-6 setback against the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926.
8: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1942. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 45 yards for touchdown in 24-9 win against the Houston Oilers in 1970. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 52-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes - including one for 54 yards - in a 24-21 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - one in each quarter - in a 42-7 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1964. . . . Oakland 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 six passes for 105 yards in a 13-10 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. . . . New York Yankees rookie E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught three touchdown passes in a 26-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 1927. . . . Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) caught nine passes in a 31-24 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1998. 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) passed for 316 yards. . . . San Diego Chargers rookie 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 two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers - including the game winner with 18 seconds remaining - in a 21-20 win against the New York Giants in 2009. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-30 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . Phoenix Cardinals RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 20-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1992. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 14-6 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1931. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes in a 25-23 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1998. Twelve years later with the Cincinnati Bengals, Owens caught two TD passes from Carson Palmer en route to 10 receptions for 141 yards in a 27-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010. . . . Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2004. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Tom Flores in a 22-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. . . . Providence Steam Roller E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) scored the game's lone touchdown with a 35-yard pass reception in 7-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had eight pass receptions for a career-high 156 receiving yards in 33-31 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1981. . . . New York Giants LB Tom Scott (hoops letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) had an interception in his second straight game in 1964. Fellow LB Lou Slaby (collected two points and two rebounds in two basketball games for Pittsburgh in 1960-61) also had an INT for the Giants, returning it 26 yards, in 42-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys. . . . 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 24-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1970. Dolphins QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) threw two fourth-quarter TD passes. . . . HB Ed Sutton (seven hoops games for North Carolina as sophomore in 1954-55) threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Joe Walton in the fourth quarter to help propel the Washington Redskins to 27-24 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1959.
9: QB Matt Blundin (Virginia starter most of sophomore season in 1988-89 when averaging 6 ppg and 5.8 rpg while shooting 55.9% from floor) had his lone pass with the Detroit Lions intercepted by the Washington Redskins in 1997. . . . 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) caught a touchdown pass from Eli Manning in his third consecutive contest in 2008. . . . B Junior Boyd (Westminster MO four-sport letterman including hoops) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) for the Chicago Cardinals' lone score in 13-7 setback against the New York Giants 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 three touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 34-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1980. . . . New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in 41-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys DE Shante Carver (Arizona State hooper in 1992-93) had two sacks in a 24-6 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 1997. . . . 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 - including two touchdowns - in a 20-19 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2008. . . . 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 10 passes - including two second-half touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 27-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. Three years later with the Seattle Seahawks, Graham caught two TD passes from Russell Wilson in a 22-16 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2017. . . . 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 13-12 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. . . . Philadelphia Eagles E Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1952. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-13 win against the Houston Texans in 2008. . . . 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 fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2003. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) rushed for a 25-yard touchdown in 7-7 tie against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941. . . . 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 three first-half touchdown passes in a 51-3 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1969. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 33-27 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1980. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Frank Manumaleuga (San Jose State hooper in 1978-79) returned an interception 22 yards for touchdown in the fourth quarter of 31-30 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1980. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) caught a touchdown pass from Phil Simms in 38-35 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1980. Giants LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two interceptions. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 36-31 setback against the New York Giants in 2008. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 25-0 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947. . . . 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 and seven tackles in a 17-6 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2008. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored three second-half touchdowns (one run from scrimmage/two pass receptions) in a 41-24 win against the New York Giants in 1947. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions in a 41-3 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1992. . . . In the midst of three consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Minnesota Vikings rookie TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) had a 58-yard TD reception in 34-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 1980. . . . Los Angeles Rams WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had two first-half touchdown receptions (64 and 72 yards) in a 56-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 41-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2014. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) returned a punt 55 yards in 51-3 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1969.
10: Philadelphia Eagles LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had 3 1/2 sacks and six tackles in a 45-21 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2014. . . . 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 27-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1974. . . . 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) rushed for two touchdowns - including the decisive score in the fourth quarter - in a 21-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-0 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1974. . . . 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 24-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. Redskins rookie E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 48.8 yards on four punts. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 131 yards on 27 carries in a 9-7 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1963. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. . . . New York Jets TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team hoops selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 31-27 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1963. . . . RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) opened the Baltimore Colts' scoring by returning a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown in 27-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1968. . . . New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas hoops letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) caught two touchdown passes in a 45-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) opened the game's scoring by returning a kickoff 88 yards for touchdown in 21-14 win against the New England Patriots in 1974. . . . Detroit Lions B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) threw two long touchdown passes (72 and 88 yards) in a 17-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1946. . . . Baltimore Ravens DE Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a touchdown on 25-yard interception return in 38-27 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002.
11: Detroit Wolverines E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) completed the game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown reception in 19-19 tie against the New York Giants in 1928. . . . Houston Texans LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had six tackles in a 13-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 2012. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had an 84-yard touchdown reception from Bob Waterfield in 20-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1945. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes - including 74 yards for his first NFL score - in a 27-24 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2001. . . . HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with an eight-yard pass in 34-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1945. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including a 75-yarder to Abner Haynes - in 52-31 win against the New York Titans in 1962. . . . Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 11 passes - including two touchdowns - in a 31-27 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2012. 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 seven passes for 146 yards (including two second-quarter TDs from Drew Brees). . . . 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 second-half touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) in 10-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1934. . . . New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) opened the game's scoring by returning a punt 70 yards for touchdown in 19-19 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1928. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 38-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1956. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted 10 times for 456 yards (45.6 average) in a 49-0 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1962. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-half touchdown passes (53 and 54 yards) in a 45-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five games for Florida in 1989-90) had 11 pass receptions for 167 yards in a 28-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2001. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 30-19 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 138 yards on 25 carries in a 26-17 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962. . . . 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 105 yards for touchdown in 55-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2012. . . . Baltimore Colts CB Rex Kern (averaged 8.4 ppg for Ohio State's freshman squad in 1968-69) returned an interception 22 yards in 44-0 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1973. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-9 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1973. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 90 yards for touchdown in 34-27 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2001. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 41-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1951. Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half TD passes. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1985. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 48-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2001. Six years later, McNabb completed 20-of-28 passes - including four TDs - in a 33-25 win against the Washington Redskins in 2007. . . . Duluth Eskimos rookie FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 14-13 setback against the New York Giants in 1926. . . . 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 in a 28-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2001. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens caught two second-half TD passes from Tony Romo in a 31-20 win against the New York Giants in 2007. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) opened the game's scoring by throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass in 35-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1945. . . . New York Giants DB Otto Schnellbacher (averaged 11 ppg in four-year Kansas career, earning All-Big Six/Seven Conference honors each season) returned an interception 40 yards for touchdown in 28-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1951. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had a career-high nine pass receptions in 16-14 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had six pass receptions for 158 yards - including three touchdowns - in a 41-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. . . . E Hub Ulrich (Kansas hoops letterman in 1942) accounted for the Miami Seahawks' lone score with a 28-yard touchdown reception in 20-7 setback against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Buist Warren (Tennessee hoops letterman in 1938 and 1940) had a 75-yard rushing touchdown in 23-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1945. . . . New England Patriots TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett in a 33-13 setback against the New York Jets in 1973. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 38-17 win against the New York Giants in 1945.
12: New York Giants B Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in 38-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. Giants LB Tom Scott (hoops letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) returned an interception 65 yards for TD and Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had eight pass receptions for 137 yards. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 52-0 rout of the New England Patriots in 1972. Briscoe finished the game with four catches for 128 yards. . . . 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 17-9 win against the New York Jets in 1978. The next year, Carmichael caught two TD passes from Jaworski in a 31-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1979. . . . San Francisco 49ers safety Chuck Crist (averaged more than 10 ppg last two seasons under Penn State coach John Bach, leading team in FG% as junior and FT% as senior) had two interceptions in a 16-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. . . . QB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with a 14-yard pass in 21-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1944. . . . Chicago Bears rookie TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught nine passes for 190 yards - including three for touchdowns - in a 31-28 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1961. Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two second-quarter TDs and Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) caught two first-half TD passes from Bart Starr (one for 53 yards). . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes in a 45-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) recovered a fumble and returned it 55 yards for touchdown in 10-10 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1967. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 27-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 2006. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-20 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1950. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) returned an interception 41 yards for touchdown in 20-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1967. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1979. . . . 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) had 10 of his AFL-leading 100 pass receptions in a 19-16 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1961. . . . Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted five times for 241 yards (48.2 average) in a 23-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1972.
13: Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught two 35-yard touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka in a 27-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1949. . . . 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 173 yards in a 28-27 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960. . . . New York Giants B Chris Cagle (four-year hoops letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) scored two touchdowns (pass reception and 70-yard punt return) in a 27-7 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932. Stapletons B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) opened the game's scoring with a rushing TD. . . . 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) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 24-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1960. Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had an interception in his third consecutive contest. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes in a 23-16 setback against the New England Patriots in 2005. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including an 89-yarder to Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) - in 34-16 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1966. It was Taylor's third TD catch of at least 74 yards in a four-game span. . . . Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg in leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) had career highs of six pass receptions and 93 receiving yards in a 31-30 win against the Washington Redskins in 1966. Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47 yards on seven punts. . . . Green Bay Packers B Roger Grove (forward led Michigan State in scoring in 1929-30 and 1930-31) opened the game's scoring with a 10-yard touchdown pass reception in 21-0 win against the Boston Braves in 1932. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 41 yards for touchdown in 32-31 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1966. . . . 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) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub in 37-9 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011. . . . A 37-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter by TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) gave the Chicago Bears a 28-27 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a fumble recovery 66 yards for touchdown in 34-29 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1977. . . . 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 24-10 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tom Flores in a 41-19 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1966. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) opened the game's scoring with a four-yard rushing touchdown in 44-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1949. . . . Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in 19-7 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1966. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Tom Rychlec (collected four points and six rebounds in one hoops game for American International MA in 1954-55) had a career-high 10 pass receptions in a 20-7 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) had his third touchdown catch in four-game span in 2016.
14: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw four touchdown passes in a 42-20 win against the Detroit Lions in 1943. Five years later, Baugh threw four TD passes in a 46-21 win against the Lions in 1948. . . . Chicago Bears E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught two touchdown passes from Sid Luckman in a 56-7 win against the New York Giants in 1943. . . . Detroit Lions rookie FB Bill Bowman (fouled out with four points in only basketball game with William & Mary in 1953-54) scored two touchdowns (66-yard pass reception and 43-yard rush) in a 48-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half TD passes. . . . 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 156 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-21 win against the New York Giants in 1965. . . . Oakland 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 touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 28-9 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1999. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. Steelers WR Dave Smith (averaged 15.6 ppg and 11.6 rpg while shooting 51.1% from floor for Indiana PA in 1968-69 and 1969-70) caught two first-half TD passes from Terry Bradshaw. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Vern Huffman (All-American was All-Big Ten Conference selection for Indiana in 1935-36 and 1936-37) threw a 28-yard touchdown pass in 17-0 win against the New York Giants in 1937. . . . Washington Redskins 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 in a 35-28 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. . . . New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 141 yards - including a 57-yard touchdown - in a 31-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1993. . . . B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone touchdown with a 54-yard pass to Jeff Barrett in 29-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1937. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Johnny Lattner (Notre Dame forward in 1951-52) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1954. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 21-16 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1976. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 75 yards for touchdown in 19-17 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2004. . . . Houston Texans LB Antwan Peek (made one field goal and grabbed five rebounds in six basketball games for Cincinnati in 2000-01 under coach Bob Huggins) intercepted a pass from QB Peyton Manning in 49-14 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004. . . . 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 16-15 win against the Washington Redskins in 1971. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 311 yards in a 21-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1965. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 275 yards (45.8 average) in a 20-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1971. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 30-27 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2013.
15: Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns in a 38-0 win against the New York Giants in 1936. . . . Rookie E Milan Creighton (All-SWC second-team guard for Arkansas in 1929-30) opened the scoring for the Chicago Cardinals with a 27-yard touchdown reception from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in 21-13 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1931. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes - including a go-ahead 38-yarder to Pete Retzlaff - in 17-14 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 345 yards and four touchdowns - three to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 49-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. Five years later, McNabb passed for 450 yards - including two fourth-quarter TDs - in a 31-23 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2009. The next year with the Washington Redskins, McNabb threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 59-28 setback against the Eagles 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 four field goals in a 20-19 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1970. It was Percival's third consecutive contest with at least three FGs. . . . TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught 14-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Indianapolis Colts a 24-23 win against the New York Jets in 1998. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught two touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 34-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1964. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Cotton Davidson in a 20-10 win against the Houston Oilers in 1964. . . . Chicago Cardinals B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) returned an interception 37 yards for touchdown in 24-24 tie against the Los Angeles Rams in 1953. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992. . . . Washington Redskins DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions - returning one of them 15 yards for touchdown - in a 30-0 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964.
16: In 1947, Baltimore Colts rookie E Hub Bechtol (Texas Tech hoops letterman in 1944 before transferring to Texas and concentrating on football) had his lone NFL touchdown reception (against Brooklyn Dodgers). . . . Los Angeles Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 41-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1947. . . . Only NFL reception for E Maurice Britt (Arkansas hoops letterman in 1939) was 45-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Detroit Lions a 21-17 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941. Lions B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had a 71-yard pass reception for TD. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie E Bob Carey (forward-center averaged 8.8 ppg in three-year Michigan State career in early 1950s) caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Norm Van Brocklin in 40-24 win against the Chicago Bears in 1952. Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two TD passes - one of them for 84 yards. . . . New Orleans Saints DB Chuck Crist (averaged more than 10 ppg last two seasons under Penn State coach John Bach, leading team in FG% as junior and FT% as senior) returned an interception 42 yards in 20-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1975. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 49-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1941. Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) logged a rushing TD in his third consecutive contest. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes to Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M in a 34-16 win against the New York Jets in 1969. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw four second-half touchdown passes in a 29-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1952. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Justin Gage (averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Missouri from 1999-00 through 2001-02) caught four passes for 147 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Kerry Collins - in a 24-14 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008. . . . 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 37-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven basketball games for Clemson in 2010-11) scored the game's only touchdown with a 22-yard pass reception in fourth quarter of 10-6 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015. . . . Chicago Bears rookie E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) had two touchdown pass receptions in a 20-14 setback against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1929. . . . A 25-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter by rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941. . . . 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 three sacks in a 24-21 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1986. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 101 yards for touchdown in 27-19 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1997. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas letterman in early 1940s) caught two touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 21-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1947. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 16-7 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1975. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) logged two goal-line plunges for touchdowns in a 31-10 win against the New York Giants in 1958. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 24-of-30 passes for 314 yards in a 28-10 win against the New York Giants in 2003. Five years later, McNabb passed for 339 yards in a 13-13 tie against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 60 yards for touchdown in 23-21 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003. . . . Green Bay Packers 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 52 yards for touchdown in 53-20 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a punt 65 yards for touchdown and had 10 pass receptions in 37-8 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2003. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) completed 10-of-14 passes - including three touchdowns - in a 34-31 win against the New England Patriots in 1975.
17: Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-30 tie against the Washington Redskins in 1957. . . . 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 154 yards on 22 carries in a 20-14 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963. . . . New York giants rookie E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) opened the game's scoring with a 37-yard touchdown catch in 34-0 win against the Chicago Bears in 1929. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes (90, 77 and 43 yards) in a 31-17 win against the Boston Patriots in 1968. . . . Green Bay Packers E Lavvie Dilweg (Marquette hoops letterman in 1926) scored all of the game's points with two touchdown receptions in a 12-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1929. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw four touchdown passes in a 51-14 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-21 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Charlie Hardy (played in nine hoops games for San Jose State in 1954-55) had a career-high six pass receptions in 20-17 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1961. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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 10 passes for 165 yards in a 41-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2013. . . . 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 34-28 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie E Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) scored the decisive touchdown in fourth quarter with a 34-yard pass reception from Norm Van Brocklin in 31-27 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 20-of-25 passes - including four touchdowns - in a 38-14 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2002. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had seven pass receptions for 171 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff Garcia (32 and 76 yards) - in a 20-17 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2002. The next year, Owens had eight catches for 155 yards in a 30-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes after returning an interception 68 yards for TD in the second period in 29-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940. . . . Chicago Bears 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 two sacks and eight tackles in a 23-20 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 43-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 20-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1935. . . . Catching a touchdown pass in his fifth consecutive contest, New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had seven pass receptions for 159 yards in a 48-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1963. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 424 yards in a 34-28 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-21 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1974. . . . B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had two third-quarter rushing touchdowns for the Detroit Lions' first two scores in a 21-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940.
18: Washington Redskins B Steve Bagarus (Notre Dame hooper in early 1940s) tied the score twice - 7-7 with an 18-yard rushing touchdown and 14-14 with 70-yard TD reception from Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) en route to 28-21 win against the Chicago Bears in 1945. . . . RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) scored both of the Boston Braves' touchdowns (via runs from scrimmage) in a 14-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1934. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught two touchdown passes from Bob Waterfield in a 35-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1945. . . . 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 three second-half touchdowns in a 38-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962. . . . 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) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 30-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1956. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught four passes for 120 yards in a 29-22 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including 92-yarder to Tommy Brooker - in a 24-3 win against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught seven passes for 133 yards in a 34-33 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. . . . 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 399 yards in a 27-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2001. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 445 yards in a 42-34 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974. . . . 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 punt 63 yards for touchdown in 13-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the game's scoring with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Chris Cagle (four-year hoops letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) in 10-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . FB George Kiick (captain of Bucknell hoops team as senior in 1939-40) supplied the Pittsburgh Steelers' only points with a rushing touchdown in 30-6 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had eight pass receptions for 173 yards - including four touchdowns from Tony Romo (three of them more than 30 yards) in a 28-23 win against the Washington Redskins in 2007. . . . Chicago Bears 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 16-0 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2010. . . . Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught an 86-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning in 34-20 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2001. . . . New England Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught three first-half touchdown passes from Tony Eason in a 50-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1984. . . . Rookie TB Manny Rapp (SLU hoop letterman in 1932) threw a 56-yard touchdown pass for the St. Louis Gunners' lone score in 40-7 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1934. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) had nine pass receptions for 177 yards in a 30-24 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1979. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) had a 63-yard pass reception touchdown in 35-14 setback against the New York Giants in 1945. . . . Indianapolis Colts QB Art Schlichter (scored 18 points in 11 hoop games for Ohio State in 1978-79 and 1980-81) passed for one touchdown and rushed for another in a 50-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 1984. . . . New England Patriots LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) had 2 1/2 sacks in 56-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2007.
19: Chicago Bears E Connie Mack Berry (All-Southern Conference second-team hoops selection as North Carolina State center in 1937 and 1938) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Sid Luckman in a 41-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1944. . . . 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 237 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. . . . Boston Yanks QB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the game's scoring with a four-yard touchdown run in a 13-6 win against the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944. . . . Cleveland Browns FS Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in 24-10 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2000. . . . Chicago Bears WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Douglass in a 34-21 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1972. . . . 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-half touchdown passes in a 21-17 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2000. . . . Washington Redskins DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 33 yards for touchdown in 28-28 tie against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five games for Florida in 1989-90) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-22 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2000. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 48-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967. . . . A 25-yard pass reception by Boston Yanks E Keith Ranspot (SMU hoops letterman in 1936 and 1937) in the fourth quarter accounted for the decisive touchdown in a 13-6 win against the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 43-35 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 45 yards on eight punts in a 27-20 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1967. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 309 yards - including four touchdowns - in a 48-21 win 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 51 yards for touchdown in 24-20 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. . . . Detroit Lions rookie HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) caught three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) threw a 68-yard touchdown pass in 23-10 win against the Houston Oilers in 1972. Teammate Vernon Vanoy (averaged 6.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg in 1966-67 and 1967-68 as Kansas teammate of Jo Jo White under coach Ted Owens) had personal-foul penalties as DT for whacking opponent on the helmet on back-to-back plays in second quarter.
20: Minnesota Vikings LB Matt Blair (played in 1970 NJCAA Tournament for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M hoops team finishing in seventh place) scored a touchdown off blocked punt in 10-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1977. . . . Philadelphia Eagles CB Jimmy Carr (three-year hoops letterman for Morris Harvey WV appeared in NAIA Tournament in 1953 and 1954) supplied the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 38-yard fumble recovery return in 17-10 win against the New York Giants in 1960. . . . 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 second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955. Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoops letter in 1947) had two first-half TD catches. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) passed for 349 yards in a 35-30 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1978. . . . New York Giants LB Mel Hein (Washington State hoops letterman in 1930) returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown in 15-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1938. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 24-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 1955. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half TD passes. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1966. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two of his league-high 13 touchdowns and threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass in 33-31 setback against the Los Angeles Rams 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 165 yards in a 31-20 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2011. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-13 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1972. . . . Miami Dolphins RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had eight pass receptions for the second straight game in 1995. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw three first-half touchdown passes - including one for 81 yards to Ken Kavanaugh - in a 31-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1949. . . . 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) had 10 of his AFL-leading 92 pass receptions in a 20-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had nine pass receptions - including two third-quarter touchdowns from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) - in a 27-27 tie against the Boston Patriots in 1966. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars WR Cedric Tillman (averaged 4.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg while serving as part-time starter for Alcorn State in 1990-91) had career highs of eight receptions and 175 receiving yards in a 32-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1994. . . . 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 55 yards for touchdown in 45-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1949. Six years later, Tunnell returned a punt 66 yards for TD in 31-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1955. . . . Rookie B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had a 79-yard touchdown run for the Pittsburgh Pirates' lone score in 14-7 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1938.
21: Todd Bouman (South Dakota State transfer averaged 7.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg for St. Cloud State MN from 1993-94 through 1995-96) signed as free agent by the Green Bay Packers to replace injured Aaron Rodgers as their second-string QB. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught nine passes in a 24-17 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2004. . . . New York Giants rookie WR Bruce Gehrke (four-year Columbia hoops letterman averaged 9.5 ppg as senior) caught a touchdown pass from Charlie Conerly in 49-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1948. . . . New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) rushed for two touchdowns in a 21-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1926. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had nine pass receptions in a 31-17 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 1999. . . . New York Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-13 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1943. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw four touchdown passes in a 28-6 win against the Washington Redskins in 2004. Six years later with the Washington Redskins, McNabb passed for 376 yards in a 19-16 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2010. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) scored two third-quarter touchdowns - including 44-yard punt return - in a 23-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1937. . . . 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 two sacks for the third game in a row in 2004. . . . Washington Redskins B Dick Poillon (Canisius hooper in early 1940s) returned a fumble recovery 93 yards for touchdown in 42-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948. . . . Chicago Rockets B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) scored two touchdowns (one rushing/one receiving) in a 41-16 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . Washington Redskins CB Lonnie Sanders (averaged 10.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg as Michigan State forward in 1961-62) returned two interceptions a total of 79 yards in 31-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . One of AAFC-leading 11 interceptions for New York Yankees rookie DB Otto Schnellbacher (averaged 11 ppg in four-year Kansas career, earning All-Big Six/Seven Conference honors each season) was returned 40 yards for a touchdown in 34-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1948. . . . Detroit Lions B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a 16-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1937. . . . 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) opened the game's scoring with a 39-yard touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in 28-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 1971. . . . 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) had 11 pass receptions for 141 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 28-20 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1965. . . . New York Giants rookie DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned an interception 43 yards for touchdown in 49-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1948. . . . Minnesota Vikings CB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games under coach Don Haskins in 1967-68) had two interceptions for the second consecutive contest in 1971.
22: Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught 10 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown (70 yards) from Bob Waterfield against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day in 1945. . . . 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) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Eli Manning in a 34-31 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2009. . . . Boston Redskins rookie E Sam Busich (Ohio State hoops letterman in 1935 and 1936) made his lone NFL touchdown reception in a 30-6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936. . . . Portsmouth Spartans rookie TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-19 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1931. . . . New York Titans TE Thurlow Cooper (averaged 10.4 ppg for Maine in 1955-56 after averaging 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg previous season) had a career-high four pass receptions in 46-45 win against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears E Hoot Drury (SLU hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) in 26-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . TE Darren Fells (UCI's rebounding leader each of his last three seasons averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) in rebounding each of last three seasons) opened the Arizona Cardinals' scoring by catching an 18-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in 34-31 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015. . . . Cincinnati Bengals LB James Francis (averaged 3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Baylor in 1986-87 and 1987-88) had two interceptions - returning one 66 yards for touchdown - and chipped in with two sacks in a 19-13 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1992. . . . 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 20-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1953. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven basketball games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes in a 24-17 win against the New York Jets in 2015. . . . 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 44-17 win against the New York Giants in 1964. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four first-half touchdown passes in a 52-35 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. . . . New York Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) rushed for two touchdowns in a 21-21 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1942. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 25 yards for touchdown in 33-31 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1981. . . . Green Bay Packers B Dom Moselle (leading hoops scorer for Wisconsin-Superior in 1947-48 and 1948-49) caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from Tobin Rote in 52-35 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1951. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-19 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1931. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 31-20 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1998. Eleven years later with the Buffalo Bills, Owens had 98-yard touchdown reception en route to nine catches for 197 yards in an 18-15 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 46-45 win against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . In the midst of securing a touchdown pass in four consecutive contests, Oakland Raiders TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) opened the game's scoring with 66-yard TD reception from Marc Wilson in 55-21 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1981. . . . Los Angeles Rams DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned an interception 53 yards for touchdown in 21-13 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1952. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-24 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1979. . . . Detroit Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU letterman as freshman in 1945-46) rushed for game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 20-16 win against the Chicago Bears in 1953. . . . New York Giants E Will Walls (starting forward with TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) caught a 60-yard touchdown pass in 21-21 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1942.
23: Brooklyn Dodgers HB Al Akins (forward was letterman for Washington in 1944 after lettering with Washington State previous two years) caught a 50-yard touchdown pass in 16-12 setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947. . . . New York Giants E Red Badgro (first-five All-PCC pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened the game's scoring with a 22-yard touchdown reception in 13-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1930. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw six touchdown passes in a 45-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1947. Two of the TD pass receptions were caught by rookie E Paul McKee (played hoops for Syracuse in 1942-43). . . . Los Angeles Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1947. . . . 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 54-31 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2008. . . . Los Angeles Rams B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) scored two touchdowns - including 88-yard punt return - in a 28-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1947. . . . 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) passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns in a 23-21 setback against the New York Jets in 1997. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 49-14 win against the New York Yanks in 1950. Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught three TD passes. . . . Washington Redskins WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) had a career-high 10 pass receptions in a 27-20 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1969. . . . Green Bay Packers DB Ace Loomis (Wisconsin-LaCrosse hooper in late 1940s) returned an interception 45 yards for touchdown in 42-14 win against the Dallas Texans in 1952. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned an interception 78 yards for touchdown in 19-16 win against the Denver Broncos in 1986. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two touchdowns in a 33-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had seven pass receptions for 213 yards in a 35-22 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) had more than 100 yards in rushing (121) and receiving (106) en route to scoring two touchdowns - including go-ahead pass reception from Mike Phipps in fourth quarter - in a 35-23 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975. . . . 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 34-30 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . Chicago Bears TE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) caught a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown pass from George Blanda in 24-23 win against the Detroit Lions in 1952. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 33-12 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1958. . . . Staten Island Stapletons B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) accounted for the game's only scoring with a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown in 6-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1930.
24: Cleveland Browns rookie HB Al Akins (forward was letterman for Washington in 1944 after lettering with Washington State previous two years) rushed for a 50-yard touchdown in 42-17 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1946. . . . 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 four touchdown passes in a 33-6 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974. . . . Detroit Lions LB Roosevelt Barnes (collected 14 points and 23 rebounds in 24 games for Purdue's 1980 Final Four team after scoring 39 points in 43 games previous two seasons) returned an interception 70 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983. . . . Cleveland Browns rookie 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 - one of them for 69 yards - in a 45-31 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957. Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-quarter TD passes from Norm Van Brocklin. . . . 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) rushed for two touchdowns in a 27-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1957. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught seven passes for 146 yards in a 17-17 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . New York Giants DB Scott Eaton (three-year Oregon State letterman averaged 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg) secured his third interception of the month in 1968. . . . New York Giants rookie DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) provided an interception for the second straight game in 1996. . . . New York Giants rookie E Tod Goodwin (West Virginia hoops letterman in 1932-33) scored the game's lone touchdown with a 55-yard pass from Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) in a 10-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935. . . . 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 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 34-27 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned a fumble recovery 20 yards for touchdown in 27-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1963. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-10 win against the Boston Patriots in 1968. Nine years later, Griese threw six TD passes in a 55-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. . . . 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-half touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2002. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-17 win against the New York Giants in 1963. . . . 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) caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco in 19-3 win against the New York Jets in 2013. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had 11 pass receptions in a 19-16 win against the Washington Redskins in 1996. . . . Oakland Raiders DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned two interceptions a total of 47 yards in a 38-14 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1949. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie DL Bob Maddox (two-time MVP for Frostburg State MD shot 60.7% from floor in three seasons) recovered a fumble for touchdown in 33-6 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) registered three sacks and returned an interception 56 yards for touchdown in 34-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985. . . . Chicago Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1932. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-PCC second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for three touchdowns in a 19-0 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1929. . . . Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) caught two touchdown passes from Eric Hipple in a 45-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983. . . . New York Yankees TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-28 setback against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Chicago Bears E Dick Plasman (Vanderbilt two-year starting hoops center named to 1936 All-SEC Tournament second five) caught a 58-yard touchdown pass in 47-25 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940. . . . New England Patriots TE John Tanner (JC recruit averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Tennessee Tech in 1968-69) opened the game's scoring by catching a touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett in 27-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) scored the game-winning touchdown - 10-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick - with 10 seconds remaining in a 23-19 nod over the Oakland Raiders in 2013.
25: Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) scored three touchdowns (one pass reception/two rushes) in a 35-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 21-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1979. . . . A 26-yard touchdown pass from Eddie LeBaron to E John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) in the fourth quarter gave the Washington Redskins a 20-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1956. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes - including decisive 32-yard score with 48 seconds remaining - in a 34-27 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2001. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) rushed for two touchdowns in a 23-14 win against the New York Giants in 1945. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 32-14 win against the Baltimore Ravens 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 second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins S Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) opened game's scoring by returning fumble recovery 17 yards for a touchdown in 20-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1956. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions (79 and 56 yards) in a 17-17 tie against the New York Giants in 1956. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973. . . . New York Yankees B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) returned an interception 46 yards for touchdown in 19-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1928. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught seven passes for 135 yards in a 33-30 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1979. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (52 and 15 yards) in a 24-24 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1965. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) had two interceptions - returning one of them 45 yards for touchdown - in a 21-7 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had two of his league-high 13 pass reception touchdowns en route to 13 catches for 166 yards in a 38-17 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. . . . New York Giants HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had an 81-yard punt return for touchdown in 10-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Cleveland Browns rookie RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) scored two touchdowns in a 21-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1973. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had five pass receptions for 125 yards - including three touchdowns from Y.A. Tittle - in a 42-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears DE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) returned a fumble recovery 55 yards for touchdown in 42-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1951.
26: Washington Redskins FB Frank Akins (averaged 1.7 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in a 14-7 win against the Boston Yanks in 1944. . . . New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 35 yards for touchdown in 37-21 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1961. . . . B Len Barnum (West Virginia Wesleyan hooper) opened the New York Giants' scoring with a touchdown pass to E Jim Lee Howell (All-SWC first-five hoops selection as Arkansas senior in 1935-36) in 28-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939. It was one of two TD catches in the game by Howell. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-28 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1950. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught a 97-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) in 34-15 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1953. . . . 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) rushed for three first-half touchdowns in a 28-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1961. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) scored the game's decisive touchdown with a 51-yard run from scrimmage in the fourth quarter in 13-7 win against the Chicago Bears in 1936. . . . St. Louis Rams LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had two interceptions in a 31-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2000. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two first-quarter touchdowns in a 24-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1959. . . . 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 three touchdown passes in a 31-26 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2006. . . . 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 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) intercepted one of Kapp's passes. . . . 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 two interceptions - returning one 32 yards for touchdown - in 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. . . . HB Kent Ryan (two-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference 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 the Detroit Lions' lone touchdown with a three-yard rush in 31-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1939. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES returned a punt 55 yards for touchdown in 30-27 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) had a 50-yard rushing touchdown in 38-31 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2000. . . . New York Giants QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 62-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1972. . . . New York Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 29 yards in a 24-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1978. . . . Baltimore Ravens LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a touchdown on 57-yard fumble recovery return in 27-0 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006. . . . Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 304 yards (50.7 average) in a 21-16 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1972.
27: Cleveland Bulldogs E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) opened the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown reception in 32-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1927. . . . Houston Texans LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had four sacks and seven tackles in a 20-13 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned a kickoff 53 yards for touchdown in 31-17 win against the Denver Broncos in 1969. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) had nine pass receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-24 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1952. Three TD passes for Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) were in the second quarter. . . . Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two touchdown passes (16 and 41 yards) from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 35-35 tie against the New York Giants in 1955. Graham finished with three TD passes. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught three touchdown passes in a 40-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught six passes for 134 yards in a 38-38 tie against the Denver Broncos in 1960. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie DB Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) intercepted a pass in second consecutive contest in 1977. . . . New York Giants E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 13-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 42-29 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2005. . . . 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 three touchdown passes in a 24-12 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2005. . . . Chicago Bears E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) opened the game's scoring with a 49-yard touchdown catch in 7-7 tie against the Portland Spartans in 1932. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie E Jim Lukens (Washington & Lee VA hoops letterman) caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in 38-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1949. Ratterman finished the game with three TD passes. . . . Providence Steam Roller E Eddie Lynch (top hoops scorer for Catholic DC as junior and senior) opened the game's scoring by catching a touchdown pass in 14-7 win against the New York Yankees in 1927. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw four touchdown passes in a 48-20 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in 38-14 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1949. . . . San Francisco 49ers E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught six passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-22 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1960. . . . Green Bay Packers E Steve Pritko (Villanova two-year hoops letterman) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-21 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 46 yards on six punts in a 72-41 win against the New York Giants in 1966. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Otto Stowe (collected 12 points and five rebounds in four Iowa State basketball games in 1968-69) caught six passes for a career-high 140 receiving yards - including two touchdowns - in a 31-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks in a 33-21 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2005. Two years earlier, Taylor returned a fumble recovery 34 yards for a touchdown in a 40-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. . . . 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 three second-half touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka (80, 24 and 35 yards) in a 38-38 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1960. Taylor finished the game with nine receptions for 199 yards. . . . New York Jets DB Rashad Washington (collected two points, two assists and five rebounds for Kansas State in eight games in 2000-01) had a sack in 21-19 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2005. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Sid Watson (averaged 4.1 ppg as Northeastern freshman in 1951-52) had a 62-yard pass reception touchdown from Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) in 23-14 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1955. . . . Denver Broncos RB Wandy Williams (led Hofstra in scoring with 19.9 ppg in 1967-68) rushed for a touchdown in 31-17 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) supplied the Staten Island Stapletons' only touchdown with a five-yard rush in 7-6 win against the New York Giants in 1930.
28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Larry Ball (played eight hoops games for Louisville as sophomore in 1968-69 before persuaded by coach Lee Corso to concentrate on football) had an interception in 49-16 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1976. . . . 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) caught 32-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning with 3:15 remaining to give the New York Giants a 24-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010. . . . TE Luther Broughton (forward scored five points in five games for Furman in 1994-95) scored both of the Philadelphia Eagles' touchdowns with fourth-quarter receptions from QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) in a 20-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1999. . . . 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 146 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns - three rushing/one receiving - in a 42-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers E Harry Burrus (three-year hoops letterman in early 1940s for Hardin-Simmons TX) had a 60-yard pass reception for touchdown in 38-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. . . . TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) scored both of the Detroit Lions' touchdowns in a 14-2 win against the Chicago Bears in 1935. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 touchdown passes in a 21-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935. . . . Boston Yanks HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the game's scoring with a 21-yard touchdown catch in 34-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1946. . . . Oakland 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 touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 37-34 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs 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 fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 34-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004. . . . 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 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 49-24 win against the New York Giants in 2011. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-28 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1948. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned a fumble recovery for touchdown in 34-31 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1965. . . . Detroit Lions RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) provided the go-ahead score with a 62-yard rushing touchdown in 18-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. . . . Washington 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 fourth consecutive contest of the month in 1976. . . . E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) provided the Chicago Bears' second touchdown with a 43-yard pass reception in 15-7 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1937. Three weeks earlier, Manske had a 64-yard TD catch in 24-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers. . . . 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 10 pass receptions in a 23-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier letterman in 1943) returned a punt 88 yards for touchdown in 35-14 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-PCC second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for six touchdowns in a 40-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 1929. Two years later, Nevers rushed for two second-quarter TDs in a 21-0 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1931. . . . 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 46 yards for touchdown in 21-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) opened the game's scoring with a five-yard rushing touchdown in 17-0 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) had two second-quarter rushing touchdowns in a 35-14 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Jake Plummer in 25-24 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2004. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes to Pete Retzlaff in a 28-24 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks in a 24-17 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2004.
29: Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) completed 26-of-32 passes (including four touchdowns) in a 41-21 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1981. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Boston Redskins rookie DL Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) returned an interception 35 yards for touchdown in 30-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936. . . . New York Giants rookie TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 11 tackles for the third time during the 2009 campaign. . . . 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 43-14 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Six years later, Gates had two touchdown receptions in a little over one minute late in the first half of a 31-25 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. . . . Houston Oilers 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 31-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1970. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) provided the game's decisive score with a rushing touchdown in 13-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had two interceptions in a 31-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1970. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had seven pass receptions for 156 yards in a 37-27 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2007. . . . 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) caught a pass for 19 yards in a 21-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1970. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had five pass receptions for 143 yards in a 20-20 tie against the Denver Broncos in 1964. . . . Minnesota Vikings TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) caught 11 passes - including a touchdown in his third consecutive 1981 contest. . . . Detroit Lions B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) returned a fumble recovery 38 yards for touchdown in 26-17 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1936. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-24 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1964. . . . Kansas City Chiefs rookie 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) opened the game's scoring with a career-long 50-yard touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in 26-14 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1970. . . . 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) had 13 pass receptions in a 20-20 tie against the Oakland Raiders in 1964. . . . In the midst of four consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Jacksonville Jaguars TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) had nine pass receptions in 31-25 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2015.
30: New York Giants E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) opened game's scoring with blocked punt return for touchdown in second consecutive contest in 1930. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) scored two first-quarter touchdowns - including 91-yard kickoff return - in a 63-7 win against the New York Giants in 1952. Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw four of his league-high 20 TD passes. . . . New York Giants B Stu Clancy (Holy Cross letterman from 1928 through 1930 was hoops captain as senior) rushed for the game's only touchdown in a 10-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1933. . . . In 2003, Atlanta Falcons WR Terrence Edwards (collected 26 points and 14 rebounds for Georgia in 14 games second half of freshman season in 1998-99) had his only NFL pass reception (10 yards in 17-13 setback against Houston Texans). . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) rushed for two touchdowns in a 30-10 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) opened the game's scoring by catching a 54-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in 14-3 win against the New York Giants in 1975. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 28-24 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2003. . . . WR Ray Hamilton (Arkansas letterman for two SWC hoop champions from 1936 through 1938) scored the Los Angeles Rams' lone touchdown with a 10-yard pass reception from Bob Waterfield in 30-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1947. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven basketball games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught nine passes for 238 yards - including two touchdowns from Ryan Fitzpatrick (58 and 34 yards) - in a 45-21 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2014. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted six times for 53.2-yard average in 14-3 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-30 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1975. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions - returning a Kenny Stabler pick 87 yards for touchdown - in 37-34 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1975. . . . In the midst of catching a touchdown pass in 11 of the San Francisco 49ers' last 12 games of 1998 season, WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had five receptions for 140 yards in 31-7 win against the New York Giants. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 44-9 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1997. . . . Baltimore Ravens LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) had seven solo tackles in a 44-6 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. . . . Detroit Lions B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) opened the game's scoring with an 82-yard interception return for touchdown in 21-3 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1941. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught seven passes for 132 yards in a 45-21 setback against the Houston Texans in 2014. . . . Chicago Bears E Joe Zeller (averaged 4.1 ppg as three-year Indiana letterman from 1929-30 through 1931-32) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in 22-6 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1933.
Impact of former college hoopers on professional football in October
Impact of former college hoopers on professional football in September
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 31 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 disgraced 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 LSU and USL 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 the 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 the 2015 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 30 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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, 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
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: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 29 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 28 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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.
A homer 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-SEC 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.
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.
Stop Top Cop: Zero as Hooper and AG, Holder Still Injects Himself in Politics
In hoop parlance, it's the equivalent of triple-teaming as an unprecedented animosity escalates toward unaccountable government and community disorganizing exemplified by "kicking 'em" if they go low. Dossier-delusional Democrats infecting James "I Don't Recall" Comey's Federal Bureau of Matters and their #MessMedia accomplices chronically chase Trumped-up rabbits regarding Russian collusion. In the meantime, Republican lawmakers, perceiving disregard for the Constitution and stonewalling their oversight by withholding documents, have focused for an extended period on a series of Obama Amateur Hour White House Administration lawless shenanigans - Benghazi bungling, IRS targeting of conservative groups, incompetent Obamacare roll-out chock-full of deception (HHS Secretary at the time spent more time fundraising to publicize the health care law rather than testing the enrollment website for glitches), far-reaching snooping of world leaders (including allies), subpoenas of the media, approval of not informing Congress about Taliban 5 swap for a deserter, placing gag order on FBI informant, letting Hezbollah off the hook to facilitate deal with Iran, Fusion GPS funding/Russian "Uranium One" connections plus mid-term election monitors.
Is there any coincidence Eric Holder's dignified "kiss-my-ass" resignation as U.S. Attorney General several years ago came in the aftermath of another court edict ruling that the Justice Department must relinquish material about how the DOJ lied to Congress and the American public regarding the Operation Fast and Furious scandal. Clearly, Special Agent John Dodson was smeared by DOJ officials for having the courage to be the first whistle-blower in the scheme. Despite claims that intimidating and criminalizing the media "is something I've never been involved with or heard of (signed warrant nonetheless)," Holder's intrusive actions impacting freedom of the press wasn't the first time he was in the middle of a firestorm. After all, in Holder's warped world we can't possibly have leaks supporting a policeman who protects his sorry butt or leaks about Benghazi beating up on my boss. But Holder can prop up image of "Andy" after FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe was ousted. No wonder an ex-FBI agent, appalled at Holder's lack of leadership, wrote a scathing letter about him and his racial-agenda rhetoric putting cops in jeopardy.
Despite CBS considering a pilot show on his life, it's difficult to fathom anyone with functioning brain caring about putting stock into Holder's alleged expertise and special prosecutor Robert Mueller red line. After the California State Assembly chose not renew Holder's $25,000 per month contract, his current goal in the public sector is to be a crusader helping spearhead the legal resistance to #TheDonald's agenda - and perhaps even re-enter the political fray by far-left running progressively against POTUS and persistence supporters in 2020. We'll see how really concerned Holder is about "hate crimes" in aftermath of Pittsburgh synagogue massacre.
Previously conducting an off-the-record session as AG with selected media members and focusing on a parade float mocking POTUS rather than vital issues did nothing to resolve many questions about his priorities seemingly more in favor of towel-head terrorists and CAIR-ing Muslim mutilators than law-abiding American citizens such as Uncle Sam, Father Jim and Brother Bob. Prior to an election-eve document dump, Holder previously failed to divulge sufficient information about the botched "Fast and Furious" ATF "gunwalking" operation selling 2,000 firearms to Mexican drug cartels. The nation's corrosive ex-top cop, treating the DOJ as a partisan sanctuary community according to mistreated opponents, seemed to be shedding light on as much material regarding the controversial ATF topic and media meddling as the number of FGM he contributed to Columbia's freshman basketball squad in 1969-70 (misfired on all four field-goal attempts). Was Holder entitled to reschedule semester exams if traumatized by his inability to connect from the floor? So unstable years later, he thought Edward Snowden did U.S. a public service.
Parcing words like "is," demented Dimorat defenders at tax cheat Al "Not So" Sharpton's Race Card Convention probably would "enable" Holder if the AG said he didn't fib to Congress about monitoring the press' co-conspirator calls or was Columbia's all-time leading varsity scorer instead of Leonard "Buck" Jenkins (1,766 points from 1989-90 through 1992-93). Holder might be more useful flexing his Geico-lizard muscle helping "Resist We Much" Sharpnado descend into Brainville by discerning the difference between Chipotle and Chipola plus Ottawa and Iowa. We saw how much Holder and Sharpton "grieved" in the aftermath of two assassinated NYPD police officers the week before Christmas and how libs essentially were accessories to the shooting of two police officers several months later at Ferguson City Hall.
Despite numerous emails detailing his direct involvement in crafting "Fast and Furious" talking points, Holder seemed to try to set a Guinness Book of World Records for most times saying "I don't know" during Congressional oversight testimony. Do you think he knew the first female director of the Secret Service wanted the agency to be "more like Disney World"? It doesn't seem possible but the DOJ reportedly also facilitated anti-George Zimmerman protests in Florida, failed to adequately monitor runaway overtime payments in his department and was so petty that Ferguson, Mo., occupying-force police officers were banned from wearing bracelets supporting their colleague and law enforcement was told to "behave" (rather than pea-brained out-of-town protestors). Evidence of widespread passivity existed when there wasn't a sufficient sentiment calling for the resignation of Holder, one of several former college basketball players in the StinkBurger Administration apparently incapable of consistently absorbing intelligence briefings in a serious fashion. If Ferguson and the Fort Hood massacre are any indication, the Holder-infected DOJ and fellow race baiters may treat the hero reserve sheriff's deputy in Moore, Okla., as the word-game problem for the "workplace violence" rather than the Muslim convert savage.
Whether or not there was a cover-up or obstruction of justice, lost amid the juvenile freshman-like gamesmanship is the moral obligation to supply a full explanation to the distraught family of murdered border patrol agent Brian Terry feeling as if the "idiot-crony" government is hiding something. The House oversight committee leader for the Democrats said they "would not rest" until they found answers but some shameless political parasites on The Hill are more concerned with covering their side's back rather than discerning who shot Terry in the back. Depending upon your perspective, it's not unreasonable to think some folks were accessories to murder of many Mexicans and Terry. An arrogant Holder, claiming he made an "extraordinary offer" (estimated mostly-redacted 7,600 of 80,000-plus subpoenaed documents) before requesting executive privilege from the White House, was in hot water for a variety of issues, including his responses regarding other issues such as the New Black Panther Party, voter rights, enforcement of immigration laws and national security leaks. Meanwhile, the CYAG (Cover Your _ _ ) White House tried to protect Holder with executive privilege (including emails to his wife) and voiced support for him despite Mr. Recusal's unprincipled surveillance of the media. There was proof that the Oval Office and DOJ colluded to target former CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson, one of the few members of the mainstream media to pay any attention to the gun-running scandal.
(With)Holder, an Ivy League freshman the same year as Princeton's Brian Taylor and Harvard's James Brown, was confirmed as AG despite his outrageous pandering to leftist special interests in orchestrating a pardon from #SickWillie for international fugitive Marc Rich and clemency for 16 members of a terrorist group (FALN). It's surprising race-obsessed Holder didn't end up seeking a pardon from the Audacity of Hype for pill-distributing Dr. "Herbal Medication" Huxtable similar to what he did for Rich. It might hinge on whether Holder is too busy seeking relief for Sharpton to cover the Out House confidant's massive tax bill. If Holder is focused on helping tax cheats, Sharpton's MSLSD "Lien Forward" colleagues can probably pool resources and secure a group rate.
Obama, a backup JV basketball player for Occidental (CA), said as an Illinois Senator that the President is not the AG's client. But does his race-card reveling administration emphasize rules for radicals more than principles of patriots? Why were several dozen FBI agents assigned to Ferguson rather than going to Minneapolis investigating a breeding ground for homegrown terrorists? If bothering to show up in Virginia, race hustlers such as Holder, Jesse Jerkson, Screwie Louie Farrakhan and Sharpton are more likely to support the civil rights of suspect Jesse Matthew rather than victims Hannah Graham and Morgan Harrington. Ditto Philly cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The feds' priorities were more concerned with detaining an obscure producer of an anti-Islamic film making light of the prophet Mohammed. Meanwhile, the stonewalling Obama Administration - either grossly incompetent or immersed in a corrupt cover-up - dealt with a terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, by standing in front of caskets at an airport hangar (plus the White House press corps, the U.N. and national politically-oriented shows) offering an orchestrated narrative claiming the nondescript video was responsible for a spontaneous murder of the American ambassador and three other Americans. Unbelievably, a Navy SEAL among the deceased violated stand-down orders to help save numerous individuals at the embassy and then fought the terrorists for seven hours while his pleas for backup at an annex were ignored by morally-bankrupt government officials real-time watching events unfold. Months later, the apologist-in-chief and cowardly cronies were still striving to supply a cogent response to their deflect-and-deny sacrificial inaction. They would rather sanctimoniously flash half a peace sign to opponents by promoting Susan "Damsel in Distress" Rice despite her incessant Benghazi video lies comprehended as such by everyone across the nation possessing a triple-digit IQ.
The father of slain SEAL Tyrone Woods said bombastic VP Joe Biden asked an incredibly inappropriate question: "Did your son always have balls the size of cue balls?" Countered Woods' father: "Better to die a hero than to live as a coward." Bomb-thrower Biden, who adds to national debt by charging rent to Secret Service bodyguards protecting him, should have had Holder help him in the War of Drugs to prevent his own kids from going astray. But Holder, rather than enforcing existing laws, was more interested in creating new legislation, saying his biggest regret was an inability to pass gun control. Beyond oceans receding amid remaking America, we were told this would be most transparent administration in history. But with Holder headlining a slew of polarizing progressive puke, the lawless administration became the most transparently corrupt climaxed by finding missing IRS emails and selectively preaching to nation about embracing illegal aliens on back-to-back days. Along the way, lib lunatics in the media seemed more concerned about whether Holder or Obama won their one-on-one NCAA Tournament bracket battle.
Our nation can't afford a return of Eric the Dread, who should have been quarantined for longer than any three weeks after supporting overhauling Ferguson police department but not renegade IRS. If you're interested in political players and seek a mite more insight than you'll generate any morning from MSLSD's Mika the Myopic Mannequin and her clueless comrades such as MHP the Quack or evening with chronically-confused Rich-with-ill-will Madcow, CollegeHoopedia.com has conducted extensive research on politicians and political appointees who were college hoopers. The vast majority of them honor the Constitution more than splitting-hairs Holder, who was anything but the "right" man to investigate himself, refute the FBI with a probe of Zimmerman, distinguish radical Islam from administration's radical ignorance or assess anything of significance for that matter. Faking skills as much as Obama's sign-language interpreter at Mandela memorial, Holder departed as AG missing shots (at four vital qualities - credence, excellence, relevance and substance) like he did as a Columbia hoop freshman; leaving the country with a Jimmy Carter-like crisis of confidence especially when evidence bubbles up about Holder successor coordinating with FBI in #ShrillaryRotten probe.
His incompetence and Clinton-connected corruption enhanced setting the stage for cartoonish FBI/DOJ Russian collusion investigation and suspect FISA warrant featuring Maxwell Smart (Robert Mueller), Frank "Naked Gun" Drebin (James Comey), Pink Panther/Inspector Clouseau and Kato ("Andy" McCabe and Sally "Ignoring Orders" Yates), Austin Powers and Ace Ventura (Peter "Insurance Policy" Strzok and mistress Lisa Page), Boris and Natasha (Fusion GPS fools Bruce and Nellie Ohr), My Cousin Vinny Joe Pesci (James Baker), Droopy Dog (Andrew "Awe-Full" Weissmann), In Like Flint (Bill Priestap) plus Rocky and Bullwinkle (Rod Rosenstein and Jeannie "All Rhodes Lead to Ben" Rhee). How about a little FBI/DOJ net(work)-investigation neutrality as McCabe's wife received astounding $700,000 from #ShrillaryRotten confidante Terry McAuliffe while running for Virginia's Senate? Perhaps Holder, Mueller or Comey can get a hold of racy tapes from NSA storage in Utah to entertain us via third party unmasking Strzok/Page foreplay reinforcing their James Bond-wannabee romance by talking dirty (about #TheDonald). They should have their own seventh-floor "HQ Special" show as Agatha Christie-like crime-fighting male/female couple's dialogue demonstrated thus far is infinitely better than Hart to Hart or McMillan and Wife.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 27 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 26 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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.
Two former leading hoop scorers for current power-league members - Oral Hildebrand (Butler) and Sonny Siebert (Missouri) - were part of trades involving St. Louis MLB teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 26
Detroit Tigers OF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on basketball scholarship in late 1920s) won 1940 A.L. MVP.
In 1960, Washington Senators President Calvin Griffith (hoops letterman in 1934 and 1935 when George Washington compiled 25-10 record) made decision to move franchise to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
RHP Oral Hildebrand (hoops All-American for Butler in 1928-29 and 1929-30) traded by the St. Louis Browns to the New York Yankees in 1938.
RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the Texas Rangers to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 25 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 Larry Doby (Virginia Union), Tom Haller (Illinois), Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State) and Jim Todd (Parsons IA/Millersville State PA) switched MLB teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 25
OF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA basketball titlist) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Chicago White Sox in 1955.
C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) purchased from the Detroit Tigers by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972.
1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) traded by the Texas Rangers to the San Diego Padres in 1978.
In 1977, RHP Jim Todd (played for Parsons IA before averaging 16 ppg with Millersville State PA in 1968-69) shipped by the Chicago Cubs to the Seattle Mariners to complete an earlier deal in the spring.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 24 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 Arizona hooper Kenny Lofton twice supplied significant World Series performances with different MLB teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 24
Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (basketball letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) stroked two doubles among his three hits in a 4-2 Game 4 victory against the New York Giants and Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) in the 1911 World Series.
Securing at least one steal in his seventh consecutive postseason contest, Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) went 3-for-3, scored three runs and received three walks in a 7-6 win against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 1995 World Series. Seven years later with the San Francisco Giants, Lofton provided three hits for the second straight game in the 2002 World Series against the Anaheim Angels.
Los Angeles Dodgers 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) supplied the game-winning RBI in an 8-7 victory against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1981 World Series.
Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41), the first black major leaguer of the 20th Century, died of heart disease at the age of 53 in 1972.
DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) banged out a two-out, two-run double in the top of the 11th inning to spark the Toronto Blue Jays to their first World Series championship with a 4-3 decision over the Atlanta Braves in Game 6 in 1992.
Hunt for Mr. October: World Series Standouts Who Were Ex-College Hoopers
If it was easy, then everyone could do it. After playing college hoops for current Division I universities, MLB All-Stars Joe Adcock (LSU/no extra-base hits), Mickey Cochrane (Boston University/.245), Dick Groat (Duke/.204), Davey Johnson (Texas A&M/.192 and homerless), Wally Moon (Texas A&M/.240 with only one extra-base hit), Graig Nettles (San Diego State/.225 and homerless), Jackie Robinson (UCLA/.234) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota/.136 and homerless) struggled at the plate in World Series competition significantly more than they did during the regular season.
On the other hand, which such versatile athletes thrived in the Fall Classic? The premier pitcher and player overall in this category probably is Bob Gibson (Creighton) while 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 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 Underrated | Charlie Keller | Maryland | OF hit .306 (22-of-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: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 23 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 Jack Coombs (Colby ME) and Bruce Hurst (Dixie UT J.C.) hurled complete-game victories in MLB World Series competition on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 23
In Game 5 of the 1910 World Series, Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (basketball captain and starting center for Colby ME) tossed his third complete-game victory against the Chicago Cubs.
Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) notched a 4-2 complete-game victory against the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 1986 World Series.
Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hired as Los Angeles Dodgers manager in 1998.
Kansas City Royals LF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed a pinch-hit double against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the 1985 World Series.
Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) replaced by Bob Watson as New York Yankees general manager in 1995.
INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, paving the way for MLB integration.
OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 1962-63 and 1963-64 with LIU-C.W. Post) purchased from the Cleveland Indians by the Washington Senators in 1970.
World Series-ious Versatility: Impact of Ex-College Hoopers on Fall Classic
Numerous universities have had versatile athletes who played college basketball before going on to major league baseball careers including appearances in the Fall Classic.
While many single-minded basketball fans are assessing polls and rankings in preseason hoop magazines and websites, following is an incisive "Who Am I?" quiz for well-rounded basketball/baseball enthusiasts taking a toll on their memories as they try to recall World Series participants who played varsity basketball for a current NCAA Division I college. Keep your chin up if you need relief answering the following questions because they're almost as difficult as the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers find scoring off first-rate bullpens:
I was a 13-year major league second baseman who set several fielding records and played in the 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox after ranking among the nation's top 12 free-throw shooters both of my college basketball seasons with Oklahoma State.
Who am I? Jerry Adair
I was a 17-year first baseman who hit four homers and a double in a single game and played in back-to-back World Series with the Milwaukee Braves after being LSU's leading scorer (18.6 points per game) for the Tigers' 1945-46 team compiling an 18-3 record and losing against Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference Tournament final.
Who am I? Joe Adcock
I was a 10-year pitcher who led the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935 with an 18-7 record (.720) for the World Series-bound Detroit Tigers after I was named to the first five on an all-conference basketball team in my final season at Kansas State. I was a submariner who hurled a complete game victory in a 10-4 verdict over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the '34 Series before losing Game 7 to Dizzy Dean.
Who am I? Eldon Auker
I was a shortstop who participated in five World Series, four with the champion, in a six-year span from 1910 through 1915 after earning a basketball letter for Holy Cross in 1908.
Who am I? John "Jack" Barry
I was a rookie pitcher in 1978 with the New York Yankees who went the distance for the first time in my major league career in a Game 5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. I was a 6-5 forward who averaged 14.3 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds per game for Dartmouth in 1974-75 when I was selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League.
Who am I? Jim Beattie
I was a catcher who appeared in back-to-back World Series with the New York Yankees (1927 and 1928) after being a basketball letterman for Niagara from 1916-17 through 1918-19.
Who am I? Bernard "Benny" Bengough
I was an outfielder who, during my 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit a double in the 1925 World Series to help them become the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a seven-game series. I played with my brother on Oregon's basketball squad before we briefly played alongside each other with the Pirates.
Who am I? Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee
I was a player-manager who earned American League MVP honors in leading the Cleveland Indians to the 1948 World Series after being the top scorer for an Illinois team sharing a Big Ten Conference basketball title.
Who am I? Lou Boudreau
I was a pitcher who appeared in the 1947 and 1949 World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers after notching 21-12 and 13-5 won-loss marks, respectively, following a basketball career at NYU, where I was the Violets' sixth-leading scorer in 1943-44 with an average of 3.8 points per game. Major league player and manager Bobby Valentine is my son-in-law.
Who am I? Ralph Branca
I was a 12-year outfielder who played in three World Series with the New York Yankees and hit 38 home runs in one season with Kansas City after finishing my college basketball career ranking fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list.
Who am I? Bob Cerv
I am a Hall of Fame catcher who participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers after playing basketball for Boston University.
Who am I? Mickey Cochrane
I posted a 1.88 ERA in 14 1/3 innings for the Boston Red Sox against the New York Giants in the 1912 World Series after being a two-year basketball letterman with Vermont.
Who am I? Ray Collins
I am a Hall of Fame outfielder for the New York Yankees who compiled a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) after being captain with Eastern Kentucky's basketball squad.
Who am I? Earle Combs
I am a three-time All-Star Game performer who pitched in the 1957 World Series for the Milwaukee Braves after being an All-Pacific Coast Conference first-team selection in 1949-50 when the 6-7 sophomore center led Washington State and the PCC North Division in scoring (13.3 points per game).
Who am I? Gene Conley
I appeared in two World Series games for St. Louis Cardinals in 1934 after serving as Davidson basketball captain in early 1920s.
Who am I? Pat Crawford
I hit .323 in three World Series (1948 with Boston Braves; 1951 and 1954 with New York Giants). Member of LSU's 1942-43 basketball squad before entering military service (Marine Corps V-12 program) during World War II. Known as the "Swamp Fox," I was a five-sport letterman with Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now Louisiana-Lafayette) during 1943-44.
Who am I? Alvin Dark
I led N.L. outfielders in putouts three years and hit near or over .300 for three St. Louis Cardinal pennant
winners (1926, 1928 and 1930) after earning letters three seasons in basketball for California.
Who am I? Taylor Douthit
I was a second baseman who posted a career-high 22-game hitting streak during 1975 regular season before hitting safely in all seven World Series contests for Boston Red Sox against Cincinnati Reds. I averaged 2.7 ppg in 11 basketball outings with Morehead State in 1962-63.
Who am I? Denny Doyle
I was a 10-year utility infielder who saw action in two World Series games in 1959 with the Chicago White Sox after averaging seven points per contest as a 5-9 starting guard for Indiana in 1951-52.
Who am I? Sammy Esposito
I was a catcher who appeared in two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1974 and 1978). Pacific teammate of All-American Keith Swagerty averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coach Dick Edwards, scoring two points against eventual NCAA champion UCLA in the 1967 West Regional final.
Who am I? Joe Ferguson
I led the A.L. in won-loss percentage in 1946 with a 25-6 mark before pitching a shutout in Game 3 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1940-41.
Who am I? Boo Ferriss
I was a lefthanded hitting backup outfielder who participated in the 1929 World Series with the Philadelphia
Athletics after being a basketball letterman for Army's 18-5 team in 1921 following two campaigns with Rutgers.
Who am I? Walter French
I wasa righthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1980 World Series with the Kansas City Royals after leading New Hampshire with 7.2 rebounds per game in 1975-76.
Who am I? Rich Gale
I was a first baseman-outfielder who hit 103 major league homers and pinch hit four times for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series after earning a letter with Temple's basketball team in 1948-49 when I averaged 2.7 points per game.
Who am I? Dick Gernert
I was a lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1960 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates after finishing my four-year college career as Mississippi's leader in career scoring and rebounds following a senior season when my scoring average was higher than first-team All-Americans Elgin Baylor (Seattle) and Wilt Chamberlain (Kansas).
Who am I? Joe Gibbon
I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who set a record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers in my third World
Series in five years after becoming the first basketball player in Creighton history to average at least 20 points per game in a career.
Who am I? Bob Gibson
I am a palm-ball specialist who blanked the Baltimore Orioles in 5 1/3 innings in three relief appearances for the champion Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1971 World Series after becoming the first N.L. pitcher to appear in each contest of a four-game LCS. I connected on 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60.
Who am I? Dave Giusti
I am a Hall of Fame first baseman-left fielder who had 14 extra-base hits in four World Series with the Detroit Tigers after attending NYU briefly on a basketball scholarship in 1929.
Who am I? Hank Greenberg
I am an eight-time All-Star Game shortstop who started for World Series championship teams with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 after twice ranking among the top four scorers in the country with Duke.
Who am I? Dick Groat
I was a perennial All-Star outfielder with multiple Gold Gloves and N.L. batting titles who sparked the San Diego Padres to two World Series (1984 and 1998) after being a two-time All-WAC second-team selection as a San Diego State guard who led the league in assists as a sophomore and junior.
Who am I? Tony Gwynn
I was a three-time All-Star catcher who played in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants (swatted a two-run homer off Hall of Famer Whitey Ford of the Yankees in Game Four) after playing as a backup forward for Illinois' basketball squad as a sophomore (1956-57) and junior (1957-58).
Who am I? Tom Haller
I was a 12-year lefthanded reliever who appeared in back-to-back World Series (1963 and 1964) with the New York Yankees after the 6-7 Morehead State forward-center ranked 15th in the country in scoring as a junior (24.2 ppg in 1956-57) and among the nation's top 10 rebounders as a senior (19.1 rpg in 1957-58).
Who am I? Steve Hamilton
I was a 12-year lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1989 World Series with the San Francisco Giants after being a 6-2 guard who averaged 5.3 points per game as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as a sophomore in 1977-78 for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Atlee Hammaker
I was a first baseman-outfielder who participated in the 1942 World Series with the New York Yankees after
playing for Manhattan basketball teams winning a school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931.
Who am I? John "Buddy" Hassett
I was a lefthanded hitting utilityman who participated as a rookie with the New York Yankees in the 1923 World Series against the New York Giants after being a basketball letterman for Vanderbilt in 1918.
Who am I? Harvey Hendrick
I was a 10-year pitcher who hurled four shutout innings as the fourth-game starter for the New York Yankees in the 1939 World Series after being a basketball All-American for Butler. I was named to the first A.L. All-Star team in 1933.
Who am I? Oral Hildebrand
I was a 16-year first baseman/outfielder who homered in Game 4 of the 1963 World Series to help the Los Angeles Dodgers sweep the New York Yankees and twice led the A.L. in homers after leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding as a junior and senior.
Who am I? Frank Howard
I was a 13-year infielder who slugged 43 of my 136 career homers for the Atlanta Braves in 1973 after appearing in four World Series with the Baltimore Orioles (1966, 1969, 1970 and 1971). I averaged 1.7 points per game as a sophomore in my only varsity basketball season (1961-62) with Texas A&M before signing a pro baseball contract.
Who am I? Davey Johnson
I was a 13-year outfielder who hit .306 for the New York Yankees in 19 World Series games after being a three-year basketball letterman for Maryland.
Who am I? Charlie Keller
I was a Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher who became N.L. MVP but lost the 1950 World Series opener to the New York Yankees as a starter, 1-0, after playing two seasons for Syracuse basketball teams.
Who am I? Jim Konstanty
I began rookie year with the Chicago Cubs by winning nine of my first 10 decisions before becoming a reliever for the 1969 Amazin' Mets World Series champion. I was a standout basketball player for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when the North Carolina-based school was a junior college.
Who am I? Cal Koonce
I was an infielder-outfielder who hit .303 in my 15-year career. When I was with the Detroit Tigers, I 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) before appearing in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants. I managed the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1982 World Series. I played in five games for Wisconsin's basketball team in the 1951-52 season.
Who am I? Harvey Kuenn
I was a three-time All-Star outfielder who posted a .331 average with 22 HRs and 107 RBI in my first full season with the New York Giants in 1935 before appearing in the World Series in 1936 and 1937. I had two hits in a six-run second inning of Game Four in the Giants' lone victory against the New York Yankees in 1937 after scoring 16 points in nine basketball games for Arizona in 1931.
Who am I? Hank Leiber
I am an outfielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases, a record for an A.L. rookie, and appeared in the World
Series with three different teams (Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants) after setting
Arizona basketball records for steals in a season and career.
Who am I? Kenny Lofton
I was a 12-year infielder who played in the 1957 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees after being a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won 1952 and 1953 NAIA Tournament titles.
Who am I? Jerry Lumpe
I was a lefthanded outfielder who appeared in 1943 World Series for the New York Yankees against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman with William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38.
Who am I? Arthur "Bud" Metheny
I was a Gold Glove left fielder in 1960 between participating in two World Series with the Dodgers (1959 and
1965) after averaging 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50.
Who am I? Wally Moon
I was a righthander who appeared in 1934 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals' Gas House Gang against the Detroit Tigers. I was an all-around athlete for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Jim Mooney
I was an infielder who hit .303 with the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox in 17 A.L. seasons from 1925 through 1941, participating in two World Series (1925 and 1933). I was a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1923-24.
Who am I? Charles "Buddy" Myer
I was a five-time All-Star who holds the A.L. record for most homers by a third baseman (319), but was homerless in five World Series (four with the New York Yankees and one with the San Diego Padres). The highlight of my career was four dazzling stops in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series to help the Yankees win their first of four consecutive games. I averaged 5.3 points per game while earning basketball letters in my hometown for San Diego State in 1963-64 and 1964-65, shooting 87.8% from the free-throw line (36 of 41) as a sophomore.
Who am I? Graig Nettles
I was a 19-year MLB pitcher who appeared in two World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies after averaging 18.9 points and 14.3 rebounds in three varsity basketball seasons with Notre Dame.
Who am I? Ron Reed
I was a catcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 World Series. I led Duquesne in scoring in my senior season with a 17.9 average in 1956-57 when I finished fourth in the nation in free-throw percentage (86.2). As a sophomore, I was a starter for an NIT championship team that compiled a 22-4 record and finished sixth in the final AP poll.
Who am I? Dave Ricketts
I appeared in 1915 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies en route to becoming the N.L.'s winningest
lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke my record. I earned basketball letters with Virginia in 1911-12 and 1913-14.
Who am I? Eppa Rixey Jr.
I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who was a 20-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies after leading Michigan State in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. In 1950, I lost my only World Series start, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off me in the 10th inning.
Who am I? Robin Roberts
I am a Hall of Fame infielder who was a regular for six National League pennant winners after compiling league-high scoring averages in both of my seasons with UCLA. I collected two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Who am I? Jackie Robinson
I was a four-time All-Star third baseman with the New York Yankees who appeared in six of the seven World Series from 1936 through 1942. I managed the Detroit Tigers after being a head basketball coach with Yale and with the Toronto Huskies of the Basketball Association of America. I played in a handful of basketball games for Dartmouth.
Who am I? Robert "Red" Rolfe
I was a New York Yankees lefthander who registered a pair of 2-1 World Series victories (over the Brooklyn
Dodgers in 1941 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1943) after playing for two of the premier teams in college basketball history when LIU went 24-2 in 1934-35 and 26-0 in 1935-36. I was named to the first five on the Metropolitan New York Basketball Writers Association All-Star Team after the undefeated season.
Who am I? Marius Russo
I pitched in two World Series games for the New York Yankees in 1964 after being a 6-4 sophomore forward who averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for Connecticut's NCAA Tournament team in 1959-60.
Who am I? Rollie Sheldon
I was a three-time All-Star first baseman-outfielder who played in the 1956 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees and 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox. I was a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953.
Who am I? Norm Siebern
I was an infielder-outfielder who batted .319 or better in 12 of 14 major league seasons with the Cleveland
Indians and Chicago Cubs from 1921 through 1934. In 1927, my first full season with the Cubs, I led the N.L. with 46 doubles. In the Cubs' 1929 pennant-winning season, I combined with Hall of Famers Kiki Cuyler and Hack Wilson to become the first outfield in N.L. history to have each starter finish with more than 100 RBI. I hit .378 in nine World Series games with the Cubs in 1929 and 1932 after being a guard who earned a basketball letter with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 1920.
Who am I? Riggs Stephenson
I was a 10-year switch-hitting utilityman who played in the 1970 World Series with the Cincinnati Reds. I was an all-conference selection both years when I finished third in scoring for Austin Peay State teams in 1959-60 (11.5 points per game) and 1960-61 (10.4 ppg) that participated in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Who am I? Jimmy Stewart
I was a 13-year veteran who appeared in 485 major league games, all as a reliever, and won a 1979 World Series game with the Baltimore Orioles after being a starting forward opposite national player of the year David Thompson of North Carolina State for an NCAA basketball champion.
Who am I? Tim Stoddard
I was a lefthander who led the N.L. in won-loss percentage in 1973 (12-3 mark with the New York Mets) before appearing in the World Series and notching a save in Game 2 against the Oakland A's. Basketball letterman for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66 (averaged 14.7 ppg as teammate of noted women's coach Leon Barmore).
Who am I? George Stone
I was an 11-year infielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases three times and hit .326 in the World Series for back-to-back N.L. pennant winners with the Cincinnati Reds after becoming the first Duke player to earn All-American honors in basketball. I was the initial player to bat in a televised major league game (Reds vs. Brooklyn on August 26, 1939) and the only player ever to hit four consecutive doubles in a game in both leagues.
Who am I? Billy Werber
I was an outfielder who played in 12 All-Star Games and had over 3,000 career hits after playing the entire game for Minnesota in the Gophers' first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972. I participated in the World Series with the New York Yankees (1981) and Toronto Blue Jays (1992).
Who am I? Dave Winfield
In the longest opener in World Series history (5-4 decision over the New York Mets in 14 innings), I fanned the side in the top of the 12th for the Kansas City Royals in 2015 en route to three hitless frames of relief in my 11th MLB season after the 6-10 center was an All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00 (13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.9 bpg).
Who am I? Chris Young
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 22 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 Eastern university hoopers Danny Coombs (Seton Hall) and Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT) were involved in MLB trades on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 22
LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall basketball third-leading scorer and rebounder in 1961-62) purchased from the Houston Astros by the San Diego Padres in 1969.
Boston Red Sox 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) hit safely in all seven 1975 World Series games against the Cincinnati Reds.
C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 when he was team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) traded by the California Angels to the Milwaukee Brewers in a nine-player swap in 1973.
OF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the California Angels in a nine-player swap in 1973.
Lethal Left-Handed Fraternity: Premier Southpaw Hoopers in NCAA History
Is there any doubt prize lefthanded prospects R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson are sneaker-sponsored mercenaries at Duke just like Marvin Bagley III was just a year ago? Bagley was a hired gun accustomed to one-and-done, having embraced the process multiple times as high schooler in Arizona and California. But Duke, resembling majority of schools of lower learning these days, long ago succumbed to instant-gratification lure of one-and-done players no more interested in quality education than politically-correct #MessMedia is telling an unbiased story.
The Dynasty in Durham will promote all sorts of flashy figures regarding these lethal left-handers, but will the school acknowledge the difference between their SAT scores and the average such mark for a Duke freshman? In the aftermath of Bagley and Williamson decisions taking scholarships away from authentic student-athletes, don't forget a Robert E. Lee statue near the entrance of Duke Chapel was vandalized by campus puke. Wouldn't you love to give these social Al-Not-So-Sharpton/Rhodes scholars a basic quiz on Lee's background to see if any victim-hood tribalism major passes a rudimentary test? The safe-space seeking snowflakes are so full of it; all of the toilets in Durham must be clogged. Amid "sneaking" Bagley, Barrett and Williamson into its performance arts department, the school's "courageous" administration "expressed its deep and abiding values" (a/k/a pooping in their undies) by removing Lee's statue in the middle of the night. Alumnus Jay Bilas may need to provide comp copies of his book ("Toughness") to scared brass.
Generally, Duke already defaced academic integrity by overdosing on one-and-done recruits. But perhaps Duke's lust will be much more than un-retire All-American Danny Ferry's uniform number (35) to help seduce Bagley. Diehards could replace General Lee with a Williamson statue if he directs the Devils to 35 victories or so; especially if it includes another Final Four while he attends more games than classes in the spring semester before becoming sixth freshman in as many years from Krzyzewskiville among NBA's top three draft choices.
In the political arena, Duke has had its share of "leftist" graduates among the predictably pathetic press and pundits including "crazy commentators" David Brooks (conservative author my #NYSlimes fake-news a__), Seth Davis, David Gergen, Melissa Harris-Perry, Charlie Rose, Howard Wolfson and Judy Woodruff. In the basketball arena, Barrett and Williamson will continue a recent run of regal left-handers entertaining Cameron Crazies extending from Rodney Hood to Justice Winslow to Luke Kennard to Bagley to Barrett and Williamson, who may compete for national POY if his eligibility hasn't been compromised.
Unless nut job covered fact from you with black burka, nearly 90% of humans are right-handed. In a quest to support an exempt-from-criticism minority, right thinkers need to discern where Bagley, Barrett and Williamson eventually will rank among premier southpaws in NCAA history before Memphis-bound James Wiseman and Duke commitment Vernon Carey Jr. enter the driving-in-left-lane mix next year. Did you know four of five presidents from Reagan to Obama were left-handed? Using guerrilla or gorilla tactics, leftist lunatics will again claim imaginary racism because the #AudacityofHype isn't included but former Duke All-Americans Johnny Dawkins and Jack Marin are among the following alphabetical list of all-time top 250 or so hoop lefties (who should have been coached, of course, by Duke graduate Lefty Driesell):
Lefthander, School (College Career Statistics)
Richie Adams, UNLV (12.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 52.9FG% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Justin Anderson, Virginia
Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech (23 ppg and 7 apg in 1989-90 and 1990-91)
Greg Anthony, UNLV
Joel Anthony, UNLV
Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Texas-El Paso (20 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 50.7 FG% from 1967-68 and 1969-70)
Brandon Armstrong, Pepperdine
Stacey Augmon, UNLV (13.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 55.5 FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
James Augustine, Illinois
William "Bird" Averitt, Pepperdine (31.4 ppg and 4.9 rpg in 1971-72 and 1972-73)
Luke Babbitt, Nevada
Kamar Baldwin, Butler
Mitch Ballock, Creighton
Scott Barnes, Fresno State
Dick Barnett, Tennessee State
R.J. Barrett, Duke
Jarvis Basnight, UNLV
Tim Bassett, Georgia
Kenny Battle, Northern Illinois/Illinois
Frankie Baumholtz, Ohio University (16.4 ppg from 1938-39 through 1940-41)
Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion
Michael Beasley, Kansas State (26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg and 53.2 FG% in 2007-08)
Tony Bennett, Wisconsin-Green Bay (19.4 ppg, 5.1 apg, 52.8 FG% and 84% FT% from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Grant Benzinger, Wright State
Walter Berry, St. John's (20.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 58.1 FG% in 1984-85 and 1985-86)
Travis Best, Georgia Tech
Nate Blackwell, Temple (13.2 ppg, 4.1 apg and 82.8 FT% from 1983-84 through 1986-87)
Phillip Bond, Louisville (8.4 ppg, 4.6 apg and 81.7 FT% from 1972-73 through 1976-77)
Trevor Booker, Clemson
Calvin Booth, Penn State
Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech
Freddie Boyd, Oregon State
Charlie Bradley, South Florida (19.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 80.7 FT% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Adrian Branch, Maryland
Clyde Bradshaw, DePaul (9.3 ppg and 3.4 rpg from 1977-78 through 1980-81)
Ignas Brazdelkls, Michigan
J.R. Bremer, St. Bonaventure
Miles Bridges, Michigan State
Allan Bristow, Virginia Tech (23.1 ppg and 12.7 rpg from 1970-71 through 1972-73)
De'Mon Brooks, Davidson
Derrick Brown, Xavier
Lewis Brown, UNLV
Wiley Brown, Louisville
Rick Brunson, Temple
Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Pat Burke, Auburn
Michael Cage, San Diego State (16.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 54.8 FG% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Adrian Caldwell, Lamar
Matt Carlino, Brigham Young/Marquette (13.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.6 spg and 36 3FG% from 2011-12 through 2014-15)
Khadeen Carrington, Seton Hall
Maurice Carter, Louisiana State
Calbert Cheaney, Indiana (19.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 55.9 FG% from 1989-90 through 1992-93)
Pete Chudy, Syracuse
Keon Clark, UNLV
Jim Cleamons, Ohio State (18.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 54.2 FG% from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Keith Closs, Central Connecticut State (11.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 53.3 FG% in 1994-95 and 1995-96)
Amir Coffey, Minnesota
Derrick Coleman, Syracuse (15 ppg, 10.7 rpg and 56.8 FG% from 1986-87 through 1989-90)
Jason Collier, Indiana/Georgia Tech
Mike Conley, Ohio State
James Cotton, Long Beach State
Dave Cowens, Florida State (19 ppg, 17.2 rpg and 51.9 FG% from 1967-68 through 1969-70)
John Crotty, Virginia
Billy Cunningham, North Carolina (24.8 ppg and 15.4 rpg from 1962-63 through 1964-65)
Bill Curley, Boston College (16.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 56.5 FG% from 1990-91 through 1993-94)
Erik Daniels, Kentucky
Ed Davis, North Carolina
Johnny Dawkins, Duke (19.2 ppg, 4 rpg and 50.8 FG% from 1982-83 through 1985-86)
James Donaldson, Washington State (8.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 54.2 FG% from 1975-76 through 1978-79)
Sam Dower, Gonzaga
Ralph Drollinger, UCLA (7.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 52.4 FG% from 1972-73 through 1975-76)
Jerry Eaves, Louisville
Leroy "Cowboy" Edwards, Kentucky (16.3 ppg in 1934-35)
Nick Emery, Brigham Young
Brian Evans, Indiana (13.7 ppg, 6 rpg and 80 FT% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
C.J. Fair, Syracuse
Desmon Farmer, Southern California
Kay Felder, Oakland
Henry "Hank" Finkel, Dayton (23.7 ppg, 13.3 rpg and 61.8 FG% from 1963-64 through 1965-66)
Matt Fish, UNC Wilmington
Derek Fisher, UALR (12.4 ppg and 4.2 apg from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Jerry Fleishman, NYU
Chico Fletcher, Arkansas State (12.9 ppg and 7.8 apg from 1996-97 through 1999-00)
Damon Flint, Cincinnati
Courtney Fortson, Arkansas
Jimmy Foster, Connecticut
De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky
Trent Frazier, Illinois
Todd Fuller, North Carolina State (13.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 80 FT% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Lawrence Funderburke, Indiana/Ohio State
Chris Gatling, Old Dominion (21.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 60.6 FG% from 1988-89 through 1990-91)
Joe Gibbon, Mississippi (18.9 ppg and 9.6 rpg from 1953-54 through 1956-57)
Artis Gilmore, Jacksonville (24.3 ppg, 22.7 rpg and 57.4 FG% in 1969-70 and 1970-71)
Jack "Goose" Givens, Kentucky (16.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 51.5 FG% from 1974-75 through 1977-78)
Gail Goodrich, UCLA (19 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 1962-63 through 1964-65)
Ricky Grace, Oklahoma
Devin Gray, Clemson
Johnny Green, Michigan State (16.9 ppg and 16.4 rpg from 1956-57 through 1958-59)
Lynn Greer, Temple
Kevin Grevey, Kentucky (21.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 51.7 FG% from 1972-73 through 1974-75)
Adrian Griffin, Seton Hall
Tony Gwynn, San Diego State
Rudy Hackett, Syracuse (16.6 ppg, 11 rpg and 55.1 FG% from 1972-73 through 1974-75)
Shaler Halimon, Utah State (25.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 1966-67 and 1967-68)
Devon Hall, Virginia
Roy Hamilton, UCLA (12.5 ppg and 4.7 apg from 1975-76 through 1978-79)
Steve Hamilton, Morehead State
Zendon Hamilton, St. John's
Julian Hammond, Tulsa
James Harden, Arizona State (19 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 50.6 FG% in 2007-08 and 2008-09)
Jerry Harkness, Loyola of Chicago (21.6 ppg and 8.2 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63)
Othella Harrington, Georgetown
Donnell Harvey, Florida
Juaquin Hawkins, Long Beach State
Robert "Bubbles" Hawkins, Illinois State
James "Skip" Henderson, Marshall (20.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 50.9 FG%)
Mark Hendrickson, Washington State
Al Henry, Wisconsin
Xavier Henry, Kansas
Mustapha Heron, Auburn
Steven Hill, Arkansas
Thomas Hill, Duke (11.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 51.9 FG%)
Robert Hite, Miami (Fla.)
Darington Hobson, New Mexico (15.9 ppg and 9.3 rpg in 2009-10)
Blake Hoffarber, Minnesota
Randy Holcomb, San Diego State
Wilbur Holland, New Orleans
Lionel Hollins, Arizona State (17 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75)
John Holloran, George Washington
Jason Holsinger, Evansville
Michael Holton, UCLA
Rodney Hood, Mississippi State/Duke
Stephen Howard, DePaul (13.4 ppg and 7 rpg from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Kim Hughes, Wisconsin
Andre Hutson, Michigan State
Darrall Imhoff, California (10 ppg and 9.5 rpg from 1957-58 through 1959-60)
Luke Jackson, Oregon (15.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 84.9 FT% from 2000-01 through 2003-04)
Phil Jackson, North Dakota
Rick Jackson, Syracuse
Joe Jakubick, Akron (23.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 50.9 FG% and 81.2 FT% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Bernard James, Florida State
Chris Jent, Ohio State
Armon Johnson, Nevada
Avery Johnson, Southern LA (9.2 ppg and 12 apg in 1986-87 and 1987-88)
Chris Johnson, Dayton
Tyler Johnson, Fresno State
Derrick Jones Jr., UNLV
Terrence Jones, Kentucky
DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M
Reggie Jordan, New Mexico State
Kerem Kanter, Green Bay/Xavier
Gary Keller, Florida
Ron Kellogg, Kansas
Luke Kennard, Duke
D.J. Kennedy, St. John's
Stacey King, Oklahoma (17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 51.6 FG% from 1985-86 through 1988-89)
Toby Knight, Notre Dame
Milo Komenich, Wyoming (14.7 ppg from 1941-42 through 1945-46)
Howard "Butch" Komives, Bowling Green (25.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 84.7 FT% from 1961-62 through 1963-64)
Raef LaFrentz, Kansas (15.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 55.5 FG% from 1994-95 through 1997-98)
Keith Langford, Kansas
Bob Lanier, St. Bonaventure (27.6 ppg, 15.7 rpg and 57.6 FG% from 1967-68 through 19969-70)
Byron Larkin, Xavier (22.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 52.4 FG% from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Acie Law IV, Texas A&M (13.7 ppg and 4.5 apg from 2003-04 through 2006-07)
Dennis "Mo" Layton, Southern California (17.1 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 1969-70 and 1970-71)
Hal Lear, Temple (19 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56)
David Lee, Florida
Ron Lee, Oregon (18.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg from 1972-73 through 1975-76)
Tommie Liddell III, Saint Louis
Kevin Lisch, Saint Louis
Brad Lohaus, Iowa
Ryan Lorthridge, Jackson State
John Lucas Jr., Maryland (18.3 ppg, 4.7 apg and 52.5 FG% from 1972-73 through 1975-76)
Ray Lumpp, NYU
Durand "Rudy" Macklin, Louisiana State (16.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg and 59.5 FG% from 1976-77 through 1980-81)
Randy Mahaffey, Clemson
Jack Marin, Duke (14.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 50 FG% from 1963-64 through 1965-66)
Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Darrick Martin, UCLA
Scott Martin, Purdue/Notre Dame
Anthony Mason, Tennessee State (18.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Don May, Dayton (22 ppg and 14.5 rpg from 1965-66 through 1967-68)
Bob McCann, Morehead State (17.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg and 52.4 FG% from 1984-85 through 1986-87)
Dwayne McClain, Villanova (12.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 57.5 FG% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Julius McCoy, Michigan State (20.9 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56)
Ken "Mouse" McFadden, Cleveland State
Mitch McGary, Michigan
Terrell McIntyre, Clemson
Billy McKinney, Northwestern
Tom McMillen, Maryland (20.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg and 55.5 FG% from 1971-72 through 1973-74)
Mark McNamara, Santa Clara/California (16.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 63.4 FG% from 1977-78 through 1981-82)
Bob McNeill, St. Joseph's
Paul McPherson, DePaul
Josh McRoberts, Duke
Gary Melchionni, Duke
Julius Michalik, Iowa State
Pete Mickeal, Cincinnati
Bob Miller, Cincinnati
Larry Miller, North Carolina (21.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg and 51.5 FG% from 1965-66 through 1967-68)
Harold Miner, Southern California (23.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 81.4 FT% from 1989-90 through 1991-92)
Steve Mix, Toledo (23 ppg, 11.9 rpg and 53.3 FG% from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
Cuttino Mobley, Rhode Island
Jerome Moiso, UCLA
Greg Monroe, Georgetown (14.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 54.3 FG% in 2008-09 and 2009-10)
Jackie Moreland, Louisiana Tech
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA
Chris Mullin, St. John's (19.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 55 FG% and 84.8 FT% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Troy Murphy, Notre Dame (21.4 ppg and 9.8 rpg from 1998-99 through 2000-01)
Lee Nailon, Texas Christian (23.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 53.2 FG% in 1997-98 and 1998-99)
Drew Neitzel, Michigan State
Jack Nichols, Southern California/Washington (11.2 ppg from 1944-45 through 1947-48)
Carl Nicks, Indiana State
Martyn "Moochie" Norris, Auburn
Zach Norvell Jr., Gonzaga
Kendrick Nunn, Illinois/Oakland
Ed O'Bannon, UCLA (15.5 ppg, 7 rpg and 51.3 FG% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Lamar Odom, Rhode Island
Carlos "Bud" Ogden, Santa Clara (18.2 ppg and 8.8 rpg from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
Dean Oliver, Iowa
Kelly Oubre Jr., Kansas
Eddie Owens, UNLV (18.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 51.7 FG% from 1973-74 through 1976-77)
Josh Pace, Syracuse
Victor Page, Georgetown
Marcus Paige, North Carolina
Andrew Parker, Iowa State
Tom Parker, Kentucky (15.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg from 1969-70 through 1971-72)
Cameron Payne, Murray State
Gary Payton II, Oregon State
Anthony Peeler, Missouri (16.8 ppg and 5.1 rpg from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
John "Jake" Pelkington, Manhattan
Sam Perkins, North Carolina (15.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 57.6 FG% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Elliot Perry, Memphis (17.5 ppg, 4.3 apg and 34.5 3FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
Morris Peterson, Michigan State (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 37.7 3FG% from 1995-96 through 1999-00)
Derrick Phelps, North Carolina
Shamorie Ponds, St. John's
J.P. Prince, Arizona/Tennessee
Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky (13.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 32.9 3FG% from 1998-99 through 2001-02)
Julius Randle, Kentucky
Anthony Randolph, Louisiana State
Zach Randolph, Michigan State
Michael Redd, Ohio State (19.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg from 1997-98 through 1999-00)
Willis Reed, Grambling (18.7 ppg, 15.2 rpg and 59.7 FG% from 1960-61 through 1963-64)
Don Rehfeldt, Wisconsin (14.4 ppg from 1944-45 through 1949-50)
Kareem Reid, Arkansas (11.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.7 apg and 1.9 spg from 1995-96 through 1998-99)
Terrence Rencher, Texas
Johnny Rhodes, Vanderbilt
Lafester Rhodes, Iowa State
Tyrese Rice, Boston College
Mike Riordan, Providence
Bernard Robinson, Michigan
David Robinson, Navy (21 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 61.3 FG% from 1983-84 through 1986-87)
Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech
Dave Robisch, Kansas (21.1 ppg and 9.8 rpg from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Guy Rodgers, Temple (19.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg from 1955-56 through 1957-58)
Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest (19.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 57.9 FG% from 1990-91 through 1992-93)
Garry Roggenburk, Dayton (16.1 ppg and 11.8 rpg from 1959-60 through 1961-62)
Jalen Rose, Michigan (17.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 1991-92 through 1993-94)
Bob Rule, Colorado State
Kareem Rush, Missouri
Bill Russell, San Francisco (20.7 ppg, 20.3 rpg and 51.6 FG% from 1953-54 through 1955-56)
D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State
Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga
Juan "Pepe" Sanchez, Temple (8.5 ppg and 5.9 apg from 1996-97 through 1999-00)
Steve Scheffler, Purdue (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 68.5 FG% from 1986-87 through 1989-90)
Ansu Sesay, Mississippi (13 ppg and 6.4 rpg from 1994-95 through 1997-98)
Lynn Shackelford, UCLA (9.7 ppg and 5 rpg from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
Mike Silliman, Army
Ben Simmons, Louisiana State
Al Skinner, Massachusetts
Keith Smith, Loyola Marymount
Lenzelle Smith Jr., Ohio State
Michael Smith, Providence
Willie Smith, Missouri (23.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 1974-75 and 1975-76)
Elmore Spencer, Georgia/UNLV
TJ Starks, Texas A&M
Terrell Stoglin, Maryland
Damon Stoudamire, Arizona (15 ppg, 5.4 apg and 80.4 FT% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Salim Stoudamire, Arizona (15.2 ppg, 87 FT% and 45.8 3FG% from 2001-02 through 2004-05)
Erick Strickland, Nebraska
Levern "Jelly" Tart, Bradley
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State
Elijah Thomas, Clemson
Isaiah Thomas, Washington
Bernard Thompson, Fresno State
Brooks Thompson, Texas A&M/Oklahoma State
Stephen Thompson, Syracuse
Tres Tinkle, Oregon State
Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma (25.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 57.8 FG% from 1982-83 through 1984-85)
Jeff Trepagnier, Southern California
Jeff Turner, Vanderbilt
Nick Van Exel, Cincinnati (15.2 ppg, 3.6 apg and 35.8 3FG% in 1991-92 and 1992-93)
Mark Wade, UNLV
Neal Walk, Florida (20.8 ppg and 15.3 rpg from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
CJ Walker, Florida State/Ohio State
Rex Walters, Northwestern/Kansas (13.4 ppg, 3.6 apg, 83.7 FT% and 42.6 3FG% from 1988-89 through 1992-93)
Paul Walther, Tennessee
Nick Ward, Michigan State
Kyle Washington, North Carolina State/Cincinnati
Thorpe Weber, Vanderbilt
Bob Weiss, Penn State
Delonte West, Saint Joseph's (13.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 83.1 FT% and 37.7 3FG% from 2001-02 through 2003-04)
Lenny Wilkens, Providence (14.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg from 1957-58 through 1959-60)
Aaron Williams, Xavier
Brian Williams, Maryland/Arizona
Elliot Williams, Duke/Memphis
Harper Williams, Massachusetts
Johnathan Williams, Missouri/Gonzaga
Marcus Williams, Connecticut
Mike Williams, Bradley
Reggie Williams, Virginia Military (22.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08)
Sylvester "Sly" Williams, Rhode Island (21.2 ppg and 8.4 rpg from 1976-77 through 1978-79)
Travis Williams, South Carolina State
Zion Williamson, Duke
Desi Wilson, Fairleigh Dickinson
Dylan Windler, Belmont
Justice Winslow, Duke
Stevie Wise, Colorado
Luke Witte, Ohio State (16.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 52.3 FG% from 1970-71 through 1972-73)
Dave Wohl, Penn
Brandan Wright, North Carolina
Michael Wright, Arizona (15.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 57.5 FG% from 1998-99 through 2000-01)
Tony Wroten, Washington (16 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.9 spg in 2011-12)
Rich Yonakor, North Carolina
Ed Young, Dayton (11.7 ppg, 6 rpg and 52.1 FG% from 1982-83 through 1986-87)
James Young, Kentucky (14.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 34.9 3FG% in 2013-14)
Michael Young, Houston (15.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech (14.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 41.9 3FG% in 2006-07)
Rich Yunkus, Georgia Tech (26.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg and 50.7 FG% from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Bill Zopf, Duquesne (13.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 1967-68 through 1969-70)
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 21 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 Far West university hoop guards Tony Gwynn (San Diego State) and Kenny Lofton (Arizona) supplied significant World Series performances as MLB outfielders on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 21
1B Bill Davis (averaged 12.5 ppg in 1963-64 for Minnesota basketball team including eventual NBA standouts Archie Clark and Lou Hudson) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the San Diego Padres in 1968.
Kansas City Royals RHP Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) lost Game 6 when the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the 1980 World Series championship.
RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) traded with C Dave Ricketts (Duquesne's leading scorer with 17.9 ppg in 1956-57) by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) provided his third multiple-hit game in four World Series contests against the New York Yankees in 1998.
In 1995 opener against the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four squad compiling 35-3 record) became the first player since 1921 to steal two bases in one inning of a World Series game.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) made his lone World Series appearance, hurling two innings of shutout relief for the Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1935.
OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 1962-63 and 1963-64 with LIU-C.W. Post) purchased from the Texas Rangers by the Kansas City Royals in 1971.
Road Well-Traveled: Chicago State's Lance Irvin on List of Coaching Nomads
Seems as if it took a vagabond to know one. When Tim Jankovich joined Larry Brown at Southern Methodist as coach-in-waiting before moving over one chair to become bench boss, it paired two wanderlust mentors. Florida A&M pilot Bobby McCullum is the only active coach to pack his suitcase as often for so many moves.
SMU is the fifth different university Jankovich has worked for in the state of Texas. That's the same number of Illinois colleges for which new Chicago State bench boss and former SMU aide Lance Irvin has toiled. Following is a look at the pit stops for active head coaches who worked for a total of at least 10 different junior colleges, four-year universities and NBA franchises in a coaching capacity (listed chronologically):
Tim Jankovich (13) - Pan American, Kansas State, Texas, Colorado State, Baylor, Oklahoma State, *North Texas, *Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Kansas, *Illinois State and *SMU.
Bobby McCullum (13) - South Alabama, Samford, Southern Illinois, Kansas State, Florida, Illinois, *Western Michigan, *South Florida, San Francisco, UCF, Georgia Tech, Oregon and *Florida A&M.
Chris Jans (11) - Elmhurst College (Ill.), Grand View College (Iowa), *Kirkwood (Iowa), *Independence (Kan.), Idaho, *Howard (Tex.), *Chipola (Fla.), Illinois State, Wichita State, *Bowling Green and *New Mexico State.
Billy Kennedy (11) - *Southeastern Louisiana, New Orleans, Wyoming, Northwestern State, Tulane, *Texas A&M, Creighton, California, *Centenary, Miami (Fla.) and *Murray State.
Chris Beard (10) - Texas, Incarnate Word (Tex.), Abilene Christian (Tex.), North Texas, *Fort Scott (Kan.), *Seminole State (Fla.), *Texas Tech, *McMurry (Tex.), *Angelo State (Tex.) and *UALR.
Mike Dunlap (10) - *Loyola Marymount, Iowa, Southern California, *Cal Lutheran, *Metro State (Colo.), Denver Nuggets, Arizona, Oregon, St. John's and *Charlotte Bobcats.
Dennis Felton (10) - Charles County Community College (Md.), Delaware, Tulane, St. Joseph's, Providence, Clemson, *Western Kentucky, *Georgia, Tulsa and *Cleveland State.
Lance Irvin (10) - Idaho, DePaul, Loyola of Chicago, Iowa State, Illinois State, Texas A&M, Missouri, SMU, Southern Illinois and *Chicago State.
Ritchie McKay (10) - Washington, Queens College (N.C.), Seattle Pacific, Bradley, *Portland State, *Colorado State, *Oregon State, *New Mexico, *Liberty and Virginia.
Tic Price (10) - Roanoke (Va.), Chattanooga, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, Auburn, *New Orleans, *Memphis, *McNeese State, North Texas and *Lamar.
Pat Skerry (10) - Tufts (Mass.), Stonehill (Mass.), *Curry (Mass.), Northeastern, William & Mary, College of Charleston, Rhode Island, Providence, Pittsburgh and *Towson.
Buzz Williams (10) - Navarro (Tex.), Oklahoma City, Texas-Arlington, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Northwestern State, Colorado State, Texas A&M, *New Orleans, *Marquette and *Virginia Tech.
*Worked for team as head coach.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 20 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 Big Apple college hoopers Frankie Frisch (Fordham) and Hank Greenberg (NYU) earned MLB league MVP awards on this date in the 1930s. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 20
Texas Rangers RHP Mike Adams (Texas A&M-Kingsville hooper in 1996-97) registered a victory in Game 2 of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (hoops letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) contributed three hits and three runs against the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the 1910 World Series.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) captured the 1931 National League MVP.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in late 1920s) won the 1935 American League MVP.
Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) named Seattle Mariners manager in 2004.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 19 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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.
One former Southern college hooper (Don Kessinger/Ole Miss) replaced another (Larry Doby/Virginia Union) as MLB manager of the Chicago White Sox on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 19
RHP Bob Garibaldi (starting basketball forward for Santa Clara in 1961-62 when averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg) traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Kansas City Royals in 1970.
Kansas City Royals LF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed a pinch-hit triple against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of the 1985 World Series.
In 1978, Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) named player-manager of the Chicago White Sox after they dismissed Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist).
St. Louis Cardinals RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college hooper in mid-1970s with Butler County PA) tossed a four-hitter in a 13-1 romp over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 6 of the 1982 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 18 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all 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 Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC) and Bruce Hurst (Dixie UT J.C.) made news as MLB pitchers on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 18
RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup basketball player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) traded by the New York Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals in an eight-player swap in 1971.
Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) notched a 1-0 victory against the New York Mets in the 1986 World Series opener.
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