NICHOLAS PEZZINO - The Spectrum

NEWS

NFL Draft

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Apr. 24, 2002

Some teams did exactly what everyone expected; others did exactly the opposite. Some spent their time wheeling and dealing to make the most out of their opportunities, while others just bided their time hoping the right guy would fall to them.Drafting for need, drafting for speed, or simply taking the best player available, each team took its own approach toward the NFL Entry Draft.Now that the dust has settled and all of the picks are in, analysts across the country are feverishly diagnosing each franchise's performance.

NEWS

NFL Draft: The Future Is Now

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Apr. 17, 2002

Thanks to changes in the game of professional football, such as unrestricted free agency and the ever-present salary cap, the only way an NFL team can be certain they'll have their stars long enough to make use of them is to get them and use them before they get too good and want too much money.In short, for a team to perform well, it is pertinent that they draft well.Take the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, for example.

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Nick Pezzino's 2002 NFL Mock Draft - First Round

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Apr. 17, 2002

1.) Houston - David Carr, QB, Fresno State2.) Carolina - Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina3.) Detroit - Quentin Jammer, CB, Texas4.) Buffalo - Ryan Sims, DT, North Carolina5.) San Diego - Bryant McKinnie, OT, Texas6.) Dallas - Roy Lee Williams, S, OklahomaOakland trades the #21 and #23 overall picks to get the #7 pick from Minnesota.7.) Oakland - Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee8.) Kansas City - John Henderson, DT, Tennessee9.) Jacksonville - Mike Williams, OT, TexasWashington trades the #18 pick and their second-round pick for the #10 overall selection from Cincinnati.10.) Washington - Joey Harrington, QB, Oregon11.) Indianapolis - Wendell Bryant, DT, Wisconsin12.) Arizona - Phillip Buchanan, CB, Miami13.) New Orleans - Donte Stallworth, WR, Tennessee14.) Tennessee - Ashley Lelie, WR, Hawaii15.) New York Giants - Mike Pearson, OT, Florida16.) Cleveland - T.J.

NEWS

Women Ousted In Home Finale

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Feb. 27, 2002

Sometimes, the better team just wins.Never was that more evident than on Tuesday night, when the UB women's basketball team ended their regular season by dropping an 80-65 decision to the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at Alumni Arena.The Bulls (9-18, 4-12 MAC), who have now dropped eight straight decisions, simply couldn't stay with a Miami team that has found itself victorious in its last five contests.Trailing 35-33 at halftime, thanks in part to 13 first-half points from Bulls' guard Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, the RedHawks (17-10, 11-5 MAC) looked to their most dangerous weapon for help.Junior Heather Cusick drilled two straight three-pointers as part of a 12-2 run that established a nine-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.

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Marshal Looks to Exorcise Old Demons

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Nov. 30, 2001

Five sacks, four turnovers, zero points scored, six touchdowns surrendered. Based on the way the 2001 Mid-American Conference season has unfolded, it would be easy to assume that these statistics belong to an opponent of the five-time defending East Division Champion Marshall Thundering Herd.Guess again.They were the extent of Marshall's production the last time they faced the Toledo Rockets (back on Oct.

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Marshall Uses Trickery to Capture MAC East Title

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Nov. 14, 2001

Expect the unexpected. Sure, it's been said many times before, but every once in a great while the old axiom proves to be wise advice.

NEWS

"Marshall, Miami (OH) Win Again to Set Up 'Championship Game'"

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Nov. 7, 2001

Following wins by both the Marshall Thundering Herd and the Miami (OH) RedHawks, the teams - who sit atop the MAC East with 4-0 records in divisional play - will face off in Oxford, Ohio this Saturday to determine the 2001 East champion.Kickoff is set for noon; the showdown will be televised locally on the Empire Sports Network.The East winner will travel to face the West champion in the MAC championship game, but will not be guaranteed a trip to a bowl game.

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Marshall and Miami Each Post MAC Wins as East Division Race Heats Up

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Oct. 31, 2001

Marshall 50, Akron 33In what has become his season ritual, Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich scorched his opponents' defense as the Thundering Herd amassed more than 700 yards of total offense en route to a commanding victory over the Akron Zips last weekend.Leftwich, considered a dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy, threw for 434 yards and four touchdowns.

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Rockets Grounded By Ball State

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Oct. 24, 2001

Ball State 24, Toledo 20Freshman wide receiver Corey Parchman may never wear his contact lenses again.

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Miami of Ohio Pulls Out Last-second Miracle

By NICHOLAS PEZZINO | Oct. 17, 2001

Miami (OH) 30, Akron 27Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit receiver Eddie Tillitz with a 70-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining, scoring a last-second, come-from-behind-victory over the Akron Zips in front of a hometown crowd last weekend.Miami began the game looking like they would need no last-minute heroics leaping out to a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter on a 47-yard touchdown run by running back Steve Little.