On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 17 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 17 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963):

NOVEMBER 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 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 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1968.

  • Green Bay Packers E Lavvie Dilweg (Marquette hoops letterman in 1926) scored all of 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 AFL 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 AFL 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. Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 424 yards.

  • 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 48-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers 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.

Centers of Attention: Debuts Show Textbook Pivotmen Are Becoming Rare

Textbook centers are becoming as rare as a #Dimorat politician criticizing social-distancing violations by protesters/rioters in Kenosha and elsewhere. Time will tell if Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren (14 points/13 rebounds/6 assists/7 blocked shots in debut vs. Dixie State) eventually deserves to be included among the premier pivotmen in college basketball history. Last year, Memphis celebrated center James Wiseman collected 28 points and 11 rebounds in debut vs. South Carolina State. Wiseman's brief three-game stint before declaring pro and signing with an agent didn't help build his case. He already was impacted by a 12-game NCAA suspension due to booster payment covering moving expenses from Nashville (especially when benefactor was current Tigers coach Penny Hardaway). After Wiseman's exit, USC's Evan Mobley was projected to emerge as the nation's premier big man in 2020-21. Mobley contributed 21 points/9 rebound/3 blocked shots in his debut against California Baptist. By almost any measure, centers in the last 40 years other than Kentucky's Anthony Davis don't seem to be anywhere close to duplicating feats luminaries Lew Alcindor, Wilt Chamberlain, Artis Gilmore, Bob Lanier, Jerry Lucas, Bill Russell and Bill Walton achieved in their initial varsity campaigns.

Similar to Navy's David Robinson in 1983-84, Connecticut's Andre Drummond was scoreless in his season debut six years ago against Columbia. In a forgettable debut, Wake Forest's Tim Duncan was also scoreless in a season-opening loss to NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage in 1993-94 before rebounding with a 12-point, 12-rebound performance in his next outing against Hawaii.

Alcindor (77: 56 points/21 rebounds) and Chamberlain (83: 52 points/31 rebounds) each totaled more points and rebounds in their college game debut than Drummond, Duncan, Patrick Ewing, Nerlens Noel, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Robinson and Ralph Sampson amassed collectively. Following is a look at how many of the premier centers in history fared in their varsity debut against a major college and summary of their first season of NCAA Division I competition:

Celebrated Center School First Varsity Season Debut Game PPG RPG W-L Mark
DeAndre Ayton Arizona 2017-18 19 points/12 rebounds/3 blocks 20.1 11.6 27-8
Mohamed Bamba Texas 2017-18 15 points/8 rebounds/4 blocks 12.9 10.5 19-15
Karl-Anthony Towns Kentucky 2014-15 8 points/8 rebounds 10.3 6.7 38-1
Jahlil Okafor Duke 2014-15 19 points/6 rebounds 17.3 8.5 35-4
Nerlens Noel Kentucky 2012-13 4 points/9 rebounds 10.5 9.5 21-12
Anthony Davis Kentucky 2011-12 23 points/10 rebounds 14.2 10.4 38-2
Greg Oden Ohio State 2006-07 14 points/10 rebounds 15.7 9.6 35-4
Tim Duncan Wake Forest 1993-94 12 points/12 rebounds 9.8 9.6 21-12
Shaquille O'Neal Louisiana State 1989-90 10 points/5 rebounds 13.9 12.0 23-9
Alonzo Mourning Georgetown 1988-89 10 points/10 rebounds 13.1 7.3 29-5
David Robinson Navy 1983-84 scoreless/1 rebound 7.6 4.0 24-8
Hakeem Olajuwon Houston 1981-82 2 points/0 rebounds 8.3 6.5 25-8
Patrick Ewing Georgetown 1981-82 7 points/4 rebounds 12.7 8.5 30-7
Ralph Sampson Virginia 1979-80 4 points/6 rebounds 14.9 11.2 24-10
*Bill Walton UCLA 1971-72 19 points/14 rebounds 21.1 15.5 29-1
**Artis Gilmore Jacksonville 1969-70 35 points/18 rebounds 26.5 22.2 17-7
*Bob Lanier St. Bonaventure 1967-68 23 points/17 rebounds 26.2 15.6 23-2
*Lew Alcindor UCLA 1966-67 56 points/21 rebounds 29.0 15.5 30-0
*Jerry Lucas Ohio State 1959-60 16 points/28 rebounds 26.3 16.3 25-3
*Wilt Chamberlain Kansas 1956-57 52 points/31 rebounds 29.6 18.9 24-3
*Bill Russell San Francisco 1953-54 16 points/17 rebounds 19.9 19.2 14-7

*Sophomore classification.
**Junior classification after attending junior college.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 16 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 16 in football at the professional level (especially in 1941 and 1947):

NOVEMBER 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 AFL 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 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.

Starting Block: What's Ahead for NCAA Division I Newcomer St. Thomas MN?

Two years ago, Merrimack (2019-20) joined South Dakota (2008-09) as the only NCAA Division I newcomers in the last 34 seasons to reach the 20-win plateau in its inaugural campaign. How will newbie St. Thomas MN fare this campaign in its inaugural campaign as a Summit League member?

Only 10 of the first 44 schools moving up to compete at DI in the 21st Century posted a winning record in their debut campaign. The average first-year mark for the previous 40 newcomers was 10-18. Eight of the nine best first-year seasons occurred in the 1970s when 40 of the 70 institutions elevating their programs to DI during the decade promptly posted winning records.

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

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

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

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

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 15 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 15 in football at the professional level (especially in 1964):

NOVEMBER 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 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.

  • Chicago Cardinals RB Mal Hammack (played four basketball games with Florida in 1954-55) returned a blocked punt 17 yards for touchdown in 27-17 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. It was one of four TDs he scored against Philly in a three-year span from 1958 through 1960.

  • 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.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) scored two touchdowns in a 27-24 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.

  • 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 AFL 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 Maryland-Eastern Shore) had two interceptions - returning one 15 yards for touchdown - in a 30-0 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 14 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 14 in football at the professional level (especially in 1971):

NOVEMBER 14

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian 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.

  • Frankford Yellow Jackets RB Paul "Bob" Fitzke (hoops letterman for Wyoming and Idaho in first half of 1920s) scored a rushing touchdown against the Pottsville Maroons in 1925.

  • 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.

  • New York Jets QB Steve Joachim (collected two points and two rebounds in one basketball contest with Penn State in 1971-72 under coach John Bach) appeared in only game of his NFL career in 1976.

  • 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 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.

  • Arizona Cardinals DB David Macklin (collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists for Penn State in 15 basketball games as freshman in 1996-97) had a career-high nine solo tackles in 17-14 win against the New York Giants in 2004.

  • 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 AAFC 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. Eagles DT John Meyers (played in seven basketball games with Washington in 1959-60) chipped in with an interception.

  • Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted 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.

AP Poll Charge: Gonzaga's Zigging and Zagging as Preseason #1 Selection

A year ago, Gonzaga joined Loyola of Chicago (1963-64) and UNLV (1989-90 and 1990-91) as AP's preseason #1-ranked team despite never being member of a power conference at some point in their history. The Zags, repeating as early #1 this season, might find out that PS polls, commencing in 1961-62, are not always an accurate indicator of how successful a team will be all year long.

Seven preseason top-ranked schools failed to earn #1 designation again the remainder of the season following their first defeat before end of calendar year. Gonzaga could also join the following PS #1 clubs in this category that still finished in final Top 20 (combining for an average record of 26-7):

Season AP PS Number 1 Final Record First Defeat (Result) Final Ranking
1969-70 South Carolina 25-3 Tennessee (55-54 on 12/6) 6th
1977-78 North Carolina 23-8 William & Mary (78-75 on 12/7) 16th
1980-81 Kentucky 22-6 Notre Dame (67-61 on 12/27) 8th
1985-86 Georgia Tech 27-7 Michigan (49-44 on 11/30 at Springfield) 6th
1987-88 Syracuse 26-9 North Carolina (96-93 in OT on 11/21 at Springfield) 9th
1989-90 UNLV 35-5 Kansas (91-77 in PS NIT on 11/22 at New York) 2nd
1999-00 Connecticut 25-10 Iowa (70-68 on 11/11 at New York) 20th

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 13 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 13 in football at the professional level (especially in 1966):

NOVEMBER 13

  • TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) managed a season-high seven pass receptions for eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in 31-24 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.

  • 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 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 AFL 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 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 AFL win against the San Diego Chargers in 1966.

  • Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) opened 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 AFL 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.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 12 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 12 in football at the professional level (especially in 1961):

NOVEMBER 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 when Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 308 yards and three TDs.

  • 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.

  • Chicago Bears rookie DB John "Red" O'Quinn (scored 91 points for Wake Forest's basketball team in 1947-48 under coach Murray Greason) returned an interception for touchdown in 28-20 win against the New York Yanks in 1950. Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two first-half TD passes.

  • New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore) returned an interception 41 yards for touchdown in 20-10 AFL win against the Buffalo Bills in 1967.

  • 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 AFL setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1961.

  • Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted five times for 241 yards (48.2 average) in a 23-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1972.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 11 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 11 in football at the professional level (especially in 1945 and 2001):

NOVEMBER 11

  • Detroit Wolverines E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) completed game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown reception in 19-19 tie against the New York Giants in 1928 after Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) opened scoring by returning a punt 70 yards for TD.

  • 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 AFL win against the New York Titans in 1962.

  • Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) opened game's scoring with a rushing touchdown and extra point in 27-0 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1928.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-12 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2018.

  • 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 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 AAFC 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.

Military Salute: Veteran All-Americans Served U.S. With Honor and Distinction

College basketball aficionados occasionally cite achievements they think never will be duplicated. During week including Veterans Day, 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-inspired kneeling knuckleheads taking a National Anthem TO or sitting on their sorry butt; NeverTrump protesters donning pink caps or Halloween holdovers affiliated with Antifa toppling historic statues; #BoweKnowsDesertion avoiding jail time; one-sided voting fraud, and the incoherent hunger striker/professional student at Missouri majoring in Extortion 101 six 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 draped in 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 with other professional protesters 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 to handle widdle feelings of self-proclaimed know-it-alls such as Ambassador Yovanowitch and Col. Vindman. For instance, Malcolm "Buck" Pitt Jr., Richmond's leader in scoring average in 1941-42, was skipper of a U.S. Navy landing craft during the Normandy invasion, where he was severely wounded by shrapnel. Elsewhere, Bob Dro served in the U.S. Navy after starting for Indiana's NCAA titlist in 1940 and Denny O'Shea served under General Patton during WWII, surviving the Battle of the Bulge before becoming member of Holy Cross' back-to-back Final Four teams in 1947 and 1948.

A couple of decades later, Al Kroboth, The Citadel's leading rebounder in back-to-back seasons in the late 1960s, was a U.S. Marine Lieutenant POW for nine months during the Vietnam War. Navigator on A-6 plane was shot down on July 7, 1972. He was forced to march barefooted for three months from jungles to prison in Hanoi. Following U.S. air raids, old women would come into local-village huts where he was confined to excrete on him and yank out hunks of his hair. He lost 80 pounds during captivity.

While much of the misguided #MessMedia currently are egg-faced after Plagiarist Bidumb's Afghan debacle, even the toy department (sports) should be reminded about authentic American heroes and doing everything possible to implore bureaucrats to continue to improve conditions at many Veterans hospitals. The press puke could focus on the following list of greatest-generation 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 IA), 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 MN), Leo Klier (Notre Dame), Dick McGuire (St. John's) and John Oldham (Western Kentucky).

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 10 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 10 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963):

NOVEMBER 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.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for three of his league-high 16 touchdowns in a 24-16 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2019.

  • 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 AFL 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 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 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.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 9 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 9 in football at the professional level (especially in 1980 and 2008):

NOVEMBER 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. Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three TD passes in a 36-31 setback against the Giants.

  • 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 QB 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. Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored three second-half TDs (one run from scrimmage/two pass receptions).

  • 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 AAFC 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. 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.

  • 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.

  • TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened the Baltimore Colts' scoring with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in 14-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1969.

  • Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 25-0 AAFC 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.

  • 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 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.

On This NCAA Date: November Calendar For Notable Games in 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 2021-22 campaign struggles to get underway, check out the following November calendar citing memorable games in NCAA major-college history:

NOVEMBER

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

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 8 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 8 in football at the professional level (especially 1964):

NOVEMBER 8

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian 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 AFL win against the Oakland Raiders in 1964.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) provided the decisive field goal in final minute of a 9-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1925.

  • 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 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 AFL win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963.

  • Providence Steam Roller E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) scored 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 fourth quarter to help propel the Washington Redskins to 27-24 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1959.

On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle November 7 Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on November 7 in football at the professional level (especially in 1948, 1954 and 1965):

NOVEMBER 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.

  • In NFL's inaugural season, Racine Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) returned a punt for the decisive touchdown in 6-3 win against the Chicago Tigers in 1920.

  • 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.

  • Atlanta Falcons LB Ruffin Hamilton (played four basketball games for Tulane in 1992-93 under coach Perry Clark) registered a career-high four solo tackles in 30-7 defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1999.

  • 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 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 AAFC 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. Redskins PK Bob Jencks (collected 3 points and 12 rebounds in five basketball games for Miami of Ohio in 1960-61) kicked a career-high three field goals.

  • 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.

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

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

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

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

NOVEMBER 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • New York Bulldogs E Hal Prescott (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman multiple seasons in early 1940s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) in 31-24 win against the New York Giants in 1949. Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 67 yards for TD.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOVEMBER 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 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1961.

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

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

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

  • New York Giants rookie WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) opened game's scoring with a 36-yard touchdown catch in 24-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1950. McChesney finished contest with career-high four pass receptions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOVEMBER 4

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

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

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

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

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 10 pass receptions in a 19-17 win against the Denver Broncos in 2018.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a kickoff 100 yards for touchdown in 37-31 win against the New York Yanks in 1951.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOVEMBER 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • A 41-yard touchdown catch by rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) in fourth quarter gave the San Francisco 49ers a 35-31 win against the Detroit Lions in 1957.

  • 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 fourth quarter boosted the Chicago Bears to 13-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1968.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOVEMBER 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOVEMBER 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Birthday! All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches Born in November

Six days in November (2nd/3rd/13th/21st/24th/25th) each had six NCAA Division I All-Americans born on that date. Two All-Americans for North Carolina (Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson/3rd), Boston College (Troy Bell and Craig Smith/10th) and Kentucky (Jamal Mashburn and Julius Randle/29th) were born on the same day this month. UK and Michigan each contributed the most A-As born in November with five. Oregon had four All-Americans born the first half of month while Marquette had four the second half of month. Pac-12 Conference All-Americans Wally Borrevik (Oregon) and Gene Rock (Southern California) were born 100 years ago this month. Following are A-As and Hall of Fame coaches born in November:

NOVEMBER

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

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

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

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

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

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

OCTOBER 31

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make News in October 31 MLB Activity

Extra! Extra! Instead of debating whether nothing is scarier on Halloween than Plagiarist Bidumb's America separating $450K from tax-paying U.S. citizens to give each illegal alien "separated" at Southern border while not mentioning Haitian gang holding missionaries hostage for ransom, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

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

OCTOBER 31

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

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

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

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