Dein erstes Forum » late Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, made

Longtime rivals Miami and Virginia Tech look to get their season headed back in the right direction when they square off Thursday night in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.The Hurricanes (4-2, 1-2 ACC) have lost two in a row and have fallen out of the Top 25, but have never lost to the Hokies (4-2, 2-1) in their previous three Thursday night games.Virginia Tech has also tumbled out of the Top 25 after a 31-17 loss at Syracuse last Saturday.The Hokies have long embraced the opportunity for the exposure a Thursday night game offers. They played 30 Thursday night contests under Frank Beamer, second only to Georgia Techs 32, but this will be the first under new coach Justin Fuente.I always enjoy the challenge every week, but the short weeks are certainly different, he said. I told my wife when I got home, `Its going to be a long, short week. Thats just the way it is, but weve got two hungry football teams that are going to play out here. Theyre very well-coached, obviously have a fine tradition and history.The challenge also is new for first-year Miami coach Mark Richt.Southeastern Conference teams play some Thursday night games, but his former school, Georgia, does not. Richt said it was administration policy, and if he had his way, college teams wouldnt play on such short rest.He also said he doesnt like the idea of Miami getting home around 5 a.m. Friday.The five-day turnaround, in my opinion, I dont think its very good even though both teams are doing it, Richt said. If you have one team with an open date, and one team with five days, thats not fair. As far as what makes sense for TV, Im sure it makes sense for TV. But what makes sense for the student-athletes?I dont think its a good idea. I think its a bad idea.---Here are some other things to watch when Miami visits Virginia Tech:STAKES: The ACCs Coastal Division is a wide open race at this point with every team having at least one loss, the Hokies having beaten current leader North Carolina (3-1) and with games against the Hurricanes and Pittsburgh (2-1 in the division) still ahead. The next two weeks will likely help sort the contenders and pretenders.FRESHMEN STARTERS: Theres a chance that Miami could have five true freshmen starting on defense against the Hokies. Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud are the starting linebackers, and because of a rash of injuries, Miami might be forced to start Joe Jackson and Pat Bethel on the defensive line as well. Its been an unusual year, theres no doubt, with guys being in and out of the lineup, Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. But well see. Well have 11 the first play of the game Thursday night.NUMBERS GAME: Miami has the edge both in scoring average (36.7 ppg to the Hokies 35.7) and defensive scoring average (14 ppg allowed to the Hokies 18.2), but the Hurricanes also didnt play a Power Five conference school until the fourth game of the year, which could skew the numbers. Miami has won the last two meetings, and three of the last four, and is 3-0 against their former Big East Conference rival when they meet on Thursday night.PASSING FANCY: Since fumbling three times in a loss to No. 18 Tennessee, Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans has been very good about protecting the ball. For the season Evans has 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions, and hes the fourth-rated passer among Power Five schools. Miamis Brad Kaaya is 2-0 against Virginia Tech, but still working his way back from a shoulder injury that caused the Miami coaches to shut him down for a few days.COMMON GROUND: Richt and Fuente have plenty in common -- they are both quarterbacks successfully recruited out of high school by Howard Schnellenberger. Richt played for Schnellenberger at Miami, and Fuente signed with Oklahoma to play for Schnellenberger (though the coach resigned after Fuentes redshirt season there).---AP sports writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report---Online: The APs college football page: http://collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr Adidas NMD New Zealand . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Adidas X_Plr NZ . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. http://www.nmdshoesnz.com/ . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Adidas Continental 80 NZ . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Adidas NMD R1 Womens NZ . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. WASHINGTON -- Wilson Ramos jumped to catch a relay throw on a play at the plate that appeared pretty harmless. Only this time, his right foot hit the dirt and he crumpled to the ground, clutching his right knee.The All-Star catcher writhed in pain and was helped off the field during the Washington Nationals 14-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. The injury could be another major blow to the NL East champions, already expected to be without ailing pitcher Stephen Strasburg in the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Ramos would have an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of the damage. But the damage to the teams World Series hopes might already have been done.Theres nothing you can do about it, Baker said. Youve got to play and nobody feels sorry for you, so were not going to feel sorry for ourselves.It was the same knee Ramos injured badly during the 2012 season, when he tore his ACL and medial collateral ligament. Ramos, who can become a free agent after the season, is hitting .307 with 22 home runs and 80 RBI.Hes a silent leader, said starter Tanner Roark (15-10), who took the loss after allowing five runs and four hits in four innings. He goes out there and does it with his glove and behind the dish and his bat.The injury happened on Yasmany Tomas RBI double in the sixth when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman relayed home. Teammates immediately knew something was wrong with Ramos, who usually stays in the game after taking foul balls off just about every part of his body.Tough moment, said Roark, who is expected to follow Max Scherzer in Washingtons playoff rotation. Something just gave out and he pointed right to his knee.Ramos called for medical attention and couldnt walk off under his own power. Baker and players hoped for the best, but its clear they immediately feared the worst.You hate (for) it to happen this late, right before the playoffs, but our next step is try to figure out a way to play without Wilson, Baker said. Ive been mixing and matching this year and most of my life. Therefore, its another obstacle and Ive just got to try to go back to the drawing board and figure out something.The Nationals have two other catchers on their September roster in Pedro Severino and Jose Lobaton.dddddddddddd But they dont have someone who can replace Ramos power and presence in the middle of the lineup.Washington should have reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper back by the playoffs, if not sooner, after Baker said X-rays came back negative on the sluggers left thumb. Baker said Harper could be back within a few days, and second baseman Daniel Murphy is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 against the Dodgers on Oct. 7 after being shut down with a strained glute.Nationals pitchers allowed a season-high five home runs -- two to Jean Segura, a three-run shot to Tomas and one each to Mitch Haniger and Jake Lamb.Washington is one game up on the Dodgers for home-field advantage in the NLDS.BLAME THE RAINIncluding a 20-minute rain delay that started one pitch in, the top of the sixth inning took almost an hour to play. The Diamondbacks sent 11 hitters to the plate, scoring five runs on six hits with an error sprinkled in for good measure.TOMAS NIGHTTomas, a Cuban countryman of late Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, made a running catch at the wall in the second inning and had a big night at the plate. Tomas was 2 for 5 with five RBI, including his 30th home run of the season.After Fernandezs death in a boating accident early Sunday at age 24, Tomas tweeted in Spanish calling Fernandez a friend and thanking him for the moments he provided in baseball. After the game he declined to talk about Fernandez.GOODWIN IN LOSSStarting in place of Harper, Nationals rookie outfielder Brian Goodwin hit his first major league triple and drove in two runs. With nothing but home-field advantage in the first round left to play for, Goodwin could see a lot of action the rest of the week.TRAINERS ROOMDiamondbacks: Manager Chip Hale said RHP Rubby De La Rosa will have a stem cell injection in his elbow Tuesday in an attempt to avoid a second Tommy John surgery.Nationals: LHP Sammy Solis was activated off the disabled list after missing more than a month with shoulder inflammation.UP NEXTScherzer (18-7, 2.82 ERA) continues his Cy Young Award campaign against Arizonas Matt Koch (1-1, 1.29), who will make his first major league start. ' ' '