Rams Sign Mark Rubin

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:07:37 -0500

The St. Louis Rams have signed safety Mark Rubin, the team announced today.

Rubin, a rookie from Penn State University, re-joins the Rams after he was waived June 29. Rubin was originally signed on April 30 following the NFL Draft.

Rubin, 6-3, 223 pounds, started all 13 games as a senior at Penn State in 2008. He recorded 60 tackles and two interceptions.

Rams Transcripts 8/5/09

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 17:11:00 -0500

Morning Practice- Coach Spagnuolo Press Conference – August 5, 2009

(Opening statements)
“The injury update, it was just Mike Karney wasn’t in there, his ankle, we’re still evaluating that, and John Greco dinged his ankle a little bit so we’ll see how he is after he gets a little bit of treatment.”

(On the x-rays on Karney’s ankle)
“They took them. He’s had things in there before, so it didn’t look so pretty I guess, but he’s been through and Mike told me he’ll bounce back. I don’t what the time table is.”

(On if the ankle injury is low or high)
“I don’t know that. He would have said high ankle sprain I’m sure, if it was, I would think, so I don’t think it is.”

(On the tempo of today’s practice)
“I thought it was pretty good, I’m always going to want it better. That’s just the nature. There’s lulls in there, and one of the things we’ve talked about is doing this (straight line motion) and never up and down. If we can get rid of some of the lulls, I think we’ll be ok.”

(On what his franchise player S Oshiomogho Atogwe being in training camp shows)
“An awful lot. And I’ve told him a number of times how classy I think he’s handled everything. That’s a quality person right there. Forget about the football talent. And I sensed that the first time when I first got here, I visited with him in my office, and you could see that right away. He deserves a lot of credit.”

(On if he appreciates having veterans like Atogwe on his team)
“Very much appreciated. Very much appreciated. He’s got to work like everybody else right now, I’m not going to stamp everybody with starter, but he’s a good solid football player that we hope continues to rise.”

(On what has impressed him the most about camp so far)
“The attitude has been great, we’re getting into a period here now where legs are getting a little bit heavy and guys get a little cranky. In the stretch this morning the offense was kind of razzing on the defense that they weren’t real lively in the morning, and that is a good thing. If we can keep getting each other better, I think that will help.”

(On what Jason Brown means to the team not just on the field, but leadership and character)
“We want to see which leaders are going to surface. Jason is new to the team, so I wouldn’t put that kind of pressure on a new person. He has all those qualities. We will see if that comes out and he ends up being one of the core leaders of the team.”

(On telling defense not to go low on RB Steven Jackson)
“They know, I was holding my breath too. This group is a very competitive group. That’s what we’re kind of learning. They want to compete, they want to get better, and they want to be in those situations where it’s tough on them. And if they continue to think like that, I got to believe that’s going to help us. Always keeping our fingers cross.”

(On importance of RB Steven Jackson getting hit in camp)
“He’s been in the league long enough. He knows what its like to get hit. I think the timing of the whole offense is important. He’s one of those competitive guys and so far its worked out good.”

(On kick return battle)
“It’s a work in progress.”

(On anyone stepping up in the return battle)
“I would hold judgment on that until we get into a real game. That’s when it’s a little pressure on them.”

(On if there is an area of concern with cornerbacks)
“Well I’m not going backwards. There’s a bunch of guys over there competing, that I think have some talent. If I do my job and all of the coaches do their job, hopefully the talent will surface out there on the field.

(On where does he see Jackson as of right now)
“Right on target, he’s done a great job. He did a great job in the offseason, he was in great shape. So far so good.”

(On WR Laurent Robinson)
“He struggled a little bit in the OTAs, where he had some drops. In this training camp so far, keep my fingers crossed, knock on wood; I think he’s done that pretty well. First job as a wideout is to catch the ball.”

(On Twitter)
“The other day when I was talking to the team about twitter, I said is Twitter something you use on your cell phone, or do you buy a whole device. I didn’t know if you bought a twitter device, I honestly didn’t know. I’m still trying to figure out how to use the cell phone.”

Morning Practice – RB Steven Jackson – August 5, 2009

(On how he felt about the heat during practice)
“You know, it wasn’t too bad. A couple days ago it was a little hotter, but that’s camp. That’s what you kind of expect here in St. Louis. We get this great conditioning in. It allows us to work, however, it makes situations quite strenuous.”

(On getting hit in the knees by LB Chris Chamberlain during practice)
“Yeah, yeah. Coach kind of tells the defensive guys to try to stay off the runners knees. And it happens in football. He (LB Chris Chamberlain) got a little low. But it was understood. It was an accident. It wasn’t done intentionally.”

(On Coach Spagnuolo sticking up for him)
“Well I would hope so. We are all on the same team and we are here to try and make each other better.”

(On how he feels about the hitting taking place in training camp)
“At first it kind of threw me for a surprise but after the first day…it actually allows us to get really good work. It allows the defense to work on tackling; it gives the offense time to kind of set up a workout, time the blocks for my offensive lineman, and allows me to get some contact work a little early.”

(On how he reacted to live tackling in training camp)
“It is definitely quite a shock. It is something that is not really routinely done. I understand the benefits of it and I am just trying to go with the flow. I understand that no one is bigger than the team and if this is what coach wants to do, I am willing to at least give everything a try.”

(On how he feels after a week of training camp)
“I feel really good. I really feel like we’re moving in the right direction. Of course we still have time to get better and the opener is not until September but we’re really getting some good work right now. It allows for the younger guys to get some NFL work in practice before we kick it off next week in New York (against the Jets).”

(On how his body feels)
“Body feels great. I’ve been getting some good workouts in in the weight room. Everything is routine around here and it’s really working out for the benefit.”

(On how this camp is different than previous camps)
“It’s a lot more intense than previous ones that I have been in. And even though we keep saying how intense it is and how we’re going live, it still allows us some down time in the afternoon with our practice coming right at 3 o’clock. We still have all night to recover for the next morning’s practice so even though we’re going at each other really hard, we still have time to rest up. I think the schedule is really working out well.”

(On the younger guys tackling)
“Well you know what? thank God I am not in there with the younger guys. I’m in there with (DE) Leonard Little, someone who doesn’t want to get hit either. Guys have been pretty good about that.”

(On his goals for the season)
“Well the biggest goal now is just trying to be a leader. Especially help out with the young guys - the receiving corps. We kind of don’t have the leadership we normally have in that area so I am just trying to be an all-around captain for the offense and set my example on the practice field -show guys how to practice, show guys how to work.”

(On the intensity of the entire practice)
“That’s the whole practice. Coach (Steve Spagnuolo) always says be ready to go from the beginning, that’s warm-ups to stretching. He wants guys to be organized and look like a team. That’s what we really focus on to change the mindset and becoming champions in our head before we even get out there on the field.”

(On his sense of the offense)
“Well you know what? I’ve been blessed to work with a different number of coordinators. And all have, in their ways, tried to get the ball to me different ways. But the thing that stands out most to me, that in this offense, I’m able to line up everywhere. It’s really a lot of hard work on me at night time, to make sure I know the different formations, because I can be the X receiver at any time as well as a running back. So whatever play comes in the huddle, I have to be able to digest it and put myself in whatever area it is that I need to go to.”

(On if he enjoys lining up at wide receiver against cornerbacks)
“It has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages because I am new out there, I’m not an All-Pro already at the receiver spot. It can create mismatches for us. It also keeps me on my toes and makes sure I’m working techniques and makes sure I’m really just learning things all over.”

(On working with Running backs coach Sylvester Croom)
“Coach Croom has been great. I can definitely see why he was successful as a head coach and why he has always been successful at the other places he has coached. He has a wealth of knowledge and all he has to do is be quiet for a moment and then you will definitely learn something being in his presence.”

Rams: Jones #75 To Be Retired

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 17:10:54 -0500

The St. Louis Rams will retire No. 75, the number of Hall of Fame defensive end David “Deacon” Jones during the team’s regular season home opening game vs. Green Bay on Sunday, Sept. 27, the team announced today. Jones played for the Rams from 1961-71.

Jones, who coined the term “sack the quarterback,” was nicknamed the Secretary of Defense and was widely considered as one of the greatest defensive players to play the game. He recorded a team-best 159.5 sacks with the Rams and 173.5 for his career. He registered 21 sacks during the 1967 season, and reached double-digit sack totals seven times, including three 20-sack seasons.

Jones became the first defensive lineman to record 100 solo tackles in a single season (1967) and was voted the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year twice (1967, 1968). Jones was voted to the Pro Bowl nine times, including seven straight with the Rams (1964-70). He was voted to the NFL’s all-Decade team in the 1960s and was selected to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team in 1994.

For most of the 1960s, Jones, along with Hall of Fame defensive end Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier, made up the Fearsome Foursome, considered one of the best defensive lines in NFL history.

Jones was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Rams Transcripts 8/4/09

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 18:15:00 -0500

Morning Practice – Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo – August 4, 2009

(On if FB Mike Karney was injured)
“Yeah he had an ankle that he tweaked yesterday so we’re being cautionary. We kept him out.”

(On if CB Ron Bartell’s left leg was injured)
“He was fine in practice. Yeah I think he had a sleeve on there. I think that’s pretty much more precautionary than anything else. Or for looks. One or the other.”

(On S James Butler)
“He dinged his knee. He tried to come out and get through it but again more precautionary. Why put the stress on it now?”

(On if Butler will need an x-ray)
“I don’t think so but I will talk with (Head Athletic Trainer) Jim (Anderson) a little bit more on it.”

(On if he is ‘knocking on wood’ that no players have suffered any significant injuries during training camp)
“Yeah, where is the wood? Don’t do that. We’ll keep our fingers crossed on that. We still have a long way to go.”

(On if he wishes the weather was warmer)
“You know I am torn on that because the adage would be to get the hot weather to make it tougher on them but you know what, you get a lot of work done when the weather is like this (cool) because they are a little bit fresher. They get a little bit more in tune and not thinking of heat and just thinking about playing. Whatever the weather is we’re going to practice in it. We’ll take it.”

(On his evaluation of QB Marc Bulger’s accuracy)
“Steady. You hit the nail on the head. Accuracy. He is a very accurate quarterback. A couple throws the other day…I’m not sure how many other quarterbacks could have made those throws. If he keeps doing that and stays steady and (Offensive Coordinator) Pat (Shurmur) and (Assistant Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach) Dick (Curl) keep working with him, he’ll be ok.”

(On RB Samkon Gado)
“Samkon is doing a good job. Smart veteran. He’s got some good size to him. He has been playing a little bit of fullback so it makes him a little versatile. In this league if you can do more than one thing, your rate of survival is a little bit better.”

(On if he thought today’s practice was sluggish)
“I thought today was OK. I didn’t really see indications of that. We were kind of bobbing and weaving in there around what was possibly rain so we had a plan to maybe run indoors. I was probably the sluggish one earlier because I was trying to decide whether to flip the schedule and move some team pairs around but luckily we got through OK.”

(On if moving indoors will prohibit any drills this afternoon)
It won’t affect this afternoon’s practice. No, that is pretty smooth because it is mostly team and the facility is great for that.”

(On how he determines if the team is practicing sluggish)
“Just the gut. I’m probably picky. I am looking for everyone to bounce around. Walking on the field…I just don’t think you do that. I think our guys have been great but you’ve got to stay on them. By human nature if any of us are out there after a certain point in practice, we naturally crawl or walk or what not so we just stay on top of them. We don’t condition after practice – we try to condition during practice.”

(On if the players dislike the live tackling)
“No. That’s encouraging because if you had it the other way, I’d be a little bit concerned about people not wanting to be physical. The guys have been tremendous. I walk in there now and say ‘It’s not live’ and they’re all saying ‘Come on, come on. How come its not live.”

(On if he is surprised that there have been no scuffles amongst players with the live tackling)
“You just haven’t seen the little things that are going on out there.”

(On his concept of building the team and how he can gauge if it is working)
“That’s a tough one. Just a sense, a feel. It’s an every day evaluation. We talk about it every night in team meetings; one element of it. The guys have been great. They have been receiving it and embracing it. There’s still a long way to go, but so far so good”

Morning Practice - QB Marc Bulger - August 4, 2009

(On how the weather is so far)
“It’s been great. No I think hopefully it gets a little warmer for us later in the week, I think we need that, but we haven’t heard too many complaints here.”

(On if the West Coast offense is made for him)
“I don’t think I’m there yet, but I think one of my better attributes is getting rid of the ball quick and just getting it in the hands of good playmakers. Our receivers have really played well so far, and we have a ways to go, but there’s some great competition there and it’s showing. We’ve got about six or seven guys who have really stepped their game up.”

(On if he’s like a point guard)
“Yes, that’s a good analogy. Obviously I’m not going to do much with it when I have it, with my feet, so just distrbute it to (RB) Steven (Jackson), (WR) Donnie (Avery), (WR) Keenan (Burton), (WR) Ronnie (Ronald Curry). We’ve got a bunch of guys that if I can just get them the ball in the right situation, and give them a little room to run, and make some yards.”

(On what Curry is showing)
“Some experience I think we’re lacking. He’s a great route runner. Obviously from his basketball background he has great ball skills. Late in practice today I threw a ball, put it on his body in coverage, and he just has a knack for being able to position his body and keep the defender away. You don’t want to say possession receiver because I think he’s more than that, so we’re really happy to have him.”

(On if WR Brooks Foster is similar with a basketball background)
“Yes, all these guys are great athletes. I mean, I even play basketball. I don’t look like those guys, but (TE) Daniel Fells plays a lot of basketball and he looks like that too, so I think it definitely helps the longer they play with contested balls.”

(On how he has learned to adjust to new coaches and new voices)
“Yes, it’s not easy, but fortunately, I don’t know for five or six years I had the same voice and a lot put in as an offense. The way I’ve learned is put it back to that and call it that in my mind, and eventually transition it over. I’m still not there yet, I still hear my old coach’s voice, Coach (Mike) Martz, with certain plays that are named differently, but I just go back to that. But I’m getting to the point now where I can get a mental picture, in my mind when I hear West Coast terms.”

(On if this offense stresses getting the ball out quickly)
“At certain times, I mean there’s times when I can push it down the field. But when there’s blitzes, or dogs, or stunts, there’s always quick throws. We don’t necessarily adjust our routes like we used to with other offenses, it’s pretty much in. You’ve got to ad lib a little bit, and know where your quick throws are, and get rid of the ball.”

(On the progression of TE Daniel Fells)
“He’s getting there. I’m sure he’d tell you he has a little work to do with his experience playing every down because I don’t think he’s used to that. But he does some things that not many guys can do, and I think with (TE) Randy (McMichael) helping him, he’s only going to get better.”

(On if he enjoys adlibbing plays)
“Yes, you know it’s no secret I’m not going to run around as Donovan (McNabb) would in this system or Steve Young or someone. But there’s certain things you can do, just movements in the pocket, just to buy yourself a little bit of time. You don’t necessarily have to run around everywhere, but if you can make subtle moves in the pocket, like step up or some side steps, you can buy yourself a second to maybe get the one-on-one matchup down the field. So that’s the extent of my adlibbing. You might see me run here and there.”

(On how he avoids the pressure of this being a make or break year)
“Just concentrating on what I’m doing, there’s nothing I can control except what I do. So we have to win football games, and that’s what everyone’s goal is right now. Its Coach Spanuolo’s, its the secretaries upstairs, its the guys who take care of the field. Our whole boat right now, we’re just trying to turn this thing around and start winning games and have fun again, and everything else will take care of itself.

(On the difference in protection from the offensive line)
“They are definitely more physical. I think they are taking a lot of pride in their job right now, pass blocking. If you watch our nine-on-seven drills and our live running, there’s some holes there for (RB) Steven (Jackson), and Steven doesn’t need much of a hole, so it’s going to create some match ups for Steven on not only linebackers, but if we can get him to the second level, on the safeties on the corners, we are going to be in really good shape.”

(On how he feels about the live drills)
“I hate to give my opinion because I’m not live. It’s one of those deals where everyone wants to go live, and I think it’s great. I have to see these guys walking, in the locker room, and getting out of bed, so as a fan, as a quarterback, I think it’s a good thing. I think the first day we did a lot. We’ve scaled back a little bit on the live. It’s good, it’s getting rid of the soreness. I think sometimes you wait to the first preseason games and guys get really beat up and take a couple weeks to catch up, hopefully we do that, and stay away from injuries. We’ve been lucky so far.”

(On the scrimmage Friday at Lindenwood University)
“Usually when you have that scrimmage guys get a little bit nervous because it’s the first time you go live. Everyone’s hyperventilating, but I think since we got all of that out of the way, I think we’ll be able to be a little more crisp and hopefully the coaches have a little bit better chance to evaluate everyone, after not only seeing just one scrimmage they’ve had, so guys can’t wait to show what they can do.”

Rams: Transcripts 7/31/09

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:55:04 -0500

Post Practice 3- Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo-July 31, 2009

(On how OT Jason Smith looked at his first practice this afternoon)
“I saw so many skill guys running around, it’s hard to see the big men. I’ll have to look at the film, but the couple of peeks I took at him, I was pleased. There wasn’t anything I was disappointed with.”

(On how excited he was to have Smith at the first team practice)
“It was great to have them all here. (Executive Vice President of Football Operations/Chief Operating Officer) Kevin (Demoff) did a great job and (General Manager) Billy (Devaney) did a great job, and that’s all part of it, to put all the pieces together, and it really helped us out a lot.”

(On if he felt this practice was a good start to the practices)
“Almost there, I’ll probably never be completely pleased. They gave good effort, it was a quick 85 minute practice. The challenge will be tomorrow when they get a little longer. We have not had a practice, I don’t think, throughout the offseason past two hours, but we will tomorrow.”

(On the grueling camp everyone expected)
“Maybe my perspective is wrong, it won’t be that hard. No, we’ll get after it tomorrow and see what happens.”

(On his first impression of RB Steven Jackson)
“I thought he was great when he came through the door two days ago. He was on the treadmill at 10 o’clock one night before we even started, so I think he’s ready.”

(On his first impression of the wide receivers)
“I thought they stood out and did some good things. I saw Brooks Foster make a big catch, I saw some other guys catch the football. We have a long way to go and we have our eye on every position.”

(On OT John Greco not practicing)
“He did not go today. He cramped a little bit so he did not go in today’s practice, but he’ll be ok tomorrow.”

(On if there are any other injuries)
“No, just nicks and things but nothing of significance.”

(On WR Ronald Curry and an early read on his performance)
“Nothing to discourage us. I thought he caught the ball as a punt returner pretty well, so we’ll keep our eye on that.”

(On whether or not OT John Greco cramped after the run this morning)
“Yes, it was just a precaution.”

(On how impressed he was with the hands of his wide receivers)
“If they are catching the ball, their hands are ok. I worry more when they drop them.”

(On what he feels going through his first full practice)
“I can’t say it was just another day. It was exciting for me. I got asked that question just recently, and I don’t know if it’s a fault or if its good, but I’m always thinking about the next thing. It’s usually at the end of it that I look back and say, ‘yeah that was pretty special’, but right now I’m so wrapped up in it.”

(On how he slept and felt last night)
“I didn’t sleep well. I was anxious. You know when you were little and it was Christmas and you’d wake up every hour, that was about what it was like.”

(On WR Tim Carter)
“I thought he did some good things in the spring, and I thought he stuck out a little there today, so we’ll keep our eyeball on him.”

(On DT Hollis Thomas’s performance today)
“Good. The thing you have to remember about Hollis is that it has been quite a few months since he’s played some football. He was not in OTAs in the spring or in an offseason program, so we’ll be smart.”

(On what time first full pads practice is tomorrow)
“Yes, it will be in the morning, and then in the afternoon we’ll be in shells.”

(On the leaders of this team taking charge today)
“There was some of that. I thought the coaches did a good job, but we have a long way to go before we really continue to identify the true leaders.”

(On If the first practice is Christmas, what is his feeling on the first game)
“Oh, you’ve got me on that one.”

(On if he knows where he wants to go during practice or how he meanders during practice)
“I’m still flying off the cuff. But if you counted it up I probably gravitated a little bit more towards the defense, I guess that’s just natural.”

(On if practice was what he expected)
“If you can get through injury free, you knock on wood and say that’s pretty good. And we got the things accomplished that we wanted to, so yes, it was pretty crisp.”

Post Practice 2 – RB Steven Jackson – July 31, 2009

(On how he felt about his first practice)
“Yes the feeling is definitely back. I am really excited to get started this year. Glad all the rookies are here. Everyone is accounted for. And I think today went really smooth. You could tell the transition from OTAs is carrying over. There weren’t a lot of mental mistakes out there for the whole team.”

(On the different atmosphere from last year’s camp to this year)
“Well, first it is trying to get to know everyone. I know it has been a couple of months since all of the changes have been made. There are new faces around here. You want to get to know everyone and that’s from the locker room all the way up to the front office. And it’s definitely a different feel. Football is first around here now and everyone is committed to winning and we’re really trying to stick to not playing anyone above the team.”

(On the Rams 2-14 record last season)
“2-14 is definitely in the rear and we’re really looking forward to the season and what we can do with it.”

(On training camp)
“Camp is camp. You are just here to execute. You want to get better. You want to work on the fundamental things and both sides of the ball have new schemes so everyone wants to make sure they are mentally sharp come Seattle.”

(On working out a few days before camp)
“I had been on the West Coast for four or five weeks and I wanted to get acclimated to the climate again, and the time zone, and just get those nervous jitters out. It was a good thing to get on the treadmill. I tried to come late. It was about seven, eight o’clock at night and I didn’t expect anyone to be here but of course, coach is a hard worker and he caught me.”

(On watching T Jason Smith at practice)
“Today I really didn’t have a chance to watch him a lot. I was really kind of trying to help out with the younger backs. Make sure everyone was doing their due diligence. We have a long time. I’m going to watch him. But he’s a hard worker. He is definitely in tune with what is going on around here.”

(On how he feels about the running backs)
“I feel like we have a strong backfield. There is going to be some good competition for the guys that are fighting for positions on this team.”

(On dressing out in full pads on the second day of practice)
“First day of practice is going to be a lot of hits. I just hope everyone has their chinstraps buckled.”

(On how he feels about taking hits during camp)
“Definitely want to get some hits early. Get the body…wake it up. It is football time and as the season approaches, kind of back off and Week 1 comes and amp it back up.”

(On how he feels about the West Coast style of offense)
“Well, you just have a balance. You make sure when you throw the ball, were completing passes, protecting (QB) Marc (Bulger). When he calls some running plays…that we get 45 yards. Keep moving the chains.”

(On what he did to keep in shape during the offseason)
“The only thing I really did differently than I have in the past is I really approached weight training a lot more aggressive than I have in the past. The past three or four years I really focused on trying to just work conditioning make sure my lungs are strong but this year I really focused on weight lifting and making sure I am strong in the weight room.”

(On if he feels leaner)
“My body fat is still five percent. I don’t know. But I do feel leaner though.”

Post – Practice 2- T Jason Smith Press Conference – July 31, 2009

(On was he anticipating strapping on the pads when told he can finally come out to practice)
“I was just sitting by the phone anxiously waiting for them to say “hey come over”, and at the end of the day, things got done. I’m happy I can be here with the team and take the next step, whatever coach Spagnuolo asks me to do to be a part of this team.”

(On comparing this practice to his first OTA)
“Well you know football is football and the end of the day you see a lot of big physical guys running around real fast and you got to be ready for it. What it is you got to be ready to sign on for.”

(On having butterflies today)
“When I woke up this morning I was like, “wow”, I woke up, so I was happy.”

(On trying to get his contract done and wanting to get into camp)
“Well obviously as offensive linemen, you want to be a part of the team. I have never done a deal before so I don’t know. But what I know is that to play football you got to be here, you can’t be at the house wanting to be a part of a team. You got to be here being a part of the team. That’s what’s were doing here at the Rams, building a team that we can go out and play in the NFL.”

(On trying to get agent to get deal done fast)
“Well you know that’s something that is uncontrollable. I feel kind of it is what it is. I’m a football player, I think I need to be on the field playing football.”

(On was first practice what he anticipated)
“It was a great first day, a lot of things went fast, some things went slow but at the end of the day I did my best that’s all I can say.”

(On being comfortable on right side vs. the start of OTAs)
“A lot more comfortable, as for football goes the more reps you get the better your going to be at anything. Whether its right tackle, left tackle, serving water, making sure the Gatorade is cold, or handing out towels. Whatever it is, I feel that I’m a little better at it now I have been doing it a little longer.”

(On whose helmet he carried today)
“I carried the usual, all five starters, offensive linemen, Mr. McMichael’s, Mr. Jackson’s, every once in a while I try to grab Bulger’s, but he wont let me. Got these big arms just wrap them up and go.”

(On being just another rookie now that he is in camp)
“It is what it is.”

(On buying anything special with new contract)
“I was thinking I would get myself a tempurdic bed, other than that I don’t have any plans. I just wake up everyday thankful for what I was just pretty much given based on the ability that I have. At the end of the day when the contract came, whatever it was, but obviously I’m just happy that I wake up everyday and go play football and get paid for it.”

(On if he found a place to stay in St. Louis)
“Pretty much, like I said before, I was thinking about the Holiday Inn top floor making it the penthouse.”

(On if first dinner tab is on him)
“I believe so.”

(On if it was tougher when finding out that LB James Laurinaitis signed before him)
“Obviously, me and James were in the same draft class, same representation, and when they said we got James done I said, “cool then I guess I’m next.” It is what it is. You get it done if you don’t get it done. It is what it is.

(On if he stayed after practice with Coach Loney)
“We were just going over some things from the day. Obviously, he saw that he was my offensive line coach. I have a great core of veteran offensive linemen; Richie Incognito shows you what it takes to be physical on the offensive line. Adam Goldberg shows me all the plays and teaching me the technique to go along with it. Jason Brown is the leader of the offensive line, he’s sharp, I mean what else could you ask for in a center? There you got a great group of guys just grabbing the rookies and just saying, “hey this is how we do it.”

(On if he’s living the dream)
“Pretty much, well, dreams become visions and visions become reality so at the end of the day, I guess I am.”

Arch Rivalry: Tix On Sale Tomorrow

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:03:19 -0500

Tickets for the 2009 State Farm Arch Rivalry football game between the University of Illinois and the University of Missouri go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 314-241-1888 or (toll-free) 800-745-3000, and in person at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets for the 2009 Arch Rivalry game are: $75 (club level), $45 (terrace loge), $35 (terrace sidelines/corners) and $15 (terrace end zones). A limited number of $65 lower level tickets may be available. A $3 per ticket facility fee and Ticketmaster convenience charges will also apply. Please note that advanced tickets will not be sold at the Edward Jones Dome box office. Last year’s Arch Rivalry sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale.
Group discount packages for groups of 20 or more are also available and can be purchased by calling 314-345-5111. The St. Louis Sports Commission is also selling special VIP Packages, which include great lower level seats, pregame hospitality, parking and more. For more information or to purchase a package, call 314-345-5111.
Illinois and Missouri open their 2009 campaigns at the Edward Jones Dome on Sept. 5 with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. The Tigers won last year’s game 52-42 in front of 66,441 fans.

SLU Vb: BillS Picked First

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:03:11 -0500

For the third straight season, the Atlantic 10 Conference head volleyball coaches have chosen Saint Louis as the team to beat in the annual preseason coaches’ poll.

         “It’s an honor to be voted first in the preseason poll by the head coaches in such an ever-improving conference,” Billiken head coach Anne Kordes said. “It adds some pressure, but with the group we have returning, the high expectations we have and the pressure we already put on ourselves, it (the pressure) is nothing new. The A-10 has made tremendous strides competitively, and this is going to be the strongest year yet. We are excited about being recognized as the favorite in the A-10, but as soon as league play starts it’s really up for grabs.”

         Dayton, which joined the Billikens in the 2008 NCAA Tournament as an at-large team, was chosen second, followed by Xavier, George Washington and Temple. Fordham was selected sixth, followed by Duquesne, Rhode Island, Charlotte and La Salle. The six-team A-10 Volleyball Championship will be hosted by Dayton Nov. 20-22 at the Frericks Center.

         Saint Louis finished the 2008 campaign with a 29-5 overall mark and a 13-0 ledger in league play, becoming the first team to finish the A-10 slate unbeaten since 1997. After capturing their second regular-season conference title, the Bills went on to win the A-10 Championship, seizing the league’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth for the second time in the last three seasons. SLU, which earned the 13th overall seed in the tournament, made history when it achieved the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory.

         Earlier in the 2008 campaign, the Billikens broke into the Bison/AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll for the first time in program annals. Saint Louis, which received votes in every poll, finished one of the best seasons in program history ranked No. 21 and completed one of the toughest schedules in the country ranked eighth in the final RPI (ratings percentage index).

         In 2009, SLU returns five of its six starters and more AVCA All-Americans (four) than all but two-time reigning national champion Penn State, a team the Bills will face in their first tournament of the season. The Nittany Lions are one of nine teams on Saint Louis’ 2009 schedule that competed in the NCAA Tournament last season. The Billikens kick off the season with the Active Ankle Challenge at Chaifetz Arena Aug. 28-29. The tournament features Alabama as well as 2008 NCAA Tournament squads Miami (Ohio) and Penn State.

         The Billikens were also one of 71 Division I programs that earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2008-09 academic year. The award, which was introduced during the 1992-93 academic year, honors teams that maintain a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade-point average. Charlotte and Dayton were the only other A-10 schools to receive the accolade.

--

Grizzlies V. Windy City

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:00:48 -0500

Score by Innings R H E
---------------------------------------------
Windy City.......... 240 030 322 0 - 16 25 0
Gateway Grizzlies... 000 000 000 X - 0 8 2
---------------------------------------------

Windy City starters: 12/2b Mejia; 18/ss Martinez; 2/cf Perry; 33/1b Restko;
20/dh Cook; 22/3b Hall, Nate; 19/rf Scarduzio; 7/c Jordan; 6/lf Walcott; 25/p
Stout;
Gateway Grizzlies starters: 7/2b Peters; 14/3b Johnson; 9/c Lisk; 12/rf
Scaperotta; 30/1b Agreste; 25/cf West; 20/dh Morrow; 4/ss Hale; 43/lf Lape;
19/p Melek;

Windy City 1st - Mejia singled (1-1). Martinez reached on a fielder's
choice (2-2); Mejia advanced to second on an error by 2b. Perry singled, RBI
(2-1); Martinez advanced to second; Mejia scored, unearned. Restko grounded
into double play ss to 2b to 1b (2-0); Perry out on the play; Martinez advanced
to third. Cook singled to right field, RBI (0-1); Martinez scored, unearned.
Hall, Nate doubled down the lf line (1-0); Cook advanced to third. Scarduzio
popped up to 1b (3-2). 2 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 1st - Peters singled to right field (0-1). Johnson
reached on a fielder's choice (2-2); Peters out at second p to ss. Lisk popped
up to ss (0-0). Scaperotta grounded out to 1b unassisted (0-2). 0 runs, 1
hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Windy City 2nd - Jordan struck out swinging (0-2). Walcott singled to
center field (0-1). Mejia homered to left field, 2 RBI (3-1); Walcott scored.
Martinez doubled to left center (1-0). Perry singled to center field (0-2);
Martinez advanced to third. Restko flied out to cf, SF, RBI (1-0); Perry
advanced to second; Martinez scored. Cook doubled to center field, RBI (2-2);
Perry scored. Hall, Nate popped up to 1b (3-1). 4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1
LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 2nd - Agreste grounded out to 2b (3-2). West singled
to center field (1-1). Morrow struck out swinging (1-2). West stole second.
Hale singled to left field (1-0); West advanced to third. Lape struck out
swinging (1-2). 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Windy City 3rd - Scarduzio singled to right field (0-1). Jordan struck
out looking (2-2). Walcott struck out looking (1-2). Mejia flied out to rf
(2-1). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 3rd - Peters flied out to cf (0-0). Johnson lined out
to 2b (1-1). Lisk grounded out to ss (1-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0
LOB.

Windy City 4th - Martinez struck out swinging (2-2). Perry singled to
center field (2-1). Restko flied out to lf (1-2). Cook walked (3-2); Perry
advanced to second. Hall, Nate grounded out to 3b (1-1). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
errors, 2 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 4th - Matos to 3b for Hall, Nate. Scaperotta doubled
down the lf line (1-2). Agreste singled to right field (1-0); Scaperotta
advanced to third. West struck out, hit into double play c to 2b (2-2); Agreste
out on the play. Morrow popped up to 2b (2-1). 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1
LOB.

Windy City 5th - Scarduzio grounded out to 1b unassisted (1-0). Jordan
struck out swinging (1-2). Walcott singled to center field (1-2). Mejia homered
to right field, 2 RBI (1-1); Walcott scored. Martinez singled to right field
(1-1). Perry doubled to center field (2-1); Martinez advanced to third. Draper
to p for Melek. Restko singled to left field, RBI (2-1); Perry advanced to
third; Martinez scored. Cook reached on a fielder's choice (1-1); Restko out at
second ss unassisted. 3 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 5th - Hale struck out looking (1-2). Lape flied out to
rf (1-0). Peters singled to center field (1-2). Johnson struck out swinging
(1-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Windy City 6th - Matos flied out to lf (0-0). Scarduzio walked (3-2).
Jordan struck out swinging (1-2). Walcott flied out to rf (1-1). 0 runs, 0
hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 6th - Lisk grounded out to 3b (1-0). Scaperotta struck
out swinging (3-2). Agreste grounded out to p (2-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
errors, 0 LOB.

Windy City 7th - Mejia grounded out to 2b (0-1). Martinez singled to
center field (1-0). Perry singled to right field (2-1); Martinez advanced to
second. Restko homered to left center, 3 RBI (0-1); Perry scored; Martinez
scored. Cook grounded out to ss (2-1). Matos reached on an error by ss (0-2).
Scarduzio singled to right field (0-2); Matos advanced to second. Jordan struck
out swinging (0-2). 3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 7th - West singled to center field (2-2). Morrow flied
out to cf (1-0). Hale struck out swinging (3-2). Lape popped up to 2b (2-2).
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Windy City 8th - Bowling to p for Draper. Spencer pinch hit for Walcott.
Spencer homered to left field, RBI (1-2). Mejia flied out to cf (1-0). Martinez
singled to center field (0-2). Perry singled to right field (0-0); Martinez
advanced to third. Restko reached on a fielder's choice, RBI (2-1); Perry out
at second 2b to ss; Martinez scored. Cook struck out swinging (0-2). 2 runs,
3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 8th - Spencer to lf. Dominick to p for Stout. Peters
struck out swinging (0-2). Johnson struck out swinging (3-2). Lisk singled to
right field (1-1). Scaperotta struck out swinging (1-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
errors, 1 LOB.

Windy City 9th - Matos hit by pitch (0-1). Scarduzio singled to right
field (2-0); Matos advanced to second. Jordan singled to left field (1-1);
Scarduzio advanced to second; Matos advanced to third. Spencer grounded out to
3b, RBI (2-1); Jordan advanced to second; Scarduzio advanced to third; Matos
scored. Mejia grounded out to 2b, RBI (2-2); Jordan advanced to third;
Scarduzio scored. Martinez popped up to 2b (1-2). 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors,
1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 9th - Pryor to p for Dominick. Agreste struck out
looking (3-2). Rothford pinch hit for West. Rothford out at first 1b to p
(2-2). Morrow struck out looking (0-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Windy City 10th - Rothford to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0
LOB.

Rams Sign #1 Pick

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:38:47 -0500

The St. Louis Rams have signed 2009 first-round draft choice (second overall) offensive tackle Jason Smith, the team announced today. Terms of the contract were undisclosed.

Smith, 6-5, 306 pounds, started 31 career games (24 at left tackle, seven at right tackle) for the Baylor Bears after beginning his career as a tight end. Smith allowed three quarterback pressures and 4.5 sacks in 1,147 plays at left tackle from 2007-08.

In 2008, Smith earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association to become Baylor’s first All-American offensive lineman since guard Frank Ditta in 1980. Smith also was a unanimous All-Big 12 Conference selection after recording a school-record 96 knockdowns. Smith’s blocking efforts helped Baylor rank 21st in the nation and third in the Big 12 in rushing, averaging 195.75 yards per game. Smith also cleared paths for the Bears to rush for 29 touchdowns, third-most all-time in school history.

Rams : Spags 7/30/09

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:28:53 -0500

Post-Practice 1 – Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo Press Conference – July 30, 2009

(On how it feels to start training camp)
“I would imagine, all the way around the country in this league, everybody’s fired up to get going football-wise.”

(On what he envisions DT Hollis Thomas’ role will be with the Rams)
“Hollis is a guy that I have a little bit of history with and he’s a big defensive tackle who’s played a lot of football in the league. I’ve been saying it to the team, and I’ve been saying it to everybody, it does start up front. We’ll see what he can do. He’s been away from football for a little bit. We’ve got to remember he didn’t go through OTAs so he’s probably got to knock some rust off but I think he’ll be fine.”

(On Thomas’ run defense)
“He’s always been a really good run defender. He’s a very, very smart football player. The last experience I had with him he’d find ways to get everybody lined up so that was attractive to us.”

(On if his relationship with Thomas helped the Rams sign him)
“I’d like to think that, but I guess you’d have to ask him. But he did have some other things going.”

(On how much of a concern it is not to have first-round choice T Jason Smith at practice)
“We just worry about the guys that are here, but I will leave here and go check with (Executive Vice President of Football Operations/Chief Operating Officer) Kevin (Demoff) and see where we’re at. I think we’re real close, but I’ll let Kevin let me know.”

(On what he needs to see out of LB Larry Grant)
“The same as all the linebackers. Playing that position is a physical game. We’ve got to see some physical play out of them. In any system, it’s not just our defensive system, you’ve got to be a smart football player. So the sooner the guys pick it up the better off they’re going to be.”

(On if “smart football player” describes LB James Laurinaitis)
“I have to talk about the group. No, he is a smart football player. I can’t take that away from James. But we’re looking for all of them to be like that. I don’t think our defense is any different than any of the others in the league. You can’t play if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

(On what he is trying to get accomplished with the practices featuring rookies, quarterbacks and selected vets)
“As much as anything, for players and coaches, knocking the rust off a little bit. We’re getting used to a new field. There are some logistical things – I already noticed in certain areas it’s really tight so we’ll have to adjust things. So it’s almost good to do that along with the players coming in and having an extra day, especially the young guys. The anxiety of training camp, knock that out a little bit, and then tomorrow hopefully things will be a little smoother.”

(On if WR Derek Stanley is further along in his recovery from a knee injury than he thought)
“I’ll be honest with you, I only saw two or three things. My eyes are everywhere. We’re optimistic on Derek.”

(On carrying only one kicker in camp)
“Anything can happen later, but going in it was we feel real good about our kicker and when the NFL decided to change the rule to limit (the roster) to 80 (for training camp) one person actually makes a big difference.”

(On if he is worried about overworking K Josh Brown)
“We’ve talked extensively about that and that’s why we’ve got JUGS machines.”

(On how he sees the Rams return game)
“Well we have to see Derek (Stanley) because we haven’t seen him all spring and then all the other guys that have been back there. Right now, (Special Teams Coordinator) Tom (McMahon) is evaluating that position all the time. Anybody and everybody’s going to have a shot at it. We did a little bit of that in the spring. We’ve eliminated some guys but there’s a pool of guys there we’re working with.”

(On the differences in the first day of training camp as a head coach compared to as a defensive coordinator)
“I knew exactly where I was going when I was the defensive coordinator. Here I have to kind of bounce all over the place. But I was just trying to get my eyes on everything, more logistically than anything. The coaches have it covered with the rookies. What we do in these two practices we’ll just end up doing again Friday and Saturday for these guys so it will be a complete review. Being out of the field and having a whistle feels the same to me.”

Grizzlies: GateWay Makes Trade

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:26:46 -0500

The Gateway Grizzlies announced early Wednesday morning that a deal has been reached with the Southern Illinois Miners that would send Outfielder Stephen Holdren and Left-Handed Pitcher Adam Revelette to the Miners.   In exchange, the Grizzlies receive All-Star Releiver Chris Wiman and Outfielder Kevin Koski.  Wiman, a true rookie from Corinth, TX brings a 3-1 record with a 3.20 record to the Grizzlies. In 39.1 innings pitched, Chris has struck out 42 batters while walking only 15 and opponents are batting .233 against him. Wiman lead the Miners bullpen with six saves.    Koski brings a combination of offense and defense with his play. In 39 games, Kevin is hitting .303 with 43 hits, six doubles, one triple and one home run. He has driven in 25 runs and stolen ten bases. Koski is Southern Illinois’ all-time stolen base leader with 33.   With every good trade comes losing good talent, and the Grizzlies lose that with Holdren and Revelette. 
Holdren, who represented the Grizzlies in the Frontier League All-Star game for the third straight season, leads the league in doubles (19), extra base hits (37) and runs scored (61). His 74 hits are good for fourth in the league. He’s also added 17 home runs, driven in 42 runs and has a .318 batting average.

Revelette was acquired by the Grizzlies in early June after a stint with the St. George Roadrunners of the Golden League. During his tenure with the Grizzlies, the southpaw tossed 21.1 innings, fanning 18 hitters and walking 9. He had one save to his credit and a 4.64 earned run average.

Rams Sign Thomas, Wave Four Others

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:19:30 -0500

The St. Louis Rams have signed free agent defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, the team announced today. The Rams also waived defensive linemen Kirston Pittman and Willie Williams, and wide receivers Travis Brown and Horace Gant.

Thomas, 6-0, 335 pounds, joins the Rams after 13 NFL seasons, the last three with the New Orleans Saints. Thomas, who spent the first 10 seasons of his career with Philadelphia after signing with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 1996, has totaled 668 tackles (407 solo) and 20.0 sacks. He has started 123 of 162 career games.

In 2008, Thomas played in eight games with two starts for the Saints, totaling 10 tackles. Thomas suffered a triceps injury in August of 2008 and was released in September with an injury settlement. He rejoined the Saints in November, finishing the season with the team.

Rams Sign Scott, Null

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:19:27 -0500

The St. Louis Rams have signed 2009 fourth-round draft choice (103rd overall) defensive tackle Darell Scott and sixth-round draft choice (196th overall) quarterback Keith Null, the team announced today. Terms of the contract were undisclosed.

Scott, 6-3, 312 pounds, recorded 161 tackles (103 solo) with nine sacks and 36 quarterback pressures in his four-year playing career at Clemson University. Scott started his final 38 games, appearing in 50 contests.

A three-year starter at nose guard, Scott collected a career-high 54 tackles (32 solos) that included three sacks and eight pressures during his sophomore season. During his senior campaign, the 2008 Outland Trophy Watch List member delivered 39 tackles (29 solos) with 7.5 stops for loss, including one sack, and added 10 pressures.

Null, 6-4, 220 pounds, holds the West Texas A&M career records for passing yards (9,769), completion percentage (67.5), touchdown passes (92) and total offense (9,174). Null also holds the Lone Star Conference career records for passing yards per game (315.1) and touchdown passes (92).

As a senior, Null earned All-America honors and was named MVP of the Valero Cactus Bowl, the Division II All-Star game, after passing for 240 yards with three touchdowns while completing a Cactus Bowl record 19 passes on 27 attempts.

Rams Sign Laurinaitis

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:14:48 -0500

The St. Louis Rams have signed 2009 second-round draft choice (35th overall) linebacker James Laurinaitis, the team announced today. Terms of the contract were undisclosed.

Laurinaitis, 6-2, 244 pounds, joined the Rams after a four-year career at Ohio State University. Laurinaitis is a three-time first-team All-America honoree and the recipient of the Ronnie Lott Trophy (2008), Butkus Award (2007) and the Nagurski Award (2006). Laurinaitis’ 375 career tackles rank seventh in school history. He started his last 39 of 51 career games for the Buckeyes.

In 2008, Laurinaitis was awarded the Lott Trophy and earned first-team All-America and All-Big Ten Conference honors after recording a career-high 130 tackles. He was named team captain for the second consecutive season, becoming just the seventh Buckeye to be elected captain twice in a career. Laurinaitis recorded a BCS Championship game record 18 tackles vs. Louisiana State on Jan. 1, 2009.

Grizzlies V. SI

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:00:05 -0500

Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Southern Illinois... 120 000 000 - 3 4 1
Gateway Grizzlies... 500 406 20X - 17 17 0
-------------------------------------------

Southern Illinois starters: 30/cf Milons; 14/ss Roth; 9/c Sweet; 31/dh
Metropoulos; 27/1b Miller; 7/3b Camp; 17/rf Hale; 2/lf Goldsmith; 8/2b Block;
19/p Moring;
Gateway Grizzlies starters: 7/lf Peters; 14/3b Johnson; 24/dh Holdren; 9/c
Lisk; 12/rf Scaperotta; 30/1b Agreste; 25/cf West; 4/ss Hale; 6/2b Kerins; 22/p
Arneson;

Southern Illinois 1st - Milons homered to right center, RBI (2-2). Roth
lined out to ss (3-2). Sweet grounded out to p (1-1). Metropoulos grounded out
to 3b (3-2). 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 1st - Peters struck out swinging (2-2). Johnson walked
(3-2). Holdren doubled down the lf line, RBI (1-1); Johnson scored. Lisk
doubled to left center, RBI (0-1); Holdren scored. Scaperotta walked (3-0).
Agreste doubled to left field, RBI (0-0); Scaperotta advanced to third; Lisk
scored. West reached on an error by p, advanced to second (0-2); Agreste
scored, unearned; Scaperotta scored, unearned. Hale struck out swinging (1-2).
Kerins popped up to 1b (0-1). 5 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 2nd - Miller walked (3-2). Camp homered to left field,
2 RBI (1-0); Miller scored. Hale hit by pitch (3-2). Goldsmith reached on a
fielder's choice (0-2); Hale out at second p to ss. Block flied out to lf
(1-1). Milons flied out to rf (1-2). 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 2nd - Peters popped up to 3b (3-2). Johnson singled to
right field (0-0). Holdren struck out swinging (2-2). Lisk struck out looking
(0-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 3rd - Roth struck out looking (3-2). Sweet grounded
out to 2b (2-2). Metropoulos singled to center field (0-1). Miller grounded out
to 3b (0-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 3rd - Scaperotta struck out swinging (2-2). Agreste
grounded out to 2b (2-2). West popped up to ss (3-1). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
errors, 0 LOB.

Southern Illinois 4th - Camp flied out to cf (1-2). Hale struck out
swinging (2-2). Goldsmith grounded out to 3b (1-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 4th - Hale popped up to 3b (1-0). Kerins homered down
the lf line, RBI (0-0). Peters walked (3-2). Johnson struck out swinging (1-2).
Peters advanced to second on a passed ball. Holdren walked (3-1). Lisk homered
to center field, 3 RBI (1-0); Holdren scored; Peters scored. Scaperotta singled
to center field (1-2). Agreste struck out swinging (2-2). 4 runs, 3 hits, 0
errors, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 5th - Block struck out swinging (3-2). Milons walked
(3-1). Roth flied out to cf (2-1). Perry pinch hit for Sweet. Perry struck out
looking (0-2). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 5th - Perry to c. Starnes to p for Moring. West
singled (3-2). Hale struck out swinging (0-2). West stole second. Kerins
grounded out to ss (1-2). Peters grounded out to ss (0-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
errors, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 6th - Metropoulos grounded out to ss (2-1). Miller
struck out swinging (0-2). Camp popped up to 2b (1-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 6th - Stewart to p for Starnes. Johnson struck out
swinging (2-2). Holdren singled down the rf line (0-1). Lisk homered to left
field, 2 RBI (1-1); Holdren scored. Scaperotta singled down the rf line (0-0).
Agreste singled to center field (0-2); Scaperotta advanced to second. West
singled to left field (0-2); Agreste advanced to second; Scaperotta advanced to
third. Hale struck out swinging (0-2). Kerins walked, RBI (3-1); West advanced
to second; Agreste advanced to third; Scaperotta scored. Peters walked, RBI
(3-2); Kerins advanced to second; West advanced to third; Agreste scored.
Dooley to p for Stewart. Johnson singled to right field, 2 RBI (1-1); Peters
advanced to third; Kerins scored; West scored. Holdren struck out swinging
(2-2). 6 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Southern Illinois 7th - Hale popped up to 1b (3-2). Goldsmith flied out
to cf (2-1). Block flied out to cf (0-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0
LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 7th - Lisk struck out looking (2-2). Scaperotta
singled to right field (0-1). Agreste doubled to right center (1-0); Scaperotta
advanced to third. Lape pinch hit for West. Lape struck out swinging (2-2).
Hale singled to center field, 2 RBI (0-0); Agreste scored; Scaperotta scored.
Kerins struck out looking (1-2). 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Southern Illinois 8th - Lape to cf. Milons singled to right field (2-1).
Roth grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b (1-0); Milons out on the play.
Perry struck out looking (1-2). 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Gateway Grizzlies 8th - Wiman to p for Dooley. Peters grounded out to 2b
(1-1). Johnson struck out swinging (0-2). Holdren struck out swinging (1-2).
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Southern Illinois 9th - Boeschen to p for Arneson. Metropoulos struck
out swinging (2-2). Miller flied out to rf (2-2). Camp grounded out to 3b
(1-0). 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.