Jack Sock Talks Nebraska Cornhusker Football

Tennis pro Jack Sock fielded questions from the media about his upcoming tennis schedule and he also talked Nebraska Cornhusker Football. 

The Nebraska native attended a game this year and out of the blue gives Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini a "vote of confidence."  I'm sure that is comforting to Pelini.

BTW - Jack was wearing a black Nebraska pullover and underneath, a Nebraska tee.

Hear Jack talk 'Husker football here:

Jack Sock in action in Atlanta

Snow Hits New Mexico and El Paso, TX

A severe and early winter storm has struck most of New Mexico, closing schools and shutting down major highways across the state.

Motorists sought emergency shelter overnight as state officials closed both directions of Interstate 40 from Albuquerque to Gallup -- part of the historic Route 66 -- after blowing snow caused near-zero visibility.

Authorities also shut down Interstate 10 in the southern part of the state, from the Texas line to the Arizona border, because of heavy snow and icy road conditions.

The storm was the third to hit the state recently and spread heavy snow throughout northern and southern New Mexico. It forced school districts to close or end classes early Monday.

Southern New Mexico also got hit, this is a region usually spared the worst of winter blasts. Crews worked to clear snow and salted icy roadways in the region, especially around Lordsburg, Silver City, Socorro, Magdalena and Truth or Consequences. More than 700 employees and 500 pieces of equipment will be available to keep state routes clear.

El Paso, TX also got hit on Monday, shutting down roads and highways out of El Paso as the cold system moved south, bringing freezing temperatures and causing havoc to the region.  3-5 inches of snow are in the forecast.

Aircraft Carrier Ready to Host College Basketball

Two of the best teams in college basketball tip off on Friday night, but the venue is a place college basketball has never gone before.  It will be played on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier.

Friday night’s game between North Carolina and Michigan State on the aircraft carrier in San Diego is the result of three years of planning and untold logistical obstacles to conquer. Seating for 7,000 people has been constructed on the flight deck, along with two large video boards and several hospitality tents at a cost of $2 million, paid by private donors and corporate sponsors.

Secret Service agents will arrive early Friday morning to sweep the ship because President Obama is expected to attend the 4 p.m. game and Magic Johnson and James Worthy will be the honorary captains for their alma maters, Michigan State and North Carolina.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said Friday's game is meant to honor service members and veterans, to show the nation on Veterans Day "how important sports is to the sailors and Marines out there as a way to connect to family and friends."

There is also the public relations value, Mabus said, of appealing to young men and women who might consider joining a branch of the armed services.

The Vinson was commissioned in 1982 and in 1986 became the first aircraft carrier to operate in the Bering Sea. On Oct. 7, 2001, became the first aircraft carrier deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom. It has conducted 4,200 combat missions as part of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2010, when the ship was en route home to San Diego, it was diverted to Haiti to assist in hurricane relief efforts. Earlier this year it was the ship to hold Osama bin Laden's body after he was killed.

No tickets will be sold. Each school received about 400 tickets, Quicken Loans, the title sponsor and State Farm, the secondary sponsor, received some and the rest went to men and women in the military.

Each team will wear specially designed uniforms resembling camouflage gear for the game, and an 86-pound trophy, a replica of the Carl Vinson, has been made.

"I hope it's a great game," Mabus said, "but more than that I hope this will bring some attention to our sailors and Marines, to all of our armed forces on Veterans Day. This is to thank them."

A Hail Mary Ending Again for Michigan State

It wasn't against Notre Dame this time.

Keith Nichol’s 44-yard touchdown catch on the last play of the game — after a heave by Kirk Cousins and a bounce off a Michigan State teammate — gave the Spartans a 37-31 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday night. The tiebreaking touchdown was the most memorable play at Michigan State at least since last year’s fake field goal in overtime beat Notre Dame at the same end of the field.

That corner of the end zone could be called "Amen Corner", but I guess that's already taken.

College Football Play of the Day for 10/22/11: USC

In one of college football's most storied rivalries, how about USC getting 9.5 points as they play Notre Dame.

USC is 5-1, but still a bit of an unknown to the public and those in Vegas.  Notre Dame is 4-2, with early season defeats to South Florida and Michigan.

Still, 9.5 is too many points.  USC is historically a preety good road team and are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games.

The Fighting Irish are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.

I say take the points and the Trojans for a big win.