The Original Game » of Fame with a special connection to Griffey: Rickey H

DETROIT -- With a conference championship finally in tow and his teams unbeaten record still intact, P. Louisville Cardinals Donovan Mitchell Jersey .J. Fleck stopped holding back.Before he was even asked about it, the Western Michigan coach made it clear where he thought his team should be headed next.We deserve to be in the gosh darn Cotton Bowl, he said. Period. Write it down.The 13th-ranked Broncos might indeed end up there, but only after holding on for a dramatic 29-23 victory over Ohio on Friday night in the Mid-American Conference title game. WMU wrapped up its first MAC championship since 1988 when Robert Spillane intercepted a pass with 51 seconds remaining.The Broncos (13-0, No. 17 CFP) led 23-7 at halftime, but Ohio rallied and had the ball in WMU territory in the final minute when Spillane intercepted Greg Windhams pass over the middle. Spillane immediately took a knee at his own 30, then was mobbed by teammates as a Ford Field crowd full of Broncos fans roared.Ohio (8-5) never led and didnt do much on offense until the final quarter, but the Bobcats still came achingly close to their first MAC championship since 1968.Instead, WMU became the first undefeated team to win the MAC title game since Marshall in 1999. The question is whether the Broncos have done enough to make it to the Cotton Bowl. WMU is trying to earn the Group of Five bid to a New Years Six bowl.When asked previously about the playoff committee and its perception of his team, Fleck had been diplomatic, refusing to do too much lobbying. That changed after Fridays win, especially when he was asked about whether hed be paying attention to Navy this weekend.The Midshipmen, two spots behind WMU in the most recent playoff rankings, are another contender for the Cotton Bowl, and they play Temple for the American Athletic Conference title Saturday.I dont think theres anybody to pay attention to, Fleck said, becoming animated. Who are we paying attention to? Why are we paying attention to anyone? We are 13-0. Were the best Group of Five team in the country. We didnt lose a game. Whoever they put on our schedule, we beat. Theres two undefeated teams in the country -- us and Alabama. There is no argument. My TV will be off. We will be recruiting (Saturday). Im not going to watch anybody, period.Im going to wear cotton shirts, Im going to have cotton slippers, Im going to have cotton earmuffs, Im going to have a cotton jacket. Im going to wear everything cotton, from here on out.THE TAKEAWAYOhio: The Bobcats can hold their heads high after giving WMU by far its toughest game against a MAC opponent all season. Ohios defense held firm early, when a couple of fumbles by the Bobcats gave WMU a chance to break it open.They felt they had the talent to be in this game, and so did I, Ohio coach Frank Solich said. They were pretty driven to get some things done.WMU: The Broncos may end up sweating out the bowl announcements Sunday, but WMU can celebrate a truly special season no matter what happens. The Broncos nearly let it slip away in the second half, but their first conference title in nearly three decades was an accomplishment to savor.The crowd of 45,615 -- easily a record for a MAC title game -- was full of WMU fans chanting the teams row the boat mantra .We just kept our oars in the water, quarterback Zach Terrell said. Thats what this teams all about, and people might think its a cliche and that its not real, but thats just how we operate.HIGHLIGHTWestern Michigans Corey Davis, the career FBS leader in yards receiving, had eight catches for 144 yards. That included a 70-yard touchdown in the second quarter in which he caught the ball near midfield with safety Javon Hagan right behind him, opened up some distance between himself and Hagan and then outran a couple more defenders down the sideline.RARE MISTAKESTerrell, who had thrown one interception all season, was picked off twice in the second half, and Ohio held WMU without a touchdown after halftime.Obviously, our defense has been very strong throughout the course of basically the season and so they have that potential and they knew they had to step up, get that done, Solich said. I was a little worried because Western Michigan in the second half just seems to wear people down and then the score just gets away from a team thats playing them.That didnt happen Friday. Ohio repeatedly forced the Broncos to settle for field goals, but Butch Hampton made five of them for WMU. The last one was a 34-yarder that gave the Broncos a 29-23 lead with 1:24 remaining.POLL IMPLICATIONSWMU: The Broncos moved up one spot in the AP poll after last weeks win over Toledo, and they might have a chance to inch up further after winning the MAC. No. 9 Colorado lost Friday night, and No. 11 Oklahoma State plays Saturday.UP NEXTOhio: The Bobcats MAC title drought continues, but Ohio is bowl eligible for the eighth straight season.WMU: If Navy (9-2) loses Saturday, the Broncos figure to be a cinch for the Cotton Bowl. If Navy wins, it could end up being a close call between the Midshipmen and WMU.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Louisville Cardinals Jerseys College . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Louisville Cardinals Peyton Siva Jersey . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. http://www.louisvillecardinalsjerseys.us/ . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. SEATTLE -- Ken Griffey Jr. strode out from beyond the center-field wall, walked deliberately between the 2 and 4 emblazed on the Safeco Field grass, kissed his fingers and reached to touch the spot of the field he once patrolled.There was one more honor for The Kid this summer, and Griffey soaked up every moment.Griffeys No. 24 was retired by the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night with an emotional outpouring from fans that had the new Hall of Famer fighting back tears. The Mariners retired the number throughout the organization, and the final time it was worn came during batting practice when every member of the roster and coaching staff took the field with No. 24 on their jersey.The nearly hour-long program included former teammates, special Hall of Fame guests from other sports and an eloquent 5 minute video narrated by Grammy Award rapper Macklemore that brought the stadium to its feet and left very few dry eyes.It also included a video message from Willie Mays, who chided Griffey for not returning Mays call after Griffeys Hall of Fame induction was announced in January. So Griffey pulled out his cellphone and called Mays -- but had to leave a message he said.Griffey entered the stadium, appropriately, through center field, stopping along the way in the sun-drenched outfield to acknowledge the roaring ovation. It was an opportunity for those who didnt make the trip to see Griffey inducted in Cooperstown to give their thanks for what Griffey meant to baseball in the Pacific Northwest.I cant really explain what the last two weeks have been like. Its been unforgettable, Griffey said. The fans, the people, I walk down the street and Im getting high fives like I just scored again. Thats a tribute to you guys here, the way that you treat baseball players, basketball players, football players like people. You make us feel like part of the community and I want to thank you guys.Grriffey managed to maintain his composure until it came time for the unveiling of his retired number. Louisville Cardinals Teddy Bridgewater Jersey. The Mariners quietly pulled his daughter, Taryn, from the on-field ceremony and repositioned her in left-center field to pull the curtain that was covering the No. 24, placed right next to Jackie Robinsons No. 42.Griffey couldnt hold back the tears at the point, dabbing his eyes with his tie.Its only fitting from here forward Kens No. 24 will be displayed next to Jackie Robinsons No. 42, Mariners President Kevin Mather said.Mather also announced that the team will construct a statue of Griffey outside of Safeco Field to be unveiled in 2017.Griffeys speech was nearly 20 minutes shorter than his Hall of Fame induction speech, and he was able to keep the emotions in check as he cracked on former teammates and honored the city where he broke in as a 19-year-old in 1989.Ive had so many great memories in this city. Its been an unbelievable ride, he said.The Mariners pulled out all the stops, including the presence of Hall of Fame players from other Seattle professional franchises. Steve Largent and Cortez Kennedy represented the Seattle Seahawks, adorned in their gold Hall of Fame blazers, while Spencer Haywood and Gary Payton represented the Seattle SuperSonics. Payton, nicknamed The Glove, presented Griffey with a bronzed glove created by the same group that made Griffeys Hall of Fame plaque.And the Mariners brought in a pair of No. 24s in the Baseball Hall of Fame with a special connection to Griffey: Rickey Henderson, a teammate in Seattle, and Tony Perez, a teammate of Griffeys father in Cincinnati. Henderson was also the punchline of the parting shot to Griffeys speech.Rickey, you were the greatest, Griffey said. Today, I am the greatest. Cheap NFL Gear Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Stitched NFL Jerseys China Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2019 ' ' '