FCS Season Preview: Great West
NCAA Football Betting Lines
08/29/2010 -
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - And for our next magic trick ... we're
going to pick the winner of the Great West Football Conference.
That's not easy to do with the way the five-team conference in the Football
Championship Subdivision has been bunched up in recent seasons.
There's been a different champion in each of the past four seasons, and last
year's race was particularly close. No team was better than 6-5, no team worse
than 4-7, and UC Davis reigned with a 3-1 conference mark, followed by North
Dakota, South Dakota and Southern Utah at 2-2 each and Cal Poly, the 2008
champion, in last place at 1-3.
UC Davis probably would have been a clear favorite to repeat as champion this
season had its terrific quarterback, Greg Denham, not decided to forgo his
final season to pursue a career in the ministry. Nonetheless, Great West
coaches picked the Aggies first in their preseason poll.
Cal Poly has the most returning starters among conference teams, but can it go
from worst to first after disappointing in coach Tim Walsh's first season last
year?
Southern Utah, behind All-America wide receiver Tysson Poots, believes it will
win the title, but that's something the Thunderbirds have never done.
North Dakota probably has a better shot than South Dakota because of its young
talent, but who knows what will happen in this back-and-forth conference?
Count everybody in ... and nobody out.
History is on the side of UC Davis and Cal Poly, but if Southern Utah is ever
going to knock down the door, it's this season. The Thunderbirds are 6-20 in
Great West games since conference play began in 2004, with last year's 2-2
mark their best one. Poots says his team has to play better in pivotal
conference games.
"Now I think that we know we can play with the teams that we play against," he
said. "We know that we're as big as them and sometimes as fast as them. It
takes that mental focus to bring you to the top sometimes."
Following is a team-by-team breakdown of the 2010 Great West Football
Conference race.
The Sportsbook Betting Lines's predicted order of finish:
1. Southern Utah
2. UC Davis
3. Cal Poly
4. North Dakota
5. South Dakota
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Tysson Poots, Southern Utah
Defensive Player of the Year: CB Asa Jackson, Cal Poly
1. SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS (5-6 overall; 2-2 Great West)
COACH: Ed Lamb (9-13 in two seasons at Southern Utah)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (7 offense/7 defense)
OFFENSIVE STAR: WR Tysson Poots, Sr. (85 receptions, 1,081 yards, 15 TDs)
DEFENSIVE STAR: CB Colin Pretlow, Sr. (82 TT, 4 INTs, 7 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS:
QB Brad Sorenstam, So. (BYU transfer)
QB J.J. Mayer, R-Fr.
RB Major Gray, Sr. (121 carries, 490 yards, 7 TDs)
RB Austin Minefee, Jr. (99 carries, 544 yards, 1 TD; 23 receptions, 229 yards,
4 TDs)
RB Decker Alexander, Jr. (injured last season)
FB Tui Siliva, Sr. (8 receptions, 51 yards)
WR/PR Fesi Sitake, Sr. (79 receptions, 848 yards, 9 TDs; 14.3-yard punt return
average, 1 TD)
WR Jared Ursua, Jr. (26 receptions, 239 yards, 2 TDs)
TE Abbel Aiono, Jr. (13 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD)
LT Brock Christensen, Jr.
LG Zach Brackus, So.
C Gavin Farr, So.
RG Trevor Schauerhamer, Jr.
RT Brandon Beddes, Jr.
NT Nick Garcia, Sr. (22 TT, 2.5 TFL)
DT Cody Larsen, So. (30 TT, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks)
DE Cody Larsen, So. (27 TT, 2 sacks)
OLB Akeem Aniofowoshe, Sr. (68 TT, 3 PBU, 4 FR, 1 FF, 1 blocked kick)
MLB Troy Bunting, Sr. (54 TT, 3 TFL)
MLB Drew Willard, Jr. (60 TT, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 2 FF)
SS Erron Vonner, Jr. (68 TT, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 2 FR, 1 FF)
SS Tyson Turley, Jr. (28 TT, 1 blocked kick)
FS Matt Holley, So. (26 TT, 1 INT, 1 FR)
CB Dion Turner, Jr. (61 TT, 1 INT, 1 FR, 1 FF)
CB Myles Crawford-Harris, Jr. (29 TT, 3 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF)
PK Brock Miller, R-Fr.
OUTLOOK: The Thunderbirds are working to keep inexperience on the offensive
and defensive lines from holding them back. Of course, that's a major concern
for any team. The 6-foot-5, strong-armed Sorensen appears ready to replace QB
Cade Cooper, who threw for 2,988 yards and 31 touchdowns last season.
Sorensen's transition is helped by a wealth of talent at the skill positions.
Wide receiver tandems don't get much better than Poots, a nominee for the
Walter Payton Award, sponsored by Fathead.com, and Sitake, who's also a
standout punt returner. Top RBs Gray and Minefee are back, as is 2008 rushing
leader Alexander, who was injured last season. Southern Utah gets into a lot
of shootouts, and that's something the defense hopes to change. The Pretlow-
led secondary is particularly experienced, allowing Aniofowoshe to move from
safety to linebacker. In fact, the Thunderbirds are a deeper team all around,
giving them hope of winning their first Great West title. They were the only
conference team to beat UC Davis last season, but have to visit their
California rival on Oct. 30
2. UC DAVIS AGGIES (6-5 overall; 3-1 Great West)
COACH: Bob Biggs (130-66-1 in 17 seasons at UC Davis)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (8 offense/6 defense)
OFFENSIVE STAR: RT Mark Tos, Sr.
DEFENSIVE STAR: DE Eric Sobotka, Sr. (32 TT, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FF, 1 blocked
kick)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS:
QB Randy Wright, R-Fr.
QB Austin Heyworth, So. (7 of 9 for 82 yards and 2 TDs)
RB Joe Trombetta, Sr. (119 carries, 395 yards, 4 TDs; 30 receptions, 206
yards, 1 TD)
RB Josh Reese, Jr. (68 carries, 375 yards, 2 TDs)
FB Ishman Anderson, Jr.
WR/PR Sean Creadick, Sr. (39 receptions, 466 yards, 5 TDs; 4.7-yard punt
return average)
WR Elon Wyatt, So.
TE Dean Rogers, Sr. (29 receptions, 326 yards, 2 TDs)
LT Wesley O'Brien, R-Fr.
LT Sean Davies, So.
LG Jimmy Kunkel, R-Fr.
LG Ivan Perez, So.
RG Al Doiron, R-Fr.
RG Ray Wilburn, So.
DT Jacob Maxson, Jr. (36 TT, 7.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 FR)
DT Andrew Benjamin, Sr. (23 TT, 3.5 TFL)
LB Dozie Amajoyi, Sr. (50 TT, 2 sacks)
LB Marshall Congdon, Sr. (33 TT, 3 TFL, 1 FR)
SS Danny Hart, Sr. (53 TT, 4 QBH, 3 FR)
SS Byron Gruendl, So. (23 TT)
FS Kevyn Lewis, So. (30 TT, 5 TFL, 2 sacks)
CB Marcus North, Sr. (missed last season)
PK Sean Kelley, Jr. (12 of 15 FG, 52 long)
P Colton Schmidt, So. (39.1-yard punt average)
OUTLOOK: The big question is whether the Aggies can replace QB Greg Denham, a
two-year starter. Wright has been named the starter for the Sept. 4 opener at
Cal. Great West rivals also are well aware of Heyworth. When Denham was
injured against Portland State last season, Heyworth stepped in and led a
fourth-quarter rally to claim conference offensive player of the week honors.
The Aggies lost seven all-conference players in addition to Denham, who made
the second team. The versatile Tombretta has led the team in rushing each of
the past three seasons and Reese raised his play last season. The loss of WRs
Chris Carter and Bakari Grant is significant, with Creadick now the go-to
receiver. Tos is perhaps the best offensive lineman in the conference,
although the run game struggled last season. The graduation losses included LB
Mike Morales, the Great West Defensive Player of the Year. Sobotka hopes to
generate a consistent pass rush. Kelley was named the Great West Preseason
Special Teams Player of the Year. Four of the Aggies' first five games are on
the road.
3. CAL POLY MUSTANGS (4-7 overall; 1-3 Great West)
COACH: Tim Walsh (4-7 in one season at Cal Poly; 121-89 in 19 seasons)
STARTERS RETURNING: 19 (11 offense/8 defense)
OFFENSIVE STAR: QB Tony Smith, Sr. (112 of 291 for 1,618 yards, 15 TDs and 8
INTs; 113 carries, 230 yards, 5 TDs)
DEFENSIVE STAR: CB/PR Asa Jackson, Jr. (48 TT, 3 TFL, 2 INTs, 6 PBU; 15.5-yard
punt return average)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS:
QB Andre Broadous, So.
FB Jake Romanelli, Jr. (107 carries, 492 yards, 2 TDs)
FB Jordan Yocum, Sr. (115 carries, 459 yards, 1 TD)
Slotback David Mahr, Jr. (16 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD)
WR Dominique Johnson, Sr. (43 receptions, 741 yards, 6 TDs)
WR Eric Gardley, Sr. (11 receptions, 203 yards, 1 TD)
RT Art Munoz, Sr. (injured last season)
RG Will Mitchell, Sr.
C Hal Kelley, Sr.
LG Maurice McClure, Jr.
LT Scott Winnewisser, Jr.
DT James Chen, Sr. (27 TT, 2.5 TFL)
DT Sullivan Grosz, R-Fr.
NG Erich Klemme, Jr. (38 TT (5.5 TFL, 2 sacks)
DE Kyle Murphy, Jr. (Santa Rosa transfer)
DE Matt Singletary, Jr. (Baylor transfer)
DE Gavin Cooper, Jr. (29 TT, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 3 PBU)
DE Brandon Roberts, Jr. (25 TT, 2 PBU)
DLB Kenny Jackson, So. (58 TT, 4.5 TFL, 2 FR)
LB Marty Mohamed, Sr. (93 TT, 8.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 PBU)
LB Johnny Millard, R-Fr.
S Scottie Cordier, Sr. (38 TT, 4 INTs, 2 PBU)
S Greg Francis, Jr. (32 TT, 3 INTs)
CB Bijon Samoodi, So. (44 TT, 1 INT, 1 PBU)
CB Nico Molino, So. (Northern Arizona transfer)
P/PK Chris Pinto, Sr. (8 of 13 FG, 42 long)
OUTLOOK: The way Walsh's first season in San Luis Obispo ended must have been
particularly damaging to the Mustangs' psyche. Or has it been motivation all
offseason? After six straight seasons of at least seven wins, the Mustangs
ended 2009 with a four-game losing streak, and they allowed 97 points over the
final two games. The defense should bounce back with a better front seven,
getting linebacker-turned-defensive-end Cooper back from an injury, Murphy and
Singletary transferring into the program, and Jackson and Mohamed returning as
a solid combination at linebacker. Jackson is a shutdown cornerback and just
might win a game as a punt returner. The spread triple-option offense troubles
opponents because it relies heavily on fullbacks, and bruisers Romanelli and
Yocum combined for 951 yards rushing a year ago. Mobile QB Smith, who's been
pushed by Broadous, gets back a big-play threat in Johnson (17.2 yards per
catch). After going 0-6 on the road last season, the Mustangs could be
decimated by a five-week road swing to Texas State (Sept. 18), McNeese State
(Sept. 25), Fresno State (Oct. 2), Old Dominion (Oct. 9) and Southern Utah
(Oct. 16), which is their first Great West game.
4. NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING SIOUX (6-5 overall; 2-2 Great West)
COACH: Chris Mussman (12-9 in two seasons at North Dakota)
STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (6 offense/8 defense)
OFFENSIVE STAR: TB Mitch Sutton, So. (149 carries, 689 yards, 6 TDs; 27
receptions, 280 yards, 1
TD)
DEFENSIVE STAR: CB/KR Dominique Hawkins, Jr. (61 TT, 3.5 TFL, 2 INT, 4 PBU, 1
blocked kick; 17.7-yard KO return average)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS:
QB Jake Landry, Sr. (178 of 301 for 1,968 yards, 12 TDs and 9 INTs; 85
carries, 217 yards, 2 TDs)
FB Catlin Solum, Jr.
RB Jake Miller, Fr.
WR Ryan Dressler, Sr. (23 receptions, 150 yards, 1 TD)
WR Chris Anderson, Jr. (17 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD)
WR Greg Hardin, R-Fr.
LT Creighton Schroyer, Sr.
LG Keith Queoff, Sr.
C/LG Ian McGurran, So.
RG Emmett Lynch, So.
RT Joe Kleason, R-Fr.
RT Connor McKendry, Jr. (injured last season)
WR Chris Anderson, Jr. (17 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD)
DE Broc Bellmore, Jr. (15 TT, 4 QBH, 4 blocked kicks)
DE Ross Brenneman, So. (25 TT 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 PBU)
NG Ty Boyle, Sr. (19 TT, 2 FF, 2 blocked kicks)
ILB Curtis Dublanko, Sr. (59 TT, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FC)
ILB Paul German, Sr. (32 TT, 2 TFL, 1 FR)
OLB Ryan Kasowski, Sr. (35 TT, 7.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks)
OLB Ross Cochran, Sr. (33 TT, 4.5 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 FR)
FS Kris Ankenbauer, Sr. (56 TT, 3 PBU, 2 FR)
SS Joel Schwenzfeier, Sr. (59 TT, 8 TFL, 5 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF)
CB Mitch Kudrna, Jr. (32 TT, 3 PBU)
P Brett Cameron, So. (44.9-yard punt average)
OUTLOOK: The Fighting Sioux responded well against a tougher schedule last
season and were competitive within Great West play. QB Landry was solid in
replacing Danny Freund and Sutton was named Great West Newcomer of the Year
with a superb freshman season. Both will operate behind a veteran offensive
line, although Landry has to develop chemistry with some new starting
receivers. The defense is a veteran group and Mussman is stressing more of an
aggressive approach out of the 3-4. Kasowski is a leader at linebacker and
Hawkins is one of the Great West's top defensive backs. The kicking game will
change after Brandon Hellevang earned second-team all-conference honors as
both a place-kicker and punter last season. If the offense takes the next
step, the Fighting Sioux should be a title factor.
5. SOUTH DAKOTA COYOTES (5-5 overall; 2-2 MVFC)
COACH: Ed Meierkort (44-23 in six seasons at South Dakota; 99-78 in 15 seasons
overall)
STARTERS RETURNING: 12 (7 offense/5 defense)
OFFENSIVE STAR: RB Chris Ganious, Jr. (148 yards, 828 yards, 4 TDs)
DEFENSIVE STAR: ILB Adam Broders, Jr. (78 TT, 4 TFL, 1 PBU)
OTHER KEY PLAYERS:
QB Dante Warren, Jr. (12 of 15 for 127 yards)
QB Brandon Gorsuch, Jr. (Arizona Western transfer)
FB Erik Helland, Jr.
WR Tom Flanagan, So. (45 receptions, 530 yards, 4 TDs)
WR Dustin Nowotny, Jr. (31 receptions, 337 yards, 2 TDs)
WR Will Powell, So. (14 receptions, 200 yards, 4 TDs)
WR Matt Kerswill, R-Fr.
TE London Landry, Sr. (24 receptions, 248 yards, 3 TDs)
LT Tom Compton, Jr.
RG Brent Johnson, Jr.
C Tim Ross, So.
RT R.J. Polley, Jr.
DT Jesse Weisbrod, Jr.
DE Sidney Bazemore, Jr.
ILB Shea Williams, Jr. (67 TT, 1 PBU)
OLB Andrew Meier, Jr. (13 TT)
SS Shane Potter, Jr. (67 TT, 2.5 TFL, 2 PBU)
FS Jim Thompson, Jr. (59 TT, 2 INTs, 5 PBU)
CB Marquis Butler, Jr. (Utah State transfer)
CB Dametrius Turner, R-Fr.
DB Dion Price, Jr. (20 TT, 3 PBU)
PK Kevin Robb, Fr.
P Cole Zwiefelhofer, So. (41.4-yard punt average)
OUTLOOK: After the defense dropped off last season, Meierkort has brought in a
new defensive coordinator, Chuck Morrell, who had success on the NAIA level.
The Coyotes used the spring to get adjusted to Morrell's style and now are
ready to build on 2009, which ended with wins over Southern Utah and Cal Poly.
The defensive line has all new starters and will be vulnerable. The defensive
leaders are at linebacker (Broders and Williams) and in the secondary (Potter
and Thompson). The Coyotes are young all around, with a lot of influential
juniors. They include Ganious, the Great West rushing champion last season. He
will have to carry the offense while either Warren or Gorsuch settles in at
quarterback. The Coyotes had a 4-1 home record in each of the past three
seasons. Their road schedule is difficult, including season-opening visits to
UCF (Sept. 4) and Minnesota (Sept. 11).
<< Montero's late goal lifts Seattle over Chicago
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fredy Montero scored twice, including the game-
winner in stoppage time, as Seattle Sounders FC beat the Chicago Fire, 2-1, on
Saturday night in Major League Soccer at Qwest Field.
John Thorrington converted a
<< Arnaud leads Kansas City to 2-0 win at L.A.
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Davy Arnaud had a goal and an assist to lead the
Kansas City Wizards to a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night
in Major League Soccer at The Home Depot Center.
Arnaud scored his third goal of th
<< Dixon's late score lifts 49ers over Raiders
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Anthony Dixon's one-yard touchdown run late in
the fourth quarter helped the San Francisco 49ers take a 28-24 win over the
Oakland Raiders in the third preseason game for both squads.
Dixon finished the ga
<< Millwood dominant as O's blank Angels
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Bell hit a two-run homer and Kevin
Millwood pitched his best game of the season, as the Baltimore Orioles shut
down the Angels, 5-0, in the second test of a three-game series.
Millwood (3-14) ga
<< Arizona pummels struggling Giants
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mark Reynolds and Adam LaRoche each
homered and Daniel Hudson continued to impress with seven sturdy innings as
Arizona downed San Francisco, 11-3, in the second of three meetings at AT&T
Par
Tanihara wins shootout in Japan >>
Itoshima, Japan (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hideto Tanihara closed with a six-under 66
Sunday to earn a one-stroke win at Vana H Cup KBC Augusta.
Tanihara finished at 22-under-par 266. The victory was his ninth on the Japan
Golf Tour, but his first
da Silva cruises to Zambia Open title >>
Ndola, Zambia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Adilson da Silva closed with a one-under 72
Sunday to cruise to a four-shot win at the Zambia Open.
The Brazilian, who was runner-up in the last Sunshine Tour event, finished the
54-hole event at 17-under
Marlins' infield dirt to provide Miami a challenge >>
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -When No. 13 Miami opens its season Thursday, it's probable that some of the Hurricanes will be bloodied and scraped by the time the game ends.And it might not be Florida A&M's fault, either.The Hurricanes' roughest oppon
2010 World Basketball Championship update - August 29th >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
Group C Halftime: China 41 Ivory Coast 33 (Ankara)
Group D Halftime: Canada 43 Lithuania 33 (Izmir)
Group A End of 1st Quarter: Jordan 17 Angola 16 (Kayseri)
Group B End of 1st Quarter : USA 23 Slovenia 11 (Istanbul
Giants wrap up series vs. D'Backs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Giants rookie Buster Posey is a big reason for the club's
success, but a forearm strain has been bothering the young catcher lately. He
is expected to be back in today's lineup versus the Arizona Diamondbacks in
the fin
NCAA Football Betting
Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)
"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."
Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins
There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.
Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins
Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.
USC Trojans - 10.5 wins
A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.
Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy
Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.
"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."
Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1
The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1
If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.
Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines .
To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sports betting
Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt
Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.
The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.
Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.
NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.
"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.
The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.
But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.
The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.
Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.
The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.
The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.
The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.
Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.
Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."
Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.
"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."
Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.
It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.
"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."
Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.
"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."
At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.
According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.
Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.
Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.
When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.
He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.
Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.
Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.
Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.
Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.
While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.
"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.
Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.
Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your VISA Sportsbook needs.
|