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Guests
Mick Cronin, 6:10
Bengals Roundtable with John Thornton, 6:30-8pm

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Former UC coach impressed by Bearcats
OneGreatSeason.com
"I take no responsibility for UC being where it is today; that is for others to determine," Murphy said. "I love watching UC on TV the few chances I get. The university, the physical plant and facilities and the success of UC football are impressive and something for anyone connected with UC to take great pride in."

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UC football news
CINCINNATI---University of Cincinnati wide receiver/kick returner Mardy Gilyard was named one of 15 Players to Watch for the 2009 Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year award, the fourth oldest college football award in the nation.
He leads the BIG EAST Conference in total receiving yards, catching 68 balls for 930 yards and eight touchdowns. He has three 100-yard receiving games and has caught a pass in 15-straight contests.
Gilyard, the 2008 BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year, has helped UC lead the BIG EAST in both kickoff and punt returns. He ranks sixth nationally and leads the BIG EAST, averaging 180.1 all-purpose yards per game.
The 15-player list includes four quarterbacks, four running backs, four wide receivers and three defensive standouts.
A list of five finalists will be announced on Wednesday, December 2. The 2009 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, who is voted on by the Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be presented live on Thursday, December 10 during the 6 p.m. edition of ESPN Sports Center.

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The Cuddle....revisited
Oakland will start Bruce Gradkowski at QB on Sunday.
Anyone remember October 15, 2006?
The Bengals led 13-7 at Tampa Bay with 2:35 remaining. Justin Smith sacked Gradkowski to seemingly give the Bengals the win. But Smith was called for roughing the passer, giving the Bucs the ball at the Bengals 25-yard line. Tampa Bay rallied and won the game 14-13 on an 8-yard TD pass to Michael Clayton with :35 remaining.
The winning play, on 4th and 3, was originally ruled incomplete when the ball fell out of Clayton's hands diving to the goal line. But the play was overturned on replay and ruled a catch.
The Bengals did have one last chance but Carson Palmer was sacked on second down.
Marvin then passed up a Hail Mary pass.
Shayne Graham was forced to try a 62-yard field goal that was short and wide right.
Marvin's classic line about the roughing the passer penalty was...."I guess you have to cuddle him to the ground".

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NFL vs unruly fans: League out to protect game day experience
USA Today
Kevin Grady, 33, hopes tailgating limits will reduce the fan misbehavior he has seen at many NFL stadiums. He points to a tailgater passed out in a trailer more than two hours before the Jets' 1 p.m. kickoff Sunday. "See that guy? Put that in your story," says the teacher from Meriden, Conn

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Once mighty OSU-Michigan rivalry now just another game
USA Today
This week, the game has become a shell of its former self. It's so diminished that its only tangible impact will be to determine if the embattled Wolverines become bowl eligible. The Rose Bowl has been decided; the Buckeyes are going. The Heisman Trophy race is going on without the Big Ten again this year. So, too, is the national championship battle.

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Goooooooooo Celtics!
Alison Preston of the Boston Celtics dance team. Careful viewing.

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*Big East basketblal teams are a combined 30-0 going into Thursday's schedule.....the only conference in the nation without a loss in 2009-10.

*UC football #1 in academics among BCS Top 10

*Top 25 Football Broadcasters

*Bengals take FB with 29th pick in 2010 draft

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Sad
How embarrassing was Miami football last night? They lost 42-17 at home to Buffalo in front of 7,983 fans.
Buffalo toyed with the Redhawks.
The Redhawks finish the season 1-11, outscored 410 (34.2) to 187 (15.6).
Miami averaged 11,810 fans this season.
For the season they were outscored 109-27 in the 1st quarter this season and 109-38 in the 3rd quarter.
It's a shame what has happened to that program since Terry Hoeppner left.
And is there much hope for 1st year Coach Mike Heyward? Anyone inspired by that guy?

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Dad went to bat for Dusty
Sacramento Bee
Without his father's permission, Dusty Baker signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves after graduating from Del Campo, despite having a basketball scholarship to Santa Clara. His father filed a lawsuit against the Braves and won, withholding half the signing bonus until Dusty was 21. If Dusty Baker were to attend college today, his father arranged it so the Braves would still have to pay his tuition.

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Raiders bench Russell, Gradkowski to start vs Bengals
Oakland Tribune
This will be just the second start for Gradkowski since 2006. He started one game last year in Cleveland and 11 games as a rookie for Tampa Bay in 2006. Gradkowski is 17 for 30 for 163 yards and two interceptions.

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Freekbass to perform in town
My guy Freekbass is going to be playing in town next Wednesday, Nov.25(Thanksgiving Eve) at the
20th Century Theatre in Oakley. The show is all ages, and tickets are available at ticketmaster or venue box
office. Doors are at 8pm.

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Cool high school football exhibit
From Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
There is also a panel discussion in
conjunction with the exhibit to take place on November 28. In conjunction with
the exhibit, players, coaches and sports writers will swap stories about
Cincinnati's rich high school football heritage on Saturday, November 28 at 2:00
p.m. in the Main Library's Reading Garden. Besides the authors and the
researcher of the book, some of the coaches featured as panelists include Steve
Klonne, who led Moeller to State Championships in 1982 & 1985; Steve Specht, who
played for St. Xavier in 1986 and went on to lead St. Xavier to state
championships in 2005 & 2007; and Ben Hubbard who led Fairfield to victory in
1986. Otis Williams, who played All-City for Withrow in the 1950s and later
became gained fame as a musician who recorded hits through King Records, will
also be on the panel.

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Cast a vote for a local guy
The Thoroughbred Times has published its nominees for end of the year honors
in several racing categories and among them is John Engelhardt who has
hosted "The Regular Guy" handicapping show from River Downs over the past
ten years. He is named in the category that features Best On-Air Racing
Analyst.
"I had no idea I was even nominated," stated Engelhardt who is also the
Director of Publicity and Public Relations at the Cincinnati thoroughbred
racetrack. Considering that we broadcast from a smaller racing market, it's
an honor to be named alongside New York's Andy Serling, Keeneland's Mike
Battaglia, Ron Nicoletti from Gulfstream Park and former River Downs
announcer Terry Wallace, who does an outstanding job from Oaklawn Park -
just to name a few."
For a view of all of the nominees and categories go to
www.thoroughbredtimes.com

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Happy Birthday

Meg Ryan turns 48 today