The NFL released their collegiate invite list for the 2011 NFL combine via their website, and the invites include University at Buffalo cornerback Josh Thomas.
Thomas, one of the top cover corners in UB history, finished his Bulls’ career with 29 career passes defended, tied for fifth best in school history. The Cedar Hill, TX native racked up 24 career starts and was named to Phil Steele’s All-MAC third team this past year.
As a senior, he started all 12 games and was fifth on the team with 58 tackles, including 30 solo stops. He added 5.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, eight pass breakups, including an interception.
Continue reading ‘UB Cornerback Thomas Gets Combine Invite’
It’s a busy night for sports locally in the Western New York area, with no shortage of events to check out live.
In college basketball both Canisius and Niagara are at home. Canisius plays host to Marist while Niagara will try to get a win against MAAC rival Saint Peters. Both games begin at 7pm.
If lacrosse is your thing, but the Buffalo Bandits are in action at the HSBC arena when they face off against the Minnesota Swarm at 7:30pm.
A pair of outstanding high school basketball games is also on the slate for Friday evening. Second-ranked large school Jamestown travels to Lancaster for an important battle while two of the heavyweights of the Monsignor Martin Association square off when Bishop Timon-St. Jude is home for a battle with Canisius. Both games start at 7:30pm.
Of course, if you’re unable or unwilling to leave the cozy confines of home, the Buffalo Sabres return to the ice after a nine day All-Star break layoff with a clash at the Pittsburgh Penguins.
We’ll have overnight coverage of all the games here at Buffalo Sports Daily, so be sure to check back later to find out how things went down.
Congratulations to Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan, who was elected president of the Pro Football Writers of America during their annual Super Bowl meeting on Friday.
Gaughan, who will serve a two-year term as president, has been with the Buffalo News since 1984 and has covered the Buffalo Bills since 1988.
According to their website, the Buffalo News is the first paper to have three PFWA presidents. Former Buffalo News writers Larry Felser and Vic Carucci have also served as president of the organization that currently holds approximately 250 members.
Gaughan is in Dallas covering the Super Bowl and among other things, will make the case to Hall of Fame voters for Bills receiver Andre Reed’s induction credentials. The Hall of Fame announcement comes at 7pm and Reed is one of 15 modern era finalists.
The American Hockey League announced that Portland Pirates right wing Mark Mancari has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Month for January. In 15 games, Mancari scored 13 goals, dished out eight assists and posted a plus-10 rating as the Pirates continued their chase for the Atlantic Division title.
Mancari was held scoreless in his first and last games of the month but fashioned a 13-game scoring streak in between, matching the longest run in the AHL this season. He posted three consecutive three-point games over the weekend of Jan. 21-23, and became the first AHL player in nearly two years to notch back-to-back hat tricks when he scored three goals on Jan. 22 vs. Providence and three more on Jan. 23 at Worcester. Included in Mancari’s month were two power-play goals, one shorthanded goal and one game-winner.
In recognition of his achievement, Mancari will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Pirates home game.
Continue reading ‘Mancari Named AHL Player of the Month’
Fifth-year senior Kourtney Brown has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District Second Team. Brown, who has twice been named Academic All-MAC, was one of five players who made the second team.
Brown leads the Bulls and the Mid-American Conference in scoring (22.5), rebounding (12.2), field goal percentage (.603) and blocked shots (61). She is the only player in the country who is in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.
Brown, who has a 3.35 GPA, has already graduated with a degree in computer engineering and is currently working on her second degree in electrical engineering. Brown is the reigning MAC East Player of the Week, the third time this season that she has gotten that honor. She has reached double figures in all, but one game this season and she has 12 20-point games and four 30-point games.
Continue reading ‘Kourtney Brown Named Academic All-District’
