Dein erstes Forum » "Navarro came off the bench after waiting

Western Kentucky knows it will be tough trying to follow up a 12-win season that clinched Conference USA, a second straight bowl victory and No. 24 final ranking.Especially since the Hilltoppers must replace key personnel such as career passing leader Brandon Doughty and tight end Tyler Higbee, both of whom are now in NFL training camps. But WKU has plenty of talent left for coach Jeff Brohm on both sides of the ball to expect continued success.Our team understands that this is a new team, said Brohm, who agreed to a four-year contraction extension in February. We lost some key players and some people out there might think that (because of) the fact that we lost them, were not going to be as near as good. Its up to guys to prove that they were a big part of that success. ... I like the nucleus of this team.WKU returns seven offensive starters from a high-octane squad that averaged 50 points per game while going unbeaten in league play. Five are on an offensive line that helped running back Anthony Wales rush for 1,091 yards over the final nine contests, and they should provide ample protection for Doughtys successor in the pocket.Senior receiver Taywan Taylor -- who set single-season school records with 1,467 yards and 17 touchdowns on 86 catches -- and fellow wideout Nicholas Norris (63 receptions, 971 yards) are also back along with tailback DAndre Ferby, who rushed for 650 yards and 11 TDs.The Hilltoppers may look different offensively this season, but tackle Forrest Lamp likes their continued capability to pile up yards and points.Its fun and we get to do a bunch of different things, Lamp said. We pass it, run it and have trick plays. Theres nothing more fun than blocking for a couple of seconds and seeing (wide receiver) Taywan (Taylor) run down the field and catch the ball wide open off a flea-flicker.Though WKU returns just four defensive starters, it has plenty of depth with nearly two dozen players who participated in at least three games last season. The `Toppers also added Louisville graduate transfers Keith Brown and Nick Dawson-Brents, beefing up a unit that might have to carry the load while the offense retools.The ability to prove consistency and the fact that we can do it for more than one year is going to be important, Brohm said. But the bullseye will be on our chest and we understand that we have a challenging schedule.QB BATTLESeveral players are competing to fill the big void left by Doughtys departure and Brohm will take as much time needed to examine a group including junior transfer Mike White -- a former starter at South Florida -- graduate transfer Tyler Ferguson, sophomore Drew Eckels and freshman Steven Duncan. Senior Nelson Fishback is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle.ALLENS RECOVERYThe NCAA granted running back Leon Allen a medical hardship waiver for another season of eligibility, but theres no timetable for the seniors return from a serious knee injury sustained in last years second game. He rushed for 1,542 yards and 13 TDs in 2014.KEY GAMESWKU faces two SEC teams in three weeks when it travels to defending national champion Alabama on Sept. 10 and hosts Vanderbilt on Sept. 24. The `Toppers also travel to face East division favorite Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15) and perennial contender Marshall (Nov. 26).PREDICTIONSeven wins and another bowl appearance are within reach for Hilltoppers.SEASON OPENERThe Hilltoppers host Rice on Sept. 1.Nike Presto Off White Fake Kaufen . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Nike Sf Air Force 1 Deutschland .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. http://www.airforce1gunstig.de/ . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Nike Air Huarache Kaufen Amazon . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. Nike Huarache Deutschland . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. CHICAGO -- Dioner Navarro welcomes the chance to come off the bench to hit in a big spot late in the game. The veteran catcher delivered a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 11th inning to give the Chicago Cubs a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. "Ninety per cent of the time when you pinch-hit in key situations, I dont want to sound cocky, but I kind of like to be in that situation," Navarro said. "Its the best against me and I love the challenge every time I get the opportunity." Navarro is 6 for 14 as a pinch hitter this season with two home runs and four RBIs. "Navarro has been doing it all year, constantly off the bench and getting the job done," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "Its a nice asset to have. Our bench has done a good job all year." Anthony Rizzo sparked the winning rally with a leadoff single. He advanced on Alfonso Sorianos single and went to third when Pirates catcher Russell Martin threw the ball into centre field while trying to pick Rizzo off second. Luis Valbuena was walked intentionally before Navarros fly ball to right off Bryan Morris (4-3) gave the Cubs their seventh win in the last 11 games. "We know we have a better team than the record shows," Cubs starter Carlos Villanueva said. "Weve lost some heartbreaking close games. You take back at least half of those games and were in a better position. Right now, I think its important for us to keep playing well into the All-Star break and have a strong second half." Matt Guerrier (3-4) pitched two scoreless innings for his first win with Chicago. He was acquired in the trade that sent Carlos Marmol to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The Cubs had a 3-2 lead and the Pirates were down to their last strike in the ninth when Starling Marte drove a 3-2 pitch from closer Kevin Gregg over the wall in centre for his ninth homer. It was Greggs second blown save in 17 opportunities. He began the inning with consecutive strikeouts against Jordy Mercer and pinch hitter Travis Snider. "We were one strike away there," Gregg said. "I made some good pitches in to (Marte), made him conscious of the ball in. I felt like I made a pretty good pitch away from him and he did a good job of hitting and going to get it." Chicago (38-48) improved to 20-18 since it got off to a lacklustre start. It has won five of its last seven series. "To win two out of three, it was nice beating the best team in baseball," Sveum said. Pittsburgh (53-34) has dropped three of four to fall into a tie with St. Louis for the NL Central lead and the best record in the majors. "What hurt us earlier was the fourth and sixth innings with a runner at third and we werent able to score them," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Buut we continued to play hard, we continued to battle.dddddddddddd We get to the ninth inning with two outs and two strike and Marte rides a ball out of the ballpark. These games just battle-test you." The Cubs grabbed a 3-2 lead when Scott Hairston connected for a pinch-hit solo homer against Tony Watson in the eighth inning. It was Hairstons eighth homer. "I was happy to contribute today and it was nice getting the win," Hairston said. "Navarro came off the bench after waiting four hours, came up huge for us, and throughout the year were going to remember this and build on it. To win two out of three against a team like Pittsburgh, you have to feel good about that." Pirates right-hander A. J. Burnett came off the 15-day disabled list after being sidelined by a strained right calf and pitched five solid innings. He allowed two runs, one earned, and three hits. Villanueva (2-4) lasted just four innings, by design. He was making his first start since Scott Feldman was traded to Baltimore, opening a spot in the rotation, and Sveum said before the game he likely would keep Villanueva to a 75-pitch count. Villanueva allowed one run and three hits while throwing 69 pitches. He struck out five and walked one. "Winning the series against these guys, theyre in first place, and the last couple of series weve won, so I think that definitely cures a lot of aches and pains and everybody is happy," Villanueva said. Villanueva also helped himself in the third with a broken-bat leadoff single. He moved to third on Starlin Castros one-out double and scored on an error by first baseman Garrett Jones. Alfonso Sorianos sacrifice fly drove in Castro, who moved to third on Jones error. Burnett returned the favour in the fifth. He led off with a single and was erased on a fielders choice by Marte. But Jose Tabata followed with a double to deep left that tied it at 2. Tabata also doubled and scored on Andrew McCutchens double in the fourth. NOTES: Cubs OF Brian Bogusevic, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa on June 25, remains day to day with hamstring tightness. He hit for Villanueva in the fourth and struck out. ... The Cubs make up a rainout with the crosstown White Sox on Monday at U.S. Cellular Field. Cubs RHP Matt Garza (4-1, 3.45 ERA) faces White Sox LHP Hector Santiago (3-5, 3.50 ERA). ... The Cubs wrap up this seasons interleague slate with a two-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday and Wednesday. ... RHP Ryan Reid was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Burnett. ... The Pirates start a six-game homestand Monday that includes three-game series vs. Oakland and the Mets. Mondays game features a pair of All-Star pitchers, with Jeff Locke (8-1, 2.12 ERA) facing the As Bartolo Colon (11-3, 2.78 ERA). ' ' '