Die Macht » Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first

After a loss to Clemson and a close call against Duke, Louisville may have got what it needed to enhance its postseason hopes in a 54-13 rout of North Carolina State last week.Now the No. 5 Cardinals hope to keep their momentum going when they visit Virginia on Saturday (noon ET, ABC/ESPN2) at Scott Field in Charlottesville, Va.Back on the road, we have to do a good job in practice this week, got to do a good job traveling, and get up and play another noon game, Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said. I think our players will be excited about it.The Cardinals (6-1, 4-1 ACC) could wake up Sunday morning in a first-place tie in the ACCs Atlantic Division depending on how undefeated Clemson fares against Florida State that night, though the Cardinals still are at a disadvantage in the tiebreaker because of their loss to the Tigers.But more than getting a spot in the conference championship game, the Cardinals also are hoping impressive wins will get them consideration for one of the four spots in the College Football Playoffs.Thats not necessarily a hot topic with Petrino, however.I think it takes care of itself, he said. I dont think anyones going to care what I have to say whether were going to get in the playoffs or not. Lets go out on the field and lets try to perform very well and show the world that were a good football team and hopefully that will all take care of itself the right way.Like said before, last week I think, theres a lot of football to be played out there. Theres still a lot of things come up, theres going to upsets, and well see where were at.Nevertheless, the big win over the Wolfpack was a much-needed tonic.Quarterback Lamar Jackson continued his Heisman Trophy quest with another big game, with 355 passing yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 76 yards and another score against N.C. State.Senior tight end Cole Hikutini had a nice game as well with six catches for a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, junior linebacker Stacy Thomas emerged as a playmaker with two tackles for loss and his first career interception.With all the attention given to Jackson and the Cardinals scoring punch, its easy to overlook that they are the only team in the country ranked in the top 10 in total offense and total defense.I like the way our front guys are playing -- besides defeating blocks, were able to make tackles and get production, Petrino said. A lot of times as a defensive lineman its hard to get that kind of production.Defensive end Drew Bailey has 30 tackles with 5.5 for losses and tackle DeAngelo Brown has 20 with 4.5 for losses in leading Louisvilles three-man defensive front.Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall credited Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham for building that success.When you have a combination of good coaches and good talent, that ends up having a lot of success and thats over the years, Louisville has done that, Mendenhall said. They have added good football coaches, and they have recruited very good talent to fit their schemes and vice versa.Mendenhalls Cavaliers (2-5, 1-2) seemed to be getting their act together after losing two of their first three games, but after posting victories over Central Michigan and Duke, they have lost to Pittsburgh and North Carolina their last two outings.Quarterback Kurt Benkert, a transfer from East Carolina, struggled in those two outings, passing for 126 yards against the Tar Heels and completing 20 of 44 passes against Pitt for 278 yards after throwing for 757 yards in the two wins.I think his development and his production has been on track to this point, Mendenhall said. And now that were playing better, better and better teams, his execution, his performance is having to climb at a more immediate pace, and thats only realistic if hes prepared for that.And so weve seen a few teams, weve seen some looks, hes beat up a little bit and thats impacted his kind of poise and patience in the pocket just a hair. Jesse Orosco Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Noah Syndergaard Jersey . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/1190l-warren-spahn-jersey-mets.html .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Cheap Mets Jerseys . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Butch Huskey Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. INDIANAPOLIS -- Five-time defending national champion North Dakota State is the No. 1 seed in the FCS playoffs.The NCAA announced the 24-team playoff field on Sunday. The top eight seeds receive first-round byes and host second-round games. Joining the Bison in the top four are Eastern Washington at No. 2, Jacksonville State, last seasons runner-up, at No. 3 and James Madison at No. 4.No. 5 Sam Houston State, No. 6 The Citadel, No. 7 North Dakota annd No.dddddddddddd 8 South Dakota State also have first-round byes.North Dakota State will begin defense of its title on Dec. 3 against the winner of Cal Poly and San Diego.Youngstown State, under former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, is in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Penguins host Samford on Saturday. ' ' '