mercurynews--2020-10-25--Horoscopes Oct. 25, 2020: Katy Perry, you are overdue for a change

Happy Birthday : You are overdue for a change .
Let your imagination wander , and you ’ ll discover something or someone who will change your life .
It ’ s time to search for information that will lighten your responsibilities and allow you the time to delve into something that offers enlightenment .
Let go of the past , and tidy up the responsibilities that hold you back .
Your numbers are 3 , 11 , 18 , 25 , 36 , 40 , 44 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Don ’ t put pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone if you want to accomplish what you set out to do .
Make sure your expectations are reasonable .
Avoid interacting with people who are insensitive , contradictory or indulgent .
A change of attitude will improve a meaningful relationship .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Take control .
Don ’ t wait for someone to make the first move .
Initiate plans with someone you love .
A personal change will encourage you to cut your overhead and share your expenses to reach a common goal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : Someone will misuse the information you share .
Protect your reputation and your position at all costs .
Take an active role in a cause you want to help .
Your ability to come up with great ideas and solutions will help you gain respect .
2 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : You are sitting in a good position .
Reach out to an old friend , or touch base with a relative who has more experience than you .
The information you pick up will help shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the stars .
5 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Don ’ t make a move that isn ’ t necessary .
Being impulsive will set you back .
Channel your energy into updating your skills and taking on a challenge you can share with someone you love .
Keep the peace , and you will bypass a no-win situation .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Forge ahead .
It ’ s time to put your experience , knowledge and skills to work for you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend more time doing the things you enjoy most with someone you love .
Embrace the unknown with enthusiasm .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Keep your life simple , your temper under control and your focus on your objective .
Refuse to let someone interfere with your plans or dominate your life .
Follow your heart and dreams , and take the path that leads to happiness .
5 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : A change will help you thrive .
Look beyond the clutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the light at the end of the tunnel .
Take heed of the advice offered , but adjust it to fit your current situation .
Clear up emotional baggage .
2 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Stick to what ’ s most familiar , and you will avoid a situation that is confusing or puts you in a vulnerable position .
Making your residence more comfortable will help you feel less stressed about the future .
4 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Consider your financial options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash .
Update your skills , apply for a license or pick up supplies that will encourage you to start a small but lucrative sideline .
Take a unique approach to professional goals .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Aim to do whatever it takes to lower your stress .
Don ’ t spend unnecessarily or make promises you can ’ t keep .
You ’ re better off keeping your thoughts to yourself and refusing to give in to temptation .
Take time to reflect and rejuvenate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : Look for a unique way to bring about personal changes that will improve your life , meaningful relationships and financial future .
Be straightforward with others regarding your intentions , and the input you receive will help you reach your goal .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are intelligent , creative and persistent .
You are passionate and secretive .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ciara, 35; Katy Perry, 36; Josh Henderson, 39; Persia White, 48.
Happy Birthday: You are overdue for a change. Let your imagination wander, and you’ll discover something or someone who will change your life. It’s time to search for information that will lighten your responsibilities and allow you the time to delve into something that offers enlightenment. Let go of the past, and tidy up the responsibilities that hold you back. Your numbers are 3, 11, 18, 25, 36, 40, 44.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t put pressure on yourself or anyone else. Work alone if you want to accomplish what you set out to do. Make sure your expectations are reasonable. Avoid interacting with people who are insensitive, contradictory or indulgent. A change of attitude will improve a meaningful relationship. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take control. Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. Initiate plans with someone you love. A personal change will encourage you to cut your overhead and share your expenses to reach a common goal. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Someone will misuse the information you share. Protect your reputation and your position at all costs. Take an active role in a cause you want to help. Your ability to come up with great ideas and solutions will help you gain respect. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are sitting in a good position. Reach out to an old friend, or touch base with a relative who has more experience than you. The information you pick up will help shape the way you live. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t make a move that isn’t necessary. Being impulsive will set you back. Channel your energy into updating your skills and taking on a challenge you can share with someone you love. Keep the peace, and you will bypass a no-win situation. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Forge ahead. It’s time to put your experience, knowledge and skills to work for you. A lifestyle change will encourage you to spend more time doing the things you enjoy most with someone you love. Embrace the unknown with enthusiasm. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep your life simple, your temper under control and your focus on your objective. Refuse to let someone interfere with your plans or dominate your life. Follow your heart and dreams, and take the path that leads to happiness. 5 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change will help you thrive. Look beyond the clutter in your life, and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Take heed of the advice offered, but adjust it to fit your current situation. Clear up emotional baggage. 2 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick to what’s most familiar, and you will avoid a situation that is confusing or puts you in a vulnerable position. Making your residence more comfortable will help you feel less stressed about the future. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Consider your financial options and how best to bring in extra cash. Update your skills, apply for a license or pick up supplies that will encourage you to start a small but lucrative sideline. Take a unique approach to professional goals. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aim to do whatever it takes to lower your stress. Don’t spend unnecessarily or make promises you can’t keep. You’re better off keeping your thoughts to yourself and refusing to give in to temptation. Take time to reflect and rejuvenate. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look for a unique way to bring about personal changes that will improve your life, meaningful relationships and financial future. Be straightforward with others regarding your intentions, and the input you receive will help you reach your goal. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are intelligent, creative and persistent. You are passionate and secretive.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: Oct. 25, 2020

“ I ’ m collecting money for a worthy cause , ” Cy the Cynic told me in the club lounge .
“ And what would that be ?
” I asked .
“ She seems to do fine with the pair she has , ” I shrugged .
Minnie Bottoms , my club ’ s senior member , wears ancient spectacles that make her mix up kings and jacks , often to her opponents ’ dismay .
Cy has been Minnie ’ s chief victim .
“ Look what she did to me — again — in a team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing me today ’ s deal .
“ Minnie and I were both declarer at four spades , and West led a club .
I ruffed , led a trump to dummy ’ s king , came back to my king of hearts and led the A-J of trumps .
When East took the queen , he led a heart , cutting my link with dummy.
” Cy took two hearts , pitching a diamond , but East ruffed the next heart .
Cy overruffed but ended up down two .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the queen and forced Cy to ruff a club with his last trump .
Then the defense took the rest with the ace of diamonds and good clubs .
Minnie did better .
She cashed the ace of trumps at Trick Two , crashing dummy ’ s king , and continued with the jack .
“ East for my team won and led another club , ” Cy told me , “ and Minnie said it was her lead !
She thought her jack of trumps had been the king .
They got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the club return , drew East ’ s last two trumps and ran the hearts for 10 tricks.
” “ Are you going to donate or not ?
” Cy growled .

“I’m collecting money for a worthy cause,” Cy the Cynic told me in the club lounge.
“And what would that be?” I asked.
“New glasses for Minnie,” Cy said grimly.
“She seems to do fine with the pair she has,” I shrugged.
Minnie Bottoms, my club’s senior member, wears ancient spectacles that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Cy has been Minnie’s chief victim.
“Look what she did to me — again — in a team match,” the Cynic said, showing me today’s deal. “Minnie and I were both declarer at four spades, and West led a club. I ruffed, led a trump to dummy’s king, came back to my king of hearts and led the A-J of trumps. When East took the queen, he led a heart, cutting my link with dummy.”
Cy took two hearts, pitching a diamond, but East ruffed the next heart. Cy overruffed but ended up down two. When he led a diamond next, East took the queen and forced Cy to ruff a club with his last trump. Then the defense took the rest with the ace of diamonds and good clubs.
Minnie did better. She cashed the ace of trumps at Trick Two, crashing dummy’s king, and continued with the jack.
“East for my team won and led another club,” Cy told me, “and Minnie said it was her lead! She thought her jack of trumps had been the king. They got her straightened out, but Minnie ruffed the club return, drew East’s last two trumps and ran the hearts for 10 tricks.”
“Minnie played it well,” I said.
“Are you going to donate or not?” Cy growled.
East dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S K
H A Q J 10 3
D K 9 3
C 8 7 5 4
WEST
S 7 4
H 7 6 2
D 10 6 4
C K J 9 6 3
EAST
S Q 8 5 3
H 9 5 4
D A Q
C A Q 10 2
SOUTH
S A J 10 9 6 2
H K 8
D J 8 7 5 2
C None
East South West North
1 C 1 S Pass 2 H
Pass 2 S Pass 3 S
Pass 4 S All Pass
Opening lead — C 6
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-10-25--Ask Amy: How can I keep them from finding the mortifying things I wrote?

Dear Amy : I ’ ve been writing in my journals ever since elementary school .
I have kept every single one of them , tucked safely away in the back of my closet , for years .
I ’ ll look through them occasionally just to see what life was like for me at certain points .
I still write in my journals , and I just turned 60 this past summer .
I guess that because of the advent of COVID , I worry about what would happen to these journals if I should suddenly get ill and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them of my own volition .
Those books hold years and years of my deepest thoughts , fears , anxieties and secrets .
Honestly , I ’ d be mortified for anyone to read these , especially my family .
How do I handle these personal treasures ?
Dear Closet Case : One idea I have is for you to take this opportunity to “ cull ” through your work , creating a document ( including dates ) of some of your experiences , quoting from your diaries and creating a timeline of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon .
Did you write about that from the perspective of a second-grader ?
• Ask Amy : The bride invited me , with conditions .
I ’ m not sure I want to go .
• Ask Amy : Why do they think it ’ s OK to drink ?
I ’ ve seen nothing but problems .
• Ask Amy : What ’ s the polite way to attack someone else ’ s kitchen ?
• Ask Amy : She ’ s my best friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Should I back off ?
• Ask Amy : I know my ex still loves me , so why is he saying these things ?
You might have written about experiences with your grandparents , parents and siblings : camping trips , carnival rides , weddings , and holiday celebrations .
Ordinary days are also worth noting , because they capture the essence of an individual ’ s existence in a specific place on the planet at a specific time .
Leave out the “ icky bits ” ( we diary-keepers all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ printed copy of your edited version .
If you choose to do this , after you complete your work , put your diaries away with instructions among your important papers that they must be destroyed ( without reading ) .
After six months , revisit your diaries and if you believe you have followed through on your original intentions , then you can destroy your diaries yourself , leaving your edited version behind .
Basically , I ’ m suggesting that you make your choice and then sit on the originals for long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the best choice .
Dear Amy : Am I being unreasonable ?
I told my husband that if we were to pay a visit to his sister ’ s home , we should stay in a hotel because she doesn ’ t turn on the heat ( she lives in Canada and we live in a warm state ) and because she insists on taking us to their Jehovah ’ s Witness church and making us watch videos about their faith .
I do not want my children exposed to that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one time and will not be enough time to indoctrinate our children .
We are relaxed Catholics .
I don ’ t mind visiting her city in Canada without seeing her , but my husband says that ’ s rude .
This situation has come up often , and we can ’ t seem to agree .
Am I wrong ?
Am I being juvenile ?
Should I just suck it up ?
Dear Distressed : As of this writing , the border between the U.S. and Canada is ( basically ) closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things open up , you won ’ t have to face any of these choices if you simply decide to let your husband take the kids to see his sister , while you stay home .
I almost always think a hotel or motel stay is preferable to inconveniencing a host for an extended stay , especially if there are kids involved ( and if the hotel has a pool ) .
However , when it comes to the lack of heat in her home , as we who live in the Frozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of October and May ) , “ put on a sweater.
” Regarding her faith practice , I fail to see what is so dangerous or damaging about witnessing how people of other faiths worship , but if this ( sometimes intense ) fellowship is in direct spiritual conflict with your own “ relaxed ” practice , then the wisest choice might be for your husband to skip the visit to the Kingdom Hall altogether , or agree to a truncated visit , drive separately , and meet his sister afterward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that his friend of many years ( a man ) was the victim of physical abuse at the hands of his wife .
Amy , thank you for publishing this letter .
I was also physically abused by my ex-wife .
I was so ashamed and embarrassed .
Only one person took what was happening seriously .
I genuinely believe that this one person saved my life .
Dear Been There : I ’ m cheering for you .
Victims of domestic violence ( male and female ) can contact the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: I’ve been writing in my journals ever since elementary school. I have kept every single one of them, tucked safely away in the back of my closet, for years. I’ll look through them occasionally just to see what life was like for me at certain points.
I still write in my journals, and I just turned 60 this past summer.
I guess that because of the advent of COVID, I worry about what would happen to these journals if I should suddenly get ill and could not “get rid” of them of my own volition. Those books hold years and years of my deepest thoughts, fears, anxieties and secrets. Honestly, I’d be mortified for anyone to read these, especially my family.
How do I handle these personal treasures?
Closet Case
Dear Closet Case: One idea I have is for you to take this opportunity to “cull” through your work, creating a document (including dates) of some of your experiences, quoting from your diaries and creating a timeline of your life.
You may remember when Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon. Did you write about that from the perspective of a second-grader?
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy You might have written about experiences with your grandparents, parents and siblings: camping trips, carnival rides, weddings, and holiday celebrations. Ordinary days are also worth noting, because they capture the essence of an individual’s existence in a specific place on the planet at a specific time.
Leave out the “icky bits” (we diary-keepers all have them), and make a printed copy of your edited version.
If you choose to do this, after you complete your work, put your diaries away with instructions among your important papers that they must be destroyed (without reading). After six months, revisit your diaries and if you believe you have followed through on your original intentions, then you can destroy your diaries yourself, leaving your edited version behind.
Basically, I’m suggesting that you make your choice and then sit on the originals for long enough to believe that you’ve made the best choice.
Dear Amy: Am I being unreasonable? I told my husband that if we were to pay a visit to his sister’s home, we should stay in a hotel because she doesn’t turn on the heat (she lives in Canada and we live in a warm state) and because she insists on taking us to their Jehovah’s Witness church and making us watch videos about their faith.
I do not want my children exposed to that. My husband says it’s only one time and will not be enough time to indoctrinate our children. We are relaxed Catholics.
I don’t mind visiting her city in Canada without seeing her, but my husband says that’s rude.
This situation has come up often, and we can’t seem to agree. Am I wrong? Am I being juvenile? Should I just suck it up?
Distressed Mama
Dear Distressed: As of this writing, the border between the U.S. and Canada is (basically) closed, due to the pandemic.
If things open up, you won’t have to face any of these choices if you simply decide to let your husband take the kids to see his sister, while you stay home.
I almost always think a hotel or motel stay is preferable to inconveniencing a host for an extended stay, especially if there are kids involved (and if the hotel has a pool).
However, when it comes to the lack of heat in her home, as we who live in the Frozen North like to say (between the months of October and May), “put on a sweater.”
Regarding her faith practice, I fail to see what is so dangerous or damaging about witnessing how people of other faiths worship, but if this (sometimes intense) fellowship is in direct spiritual conflict with your own “relaxed” practice, then the wisest choice might be for your husband to skip the visit to the Kingdom Hall altogether, or agree to a truncated visit, drive separately, and meet his sister afterward.
Dear Amy: “Concerned Friend” reported that his friend of many years (a man) was the victim of physical abuse at the hands of his wife.
Amy, thank you for publishing this letter. I was also physically abused by my ex-wife. I was so ashamed and embarrassed. Only one person took what was happening seriously. I genuinely believe that this one person saved my life.
Been There
Dear Been There: I’m cheering for you. Victims of domestic violence (male and female) can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-10-25--Dear Abby: How should we talk to her about her fatness? We only want to help.

DEAR ABBY : My husband ’ s sister is morbidly obese , and we are very concerned about her health .
We know her weight is a delicate topic , but if she were drowning in a lake instead of in fat , we would try to throw her the same kind of lifeline .
We feel compelled to express our concern about her health .
We know that how this is approached can make a big difference .
We both feel she would benefit by seeing a counselor to confront life issues that may have caused her overeating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrase it ?
We love her and want her to live a long and healthy life .
• Dear Abby : My husband seems to enjoy the dog ’ s ‘ loving behavior.
’ Is this normal ?
• Dear Abby : Her pet name for my husband is out of line , but they won ’ t stop • Dear Abby : The coincidence made my stomach lurch .
Could he be stalking me ?
• Dear Abby : My things keep disappearing , and I have my suspicions • Dear Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made me feel crummy DEAR SCARED : Your sister-in-law is well aware that she is dangerously heavy , so this is a subject you can address only once without causing a rift in the family .
The message might be accepted better if it came from her brother , and it should be phrased something like this : “ I hope you know how much I love you .
My wife and I are deeply concerned about your weight because we ’ re afraid we might lose you .
If there are issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider talking to a counselor about them ?
“ If your doctor can ’ t refer you to someone qualified , we can ask ours for some names .
And if what I have said is hurtful , I sincerely apologize and hope you will forgive me .
I won ’ t bring up the subject again.
” DEAR ABBY : My older sister , “ Olive , ” moved to the West Coast three years ago .
My parents , my two older siblings and I live on the East Coast .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ grown more and more distant from us .
She always has an excuse when we try to set up a group Facetime or even a phone call .
This has happened dozens of times now .
Most recently , our extended family set up a Zoom call with about 30 of us .
Everyone was able to make at least a portion of it , including all my cousins and aunts and uncles .
Olive , however , said she will “ be there next time ” because she needed to do some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start limiting her screen time .
My parents , siblings and I have each talked with her directly about how blowing us off is hurtful and painful , yet she continues to do it .
At this point , everyone is fed up , especially Mom , who got hung up on twice while trying to address these problems with Olive .
What else can we do ?
We can not seem to get through .
DEAR BROTHER : Do you know why your sister moved to the West Coast ?
Was it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she needed space and didn ’ t feel she could have it if she lived geographically closer ?
Because her withdrawal has become increasingly overt over the past year , it ’ s important that someone understand what is driving it .
A relative other than your mother ( who got hung up on twice ) who is close to Olive should give her a call and , in as gentle a manner as possible , explain the family is worried about her and ask if anything is wrong that any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be having a difficult time emotionally , or she may simply be craving some space .
But you won ’ t know until someone can get a straight answer .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My husband’s sister is morbidly obese, and we are very concerned about her health. We know her weight is a delicate topic, but if she were drowning in a lake instead of in fat, we would try to throw her the same kind of lifeline.
We feel compelled to express our concern about her health. We know that how this is approached can make a big difference.
We both feel she would benefit by seeing a counselor to confront life issues that may have caused her overeating. Can you please suggest a way to phrase it? We love her and want her to live a long and healthy life.
SCARED FOR SISTER-IN-LAW
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Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant DEAR SCARED: Your sister-in-law is well aware that she is dangerously heavy, so this is a subject you can address only once without causing a rift in the family. The message might be accepted better if it came from her brother, and it should be phrased something like this:
“I hope you know how much I love you. My wife and I are deeply concerned about your weight because we’re afraid we might lose you. If there are issues that have caused this, would you consider talking to a counselor about them?
“If your doctor can’t refer you to someone qualified, we can ask ours for some names. And if what I have said is hurtful, I sincerely apologize and hope you will forgive me. I won’t bring up the subject again.”
DEAR ABBY: My older sister, “Olive,” moved to the West Coast three years ago. My parents, my two older siblings and I live on the East Coast.
During this past year, Olive has grown more and more distant from us. She always has an excuse when we try to set up a group Facetime or even a phone call. This has happened dozens of times now.
Most recently, our extended family set up a Zoom call with about 30 of us. Everyone was able to make at least a portion of it, including all my cousins and aunts and uncles. Olive, however, said she will “be there next time” because she needed to do some mulching around her house and wanted to start limiting her screen time.
My parents, siblings and I have each talked with her directly about how blowing us off is hurtful and painful, yet she continues to do it. At this point, everyone is fed up, especially Mom, who got hung up on twice while trying to address these problems with Olive. What else can we do? We cannot seem to get through.
FED-UP BROTHER
DEAR BROTHER: Do you know why your sister moved to the West Coast? Was it job-related, or could it have been that she needed space and didn’t feel she could have it if she lived geographically closer? Because her withdrawal has become increasingly overt over the past year, it’s important that someone understand what is driving it.
A relative other than your mother (who got hung up on twice) who is close to Olive should give her a call and, in as gentle a manner as possible, explain the family is worried about her and ask if anything is wrong that any of you can help with. She may be having a difficult time emotionally, or she may simply be craving some space. But you won’t know until someone can get a straight answer.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-10-25--Saturday Night Five: The cost of empty seats, Oregon’s scrimmage canceled, Holiday Bowl canceled, Ar

Saturday Night Five: The cost of empty seats, Oregon’s scrimmage canceled, Holiday Bowl canceled, Arizona receives its NOA and more

Reaction to Pac-12 developments on and off the field … For a moment , for a nanosecond , there was hope for fans who want to be fans .
The state of California announced this week that spectators would be allowed at sporting events , potentially clearing a path for seats to be filled in Pac-12 stadiums .
After all , the university presidents and chancellors had decreed this a fan-free season as a show of solidarity with the California schools .
But it quickly became clear that there would be no path through the turnstiles .
The California revision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams — it said nothing about college sports .
Status quo for USC , UCLA , Cal and Stanford means spectators were a no-go for the other eight teams .
The Hotline ran some rough estimates to provide a framework for the financial implications of empty stadiums .
We examined football ticket sales for the five schools that make their NCAA statements of revenues and expenses available on their websites : Washington State , Utah , Oregon , Colorado and Cal .
Statements from FY19 were used in order to create an apples-to-apples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division games in 2018 mirrors what ’ s in place this season .
Ticket revenue listed on the five financial documents averaged $ 13 million per school — or approximately $ 156 million for all 12 teams had this been a full season with spectators .
In this abbreviated fall , with about half the number of home games , we ’ re left with an estimate of $ 6.5 million per school in ticket revenue , given full stadiums .
Had spectators simply been allowed at reduced levels — say , 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about $ 1.3 million per school in revenue .
The decision to proceed free of fans , made in the name of solidarity and safety , was a costly one .
But not outlandishly so .
No bowl game is safe — at least , no second-tier bowl game is safe .
The Holiday Bowl announced this week that the 2020 event has been canceled because of Covid , a move that underscores the tenuous nature of the upcoming postseason .
We ’ ll assume the New Year ’ s Six will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cotton , Fiesta , Peach and Orange ) , but beyond that group — and the national championship game— uncertainty reigns .
The traditional qualification standard ( six wins ) has been lifted for this season : A team that finishes 2-5 or 1-6 , in theory , could go bowling if there ’ s a slot available .
There will be fewer than normal , for sure .
The Holiday is the second bowl affiliated with the Pac-12 to pack it in , following the Redbox .
That leaves the conference with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Given the state of affairs in Southern California and the affairs of state in Sacramento , we should not count on the inaugural L.A. Bowl — a Pac-12 vs. Mountain West matchup — being played as scheduled .
The Pac-12 is down to six partners — for now .
That total could shrink sooner than later .
No game , no scrimmage , no practice is safe .
The Ducks were forced to cancel a planned scrimmage on Saturday because of five positive antigen tests within the program .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be , and they ’ re all in isolation and working with the medical staff and local health to make sure that all protocol is followed , ” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal explained to reporters following the announcement .
The players , coaches or staff who tested positive — we don ’ t know their identity — will undergo a confirmatory PCR test .
If the PCR result is negative , the players/staff would be treated as negative under Oregon health guidance , according to the Oregonian .
But what if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of a game ?
The Pac-12 hasn ’ t yet provided clarity on its return-to-competition criteria in the event of a suspected false positive .
And that ’ s one of several issues that required resolution before kickoff in two weeks .
Four others that come to mind : — The protocol for teams reporting positive tests to the conference office and their opponent during game week .
— The ( potentially tricky ) use of the College Football Playoff standings in the tiebreaker process for determining division winners .
— The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it be left open for makeup games or reserved for cross-division matchups based on standings ?
— The plans for audio during Fox and ESPN broadcasts : Will the networks add their own crowd noise to what will be piped into the stadium by the home school ?
Three years after it was ensnared by an FBI investigation , Arizona has finally received its Notice of Allegations from the NCAA .
The Wildcats are under no obligation to reveal the charges against them , and don ’ t plan to : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Allegations ( NOA ) issued by the NCAA enforcement staff .
However , in order to protect the integrity of the ongoing enforcement process , the University is not releasing the NOA at this time.
” But this much we know : Closure isn ’ t close .
The Wildcats have three months to respond , and then the NCAA has two months to respond to Arizona ’ s response .
In other words , we are likely to play the entire 2020-21 season — the fourth season since this all began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hotline hasn ’ t wavered from its contention that Arizona will get hit hard , both because former assistant Book Richardson committed a felony — it ’ s also a violation of NCAA rules on ethical conduct — and because Sean Miller will be held accountable for Richardson ’ s actions under Bylaw 11.1.1.1 .
But the length of the investigation , even if you account for the federal trial and the pandemic , is comical .
The wheels of NCAA justice turn at the speed of continental drift .
The kickoff times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USC-ASU , which is 9 a.m. ) will be announced on Monday as part of the traditional 12-day selection option .
Nope , the process for determining start times hasn ’ t changed , even with a short season .
Fox and ESPN have two opportunities each to use six-day selections , meaning four of the seven weeks could feature games that are reserved for six-day announcements .
In the past , the conference has released any kickoff times not being held for the six-day option , and we expect it to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times for what are referred to as ‘ special date ’ games ( i.e.
, the Friday kickoffs ) were released this week .
Friday , Nov. 27 Stanford at California : 1 p.m. , FOX Oregon at Oregon State : 12:30 , 4 or 7:30 p.m. , ABC/ESPN Washington at Washington State : 12:30 , 4 or 7:30 p.m. , ABC/ESPN Support the Hotline : Several Hotline articles will remain free each month ( as will the newsletter ) , but for access to all content , you ’ ll need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of $ 1 per week for a full year or just 99 cents for the first month , with the option to cancel anytime .
Click here .
And thanks for your loyalty .
*** Send suggestions , comments and tips ( confidentiality guaranteed ) to pac12hotline @ bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716 *** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference , and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference .

Reaction to Pac-12 developments on and off the field …
1. The cost of empty stadiums.
For a moment, for a nanosecond, there was hope for fans who want to be fans.
The state of California announced this week that spectators would be allowed at sporting events, potentially clearing a path for seats to be filled in Pac-12 stadiums.
After all, the university presidents and chancellors had decreed this a fan-free season as a show of solidarity with the California schools.
But it quickly became clear that there would be no path through the turnstiles.
The California revision of guidance was only for the professional teams — it said nothing about college sports.
Status quo for USC, UCLA, Cal and Stanford means spectators were a no-go for the other eight teams.
The Hotline ran some rough estimates to provide a framework for the financial implications of empty stadiums.
We examined football ticket sales for the five schools that make their NCAA statements of revenues and expenses available on their websites: Washington State, Utah, Oregon, Colorado and Cal.
Statements from FY19 were used in order to create an apples-to-apples comparison: The home-and-away rotation used for division games in 2018 mirrors what’s in place this season.
Ticket revenue listed on the five financial documents averaged $13 million per school — or approximately $156 million for all 12 teams had this been a full season with spectators.
In this abbreviated fall, with about half the number of home games, we’re left with an estimate of $6.5 million per school in ticket revenue, given full stadiums.
Had spectators simply been allowed at reduced levels — say, 20 percent of stadium capacity — that’s about $1.3 million per school in revenue.
The decision to proceed free of fans, made in the name of solidarity and safety, was a costly one. But not outlandishly so.
2. A reminder from San Diego …
No bowl game is safe — at least, no second-tier bowl game is safe.
The Holiday Bowl announced this week that the 2020 event has been canceled because of Covid, a move that underscores the tenuous nature of the upcoming postseason.
We’ll assume the New Year’s Six will be played (Rose, Sugar, Cotton, Fiesta, Peach and Orange), but beyond that group — and the national championship game— uncertainty reigns.
The traditional qualification standard (six wins) has been lifted for this season: A team that finishes 2-5 or 1-6, in theory, could go bowling if there’s a slot available.
There will be fewer than normal, for sure.
The Holiday is the second bowl affiliated with the Pac-12 to pack it in, following the Redbox.
That leaves the conference with the following commitments for the 2020 postseason:
Rose/New Year’s Six
Alamo
Las Vegas
Sun
Los Angeles
Independence
Given the state of affairs in Southern California and the affairs of state in Sacramento, we should not count on the inaugural L.A. Bowl — a Pac-12 vs. Mountain West matchup — being played as scheduled.
The Pac-12 is down to six partners — for now. That total could shrink sooner than later.
3. A reminder from Eugene …
No game, no scrimmage, no practice is safe.
The Ducks were forced to cancel a planned scrimmage on Saturday because of five positive antigen tests within the program.
“They’re all asymptomatic, as normal as can be, and they’re all in isolation and working with the medical staff and local health to make sure that all protocol is followed,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal explained to reporters following the announcement.
The players, coaches or staff who tested positive — we don’t know their identity — will undergo a confirmatory PCR test.
If the PCR result is negative, the players/staff would be treated as negative under Oregon health guidance, according to the Oregonian.
But what if the five positive antigen tests had occurred the week of a game?
The Pac-12 hasn’t yet provided clarity on its return-to-competition criteria in the event of a suspected false positive.
And that’s one of several issues that required resolution before kickoff in two weeks.
Four others that come to mind:
— The protocol for teams reporting positive tests to the conference office and their opponent during game week.
— The (potentially tricky) use of the College Football Playoff standings in the tiebreaker process for determining division winners.
— The schedule format for Week Seven: Will it be left open for makeup games or reserved for cross-division matchups based on standings?
— The plans for audio during Fox and ESPN broadcasts: Will the networks add their own crowd noise to what will be piped into the stadium by the home school?
4. Movement in Arizona …
Three years after it was ensnared by an FBI investigation, Arizona has finally received its Notice of Allegations from the NCAA.
The Wildcats are under no obligation to reveal the charges against them, and don’t plan to:
“The University of Arizona has received a Notice of Allegations (NOA) issued by the NCAA enforcement staff. However, in order to protect the integrity of the ongoing enforcement process, the University is not releasing the NOA at this time.”
But this much we know: Closure isn’t close.
The Wildcats have three months to respond, and then the NCAA has two months to respond to Arizona’s response.
(Cue the circus music.)
In other words, we are likely to play the entire 2020-21 season — the fourth season since this all began — without knowing the outcome.
The Hotline hasn’t wavered from its contention that Arizona will get hit hard, both because former assistant Book Richardson committed a felony — it’s also a violation of NCAA rules on ethical conduct — and because Sean Miller will be held accountable for Richardson’s actions under Bylaw 11.1.1.1.
But the length of the investigation, even if you account for the federal trial and the pandemic, is comical.
The wheels of NCAA justice turn at the speed of continental drift.
UPDATE: Arizona has been charged with nine violations by the NCAA, including five Level 1 infractions — the most severe — according to The Athletic.
5. Movement from Fox and ESPN
For those unaware …
The kickoff times for the Nov. 7. games (except USC-ASU, which is 9 a.m.) will be announced on Monday as part of the traditional 12-day selection option.
Nope, the process for determining start times hasn’t changed, even with a short season.
Fox and ESPN have two opportunities each to use six-day selections, meaning four of the seven weeks could feature games that are reserved for six-day announcements.
In the past, the conference has released any kickoff times not being held for the six-day option, and we expect it to follow that approach again this winter.
The times for what are referred to as ‘special date’ games (i.e., the Friday kickoffs) were released this week.
Friday, Nov. 13 (all Pacific)
Utah at UCLA: 7:30 p.m., FS1
Friday, Nov. 20
UCLA at Oregon: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Friday, Nov. 27
Stanford at California: 1 p.m., FOX
Oregon at Oregon State: 12:30, 4 or 7:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN
Washington at Washington State: 12:30, 4 or 7:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN
Friday, Dec. 4
Washington State at USC: 6:30 or 7:30 p.m., FS1
Friday, Dec. 11
Arizona State at Arizona 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Utah at Colorado 6:30 p.m., FS1
Support the Hotline: Several Hotline articles will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. I’ve secured a rate of $1 per week for a full year or just 99 cents for the first month, with the option to cancel anytime. Click here. And thanks for your loyalty.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.


mercurynews--2020-10-25--Whicker: Dodgers derailed by a gust of craziness in an ‘un-perfect storm’

Because baseball turned into pinball , we ’ re thinking more about Mookie Wilson than Mookie Betts .
Because Chris Taylor took a peek at the action and looked away from the baseball , Clayton Kershaw is pitching to tilt a world Series on Sunday , not to win it .
Because Will Smith decided to maneuver a baseball before he actually caught it , Kenley Jansen remains associated with bumps in the night instead of strike-three handshakes .
None of that fully explains the runaway train of a Game 4 on Saturday that suddenly crashed into the Bad News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from taking a 3-1 lead in this World Series .
Just one fewer misplay would have kept the score tied .
Instead , Brett Phillips singled with two out on Jansen ’ s 1-2 pitch in the bottom of the ninth , and suddenly we were all attending a night at the Improv .
Whose game is it anyway ?
Two runs scored and made it Tampa Bay ’ s game , 8-7 , and now the Dodgers have to win two out of three to nail down their first world championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there you go again .
“ It was an un-perfect storm , ” said Dave Roberts , the Dodgers manager , who could not stifle his frustration and anger at the moment the Jenga tower crashed down .
In 1986 Bill Buckner allowed Wilson ’ s grounder to roll through his legs , and the Red Sox lost a chance to win their first World Series since 1918 .
That was a one-car pileup .
This was a chain reaction on the freeway .
The Dodgers had methodically answered every Tampa Bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ninth with a 7-6 lead .
Corey Seager had picked up four hits , Joc Pederson had produced a two-run , two-out , go-ahead hit as a pinch-hitter , and Seager had floated an RBI single in the eighth to give L.A. the last lead it would presumably need .
Brusdar Graterol had bustled in and overpowered the Rays in the eighth .
That summoned Jansen to pitch the ninth .
That , of course , sparked a cacophonous Greek chorus of second-guessing toward Roberts , but the truth is that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his insistence on using Pedro Baez and watching him give up two go-ahead and tying home runs to left-handed hitters in consecutive innings .
The Dodgers had lifted Roberts off that hook .
Jansen has been throwing well .
He did on Saturday , too .
Jansen shattered enough wood on Kevin Kiermaier ’ s base hit to build a mousetrap .
Kiermaier stood on first base with the handle in his hand and not much else .
Then Jansen walked Arozarena , which isn ’ t ideal when he is the winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outs when Phillips comes up .
Phillips was a .202 hitter this season .
He is a former Astro/Brewer/Royal who came to Tampa Bay on Aug. 27 and hadn ’ t had a hit since Sept. 25 .
He was left off the ALCS roster and would have been couch-bound in a normal year when only 25 men get dressed for the playoffs .
Folks in Lancaster might remember him as a scorching hitter for the JetHawks in 2015 .
But here he was just a guy who would stand on the dugout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Randy Good Player ” on his clipboard after Arozarena would hit his daily home run in the playoffs .
Later , Phillips would write , “ Randy > Your Favorite Player.
” But now he was standing , unsmiling , on the bridge .
Jansen ’ s cutter was sharp when he got to that 1-and-2 count .
The 92 mph fastball that followed was straight .
Phillips got a legitimate single , and then the world stopped turning .
Taylor was in center .
Cody Bellinger was DH-ing because of back spasms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a center fielder in 2018 when he dived to catch Christian Yelich ’ s drive in Milwaukee .
He has no problem playing there .
Kiermaier was scoring , but Taylor was looking for Arozarena .
The ball snow-coned in his webbing and then scooted away , and Arozarena was so excited that he hit high gear , coming around third , and … fell .
Yeah , he just went backside-over-teakettle halfway down the line , in front of coach Ozzie Timmons .
But Smith didn ’ t know that .
Cutoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Smith was already thinking about the sweep tag he needed to execute .
The game wasn ’ t slowing down for him , either .
He swept , and the ball bounced off his mitt as Arozarena was trying to figure out what to do .
Jansen was not backing up Smith on the play .
The ball rolled to the place where bad Dodger losses are stored .
Arozarena went in head-first and pounded the home plate with his right hand , like a wrestling referee counting out a victim .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Americans get a free taco • Whicker : Walker Buehler ’ s Octobers belong in an era when people were actually watching • World Series : Which Rays and Dodgers could the A ’ s target this offseason ?
• Rays hold off Dodgers 6-4 to even World Series as Lowe homers twice Phillips was one of the few who saw none of that .
He had no idea what happened to Arozarena .
“ All I know is that I ’ ve got a blazing headache right now , ” Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit and started running and now all the boys are happy .
It ’ s the most excited I ’ ve been since the day I got married.
” The Dodgers have scored 25 runs in these four games and won two of them .
They keep beating up on the Rays ’ best relievers .
They get fine starting pitching , at least for as long as Roberts will let those starters pitch .
Julio Arias had eight strikeouts in 4-2/3 innings , but he gave up two solo home runs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what we always do , ” third baseman Justin Turner said .
“ After every game , we go back and evaluate what happened .
It ’ s going to be the same way here.
” Nothing will be the same as this .

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner is safe at second past Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe after a double during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Brandon Lowe celebrates his three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager rounds the bases after a home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Brandon Lowe hits a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Nick Anderson throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier his a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson celebrates in the dugout after his two RBI-single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson hits a two RBI-single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson celebrates his two RBI-single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor celebrates after scoring on a single by Corey Seager during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson celebrates his two RBI-single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor celebrates after scoring on a single by Corey Seager during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez elebrates a RBI-double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor celebrates after scoring on a single by Corey Seager during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager hits a RBI-single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager rounds the bases after a home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor celebrates at the dugout after scoring on a single by Corey Seager during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner his a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brusdar Graterol reacts after the last out against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brusdar Graterol throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager rounds the bases after a home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena watches his home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Hunter Renfroe hits a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Hunter Renfroe celebrates his home run with Willy Adames during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Hunter Renfroe celebrates his home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Peter Fairbanks throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Hunter Renfroe hits a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias leaves the game against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts walks to the dugout after striking out during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias leaves the game against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager rounds the bases after a home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager scores past Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy is out at second after colliding with Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner his a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez celebrates a RBI-double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez celebrates a RBI-double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez celebrates a RBI-double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez hits a RBI-double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager moves out of the way of a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez is forced out at first by Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager moves out of the way of a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith out at first during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier walks to the dugout after striking out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager rounds the bases after a home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ A.J. Pollock hits a double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Thompson throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough leaves the game Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner his a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena hits a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena rounds the bases after a home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena celebrates after a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena hits a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor walks to the dugout after striking out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena watches his home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
A member of the grounds crew pulls the cover off the pitchers mound before Game 4 of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers fans watch batting practice before Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi warms up during batting practice before Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson gestures during batting practice before Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough warms up before Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner his a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner celebrates in the dugout after his home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner celebrates his home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner celebrates in the dugout after his home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner celebrates in the dugout after his home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner hits a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner hits a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner his a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier can’t get a glove on a home run by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner rounds the bases after a home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner rounds the bases after a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner rounds the bases after a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough catches an infield fly ball by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger during the second inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena gets tagged out stealing by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Enrique Hernandez during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena gets tagged out stealing by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Enrique Hernandez during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Because baseball turned into pinball, we’re thinking more about Mookie Wilson than Mookie Betts.
Because Chris Taylor took a peek at the action and looked away from the baseball, Clayton Kershaw is pitching to tilt a world Series on Sunday, not to win it.
Because Will Smith decided to maneuver a baseball before he actually caught it, Kenley Jansen remains associated with bumps in the night instead of strike-three handshakes.
None of that fully explains the runaway train of a Game 4 on Saturday that suddenly crashed into the Bad News Bears.
The Dodgers were one strike away from taking a 3-1 lead in this World Series. Just one fewer misplay would have kept the score tied. Instead, Brett Phillips singled with two out on Jansen’s 1-2 pitch in the bottom of the ninth, and suddenly we were all attending a night at the Improv. Whose game is it anyway? Two runs scored and made it Tampa Bay’s game, 8-7, and now the Dodgers have to win two out of three to nail down their first world championship since Ronald Reagan was President.
Baseball, there you go again.
“It was an un-perfect storm,” said Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, who could not stifle his frustration and anger at the moment the Jenga tower crashed down.
In 1986 Bill Buckner allowed Wilson’s grounder to roll through his legs, and the Red Sox lost a chance to win their first World Series since 1918. That was a one-car pileup. This was a chain reaction on the freeway.
The Dodgers had methodically answered every Tampa Bay comeback to get to the bottom of the ninth with a 7-6 lead. Corey Seager had picked up four hits, Joc Pederson had produced a two-run, two-out, go-ahead hit as a pinch-hitter, and Seager had floated an RBI single in the eighth to give L.A. the last lead it would presumably need.
Brusdar Graterol had bustled in and overpowered the Rays in the eighth. That summoned Jansen to pitch the ninth. That, of course, sparked a cacophonous Greek chorus of second-guessing toward Roberts, but the truth is that if Roberts messed anything up, it was his insistence on using Pedro Baez and watching him give up two go-ahead and tying home runs to left-handed hitters in consecutive innings.
The Dodgers had lifted Roberts off that hook. Jansen has been throwing well. He did on Saturday, too.
Jansen shattered enough wood on Kevin Kiermaier’s base hit to build a mousetrap. Kiermaier stood on first base with the handle in his hand and not much else. Then Jansen walked Arozarena, which isn’t ideal when he is the winning run. Still, there were two outs when Phillips comes up.
Phillips was a .202 hitter this season. He is a former Astro/Brewer/Royal who came to Tampa Bay on Aug. 27 and hadn’t had a hit since Sept. 25. He was left off the ALCS roster and would have been couch-bound in a normal year when only 25 men get dressed for the playoffs.
Folks in Lancaster might remember him as a scorching hitter for the JetHawks in 2015. But here he was just a guy who would stand on the dugout’s top step and write “Randy Good Player” on his clipboard after Arozarena would hit his daily home run in the playoffs. Later, Phillips would write, “Randy>Your Favorite Player.”
But now he was standing, unsmiling, on the bridge. Jansen’s cutter was sharp when he got to that 1-and-2 count. The 92 mph fastball that followed was straight. Phillips got a legitimate single, and then the world stopped turning.
Taylor was in center. Cody Bellinger was DH-ing because of back spasms. Taylor basically won an NLCS as a center fielder in 2018 when he dived to catch Christian Yelich’s drive in Milwaukee. He has no problem playing there.
Kiermaier was scoring, but Taylor was looking for Arozarena. The ball snow-coned in his webbing and then scooted away, and Arozarena was so excited that he hit high gear, coming around third, and … fell.
Yeah, he just went backside-over-teakettle halfway down the line, in front of coach Rodney Linares. But Smith didn’t know that.
Cutoff man Max Muncy made the throw, and Smith was already thinking about the sweep tag he needed to execute. The game wasn’t slowing down for him, either. He swept, and the ball bounced off his mitt as Arozarena was trying to figure out what to do. Jansen was not backing up Smith on the play. The ball rolled to the place where bad Dodger losses are stored. Arozarena went in head-first and pounded the home plate with his right hand, like a wrestling referee counting out a victim.
Phillips was one of the few who saw none of that. He had no idea what happened to Arozarena.
“All I know is that I’ve got a blazing headache right now,” Phillips said. “I just got a hit and started running and now all the boys are happy. It’s the most excited I’ve been since the day I got married.”
The Dodgers have scored 25 runs in these four games and won two of them. They keep beating up on the Rays’ best relievers. They get fine starting pitching, at least for as long as Roberts will let those starters pitch. Julio Arias had eight strikeouts in 4-2/3 innings, but he gave up two solo home runs and was gone.
“We’ll do what we always do,” third baseman Justin Turner said. “After every game, we go back and evaluate what happened. It’s going to be the same way here.”
Nothing will be the same as this.
Editor’s note: This column has been updated to show Rodney Linares was the third base coach on the final play of Game 4.


mercurynews--2020-10-25--Stunner: San Jose State ends Air Force’s nine-game winning streak

SAN JOSE — Defense hasn ’ t been San Jose State ’ s strong suit the last several seasons , but Saturday night in their season opener , the Spartans turned out their best defensive performance under coach Brent Brennan .
SJSU contained Air Force and its famous triple-option en route to a 17-6 upset victory .
It was the first time since 1984 that SJSU had beaten an FBS school in its season opener .
Air Force entered with a nine-game winning streak .
Air Force averaged almost 300 rushing yards per game last season and rolled up 369 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rout of Navy on Oct. 3 .
San Jose State limited the Falcons to 206 yards on the ground while forcing three turnovers and not surrendering a point until the fourth quarter .
San Jose State ’ s finest work came in the waning minutes of the first half .
The Falcons drove the ball to the Spartans ’ 1-yard line , but the Spartans held their ground on three consecutive plays to force the turnover on downs .
Brennan strategically called all three of his timeouts after each of Air Force ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a breather after each stop .
Along with the turnover on downs , San Jose State recovered two fumbles , one of which led to a touchdown .
On the other side of the ball , quarterback Nick Starkel , a graduate transfer from Arkansas , was sensational in his San Jose State debut , completing 22 of 29 attempts for 226 yards and two touchdowns .
Starkel ’ s lone interception was the product of an exceptional defensive play by Air Force ’ s Elisha Palm .
Starkel connected with Derrick Deese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second of which evoked memories of Santonio Holmes as the tight end dragged his toe in the back of the end zone .
Starkel also formed a connection with fellow graduate transfer Bailey Gaither , who hauled in eight receptions for 110 yards .
Starkel targeted Gaither 12 times , but targeted the rest of his receiving corps 16 times .
Sophomore Nick Nash saw a little bit of time as well , but was only used exclusively on quarterback keeps .
Nash rushed for 19 yards on five attempts .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose State has defeated Air Force .

SAN JOSE — Defense hasn’t been San Jose State’s strong suit the last several seasons, but Saturday night in their season opener, the Spartans turned out their best defensive performance under coach Brent Brennan.
SJSU contained Air Force and its famous triple-option en route to a 17-6 upset victory.
Air Force entered with a nine-game winning streak. (This story continues below the photo slideshow.)
(Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel (17) passes against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: Air Force quarterback Haaziq Daniels (4) shows frustration after being stopped near the goal line by San Jose State's Tre Webb (3) late in a scoreless first half against at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
(Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) San Jose State held Air Force three times from the 1-yard line just before halftime to preserve a 0-0 tie.
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State's Bailey Gaither (84) flexes after catching a 52-yard Nick Starkel pass during a third quarter touchdown drive against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State Derrick Deese (87) catches a third quarter touchdown against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel (17) celebrates a third quarter touchdown pass to Derrick Deese (87) against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State tight end Derrick Deese (87) catches his second touchdown of the third quarter over Air Force's Ethan Erickson (14), Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State tight end Derrick Deese (87) is mobbed by teammates after catching his second touchdown of the third quarter against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel (17) his helped to his feet by Trevor Robbins (57) after getting hit throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Derrick Deese against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State's Derrick Deese (87) celebrates his second touchdown of the third quarter against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State's football warms up for their first game of the season against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: A cardboard cutout of the San Jose State mascot, Sammy Spartan, sits in the empty stands at CEFCU Stadium before the kickoff with Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: The San Jose Spartans take the field at an empty at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., for their first game of the season against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: The San Jose Spartans take the field at an empty at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., for their first game of the season against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: The San Jose Spartan's Bailey Gaither and the Air Force's Ben Peterson (27) wait for the coin toss at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel (17) passes to Kairee Robinson (32) in the second quarter against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: The Air Force's Elisha Palm (2) is called for pass interference against the San Jose Spartans Bailey Gaither (84) in the first quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: The Air Force's Elisha Palm (2) celebrates an interception against San Jose State in the second quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State's Tre Jenkins (22) drops Air Force's Brandon Lewis (13) for a 2-yard loss in the second quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: The Air Force's CJ McNeal (10) is upended by the San Jose State Spartan's Bailey Gaither (84) after a fake punt in the first half at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
(Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: Brent Brennan, head coach of the San Jose State footballl team talks to his team during a time out against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: San Jose State celebrates their 17-6 victory over Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Air Force averaged almost 300 rushing yards per game last season and rolled up 369 in its season opener, a 40-7 rout of Navy on Oct. 3. San Jose State limited the Falcons to 206 yards on the ground while forcing three turnovers and not surrendering a point until the fourth quarter.
San Jose State’s finest work came in the waning minutes of the first half. The Falcons drove the ball to the Spartans’ 1-yard line, but the Spartans held their ground on three consecutive plays to force the turnover on downs. Brennan strategically called all three of his timeouts after each of Air Force’s attempts, giving his front line a breather after each stop.
Along with the turnover on downs, San Jose State recovered two fumbles, one of which led to a touchdown.
On the other side of the ball, quarterback Nick Starkel, a graduate transfer from Arkansas, was sensational in his San Jose State debut, completing 22 of 29 attempts for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Starkel’s lone interception was the product of an exceptional defensive play by Air Force’s Elisha Palm.
Starkel connected with Derrick Deese Jr. for a pair of touchdowns, the second of which evoked memories of Santonio Holmes as the tight end dragged his toe in the back of the end zone.
Starkel also formed a connection with Bailey Gaither, who hauled in eight receptions for 110 yards. Starkel targeted Gaither 12 times, but targeted the rest of his receiving corps 16 times.
Sophomore Nick Nash saw a little bit of time as well, but was only used exclusively on quarterback keeps. Nash rushed for 19 yards on five attempts.
This victory marks just the second time San Jose State has defeated Air Force.


mercurynews--2020-10-25--Fremont police investigating shooting death

FREMONT — A person was shot and killed here around 8 p.m. Saturday , police said in a news release @ @ @ @ @ details .
The shooting occurred on the 300 block of Lemarc Street , where the @ @ @ @ @ roadway , according to the release .
The person ’ s name , age , @ @ @ @ @ have not been released .
Police have asked the public to avoid the area as @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
Officers have been searching the area with dogs and aerial support .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ is asked to contact the Fremont Police Department ’ s Dispatch Center at 510-790-6800 option @ @

FREMONT — A person was shot and killed here around 8 p.m. Saturday, police said in a news release that did not provide many details.
The shooting occurred on the 300 block of Lemarc Street, where the victim was found in the roadway, according to the release. The person’s name, age, gender and city of residence have not been released.
Police have asked the public to avoid the area as officers continue to conduct an investigation. Officers have been searching the area with dogs and aerial support.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Fremont Police Department’s Dispatch Center at 510-790-6800 option 3.


mercurynews--2020-10-25--What if I just show up at the DMV without an appointment? Roadshow

Q : We in California have a great DMV system .
A : That ’ s a comment I don ’ t often get , given the difficulties of trying to book appointments during COVID-19 .
You need to back up your claim .
Q : The New York Times reported people in New Jersey paying up to $ 600 for “ line holders ” to hold a place for them to get into the local DMV — some lining up overnight .
Compared to that , we in California should count our blessings .
A : The California DMV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be done online , reducing the queue that can at times stretch for blocks for those who don ’ t have appointments .
Also , you can leave the line and know when it is your turn , thanks to a DMV text message .
Q : I turn 70 in January but can ’ t make an appointment to renew my license .
What if I just show up at my local DMV ( roll the dice with no appointment ) and say I want to go in ?
… Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a REAL ID if you just show up at an office with the right documentation and are willing to wait around until they get to you that day ?
A : This can work .
A key is having all the needed documentation .
Check the DMV website , which offers information on typical wait times at various offices .
Q : I went to the DMV in Los Gatos with my documents and no appointment at 7:30 a.m .
The line was down the street and around the corner .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the line was only down to the end of the building .
I stood in line for an hour and a half .
Once inside , another 20-minute wait .
Once my number was called , it was another 15 minutes and out .
Total time about 2 hours .
Not bad and not as long as I had feared .
A : And for the next guy , it was faster .
Q : I simply picked the normally low waiting period to walk in with my wife .
It took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hard to beat that .
Check DMV online to know normally low waiting times at the office you ’ ll be visiting .
Q : Your response on how to get an appointment with the DMV really hit home .
I tried unsuccessfully to contact the DMV .
My license is up in January , and it does not look good to get in for a renewal .
It would be great if there were someone I could contact .
A : There is now .
Go to AsktheDMV @ dmv.ca.gov , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats .
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow @ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335 .

Q: We in California have a great DMV system.
Ron Johnstone, Santa Clara
A: That’s a comment I don’t often get, given the difficulties of trying to book appointments during COVID-19. You need to back up your claim.
Q: The New York Times reported people in New Jersey paying up to $600 for “line holders” to hold a place for them to get into the local DMV — some lining up overnight. Compared to that, we in California should count our blessings.
Ron Johnstone
Like Mr. Roadshow’s Facebook page for more questions and answers about Bay Area roads, freeways and commuting.
A: The California DMV now allows about half of all transactions to be done online, reducing the queue that can at times stretch for blocks for those who don’t have appointments. Also, you can leave the line and know when it is your turn, thanks to a DMV text message.
Q: I turn 70 in January but can’t make an appointment to renew my license. What if I just show up at my local DMV (roll the dice with no appointment) and say I want to go in? … Will the DMV process one’s application for a REAL ID if you just show up at an office with the right documentation and are willing to wait around until they get to you that day?
Anne Kubas, Denis Cuff and others
A: This can work. A key is having all the needed documentation. Check the DMV website, which offers information on typical wait times at various offices.
Q: I went to the DMV in Los Gatos with my documents and no appointment at 7:30 a.m. The line was down the street and around the corner. I left, returning at 11:30 a.m. By then the line was only down to the end of the building. I stood in line for an hour and a half. Once inside, another 20-minute wait. Once my number was called, it was another 15 minutes and out. Total time about 2 hours. Not bad and not as long as I had feared.
Marilyn Sander, Campbell
A: And for the next guy, it was faster.
Q: I simply picked the normally low waiting period to walk in with my wife. It took less than 45 minutes.
Brian Lee, Milpitas
A: Hard to beat that. Check DMV online to know normally low waiting times at the office you’ll be visiting.
Q: Your response on how to get an appointment with the DMV really hit home. I tried unsuccessfully to contact the DMV. My license is up in January, and it does not look good to get in for a renewal. It would be great if there were someone I could contact.
Peter Doob, Brentwood
A: There is now. Go to AsktheDMV@dmv.ca.gov, or visit www.dmv.ca.gov and fire off your questions.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.