Indiana Cutters travel to Cincinnati for matchup with Southern Ohio Blaze
The Indiana Cutters hit the road Saturday evening to take on the Southern Ohio Blaze with 6 pm kickoff at Woodward HS in Cincinnati Ohio. This is the first of the three road games to close out the regular season for the Cutters. The Team is 4-3 on the season and coming off a 14-6 win to its rivals the Indiana Tornados last Saturday in the regular season home finale in Martinsville. Travis Griffey threw for 120 yards and 2 Touchdown Passes against the Tornados. The Cutters defense has given up 13 points in its last two games and Justin Smith got his first interception of the season against the Tornados. The Cutters offense has scored 99 points on the season while the defense has given up 100.
The Southern Ohio Blaze are 5-1 on the season after a 21-0 win against the Tuscarawas County Warriors. The Blaze have scored 97 points this season while giving up 35 on defense. The Cutters beat the Blaze 9-7 on July 16, when Travis Griffey threw a 32-yard pass to find Luke Elgar in the end zone with no time left. The Blaze scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass to take the lead with 18.9 seconds left in the game. This a big week in the Blue-Collar Football League Western Conference as teams battle for playoff position with just three weeks left in the regular season.
The Cin City Buccaneers are 4-2 on the season and will face the 7-1 Cincinnati Dukes at home Saturday. The Cutters will travel back to Cincinnati August 13, to face the Buccaneers in the regular season finale. The Indiana Tornados are 3-4 and travel to the 7-0 Columbus Gladiators Saturday night. Chapter 2 of the Cutters and Tornados is next Saturday night in Indianapolis. The Kentucky Cardinals is on the outside looking in with a 3-5 record and need a lot of help to get into the playoffs.
Indiana University Quarterback Jack Tuttle named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list
The Wuerffel Trophy announced Indiana redshirt-senior Jack Tuttle as a member of its preseason watch list on Thursday. It is the second service-related watch list that the California native finds himself a part of entering the 2022 season. Tuttle is also among the preseason nominees for the America Football Coaches Association Good Works Team. A Wuerffel Trophy nominee in 2021, he has been a part of numerous initiatives in both the Bloomington area and around the country. Tuttle worked with the Red Cross this year on disaster relief and blood drives, while also donating plasma and blood himself.
A volunteer at the Tim Tebow “Night to Shine,” the San Marcos, California, native has also worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on multiple initiatives, volunteered at Riley Children’s Hospital, teamed up with the 2nd & 7 Foundation and handed out water in the community to homeless. A 2001 IU graduate with his degree in supply chain management, Tuttle is working towards his MBA in management and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Two separate injuries limited Tuttle to six games in 2021 – including two starts – as he threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns. In 2020, Tuttle earned the program’s LEO Award after stepping in and staring the final two games of the season. His first career start came in a road victory over No. 16 Wisconsin, which earned the Hoosiers a spot in the Outback Bowl.
Established in 2005, The Wuerffel Trophy honors college football athletes who are serving others, while also achieving greatness on the football field and in the classroom. As part of the National Football Federation’s Collegiate Awards, The Wuerffel Trophy was the first major award honoring the character of service to others. Named after Hall of Fame quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who led the Florida Gators to their first National Championship in 1996, receiving the Heisman Trophy, Johnny Unitas and Campbell awards, this award represents that which is good in the world of college sports. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive impact.
The award will announce semifinalists on November 1 and the finalists will be unveiled on November 22. The announcement of the 2022 Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be made on The Home Depot College Football Awards show December 8, while the trophy will be presented to the winner on February 24 as part of the 53rd Annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
Indiana University Men’s Soccer unveils new jerseys for 2022 Season
When Indiana Men’s Soccer takes the field for its 50th varsity season this fall, it will do so with a new, but familiar look. On Wednesday, the program released its new cream and crimson jerseys for the 2022 season, a refreshing take on some of the old styles of the team’s storied past. Indiana’s new crimson kit features stripes, a popular choice across IU athletics and in the program’s 2010’s designs. The stripes are alternating shades of crimson with the eight-star logo sitting on the left chest like a crest, the player number centered on the torso and an adidas logo aligned high on the right.
On the back, like many modern IU shirts, an “INDIANA” nameplate floats above the player number. On a cream collar, “Never Daunted” lies in reference to the school fight song, “Indiana, Our Indiana.” The updated cream kit is a distinct reference to the styles of the 1970s and early ’80s, the first decade of varsity soccer at IU. One decoration graces a white front; the left chest has the Indiana script mark on top of the player number. Indiana’s first national championship teams in 1982 and 1983 wore kits with similar designs.
Indiana’s eight-star mark is prominent atop the back of the cream jersey. “Tradition of Excellence” graces the hem of the shirt, a reminder of the program’s proud history and drive to continue it for many years to come. The Indiana men’s soccer team will kick off its 50th season on August 26 in a road match against another storied program, reigning national champion Clemson. Then, the Hoosiers will host Portland on August 30 in their home opener, the first match of a four-game homestand.
Indiana University Football Wide Receiver D.J. Matthews Jr. named to Hornung Award watch list
Dual-threat Indiana football wide receiver/return specialist D.J. Matthews Jr. has been named to the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Matthews Jr. enrolled at IU in 2021 spring classes and participated in practice, before suffering an injury in the fourth game of the season in 2021. In four games, he caught 13 passes for 165 yards, returned four punts for 83 yards and rushed twice for 28 yards. He accounted for two scores, a rushing score against Cincinnati and a punt return for a touchdown versus Idaho.
His punt return touchdown versus the Vandals covered 81 yards to mark the 10th-longest in program history and was his second career punt return TD. He had his best all-around game against No. 8 Cincinnati when he pulled in five passes for 120 yards, his second career 100-yarder and first as a Hoosier. He added the rushing score and 28 yards on the ground for 148 all-purpose yards. At his previous school, Matthews is 10th at FSU with 582 career punt return yards and 56 returns, and he holds two of the Top-4 single-game marks. In 35 games (16 starts), Matthews Jr. owns 84 receptions for 809 yards and five touchdowns to go along with one punt return TD. He earned an interdisciplinary social science degree in Dec. 2020.
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football. The Award was created by the LSC in January 2010 with the support of the Golden Boy himself, Paul Hornung, a native and lifelong resident of Louisville and member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Hornung is considered by many the most versatile player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the number one pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks, and played defensive back. While in the NFL, Hornung was a multi-threat offensive back and prolific kicker. He was a member of four NFL championship teams as an all-pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFL in scoring 1959-60-61, set the single season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points, and was named League MVP following the 1961 season.
In the spirit of partnership with Paul Hornung, the LSC oversees and administers all aspects of the Award including budget, selection process, marketing and PR, banquet, trophy, sponsorships, and hospitality. An Advisory Committee comprised of the LSC President, and CEO, board leadership, and local business leaders provides guidance to ensure the integrity of the Award.
Indianapolis Indians Coverage
Indians Shut Out at Toledo
Despite out-hitting the Toledo Mud Hens 9-3, the Indianapolis Indians were shut out to halt a three-game winning streak on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field, 3-0. After a scoreless first inning, the Mud Hens (47-46) got to Indians right-hander Cody Bolton (L, 2-2) for two runs in the second. The first run came on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error, allowing Toledo shortstop Brendon Davis to score, and center fielder Derek Hill promptly followed with an RBI double. Hill provided insurance in the seventh with a run-producing single to center field. The Indians were shut out for just the third time this season. The last time Indianapolis was shut out was in Columbus on July 14 in a 7-0 loss. Despite the lack of run production, Castro, shortstop Tucupita Marcano, and first baseman Bligh Madris all logged multi-hit games.
Major League rehabber Matt Manning (W, 1-1) blanked the Indians (44-48) with 5 2/3 shutout innings for Toledo. Working his way back from both shoulder inflammation and biceps tendinitis, Manning struck out six and allowed five hits while walking two. After former Indian Sam Howard and left-hander Luis Castillo worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings, rehabber Wily Peralta (S,1) worked around a leadoff single from Indians third baseman Rodolfo Castro and a two-out double from center fielder Travis Swaggerty and finished the job for the Mud Hens. The Indians bullpen, led by right-hander Noe Toribio and left-hander Eric Stout combining for 4 1/3 perfect innings, allowed just one hit and one run over their seven innings of work. With Stout’s four outs, Indians left-handed relievers have combined to allow just eight runs in 48 2/3 innings since June 22.
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