Clan-Members » Bison showed signs they will be able to

RIO DE JANEIRO -- There were smiles and hugs all around, even a celebratory chant. Winning gold felt good -- awfully good -- even if everyone in the arena knew this U.S. gymnastics team was simply too good to lose.This was the U.S. basketball team -- men or women -- crushing an opponent by 50 points. This was Michael Phelps lapping the field in the relay.It was just like another competition for us, said 19-year-old Madison Kocian. It didnt even feel like the Olympics.What might be the most superb collection of gymnasts ever put together -- led by Simone Biles, a teenager who may one day be crowned the greatest gymnast ever -- put on the show the sport had been waiting for Tuesday in a performance that was over almost by the time Laurie Hernandez finished the first vault.In a sport usually decided by the smallest of margins, the U.S. women obliterated the competition, finishing a whopping 8 points ahead of the silver medalist Russians. They did it by winning every discipline, finishing it off when Biles bounded to a finish in the floor exercise that by then had been rendered meaningless.Two of the members of the self-titled Final Five won gold medals for their second Olympics in a row. The three others pocketed their first, though there should be others to come before everything is wrapped up a week from now in Rio.They did it for themselves and they did it for their country. They did it for national team coordinator Martha Karolyi, who is retiring after her final Olympics and enjoys fierce loyalty from her charges.But they also did it for each other, for the long hours spent training and living together as they were molded into an Olympic team to behold.It is the hardest sport in the world and we make it so easy. At least thats what people tell us, Biles said. The pride we show on the floor is really genuine.This is a team so deep that Gabby Douglas -- the spectacular star in London four years ago -- was a mere role player, going out for only a turn on the uneven bars. She sat, legs crossed, just watching as her teammates warmed up for the final floor performance.Later she stood, fingering the gold medal she will add to the two she won in London.It never gets old, Douglas said. Its so refreshing. It doesnt feel different. It feels the same. Going out there and competing with these amazing girls and standing on that podium, it feels the same.Many on the team will now have to compete with each other as medals will be awarded in the individual events and the all around. Led by Biles -- who has a legitimate shot at making Olympic history with five gymnastic golds -- they could win them all.Theyre all part of a team so good it had to have a name. The Final Five is a tribute to both Karolyi in her last Olympics and the fact that in Tokyo four years from now the teams will be limited to one less member.For Biles, the Olympic debut couldnt have gone any better. The 19-year-old is a three-time world champion and so dominant that she is a prohibitive favorite in her remaining four events, but still had to deal with the realization this is the worlds biggest stage.I slept OK, I had some weird dreams, she said. The moment we all woke up we were so happy and so excited. Weve trained so hard for this. We expected to hit all our routines and be very confident because we did it in practice.Cool under pressure, they delivered what everyone expected and they delivered it in style. Thanks to NBCs heavy coverage of their sport, they were introduced in prime time to America and America has to like what it sees.There might be some tears later, maybe after everyone is done. For now, though, these are terrific athletes in search of more than just a team gold.That doesnt mean they arent happy, even if they find it a bit difficult to describe just how happy they are.I havent found the word yet, Biles said. I need a dictionary.----Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg(at)ap.org or http://twitter.com/timdahlberg Jason Kipnis Indians Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Joe Carter Indians Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/2888u-boog-powell-jersey-indians.html . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Tom Candiotti Jersey . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Oscar Mercado Indians Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- With new coach Chris Ash and Rutgers facing a major embarrassment in a supposed step-down game, Janarion Grant showed why he is the Scarlet Knights most exciting player.Grant scored three touchdowns and Rutgers overcame an early scare against Howard in posting a 52-14 victory on Saturday, giving Ash his first win.Grant resurrected a stunned Rutgers (1-1) from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit with an 84-yard kickoff return , and he was in the center of a 21-point third quarter with touchdown runs of 58 and 21 yards.Cant say enough about Janarion Grant and what he brings to the offense and to special teams, Ash said. Hes right now our most electric player and we cant get the ball in his hands enough. Obviously the big kickoff return helped us generate some momentum there in the first half when things were bleak. Second half defensively, we did a better job of getting off the field.Quarterback Chris Laviano added three touchdown passes as the Scarlet Knights scored the final 52 points in wearing down Howard (0-2), an FCS opponent that was facing its second straight Big Ten Conference opponent.Grant was the difference as Rutgers rushed for 375 yards and had 512 yards in total offense. The senior wide receiver finished with six rushes for 106 yards, two receptions for 24 yards and three kickoff returns for 119 yards. His longer rushing TD came on a direct snap in a wildcat formation and was aided by a great block by Laviano.You just try to get him the ball as much as possible and let him do what he does, said Laviano, who was 11 of 22 for 137 yards and an interception. Its super exciting.Grant said his fifth career kickoff return for a touchdown was the turning point.I think that picked every guys head up, Grant said. You just cant give up because were down 14 points.Rutgers tied the game 14-all at the half and dominated in the final 30 minutes, limiting Howard to five yards in total offense.Laviano had touchdown passes of 22 yards to Andre Patton, 7 to Carlton Agudosi and 29 to Jawuan Harris.Kalen Johnson threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Robert Mercer on the opening drive of the game for Howard and he scored on a 15-yard run less than two minute later. It was set up by an interception by Alonte Dunn on Rutgers first play from scrimmage.I pretty much knew two scores against this team was not a safe haven for us, coach Gary Harrell said.dddddddddddd We had to continue to play well and we just didnt. We had a lot of mistakes. We had a sloppy finish. I was very disappointed the way we finished.THE TAKEAWAYHOWARD: Harrell may be second-guessing himself after taking out Johnson. He led scoring drives on the first two series and was then replaced by redshirt freshman Jason Collins for the third series, which came after Grants kickoff return. Harrell alternated his quarterbacks against Maryland and he did it again Saturday. The problem was Howard never got going again. Still, the Bison showed signs they will be able to compete in the MEAC and do better than their 1-10 mark a year ago.Harrell said Johnson earned the right to get the majority of snaps the rest of the season.RUTGERS: Despite the lopsided win, Rutgers is going to struggle this year. Howard gashed the defense with its running game and their quarterbacks had no problem finding open receivers. Against better competition the Scarlet Knights are going to be handled easily, much like No. 8 Washington did in the season opener. The most interesting aspect was that Rutgers used freshman quarterback Tylin Oden in the fourth quarter and he showed the athleticism that is needed in the power spread offense.SCARY INJURY: The game was delayed almost 10 minutes in the third quarter when Howard linebacker Marques Blanchard sustained an injury to his back.When I came on the field he had problems moving his lower extremities, then he started moving, Harrell said. I think he will be fine. He moved through all the necessary tests and he seems to be OK.Blanchard was to accompany the team back to Washington, Harrell said.MONEY BALL:Grant was a play too late to help his fellow Rutgers students. An auto dealership sponsored a contest in which 100 students would share $100,000 if the Scarlet Knights returned their opening kickoff for a touchdown. Grant returned the second one for a touchdown. A year ago, Grant was two kickoffs two late in the same contest, returning the third one for a TD against Norfolk State.UP NEXTHOWARD: The Bison play their home opener against Hampton on Sept. 17.RUTGERS: The Scarlet Knights stay home and face New Mexico on Sept. 17.---AP College Football Website: www.collegefootball.org ' ' '