SB Nation Atlanta: All Posts by Ronald Clarkhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-12-30T17:08:27-05:00https://atlanta.sbnation.com/authors/ronald-clark/rss2012-12-30T17:08:27-05:002012-12-30T17:08:27-05:00Three Yellow Jackets win team awards
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<figcaption>Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Three Yellow Jackets earn the respect of their peers and win awards for their defensive and offensive play. </p> <p>Sometimes it's better just to have the respect of those in the locker room, and for Jamea Thomas and Robbie Godhigh, that's exactly what they got.</p>
<p>Thomas and Godhigh were named top offensive and defensive players for the season by 15 Georgia Tech players that voted for the awards. Godhigh shared the award with offensive guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36207/omoregie-uzzi">Omoregie Uzzi</a>.</p>
<p>Thomas won in a landslide for top defensive player, even though he didn't receive any votes from coaches or media when they made their picks for the All-ACC teams. Thomas, a safety, finished second on the team in tackles with 82 and interceptions with four. He tied with teammate <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75668/rod-sweeting">Rod Sweeting</a> for first on the team in pass breakups with five. Thomas proved to be very versatile in the defensive backfield, playing both corner and safety at times this season.</p>
<p>Godhigh was a multi-purpose running back known for his pass-blocking and big play ability. The former walk-on had all the respect of his teammates, especially since he garnered the same amount of votes as Uzzi, who was named first-team All-ACC for the second straight year, is a three-year starter and a team captain. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-ncaaf/2012/12/30/3818898/jemea-thomas-omoregie-uzzi-robert-godhigh-georgia-techRonald Clark2012-12-22T21:30:25-05:002012-12-22T21:30:25-05:00Hawks blow out Bulls behind defensive effort
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The Hawks used a balanced offensive attack and a dominant defense to stifle the visiting Bulls. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> knocked off the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a>, 92-75, on Saturday at Philips Arena in Atlanta.</p>
<p>The Hawks trailed after the first quarter but outscored the Bulls by 28 points in the middle two quarters in order to take control of the game and cruise to an easy victory. The Hawks were led by <span>Al Horford's</span> 20 points and 10 rebounds as all five starters scored in double figures, including 16 points from <span>Lou Williams</span> and 13 points from <span>Kyle Korver</span>.</p>
<p>The Bulls couldn't manufacture too much offense a night after their physical victory over the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>. Only two players scored in double-figures with <span>Luol Deng</span> leading the way with 11 points but on only 5-for-14 shooting. <span>Joakim Noah</span>, who was in the middle of everything against the Knicks, managed to almost get a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds but he turned the ball over six times.</p>
<p>The Hawks shot 49.4% from the field and outrebounded the Bulls by 14.</p>
<p>The win moved Atlanta to 16-9 and dropped Chicago to 15-11. The Hawks are still third in the Eastern Conference with the Bulls right behind them in the fourth spot.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/hawks/2012/12/22/3796686/bulls-vs-hawks-final-scoreRonald Clark2012-12-05T09:46:30-05:002012-12-05T09:46:30-05:0014 of the Falcons 2013 opponents are set in stone
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Falcons will face the entire AFC East as well as the NFC North and East champions next season. </p> <p>It isn't even the end of the 2012 season and the <a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-2013-opponents-confirmed/5b9b7804-3d85-41f6-9c4d-5ba7eea3b801">Atlanta Falcons already know all but two of their opponents</a> heading into next season as the NFL announced their 2013 schedule. Not dates just yet, but the list of opponents is available.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> will face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> at home.</p>
<p>They will travel to face the Panthers, Saints, Bucs, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>. The schedule has the Falcons facing the AFC East as their non-divisional games plus the NFC North and East champions. Both divisional champions are yet to be determined though the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> are in line to fill the last two spots on the Falcons' schedule.</p>
<p>Dates and times will be announced in April.</p>
<p>The Falcons are currently 11-1 and have clinched the NFC South division title. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2012/12/5/3730976/2013-falcons-schedule-nflRonald Clark2012-12-05T08:52:07-05:002012-12-05T08:52:07-05:00Braves add depth at catcher with Matt Pagnozzi
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<figcaption>Rob Carr</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Braves are busy making sure their catcher position is in good shape to start the season, as they sign Matt Pagnozzi to add depth to the position. </p> <p>In a move to solidify a seemingly forever moving catcher position, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> signed catcher <span>Matt Pagnozzi</span> to a minor league deal, <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/12/04/braves-sign-catcher-pagnozzi-for-depth/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog">according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution</a>. With <span>Brian McCann</span> recovering from shoulder surgery, <span>Gerald Laird</span> is in line to takeover the catcher duties. And Pagnozzi will serve as his backup until McCann returns and order is restored.</p>
<p>McCann will be out for at least the first two weeks of the season, possibly a month, giving Pagnozzi a nice early taste of big league life during a career that's had a few bites but nothing too substantial so far.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old is a 10-year veteran of the minor leagues with 26 homers and 225 RBIs in more than 2,100 at-bats in 703 minor league games. In comparison, he's only had 83 at-bats on the major league level in 33 games, though he is hitting .310 in those at-bats.</p>
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<p>"He's always been a catch-and-throw guy," said <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/12/04/braves-sign-catcher-pagnozzi-for-depth/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog">Braves assistant general manager Bruce Manno in the AJC</a>. "I think the bat's improved a little bit, but his strength is still defense."</p>
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<p>The Braves also re-signed catcher <span>Jose Yepez</span> to a minor league contract.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/braves/2012/12/5/3730826/mike-pagnozzi-signs-braves-free-agencyRonald Clark2012-12-05T08:31:44-05:002012-12-05T08:31:44-05:00Georgia blows out Mercer at home
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<figcaption>Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Bears were no match for the Bulldogs' defense as they forced 28 turnovers en route to the easy win. </p> <p>The sixth-ranked <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a> women's basketball team cruised to an easy victory over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/mercer-bears" class="sbn-auto-link">Mercer Bears</a>, 80-38, on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs displayed a balanced offensive attack with four players in double-figures. Jasmine Hassell, Jasmine James and Erika Ford each finished with 12 points while Khaalidah Miller added 10. The Bears were led by Kendra Grant's 16 points in the loss.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs forced the Bears into 28 turnovers, including 13 combined from the Bears' starting backcourt of Sharnea Boykin and Tabitha Bradshaw. The Bulldogs only turned it over eight times themselves. The differential led to 23 more shot attempts for the Bulldogs, who shot 45.3 percent from the field, including 9-for-15 from the three-point line.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs led by 13 at the half then went on a 17-2 run to start the second that permanently put the game out of reach.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs improved to 10-0 on the season while the Bears dropped to 4-3.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-ncaab/2012/12/5/3730766/mercer-vs-georgia-final-scoreRonald Clark2012-11-25T16:58:08-05:002012-11-25T16:58:08-05:00Georgia prepares for showdown with Alabama
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<figcaption>Kevin Liles-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Georgia Bulldogs have wanted a shot at the national spotlight all season - now, they have it. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs">Georgia Bulldogs</a> dispatched of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a>, 42-10, on Saturday and immediately began mentally preparing for their showdown with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> in the SEC championship game on Saturday.</p>
<p>In what is essentially a national semifinal game, whoever wins the SEC is pretty much guaranteed a spot in the national title game to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a>.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs have wanted this all season and are ready to put it all on the line in order to earn a spot in Miami.</p>
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<p>"This is everything," <a href="http://dogbytesonline.com/tech-wrecked-bulldogs-shut-down-yellow-jackets-offense-pile-up-points-65259/">senior linebacker Christian Robinson said.</a> "This is everything we've set out since January to do. One game to win. It's that close."</p>
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<p>Two 11-1 SEC powerhouses but one seems to have floated under the radar all season. With all the talk of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/lsu-tigers">LSU Tigers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> and the Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs have almost quietly become one of the top teams in the country. A win Saturday makes them the team to talk about.</p>
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<p>"It's a big-time game," <a href="http://dogbytesonline.com/tech-wrecked-bulldogs-shut-down-yellow-jackets-offense-pile-up-points-65259/">said Georgia All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones</a>. "Everybody in the nation is going to be tuned in to watch it."</p>
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<p>The Bulldogs have not won a national title since 1980 while the Crimson Tide have won two of the past three. The Bulldogs want that trend to change and it starts on Saturday. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-ncaaf/2012/11/25/3690036/2012-sec-championship-uga-alabamaRonald Clark2012-11-25T14:07:45-05:002012-11-25T14:07:45-05:00Georgia Tech in bowl game limbo
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<figcaption>Scott Cunningham</figcaption>
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<p>Georgia Tech could be headed back to the Sun Bowl. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> find themselves in an <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/11/24/notes-orwin-smith-sits-out-with-injury/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports">awkward position</a>. As they enter the ACC Championship game, they an either end up in the Orange Bowl with a win or fall to 6-7 and end up in the Sun Bowl.</p>
<p>The Jackets played in the Sun Bowl last season and after the BCS Bowl games, the next options for members of the ACC are the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Russell Athletic Bowl and the Sun. The Chick-fil-A and Russell Athletic bowls look like they want either N.C. State or Virginia Tech to represent the ACC, which leaves the Jackets in a boom-or-bust proposition of heading to the Orange Bowl or back to the Sun.</p>
<p>If the Jackets lose to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-st-seminoles" class="sbn-auto-link">Florida St. Seminoles</a> in the ACC Championship, they would need to file a bowl-eligibility waiver with the NCAA due to their record. The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ucla-bruins" class="sbn-auto-link">UCLA Bruins</a> did the same thing last season when a loss in the Pac-12 championship game knocked them below .500. The Bruins had their waiver granted and Georgia Tech doesn't see there being a situation that leads to them not getting the same this year.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-ncaaf/2012/11/25/3689246/georgia-tech-sun-bowl-acc-championshipRonald Clark2012-10-27T22:09:09-04:002012-10-27T22:09:09-04:00Georgia Southern escapes Chattanooga in 3OTs
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<figcaption>Mike Zarrilli</figcaption>
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<p>The Eagles had to hold their breaths a few times before finally getting the win over the Mocs in a triple overtime game in the Southern Conference. </p> <p>The Georgia Southern Eagles needed three overtimes to do it, but they finally were able to escape the state of Tennessee with a win over the Chattanooga Mocs, 39-31, to take sole possession of first place in the Southern Conference.</p>
<p>GSU was up 21-7 early in the second quarter but trailed heading into the fourth after Chattanooga reeled off 17 straight points. It would be tied at 24 heading into overtime and a 20-yard touchdown run by running back Darreion Robinson and a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jerick McKinnon ended up being enough to finally get rid of a feisty Chattanooga squad.</p>
<p>McKinnon finished with 141 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns, while Robinson added 74 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Chattanooga quarterback Jacob Huesman did his best to keep his team in it with 170 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns to go with 102 yards passing and one touchdown, but it wasn't enough.</p>
<p>Georgia Southern moved to 7-1 overall, 6-1 in the conference, while Chattanooga drops to 4-4, 3-2 in conference.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-southern/2012/10/27/3565092/georgia-southern-vs-chattanooga-final-scoreRonald Clark2012-10-14T16:52:12-04:002012-10-14T16:52:12-04:00Georgia ranked No. 12, SEC holds strong
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>There was a lot of movement in the Top 25 as the rest of the country continues to chase the Alabama Crimson Tide. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a> were ranked No. 12 in the recently released USA Today Coaches poll after they sat back and watched the rest of the country's top teams battle it out while they rested during their bye week.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs are the 5th ranked SEC team behind the No. 1 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide" class="sbn-auto-link">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>, No. 4 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators" class="sbn-auto-link">Florida Gators</a>, No. 6 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/lsu-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">LSU Tigers</a> and No. 8 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks" class="sbn-auto-link">South Carolina Gamecocks</a>. The Crimson Tide received all 59 first-place votes and were followed by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oregon-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Oregon Ducks</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/kansas-st-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas St. Wildcats</a>, the Gators and the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish" class="sbn-auto-link">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> in the top five.</p>
<p>After being embarrassed by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma Sooners</a>, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-longhorns" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Longhorns</a> fell out of the poll completely after being ranked No. 15 heading into their loss against the Sooners.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> dropped from No. 4 to No. 15 after being blown out by previously unranked Texas Tech, who moved back into the rankings at No. 20.</p>
<p> </p>
<table><tbody><tr>
<td>Poll Date: Sunday October 14 2012</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<table>
<thead><tr>
<th>Rank</th> <th>Team</th> <th>Record</th> <th>Points</th> <th>First Place Votes</th> <th>Previous Rank</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>1475</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>1414</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Kansas St.</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>1307</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Florida</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>1297</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>1251</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>LSU</td>
<td>6-1</td>
<td>1179</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Oklahoma</td>
<td>4-1</td>
<td>1021</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>South Carolina</td>
<td>6-1</td>
<td>1012</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>USC</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>995</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Florida St.</td>
<td>6-1</td>
<td>919</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>Oregon St.</td>
<td>5-0</td>
<td>839</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Georgia</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>806</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Clemson</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>741</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>Louisville</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>695</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>West Virginia</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>677</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Mississippi St.</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>671</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Rutgers</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>495</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Cincinnati</td>
<td>5-0</td>
<td>456</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>Texas A&M</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>397</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>Texas Tech</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>274</td>
<td>0</td>
<td title="Not Rated">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>TCU</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>272</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td>Boise St.</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>271</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>Stanford</td>
<td>4-2</td>
<td>215</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>Arizona St.</td>
<td>5-1</td>
<td>133</td>
<td>0</td>
<td title="Not Rated">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>Michigan</td>
<td>4-2</td>
<td>96</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/10/14/3503002/college-football-rankings-2012-week-8-coaches-poll-top-25Ronald Clark2012-10-14T15:14:00-04:002012-10-14T15:14:00-04:00Falcons, Raiders are tied heading into the 4th
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> defensive end <span>John Abraham</span> forced a <span>Carson Palmer</span> fumble with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter, and <span>Ray Edwards</span> picked it up and returned it to the 2-yard line. But the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> mounted a goal-line stand, and the Falcons were only able to get a field goal to tie the game at 13 heading into the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>The Raiders defense has been the story of the game, but neither team's offense has really been able to consistently put together scoring drives. The Falcons have three turnovers and the Raiders have two, all five playing a big part in the low-scoring affair. Both defenses have come up with big plays only to watch their respective offenses squander golden opportunities to put touchdowns on the board.</p>
<p>The Falcons have found ways to win ugly games like this during the Matt Ryan era, but the Raiders also like games to be ugly. And this one is definitely ugly. The Raiders only have 281 total yards after three quarters but the Falcons are even worse with only 217.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/10/14/3502610/raiders-vs-falcons-scoreRonald Clark