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The demonic threat has been banished from the battle-scarred fields of Azeroth, but peace is still a distant dream. Now the war rages on, with more units, more missions, and more explosive strategic combat.
In these two screenshots you can see the new Crusader model and the new Reliquary model. As you can see both of them are WIP thus why they have no comparison...
Lots of progress being made from our talented artists! Some images included.
We were never completely happy with all of our previous Scarlet Crusade models, so we've decided to create remakes with the new quality we are aiming...
This is the very first released concept art from one of our concept artists, InsanityVonMike. This is a concept of the new Undead unit called the Plague...
Last but one - The Principle of Cause and Effect. Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause.
Prepare yourself for the fifth principle. The Principle of Rhythm.
After a long time - the fourth hermetic principle. The Principle of Polarity.
A ping range feature in Manifest allows players to see the attack range of their units.
The first in what will bea periodic series of articles about classic WC3 mods. First up: the ingenious Don't Move the Tauren!.
I've made some inGame-Screenshots for a better imagination of the gameplay.
As promised, a total of three additional screenshots have been uploaded before the weekend began. But don't worry, there's a good chance there will be...
A look at two related but different abilities which support the Design Pillar of Movement.
Surprised, excited, and motivated from the amount of attention we received today from last night's update, we figured it'd only be fare to provide yet...
Finally, the third hermetic principle. The Principle of Correspondence.
Valley of Trials makes progress this weekend. It's not much, but it's enough to show off and consider noticeable progress.
A preview of the current look of the character screen that will let you equip items or level up skills while playing.
This is the second hermetic principle. The Principle of Correspondence.
This is the first hermetic principle. The Principle of Mentalism.
I'm currently working on the first temple including some hermetic principles.
The current concept for Tristram. All of those screens are still early WIPS so alot will be prob changed.
Another terrain revise. We decided to go with a darker look because the atmosphere is better in every way like this.
NEWS » 18th DECEMBER 2009 » Chernobyl - Lost Riddles | Gallery-update
Yay! finally i decided to release the 1.17 version of Tomb of Jarahcon
NEWS » 6th DECEMBER 2009 » Chernobyl - Lost Riddles | Gallery-update
New version and the new Mod released! check it out right now...
NEWS » 19th NOVEMBER 2009 » Chernobyl - Lost Riddles | inGame + Story
(finally!) a new version after a little... downtime
An overview of the abilities and stats of the one of the Creature of Titan, Dipsa the Hydra where it belongs to Vanir Titan.
NEWS » 16th OCTOBER 2009 » Chernobyl - Lost Riddles | BAR | lower caste
IceFrog the current modder who is maintaining DotA (Defence of the Ancients) a popular mod for WarCraft 3 has been whisked away on the Valve success train...


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Viewing Tattoo Tag: lips
Bad Kitty
My back piece started as this shitty little tattoo I got after a horrendous break up when I was only 18 years old. Its evolution has paralleled the significant events in my life. I went with Tiger Lilies because while… [ read more ]12/07/14
soul's of black
This tattoo represents the suffering from a hard life, Death of a loved one, but total expression of my Indian heritage, but the resurrection to a new life spirit, soul, mind and body.09/03/14
Karma is a huge factor in my life. And if you mess with Karma, she'll bite back, hence the vampire teeth.05/15/14
Voodoo Dolls
Each Tattoo Has A Different Meaning My Obsession With The Devil And Voodoo Dolls And Much More.02/19/14
This actually is starting to reflect a change in my style of tattooing so it was significant to me as I was doing it.10/27/13
i have a fettish for vampires, and me and my best friend are really into punk horror, we collaborated together and came up with the idea of pornstar vampire lips and evil bat wings, and got matching ones on our… [ read more ]05/10/11

subset: commoncrawl


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Application Checklist
All applicants will need to provide the following items in order for their Application for Admission to be considered complete.
Official High School Transcripts or GED score report. Note: Transcripts should be issued to us directly from the school(s). You may use a Transcript Request Form to give to your school. The form contains all the instructions they need to send the transcript to Cornish.
Official College/University Transcripts Required if you have completed any college or university courses. You may use a Transcript Request Form to give to your school. The form contains all the instructions they need to send the transcript to Cornish.
SAT/ACT test scores if taken. Cornish does not require an SAT/ACT test score. However, we highly recommend students submit their SAT and/or ACT test score if they have one. The Cornish code for SAT is 0058 and the Cornish code for ACT is 4501.
Personal Statement: Please describe your prior education and involvement in your art form. Describe the work you do and what influences you. What are your artistic goals, what are your passions and what has led you to pursue a career in the field?
Essay: Write an essay in approximately 500 words from one of the three options below:
Option #1: Describe how a piece of art, a performance, a composition, an example of design, a piece of literature or film has affected you. Please describe the work and explain how it affected you. The piece you write about should be the work of someone other than yourself.
Option #2: If you were given a million dollars, and tasked with "Making the Future," what would that future look like?
Option #3: A topic of your own choosing.
Application Timeline 2014
Early Deadline: December 1, 2014 - No Application Fee if you apply on or before December 1
Priority Deadline: February 1, 2015 - $40 Application Fee if you apply on or before February 1
Rolling Admission through August 1, 2015 - $60 Application Fee if you apply after February 1
Auditions and Portfolio Reviews
Admission to Cornish is selective. Once you have completed the application, an audition or portfolio review will take place as part of the application process, which will contribute to the admission decision.
The dates for the auditions and portfolio reviews can be found in the calendar.


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March 18, 2010
With the handle of his blaster forming a mask across his face like a superhero Grimefighter armed to clean up the town, Oxarc's Dave Tolliver demonstrates the $20,000 dry ice blaster while cleaning gum and graffiti from the metal railings around Mill Creek at 1st and Main on Wednesday afternoon. March 17, 2010
Stories this photo appears in:
Dry ice blasting possible solution for downtown clean-up
A demonstration Wednesday showed one possible solution to the gum and grime that mar downtown sidewalks.
WALLA WALLA -- Gum be gone.City and downtown officials got a look at a possible new way to get rid of old chewing gum, grime and other gunk Wednesday.In front of a small group of onlookers gathered at Land Title Plaza, Dave Tolliver of Oxarc demonstrated
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Streusel Bran Muffins
13 Oct 2009
Streusel Bran Muffins is an amazingly delicious side dish version. An easy to make recipe, you will simply find this Streusel Bran Muffins both mouth-watering and amazingly tempting.
|All purpose flour
|3 Tablespoon
|Firmly packed brown sugar
|2 Tablespoon
|1 Tablespoon (Cold)
|All purpose flour
|1 1⁄4 Cup (20 tbs)
|Baking powder
|1 Tablespoon
|1⁄2 Teaspoon
|Ground cinnamon
|1⁄2 Teaspoon
|Ground nutmeg
|1⁄4 Teaspoon
|Bran cereal flakes
|1 1⁄2 Cup (24 tbs) (Kellogg's Complete)
|Skim milk
|3⁄4 Cup (12 tbs)
|Firmly packed brown sugar
|1⁄2 Cup (8 tbs)
|Egg whites
|Vegetable oil
|1⁄4 Cup (4 tbs)
|1⁄2 Teaspoon
|Seedless raisins
|1⁄2 Cup (8 tbs)
|Vegetable cooking spray
In small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons flour and 2 tablespoons sugar.
Using pastry blender, cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Set aside for topping.
Stir together 1 1/4 cups flour, baking powder, salt and spices.
Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, combine Kellogg's® Complete® Bran Flakes cereal and milk.
Let stand about 3 minutes or until cereal softens.
Add 1/2 cup sugar, egg whites, oil, vanilla and raisins.
Mix well.
Add flour mixture, stirring only until combined.
Pour batter evenly into twelve 2 1/2 inch muffin pan cups coated with cooking spray.
Sprinkle with topping.
Bake at 400°F about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
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0 Comments
Streusel Bran Muffins Recipe


text:
Modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein microspheres and methods for their preparation and use as oral delivery systems for pharmaceutical agents are described.
1. A method for preparing a modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein microsphere comprising the steps of:
(a) mixing a hydrolyzed vegetable protein with an aqueous alkaline solution to form a solution;
(b) treating said solution with an amine reactive agent to form a mixture containing a modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein;
(c) recovering said modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein;
(d) incubating said modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein in a aqueous acid solution to form said modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein microspheres; and
(e) collecting said protein microspheres.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said aqueous alkaline solution comprises potassium or sodium hydroxide.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) is performed at a temperature ranging between about 35� C. and about 40� C.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said amine reactive agent is selected from the group consisting of benzene sulfonyl chloride and benzoyl chloride.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said aqueous acid solution further comprises a biologically-active agent.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said biologically-active agent comprises a monoclonal antibody, insulin, calcitonin, or erythropoietin.
7. The method according to claim 13, wherein said microspheres are hollow and said biologically-active agent is encapsulated therein.
8. The method according to claim 5, wherein said biologically-active agent is a protein.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said protein is insulin.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said protein is human growth factor.
11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said protein is bovine growth factor.
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said protein is interferon.
13. The method according to claim 8, wherein said protein is interleukin II.
14. The method according to claim 8, wherein said protein is atrial
15. The method according to claim 8, wherein said protein is calcitonin.
16. The method according to claim 5, wherein the biologically active agent is a polysaccharide.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said polysaccharide is heparin.
18. The method according to claim 5, wherein said biologically active agent is an antigen.
19. The method according to claim 5, wherein said biologically active agent is a monoclonal antibody.
20. The method according to claim 5, wherein said biologically active agent is aspirin.
21. The method according to claim 5, wherein said biologically active agent is erythropoietin.
22. The method according to claim 1, wherein said biologically active agent as a NSAID.
23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the active agent is an antimicrobial agent.
24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the active agent is quinolone.
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/995,508, filed Dec. 21, 1992, now abandoned. This invention relates to modified hydrolyzed vegetable proteins and microspheres made from them. The microspheres releasably encapsulate active agents and are suitable for oral administration to mammals. Methods for the preparation of such microspheres are also disclosed.
The available means for delivering pharmaceutical and therapeutic agents to mammals often are severely limited by chemical or physical barriers or both, which are imposed by the body. For example, oral delivery of many biologically-active agents would be the route of choice if not for the presence of chemical and physicochemical barriers such as extreme pH in the gut, exposure to powerful digestive enzymes, and impermeability of gastrointestinal membranes to the active ingredient. Among the numerous pharmacological agents which are known to be unsuitable for oral administration are biologically active peptides and proteins, such as insulin. These agents are rapidly destroyed in the gut by acid hydrolysis and/or by proteolytic enzymes.
Much research has been devoted to developing effective oral drug delivery methods and systems for these vulnerable pharmacological agents. The proposed solutions have included:
(a) co-administration of adjuvants (such as resorcinols and non-ionic surfactants polyoxyethylene oleyl ether and n-hexadecyl polyethylene ether to increase the permeability of the intestinal walls; and
(b) co-administration of enzymatic inhibitors, such as pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFF) and trasylol to avoid enzymatic degradation.
The use of such substances, in drug delivery systems, is limited however either because of their:
(a) inherent toxicity when employed in effective amounts; or
(b) failure to protect the active ingredient or promote its absorption; or
(c) adverse interaction with the drug.
Liposomes as drug delivery systems have also been described. They provide a layer of lipid around the encapsulated pharmacological agent. The use of liposomes containing heparin is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,754 and several studies have been directed to the use of liposomes containing insulin; e.g., Patel et al. (1976) FEBS Letters Vol. 62, page 60 and Hashimoto et al. (1979) Endocrinol. Japan, Vol. 26, page 337. The use of liposomes, however, is still in the development stage and there are continuing problems, including:
(a) poor stability;
(b) inadequate shelf life;
(c) limited to low MW (<30,000) cargoes;
(d) difficulty in manufacturing;
(e) adverse interactions with cargoes.
More recently, artificial amino acid polymers or proteinolds, forming microspheres, have been described for encapsulating pharmaceuticals. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,673 (the '673 patent), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes such microsphere constructs as well as methods for their preparation and use. The microspheres of the '673 patent are useful for encapsulating a number of active agent's, however there is a need in the art for microsphere carriers that can encapsulate a broader range of active agents such as lipophilic drugs.
Additionally, the method employed in the '673 patent for preparing proteinoids results in a complex mixture of high molecular weight (MW) (>1000 daltons) and low MW (≦1000 daltons) peptide-like polymers which are difficult to separate. Moreover, small amounts of the low MW microsphere-forming proteinoids are obtained. Thus, an improved method of preparing low molecular weight sphere-forming proteinoids is also desired.
The present invention relates to a modified hydrolyzed vegetable protein microsphere and to a method for preparation of such microspheres. The invention provides stable microspheres which are preparable from inexpensive hydrolyzed vegetable protein, e.g. soybean protein, and a simple and economical method for making such microsphere. Microspheres made according to the invention display improved stability and performance in delivering biologically active materials to mammals.
According to the invention, modified hydrolyzed vegetable microspheres are prepared by dissolving hydrolyzed vegetable protein in an aqueous alkaline solution and adding a chemical modifier which reacts with free amine residues present in the hydrolyzed protein. The pH of the reaction mixture is then lowered until the modified vegetable protein precipitates out from the mixture. The recovered protein readily forms microspheres and can be used to encapsulate various cargoes such as pharmaceutical agents. The microspheres are non-toxic and can be orally or parenterally administered to mammals.
FIG. 1 illustrates levels of glucose detected in rat serum taken from rats orally administered microsphere encapsulated insulin or raw (unencapsulated) insulin as described in Example 4.
FIG. 2 illustrates rat serum calcium levels after oral administration of calcitonin and calcitonin encapsulated in the vegetable protein microsphere of the present invention as described in Example 5.
All patents, patent applications, and literatures cited in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of inconsistencies, the present disclosure, including definitions, will prevail.
The modified vegetable protein microspheres of the present invention may be prepared by reacting a hydrolyzed vegetable protein with a chemical modifying agent which reacts with free amino residues present in the protein. The modified vegetable protein is then converted into microspheres which encapsulate active ingredients, e.g. drugs. A number of advantages are obtainable by the present invention which include (a) the use of readily available and inexpensive starting materials and (b) a cost-effective method for preparing and isolating microsphere-producing modified proteins. The overall modification process is simple to perform and is amenable to industrial scale-up production.
According to the method of the present invention, an acid or enzyme hydrolyzed vegetable protein is useful in practicing the invention. The vegetable protein generally contains titratable carboxylic acid groups (COOH) ranging between about 3 and about 8 milliequivalents/g, preferably between about 4 and about 6 milliequivalents/g, total free amino groups (NH2) ranging between about 3 and about 9 milliequivalents/g, preferably ranging between about 4 and about 7 milliequivalents/g NH2. The molecular weight of the vegetable protein ranges between about 100 D and about 2000 D, preferably between about 200 and about 500 D.
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is available from a variety of commercial sources. Non-limiting examples of such sources include Ajinomoto USA, Inc. (Teaneck, N.J. 07666, U.S.A.); Central Soya Co., Inc. (Fort Wayne, Ind., U.S.A.); and Champlain Industries, Inc. (Clifton, N.J., U.S.A.) and additional companies listed in "Food Engineering Master", an annual publication of Chilton Co., Radnor, Pa. 19089, U.S.A. A particularly preferred hydrolyzed vegetable protein in practicing this invention is available from Ajinomoto USA under the tradename AJI-EKI. This product is an acid hydrolyzed liquid soybean protein which is derived from defatted soybean meal.
If desired, a dried protein extract of the hydrolyzed vegetable protein solution may be used to prepare the modified vegetable protein of the invention. The dried protein extract is preparable by extracting the hydrolyzed vegetable solution with a suitable solvent, e.g., methanol, followed by evaporating the solvent extract.
The vegetable protein is then dissolved in aqueous alkaline solution of a metal hydroxide, e.g., sodium or potassium hydroxide, and heated at a temperature ranging between about 50� C. and about 70� C., preferably between about 50� C. and about 60� C., for a period ranging between about 10 minutes and about 40 minutes, preferably about 15 minutes. The amount of alkali employed per mmole of titratable NH2 in the vegetable protein generally ranges between about 2 and about 3 mmole, preferably between about 2.2 and about 2.5 mmole. The pH of the solution generally ranges between about 8 and about 13, preferably ranging between about 9 and about 10.
Thereafter, an amine modifying agent is then added to the reaction mixture while stirring. The amine modifying agents are compositions that can react with the free amino (NH2) residues present in the protein. Some non-limiting examples of amine modifying agents useful in practicing the present invention include sulfonating agents such as benzene sulfonyl chloride and acylating agents such as benzoyl chloride.
The amount of amine modifying agent in relation to the quantity of hydrolyzed vegetable protein employed is based on the equivalents of total free NH2 in the vegetable protein. Thus, between about 0.3 and about 1.2 equivalents of modifying agent are used for each molar equivalent of total NH2 groups in vegetable protein, and preferably between about 0.6 and about 1.0 equivalents of the modifying agent for each molar equivalent of total NH2 groups in the hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
In practicing the invention, the mixture of vegetable protein and modifying agent is maintained at a temperature generally ranging between about 50� C. and about 70� C., preferably between about 60� C. and about 65� C. for a period ranging between about 2 and about 5 hours.
The reaction is quenched by adjusting the pH of the mixture with a suitable acid, e.g., concentrated hydrochloric acid, until the pH reaches between about 2 and about 3. The mixture separates on standing at room temperature to form an opaque upper layer and a dark viscous lower layer. The upper layer is discarded and modified vegetable protein is collected from the lower layer by filtration. The crude modified vegetable protein is then dissolved in water at a pH ranging between about 9 and about 13, preferably between about 11 and about 13. Insoluble materials are removed by filtration and the filtrate is dried in vacuo. The yield of modified protein generally ranges between about 30 and about 60%, usually about 45%.
The modified vegetable protein of the present invention is soluble in alkaline aqueous solution (pH≧9.0); partially soluble in ethanol, n-butanol and 1:1 (v/v) toluene/ethanol solution and insoluble in neutral water. The titratable functional groups remaining in the vegetable protein after modification are as follows: carboxylic acid groups (COOH) ranging between about 1.5 and about 3.5 milliequivalents/g, preferably about 2.3 milliequivalents/g, amino groups (NH2) ranging between about 0.3 and about 0.9 milliequivalents/g, preferably about 0.5 milliequivalents/g. The molecular weight of the modified vegetable protein ranges between about 200 D and about 2000 D, preferably between about 200 D and about 500 D.
The modified vegetable protein of the present invention can be used immediately to microencapsulate an active pharmacological agent or the protein can be concentrated or dried by conventional means and stored for future use.
The modified vegetable protein may be purified by fractionation on solid column supports such as alumina, using methanol/n-propanol mixtures as the mobile phase; reverse phase column supports using trifluoroacetic acid/acetonitrile mixtures as the mobile phase; and ion exchange chromatography using water as the mobile phase. When anion exchange chromatography is performed, a subsequent 0-500 mM sodium chloride gradient is employed. The modified vegetable protein may also be purified by extraction with a lower alcohol such as methanol, butanol, or isopropanol to remove low molecular weight contaminants.
The following procedure may be employed to make microspheres from purified modified vegetable protein. Modified vegetable protein is dissolved in deionized water at a concentration ranging between about 75 and about 200 mg/ml, preferably about 100 mg/ml at a temperature between about 25� C. and about 60� C., preferably about 40� C. Particulate matter remaining in the solution may be removed by conventional means such as gravity filtration over filter paper.
Thereafter, the protein solution, maintained at a temperature of about 40� C., is mixed 1:1 (V/V) with an aqueous acid solution (also at about 40� C.) having an acid concentration ranging between about 0.05N and about 2N, preferably about 1.7N. The resulting mixture is further incubated at 40� C. for a period of time effective for microsphere formation as observed by light microscopy. In practicing this invention, the preferred order of addition is to add the protein solution to the aqueous acid solution.
Suitable acids include any acid which does not (a) adversely effect the protein, e.g., chemical decomposition; (b) interfere with microsphere formation; (c) interfere with microsphere encapsulation of cargo; and (d) adversely interact with the cargo. Preferred acids for use in this invention include acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid and maleic acid.
In practicing the invention, a microsphere stabilizing additive preferably incorporated into the aqueous acid solution or into the protein solution, prior to the microsphere formation process. The presence of such additives promotes the stability and dispersibility of the microspheres in solution.
The additives may be employed at a concentration ranging between about 0.1 and 5% (W/V), preferably about 0.5% (W/V). Suitable, but non-limiting, examples of microsphere stabilizing additives include gum acacia, gelatin, polyethylene glycol, and polylysine.
Under these conditions, the modified vegetable protein molecules form hollow microspheres of less than 10 microns in diameter. If the protein microspheres are formed in the presence of a soluble material, e.g., a pharmaceutical agent in the aforementioned aqueous acid solution, this material will be encapsulated in the hollows of the microspheres and confined within the protein wall defined by the spherical structure. In this way, one can encapsulate pharmacologically active materials such as peptides, proteins, and polysaccharides as well as charged organic molecules, e.g., quinolones or antimicrobial agents, having poor bioavailability by the oral route. The amount of pharmaceutical agent which may be encapsulated by the microsphere is dependent on a number of factors which include the concentration of agent in the encapsulating solution, as well as the affinity of the cargo for the carrier.
The modified vegetable protein microspheres of the invention are pharmacologically harmless and do not alter the physiological and biological properties of the active agent. Furthermore, the encapsulation process does not alter the pharmacological properties of the active agent. While any pharmacological agent can be encapsulated within the protein microspheres, it is particularly valuable for delivering chemical or biological agents which otherwise would be destroyed or rendered less effective by conditions encountered within the body of the mammal to which it is administered, before the microsphere reaches its target zone (i.e., the area in which the contents of the microsphere are to be released) and which are poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.
The protein microspheres of the invention are particularly useful for the oral administration of certain pharmacological agents, e.g., small peptide hormones, which, by themselves, pass slowly or not at all through the gastro-intestinal mucosa and/or are susceptible to chemical cleavage by acids and enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. Non-limiting examples of such agents include human or bovine growth hormone, interferon and interleukin-II, calcitonin, erythropoietin, atrial naturetic factor, antigens and monoclonal antibodies.
The particle size of the microsphere plays an important role in determining release of the active agent in the targeted area of the gastrointestinal tract. Microspheres having diameters between about ≦0.1 microns and about 10 microns, preferably between about 5.0 microns and about 0.1 microns, and encapsulating active agents are sufficiently small to effectively release the active agent at the targeted area within the gastrointestinal tract. Small microspheres can also be administered parenterally by being suspended in an appropriate carrier fluid (e.g., isotonic saline) and injected into the circulatory system or subcutaneously. The mode of administration selected will, of course, vary, depending upon the requirement of the active agent being administered. Large protein microspheres (>10 microns) tend to be less effective as oral delivery systems.
The size of the microspheres formed by contacting modified vegetable protein with water or an aqueous solution containing active agents can be controlled by manipulating a variety of physical or chemical parameters, such as the pH, osmolarity or ionic strength of the encapsulating solution, and by the choice of acid used in the encapsulating process.
The vegetable protein-derived microspheres of the present invention are suitable for oral administration of peptide hormones, e.g., insulin, and polysaccharides, e.g., heparin, which otherwise would be quickly destroyed in the stomach. They also are suitable for protecting the stomach from gastric irritants, such as aspirin and NSAID'S. When such aspirin containing microspheres are orally administered, they pass through the gastrointestinal mucosa and release the aspirin far more rapidly than conventional enterically coated aspirin, which first must traverse the stomach and then must enter the bloodstream from the intestine after the enteric coating has dissolved.
The microspheres of the invention may be orally administered alone as solids in the form of tablets, pellets, capsules, and granulates suitable for suspension in liquids such as water or edible oils. Similarly, the microspheres can be formulated into a composition containing one or more physiologically compatible carriers or excipients, and which can be administered via the oral route. These compositions may contain conventional ingredients such as gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone and fillers such as starch and methyl cellulose. Alternatively, small microspheres (size less than 10 μm) can be administered via the parenteral route.
The following examples are illustrative of the invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
a. Extraction of soybean protein
3.2 L of acid hydrolyzed liquid soybean protein solution (AJI-EKI, Ajinomoto USA, Inc.) was reduced in vacuo to give 1440 g of solid powder. This solid was extracted 3 times with methanol (2 L per extraction). Methanol was removed from the pooled extracts by evaporation. The yield of soybean protein as a dark brown powder was 608 g. The functional groups of the soybean protein powder was titrated using conventional procedures. See, for example, "A Laboratory Manual of Analytical Methods of Protein Chemistry," Vol. 1-3, Editors P. Alexander and R. J. Block, Pergamon Press, 1960 and 1961. The soybean protein contained the following functional groups: 3.7 milliequivalents/g of COOH; 0.44 milliequivalents/g free N-terminal NH2 ; and 3.48 milliequivalents/g total free NH2. The molecular weight of the soybean protein ranged from 100 to 2000 D.
b. Modification of soybean protein
The dried soybean protein of step (a) (600 g, 2.5 equivalents of total free NH2) was dissolved in 3 L of aqueous 2N potassium hydroxide solution (2.25 mole excess) and the solution was heated at 60� C. for 30 minutes. Thereafter, benzenesulfonyl chloride (460 g, 2.60 moles) was added dropwise to the mixture and the reaction temperature was monitored so that it did not exceed 65� C. The reaction continued, with stirring, for 4 hours at 63� C. The reaction mixture cooled to room temperature, then acidified to pH 3.0 with 20% aqueous HCl solution and modified soybean protein precipitated out. The modified soybean protein was then washed twice with distilled water (1 L) and dissolved in 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution until a pH of 8.5-9 resulted. The solution was filtered to remove particulates and the filtrate was reduced and dried in vacuo to give dry modified product (257 g, yield=24%). The product had the following titratable groups: 2.3 milliequivalents/g of COOH; 0.2 milliequivalents/g N-terminal free NH2 ; and 0.3 milliequivalents/g total free NH2.
A commercial hydrolyzed water solution of soybean protein (AJI-EKI, Ajinomoto USA, Inc.) was used in this Example without further extraction. The protein in solution contained the following functional groups: 2.6 milliequivalents/ml of COOH and 2.0 milliequivalents/ml NH2. The molecular weight of the soybean protein was approximately 6.5 kD.
To the soybean solution (240 mL, 0.5 equivalents free NH2) was added 107 mL of 10N aqueous potassium hydroxide solution followed by 200 mL of distilled water. The solution was then placed in an ice bath (5� C.) and benzoyl chloride (70 g, 0.5 moles) was added dropwise within a temperature range between 10 to 25� C. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 4.5 hours at room temperature. The pH of the reaction mixture was then reduced from 13.2 to 2.8 with concentrated HCl. After being allowed to settle for 1 hour, the precipitated modified soybean protein was collected by filtration and washed with distilled water. The soybean protein was then dissolved in 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution to give a solution (pH 12.6) which was then evaporated to afford 48 g of dried product (% yield=41%).
This Example illustrates a method for the preparation and cleaning of empty modified soybean protein microspheres.
1. Reagents:
a. Modified protein powder prepared as described in Example 1
b. Anhydrous citric acid (USP)
c. Gum acacia NF
d. Deionized water
e. Glacial acetic acid
2. Equipment
a. pH meter
b. Eppendorf pipette (0-100 ul) and tips
c. Water bath, 40� C.
d. liquid nitrogen
e. lyophilization flasks
3. Preparation of Solutions:
a. Protein solution--Dissolve 100 mg modified soybean protein in ml deionized water (or multiples thereof). Filter through a Whatman #1 filter paper (if necessary) and keep at 40� C. in a water bath. This is solution A.
b. 1.7N citric acid with 0.5% acacia--Dissolve 5 g of acacia and 109 g of citric acid in 1 liter deionized water. Incubate at 40� C. This is solution B.
4. Preparation of Microspheres:
a. Add all of solution A to solution B rapidly in one step while swirling solution B by hand, in a 40� C. water bath.
This Example describes a method for the preparation and cleaning of heparin microspheres.
1. Reagents:
a. Modified protein powder prepared as described in Example 1
b. Heparin
c. Anhydrous citric acid (USP)
d. Gum acacia NF
e. Deionized water
f. Desiccant
g. Liquid nitrogen
2. Equipment:
a. Magnetic stirrer
b. Buret
c. Microscope
d. Clinical centrifuge
e. Dialysis membrane tubing (Spectrum 6, 10 mm, 50,000 M. W. Cutoff)
f. pH meter
g. Lyophilizer (Labconco #75035)
h. Lyophilizing flasks (150-300 mL)
i. Rotating shell freezer
j. Isopropanol/dry ice bath or liquid N2
k. Mortar and pestle
l. Storage containers (500 mL)
m. Eppendorf piper (0-100 uL)
n. Plastic closures for dialysis tubing (Spectrum)
o. 2 mL syringe with 0.45 μm Acrodisk
3. Preparation of Solutions:
a. Protein Solution A* (80 mg/ml): Add 160 mg of modified soybean protein and dissolve to 1 ml with deionized water. Using a 2 ml syringe filter through a 0.45 μm Acrodisk into a 10 ml test tube. Keep at 40� C.
b. Solution B (1.7N citric acid with 1% gum): Dissolve 10 g of acacia and 109 g of citric acid in 1
c. Solution C (Heparin solution): Dissolve heparin in Solution B at 150 mg/mL and keep at 40� C.
4. Preparation of Microspheres:
a. Add all of solution A to solution C quickly while swirling solution C slowly, by hand, in a 40� C. water bath.
5. Cleaning of Microspheres:
a. Transfer the suspension with a syringe (no needle) to dialysis tubing and seal with plastic closures. Tubing should be no more than 70% full.
b. Discard any amorphous material sedimented and/or aggregated on the surface.
c. Dialyze the microsphere suspension against acetic acid (using 20 mL of acetic acid solution per ml of microsphere suspension) while stirring the acetic acid solution with a magnetic stirrer.
d. Replace the acetic acid solution every hour. Continue dialyzing for a total of 3 hours.
6. Lyophilization:
a. Add one part of 50% Trehalose (Sigma) into nine parts of dialyzed microsphere solution. Flash freeze microspheres in a freeze-drying flask using the shell freezer adjusted to rotate at ca. 190 rpm and immersed in a liquid nitrogen bath.
b. Freeze dry for 24 hours or until dry as evidenced by lack of self-cooling.
c. Record weight of dry microspheres.
d. Grind to a fine powder with mortar and pestle.
e. Transfer to amber container, seal with desiccant, and store at room temperature.
7. Resuspension:
a. Weigh the lyophilized powder and calculate the amount of protein in the powder.
b. Add 0.85N citric acid into the lyophilized powder at 40� C. The final concentration of protein is 80 mg/ml.
In this Example, the insulin microspheres prepared in accordance with Example 3 were evaluated in rats. Twelve rats were divided into two groups as follows:
1. oral insulin microspheres: 3 mg insulin/kg body weight by oral garage (six rats);
2. Raw insulin (no encapsulation): 3 mg insulin/kg body weight by oral garage (six rats).
Oral garage dosing of rats was performed. Insulin microspheres were prepared immediately prior to dosing and Group 1 rats each receive an appropriate dosage of the microsphere suspension. Group 2 rats received the unencapsulated insulin. Approximately 0.5 ml of blood was withdrawn from each rat just prior to dosing ("0" time) and 1 to 6 h post-dosing. Serum from the blood samples were stored at -20� C.
The glucose levels of thawed serum taken from the rats were analyzed by conventional methods. As shown in FIG. 1, sharp decreases in serum glucose levels were observed in groups 1 rats receiving the encapsulated insulin. In contrast, the serum glucose levels in group 2 rats slightly increased from t=0. The results show that encapsulated insulin had a greater biological effect, when administered orally, in contrast to unencapsulated insulin.
Encapsulation of salmon calcitonin in soybean protein microspheres were performed in the same manner described in Example 3. Calcitonin was obtained from Sandoz (Basil, Switzerland) and a 150 mg/mL calcitonin solution in 1.7N citric acid solution with 1% gum was prepared as described in Example 3.
In this Example, the calcitonin microspheres prepared in accordance with Example 5 were evaluated in rats. Twelve rats were divided into two groups as follows:
1. oral calcitonin microspheres: 60 μg calcitonin/kg body weight by oral garage (six rats).
2. oral unencapsulated microspheres: 60 μg calcitonin/kg body weight by oral gavage (3 rats) (Control).
Oral garage dosing of rats was performed. Calcitonin microspheres were prepared immediately prior to dosing and Group 1 rats received an appropriate dosage of the microsphere suspension. Group 2 rats received the unencapsulated calcitonin. Approximately 0.5 ml of blood was withdrawn from each rat just prior to dosing ("0" time) and 1 h, 2 h and 3 h post-dosing. Serum from the blood samples were stored at -20� C.
The calcium levels of thawed serum taken from group 1 and 2 rats were analyzed by conventional methods. As shown in FIG. 2, sharp decreases in serum calcium levels were observed in group 1 rats receiving the encapsulated calcitonin. In contrast, the calcium levels in group 2 rats slightly decreased from t=0. The results show that encapsulated calcitonin had a greater biological effect, when administered orally, in contrast to unencapsulated calcitonin.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
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text:
What #Music's Failures Teach Us About Twitter's #TV Future
Twitter #Music hasn't exactly shaken the firmament of the musical landscape. After releasing the admittedly gorgeous app on the iOS App Store early this year, it has drifted down the charts and the general consensus is that it's a relative dead end. How Twitter rolled out #Music, and what it learned from the app, will likely inform how it handles a move to embrace a more… Read More
In Race With Twitter, Facebook, Like, Fluffs Its Social TV Numbers
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Luma For iPad Is A Personalized TV Guide For Streaming Video…With A Few New Tricks
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Chinese Internet Giant Baidu Enters The Smart TV Wars With Launch Of TV+
Baidu, the Internet giant that operates China's largest search engine, has launched its own smart TV to compete with rival platforms from Alibaba, as well as other companies including Xiaomi, Samsung and Apple. Read More
Target Ticket, Target's Video Download & Rental Service, Nears Launch
Target's answer to Walmart's Vudu, Netflix, and iTunes, is preparing to launch. Employees at the Minneapolis-headquartered retailer were told this week that Target Ticket, as the service is called, will soon be offered to consumers, allowing them to rent and purchase digital copies of movies and television shows like they do on Apple's iTunes, then play them back across all… Read More
Twitter Is Testing Out A New 'TV Trending' Box At The Top Of Your Timeline
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Twitter Is Experimenting With New Live Events Platform, "DVR Mode" For Using Twitter With TV & More
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Twitter The Ad Player Wants To Push More TV Buttons, Adds Viacom To Its Partner List
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text:
This is really a post requesting juried show protocol advise more than anything else.
I've had the pleasure of submitting a few samples of my pics over the last two years to a local community arts association. These two shows constitute my entire experience with juried shows. The association concentrates on the performing arts, but hosts an annual show for the visual arts with the catagories of sculpture, sketches and painting, and photographs.
Should the association reveal who is on the jury and their qualifications? Is it proper to ask who they are when you're wandering around the reception? Is is wrong to want an explaination of why the placing were as they were? Should there be more catagories?
What the heck is "museum wrapped glicee (?) on canvas" and why did this enormous digital color bomb resembling a black velvet painting beat my well matted/framed Ektalure in Selectol print ?


text:
ANNOUNCEMENT: BRIAN AND SHERRILL WALTERS 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Congratulations Brian and Sherrill Walters 50th Wedding Anniversary Brian and Sherrill will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary with loved ones on an Alaska Cruise. Anyone who knows or meets ...More info Email a friend
FOUND: Girl's metallic red prescription glasses found in the grass southwest of the Squalicum Boathouse the morning of Sunday, July 5, 2015.More info Email a friend
LOST: at Up&Up, Pelmeni, Redlight, house on N. Forest, Sammy's Place Fuel: gym/library/fourstars card (971) 236-3006More info Email a friend
AUCTION CALENDAR: BellinghamAUCTION.com Saturday August 1st- Gates Open at 8AM Misc. items start at 9AM Vehicles at 11AM Corner of Kentucky & Iron St. Go to www.bellinghamAUCTION.com check out photos & listings of Aprox 80 vehicles & surplus Items! Berglund & Jones Auctioneers...More info Email a friend
FOUND: FOUND - RED GLASSES Girl's metallic red glasses found at Zuanich Park. (360) 650-6522More info Email a friend
LOST: BRACELET REWARD Simple gold bracelet w/ U.S. Air Core emblem of wings. Name Jane Henry engraved. Lost Chstnt, Magnolia, Cornwall, Railroad or S end of Frhvn trail & 10th Street area. REWARD! (209) 883-2417More info Email a friend
LOST: LOST BIRD-CONURE Chico lost in Birch Bay 7/2/15. Call or text Jeanie. (360) 820-3959More info Email a friend
LOST: LOST KEYRING CARDS @ State St. & N Forest :gym/lib./4starscard (971)236-3006More info Email a friend
ANNOUNCEMENT: Do you have a favorite hobby or want to find out more about other types? Join us to grow a new community On-Line Forum in Bellingham at http://The-Dialog.org Totally Free, No Spam, No Ad's - Register to Post! A public service provided by SynergyHub.orgMore info Email a friend
EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION: "Cascades Job Corps Center has the following opening: Health Services Manager #4663 Only online applications will be accepted Applicants go to www.mtctrains.com, select Careers, Apply Now, Search Openings, search drop down for Cascades, All Jobs or Job ...More info Email a friend


text:
People occasionally say "a political race is like a popularity contest," or "an election is like a beauty contest," or some permutation of those phrases -- about 10,000 instances of similar sentiments turn up in a Google search. By contrast, "political race" + "childrens beauty pageant" returns absolutely nothing. Apparently the SA Forum Goons were the first to combine these things, and like computers and corpses, they make a bad mixture!
Esoteric Scientist
Did Louis C.K. jerk off in front of two female comics? And why are these ladies squandering an opportunity to learn from a comedy legend?
Elliot said my breakup must have been due to the sweater curse, an unexplained phenomenon where anyone who gives their significant other a hand-knit sweater gets dumped. The only way to break the curse, Elliot said, was to destroy the sweater.
Just in time for Shark Week, a barrelful of fishy cinematic horrors!
Goon-made alternate Confederate and 'Don't Tread on Me' flags: Put THAT on your pole and salute it!
This game is so busted th- *interrupted by smart aleck Joker and Batmobile sequence*
Photoshop Phriday showcases the tremendous image manipulation talents of the Something Awful Forum Goons. Each week they tackle a new theme, parodying movies, video games, comics, history, and anything else you can think of. If you want in on the action, join us on the Something Awful Forums!
Copyright ©2015 Rich "Lowtax" Kyanka & Something Awful LLC.


text:
2007 Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Losing Steve Kragthorpe to Louisville doesn't look like such a
bad deal for Tulsa after all. While Kragthorpe's Cardinals were
becoming one of the most disappointing teams of 2007, the Todd
Graham-led Hurricane was flourishing in its new hurry-up,
no-huddle offense. Tulsa led the country in total offense,
offsetting the play of a suspect defense, to win 10 games, while
providing the backdrop for record-setting QB Paul Smith to
account for an amazing 60 touchdowns and 5,184 yards.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Paul Smith
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Chris Chamberlain
Biggest Surprise: The offensive line. For a unit that
was completely gutted by graduations, the Hurricane offensive
line did a surprisingly good job of protecting Smith and paving
the way for Tarrion Adams to run for 1,225 yards on just 219
carries. Led by Justin Morsey and Rodrick Thomas on the right
side, the line returns four starters, and should be even more
effective next fall.
Biggest Disappointment: Although it had two chances,
Tulsa just couldn't solve UCF and RB Kevin Smith, allowing 44
points and chunks of rushing yards in each game. By getting
blown out in each meeting, including the league title game, the
Hurricane lost an opportunity to upgrade its bowl destination
from the GMAC Bowl to the Liberty Bowl.
Looking Ahead: Even though Smith is out of eligibility,
this is an exciting time for the Tulsa program. If his likely
successor, David Johnson, is up to the challenge, the offense
will roll again in 2008, especially with such an abundance of
skill position players back at Skelly Stadium.
2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction:
2007 Results: 10-4
at UL Monroe
Sept. 15 BYU
Sept. 21 Oklahoma L 62-21
Sept. 29
at UTEP
20 at
at Tulane
at Army
at Rice
Conference USA Championship
Dec. 1 UCF L 44-25
GMAC Bowl
Jan. 6 Bowling Green W 63-7
Jan. 6
2008 GMAC Bowl
Tulsa 63 ... Bowling Green 7
Bowling Green lost four fumbles in the first half and Tulsa
was happy to take advantage on the way to a 35-0 first half lead
and a 42-0 start before the Falcons finally got on the board.
With a few trick plays and the passing of Paul Smith, the Golden
Hurricane rolled at will with five Smith scoring passes,
including two to Trae Johnson, and a touchdown catch, run, and
throw from RB Tarrion Adams. The normally high-powered Bowling
Green offense was held to just 229 yards with the lone score
coming on a kickoff return after a 14-yard Johnson catch. This
was the biggest blowout in bowl history.
Offensive Player of the
Tulsa QB Paul Smith completed
27 of 45 passes for 312 yards and five touchdowns, and ran nine
times for 46 yards and a score.
Defensive Player of the
Game: Tulsa LB Chris Chamberlain made 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks,
5.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble
Stat Leaders: Bowling Green - Passing: Tyler
Sheehan, 14-19, 141 yds
Rushing: Tyler Sheehan, 7-21. Receiving:
Anthony Turner, 6-33
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 27-45, 312 yds, 5
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 17-112, 1 TD. Receiving:
Charles Clay,
Thoughts & Notes ... Paul Smith set an NCAA record with
his 14th straight 300-yard passing game ... Bowling Green QB
Tyler Sheehan was knocked out in the first half with an ankle
injury. He still finished as the team's leading rusher. ... This
has to be considered among the ugliest bowl games of all-time.
Tulsa's normally porous defense didn't let Bowling Green have
any sort of a shot by getting into the backfield time and again.
The Falcon turnovers made it a laugher, while Todd Graham and
the Golden Hurricane coaching staff showed just how prepared
they were. All the gadgets, the execution, the defensive
pressure; it all worked.
Dec. 1
Conference USA Championship
UCF 44 ... Tulsa 25
UCF RB Kevin Smith ran wild with 284 yards and scores from
three, 46, four and 74 yards out, Michael Torres hit three field
goals and Joe Burnett returned a punt 83 yards for a score in
the wild shootout. Tulsa kept pace with three Paul Smith
touchdown passes, with a 27-yard play to Trae Johnson and a 22
yarder to Charley Clay, but the offense didn't get on the board
in the second half with the only points coming on a safety.
Tanks to Smith, the Knights outgained the Golden Hurricane 308
yards to 32 on the ground, but Tulsa threw for 438 yards.
Player of the game:
UCF RB Kevin
Smith ran 39 times for 284 yards and four touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith,
28-55, 426 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 18-41. Receiving: Brennan
Marion, 7-96
UCF - Passing: Kyle Israel, 6-13, 128 yds
Rushing: Kevin Smith, 39-284, 4 TD. Receiving: Rocky
Ross, 3-63
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Everyone knew the defense was going to have major problems with
Kevin Smith and the UCF offense, and everyone knew this was
going to be a shootout, but the shocker was how the offense
stopped moving in the second half. UCF's defense had a lot to do
with that, especially in the secondary, but this Tulsa offense
was moving the ball on everyone all year long without much of a
problem. The lack of a consistent running game became a problem
once the passing game started to sputter. Over the course of the
bowl preparations, the coaching staff had better figure out
something with the run defense or Bowling Green's high-octane
attack will go ballistic.
Nov. 24
Tulsa 48 ... Rice 43
Rice cranked out 700 yards of total offense with QB Chase
Clement setting a Conference USA record with 601 yards of total
offense, and lost. Tulsa clinched the West title helped by five
touchdown passes from Paul Smith with strikes to Brennan Marion
from 49 and 31 yards out in the first quarter and a 19-yard play
to Trae Johnson midway through the fourth for a little breathing
room. After a Clement pass to Chance Talbert for a 24-yard
touchdown on the opening drive of the game, Rice never led the
rest of the way.
Player of the game:
Tulsa QB Paul Smith completed 22 of 39 passes for 441 yards and
five touchdowns with an interception, and ran six times for four
yards and a score, and Rice QB Chase Clement completed 40 of 66
passes for 541 yards and three touchdowns with an interception
and ran 17 times for 60 yards
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith,
22-39, 441 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 24-146. Receiving: Brennan
Marion, 7-244, 2 TD
Rice - Passing: Chase Clement, 40-66, 541
yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chase Clement, 17-60. Receiving: James
Casey, 11-110
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
It's a good thing Paul Smith and the
offense are unstoppable because the defense isn't even close.
Because Smith always came through and because the attack is so
explosive, Tulsa was able to get by lousy teams like Army and
Rice in firefights to close out with a five-game winning streak
and six wins in the final seven games. The one loss came to UCF,
and to win the rematch in the Conference USA title game, there
can't be any offensive mistakes. Kevin Smith and company will
hang a monster number on the board.
Nov. 17
Tulsa 49 ... Army 39
Tulsa's offense was humming all cylinders with 622 yards, but
the outcome was in doubt until Paul Smith ran for a one-yard
score with 1:33 to play. Smith added touchdown passes from 50
yards out to Brennan Marion, with ten seconds to play in the
first half, and from 15 yards out to Trae Johnson in the fourth
quarter to keep up with the Army passing attack. Carson Williams
threw for a career-high 328 yards with three touchdown passes
including two to Jeremy Trimble. A nine-yard Tony Dace run
pulled the Black Knights within three, but Army lost a fumble on
a late drive leading to the Smith score. Caleb Campbell made 16
tackles for Army, while Alain Karatepeyan led the way with 15
stops for the Golden Hurricane.
Player of the game:
Tulsa QB Paul Smith completed 22 of 32 passes for
390 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score.
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith,
22-32, 390 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 17-118, 2 TD. Receiving:
Trae Johnson, 9-119, 1 TD
Army - Passing: Carson Williams, 26-38, 328
yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tony Dace, 14-69, 1 TD. Receiving: Jeremy
Trimble, 11-167, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... A
week after the defense was so dominant in the win over Houston,
it couldn't slow down the anemic Army offense and needs a late
score to finally put the game away. The offense keeps on humming
with QB Paul Smith dialed in and playing as well as he ever has
in his great career, while Tarrion Adams added good balance with
118 yards after not getting much work last week. Now Tulsa needs
to get by Rice to play for the Conference USA championship, and
with the way the team is playing on both sides of the ball,
it'll be yet another mega-shootout.
Nov. 10
Tulsa 56 ... Houston 7
Tulsa got out to a 35-0 halftime lead on four of Paul Smith's
five touchdown passes, with strikes from 53 and 32 yards out to
Brennan Marion, and a one-yard Smith run. The Golden Hurricane kept
on rolling with a 56-0 lead late into the fourth with touchdown runs
from Tarrion Adams and Jamad Williams in the second half before
Houston finally got on the board with a five-yard Terrance Ganaway
run with 2:25 to play. The Cougars turned the ball over five times
and were outgained 515 yards to 324. Tulsa's Chris Chamberlain made
20 tackles.
Player of the game:
Tulsa QB Paul Smith completed 15 of 28 passes for 313 yards and five
touchdowns, and he ran seven times for 32 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: Houston - Passing: Case Keenum,
12-15, 81 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Terrance Ganaway, 8-39, 1 TD. Receiving: Mark
Hafner, 6-47
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 15-28, 313 yds, 5
Rushing: Jamad Williams, 16-56, 1 TD. Receiving: Charles
Clay, 5-97, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Tulsa certainly made its statement in
the Conference USA title race by blasting Houston with a dominant
performance on both sides of the ball. Paul Smith wasn't always
sharp, but with the way he hit on all his deep balls, he didn't have
to be. The defense came up with its best game of the year with five
turnovers and holding down the high-powered Cougar attack to 324
yards. There's still work to be done needing to beat Rice in two
weeks, but this was a huge step towards a title.
Nov. 3
Tulsa 49 ... Tulane 25
Tulsa blew open a tight game with 28 second half points on a
one-yard Paul Smith touchdown run and two scoring passes,
highlighted by a 37-yard play to Trae Johnson, and an A.J. Whitmore
56-yard touchdown dash. Tulane got a touchdown pass and a scoring
run from QB Anthony Scelfo, but star RB Matt Forte was held to 103
yards. The defense gave up 600 yards of Tulsa offense along with a
92-yard Roy Roberts kickoff return for a score after the Green Wave
offense got a 44-yard Brian King touchdown catch. Smith finished
with two rushing touchdowns and threw for three scores.
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith,
18-27, 319 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jamad Williams, 31-153. Receiving: Trae
Johnson, 4-49, 1 TD
Tulane - Passing: Anthony Scelfo, 17-28, 237
yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Matt Forte, 26-103. Receiving: Jeremy Williams,
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The
offense cranked out 600 yards with nearly perfect balance and a
brilliant day from Paul Smith, but the win over Tulane, for the
first time all year, belongs just as much to the defense. The Green
Wave got 401 yards of offense, but star RB Matt Forte struggled to
get going and the passing game wasn't effective enough. If Jamad
Williams can continue to run like he did this week, Smith won't have
to do everything by himself.
Oct. 20
UCF 44 ... Tulsa 23
Kevin Smith ran for scores from 13, 15, four and 44 yards out
as UCF cruised comfortably to the win after the second quarter.
Tulsa took a 14-10 lead early on thanks to two of Paul Smith's three
touchdown passes, but the Golden Knight defense took over just as
Kevin Smith started to heat up. The Golden Hurricane only gained 379
yards of total offense and got down 41-17 before getting back on the
board with a nine-yard Cameron Clemons catch.
Player of the
UCF RB Kevin
Smith ran 33 times for 170 yards an three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: UCF - Passing: Kyle Israel,
21-29, 224 yds,1 TD
Rushing: Kevin Smith, 33-170, 3 TD. Receiving: Sergio
Joachim, 9-98
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 34-56, 316 yds, 3
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 10-47. Receiving: Dion Toliver,
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The
defense isn't getting any better. UCF's Kevin Smith is going to run
on everyone, but for the Golden Hurricane to struggle so much
against Kyle Israel and the passing game shows just how bad things
are. If the offense isn't humming, the results will be disastrous.
Winning out is a must to have any hopes of navigating through the
traffic and win the West, and to do that, the D has to come up with
at least one stop at some point. Just one.
Oct. 13
Tulsa 38 ... Marshall 31
Tulsa rolled up 578 yards of total offense with Paul Smith
running for a one-yard score and throwing three touchdown passes,
taking the lead for good on a 73-yard play to Brennan Marion with
just over five minutes to play. Cody Slate caught a two-yard
touchdown pass with 1:18 to play to get the Herd within seven, but
Tulsa recovered the onside kick and held on. Tarrion Adams scored
twice for the Golden Hurricane in the first half, but Marshall
stayed alive with two Chubb Small touchdown runs and a four-yard
Shawn Lauzon scoring grab.
Player of the
Tulsa QB Paul
Smith completed 24 of 39 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns
and ran for a score.
Stat Leaders: Marshall - Passing: Bernard
Morris, 21-37, 260 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Darius Marshall 13-63. Receiving: Cody Slate,
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 24-39, 385 yds, 3
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 15-134, 1 TD. Receiving: Tarrion
Adams, 6-35, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Tulsa is at it again. The offense keeps
putting up numbers in bunches, but the defense is giving up stats
and points just as quickly. While the defensive problems cost the
Golden Hurricane against Tulsa, the offense was able to get up
enough to hang on against Marshall. What's going to happen when the
real teams start to kick in? If Tulsa can't handle Marshall, it's
going to have a world of problems with UCF next week and Houston
down the road.
Oct. 6
UTEP 48 ... Tulsa 47
In a wild games with 1,218 yards of total offense, UTEP came
through with a 14-yard Joe West touchdown catch with 58 seconds to
play to tie it, and then Jose Martinez hit the extra point to take
the lead. It wasn't over. Tulsa got a big kickoff return from Trae
Johnson, who later caught a 14-yard pass on fourth and one, to set
up a 53-yard field goal attempt, but Jarod Tracy missed wide left to
give UTEP the win. Marcus Thomas ran for three touchdowns for the
Miners, scoring from three, 11 and 38 yards out, while Tulsa got a
huge day from Paul Smith, who threw two touchdown passes to Johnson,
and ran for two more.
Player of the game: UTEP RB Marcus Thomas ran 27 times for 134
yards and three touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith,
26-43, 383 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Charles Clay, 11-112, 1 TD. Receiving: Trae
Johnson, 8-127, 2 TD
UTEP - Passing: Trevor Vittatoe, 21-27, 319 yds,
Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 27-134, 3 TD. Receiving:
Jeff Moturi, 7-174,
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The
offense keeps working, but the defense isn't coming close to
stopping anyone. Paul Smith and the high-octane attack were able to
overcome the problems in earlier games, but this time, against UTEP,
it didn't work, as the Miners moved too easily and too quickly when
they had to. Even so, the Golden Hurricane was a missed field goal
away from pulling this off and still being the main team in the
Conference USA race, and now it has to take advantage of a favorable
next month to overcome this loss and stay in the hunt.
Sept. 29
Tulsa 38 ... UAB 30
It took Tulsa a little while to get going, and then it got a
big game from Paul Smith, who threw touchdown passes from 24 yards
to Cameron Clemons, and two to Marion Brennan from 35 and 52 yards
out. It wasn't until Smith ran for a one-yard score that Tulsa could
breathe easily as UAB kept the heat on with two fourth quarter
touchdown passes from Sam Hunt. Tulsa finished with 695 yards of
total offense, while UAB cranked out 403.
Player of the game:
Tulsa QB Paul Smith threw for 333 yards, three touchdowns and two
interceptions, running for 47 yards and a touchdown on seven
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 13-26,
152 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Joseph Webb, 18-81. Receiving: Mario Wright,
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 19-37, 333 yds, 3
TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 24-183, 1 TD. Receiving: Dion
Tolliver, 5-88
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Tulsa's offense, when it's working, is as dangerous as any of the
mid-majors. UAB was powerless to handle the balance, with the Golden
Hurricane rumbling for 362 yards on the ground and throwing for 333.
The defense continues to be a major question mark, giving up way too
many yards and points for the third game in a row, but as long as
Paul Smith is playing at such a high level, the offense will simply
outbomb just about everyone left on the schedule.
Sept. 21
Oklahoma 62 ... Tulsa 21
Oklahoma's offense exploded with Sam Bradford connecting with
Juaquin Iglesias for two or his three touchdown passes and Allen
Patrick rushing for two scores and DeMarco Murray running for a
touchdown and taking a punt for a score. Tulsa's
offense moved the ball well, and even scored first with a 15-yard
Jesse Meyer touchdown catch, but the defense couldn't handle the
Sooner offensive balance. The Sooners jumped ahead 21-7 highlighted
by a 46-yard Iglesias touchdown, and blew it open with a 35-14
halftime lead on a one-yard Patrick run. The Golden Hurricane made
it interesting with a Paul Smith rushing touchdown on its opening
drive of the second half, but OU scored 27 unanswered points, helped
by a 40-yard Iglesias score.
Player of the
Oklahoma QB Sam
Bradford completed 15 of 21 passes for 244 yards and three
touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith,
22-32, 350 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 9-44. Receiving: Jesse Meyer,
Oklahoma - Passing: Sam Bradford, 16-22, 244
yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Allen Patrick, 19-145, 2 TD. Receiving: Juaquin
Iglesias, 7-141, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Much
will be made of OU's issues on defense against Tulsa, but the Golden
Hurricane attack is going to roll up yards on everyone. Chalk it up
to the Sooners taking a while to adjust and get on track, but even
so, after this game, past defensive issues (a certain Fiesta Bowl
comes to mind) might make the voters take notice. Hopefully, they'll
also have noticed Curtis Lofton, who was all over the field and
seemingly in on every play with 14 tackles. And then there's the
offense, which continues to be unstoppable with a frightening
balance and yet another brilliant performance from Sam Bradford.
Once again, the O line was incredible.
Sept. 15
Tulsa 55 ... BYU 47
In a wild shootout with the two teams combining for 1,027
passing yards, it was two false start penalties to ruin a final BYU
chance, and Tulsa's defense snuffing out long drives with four
takeaways. Paul Smith threw five touchdown passes with three to Charles
Clay, but BYU always had an answer in the see-saw game. Max Hall threw
for 547 yards and four touchdowns, and Manase Tonga ran for two
touchdowns. Tulsa's defense got in the big play act with a 49-yard
interception return for a score from Ray Roberts, but this was all about
the haymakers. In one tremendous second quarter sequence, Hall his
Austin Collie for a 45-yard touchdown, and Smith answered ten second
later by connecting with Brennan Marion for a 75-yard touchdown pass.
BYU responded in four plays with a 13-yard Dennis Pitta scoring grab,
and the scoring went on and one, with the two teams combining for 44
points in the quarter. In all the two teams cranked out 1,289 yards of
total offense and 59 first downs.
Player of the game:
Tulsa QB
Paul Smith completed 21 of 35 passes for 454 yards and five touchdowns
Stat Leaders: BYU - Passing: Max Hall, 35-57, 537
yds, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Harvey Unga, 21-100, 1 TD. Receiving: Michael
Reed, 8-132, 1 TD
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 21-35, 454 yds, 5 TD,
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 18-79, 1 TD. Receiving: Trae Johnson,
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Todd
Graham era certainly is exciting. The win over BYU will go down as one
of the biggest in the program's recent history, because it showed how
the offense can hang with anyone in a firefight, and it showed good
toughness in not screwing up late, while the Cougars imploded. QB Paul
Smith was out of this world, bombing away, putting the ball where it had
to be for his receivers to take off, and making enough good decisions to
constantly keep up even when the defense was breaking down. He'll have
to do more of the same if the Golden Hurricane is going to have any shot
against Oklahoma.
Aug. 30
Tulsa 35 ... UL Monroe 17
Tulsa overcame a rocky first half to score 21 unanswered
points in the second on two Paul Smith touchdown passes and a
four-yard Chris Chamberlain run. The 41-yard scoring play to Trae
Johnson in the third quarter finally gave Tulsa a comfortable lead,
and then the defense did the rest against a ULM passing game that
struggled outside of a ten-yard LaGregory Sapp touchdown catch.
ULM's other score came on a 46-yard Matt Freeman fumble return after
Smith failed to fall on the ball. Calvin Dawson ran for 150 yards
for the WarHawks.
Player of the game: Tulsa QB Paul Smith completed 22 of
31 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul
Smith, 22-31, 307 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 28-129, 1 TD. Receiving:
Charles Clay, 8-92
UL Monroe - Passing: Kinsmon Lancaster,
7-21, 66 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Calvin Dawson, 24-150. Receiving:
LaGregory Sapp, 3-23, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
The Todd Graham
offense didn't exactly light up UL Monroe, but it was extremely
effective with Paul Smith running it. There were a few bumps in the
road, and a bad play by the veteran quarterback on a ULM fumble
return for a score, but Smith used his receivers well and Tarrion
Adams had a nice day running the ball. For things to work like
Graham might like, the pace of the attack has to be even quicker,
and a star receiver needs to emerge. One big concern could be the
placekicking with Jarod Tracy missing from 34 and 36 yards out.
Aug. 30 – at UL Monroe
Offense: The best offense in the Sun Belt gets 11 starters back
led by RB Calvin Dawson working behind a terrific line with several
all-star candidates. QB Kinsmon Lancaster has a year of starting
experience under his belt, and he has all his top targets to get the
ball to including LaGregory Sapp and tight end Zeek Zacharie. While the
attack will spread it out and allow Lancaster to use his mobility and
big-time arm to find the right receiver, it'll be Dawson who carries the
workload when things get tight.
Defense: The same problems ULM had last year appear to be the
same issues going into this year with a questionable run defense and no
proven pass rush, but the strength, the secondary, will be the same even
without Kevin Payne and Chaz Williams. The 4-2-5 did its job against
mediocre offenses, but got ripped apart by any offense with a pulse.
Unless the line is better, the Warhawks will be pounded on by everyone
in the Sun Belt.
Sept. 15 - BYU
Offense: While the offense won't crank out the big numbers last
year's attack did (finishing fourth in the nation in total offense and
fifth in scoring), it'll be fantastic starting with a great line that
has more talent and depth (though unproven) than the program has seen in
a long time. The receivers have to step up with the top targets of last
year gone, and new starting quarterback Max Hall has to be efficient
from day one. The 1-2 rushing punch of Manase Tonga and Fui Vakapuna
will carry things when it needs to with an interesting blend of speed
and power.
Defense This won't be the best defense in the Mountain West, but
it'll be good enough to win with. The 3-3-5 was replaced by the 3-4 last
year with tremendous results. Now the production should be there again
with a big front three, led by end Jan Jorgensen, and a good linebacking
corps that needs Kelly Poppinga to be the main man in the middle in
place of Cameron Jensen. The safeties, Dustin Gabriel and Quinn Gooch,
are as good as any in the conference, but the corners are nothing
Sept. 21 - Oklahoma
Offense: If a quarterback comes through and shines, this could be
the nation's most effective offense. If the offensive line isn't the
best in college football, it's number two, the running backs are very
fast and very talented, and the receiving corps, led by top pro prospect
Malcolm Kelly, is very big and very fast. It all comes down to the
quarterback battle between junior Joey Halzle and redshirt freshman Sam
Bradford. Whichever one can be steady will get the plum gig with a
chance to lead the loaded attack in a national title chase.
Defense: It'll be an interesting defense that has the potential
to be a killer, but has some major concerns. The secondary should be
among the best in America with enough size, speed, and talent to keep
the NFL scouts buzzing. DeMarcus Granger is a rising superstar tackle
who should combine with Gerald McCoy, Cory Bennett and Steven Coleman to
stuff up everything on the inside. If the unknown ends come though with
a halfway decent season, and the untested linebacking corps is nearly as
good as last year's, look out.
Sept. 29 - UAB
Offense: From the staff and the system to the personnel, the
offense will be getting a complete facelift in 2007. Nothing will look
the same which isn't such a bad thing considering how poorly the unit
executed last season. New coordinator Kim Helton is installing a
pro-style attack that sprinkles in some no-huddle and option calls, but
realizes he'll have to tailor the first-year playbook to the talent he
inherits. All eyes in August will be on the continuing quarterback
battle between senior Sam Hunt and sophomore Joseph Webb, a potential
savior once he gets up to speed. Whether or not the offense climbs out
of the Conference USA cellar will depend heavily on the maturation of a
rebuilt line that's replacing four senior starters.
Defense: While the back seven of the defense figures to be a
strength in 2007, you might not know it unless the defensive line can
effectively replace three key starters from last year. Senior end
Brandon Jeffries will be productive, but after him, UAB is feverishly
searching for answers to prevent opposing passers from having all day to
throw. Junior college transfer Antonio Forbes is being counted on to
deliver right out of the gate at tackle. The linebackers have a budding
star in junior Joe Henderson and senior free safety Will Dunbar is one
of just a handful of Blazer defenders with all-league potential.
Oct. 6 – at UTEP
Offense: The offense continued to be one-sided finishing fifth in
the nation in passing and 116th in rushing, and now things will make a
shift back the other way, although not necessarily for the positive. A
battle for the quarterback job will continue until the fall, but the
running game should be set with Marcus Thomas ready to break out as on
of Conference USA's best backs. However, he needs room to move behind a
line that has to be night-and-day better than last year when it
struggled to pound away.
Defense: The Miners melted down over the second
half of last season and needs to be far more productive with nine
starters returning. Don't expect miracles, but unlike previous years,
the D should be better as the season goes on. The defense was miserable
last season despite getting a consistent pass rush from the front seven.
Now the whole line needs to find replacements while the linebacking
corps has to hope for Jeremy Jones to be healthy after a knee injury.
The secondary should be a strength after a rough year with safeties
Quintin Demps and Braxton Amy potential all-stars, while Josh Ferguson
is a solid corner.
Oct. 13 - Marshall
Offense: Not
since Byron Leftwich graduated has Marshall been Marshall on offense.
That should begin to change this fall provided erratic senior
quarterback Bernard Morris can make the most of a receiving corps that's
brimming with young game-breakers. All-conference back Ahmad Bradshaw,
a 1,500-yard rusher in 2006, left early for the NFL, leaving Chubb Small
to shoulder the load. If he can't handle the promotion, look for one of
three blue-chip freshmen to rise up and accept an expanded role. While
the offensive line has pending issues at tackle, Doug Legursky is a
beast at center that could parlay big efforts early versus Miami and
West Virginia into post-season awards.
Defense: Disgusted with the play of last year's defense, head
coach Mark Snyder changed course, hiring veteran Steve Dunlap as the
coordinator. While last year's team sat back, and often paid for the
conservative approach, the 2007 edition will attack wherever and
whenever it makes sense. The chief attacker will be junior end Albert
McClellan, a sack machine that'll be in the mix for just about every
individual award given to defensive players. At linebacker, junior Josh
Johnson is good enough to consider early entry into the 2008 NFL Draft
once the season concludes. Dunlap's biggest concerns in his first
season on the job surround a pedestrian group of tackles and a beatable
secondary that allowed way too many long gainers last season.
Oct. 20 – at UCF
Offense: Quarterback Steven Moffett and premier receiver Mike
Walker have graduated, so logic dictates the Knights will lean on junior
Kevin Smith for a while. He's as good as any back in the league when
he's healthy, and has the luxury of four starting linemen returning.
Don't expect any drop-off from Moffett to senior Kyle Israel. In fact,
the veteran of 16 games and five starts was so sharp down the stretch in
2006, some around the program feel he could be even better running the
pro-style offense if a couple of the young receivers emerge.
Defense: Nothing typified UCF's collapse in 2006 more than the
shoddy play of the defense, which finished 106th nationally
and allowed almost 30 points a game. The secondary was a particular
mess, prompting George O'Leary to open up the competition at every spot,
despite the return of four starters. The coach had a chance to take the
wrappers off some of his young kids late last year, which will benefit
players, such as tackles Torrell Johnson and Travis Timmons and end
Jared Kirksey, this season. More than anything else, the Knights are
looking to improve their team speed after looking a step slow throughout
the 2006 season.
Oct. 27 - SMU
Offense: In sophomore Justin Willis, SMU has a legitimate
franchise quarterback with the physical tools to move an offense and the
intangibles to lead a program to victories and eventually bowl games.
He'll be growing alongside classmate Emmanuel Sanders, who ignited a
mediocre receiving corps last year with 46 catches and nine touchdown
receptions. Junior back DeMyron Martin is eyeing the kind of rebound
year that'll refocus his career while giving more balance to the
offense. He'll have the luxury of running behind a seasoned line that
returns four starters. If, as expected, the Mustangs are playing in
shootouts this year, they've now got the offensive weapons to keep pace.
Defense: The Mustangs will spend the better part of the year
trying to replace three starters from the 2006 defensive line, including
standouts Justin Rogers and Adrian Haywood. If they can solve that
complex riddle, look out. The back seven, led by Butkus Award candidate
Reggie Carrington, is very fast and very capable of spurring an
improvement from last year's middling results. The more likely scenario
has the line struggling to create a consistent push and the secondary
getting burned by opposing hurlers with way too much time to find their
Nov. 3 – at Tulane
Offense: New head coach Bob Toledo would like to get vertical get
the passing game moving, but it's not going to happen at the expense of
the ground attack. With a good back in Matt Forte to work with, the
Green Wave will try to run the ball to create some semblance of balance,
but the offensive line might not be in place to do it. Scott Elliott is
the odds-on favorite to win the starting quarterback job in a four-man
race, and he has some decent young receivers to work with.
Defense: Tulane hasn't played consistent defense in a few years,
and it needs to count on experience, especially up front, to change
things around. Eight starters return led by senior tackles Frank Morton
and Avery Williams. The secondary needs to be far better after allowing
over 250 passing yards a game, but that could be a bit of an issue with
two new starting corners being broken in. The new coaching staff will
use a variety of formations and schemes to try to get more production,
and while the overall defense should be better, there will still be
times when it'll get bombed on.
Nov. 10 - Houston
Offense: The
graduation of four-year starting quarterback Kevin Kolb signals a new
era in Houston, but it doesn't mean the Cougars will be inept on offense
in 2007. There's too much explosiveness and veteran leadership for that
to happen. Last year's backup, sophomore Blake Joseph, is expected to
get the nod at quarterback. He's got a huge arm and about as much fear
as he does experience. Surrounding Joseph will be a half-dozen players
that earned all-league honors last year, headed by senior running back
Anthony Alridge, one of the nation's fastest players.
Defense: Defensive coordinator Alan Weddell's goal is to bring
pressure from every angle and invent ways to get as much speed as
possible on the field. With that in mind, he'll be installing some
elements of a 4-2-5 package in 2007 to periodically get an athletic
rover into the mix. The personnel is deep and reliable, especially with
a front seven that includes dynamic junior end Phillip Hunt and a couple
of all-league linebackers in junior Cody Lubojasky and senior Trent
Allen. If senior safety Rocky Schwartz is all the way back from knee
surgery and the corners hold up, the pieces are in place for this to be
Conference USA's stingiest defense.
Nov. 17 – at Army
Offense: Last year, Army used a veteran offensive line to work
the running game behind while the passing game struggled. Now it has to
be the other way around. The backfield, while banged up in spring ball,
is solid, the line will be a work in progress. The passing game needs to
improve hoping for top-prospect Carson Williams to turn into the leader
and playmaker everyone's expecting him to become, or else David Pevoto
has to take over the reins and be consistent. No matter who's under
center, the interceptions have to slow down. Jeremy Trimble leads a
potentially strong receiving corps.
Defense: The defense has spent most of its time trying to survive.
Now it has to start making big plays in all areas after coming up with
just 11 sacks, four interceptions and 11 forced fumbles. Everyone at
every spot can tackle, motor and toughness is never a problem, talent is
always the issue. There's good experience and size up front, Caleb
Campbell, when he returns from a knee injury, will be one of the
nation's most productive safeties leading a decent secondary, and the
linebacking corps, in time, will put up plenty of big tackling numbers
once new starters Brian Chmura and Frank Scappaticci get comfortable.
Overall, the defense has to do a better job of dictating the action
instead of letting things happen and trying to make the play.
Nov. 24 – at Rice
Offense: Todd Graham and his staff are gone, but the spread
attack is alive and well at Rice, good news for an offense that returns
its starting quarterback and All-American wide receiver. Although Chase
Clement to Jarett Dillard will be a familiar phrase this fall, the Owls
are also developing a bunch of good-looking, young pass-catchers that
are ready to contribute. The quest for offensive balance, however,
won't be so easy now that underappreciated running back Quinton Smith
has exhausted his eligibility. Last year was a painful transition for
the offensive line, but with four starters back and a full year in the
system, there are no excuses for not being much better in pass
Defense: In an attempt to bolster a run defense that allowed more
than 300 yards to five straight opponents in 2006, Rice is shifting from
the 3-3-5 to the 4-2-5. The move puts another big body in the box, but
also puts an enormous burden on a line that lost three of last year's
best linemen to graduation. The new scheme encourages constant pressure
from a back seven that boasts the young athletes, such as junior
linebacker Brian Raines and sophomore safety Andrew Sendejo, to create
havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Lost in last year's statistically
awful season was the fact that the opportunistic Owls paced Conference
USA in turnovers and sacks.


text:
First-time foreclosure notices rise, pointing to surge this year
LOS ANGELES -- More U.S. homes are entering the foreclosure process, setting the stage for a surge in properties repossessed by lenders this year.
The number of homes that received first-time foreclosure notices rose 7 percent in March from the previous month, foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. said today.
That marks the third consecutive monthly increase this year and reflects stepped-up efforts by banks to take action against homeowners who fail to keep up with mortgage payments.
"We're not out of the woods yet with foreclosures," said Daren Blomquist, a vice president at RealtyTrac. "There are more batches of foreclosures coming through the pipeline."
First-time foreclosure notices, such as warnings of initial default, are the first step in the process that can potentially result in a home being foreclosed upon. Homes can exit the process if the overdue payments are paid. Sometimes, a bank will allow that the home to be sold for less than what the borrower owes on their mortgage, a so-called short sale.
All told, 101,939 U.S. homes received a first-time notice in March, the biggest monthly increase since October, RealtyTrac said.
Thirty-one states posted a monthly increase in homes with a first-time foreclosure notice. Nevada led the pack with an increase of 153 percent.
Even so, foreclosure activity overall -- as measured by the number of properties receiving a notice of default, scheduled for auction or repossessed by lenders -- sank in March to the lowest level since July 2007, the firm said.
In all, 198,853 homes received a foreclosure-related notice last month, down 4 percent from February, and down 17 percent from March last year.
Banks took back 55,075 homes in March, down 14 percent from the previous month, and down 25 percent from March 2011.
RealtyTrac expects banks will repossess close to 1 million homes this year. Last year, lenders took back 804,000 homes.
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text:
Originally written on Busted Coverage | Last updated 12/7/12
Out of five nationally televised games this weekend there are really only two worth tuning in to. Tonight's showdown between the Lakers and Thunder is a playoff rematch and promises to be intense. It's also Kobe's first game since reaching the 30,000 point plateau earlier in the week. The Lakers have been underwhelming but don't expect them to lay an egg on the road in OKC. Even so, give us the Thunder -7.5. The other game worth watching is Nuggets at Knicks on Sunday night. The Knicks are making a strong case as the top team in the NBA, especially after Thursday night's shellacking of the Miami Heat. It's always fun watching these two teams square off after the Carmelo Anthony mega-deal. Couple that with the high octane offenses and this game is sure to be entertaining. The Knicks are undefeated at home and we like them to stay that way. Weekend NBA TV Schedule Friday, December 7 Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:00 p.m., ESPN Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m., ESPN Saturday, December 8 New Orleans Hornets at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m., NBATV Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m., NBATV Sunday, December 9 Denver Nuggets at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m., NBATV [Complete December 7-9, 2012 NBA Schedule] [Lines via PinnacleSports.com] Filed under: Basketball, Girls, NBA
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