Northwest Notes Aug. 27, 2010
Shock receiver Whittaker joins UFL’s Florida Tuskers
Spokane Shock wide receiver Huey Whittaker has signed with the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League.
A Florida native, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Whittaker set regular season franchise records for receptions (144) and receiving yards (1,653). Whittaker was also recognized as a member of the All-AFL team.
In the postseason, Whittaker led the league in touchdown receptions (10), including four in Spokane’s victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in the ArenaBowl.
Earlier this week, Shock 6-7 wide receiver Markee White joined the UFL’s Hartford Colonials.
The five-team UFL begins play Sept. 17.
Buckles makes impact at Griz football scrimmage
MISSOULA, Mont. — Former Post Falls High standout Levi Buckles caught four passes for 55 yards at Montana’s final scrimmage of fall camp Thursday morning.
Buckles, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound wide receiver, played sparingly as a redshirt freshman last fall.
Montana football coach Robin Montana opens Sept. 4 at home against Western State of Colorado.
Griz football fans upset about EWU ticket policy
MISSOULA, Mont. — Some University of Montana football fans are upset about an Eastern Washington ticket policy that limits single-game ticket sales before Sept. 1 to members of the Eagle Athletic Association.
Montana opens Big Sky Conference play on Sept. 18 in Cheney — the first game to be played on EWU’s new red turf.
The University of Montana was given 500 tickets to sell, compared to about 2,000 the last time UM played at EWU.
Montana fans who sought to buy tickets from EWU found out that they’d have to pay $120 to join the EAA, which would allow them to purchase two tickets, or wait until after Sept. 1.
Eastern Washington athletic director Bill Chaves said the policy has been in place for several years and is meant to raise money and encourage season ticket sales.
The policy likely caught Griz fans by surprise this year because of the lower ticket allotment and how early the game is scheduled. The 2008 game in Cheney was on Oct. 11.
EWU ticket manager Troy Kirby estimated there were about 3,100 tickets left on Wednesday.
Altitude to show Vandals’ Hum Bowl victory again
Altitude is airing a replay of Idaho’s 43-42 victory over Bowling Green in the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl on Sunday at 1 p.m. PDT.
Altitude is available on Dish Network (Channel 410) and DirecTV (Channel 681).
Also, Altitude TV plans to televise two Vandal football games this fall — Sept. 2 vs. North Dakota on Altidude at 6 p.m. PDT, and at Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. on Oct. 16 on Altitude 2 (682 on DirecTV; check local listings on Dish Network).
Cougars hold final scrimmage of fall camp
PULLMAN — Washington State’s defense forced two turnovers in its final scrimmage of fall camp Thursday night at Martin Stadium, including an interception from freshman safety Deone Bucannon and a fumble recovery by freshman cornerback Damante Horton.
Redshirt junior linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis forced the fumble.
Redshirt freshmen Casey Locker, a safety, and Darren Markle, a linebacker, each led the Cougars in tackles with four.
Redshirt freshman running back Leon Brooks led the Cougars in both receptions (four) and yards (47). Included in Brooks’ receiving total was the longest play from scrimmage of the evening, a 34-yard reception from redshirt junior quarterback Marshall Lobbestael.
Lobbestael completed 10 of 15 passes for 95 yards working against the first-team defense. Leading the first-team offense, sophomore quarterback Jeff Tuel completed 8 of 15 for 87 yards. Tuel also tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Isiah Barton, capping a five-play, 21-yard drive following Horton’s fumble recovery.
The Cougars open the season Sept. 4 at Oklahoma State.
RUSHING — Carl Winston 3-9, James Montgomery 3-8, Jeff Tuel 2-4, Logwone Mitz 2-1, Rickey Galvin 1-11, Marshall Lobbestael 1--8.
PASSING — Marshall Lobbestael 10-15-0-95, Jeff Tuel 8-15-1-87.
RECEIVING — Leon Brooks 4-47, James Montgomery 3-29, Marquess Wilson 2-20, Bennett Bontemps 2-18, Bobby Ratliff 1-18, Daniel Blackledge 1-16, Jared Karstetter 1-12, Isiah Barton 1-8, Justin Amundsen 1-7, Jeffrey Solomon 1-7, Carl Winston 1-0.