SPORTS FOLDEROL

THEY SAID IT … again, prompting the  question: Why? “ Once you know something it’s hard to  unknow  it.” –   TIKI BARBER  on 1995 season, when he finally knew  he was a tough, very good running back for the  University of Virginia. “ His fingerprints on the game have matched what people  thought he could do … He is who he thought he was.” --  NHL Network’s  BRIAN BOYLE  on  MARTIN NECAS   of Carolina Hurricanes. “ First, I want to thank my teammates for giving me the  confidence. Second, I want to thank God … but if it  wasn’t for them guys, I wouldn’t have this much  confidence.” – VCU’s  PHILLIP RUSSELL  … after  scoring 20 points in the Rams’ 80-55 rout of Boston  College. While he was at it, the transfer from Northwest  Missouri State by way of UT Arlington and University of  Saint Louis said, “This team can be very good. [It] can  make a [very] long run in the [NCAA po...

  The only question to ask Trinity Episcopal’s  DEUCE  EDWARDS  after flipping his commitment from Wes Virginia to Michigan State is: How much? … How much  money did the Spartans offer … all within the rules for NIL  payments, of course … that the Mountaineers refused to  match? … Edwards’ final 3 included Virginia Tech but don’t  expect the Hokies to re-enter bidding for the DB deluxe. -------   Speaking of NIL … did you see where  BRYCE  UNDERWOOD , a most-wanted high school QB, got $12  million from a couple of Michigan boosters to … ahh,   change his mind  after originally committing to LSU. -------   One of college basketball’s real sweethearts,   DANNY  HURLEY  was at it again earlier this week …  when the  UConn coach literally cost his team a victory …  The score  was tied (with time running out in overtime) when  Huskies’  LIAM McNEELY  went ove...

  RUDY MARTZKE  died Wednesday (Nov. 20) at age 82. No, not  that  Rudy ... From 1982 to 2005, when he retired, this one wrote a radio-TV column for USA Today … starting way back when it was America’s newspaper and employees like Martzke became as well-known as the people they covered … Having bounced around, going from one public relations gig to another, Martzke was working for Gannett-owned morning paper in Rochester, N.Y., when Gannett started USA Today … and he was one of its first hires, quickly becoming a must-read on sportscasting which, unfortunately, led to a runaway sense of self-importance … that made him a laughing stock in the industry that, nevertheless, treated him with respect if for no other reason than he could hurt careers – an occasionally did … Still fresh is the memory of Martzke berating a CBS flak for taking time to update a know-nothing writer from Richmond, Va. “Why are you talking to him,” Martzke said, “when you should be talking to me?” ...

  Briefly told: Now we know another reason why NBC’s  JASON  GARRETT  no longer is employed as a football coach.  Trailing by 7-0, thanks to an opening-kickoff muff by  transfer  CHRIS TYREE  … but having forced a punt on  Notre Dame’s second possession ... Virginia went for it on  fourth-and-two from its 46 yard line … and Garrett,  whose last sideline gig was in Dallas with the NFL  Cowboys, said, “I like it.” Say what? So  ANTHONY  COLANDREA’S  pass is deflected then batted down …  A three-touchdown favorite playing at home, the eighth- ranked Fighting Irish failed to take advantage … but still  prevailed 35-14 after turning four Cavalier mistakes into  first-half touchdowns … To think  MARCUS  FREEMAN , in his third full season as coach in the  shadow of Touchdown Jesus, said before the game he was  concerned about U.Va., citing “its confidence.” … Then  Tyree, who spen...

Easily forgotten, but nevertheless a significant building  block to his future success, was  BOBBY ALLISON’s  first major-race victory … right here in River City … On  Sept. 16, 1960 the future Hall of Fame driver came to  Southside Speedway … without a pit crew, badly in need  of a new set of tires for his modified Chevrolet … and  won the inaugural Virginia 400 by two laps in a 26-car  field that included such heavy hitters as Richmonders   RAY HENDRICK ,  EMANUEL ZERVAKIS ,  EDDIE  CROUSE ,  RUNT HARRIS  and  TED HAIRFIELD  as  well as Baltimore’s  JOHNNY ROBERTS , who led  NASCAR’s modified division, pole-sitter  RAY PLATTE  of Norfolk … and Danville’s  WENDELL SCOTT  …  Listed from Miami, where he was born, the 22 year old  Allison arrived as pretty much of an unknown … and left  with $1,000 from a purse of $4,640 … Harris was second  in a sportsman...