Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • B017

SPORTS Al uquerque journAl sAturdA decem er 23, 2017 ectio 82 A versatile announcer excelled at calling a wide range of events and was known for his catchphrase pa 5 ran arriso journAl sports editor Pervis Atkins, a first-team All-American running back on the last New Mexico State team to play in a bowl game, has died in the Los Angeles area. death at age 82 on early Friday morning was confirmed by Charlie Rog- ers, a longtime close friend, and family. No details on the death were announced, but Atkins was known to be dealing with dementia and its related symptoms in recent years, and he had resided in an assisted living facility. Atkins was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. He had played professionally with the Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins, then went into the motion pictures business as an actor and producer.

Atkins played on the 1960 Aggies team that finished 11-0 and defeated Utah State 20-13 in the 1960 Sun Bowl. A seemingly interminable postseason drought that began that day when he and his New Mexico State teammates walked off the field at the Sun Bowl in El Paso ends next Friday. The 2017 Aggies will play in the Arizona Bowl also against Utah State. Services are scheduled for 1 Fo ter AssociAted press PYEONGCHANG, South Korea The cold is back for the Winter Games. After two straight balmy Olympics where some might have wondered if it was even winter, let alone the pre-eminent freeze-dependent sporting event, athletes and visitors alike will finally experience a serious chill in their bones during the games in mountainous Pyeongchang.

How cold is it? So cold that tears spring to the eyes. So cold the ink in a pen grows sluggish and fades as it scribbles over a page. So cold that South Korean men sometimes flash back to being posted for hours on the frozen frontline during mandatory military service. So cold at least six people were treated for hypothermia last month after a pop concert at the open-air Olympic Stadium. all hope it will be better in February, but if like it is now, there will be big trouble.

just too cold for says Choi Jong-sik, 64, smirking in his short-sleeve shirt as a visiting reporter removes arry Wi er AssociAted press a catch. Wait, a catch to the catch. While coaches, players, fans and broadcasters become puzzled or annoyed by the the people in charge of developing and refining it through the years also have struggled. They simply find language to simplify it, leading to the inconsistency and controversy seen for seasons. Especially this season.

When such NFL personages as Mike Tomlin and Sean Payton, both with strong ties to the powerful competition committee, seek re-examination and possibly changes to rules, it moves the issue front and center, just as much as the call on Pittsburgh tight end Jesse James did last weekend. think that we all can acknowledge that all of this needs to be Steelers coach Tomlin said. not just that play. having similar discussions week in and week out, so as a member of the committee, I acknowledge that got our work cut out for us this offseason regarding a number of those things. just done talking about it, to be quite honest with you.

You all know what we teach. Catch the Some players do, yet discover they confused by some of the calls. Even worse, they sure they understand the rules. It should be simple, right? Receive the ball, hold onto it, get tackled and never have it move when you get to the ground. Except there are instances when it can move as long as control is maintained.

just another example of an NFL rule book with so many tangents that it would crush even the heftiest offensive lineman if it fell on top of him. I even know what the language is at this said Bears tight end Zach Miller, who lost a TD reception by not the on a play in which he was injured and sidelined for the rest of the season. think a lot of people I even know if the rule- makers do at this point know what the language is. But they have it there and in place and trying to follow it as closely as they can. I just know if what it needs to Even the current head of league officials, Alberto Riveron, and the man he succeeded, Dean Blandino, agree that getting the language Ap file Pittsburgh tight end Jesse James (81) lost his grip on a pass after crossing the goal line in the closing seconds of the loss to the Patriots Sunday.

NFL catch rule continues to cause confusion Competition committee to re-examine, simplify rule eoFF ram er journAl stA Writer Antino Jackson just laughed. He explain it with anything else but a smile and laughter. Joe Furstinger, the University of New Mexico senior who has been far more of an emotional leader than statistical one over his first three and a half seasons in college, erupted Friday night for his second career, and second consecutive, double-double. His performance led the Lobos to an 87-78 win over Prairie View in Dreamstyle Arena before an announced turnout of 9,423. a crazy Jackson said, trying to hide his laughs in a towel he put in front of his face.

mean, his energy every day, I mean, just crazy. He just keeps us Furstinger exactly explain it much better other than admitting enjoyed back-to-back games where the opposing center a 7-foot All-American like Deondre Ayton was a week ago or like several other larger players the 6-foot- 9 forward from California has been tasked Wednesday air Force at ew exico 7 p.m., sportsnet, 770 Online or postgame interview video, go to A journal.com/ sports All-American Atkins dies at 82 Running back played on undefeated 1960 New Mexico State team see aggie 3 There be melting snow at these Olympics sure to be bitter cold in South Korea AHN pReSS The thermometer at right displays the temperature in Celsius earlier this month at one of the venues for the Winter Games in South Korea. That translates to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. RO eRTO e. Joe Furstinger (5) is surrounded by congratulatory teammates after his 20-point, 10-rebound performance on Friday night as the Lobos defeated Prairie View 87-78 in Dreamstyle Arena.

leads Lobos to another win Furstinger has another double-double for New Mexico see conFusing 14 see lobos 2 see Winter 6 Pervis Atkins EQUIPMENTCO. 505.344.1458 J-BRADIATOR HappyHolidaysFromallofUs 1381621-07.