I'm not sure how their current Holiday Bowl game will end against Washington, but I'm extremely disappointed in how Nebraska finished their 2010 season.
It's not about losses, it's the demeanor of the team.
Bo Pelini teams always play hard, but they weren't always "there," in my opinion, almost since they won at Oklahoma State.
They have been so inconsistent, and it's just something I've always hated about any team.
I was as loud as anyone about the "Big 12 Conspiracy" during the A&M game, but Nebraska has continued to make mistakes and ridiculous pre-snap or dead ball penalties.
They're doing it again tonight in falling behind Washington, 10-0.
Nebraska just scored to cut the lead to 10-7, but here are some obvious questions.
1) When was the last time Taylor Martinez really made a big play with his legs? Yes, I know he had the ankle sprain, but football is a physical game, get over it or let someone else play.
2) I know he's an easy target with his personality and sideline antics, but I love his passion. Yes, he needs to back off, calm down, grow up and mature. Hell, I did too throughout my lifetime. Those complaining about his stalking the sidelines and semi-tantrums were the same one's begging for some fire and energy and passion under Bill Callahan.
I know Nebraska football may never reach the greatness under Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne, but I sure would like to see them beat a handful of Top 25 teams each season.
But, who wouldn't?
They started winning some big games under Pelini, but they weren't winning big games on the road...so this season they go to Oklahoma State and beat a really talented and eventual 11-win team in a wild shootout.
I'm not sure the 'Huskers have played well on offense for 4-quarters since then. In fact, they haven't. And, whipping Colorado doesn't count.
They appeared to have everything straight with their 17-0 start against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game, but they went brain dead for the last three quarters.
Tonight, against Washington, they start down 10-0 with numerous penalties, including one late hit that kept a drive alive and two....CONSECUTIVE...delay of game penalties. Seriously?
This was a no-win game for Nebraska, they pummeled Washington in Seattle back in September and I mean whipped their...well, you know.
The rematch was going to be very difficult for Pelini & Company, and---if you don't mind another Big 12 conspiracy theory, Dan Beebe and his minions knew it. Nebraska was originally scheduled to play Iowa in the Insight Bowl in Phoenix. The Big 12 knew it would be a 3-4 hour Big Ten preview, love fest...they forced Nebraska to the Holiday Bowl. Not only did that keep the Big Ten love fest from happening, it put the 'Huskers in a tough situation against a team they thumped.
I don't blame any of this on the Big 12, I blame it on Nebraska for not taking care of business against Oklahoma when they led 17-0.
David Smoak
Thursday, December 30, 2010
What a difference a year makes...
Here I am on the deck of our house in Tyler, relaxing with my wife Cindy, our son Craig and his girlfriend, Mandee.
I'm enjoying a cigar, some Crown and Diet Coke, and about to watch Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.
I hosted "You Make The Call" this afternoon from here on our back deck, took a lot of great calls and opinions, and tried to help wrap-up the 2010 Baylor football season.
We'll digest and discuss and even dig into more of the program throughout the upcoming off-season.
Obviously, after their loss to Illinois in the Texas Bowl, there's a lot of frustration and emotion from the Baylor fan base.
Today's show was their show, as it should be---although I hope that's the case every show.
Like any evening after the show, there's a little adrenalin rush, and then a little crash...a chance to decompress.
Now that I've had time to reflect back on the year, I'm glad it's ending yet sad at the same time.
A year ago at this time I was trying to figure out my future, knowing there was a chance coming up with ESPN Radio-Dallas, but not knowing exactly what those plans would be---part-time, weekends, full-time, no one was sure, especially not me.
But, after some quality time working with ESPN-Dallas Program Director Tom Lee and many others throughout the spring and into the early-summer...my opportunity came with a phone call from the owner of M&M Broadcasting, Gary Moss.
It was a Wednesday morning, it was before 8:00am, and he wanted to talk about their opening as program director at 1660ESPN Radio in Waco.
We talked for just a little while, decided to meet the following Monday, and within a week, everything was signed, sealed and delivered.
I started at 1660ESPN on June 22nd, went on the air for the first time on Monday, June 28th, and it's been one helluva ride ever since.
In fact, things have changed quite a bit, we're now 1660/106.9ESPN Radio-Central Texas.
1660 is a powerful frequency that at times can stretch from Dallas to Austin on I-35, but 106.9FM gives us coverage in the Killeen, Fort Hood, Kempner, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove and Gatesville at night---when our signal is affected during the late-fall and winter with the time change.
We have more changes (additions) coming down the pipeline, including another FM signal/translator in Waco and then Temple. It's just another chance for us to truly cover Central Texas.
Unlike most radio ownership groups, national groups or otherwise, M&M Broadcasting is looking to expand, to grow, and from all indications, we're not done.
It's been a nice ride since late-June and I can't wait for what we can accomplish as a station in 2011.
Happy New Year!
David Smoak
I'm enjoying a cigar, some Crown and Diet Coke, and about to watch Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.
I hosted "You Make The Call" this afternoon from here on our back deck, took a lot of great calls and opinions, and tried to help wrap-up the 2010 Baylor football season.
We'll digest and discuss and even dig into more of the program throughout the upcoming off-season.
Obviously, after their loss to Illinois in the Texas Bowl, there's a lot of frustration and emotion from the Baylor fan base.
Today's show was their show, as it should be---although I hope that's the case every show.
Like any evening after the show, there's a little adrenalin rush, and then a little crash...a chance to decompress.
Now that I've had time to reflect back on the year, I'm glad it's ending yet sad at the same time.
A year ago at this time I was trying to figure out my future, knowing there was a chance coming up with ESPN Radio-Dallas, but not knowing exactly what those plans would be---part-time, weekends, full-time, no one was sure, especially not me.
But, after some quality time working with ESPN-Dallas Program Director Tom Lee and many others throughout the spring and into the early-summer...my opportunity came with a phone call from the owner of M&M Broadcasting, Gary Moss.
It was a Wednesday morning, it was before 8:00am, and he wanted to talk about their opening as program director at 1660ESPN Radio in Waco.
We talked for just a little while, decided to meet the following Monday, and within a week, everything was signed, sealed and delivered.
I started at 1660ESPN on June 22nd, went on the air for the first time on Monday, June 28th, and it's been one helluva ride ever since.
In fact, things have changed quite a bit, we're now 1660/106.9ESPN Radio-Central Texas.
1660 is a powerful frequency that at times can stretch from Dallas to Austin on I-35, but 106.9FM gives us coverage in the Killeen, Fort Hood, Kempner, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove and Gatesville at night---when our signal is affected during the late-fall and winter with the time change.
We have more changes (additions) coming down the pipeline, including another FM signal/translator in Waco and then Temple. It's just another chance for us to truly cover Central Texas.
Unlike most radio ownership groups, national groups or otherwise, M&M Broadcasting is looking to expand, to grow, and from all indications, we're not done.
It's been a nice ride since late-June and I can't wait for what we can accomplish as a station in 2011.
Happy New Year!
David Smoak
Monday, December 27, 2010
"Live" from the Westin Galleria, Houston on 1660/106.9ESPN Radio-Central Texas
Paul Catalina and I are broadcasting right now from the Westin Galleria in Houston, near and/or off Westheimer, Alabama and Sage Streets in Houston.
Great atmosphere, good discussion and topics, giving out hundreds of Bowl Towel's, mini-Baylor footballs and Baylor Nation arriving in full force.
Baylor AD Ian McCaw will join us at 4pm, former BU wide receiver, the "Ice Cube" Gerald McNeil in the 5pm hour, along with BU QB Robert Griffin III and RB Terrance Ganaway.
Oh yea, and Jennifer Floyd-Engel and Brad Sham talking Cowboys.
David Smoak
Great atmosphere, good discussion and topics, giving out hundreds of Bowl Towel's, mini-Baylor footballs and Baylor Nation arriving in full force.
Baylor AD Ian McCaw will join us at 4pm, former BU wide receiver, the "Ice Cube" Gerald McNeil in the 5pm hour, along with BU QB Robert Griffin III and RB Terrance Ganaway.
Oh yea, and Jennifer Floyd-Engel and Brad Sham talking Cowboys.
David Smoak
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas from the Smoak Family!
Cindy, Craig, Jennifer and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas on this special day.
We appreciate your time, loyalty, support and commitment to our family and those who've made my first six-months in Central Texas so special.
Also, we appreciate all 23,600+ members to our website, Smoaky.com, and although my name is on the site, it belongs to those of you who are registered.
For the ninth consecutive year since the site was launched in July, 2002, we broke various records, including most online, along with the number of unique visitors, hits, views, and you name it, we accomplished it.
We couldn't have the success without each member, even those who make it a little more challenging for our mods and admins.
And, special thanks to our mods and admins who keep everything running with their hard work and tough decisions, our web host, Brian Welch and his staff at Perfect Presence, and our newest "Li'l Genius" Cesar Najera, from McLennan Community College who is about to help launch some subtle changes to our site.
Special thanks as well to my newest family, everyone within the walls of M&M Broadcasting and especially to those who have helped me at 1660/106.9ESPN Radio.
I cannot explain how much I've enjoyed Waco, Texas with real people, people who care, people who love sports and people who give back.
And finally, we all learn valuable and sometimes very tough lessons in life but through it all, we learn the value of our friends and family.
We consider all of you a part of our family.
Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
David Smoak
We appreciate your time, loyalty, support and commitment to our family and those who've made my first six-months in Central Texas so special.
Also, we appreciate all 23,600+ members to our website, Smoaky.com, and although my name is on the site, it belongs to those of you who are registered.
For the ninth consecutive year since the site was launched in July, 2002, we broke various records, including most online, along with the number of unique visitors, hits, views, and you name it, we accomplished it.
We couldn't have the success without each member, even those who make it a little more challenging for our mods and admins.
And, special thanks to our mods and admins who keep everything running with their hard work and tough decisions, our web host, Brian Welch and his staff at Perfect Presence, and our newest "Li'l Genius" Cesar Najera, from McLennan Community College who is about to help launch some subtle changes to our site.
Special thanks as well to my newest family, everyone within the walls of M&M Broadcasting and especially to those who have helped me at 1660/106.9ESPN Radio.
I cannot explain how much I've enjoyed Waco, Texas with real people, people who care, people who love sports and people who give back.
And finally, we all learn valuable and sometimes very tough lessons in life but through it all, we learn the value of our friends and family.
We consider all of you a part of our family.
Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
David Smoak
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Closing in on a "Merry Christmas"
Christmas Day is three days away and I'll be returning to Tyler after our talk show on Thursday afternoon.
Our station and those I work with have been hammering away since my arrival on June 22nd, so it will be nice to get a little "break," before heading to Houston to cover the Texas Bowl.
Paul Catalina and I will meet in Houston on Sunday evening and host our talk show from the Westin Galleria (Baylor Team Hotel) on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. John Morris will also host his 2pm-3pm show from the same location on those days.
We'll all broadcast live from Reliant Stadium on Wednesday, "Game-Day" with our special broadcast (You Make The Call) coming on Wednesday from 12:00pm-3:00pm.
As we approach Christmas, and like I mentioned during Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for and the holidays bring out all the emotions.
My family, my friends, those who I've met and gotten to know here in Central Texas have been amazing to me and supported me through thick and thin and now through the increasingly good times in Waco with 1660/106.9ESPN Radio-Central Texas.
Please enjoy the holidays with family and Merry Christmas!
David Smoak
Our station and those I work with have been hammering away since my arrival on June 22nd, so it will be nice to get a little "break," before heading to Houston to cover the Texas Bowl.
Paul Catalina and I will meet in Houston on Sunday evening and host our talk show from the Westin Galleria (Baylor Team Hotel) on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. John Morris will also host his 2pm-3pm show from the same location on those days.
We'll all broadcast live from Reliant Stadium on Wednesday, "Game-Day" with our special broadcast (You Make The Call) coming on Wednesday from 12:00pm-3:00pm.
As we approach Christmas, and like I mentioned during Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for and the holidays bring out all the emotions.
My family, my friends, those who I've met and gotten to know here in Central Texas have been amazing to me and supported me through thick and thin and now through the increasingly good times in Waco with 1660/106.9ESPN Radio-Central Texas.
Please enjoy the holidays with family and Merry Christmas!
David Smoak
Saturday, December 18, 2010
2010 has been the "Year of the Dynasty"
Although 5-A perennial power Euless Trinity lost to Pearland, 2010 will go down as the year of the "Dynasty" in my opinion.
Lake Travis won their fourth straight state title, Aledo won their second straight, Carthage won their third straight, as did Daingerfield and Mart won their 5th state title overall.
David Smoak
Lake Travis won their fourth straight state title, Aledo won their second straight, Carthage won their third straight, as did Daingerfield and Mart won their 5th state title overall.
David Smoak
"Live" from Newsom Stadium, Mansfield, Class 1-A, Division I State Championship Game
1660/106.9 ESPN Radio-Waco is "Live" on this gorgeous Saturday from Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas for the Class 1-A, Division I State Championship Game.
(12-2) Mart vs. (12-2) Goldthwaite, in a rematch of an earlier non-district game (Goldthwaite won 29-23).
Broadcast Team includes:
Producer: Zach Burke
Sidelines: Lark Smith
Stats: Rich Richardson
Color Analyst: Paul Catalina
Play-By-Play: David Smoak
David Smoak
(12-2) Mart vs. (12-2) Goldthwaite, in a rematch of an earlier non-district game (Goldthwaite won 29-23).
Broadcast Team includes:
Producer: Zach Burke
Sidelines: Lark Smith
Stats: Rich Richardson
Color Analyst: Paul Catalina
Play-By-Play: David Smoak
David Smoak
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