Raider Press Box

Gooden drafted by Ravens in 3rd round

Aquinas graduate Tavares Gooden was drafted in the 3rd round (71st overall) by the Baltimore Ravens. The standout linebacker graduated from STA in 2003 and completed his collegiate career at the University of Miami in the fall.

NOT OVER YET-MORE VOTES NEEDED

Auburn's Wesley Byrum, STA 2007 graduate, kicked the game-winning field goal in the final seconds to upset the Florida Gators in NCAA Football Week 5 action.  This play is one of four finalists for the Game Changing Performance of the Year.

Byrum has had a great rookie season.  Let's help him finish on top.

Cast your Final Vote now.

BYRUM WINS IT AGAIN FOR AUBURN

Auburn freshman Wes Byrum, STA 2007 graduate, has found his way onto the Lou Groza Place-Kicker "Star of the Week" list for the third time this season.

No. 22 Auburn edged Arkansas, 9-7.  Byrum's 20-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining gave the No. 22 Tigers a 9-7 victory over Arkansas on Saturday night. It was Byrum's second game-winner in three weeks. The freshman also beat Florida with a 43-yarder as time expired.

Byrum was also named Alabama Athlete Of The Month by the United States Sports Academy earlier last week. 

FINDING JAY OTTOVEGIO, FORMER RAIDER KICKING SPECIALIST

When Jay Ottovegio, STA 2003 alum, decided to kick the football for Stanford University, that decision took him along way from home.  You could almost say he was "out of sight, out of mind".

But Jay, a red-shirt senior, resurfaced in a big way, when Stanford beat USC 24-23 Saturday night in Los Angeles, his punting was an important part in the biggest upset of this college football season and probably one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history.

The win over USC probably ranks as Stanford's greatest upset ever and rivals the biggest college football upsets of all time. A victory by a 41-point underdog is believed to be the largest point-spread reversal ever.

Ottovegio, Stanford co-captain,  punted 8 times for a 43 yard average which included 2 punts inside the 20 yard line, 2 touchbacks and one punt over 50 yards.

Congratulations to Jay and the Stanford Cardinal from the Raider Nation.

YOUR VOTE COUNTED - WES BYRUM AND AUBURN TIGERS ARE WINNERS OF THE GAME CHANGING PERFORMANCE

Auburn's game-winning field goal by 2007 STA Alum-Wes Byrum in the final seconds upsetting the Florida Gators in Week 5 NCAA action is the winner of the Game Changing Performance of the Week.

Auburn gathered 62% of the nation's votes as announced at halftime on ESPN's Thursday night game.

The Tigers win the weekly $5,000 scholarship.  In December, voters will determine which school wins $100,000 scholarship for the Game Changing Performance of the Year.

Byrum was also honored as one of the Top Three Stars of the Week by the committee for the Lou Groza Award, the Collegiate Place-Kicker Award.  This is the second time in the 2007 season that the Auburn freshman has been nominated.  He was recognized for his efforts in an earlier season game against the University of South Florida.

VOTE FOR THE GAME CHANGING PERFORMANCE

Auburn's Wesley Byrum, STA 2007 graduate, kicked the game-winning field goal in the final seconds to upset the Florida Gators in NCAA Football Week 5 action. 

Vote for this play as your favorite in the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Week.