Time to prepare Halloween decor

The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping and halloween decorations inflatables is right around the corner. so let's decorate!

Pumpkins are a tradition for Halloween decoration. Lighting them up at night supposedly keeps the creepies away, but mostly those lit-up decorations make for a seasonally festive look. Yes, go ahead and carve some interesting faces on them, but you can also cut out the top, clean out the inside and place flowers in the pumpkin for an interesting seasonal centerpiece on the table. Placing a small vase that won't be visible inside the pumpkin will allow for the flowers to stand properly and also allow you to add water to the stems.

Are you more interested in a fancier look? You can paint the pumpkins in silver or gold and attach jewels in some sort of pattern for a classy finish. A black cloth on the table with a few silver or gold pumpkins added is a festive Halloween look. Another idea with the black tablecloth is to put a white lace tablecloth over it.

Can you draw? Then make your own tablecloth decoration. Pick whatever color tablecloth you want for this Halloween decoration and draw spider webs and spiders on it with white fabric marker. "R.I.P." and "BOO!" can be added, as well.

Are you having friends over for Halloween dinner? Make little name-card holders for them. Buy little pumpkins. Cut small place cards out of the black paper. Write each person's name on the black paper in orange or red ink. Glue a toothpick to the place card and then slip it onto the pumpkin.

Candles - lots of candles - create the right atmosphere for a Halloween party. Turn the lights off and only light the room with candles. Eerie-looking. (And, of course, always be careful when you're dealing with fire!)

To welcome guests and trick-or-treaters at your front door, make a scarecrow. Take old clothes (pants, shirts, shoes) and stuff them. You can use gloves for hands. For the head, a lightweight ball will work if you cradle it in the shirt. A big hat will hide a good amount of the ball. Place the scarecrow on a chair outside your door and you have a greeter for your guests.

Enjoy the holiday. Eat lots of candy.

Source: Newsobserver

DVD Review: 'This is the End' plays into hands of Franco, Rogen fans

<halloweentown high dvdp>Brad Pitt kissed the world goodbye. The "Shaun of the Dead" folks did, too.

But none of the A-level stars quite approached doomsday like James Franco's crowd.

"This is the End" sends up that whole good old boys club that has produced so many new millennium comedies.

"Pineapple Express," "Superbad" and "Knocked Up" set the stage for something like this - something so meta it's like visiting a fraternity and knowing the secret handshake.

Playing heightened versions of themselves, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and Jonah Hill drop by James Franco's house for what they think is just another Hollywood party. Instead, it's the end of the earth - the Apocalypse, as Baruchel discerns.

Stuck in a bachelor pad that reflects its owner's self-involvement ("This place is like a piece of me," Franco says), they figure out how to survive while sinkholes and fires claim dozens of lesser friends.

Stuffed with star cameos (Rihanna, Mindy Kaling and a very funny Michael Cera among them), "This is the End" namechecks plenty of stars, shows and reputations. It trumps up a feud between Hill and Baruchel, hints at Franco's sexuality and lets Emma Watson put a boot to her reputation as Harry Potter's Hermione.

And then? The film - co-written and co-directed by Rogen - takes on a horror film vibe. A beast emerges from the ground and threatens to take out everyone involved.

Easily, you can see how this story was hatched while the guys were actually at a James Franco party. It sends up TMZ, rap stars and entourages. It proves the stars are as enamored with sci-fi films as their fans.

Of the bunch, McBride is most consistently funny. He's the rogue friend who eats the remaining food, disses the host and ad libs with purpose. When he grabs a second glass of water "This is the End" reaches out to audiences who have never heard of "Freaks and Geeks."

But as delightful as it may be for fans, "This is the End" is just as niche-y as the NBC series that introduced Apatow's army.

Too inside to be embraced by a large audience, it'll have to hope for repeat viewings to justify another excellent adventure.

When it turns horror filmish (you know because Hill changes from the charming "Moneyball" star to something else), it's a quick sprint to the blue light special ending.

Rogen and co-director Evan Goldberg save a surprise for the end (it's a good one) but seem exhausted.

"This is the End" looks like every 2 a.m. idea they ever came up with put in one project.

Franco, Hill and McBride play along nicely and Michael Cera is so uncommonly good someone should tap into the persona he introduces.

"This is the End" won't stand as the funniest film of the summer but it will give the "Pineapple Express" crowd something substantial to chew on while a director like Apatow decides what to do next.

Source: Siouxcityjournal

FEINBERG FORECAST: Updated Projections (With 22 Weeks Until the 86th Oscars)

<halloween dvd projectionsp>

Every week until the Oscars on March 2, 2014, 's lead awards analyst The Hollywood Reporter Scott Feinberg will post an updated "Feinberg Forecast," reflecting his latest take on the standings of the contenders in each of the major categories. For more about Scott and how he arrives at his projections, scroll to the bottom of this post. Here, meanwhile, is a list of developments since the last forecast that helped to shape this one...

• Several high-profile contenders -- Sony Pictures Classics' Foxcatcher and The Weinstein Co.'s making the path to a nomination a little easier for other contenders. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Paramount's The Wolf of Wall Street will not make its previously-announced Nov. 15 release date and could also end up getting pushed to 2014 The Immigrant and Grace of Monaco -- have been pulled out of the 2013 awards season and into 2014, for a variety of reasons, .
• The 51st New York Film Festival got underway on Friday night. The opening night screening was the world premiere of Sony's Captain Phillips, with the director, stars and real people who inspired the film all in attendance.
• The Hollywood Film Awards announced that it will present, at its 17th edition on Oct. 21, its and Hollywood Supporting Actor Award to Prisoners' Jake Gyllenhaal, Hollywood Supporting Actress Award to August: Osage County's Julia Roberts Hollywood Breakout Performance Award to Dallas Buyers Club's Jared Leto.
• Racing against the Oct. 1 deadline to name their official submission for consideration for the best foreign language film Oscar, a number of new countries revealed their picks. Among others, Hong Kong went with Wong Kar-Wai's kung-fu flick The Grandmaster, Israel tapped Yuval Adler's Ophir Award-winning thriller Bethlehem , which was a fan favorite at the recent Telluride and Toronto film fests.
• This weekend at the box-office, Warner Bros.' returning Prisoners -- which topped the charts last weekend with a $21.4 million take in the same corridor from which the studio's Argo launched with a $19.5 million take the previous year -- held off Universal's newcomer Rush to claim the #2 spot ($11.3 million to $10.3 million) behind Sony's best animated feature Oscar hopeful Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, which led the field with $35 million in sales. The film with the highest per-screen average though, and growing buzz, is Fox Searchlight's Enough Said, which held strong in its second week in limited release, averaging $9,317 on 227 screens.

And, without further ado, here is the latest forecast...

About the Feinberg Forecast

Scott has been forecasting the Oscars since 2001 and has one of the strongest track records at doing so. His best showings came in 2006 and 2013, when he correctly called 21 out of 24 winners. He was the only pundit to project best picture nominations for The Reader (2008), The Blind Side (2009) and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011), among other long-shots.

He factors into his projections personal impressions (based on advance screenings), publicly-available information (release dates, genres, talent rosters and teasers/trailers often offer valuable clues), historical considerations (comparing and contrasting how other films with similar pedigrees have resonated), precursor awards (some awards groups have historically correlated with the Academy more than others), and conversations with industry insiders (including fellow members of the press, awards strategists, filmmakers and awards voters).

Source: Hollywoodreporter

India begins power transmission to Bangladesh

DHAKA: India today started transmission of electricity to Bangladesh to test a newly built line under an agreement to export 250 Megawatt of power to its energy-starved neighbour.

"The flow of power began on a test-run basis ahead of the formal launch of the transmission system on October 5," said a power division spokesman.

50 MW of power was transmitted and the quantity will vary from 50 and 175 megawatts till October 5, when Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to launch a power-grid substation at western Bheramara, the entry point of the cross-border transmission line, the spokesman said.

Indian premier Manmohan Singh is also expected to join the ceremony through video conference from his office in New Delhi, he added.

The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Indian NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd ( NVVN), a subsidiary of India's National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), inked a deal on February 28 last year to import 250 MW of electricity, following up on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed during Sheikh Hasina's 2010 visit to New Delhi.

The transmission line went into operation ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of Bangladesh's biggest ever power plant, the the USD 1.5 billion 1320 MW plant at Rampal, to be built by BPDB and NTPC on a 50:50 equity basis.

The Acting Managing Director of Power Grid Company of Bangladesh ( PGCB), Chowdhury Alamgir Hossain, earlier said that during the test-run period, electricity would be flowed with intervals to ensure that all systems were working properly.

"The system would be upgraded to carry up to 500 MW of electricity from November, in line with the agreement between the two countries," he added.

Officials said the BPDB will import 250 MW of electricity from Indian government's unallocated quota, while another 250 MW was is set to be supplied by an Indian private firm called PTC India Limited.

The average power tariff would be Bangladeshi Taka 6 under the 25-year agreement while the BPDB will have to pay an additional Taka 0.80 per unit as wheeling charge to the power distribution firm.

Bangladesh's overall electricity generation is now hovering around 6,000 MW, but a demand of over 7,500 MW has caused severe shortage in recent weeks.

Officials said the redirection of huge quantum of natural gas, Bangladesh's main source of electricity, to fertiliser factories and suspension of a major gas field for routine maintenance has caused the shortage.

They said that the line connecting India will also help establish a SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) electricity grid, with discussion for an undersea power link with Sri Lanka also underway.

Bangladesh is set to consume 24,000 MW of electricity by 2021 and thus also plans to import power from neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, officials said.

Source: Indiatimes

Panasonic Demonstrates Cutting Edge Security And Surveillance Technology And Solutions Portfolio At ASIS 2013

Exhibit features new scalable network video recording solution, advanced facial search and recognition system, and next-generation camera line

Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, a leading provider of integrated security and surveillance solutions, recently announced it will be showcasing its latest video surveillance technologies and solutions here at ASIS International, September 24 - 27 (booth # 2263). With new offerings on display at the show including its surveillance video recording server, facial search and recognition system, high-performance camera line and innovative technology solutions for specific markets, Panasonic will showcase the industry's most complete portfolio of reliable, integrated security solutions, arming professionals from government, enterprises, schools, healthcare facilities and other organizations with the situational awareness necessary to make timely, actionable decisions that put safety first.

"Our ASIS exhibit highlights Panasonic's commitment to providing customers across a wide variety of industries and markets with state-of-the-art technology solutions that meet and exceed their operational needs," said Greg Peratt, Panasonic Video Solutions Integration Team senior director. "With the introduction of the latest security and video surveillance technologies, Panasonic continues to expand the capabilities of our security solutions portfolio to help protect people, property and assets across the world."

Panasonic's booth will showcase new products ready to hit the market, and next-generation technology under development for release later this year. These include:

* WV-ASR500 Scalable Network Video Surveillance Recording Solution: The new WV-ASR500 software recording solution offers extensive versatility as an expandable Windows server-based video recorder, providing customers with the flexibility required to build a powerful surveillance recording and monitoring installation around a single scalable software-based platform. In addition to the high capacity and field extendable core recording capability, the ASR500 features include multi-camera-time-synchronized playback, event- and time-based search and multiple video export and archiving functions among other features. In addition, when coupled with Panasonic ASM200 or ASM970 client applications the ASR500 system serves as a complete video management solution (VMS) featuring broad support for IP cameras and encoders as well as integration with third-party security hardware and access control systems from a wide range of leading manufacturers. A mobile control client will also be available for Android and iOS phones and tablets. The WV-ASR500 surveillance recording solutions will be offered in a Pro-Series edition in both 32 and 64 IP channel configurations along with upgrade options that expand capacity to up to 128 IP channels. An Enterprise Series upgrade will deliver Active Directory support in addition to other enterprise features. Both configurations will be available later this year through authorized Panasonic resellers on pre-integrated server platforms with flexible licensing options for channel expansion. For more information on the Panasonic WV-ASR500 system, visit www.us.panasonic.com/asr500.

* WV-ASF900 FacePro Facial Search and Recognition System: The new cutting-edge, server-based FacePro facial recognition and matching platform enables high-speed facial search and matching on video from Panasonic i-PRO Cameras utilizing the Face Detection option. Boasting a real-time processing capacity of up to 20 cameras per server, FacePro can execute high-speed searches of up to 1,000 registered reference faces on both live and recorded video and each server can store millions of detected face images depending on configuration. Reference face images can be selected from source video or imported via BMP, JPG and PNG files and can be searched for a match in a matter of seconds. In addition, this breakthrough technology allows for advanced age and gender analytics reporting and the ability to set flexible alarm triggers on matched faces using live cameras. FacePro can support multiple simultaneous sessions using the Panasonic ASM200 and ASM970 client applications. The new system will be released later this year on pre-integrated and tested server platforms.

* New 6 Series i-PRO Camera Platform: Demonstrating its dominance as an engineering and manufacturing powerhouse, Panasonic will be introducing its new 6 Series i-PRO camera line based on its next generation UniPhier LSI processors. 6 Series cameras feature 60 frames per second performance on both 720p and 1080p models and much improved compression efficiency via UniPhier's new Shadow Compression Engine. The new platform features Enhanced Super Dynamic technology enabling an impressive 130db video dynamic range delivering outstanding performance even in the most dynamic and challenging lighting conditions. The new 6 Series cameras all have the ability to encode up to four H.264 streams simultaneously and feature super-high sensitivity in low light conditions generating usable color video at less than 0.1lx illumination. Dual SDXC memory card slots are also supported for high-capacity edge recording. 6 Series models on display at ASIS will include two outdoor weather- and vandal-resistant cameras that offer built-in infrared LED illumination - a Full HD 1080p/60p resolution model (SFV631L) and a 720p/60p resolution model (SFV611L). Additional 6 Series cameras are slated for introduction throughout 2014.

* New HD and Full HD Surveillance Cameras: New cameras on display include the WV-SC588 indoor domeless Full HD PTZ and WV-SW115 low-profile surface mount HD cameras. Available now, the WV-SC588 includes Panasonic's advanced Mega Super Dynamic imaging technology, 360° endless panning, a 30x optical zoom lens and a high-sensitivity 2.0 megapixel MOS sensor for enhanced signal processing and performance. Also on exhibit and scheduled for release in spring 2014, the weather- and vandal-resistant WV-SW115 delivers a wide 104° view in a minimum profile package and offers Panasonic's Super Dynamic Response, 720p resolution and H.264 compression. Both cameras are compatible with Panasonic's FacePro facial search and recognition technology.

* ClearSight Rain-resistant Dome Coating: The industry's first permanent, rain-resistant dome coating significantly increases the operational utility of outdoor cameras in wet weather. This innovative hydrophilic coating allows rain drops to flatten onto the surface of the camera dome, significantly reducing optical distortion and providing better visibility in rainy conditions. In addition, the coated surface resists the development of water stains and dust accumulation reducing dome maintenance. The ClearSight Domes are available now on select IP and analog outdoor PTZ dome cameras (WV-SW396A, WV-SW395A, and WV-CW594A) and the recently introduced Full HD 1080p outdoor PTZ dome camera (WV-SW598) on exhibit demonstrating the ClearSight coating in actual wet conditions.

Panasonic's booth will also feature innovative technology solutions for specific markets. These include:

* SIP/Phone and Security Integration Solution: Panasonic's KX-UT670 Smart IP desktop phone gives customers unified communications and visual surveillance capabilities in a single platform and seamlessly integrates with select Panasonic iPRO video surveillance camera models. The SIP phone delivers support for up to six different SIP accounts, three-way conference calling and full duplex speakerphone capabilities. It also features an intuitive seven-inch color touch screen that allows easy navigation to all phone options including a camera monitoring function that displays live video feeds and captures images from up to 16 connected Panasonic i-PRO cameras. At ASIS, Panasonic is showcasing the SIP phone live on the Telesphere Cloud service, a leading nationwide provider of cloud communication solutions that allows customers to take advantage of reliable, affordable hosted phone solutions, including predictable costs, flexibility and support for both multi-site and remote workers.
* Transit Solution: The ruggedized Mobile Network Video Recorder Solution for transit surveillance provides the image quality agencies need to ensure public safety, manage incidents, reduce risks and address liability claims onboard trains and buses. Panasonic's transit solution features the WV-SW155/158 Series vandal resistant cameras which are IP66 and EN50155 rated making them ideal for transportation interior applications. The WV-SW158 model features higher performance Full HD 1080p resolution with a built-in microphone. The recording solution features an Intel Core i7 based platform with an integrated four port PoE switch. It supports up to 16 IP network cameras and offers a wide DC input range (9V-36V) with dual 2.5" SATA drive bays and optional external microphone support. The platform specifications conform to major third-party VMS software requirements.

* Mobile Control Room Solution: Combines the rugged mobility of Toughpad tablets with Panasonic's advanced line of surveillance technology, providing a truly mobile platform for comprehensive remote wireless surveillance.
o Toughpad FZ-G1 - WV-ASM200 i-PRO Management Software Solution: Utilizing Panasonic's WV-ASM200 video management software, users can control and view live feeds from up to 256 directly connected network cameras, and access recordings from up to 100 recorders, directly from their Toughpad tablets. The Toughpad FZ-G1 is a fully-rugged, 10-inch tablet featuring the Windows operating system and a 3rd Generation Intel Core i5-3437U vPro 1.9GHz processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology and comes with built-in 802.11 capability and optional 4G LTE connectivity.
o Toughpad FZ-A1 - WJ-NV200 i-PRO SmartHD Network Disk Recorder Solution: Designed for remote viewing and full control of up to 16 network cameras, this solution connects wirelessly to Panasonic's WJ-NV200 Network Video Recorder offering an easy-to-use, economical method for mobile surveillance management without requiring the use of a PC. The fully-rugged, 10-inch Toughpad FZ-A1 will be demonstrated using Panasonic's free downloadable Android app which enables full pan/tilt/zoom camera control, live camera viewing and recording functions. The app also allows users to search recordings by date and time for playback, and register up to 50 recorders for control.

Panasonic Solutions for Business
Built on a celebrated engineering foundation, Panasonic architects business technology solutions that help build a better world. Customers in government, healthcare, production, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises, large and small, depend on integrated solutions from Panasonic to help them acquire, manage and interpret the information that drives innovation. The complete suite of Panasonic solutions addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance, retail point-of-sale, office productivity, high definition visual conferencing, visual communications (professional projectors, displays, digital signage) and HD video production. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic engineers reliable and long-lasting solutions as a partner for continuous improvement. Panasonic solutions for business are delivered by Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, which is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic solutions for business can be obtained at us.panasonic.com/business-solutions.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and services for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation, and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is committed to becoming the electronics industry's leader in green innovation by its one-hundredth anniversary in 2018. In the 2013 Interbrand Annual Best Global Green Brands ranking, the Panasonic brand jumped two spots to number four: http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/Best-Global-Green-Brands/2013/Best-Global-Green-Brands-2013.aspx. As part of its continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Panasonic Corporation of North America relocated its operations to a new eco-efficient office tower adjacent to a mass transit hub in Newark, NJ in 2013. Information about Panasonic Eco Ideas initiatives is available at http://panasonic.net/eco/ecoideas. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.

SOURCE: Panasonic Corporation

Source: Bsminfo

No tank job here: Hoyer, Browns knock off Vikings

Left for dead and ridiculed nationally after trading away their best player this week, the Cleveland Browns were seen as easy pickings for a Minnesota Vikings squad hoping to prove that last year's playoff campaign was no fluke.

Nothing went as planned.

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer, replacing the injured Brandon Weeden, generated 24 first-half points and engineered an 11-play, 55-yard touchdown drive that sealed Cleveland's 31-27 win over Minnesota.

Hoyer was far from perfect -- throwing three interceptions -- but he also tossed three touchdowns, something Weeden hasn't done in 17 career starts.

It was a notable win for Browns coach Rob Chudzinski, whose edgy playcalling sent a message to his players that nobody has bailed on this campaign.

Here's what else we learned:

1. Three of our Making the Leap candidates exploded Sunday. Browns receiver Josh Gordon, back from a two-game suspension, hauled in 10 catches for 146 yards, highlighted by his 47-yard touchdown from Hoyer. Jordan Cameron continued to shine, with an eye-popping three scores off six catches. The Cleveland tight end made a beautiful, over-the-shoulder, 7-yard touchdown grab with 55 seconds left to seal the win. For the Vikings, Harrison Smith recorded five tackles, a pass defense and a key interception, furthering the argument that he's the top young safety in the NFL.

2. After a week of soul-searching, Adrian Peterson was held in check by Cleveland's smothering run defense to the tune of 88 yards on 25 carries. If you're keeping score, that's 78 attempts for 203 yards (2.6 yards per rush) since Peterson's 78-yard touchdown burst in Week 1. Cleveland also made mincemeat of quarterback Christian Ponder. The Browns racked up six sacks, eight quarterback hits and an interception while holding Ponder to 5.4 yards per attempt.

3. Leslie Frazier held true to his promise of handing receiver Cordarrelle Patterson a larger role on offense. Ponder aimed for the rookie on a pair of deep strikes early. Browns corner Buster Skrine -- targeted all afternoon -- broke up the first attempt, but Patterson hauled in the second for a 37-yarder. He's a big, physical target for the Vikings, when Ponder can get it there.

4. From the trainer's room: Browns pass rusher Jabaal Sheard was seen on crutches after suffering a knee injury. Also for Cleveland, kicker Billy Cundiff left with a quad injury and Billy Winn departed with an injured right knee. For the Vikings, Chris Cook left with a groin injury and Jamarca Sanford tweaked his hamstring.

5. With Trent Richardson in the fold, Cleveland ran for 47 yards against the Dolphins and 65 against the Ravens. The Browns ran for 103 on Sunday sans Trent. A big chunk of that came on a fake punt, but the 6.1 yards per carry against Minnesota tops their output against Miami (3.6) and Baltimore (3.3).

6. It was clear the Browns were going for the throat when Chud dialed up the aforementioned punt fake and rolled out further trickery on a field goal attempt that saw holder Spencer Lanning zip the ball into Cameron's waiting arms for a second-quarter touchdown. Guess what:

The Browns even suck at tanking.

â€" Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 22, 2013

The "Around The League Podcast" is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.

Source: Nfl

Florida turns to Murphy following Driskel's injury

- Florida never really recruited Tyler Murphy.

The junior quarterback from Wethersfield, Conn., had scholarship offers from Connecticut, Syracuse and Temple in 2009 when he decided to send his high school highlights about 1,000 miles south to Gainesville. It turned out to be a good move - although it took four years, Jacoby Brissett's transfer and Jeff Driskel's season-ending leg injury for Murphy to land the starting quarterback job.

In between, Murphy had people questioning whether he should change positions and/or schools.

"It was tough," Murphy said. "Sitting on the sidelines is never fun. But sometimes you have to be patient when you come to a big football school like this."

Murphy's wait ended in the first quarter of Saturday's 31-17 victory against Southeastern Conference rival Tennessee.

Driskel broke a bone in his lower right leg against the Volunteers and was scheduled to have surgery Sunday. Murphy took over and performed better than anyone could have predicted. Sure, there were a few hiccups. But Murphy gave the 20th-ranked Gators (2-1, 1-0 SEC) hope that their goals are still within reach.

He completed 8 of 14 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 84 yards and a score as Florida extended its winning streak in the series to nine.

It was a solid debut for a career backup who had thrown just one pass in four years - and it didn't even count in the stats because it came on a 2-point conversion.

"It was always in the back of my mind I might never play, but I just kept working hard and just kept fighting, kept faith in myself and kept praying for an opportunity," Murphy said. "Luckily, I was able to get it. It wasn't the way I wanted it, you know, but an opportunity is an opportunity. You've got to make the best of it."

Murphy will make his first career start Saturday night at Kentucky, which has dropped 26 in a row in the series.

How did Murphy get to this point? Well, it was mostly about fortitude and fortune.

Murphy wasn't highly recruited coming out of Wethersfield High School. He had verbally committed to Temple, but also could see what was going on at Florida. Former coach Urban Meyer led the Gators to the 2008 national championship, the program's second in three years, and quarterback Tim Tebow had become a star running the spread-option offense.

John Brantley was waiting to take over for Tebow, but the pocket passer hardly fit Meyer's scheme.

So Murphy sent some game tape to the Gators. A few weeks later, he got a call from offensive coordinator Steve Addazio, who handled recruiting in the northeast, and then another from Meyer. Murphy scheduled a visit and then got a scholarship offer - one he accepted on the spot.

Florida desperately needed a backup, but coaches felt Murphy wasn't ready as a freshman. He redshirted in 2010, watching from the sideline as tight end Jordan Reed and versatile receiver Trey Burton shared quarterback snaps alongside Brantley.

Things got worse for Murphy after Meyer and Addazio left. Driskel and Brissett signed with Florida in 2011, and both immediately jumped Murphy on the depth chart.

Murphy went from fourth team in 2011 to third-string quarterback in 2012. Some friends and family members advised him to transfer, and he even considered joining Addazio at Temple. Others suggested he switch positions.

"I just didn't want to give up," he said. "I felt like if I changed positions, I would have gave up on myself and I probably wouldn't have been able to live with myself."

Murphy stuck it out, and he became the backup this year when Brissett transferred to North Carolina State. He also got significant work with the first-team offense early in fall practice, while Driskel recovered from an appendectomy.

Still, most believed the Gators would be doomed if Driskel got hurt, and it remains to be seen how Murphy will play against better competition. But the poise and presence he showed against the Volunteers were promising signs.

"One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity," Florida coach Will Muschamp said. "Everybody wants it now. He's a guy that's worked extremely hard and cashed in on his opportunity, and I look forward to seeing him play the rest of the year."

Source: Idahostatesman

Saturday, 8 p.m., Rentschler Field

The Basics

Site: Rentschler Field, East Hartford

Time: Saturday, 8 p.m.

Line: michigan by 18 1/2

Weather: In the 60s during game, could be some rain late

TV: ABC, Chs. 8, 40 - Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Shannon Spake (sidelines). Radio: WTIC-1080 AM - Joe D'Ambrosio, Wayne Norman and Kevin Nathan.

Tickets: Game is sold out

Injuries: UConn - S Andrew Adams (shoulder), WR Kamal Abrams (knee) out; WR Shakim Phillips (hamstring), RT Kevin Friend (ankle), LB Graham Stewart (ankle) questionable; C Tyler Bullock (ankle) will play. Michigan - P Will Hagerup (suspension), LB Jake Ryan (knee), RB Drake Johnson (knee), WR Amara Darboh (foot), QB Russell Bellomy (knee) out; S Courtney Avery (knee), OT Taylor Lewan (leg), TE A.J. Williams (ankle), LB Cam Gordon (undisclosed) probable; DE Mario Ojemudia (shoulder) questionable.

Of Note: The game always comes down to the line play. The Wolverines, featuring Taylor Lewan (6-8, 315), who has started 31 straight games at left tackle, average 6-6, 302 across the offensive line and 6-2, 283 pounds across the defensive front. UConn is 6-6, 312 on its offensive line and 6-3, 286 on its defensive line. So size may or may not matter, but fundamentals and technique absolutely do. ... The game is sold out; about 2,200 seats have been added to Rentschler Field, meaning at 42,000-plus it will be the largest crowd to see a college football game in East Hartford. ... This will be UConn's first televised game of the season. The first two were only available on ESPN3, a website.

Five Things To Know

1. Wondering why Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner wears No. 98? It was awarded to him before the Notre Dame game Sept. 7 in honor of the school's first Heisman trophy winner, Tom Harmon (1940). Gardner will wear the number for the rest of the season.

2. Last season Michigan, one of the most storied programs and the winningest program in college football history, converted 87 of 173 third-down attempts (50.3 percent), first in the Big Ten and sixth in the nation. This season, the Wolverines (19 of 37, 51 percent) are still on point with that success.

3. UConn has a 29 percent efficiency rate on third down; it stops teams on third down only 35 percent of the time.

4. Although UConn athletic director Warde Manuel and assistant AD Doug Gnodtke went to Michigan, there are no current players from Michigan on the UConn roster and none on the Michigan roster from Connecticut.

5. This will be UConn's fourth game against a Big Ten team. It beat Indiana twice (2003 and '06) and lost 30-10 to the Wolverines in newly renovated Michigan Stadium in 2010 before what was to that point the modern-day record crowd to see a college football game on campus (113,090). The Michigan-Notre Dame game this year brought in 115,109.

Michigan Two-Deep OFFENSE

WR: 21 Jeremy Gallon (Sr., 5-8, 184)

85 Joe Reynolds (Sr., 6-1, 196)

LT: 77 Taylor Lewan (Sr., 6-8, 315)

71: Ben Braden (So., 6-6, 318)

LG: 61 Graham Glasgow (Jr., 6-6, 305)

58: Chris Bryant (Jr., 6-4, 316)

C: 60 Jack Miller (Jr., 6-4, 290)

56: Joey Burzynski (Sr., 6-1, 293)

RG: 67 Kyle Kalis (So., 6-5, 297)

56: Joey Burzynski (Sr., 6-1, 293)

62: Blake Bars (Fr., 6-5, 291)

RT: 75 Michael Schofield (Sr., 6-7, 304)

78: Erik Magnuson (So., 6-6, 285)

TE: 87 Devin Funchess (So., 6-4, 235)

84: A.J. Williams (So., 6-6, 265)

WR: 86 Jehu Chesson (So., 6-3, 196)

SLOT: 9 Drew Dileo (Sr., 5-10, 180)

23: Dennis Norfleet (So,. 5-7, 169)

QB: 98 Devin Gardner (Sr., 6-4, 210)

7: Shane Morris (Fr., 6-3, 201)

FB: 36 Joe Kerridge (Jr., 6-0, 238)

39 Sione Houma (So., 6-0, 231)

RB: 28 Fitzgerald Toussaint (Sr., 5-10, 200)

27 Derrick Green (Fr., 5-11, 240)

DEFENSE

DE: 57 Frank Clark (Jr., 6-2, 273)

53: Mario Ojemudia (So, 6-2, 250)

DT: 55 Jibreel Black (Sr., 6-2, 278)

96 Ryan Glasgow (So., 6-4, 300)

NT: 76 Quinton Washington (Sr., 6-4, 301)

56 Ondre Pipkins (So., 6-3, 315)

DE :92 Keith Heitzman (Jr., 6-3, 280)

99 Matt Godin (So., 6-6, 280)

SLB: 4 Cam Gordon (Sr., 6-3, 237)

97 Brennen Beyer (Jr., 6-3, 250)

MLB 48 Desmond Morgan (Jr., 6-1, 228)

35 Joe Bolden (So., 6-3, 225)

WLB: 15 James Ross III (So., 6-1, 220)

52 Royce Jenkins-Stone (So., 6-2, 225)

LCB: 6 Raymon Taylor (Jr., 5-10, 183)

24 Delonte Hollowell (Jr., 5-9, 180)

SS: 30 Thomas Gordon (Sr., 5-11, 210)

14 Josh Furman (Sr., 6-2, 202)

FS: 11 Courtney Avery (Sr., 5-11, 175)

22 Jarrod Wilson (So., 6-2, 200)

RCB: 18 Blake Countess (Jr., 5-10, 182)

8 Channing Stribling (Fr., 6-2, 171)

NICKEL: 18 Blake Countess (Jr., 5-10, 182)

25 Dymonte Thomas (Fr., 6-2, 190)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK 34 Brendan Gibbons (Sr., 6-1, 243)

45 Matt Wile (Jr., 6-2, 216)

P 45 Matt Wile (Jr., 6-2, 216)

91 Kenny Allen (So., 6-3, 226)

LS 54 Jareth Glanda (Sr., 6-3, 256)

H 9 Drew Dileo (Sr., 5-10, 180)

91 Kenny Allen (So., 6-3, 226)

KO 45 Matt Wile (Jr., 6-2, 216)

PR 23 Dennis Norfleet (So., 5-7, 169)

9 Drew Dileo (Sr., 5-10, 180)

KR 23 Dennis Norfl eet (So., 5-7, 169)

9 Drew Dileo (Sr., 5-10, 180)

86 Jehu Chesson (So., 6-3, 196)

UConn Two-Deep OFFENSE

LT: 72 Jimmy Bennett (Sr., 6-9, 309)

78 Dalton Gifford (So., 6-5, 296)

Source: Courant

(RNN) - Mmm, cupcakes.

There were four Top 25 teams that defeated their opponents by scoring at least 70 points. Louisville and Miami (FL) had mercy rules invoked (maybe not on purpose in the Louisville game) in their contests against Florida International and Savannah State, respectively.

Ohio State (4-0) scored 55 points before the first half was over. The Buckeyes' backup quarterback Kenny Guiton is, ahem, slowly, making fans forget about injured quarterback Braxton Miller by breaking the school's single-game passing touchdown record.

Baylor scored 10 touchdowns Saturday, with two scores coming from pick-six's against Louisiana-Monroe. The Bears (3-0) have averaged 69.5 points per game through three games this year, the first Football Bowl Subdivision team to score at least 60 points since 1930 (LSU), according to ESPN.

Scores like these are the reason why the "cupcake" team and game was created, to pad the big boys' schedules with winnable games before they jump into conference play.

Cupcakes are always sweetest when the ingredients are all filler and no killer.

Week 4 winners

Clemson - Clemson looked good - not great - against North Carolina State (2-1, 0-1 ACC) in a Thursday night victory on the road. Only up three points in the first half, Heisman hopeful quarterback Tajh Boyd threw three touchdowns to take the win 26-14, and N.C. State had a long touchdown run called back in the third quarter.

Stat of the game: 10-of-19 in converting third down is the type of consistency that will keep the Tigers (3-0, 1-0 ACC) in the Top 5, without any unforeseen Clemson-ing. NEXT UP: vs. Wake Forest on Sept. 28.

UCLA - The Bruins did a lot of things right Saturday: UCLA (3-0) had 692 yards of total offense, 12-of-14 in third down conversions and had 39 first downs. A few blemishes (three turnovers and 15 penalties for 138 yards) didn't get in their way as they defeated New Mexico State 59-13 in the Rose Bowl.

Their first Pac-12 matchup is next in two weeks against the Utes. NEXT UP: @ Utah on Oct. 3.

Texas Tech - A small climb up the Top 25 may be in order for the Red Raiders, as a dominant performance by their defense gave No. 25 Texas Tech a 33-7 victory against Texas State in Lubbock. The Red Raiders defense only allover 240 yards of total defense, and pushed them to 4-0. NEXT UP: @ Kansas on Oct. 5.

Other Top 25 winners: No 4 Ohio State defeated Florida A&M 76-0; No. 5 Stanford beat No. 23-ranked Arizona State 42-28; No. 7 Louisville spanked Florida International 72-0; Bethune-Cookman managed to score some points against No. 8 Florida State but lost 54-6; No. 15 Michigan had to overcome 4 turnovers to defeat UCONN (0-3) 24-21; No. 16 Miami (FL) beat Savannah State 77-7; No. 17 Washington beat Idaho State 56-0; No. 18 Northwestern beat Maine 35-21; No. 20 Baylor won 70-7 against Louisiana-Monroe; Michigan State put up a fight against No. 22 notre Dame, but the Spartans lost 17-13; No. 24 Wisconsin beat Purdue 41-10.

Week 4 losers

Arizona State - As soon as they got into the Top 25, the No. 23-ranked Sun Devils were defeated by No. 5 Stanford, despite leading the Cardinals in first downs (20) and total yards (417). It did not help that Arizona State went scoreless in the first half, losing 42-28 on the road. They were also the only Top 25 team to lose. NEXT UP: vs. USC on Sept. 28.

Week 5 game of the week: No. 24 Wisconsin @ No. 4 Ohio State, 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC - The Buckeyes will have a chance to show in their Big 10 opener if getting fat off cupcakes was worth it.

Week 5 game of the week runner up: Oklahoma (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) @ Notre Dame (3-1), 3:30 p.m. EST on NBC.

This weekend's most outrageous thing in college football: With the news that Alabama's head coach Nick Saban's agent was contacted by a University of Texas' regent after the National Championship game, the seat has gotten hotter and hotter for Texas' Mack Brown.

On Saturday, Longhorns fans turned up the heat with a few campaign shirts saying "Saban 2014" being passed around in Austin. Even though Texas defeated Kansas State for their first Big 12 win of 2013 by a score of 31-21, the search for Mack Brown's replacement is clearly underway. But give it up, Longhorns. Saban isn't going anywhere.

Lest we forget: Maryland's uniforms. Feast your eyes on the uniforms of the All Kool-Aid team. The Terps (4-0) actually looked pretty good on Saturday, defeating West Virginia in Baltimore 37-0.

Follow me on Twitter @TanitaG_RNN. Copyright 2013 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.

Source: Wlox