Bewerbungen » the American Hockey League to the Calde

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisvilles success under coach Bobby Petrino has changed the way players are thinking -- from merely competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference to winning championships.A key part of realizing that lofty dream is getting past Atlantic Division heavyweights Clemson and Florida State.Louisville hopes to carry momentum from last seasons 8-2 closing stretch into serious pursuit of a division title in Petrinos third season. Fueling those expectations is the offensive stability behind mobile sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson, an experienced line and an impressive receiver corps.The Cardinals could use some depth on the defensive line around DeAngelo Brown but are solid at linebacker and in the secondary, strengths that might explain their lofty declarations.I like to set the bar high for us, for me and for the team, junior cornerback Trumaine Washington said. I know we can do it. I know I can do it. We dont have any rookies to begin. We got everybody back on offense and defense. Im just ready to get to the national championship.After starting 0-3 last year, Petrino just wants to see progress.Were still going to have to make sure we do a great job of getting better as the year goes on, Petrino said. Louisvilles immediate priority is winning the division, which requires getting the most out of strong players on both sides of the ball.Jackson presents a formidable dual threat after combining for 2,800 offensive yards and 23 touchdowns in a breakout freshman season. However, Petrino stops short of saying that Jackson will have free rein in the offense; he drew laughter on media day after saying, he has the freedom to do exactly what we tell him.Brown (40 tackles, two sacks) is considered a big run-stopper for Louisville, which must see if juniors Chris Williams, Drew Bailey, Johnny Richardson or Kyle Shortridge will spend more time around him. If the Cardinals recent history of developing defensive talent means anything, they should fill those voids without missing a beat.Said linebacker Devonte Fields, we still have got to fix some communication errors, but everything else, weve been pretty solid.CENTRAL RECEIVINGA young, inexperienced wide receiver corps last season could prove to be Louisvilles deepest unit. The Cardinals return their top two pass-catchers in James Quick and Jamari Staples, while former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon is ready to show his talent and speed as a full-time receiver. Traveon Samuel and JaQuay Savage are emerging talents.SEEKING SPECIALISTSOne of Louisvilles strongest areas is in transition with the departures of reliable place kicker John Wallace and dependable punter Josh Appleby. Both positions are wide open, and Petrino is looking at Evan OHara, Blanton Creque, Anthony George for the kicking game. Mason King and Austin Johnson will compete for the punting job.KEY GAMESLouisvilles Atlantic Division prospects could be determined by early October as it faces conference favorites Florida State (home, Sept. 17) and Clemson (away, Oct. 1). The Cardinals Nov. 17 non-conference showdown at Houston offers an intriguing chance for revenge after the Cougars dealt them a rare home loss during last years 0-3 start.SEASON OPENERLouisville hosts Charlotte on Sept. 1. The 49ers went 3-9 in their first season in FBS with Conference USA and lost nine of their final 10.PREDICTIONLouisville has battled Florida State and Clemson but must to find a way to beat one or both to think about claiming the Atlantic division.----AP freelance writer Steve Bittenbender contributed to this report.----Online:AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.orgFollow Gary B. Graves on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GaryBGraves Air Max Plus Tn White . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. 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DENVER -- Joe Colborne couldnt have drawn it up any better -- three goals in his first game with the Colorado Avalanche.Same with coach Jared Bednar -- a gut-check win in his debut on the bench.It was a memorable night for the new guys.Colborne had his first NHL hat trick, Colorado withstood a 6-on-4 opportunity over final 46 seconds and the Avalanche held off the Dallas Stars 6-5 on Saturday.That was a fun game. It was an exciting game. I really liked it, Bednar said. I enjoyed being on the bench.Trailing 2-0 early, Colborne came to the rescue as he scored three of Colorados next five goals to build a 5-2 lead. Carl Soderberg and Nathan MacKinnon also scored during the stretch, and Tyson Barrie added an insurance goal in the third period to kick off the Bednar Era in winning fashion.Bednar took over for Patrick Roy after the Hall of Fame goaltender-turned-coach surprisingly stepped away two months ago.I liked (Colborne) around the net. He was hungry around the net, Bednar said. He was getting sticks on pucks. He was fighting to the front of the net. Thats part of his M.O., part of what made him successful in years past.Tyler Seguin had two goals for the Stars, while Devin Shore, Jamie Benn and Brett Ritchie also scored.Dallas pulled starter Antti Niemi at 7:05 of the second period after allowing five goals. Kari Lehtonen slowed the Avalanches potent offensive attack so the Stars could work their way back into the game.Barrie scored a goal that bounced off the skate of Stephen Johns and past Lehtonen to make it 6-4. Soon after, Ritchie made it a one-goal game when he slid a shot past Semyon Varlamov.Blake Comeau was called for slashing with 1:56 remaining. The Stars pulled Lehtonen, but couldnt get anything past Varlamov, whos won 11 straight over Dallas.We didnt do enough to win the hockey game and didnt deserve to win, Benn said. When you play like that, it doesnt matter if you scored five and give up six, its unacceptable.Stars coach Lindy Ruff felt the same way.Were a better team than that, Ruff saaid.dddddddddddd We have some defensemen trying to find their way. We gave up some tough opportunities in the second period.The Avalanche certainly had ample opportunities to gain some separation in the third period. A shot by Andreas Martinsen clanged off the post. Later, Fedor Tyutins slap shot appeared to go in and the horn sounded. But the puck actually hit the outside of the net. And later, Mikhail Grigorenko had a shot roll along the mouth of the goal before veering just wide.Colborne signed with the Avalanche as a free agent in July after a 19-goal, 25-assist season with Calgary. Hes a fan-favorite given that he played collegiately down the road at the University of Denver.We got a big win against a tough opponent, Colborne said. There were some nerves at the start.Bednar was a career minor leaguer -- as a defenseman and then as a coach -- before being hired by Colorado on Aug. 25. The 44-year-old led the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League to the Calder Cup last season.His style may be even more up-tempo than the version Roy implemented. Colorado outshot Dallas 33-28.I liked the way we played offensively. I thought we were skating and on our toes and creating chances, Bednar said. We have to get better defensively.The Avalanche havent garnered much early respect with a majority of prognosticators predicting theyll finish outside of the playoff picture.People can say what they want, said Matt Duchene, who will serve as an alternate captain this season. Go out there and prove them wrong -- thats our job.Game notes Shore scored his first NHL goal. ... Stars D Jamie Oleksiak (lower body injury) was a scratch for a second straight game. ... Avs F John Mitchell (hip) was a scratch, along with F Cody McLeod. ... The Avs improved to 20-10-7 all-time in season openers.UP NEXTStars: At Nashville on Tuesday.Avalanche: At Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh on Monday. ' ' '