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Providence, Oklahoma hope key players are back in BahamasJeremy Clarkson has backpedalled on his previous comments about why he bought his farm, saying he thought it would be a “better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax”. The TV presenter and journalist defied doctors’ orders by joining thousands of farmers in London on Tuesday to protest against agricultural inheritance tax changes. The 64-year-old, who fronts Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm, which documents the trials of farming on his land in Oxfordshire, wrote in a post on the Top Gear website in 2010: “I have bought a farm. There are many sensible reasons for this: Land is a better investment than any bank can offer. The government doesn’t get any of my money when I die. And the price of the food that I grow can only go up.” Clarkson also told the Times in 2021 that avoiding inheritance tax was “the critical thing” in his decision to buy land. Addressing the claim in a new interview with The Times, the former Top Gear presenter said: “I never did admit why I really bought it.” The fan of game bird shooting added: “I wanted to have a shoot – I was very naive. I just thought it would be a better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax.” Clarkson was among the thousands who took to the streets this week to protest over the changes in the recent Budget to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million and he addressed the crowds at the march in central London. He told the newspaper he is not happy to be the public face of the movement, saying: “It should be led by farmers.” The presenter said he does not consider himself a farmer because there are “so many basic jobs” which he cannot do, but he feels his role is to “report on farming”. Earlier this month, it was confirmed Clarkson’s Farm, which has attracted huge attention to his Diddly Squat farm shop, had been renewed for a fifth series. Asked whether the issue behind the tax protest is that rural poverty is hidden, Clarkson agreed and said his programme was not helping to address the situation. “One of the problems we have on the show is we’re not showing the poverty either, because obviously on Diddly Squat there isn’t any poverty”, he said. “But trust me, there is absolute poverty. I’m surrounded by farmers. I’m not going out for dinner with James Dyson. “It’s people with 200 acres, 400 acres. Way past Rachel Reeves’s threshold. They are f*****.” The newspaper columnist also presents Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on ITV. The Grand Tour, his motoring show with former Top Gear colleagues Richard Hammond and James May, ended in September. Discussing whether he might move into politics, Clarkson said: “I’d be a terrible political leader, hopeless. “I’m a journalist at heart, I prefer throwing rocks at people than having them thrown at me.” However, he said he would be “100% behind any escalation” after the farmers’ march. Clarkson revealed last month he had undergone a heart procedure to have stents fitted after experiencing a “sudden deterioration” in his health which brought on symptoms of being “clammy”, a “tightness” in his chest and “pins and needles” in his left arm. He said in a Sunday Times column that one of his arteries was “completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way” and doctors said he was perhaps “days away” from becoming very ill. Asked if he is thinking about retiring, the Doncaster-born celebrity said: “Probably not. It depends when you die, I always think. “You’d be surprised, us Northerners are made of strong stuff.”Nico Iamaleava passed for four touchdowns and Dylan Sampson rushed for 77 yards and set a school-record for TDs as No. 11 Tennessee rolled to a 56-0 victory over UTEP on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn. Sampson scored on a 14-yard TD run early in the second quarter for the game's first points to deliver his 22nd TD of tje season to break the Tennessee single-season mark set by Gene McEvers in 1929. Iamaleava was 15 of 20 for 173 yards for Tennessee (9-2), while Bru McCoy caught a pair of TD passes and Squirrel White and Ethan Davis each had a TD reception. Tennessee moved its all-time record to 2-0 against the Miners, also having blanked the Conference USA school 24-0 in 2018. Jermod McCoy and John Slaughter had interceptions for the Volunteers, while Dominic Bailey recovered a fumble to set up a score. Skyler Locklear was 10-of-19 passing for 50 yards with an interception for UTEP (2-9), while rushing for 37 yards on eight carries. JP Pickles also had a turn at QB for the Miners and was 10 of 15 for 72 yards. Kenny Odom had eight receptions for 70 yards. Both defenses set the tone in the first quarter. The UTEP defense allowed just one first down to the Southeastern Conference team in three ugly series in the opening quarter and only 22 yards. In the second quarter, Sampson ended a 68-yard drive by dashing up the middle for 14 yards for the record-setting score to take a 7-0 lead with 13:22 remaining before halftime. After Bailey's fumble recovery, Iamaleava flipped a screen pass that White took 9 yards to the end zone nearly six minutes later. Davis put the Volunteers up 21-0 when he grabbed a short pass for a 1-yard TD. Iamaleava then found Bru McCoy from 18 yards with eight seconds left in the second quarter for a 28-0 halftime lead. McCoy caught his second TD and Peyton Lewis rushed for a pair for a 49-0 lead in the third quarter, but the biggest roar from Volunteers fans came when it was announced Florida beat No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17, to enhance the Volunteers' College Football Playoff hopes. Cameron Seldon's 3-yard run capped the scoring as the Volunteers finished the season undefeated at home for the second time in four years. --Field Level Media
Arsenal player ratings: Martin Odegaard runs the show but poor defending from Riccardo Calafiori stops clean sheetSUZHOU, China, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- YXT.com Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ: YXT) (“YXT.com” or the “Company”), a leader and disruptor of the digital corporate learning industry in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first nine months of 2024 that ended September 30, 2024. First Nine Months 2024 Operating and Financial Highlights Total revenues were RMB241.7 million (US$34.4 million), compared with RMB328.8 million in the same period of last year. Gross Margin was 60.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with 59.3% in the same period of last year. Net loss was RMB14.9 million (US$2.1 million), compared with RMB245.3 million in the same period of last year. Number of subscription customers decreased to 2,428 as of September 30, 2024, from 3,039 as of September 30, 2023. After adjusting for the deconsolidation of CEIBS Publishing Group Limited (the “CEIBS PG”) (571 customers), the net change of 40 customers reflects the Company’s strategic shift toward large enterprise accounts with consistent demand for corporate learning solutions. This realignment resulted in a planned reduction of small and medium-sized customers from our portfolio. Net revenue retention rates of subscription customers decreased to 101.0% from 104.8% in the same period of last year. The change was due to the Company’s strategic shift toward large enterprise accounts with consistent demand for corporate learning solutions. This realignment resulted in a planned reduction of small and medium-sized customers from our portfolio. Mr. Xiaoyan Lu, Director, Founder and Chairman of the Board of YXT.com, commented, “We are pleased to report our first financial results as a public company, covering the nine months ended September 30, 2024, following our successful IPO on the Nasdaq in August. While the period presented macro challenges that impacted enterprise training spending, we remained focused on executing our strategic priorities. We continued to deepen our relationships with large enterprise clients, as evidenced by our growing penetration among Fortune 500 companies. Our products’ new AI features have been well-received by key customers, enabling us to maintain healthy retention rates despite the challenging environment. Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic about our long-term growth prospects, supported by the fundamental need for digital learning solutions, our strengthening position in the large enterprise segment, and our continuous product innovation and enhancement.” Mr. Pun Leung Liu, Chief Financial Officer of YXT.com, added, “Our financial results for the first nine months of 2024 demonstrate the effectiveness of our operational optimization initiatives. Through strategic cost management and AI-enabled operational improvements across multiple functions, we significantly narrowed our net loss to RMB14.9 million from RMB245.3 million in the same period last year. We remain committed to disciplined cost control while continuing to invest in strategic areas that drive long-term growth, particularly our technology capabilities and enterprise-focused solutions.” Financial Results for the First Nine Months of 2024 Revenues Revenues were RMB241.7 million (US$34.4 million), compared with RMB328.8 million in the same period of last year. Revenues from corporate learning solutions were RMB240.3 million (US$34.2 million), compared with RMB318.6 million in the same period of last year. Revenues from subscription based corporate learning solutions were RMB221.7 million (US$31.6 million), compared with RMB271.1 million in the same period of last year. The change was primarily due to (i) the deconsolidation of CEIBS PG effective on January 15, 2024, resulting in a decrease of RMB46.1 million; and (ii) a net impact of RMB3.3 million from operational adjustments, driven by our strategic suspension of certain ancillary online teaching tools, partially offset by growth in corporate learning platform services. Revenues from non-subscription based corporate learning solutions were RMB18.6 million (US$2.7 million), compared with RMB47.5 million in the same period of last year. The change was primarily due to (i) the deconsolidation of CEIBS PG effective on January 15, 2024, resulting in a decrease of RMB20.9 million; and (ii) reduced offline activities reflecting our strategic shift towards subscription-based corporate learning solutions. Revenues from others were RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million), compared with RMB10.2 million in the same period of last year. The change primarily reflects fewer customized software projects completed in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, aligning with our strategic focus on corporate learning solutions. Cost of revenues Cost of revenues was RMB95.8 million (US$13.6 million), compared with RMB133.8 million in the same period of 2023, representing a decrease of 28.4%, mainly due to (i) the deconsolidation of CEIBS PG effective on January 15, 2024, resulting in a decrease of RMB22.7 million; (ii) lower instructor compensation costs due to reduced offline activities, aligning with our strategic shift towards subscription-based corporate learning solutions; and (iii) decreased staff expenses and third-party infrastructure costs through operational optimization. Sales and marketing expenses Sales and marketing expenses were RMB105.8 million (US$15.1 million), compared with RMB173.2 million in the same period of last year, representing a decrease of 38.9%, mainly due to (i) the deconsolidation of CEIBS PG effective on January 15, 2024, resulting in a decrease of RMB36.5 million; and (ii) reduced compensation and incentives through human resources optimization. Research and development expenses Research and development expenses were RMB90.6 million (US$12.9 million), compared with RMB136.8 million in the same period of 2023, representing a decrease of 33.8%, mainly due to (i) the deconsolidation of CEIBS PG effective on January 15, 2024, resulting in a decrease of RMB18.8 million; and (ii) reduced compensation through human resources optimization. General and administrative expenses General and administrative expenses were RMB75.0 million (US$10.7 million), compared with RMB117.1 million in the same period of 2023, representing a decrease of 35.9%, mainly due to (i) the deconsolidation of CEIBS PG effective on January 15, 2024, resulting in a decrease of RMB13.5 million; (ii) a RMB18.5 million decrease in share-based compensation following completion of certain share-based incentives amortization; and (iii) reduced professional fees. Net loss and adjusted net loss Net loss was RMB14.9 million (US$2.1 million), compared with a net loss of RMB245.3 million in the same period of last year. Adjusted net loss was RMB123.1 million (US$17.5 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB196.1 million in the same period of last year. Earnings/(loss) per share Basic and diluted net income per share was RMB5.02 (US$0.72), compared with basic and diluted net loss per share of RMB7.06 in the same period of last year. The improvement in earnings per share was primarily attributable to the deemed contribution to common shareholders due to modification and extinguishment of the Company’s convertible redeemable preferred shares on July 1, 2024. Balance Sheet As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and long-term bank deposits of RMB488.7 million (US$69.6 million), compared with RMB496.2 million as of December 31, 2023. Conference Call Information The Company's management team will hold a conference call at 8:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 (or 9:00 A.M. Beijing Time on Wednesday, November 27, 2024) to discuss the financial results. Details for the conference call are as follows: All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN, which can be used to join the conference call. A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.yxt.com/. Non-GAAP Financial Measures In evaluating our business, we consider and use adjusted net loss as a supplemental non-GAAP measure to review and assess our operating performance. Adjusted net loss is net loss excluding amortization of incremental intangible assets resulting from business combination, gain on deconsolidation of CEIBS PG, share-based compensation, change in fair value of derivative liabilities, net of income taxes, to the extent applicable. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We present the non-GAAP financial measure because it is used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. We also believe that the use of the non-GAAP measure facilitates investors’ assessment of our operating performance. The non-GAAP financial measure is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using the non-GAAP financial measure is that it does not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, the non-GAAP measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore its comparability may be limited. We compensate for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Exchange Rate Information This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi (“RMB”) amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the rate of RMB7.0176 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on September 30, 2024, set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollars amounts referred to could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. Safe Harbor Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to”, or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. About YXT.com As a technology company, YXT.com provides corporations with digital corporate learning solutions, including SaaS platforms, learning content, and other services. YXT.com is a leader and disruptor of the digital corporate learning industry in China. Established in 2011, YXT.com has supported Fortune 500 companies and other leading companies with their transformation and digitalization of learning and development, and has received recognition, respect and recurring business. Contact Robin Yang ICR, LLC YXT.IR@icrinc.com +1 (646) 405-4883
Streaming and betting are driving up the number of greyhound races in Wales, animal welfare campaigners have said. Greyhound Rescue Wales said streaming had played a big part in the “uplift” in races at Wales’ only track, Valley Stadium, which was licensed last year. But the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), the regulator for licensed greyhound racing, said the increase was due to the track becoming regulated, with formal safeguards and welfare measures now in place. The Welsh government is expected to publish its response to a consultation, which looked at a phased ban on greyhound racing, this autumn. Tim Doyle, the chief executive of Greyhound Rescue Wales, said the "main output of the Valley track, like most tracks in the UK, is to serve live streaming contracts”. He said the Valley Stadium, in Hengoed, Rhymney Valley, which was licensed by GBGB in August last year, held 42 races in November 2023 compared with 168 races last month. “A lot of people have this rose-tinted view of greyhound racing as a night out at the dogs [and] that the tracks are packed with people of an evening," said Mr Doyle. “That's not really where the majority of business is coming from." Mr Doyle said the industry had been steadily declining for the last 20 years, but he feared the streaming business model would keep it "clinging on" for longer. His organisation has been working with Gamban, a software that people can download to block gambling sites, to call for an end to greyhound racing in Wales. One of Gamban's founders, Matt Zarb-Cousin, described greyhound racing as "antiquated" and said races had become no more than "random betting events”. "It's an industry that unfortunately derives far too much of its revenues from people with gambling problems,” Mr Zarb-Cousin said. He criticised the gambling industry for the harm he said was caused to animals and people as part of its “pursuit of profit”. Both he and Mr Doyle raised concerns over the welfare of the animals and the regulation of the industry. "It's not regulation, it's self-regulation; it's regulated by the industry itself," Mr Doyle said. He pointed to GBGB figures which showed some 2,000 greyhounds died and more than 18,000 were injured on regulated tracks between 2018 and 2021. Mr Doyle said it was increasingly difficult to rehome greyhounds due to a "stagnation" in the number of people coming forward. This, he said, was due to the cost-of-living crisis and fears over rising vet bills. A Welsh government consultation looking at a phased ban of greyhound racing closed earlier this year. A spokesperson said it was expected to publish its response this autumn. That came after a petition signed by 35,000 people and a Senedd committee called for a "gradual" end to the sport in Wales. A petition in support of the sport also generated more than 10,000 signatures at the time. The GBGB said the increased activity at Valley Stadium was “about a previously unlicensed track – which had no formal safeguards in place around welfare – becoming regulated in Wales". It said the track welcomed a “strong, local core of racing enthusiasts who appreciate and enjoy the sport, and importantly, value the measures now in place to protect welfare”. "There is a vet on site at all times, a national network of experts offering advice and visiting trainers' residential kennels, and an extensive set of rules that ensure racing has the highest standards of welfare and integrity," a spokesperson added. They said it was because of those standards that "we are proud to uphold that British licensed greyhound racing remains a popular product of choice for broadcasters here and globally – something which... contributes £166 million to the British economy”. "Online betting on sport involving animals is something that cuts across horseracing, greyhound racing and other sports," they added. The spokesperson said that if its approach to improving the welfare of greyhound racing by regulating a previously unlicensed track was worthy of "scrutiny and criticism, then the BBC's multimillion-pound spend on horseracing is likewise in the dock”. Valley Racetrack declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council, the standards body for the regulated UK betting and gaming industry, said: "We welcome the significant improvement in facilities and standards at the Valley. "Last year, industry sponsorship for greyhound racing totalled £30,000 while in the same year, our members voluntarily donated over £7m to the British Greyhound Racing Fund for the welfare of greyhounds."
Pakistani authorities launch operation to clear Imran Khan supporters from the capitalReichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg Leads Suit Against South Coast Air Quality Management District's Effective Ban on Certain Gas AppliancesThe Pittsburgh Steelers take on what is typically an unenviable task -- traveling on a short week for a Thursday night primetime game. However, a few things are playing in Pittsburgh's favor as Week 12 of the NFL regular season kicks off. Namely, the "trip" to Cleveland is a little more than two hours by road and when the Steelers arrive there, they'll be facing a backup quarterback at the helm of a massively underwhelming 2-8 Browns team. The Steelers (8-2) are coming off a huge win over Baltimore to stay atop the AFC North. And Pittsburgh is beginning to set its sights on potential home-field advantage come playoff time. ODDS AND TRENDS The Steelers are a consensus 3.5-point favorite. That includes at BetRivers, where they have been backed by 80 percent of the spread-line money. Pittsburgh's -195 moneyline to simply win the game has been even more popular, drawing 95 percent of all money wagered. The Browns enter Thursday night having failed to cover the spread in nine of their past 12 games. Meanwhile, the Steelers have covered the spread in every game during their five-game win streak. The 37.0 total points line has seen the Over backed by 65 percent of the money and 70 percent of the total bets. Each of Cleveland's past eight November home games has gone under the total points line. PROP PICKS --Steelers WR George Pickens Over 50 Receiving Yards (-195 at DraftKings): Russell Wilson has thrown six touchdowns in the four games since he took over as the starting quarterback. Two of those have gone to Pickens, who has at least 74 receiving yards in each of those games. There is some concern that Pittsburgh gains a big early lead and turns to a run-heavy attack, but Wilson throws an excellent deep ball and that plays into Pickens' strength. This is the most popular player prop at the book. --Steelers RB Najee Harris Anytime TD (+100 at BetRivers): That potential for a run-heavy approach should benefit Harris, who found the sledding tough against Baltimore with 63 yards on the ground. He was also held out of the end zone for the second time in three games. Keep in mind that Cleveland has allowed only three touchdowns on the ground all season, but the Browns have allowed 12 through the air. Harris has a trio of scores on the ground and receiving through 10 games. KEY STAT The Browns have won the first quarter in five consecutive home games against the Steelers. THE NEWS The Steelers have certainly been locked in. They are currently riding a five-game winning streak, most recently edging the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 on Sunday. Chris Boswell booted six field goals against Baltimore, while Wilson completed 23 of 36 passes for 205 yards and an interception. Meanwhile, Cleveland continues to go through the wringer. The Browns ended up on the wrong end of a 35-14 blowout while facing the host New Orleans Saints on Sunday, marking their seventh loss in the past eight games. Cleveland now has to go up against one of the most unforgiving defenses in the league. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston is determined to direct a fundamentally sound performance against Pittsburgh, which allows the second-fewest points per game in the NFL (16.2). "It's precision passing. Getting the ball out on time. Elite operation and just doing our job. It's the simple things," Winston said. "This team (the Steelers) is not going to try and fool you. They're going to line up and say, 'Give us your best, we're going to give you our best.'" Winston threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns on 30-for-46 passing in the setback against New Orleans, with Jerry Jeudy hauling in six catches for 142 yards and a score. Star running back Nick Chubb continued to struggle since his return from a knee injury that cut his 2023 season short, finishing with 50 yards on 11 carries. INJURY REPORT The Browns could be without standout defensive end Myles Garrett, who missed practice on Tuesday because of a hip injury. Wide receiver Elijah Moore (shoulder), guard Joel Bitonio (pectoral) and cornerbacks Denzel Ward (ribs/ankle) and Greg Newsome II (shoulder) were among those limited during the session. Linebacker Alex Highsmith is dealing with an ankle issue and was ruled out by the Steelers along with cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring). THEY SAID IT Wilson is starting to feel like he might be part of something special, but he also doesn't want Pittsburgh to get ahead of itself. "I definitely think that we have a chance (to make a deep playoff run)," said Wilson, who has played in two Super Bowls. "I think the biggest thing for us is continuing to just take each week as the most important week of it all. "I think that it's not really even just the week, it's just the day, it's just the moments in between. I think the greatest teams, the greatest players, in any sport, especially the teams I've been on, is the moment -- it's never too far away. It's right here, right now. And you're just locked into that." PREDICTION Divisional road games on short weeks typically shape up as a daunting task. That's not the case for the Steelers, who will be hyper-focused to put this one out of reach early before enjoying 10 days ahead of a trip to Cleveland. With a second game against the Browns before a huge game at Philadelphia, this is not an under-manned opponent Pittsburgh will look past. --Steelers 27, Browns 19 --Field Level Media
Foley Automotive Update 26 November 2024Sports Fodder: Jeff Choate, no matter what happens this Saturday night in Las Vegas with the Fremont Cannon on the line, deserves a passing grade for his rookie season as the Nevada Wolf Pack's head coach. How, you might be wondering right now, can a coach get a passing grade for a 3-9 record and a current five-game losing streak with one game remaining in the season? Nobody is saying Choate has turned one of the worst programs in the nation the last two years into the hottest ticket in town. You can't, after all, even give Wolf Pack tickets away right now. If you went to a Wal Mart parking lot and stuck Pack tickets under everyone's windshield wipers, they'd toss them away like they were an offer to blacktop their driveway. Make no mistake, Choate's not the best thing to enter the Wolf Pack world since the first, second and third coming of Chris Ault. But he's also not Chris Tormey, Brian Polian and Ken Wilson. He's not all that innovative or creative and he never met a cliche he didn't like. He's just a coaching lifer blessed with a non-stop work ethic, toughness, confidence and a belief he's going to succeed. And that, right now, is certainly good enough. Choate's grade right now is a respectable C+ and we'll elevate that to a B-minus if he stuns those cocky Rebels on Saturday and opens a few cans of blue paint when he gets back to Northern Nevada. Yes, the Pack has lost nine of 12 games this year and that will likely be 10-of-13 by late Saturday night, if you believe the oddsmakers (who have been kind to the Pack and listed UNLV as just a 17-point favorite). Those oddsmakers, no doubt, have noticed that six of the Pack losses have been by seven points or less. Oddmakers tend to notice those things. Those six losses have also been by a combined total of a mere 25 points. Ken Wilson's Wolf Pack, as a reminder, lost by 36 in the final game of his head coaching career (42-6 to Wyoming). Wilson went 4-20 at Nevada with just four of his 20 losses by seven points or less. Turn just half of Choate's six close losses into wins and we're looking at a 6-6 record right now with a bowl game invite on the line on Saturday. Choate has restored competitiveness and confidence to this Pack program after two years of Wilson excuses following double-digit losses. Nobody is laughing at the Pack anymore. Choate deserves to come back for a second year. The wins will come soon. ••• All Wolf Pack seasons, we're well aware, are judged on a pass-fail system depending on the UNLV game. No B-minus, C-plus, A, B, C or D. Just pass or fail. Don't believe it? Jay Norvell's first Pack team in 2017 went 3-9 but he beat UNLV in the last game of the season. Pass. Chris Ault's 1994 Wolf Pack went 9-2 but he lost to UNLV in the last game of the season with a Las Vegas Bowl and Big West outright championship on the line. Fail. Yes, Ault still claims a share of the title since UNLV, the Pack and Southwestern Louisiana all finished 5-1 atop the Big West and gave everyone rings after the year. But that's Chris Ault, who was his own boss at the time. Pack fans, on the other hand, had a sick feeling in their stomach after losing to UNLV in 1994 that lasted until they played UNLV in 1995. You don't like it? Well, go coach Sacramento State. But if you do, you better beat UC Davis or you'll be picking up trash on the side of I-80 the next fall. That's college football. It's all about the rivalry game, the thing that separates college football from the less fortunate sports. A Wolf Pack win on Saturday would immediately jump into the top 10 of all Wolf Pack wins in school history. It's one thing to whip UNLV when the Rebels are inept, barely give an effort and are coached by guys who couldn't get a job parking cars at Caesar's Palace. It's quite another thing to beat a cocky, confident and motivated Rebels team coached by a guy who thinks Las Vegas is the epicenter of college football. This is the greatest UNLV football season in the history of its program. They've already won nine games. They are headed to a bowl game and they expect to be playing for their first Mountain West championship at Boise State on Dec. 6. The Rebels also clearly believe they will destroy the Pack this week and Boise State the following weekend and will deserve a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. It's hard to argue with them right now. The Rebels have won 18-of-25 games since coach Barry Odom took over the program before the 2023 season. Odom has yet to win fewer than nine games in a season since he moved to Las Vegas. The Rebels under Odom have taken over the state and aren't looking back. They play in one of the most lavish and garish stadiums in the country that just so happens to sit in arguably the most lavish and garish cities in the world. The Wolf Pack, though, could destroy it all on Saturday and also take home a red, soon-to-be-blue, cannon as a prize. It would be a victory not soon forgotten north of Tonopah and one that would ruin the Rebels holidays. In other words, it would be Pack perfect. ••• Saturday night could be more than just a little weird for Wolf Pack fans. We could be looking at a scenario where the Wolf Pack could be doing former head coach Jay Norvell (the last Pack coach to beat UNLV, in 2021) a huge favor. Norvell's Colorado State Rams need to beat Utah State on Friday and also need the Pack to beat UNLV in order for the Rams to earn a spot in the conference title game. Imagine that. The Wolf Pack doing Norvell, the man who sent the Pack into the tailspin in which it still spins, a solid. The guy deviously abandons the program and takes with him half a coaching staff and a dozen or so players and recruits and the Pack could help send him to the league title game. But don't worry, Pack fans. Sending Norvell to the title game wouldn't spoil a Wolf Pack victory celebration on Saturday because, well, a blue Fremont Cannon is the No. 1 goal of every Pack season. And don't forget, you'll likely get to witness Norvell and the Rams get destroyed in the Mountain West title game. But the best scenario, then, for Wolf Pack fans this weekend is for Utah State to beat Norvell and the Rams on Friday and for the Pack to beat UNLV on Saturday. It's not perfect. UNLV would still go to the league title game. But it would make for a wonderful post-Thanksgiving Saturday night for Pack fans, who deserve something to celebrate this year. We wouldn't have to watch Norvell in the league title game and we could also then watch UNLV in the title game knowing they took a loss to the Wolf Pack with them to Boise State. Dare to dream, Pack fans. ••• It is still a bit difficult to figure out how the Wolf Pack got to this point. We are all a bit numb because of all the losing the last three years. It now just seems like part of our fall ritual, you know, like we are the new UNLV fans of the 1990s. It's difficult to believe this is actually happening. The Wolf Pack, believe it or not, has lost 30 of its last 37 games since Norvell left town. Did you ever think you'd see the day when Pack football would lose 30-of-37 football games? Of course not. Chris Tormey, don't forget, was laughed at and fired after going 16-31 from 2000-03. The next Pack coach to go 16-31 will get a three-year contract extension. Did you ever think you'd see the day when Nevada would lose 20-of-22 conference football games? Are you kidding? Two league wins in three years? This is the same program, after all, that won three or more league games every year from 1978 through 1997 and again from 2001 through 2021. The Pack, by the way, is still looking for its first league win under keep-'em-close Choate. There is simply no excuse for such utter destruction to a once-proud football program. Norvell didn't do it. Yes, he put it in motion. But the Pack has nobody to blame but itself for what has happened in the last 37 games. Norvell is not the cause of a 7-30 record overall and 2-20 in league games. Chris Ault left the program three times, and the Pack never went more than one season without a winning record after he left all three times. The Pack hasn't even had a true winning month since Norvell left unless, of course, you count the 1-0 record in August 2022 to start the Wilson era and the 2-1 record in October 2023 when the Pack smartly scheduled a bye week to start the month. The Pack has had only seven winning weeks since Norvell's been gone. Ault had 25 winning seasons out of 28. The Pack, a program that once was competing with Boise State for league titles, has now turned into New Mexico and San Jose State. Then again, New Mexico is 5-6 and San Jose State is 6-5 this year so, truth be told, the Pack hopes to grow up someday to become New Mexico and San Jose State. This is how you can legitimately give a passing grade to a coach with a 3-9 record. ••• Choate, if he is going to mature into a truly great coach, needs to learn how to win games as much as his players need to learn that skill. Players, after all, come and go all the time. Bad coaches tend to linger for a while, stinking up the football landscape. Choate might think he knows how to win after spending so many years coaching at successful programs, such as Boise State from 2006-11 and Texas from 2021-23. But it's one thing to be an assistant coach at winning programs and quite another to be the head coach. See Ken Wilson. Choate has been a head coach for five seasons (four at Montana State) and already has three losing seasons. A loss on Saturday will give him an overall record as a head coach of 31-32. His conference record in the Big Sky and Mountain West will be 18-21. None of that screams College Football Playoff. That doesn't mean he's a mediocre coach waiting to be fired like so many others down through the years at Nevada not named Chris Ault. Choate, we remind you, is still a rookie Division I-A FBS head coach. He talks like he's Barry Switzer or Bear Bryant but that's just his personality. If he was an experienced FBS head coach this year he likely would have pushed, pulled and magically transformed that 3-9 record into something along the lines of 7-5. He's done it before. When he was a rookie FCS head coach at Montana State in 2016, his first four losses were by six points or less. The following year he lost three games by four points or less. Over his final two years at Montana State, he lost just two games by seven points or less. He matured. He grew. The Pack needs that same type of growth from him starting, well, now. The other improvement Choate needs to make is to continually upgrade his expectations. Choate, it seems, has understandably tempered his expectations this year. The guy, after all, went from the national title game with Texas last year immediately into the Pack mess. Choate has been content this year to simply do everything in his power to keep games close and keep his fingers crossed that the ball will bounce just right at critical times. He's said as much almost every week, constantly reminding us that his goal is to make sure it is a one-score game in the fourth quarter. Congratulations. Mission accomplished. Eight of the dozen Pack games this year were one-score games at the final buzzer and the Pack lost six of them. That's what tends to happen when you don't reach for the stars and simply reach for the mashed potatoes across the table at dinner time. Choate will learn that turning close losses into close wins, just like turning a winning record as an assistant coach into one as a head coach, can't just be based on keeping games close and hoping for the best. We'll accept mashed potatoes as the prize this year. Next year, the stars need to start coming into focus.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) This is a lovely day! In particular, it will make you feel good to get better organized. Those of you who are working today will appreciate the help of co-workers. In fact, a work-related flirtation or romance might begin today. Travel or get away somewhere if you can. Tonight: Good vibes. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) It’s a playful, fun-loving Saturday! Definitely make time today for some fun events. Meet a friend for a social outing. Travel. Enjoy sports events and playful activities with kids. Anything to do with the theater, the entertainment world or the hospitality industry will delight you. Enjoy your day! Tonight: Party! GEMINI (May 21-June 20) This is the perfect day to kick back and relax at home. Hang out in your robe, have a second cup of coffee and indulge yourself. This is a pleasant, lazy day. It’s also a romantic day filled with affectionate, passionate promise. Discussions with partners and spouses might be lively. Tonight: Entertain. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Make plans to hang out with someone today or to do something interesting with a spouse, partner or close friend. It’s a very pleasant day, and you feel sociable. You want to get out and see what’s happening. You are still primed to work hard, so you might combine work and pleasure. Tonight: Conversations! LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You have high energy this weekend from Mars; plus, the Sun and Mercury are urging you to enjoy yourself! Take a vacation. It’s a great time for social outings, the theater, the entertainment world, sports events and fun activities with kids. Tonight: Check your assets. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today the Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with fair Venus, which heightens your appreciation of beauty. It also makes today an excellent time for romance or any social gathering, because you will enjoy the company of others. Plan a party! Tonight: You’re strong. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You are the most social sign in the zodiac, and today is a wonderful day to entertain at home. However, because the Moon is “hiding” in your chart, you might want it to be an intimate, small gathering — perhaps even one friend visiting. It’s definitely a romantic day as well. Tonight: Privacy. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Get out and be active with friends and groups today, especially people exploring athletic, outdoor activity. This will make you feel pumped. You’re eager to socialize. Friendly vibes and flirtations might push a platonic friendship into something romantic. Tonight: Schmooze. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today you are high-viz, which means not only do people notice you more than usual, some people even know personal details about your private life. Do be aware of this in case you have to do some damage control. Money or moneymaking ideas might come your way today. Tonight: You shine! CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You’re up for some adventure or a change of scenery today, which is why this is the perfect day to do something different. Get out of town if you can. If not, explore your own city. Go someplace you’ve never been before. Talk to new people; educate yourself about other cultures. Learn something new! Tonight: Be ready. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Privacy, secret liaisons and hidden love affairs are issues that concern many Aquarians today. Nevertheless, this is also a great day to schmooze, especially younger people. Do be patient with spouses, partners and close friends while Mars is opposite your sign. Tonight: Check your finances. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) This is an excellent day to enjoy good times with friends. You will also enjoy the arts, good food and drink, and beautiful surroundings, which is why some of you might want to improve your home and make it look more attractive. Tonight: Listen.
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