Saturday:
(17) Ohio State vs. Miami (FL)
Penn State vs. Temple
Pittsburgh vs. Iowa
S.E. Missouri St. vs. Purdue
(7) Wisconsin vs. N. Illinois
Washington vs (11) Nebraska
South Carolina St. vs. Indiana
Miami (OH) vs. Minnesota
Northwestern vs. Army
Arizona State vs. Illinois

Upset Special:
(15) Michigan State vs. Notre Dame

Blowout Game:
Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan

Season Record: 28-8

Saturday:
Iowa vs. Iowa State
Florida Atlantic vs. (17) Michigan State
Oregon State vs. (8) Wisconsin
S. Dakota State vs. Illinois
E. Illinois vs. Northwestern
New Mexico State vs. Minnesota
(3) Alabama vs. (23) Penn State
Purdue vs. Rice
Virginia vs. Indiana
Fresno State vs. (10) Nebraska

Upset Special:
Notre Dame vs. Michigan

Blowout Game:
Toledo vs. (15) Ohio State

Season Record: 19-5

New Big Ten Conference logo. (PRNewsFoto/Big Ten Conference)

Thursday:
UNLV vs. (11) Wisconsin

Friday:
Youngstown State vs. (17) Michigan State

Saturday:
Northwestern vs. Boston College
Akron vs. (18) Ohio State
Indiana State vs. Penn State
Tennessee Tech vs. Iowa
Minnesota vs. USC
Western Michigan vs. Michigan
Arkansas State vs. Illinois
Ball State vs. Indiana

Upset Special:
Middle Tennessee vs. Purdue

Blowout Game:
Chattanooga vs. (10) Nebraska

Overall Season Record: 10-2

Seven years ago I knew very little about the Badger state. I had no clue how to pronounce Oconomowoc. I didn’t know “Get up, get outta here! Gone!” was a favorite saying. I had never tasted deer chislic or a cream puff. And, I had no idea that green and gold flowed through many natives’ veins.

During those seven years I grew to love the state of Wisconsin. There’s nothing like watching a Bo Ryan blowup at the Kohl Center or a Prince Fielder bomb that Miller Park can barely contain. There’s nothing like listening to Mike McCarthy talk about “passion” or Matt Bollant discuss the “Green Bay way”. There’s nothing like feeling the Brown County Arena floor shake with anticipation during a basketball sectional final or the reverberation from the Lambeau Field sound system after Aaron Rodgers darts into the endzone.

I have enjoyed each and every one of those moments and many others. I have enjoyed the people of Wisconsin even more. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to tell some of Wisconsin’s most terrific sports stories. Thank you for embracing this South Dakota girl who wanted nothing more than to do do a good job and be a credible source. To my colleagues, thank you for your friendship. I have learned so much from so many of you.

The next chapter of my life will be very different. I have accepted the PR Manager position with the Omaha Symphony. I am so very excited about this opportunity. Connecting with people is my passion and this is simply another avenue to engage in that.

With that, so long Wisconsin. You’ve been very good to me, and I hope I’ve been good to you.

Sincerely,

Paige

P.S. I will continue to interact on Twitter (@PAIGER33) and sports will be a major point of emphasis.

Brewers continue to struggle
The Milwaukee Brewers lost for the seventh time in eight games last night in falling to the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-3.  Brewers pitcher Randy Wolf gave up four runs in the top of the first and three more in the top of the third to put the game out of reach early.  The Brewers were still without All-Star slugger Ryan Braun who missed another game with a strained calf.  Braun’s status is still up in the air for today’s afternoon game in Milwaukee. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10pm.

(AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Clemens finally in court
Seven-time Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens was in court today for the start of his perjury trial.  Clemens is charged with lying about drug use after he told a House Committee under oath that he never used performance-enhancing drugs during his career.  The trial is expected to last into late August.  Here’s a look at the key figures in the case against Roger Clemens.

Lawyers back at it in New York
For the second consecutive day, lawyers for the NFL and players association were at work in the Big Apple sorting out paperwork that will hopefully expedite a resolution on a new collective bargaining agreement.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith are expected to return to negotiations tomorrow.

2018 Winter Olympics go to…
Pyeongchang, South Korea!  Pyeongchang defeated rivals Munich, Germany and Annecy, France. South Korea had failed in two previous attempts to get the winter games for both the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.

U.S. Women wrap up group play
The United States women’s soccer team wraps up group play against Sweden today.  A win or a draw secures Group C for the Americans, who have already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals.  Kickoff is set for 1:45pm.

Contador crashes in wild day at the Tour
Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador crashed during today’s 102-mile stage five ride across Brittany.  He was involved in one of of many crashes throughout the race that caused a few racers to drop out of the race.  Mark Cavendish of Britain won today’s Stage 5.

Tonight on FOX 11:

• The Brewers look to get back on track against the Diamondbacks, we’ll have highlights and reaction.
• We’ll take a look at roger Clemens’ first day in court.
• We’ll bring you the latest from the NFL.
• We’ll have highlights and reaction from the U.S. Women’s soccer game against Sweden.
• Join Drew Smith and the rest of the FOX 11 Sports Team at 5:00pm and 9:00pm

Join us each day at Noon on www.fox11online.com for the “Lunch Break.”

Content from the Associated Press was used in this article

On Twitter: @josh_morgan

(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Welcome to this post 4th of July edition of the Lunch Break!  Here are the latest headlines from around the sports world.

Brewers continue to struggle
Even at the friendly confines of Miller Park, the Milwaukee Brewers found a way to drop another game.  This one to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  After leading 6-1, the D’Backs scored seven unanswered to send the Brewers to their sixth loss in seven games. The crew have been without slugger Ryan Braun who is recovering from a calf injury. There is no word on whether Braun will suit up for tonight’s game two against Arizona.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm.

Pujols could be back tonight
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols could be back in action as soon as tonight, returning from a fractured wrist he suffered on June 19th.  Pujols was initially expected to miss 4-6 weeks but a CT scan on Friday showed the injury was progressing rapidly.  The Cardinals lead the Brewers by one game in the National League Central.

NFL owners, players to resume talks Tuesday
Another day, another round of negotiations on the NFL labor front.  A day after a group of NFL retirees filed class action lawsuit against both the league and the union, to be included in the talks, the two sides are expected to meet again in New York.  The sides have met five times over the last few weeks but still no resolution appears imminent.  Sources within the NFL have said that July 14th is a “drop dead date” to have a deal done without affecting the start of training camp or the preseason.

Woods to miss British Open
Tiger Woods says he will not play in the British Open as he continues to recover from pain in his left knee and achilles.  Woods said on his website that he was advised by doctors not to play in the third major of the season.  Woods said last week that he would not return to competition until he was 100 percent recovered.  Tiger has dropped all the way to  17th in the latest World Golf Rankings.

Evans wins Stage Four, Hushovd leads
Cadel Evans of Australia won stage four of the Tour de France today, while Norway’s Thor Hushovd maintained his overall lead.  Defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain is in 69th place, and trails his main rival, Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, by 1 minute, 38 seconds.

Tonight on FOX 11:

• We’ll hear from the Milwaukee Brewers as they get set for game two against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• We’ll have the latest from the NFL, as negotiations continue on a new collective bargaining agreement.
• Another major missed for Tiger, we’ll have the latest on his continued fall from greatness.
• The Tour de France is four stages in, how do they favorites stack up?  We’ll have an update.
• Join Drew Smith and the rest of the FOX 11 Sports Team at 5:00pm and 9:00pm.

Join us each day at Noon on www.fox11online.com for the “Lunch Break.”

Content from the Associated Press was used in this article

On Twitter: @josh_morgan

(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Sharapova, Kvitova to Wimbledon final
Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova will meet in the women’s Wimbledon final after both won their matches this morning. The men’s semifinals are tomorrow with three of the top four seeds remaining in the tournament.

Owners, players back to the bargaining table
After taking a day off from negotiations, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith were joined by a group of owners and players to continue negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. The group met in Minneapolis with U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.  There has still been no timetable set for a deal to be reached and no deal appears imminent at this time.

Lockout looms in the NBA
Speaking of lockouts, the NBA is frantically working on a new labor deal, just 12 hours before the current agreement is set to expire. If a deal is not is not reached by the end of the day the owners could lock the players out.  There is a possibility that the deadline could be extended if progress has been made.  This would be the first work stoppage since 1998-99.

Brewers hope to avoid sweep in the Bronx
The Milwaukee Brewers will look to avoid a sweep in New York this afternoon after dropping the first two games of the series to the Yankees.  After a 5-2 loss in game two, the Brewers will send Randy Wolf to the mound to face former Brewer C.C. Sabathia. Game time is set for 12:05pm.

Tonight on FOX 11:

• We’ll have highlights and reaction from the Brewers final game in New York.
• We’ll have the latest on the NFL and NBA labor talks
• And we’ll hear from a local soccer coach who fulfilled a promise by getting a tattoo!  Our Doug Ritchay has that story.
• Join Drew Smith and the rest of the FOX 11 Sports Team at 5:00pm and 9:00pm

Join us each day at Noon on www.fox11online.com for the “Lunch Break.”

Content from the Associated Press was used in this article

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Federer out at Wimbledon
Six-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer was upset by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals at Wimbldeon this morning. Federer won the first two sets before losing the final three.  Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray all advanced to the semifinals as well.

Gamecocks do it again
The South Carolina Gamecocks beat Florida 4-2 on Tuesday night to claim the College World Series.  It is the second straight national title for South Carolina, who beat UCLA in last year’s championship round.

Brewers struggle in the Bronx
The Milwaukee Brewers will look to bounce back today after losing big to the New York Yankees last night in the Big Apple. Shawn Marcum will look to even the series for the crew who only got two innings from ace Zack Greinke in the opener.  Game time is set for 6:05pm.

Timber Rattlers head to Miller Park
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Peoria Chiefs will play tonight at Miller Park in the “Border Battle.”  This has become an annual tradition for these two teams.  Game time is set for 7:05pm.

Goodell, Smith meet with rookies in Florida
Leaders of the NFL and NFLPA talked with first-year players at the rookie symposium today.  Both Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith were on hand to answer questions from the rookies. One question that was not answered was when the lockout was going to end.  However, the joint appearance by the two leaders makes it appear things are moving in the right direction.

Tonight on FOX 11

• We’ll look at the latest in the NFL labor situation.  Does the appearance at the rookie symposium mean a deal is imminent?
• With Roger Federer out at Wimbledon, can anyone beat Rafael Nadal?
• One of the newest Bucks, Steven Jackson, will address the media for the first time today
• We’ll also look at the final day of the huge youth soccer tournament in Appleton

Join us each day at Noon on www.fox11online.com for the “Lunch Break.”

Content from the Associated Press was used in this article

(AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds)

Hopes are high in Madison
One day after the announcement that former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson would be transferring to Wisconsin, expectations have sky-rocketed.  With no QB on the current roster that had ever started a game, Wilson fills a hole that could make the Badgers the favorite in the Big Ten.  Badgers head coach Bret Bielema is expected to address the media today at noon.

World Cup run starts for the United States
The United States women’s soccer team began their quest in the World Cup today in Germany.  The Americans opened up with a 2-0 win over North Korea. In an earlier Group C match, Sweden topped Columbia 1-0.  The U.S. Is looking for their first World Cup title since 1999.

Women’s day at Wimbledon
Maria Sharapova has advanced in straight sets at Wimbledon after dominating Dominika Cibulkova, 6-1, 6-1, who upset world number one Caroline Wozniaki yesterday.  Sharapova advances to the semifinals.  The men are back in action tomorrow with quarterfinal play.

Labor talks likely in the NFL
According to the Associated Press, the negotiating teams for both the owners and the players are in Minneapolis today and are expected to get together for more labor talks.  The lockout is now in its fourth month, with most NFL training camps starting in about a month.  You can check out an interactive timeline of the labor talks here.

Brewers head to the Bronx
The Milwaukee Brewers look to extend their Central Division lead out East tonight as they travel to the Bronx for a three-game set against the Yankees.  New York holds the second-best record in the MLB at 45-31.  The Brewers have struggled on the road this season, only compiling 15 wins in 39 games.  Zack Grienke is on the hill for the Brewers and he will be opposed by Freddy Garcia.  Game time is 6:05pm.

College hoops legend passes away
The man who dunked home arguably the most historic shot in the history of college basketball, has died in a bus wreck in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Lorenzo Charles, who gave underdog N.C. State the national championship in 1983 was killed Monday when an empty bus he was driving crashed along the highway.  Charles was 47 years old.

Tonight on FOX 11:

• We’ll hear from head coach Bret Bielema as the Badgers head coach talks about his newest QB.
• We’ll have full highlights and reaction from the United States’ opening round match in the World Cup.
• And we’ll have the latest from the NFL as labor talks continue just a month before training camps are set to open.
• Join Drew Smith and the rest of the FOX 11 Sports Team at 5:00pm and 9:00pm!

Join us each day at Noon on www.fox11online.com for the “Lunch Break.”

Content from the Associated Press was used in this article

Brewers break out the brooms
The Milwaukee Brewers now hold a three game lead in the National League Central following a sweep of their interleague rival Minnesota Twins. Combine that with the Cardinals dropping three straight to the Toronto Blue Jays and the Brewers hold their biggest lead of the season.  The crew is off today and will open a three-game set against the New York Yankees in the Bronx on Tuesday.

Wilson commits to Badgers
Former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson is coming to Madison. The QB was released from his scholarship so he could play his final season at a different school.  Badgers head coach Bret Bielema announced this morning that Wilson has committed to play for Wisconsin. Wilson is eligible to play this year because he graduated from N.C. State in three years.

Preble names Donart head coach
Green Bay Preble has a new head football coach. Just announced this morning, Paul Donart, a longtime assistant at Preble, will take over for the legendary Pat Prochnow.  Prochnow retired last week after 35 years in the program. Donart becomes only the third coach in school history since 1955.

Players talk with attorney’s; no owners present
In the NFL, a small group of players met with attorneys in Minneapolis this morning. According to an AP source, no owners were present at these meetings.  More negotiations between the players union and the owners are expected this week.  We are now about a month away from the start of most NFL training camps.

Serena, Venus, Wozniaki out at Wimbledon
Defending Wimbledon champion Serena Williams was upset in the 4th round today at the All England Club.  Williams was beat in straight sets by Marion Bartoli.  Sister Venus was also bounced from the tournament in straight sets by Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.  Top-seeded Caroline Wozniaki was ousted in a three-set loss to Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.  Maria Sharapova did advance on the women’s side, while Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray all advanced in the men’s draw.

Dodgers file for bankruptcy protection
The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially filed for bankruptcy protection.  The move comes after Major League Baseball did not approve a multibillion-dollar TV deal last week.  Dodgers owner Frank McCourt made the move knowing the team would likely not be able to make payroll by June 30th without the TV contract.  Bankruptcy will allow the Dodgers time to seek a different media deal in hopes of stabilizing the franchise financially.

Tonight on FOX 11:

• We will have much more on the new hire of Paul Donart at Green Bay Preble.  FOX 11 Prep Expert Doug Ritchay will join us with the latest.
• We’ll take a closer look at the amazing home record of the Milwaukee Brewers, coming off that sweep of the Minnesota Twins.
• We’ll look at the signing of Russell Wilson as the Badgers were facing a huge question at QB.
• We’ll also announce this week’s Finish Line Challenge winner!
• Join Drew Smith and the rest of the FOX 11 Sports team tonight at 5:00pm and 9:00pm!

Join us each day at Noon on www.fox11online.com for the “Lunch Break.”

Content from the Associated Press was used in this article