Category Archives: Ascension

Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, havevoted to unionize.

The vote was 72 percent in favor of joining the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, according to a Sept. 21 union news release. The vote covers 800 nurses at Ascension Seton.

"As nurses, we always have and always will stand committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients," Geovana Hill, a registered nurse in the renal unit, said in the release. "We are looking forward to bargaining for a fair contract to improve patient safety, as well as competitive wages to keep Austin nurses working here in our community. We are more than ready to win a strong first contract, which will help with nursing staff retention."

National Nurses United has more than 175,000 members nationwide, including more than 2,500 other Texas-based union members in El Paso, Corpus Christi and Brownsville. Ascension Seton is part of St. Louis-based Ascension.

"Consistent with the ethical and religious directives for Catholic healthcare services, we respect our nurses' right to organize themselves through union representation," Ascension said in a statement shared with Becker's. "We are united in our commitment to care for our community and those that we are privileged to serve."

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Ascension nurses in Texas vote to unionize - Becker's Hospital Review

Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, (ASMCA) this week voted overwhelmingly, with 72 percent in favor, to join the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the largest nurses union in the United States. Nurses said they formed a union to win improved patient care standards and strong contracts, and they have seen NNOC/NNUs proven track record of doing just that in Texas and throughout the country.

"This victory is just the beginning, said Geovana Hill, a registered nurse in the renal unit. As nurses, we always have and always will stand committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. We are looking forward to bargaining for a fair contract to improve patient safety, as well as competitive wages to keep Austin nurses working here in our community. We are more than ready to win a strong first contract, which will help with nursing staff retention."

ASMCA is now the largest private-sector hospital in Texas to form a union.

We are so proud of the nurses at ASMCA who are coming together and using their collective power to benefit their community in Austin, said Jean Ross, RN and NNU president. We know it is difficult to organize a union, and some people may be unfamiliar with the benefits of unionization. But I can proudly share that NNOC/NNU has been able to secure contract provisions, as well as legislation, that improve the working conditions for nurses and the patient care that nurses are able to provide. ASMCA nurses will join that proud legacy to fight for their patients in Austin.

The 800 nurses at ASMCA will join more than 2,500 other Texas-based members of NNOC/NNU in El Paso, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville. In their contracts, these NNOC/NNU nurses have secured agreements from their hospitals which mandated stricter enforcement of staffing grids, improved infection control measures, including a provision requiring single-use optimal protection with a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patient. Other notable Texas wins have included wage increases of up to 19 percent over a three-year period and the creation of a committees to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on race, gender, age, and sexual orientation in hospital recruitment, retention, and promotion.

"Were thrilled that we won our union election here at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin and get to join our fellow union nurses across the state in Corpus Christi, El Paso, and Brownsville, said Taylor Critedon, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit. We hope that more nurses in Austin will organize and join us in fighting for the highest standards of care here in the state capital and throughout Texas."

Nurses say they are looking forward to working with ASMCA to address issues such as short-staffing and nursing staff recruitment and retention.

"During the pandemic, we saw lots of staff leave our hospital because of the worsening conditions, said Matthew Clark, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit. Ascension has more than enough money to retain nurses and provide better conditions. We are excited to use our collective voice to advocate for our patients by fighting for safer staffing and better working conditions."

ASMCA is owned by Ascension, one of the largest non-profit and Catholic health systems in the country. In fiscal year 2021, Ascension reported a net-income of more than $6.4 billion dollars.

Following the ratification of this week's vote, the nurses at ASCMA will form a bargaining committee and begin negotiating a first contract with the hospital administration.

National Nurses Organizing Committee is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 175,000 members nationwide.

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Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, vote by landslide to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United -...

Staff Report| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

The Ascension Council on Aging is holding its annual membership drive until Oct. 3. Membership in the council is open without restrictions to parish residents who have reached the age of majority. There is no fee for membership. Persons interested in the problems and concerns of the elderly and wishing to serve in some capacity may apply at 101 Bocage Drive, Donaldsonville, and 526 S. Irma Blvd., Gonzales.

Ascension Council on Aging is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, disability, or age. ACA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.

The annual meeting of the Ascension Council on Aging will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Gonzales Senior Center.

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Ascension Council on Aging membership drive continues through Oct. 3 - Weekly Citizen

Gator Tailgate coming

The Gator Tailgate and pep rally is Oct. 6 at The Pit. The senior vs. junior powder puff game is at 5:30 p.m. The pep rally is at 7 p.m. Wear orange and bring a chair. Performances will include the band and a DJ, as well as the color guard, cheerleaders and Gatorettes. Free jambalaya and water will be served.

Bandboree will be at The Pit at St. Amant Middle School, 44317 La. 429, St. Amant, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Bands performing will include Catholic High, East Ascension High, Denham Springs High, Walker High, Dutchtown High and St. Amant High. The event will end with a mass band/drum line performance.

Colonial Stables is holding a Farm Day Experience, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at 38297 Cornerview Road, Gonzales. Inflatables, horse rides, hay rides, roping games and a petting zoo will be available.

Bearded Events and Colonial Stables are hosting a Food Truck Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at the stables, 38297 Cornerview Road, in Gonzales.

Make plans to visit the health and wellness fair at Ascension Parish Librarys Gonzales locationfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Sept. 22. Take advantage of free blood pressure checks and screenings provided by Our Lady of the Lake Ascension. Speak with representatives from community organizations about health care services and resources. Sign up to be a blood stem cell donor to help patients fight blood diseases like leukemia and sickle cell.

Historian Raffi Andonian believes studying people and events of the past can shape how we understand the world today. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the librarys Gonzales location, Andonian will present the differences between historic sites and monuments and how we can better understand each situation. His presentation will cover why history should be remembered, what is to be remembered, how history should be retained, and what it means to remember the past.

Ascension Parish Clerk of Court Bridget Morris Hanna announced her office is holding a new election commissioner school at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Gonzales courthouse building and at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the courthouse in Donaldsonville.

Only one session is required to complete the training. For information, visit http://www.ascensionclerk.com or call (225) 473-9866 or (225) 621-8400, ext. 304.

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Around Ascension for Sept. 21, 2022 | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate

More than 500,000 years ago, the ancestors of Neanderthals and modern humans were migrating around the world when a pivotal genetic mutation caused some of their brains to improve suddenly. This mutation,researchers report inScience, drastically increased the number of brain cells in the hominins that preceded modern humans, probably giving them a cognitive advantage over their Neanderthal cousins.

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To neuroscientists Anneline Pinson and Wieland Huttner at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany, one gene stood out.TKTL1encodes a protein that is made when a fetuss brain is first developing. A mutation in the human version changed one amino acid, resulting in a protein that is different from those found in hominin ancestors, Neanderthals and non-human primates.

Fossil records suggest that human and Neanderthal brains were roughly the same size, meaning that the neocortices of modern humans are either denser or take up a larger portion of the brain. Huttner and Pinson were surprised that such a small genetic change could affect neocortical development so drastically. It was a coincidental mutation that had enormous consequences, Huttner says.

Pinson says that the Neanderthal version ofTKTL1 is rare among humans today, but adds that its unknown whether the mutation causes any disease or cognitive differences.

This is an excerpt. Read the full article here

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What drove the ascension of humanity? This one gene was critical - Genetic Literacy Project

One year ago, Carlos Alcaraz, a then 18-year-old Spaniard, made his US Open debut. He entered unseeded, so he had to play in qualifiers, and he made it to the quarter-finals, beating highly ranked players like Cam Norrie and Stefanos Tsitsipas. After the tournament, he soared from 55 to 38 in the ATP player rankings. By all accounts, he is a remarkable young player with much potential.

Just a few days ago, Alcaraz, now 19 years old, won the 2022 US Open Mens Singles title. He entered the tournament as the third seed and beat highly ranked players Marin ili, Jannik Sinner, Francis Tiafoe and Casper Ruud on his way to the title. After his first Grand Slam win, he soared from four to the coveted number one spot on the ATP rankings.

Aside from young Alcarazs miraculous tournament run, the 2022 US Open was filled with surprises. Two of the semi-finalists were seeded over 20: Karen Khachanov and Francis Tiafoe, the latter of which beat Rafael Nadal, who has won a total of 22 Grand Slam titles (the most of any player ever) in the Round of 16 (the fourth round) of the tournament.

This absence of Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, who are widely considered to be the best mens players currently active and are collectively known as the Big Three, has become more and more common in recent tournaments. Djokovic has not been able to play in the Australian or US Opens because of his unvaccinated status. Federer just announced his retirement from professional tennis, and Nadal is dealing with both age and unlucky injuries. According to GiveMeSport, the 2020 US Open was the first time in 16 years that none of the Big Three appeared in a Grand Slam semi-final.

Because of this top tier of elite players, the later stages of the biggest tournaments have been boring for some time. One of the Big Three making deep runs and winning has become commonplace. There have only been four unique winners of Wimbledon over the past two decades, and taking Andy Murrays 2013 and 2016 wins away leaves the Big Three.

The US Open felt much more exciting this year and upsets were common. It felt as though anybody could make a deep run. It feels like what the womens scene has been experiencing for years now, with Serena Williamss fall from grace and recent retirement, with the rankings constantly in flux. I enjoy tuning into all of the Grand Slam tournaments, but I enjoy them even more when I cannot place a safe bet on who the winner might be, even if somebody my age winning one of them makes me feel like a failure.

So, what happens next? Is this state of the game the future or a fluke? Well, its hard to say.

The 40-year-old Federer just announced his retirement on Thursday, and unfortunately, as much as people may hope for him to pull a Michael Jordan and return at some point, the two consecutive knee surgeries do not instill great confidence. Even if he is medically in playing condition, hes aged out of the game. His last appearance was at Wimbledon 2021, where he lost in a quarter-final match to now-tenth-ranked Hubert Hurkacz in straight-sets. The younger folks can just run circles around him.

Unless Djokovic gets the COVID-19 vaccine, his long stint as one of the top ranked players may be over. Because of his unvaccinated status, he is ineligible for two of the biggest tournaments of the year, the Australian Open (which he has a very good record at) and the US Open. The Serbian has been an out-spoken anti-vaxxer since it became widely available and mandated by the aforementioned tournaments, and unless he changes his tune, he will not be able to earn enough points every year to reach the highest ranks.

Nadal is the only Big Three challenger currently playing in full, and his age is starting to show. His raw skill and finesse still makes him a dangerous opponent and GOAT-contender, but he is not the player he was five years ago. It probably will not be long until hes in Federers shoes.

While it will be sad to see these storied players go, I am glad their era is coming to a close. I am eager to see players such as Alcaraz, Tiafoe, Ruud, and my personal favorite, Tsitsipas, step further into the limelight. These players, and other highly ranked men like them, still possess elite levels of skill, but none are utterly dominant enough to own the Grand Slam scene like the Big Three have.

Soon, maybe my friends, colleagues and teammates will be able to vocally cheer on our favorite players without knowing in the back of our minds that their runs will inevitably end at the racquets of the long-reigning triumvirate.

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With Alcaraz's ascension, are we in a new era of professional men's tennis? - Villanovan

Another company likely comes to mind first when British speakers are mentioned, one that has continued to proliferate on the market with several successful new and vintage-styled models.

However, plenty of discerning tonehounds will tell you that Fane, a lesser-known U.K. manufacturer, deserves far more acclaim than its often given, while attesting that the companys speakers are among the best you can find, anywhere, and for any guitar-intended purpose.

Fane speakers were often the choice of powerful Hiwatt tube amps and cabs in the late 60s and 70s, and the companys acclaimed Axiom series carried that reputation into the late 90s and 2000s with models like the 100-watt AXA-12 Alnico.

In fact, more often than not, Fane designs have presented more robust and higher-power-handling speakers than the general run of electric guitar drivers inspired by the golden age of British amplification.

That was certainly the case with the Ascension F70 and A60 speakers that the company unveiled in the mid 2010s.

Now Fane has partnered once again with U.S. maker Avatar Speakers to expand the Ascension lineup with the F25, F30 and A30.

As their model numbers indicate, the two ceramic-magnet speakers and one Alnico follow the lower-power-handling template of other vintage-inspired models, aiming to deliver more pushed and detailed performances coupled to lower-powered amps, along with a dynamic and complex response when used in multiples to suit 50- and 100-watt rigs.

Made in the U.K., all three are classy-looking, well-built speakers

Made in the U.K., all three are classy-looking, well-built speakers, with pressed-steel chassis, tidy cone mounting and doping, and high-quality multi-tab solder connections.

Note that the rims have only four mounting holes, preventing use in amps that use eight bolts without some modification.

I tested each in an open-back 1x12 pine cabinet powered by an AC15 (opens in new tab) for classic Vox chime, a Friedman Dirty Shirley Mini set for lower-powered Plexi-inspired tones, and a tweed-Deluxe style amp, using a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Stratocaster.

If youre thinking the F25s 35-ounce ceramic magnet, ribbed British cone, 25-watt power handling and 98dB sensitivity hint strongly at the Celestion Greenback, youre correct, although this is no straight-up clone by any means.

However, the F25 does indeed seek to present that classic lighter-magnet delivery in a speaker thats easily driven into juicy breakup, with a guitar-flattering midforward response and a softer low end that wont threaten your bassists place in the mix.

In use, the F25 follows through on the premise, while proving that its far more than just a copy of the ubiquitous Greenback.

In addition to hitting the design touchstone sonically, the F25 is just a great-sounding all-round speaker

It gave a detailed and balanced performance, with a very classic-British character overall, particularly in that instantly identifiable warmer midrange and crackling high-end sizzle when hit with overdrive, although also with less of the overtly midforward haze that you get from many Greenback-inspired speakers.

Overall, I found it far less of a one-trick pony than that ubiquitous design often turns out to be, working surprisingly well with a broad variety of tones and playing styles.

Its impressively good as a single unit which isnt always the case with a very clear, musical presentation from clean amp settings, and dynamic pushed tones for crunchy power chords or leads.

In addition to hitting the design touchstone sonically, the F25 is just a great-sounding all-round speaker, and it is certainly one to consider if your amp isnt putting out more than 15 or 20 watts.

If you think youre seeing a pattern emerging in the step up from F25 to F30, youre likely on to something. This speakers bigger 60-ounce magnet, higher 100dB sensitivity and 30-watt power handling chases the traditional late 60s and 70s heavy magnet (a.k.a. H) speaker that was the punchier, more bass-heavy partner to the Greenbacks M magnet.

In use, the F30 delivers, too, with a tighter, crisper overall performance and a noticeably bigger low end.

This speaker is very articulate throughout its range, with a lot of immediacy and detail in a fast response that benefits swift picking, both clean and overdriven.

Another great speaker for the right application, and a high-quality rendition of its classic theme

Theres a little barkiness to the efficient F30, too, which really helps lead work cut through, but it can also give a slightly brittle impression with brighter amp settings, a characteristic that might lean it away from excelling in some Vox-styled amps.

Given the slightly scooped impression made by its bigger lows and more immediate highs, the F30 proved a surprisingly gutsy speaker for the Stratocaster, especially when bouncy SRV or fat Hendrix-like riffs were the aim.

And while +2dB might not sound like much in the efficiency department, it makes the F30 noticeably louder than the F25, an impression thats further enhanced by the increased overall articulation and bigger bass response.

All told, its another great speaker for the right application, and a high-quality rendition of its classic theme.

This is the one Alnico-magnet entrant amid the three newbies, and as such, both price and intentions set it somewhat apart from the F25 and F30.

The 35-ounce Alnico magnet delivers 100dB of efficiency with 30 watts of power handling, which should take us into famed Alnico Blue territory, specs-wise, in a speaker able to tolerate something like twice the power.

The result, it has to be said, is an extremely tasty-sounding speaker.

The A30 is sweet, articulate and loaded with the legendary chime that great Alnico speakers can deliver as a result of the slight softening of the compression, mixed with bountiful harmonic overtones and detailed sparkle in the highs.

Thrives in the middle, where its lush dimensionality, superb dynamics and lively shimmer help those sweet spot tones to truly shine

I also found it a great speaker for taking the bite and harshness out of an overly bright amp (approximated with some higher treble-control settings), yet without dulling or muting the high-frequency detail and extension in the least.

The A30s clean and edge-of-breakup tones are particularly musical, with a lush juiciness that really benefited all three test amps, showing how well an ostensibly British-voiced speaker can work with, for example, a tweed Deluxe (opens in new tab)-style amp.

It also responded well to overdriven tones, enhancing a softer, more vintage-voiced edge amid the grind, and delivered plenty of lead-enhancing wail when pushed hard.

Really, though, its a speaker that thrives in the middle, where its lush dimensionality, superb dynamics and lively shimmer help those sweet spot tones to truly shine.

Each of these new Ascension models provides a great option for guitarists shopping in their respective markets, and should be given serious consideration alongside the usual suspects.

The F30 is a very able speaker, and one that will help you cut through a muddy mix or give some guts to an underpowered amp. But I found the F25 and A30 impressive for their classic Brit-voiced grind and sweet musicality, respectively, and each of these speakers is deserving of an Editors Pick Award.

If anything, I think I enjoyed these lower-powered Fanes even more than the higher-powered Ascensions released some seven years ago, and thats really saying something.

Ascension F25

For: A great take on the Greenback formula, enhancing classic-rock crunch and lead tones with added balance and articulation

Against: Be aware of its lower power handling when used singly, when it will also be just a little soft in the low end.

Ascension F30

For: A loud, punchy speaker with firm lows and a lively, detailed response overall

Against: Potentially a little shrill in bright-leaning amps

Ascension A30

For: An extremely sweet, musical Alnico speaker that presents great clarity and harmonic sparkle, with plenty of volume

Against: At $265 its pricey and youll want to watch your power handling

For more information visit Avatar Speakers (opens in new tab).

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Fane Ascension F25, F30 and A30 Guitar Speakers Reviews - Guitar Player

Mike Stucka USA TODAY NETWORK| Donaldsonville Chief

Louisiana reported far fewer coronavirus cases in the week ending Sunday, adding 5,618 new cases. That's down 40% from the previous week's tally of 9,360 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Louisiana ranked 30th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the latest week coronavirus cases in the United States decreased 7.7% from the week before, with 436,694 cases reported. With 1.4% of the country's population, Louisiana had 1.29% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 24 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before.

Johns Hopkins University has been getting data on an erratic schedule from Louisiana, skewing week-to-week comparisons.

Ascension Parish reported 79 cases and minus one death in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 198 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 39,815 cases and 300 deaths.

Across Louisiana, cases fell in 58 parishes, with the best declines in East Baton Rouge Parish, with 319 cases from 678 a week earlier; in Lafayette Parish, with 276 cases from 564; and in Ouachita Parish, with 299 cases from 563.

>> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases

Within Louisiana, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in East Carroll Parish with 598 cases per 100,000 per week; Caldwell Parish with 544; and Union Parish with 344. The Centers for Disease Control says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week.

Adding the most new cases overall were Caddo Parish, with 421 cases; Orleans Parish, with 415 cases; and Jefferson Parish, with 350.

In Louisiana, 54 people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 46 people were reported dead.

A total of 1,448,503 people in Louisiana have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 17,977 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 95,658,236 people have tested positive and 1,053,419 people have died.

>> Track coronavirus cases across the United States

USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Sept. 18. Likely COVID patients admitted in the state:

Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation:

Hospitals in 15 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 14 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 22 states admitted more COVID-19 patients in the latest week than a week prior, the USA TODAY analysis of U.S. Health and Human Services data shows.

The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control. If you have questions about the data or the story, contact Mike Stucka at mstucka@gannett.com.

Originally posted here:

Ascension Parish reported 79 additional COVID-19 cases this week - Donaldsonville Chief

Football is unpredictable, and much like life, its ever changing.

Cade McNamara was Michigans starting quarterback in 2021, he played admirably for a team that beat Ohio State, won the Big Ten Championship, and made the College Football Playoff.

Nine months after Michigans loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, a new starting quarterback emerged in J.J. McCarthy.

McNamara started the season opener, McCarthy the second game. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said a determination would be made after the second game as to who would be the starting QB moving forward. It was McCarthy who emerged as the starter after Week 2 versus Hawaii, a game where McCarthy was 11-of-12 for 229 yards passing and three touchdowns.

McCarthy started Week 3 and performed very well once again, going 15-of-18 against UConn for 214 yards. The game was a 59-0 blowout, and McNamara received action. Unfortunately for McNamara, he was injured during his one drive on the field. Harbaugh told the media McNamaras foot was caught in the ground while he was getting hit on the side of the leg. McNamaras injury is unfortunate for him and the Michigan team. A speedy recovery will be whats hoped for, but life goes on and the team must roll with the changes.

McCarthy is now not only Michigans starting quarterback, hell be taking on a bigger leadership role while McNamara isnt able to physically go through the motions in practice. While McCarthy has an edge on McNamara in terms of arm talent and athleticism, theres no doubt McNamaras football IQ, presnap recognition, and his ability to read coverages have been a benefit to the Michigan offense and QB room. Now its on McCarthy to be at McNamaras level of awareness or higher.

McCarthy looks to be the real deal, a player who has been as advertised ever since he stepped foot on campus. McCarthy has been in Michigans system over a year at this point, and he seems ready to receive the keys to Michigans offense. They need him to be ready.

Its a tremendous honor by coach Harbaugh, McCarthy said on Saturday. Im gonna do the same thing that Cade would do, do everything I possibly can to win football games for this program. Work my butt off every single day, be prepared as much as possible, and play my heart out every single week.

McCarthy is high-energy, even in walkthroughs before games. Working hard with enthusiasm wont be a problem for him.

Talking about guys that have it, the it factor, Harbaugh said about McCarthy. He kind of wows me at walkthrough, just the way he bounces around and the enthusiasm he has for playing. Like a like a kid in a candy store, its fun to be around.

McCarthys infectious attitude can get him far, as can his abilities to create home run plays with his arm and his legs. However, McCarthy is making ball security a point of emphasis. Theres a fine line between aggressiveness and recklessness, and McCarthy is aware of the difference.

The ball is the program, protecting the ball is everything, McCarthy said after the win over UConn. Theres gonna be time and place for shots down the field like that. But in situations like third-and-long and youre on your side of the field, youve got to be smart there you cant just give the ball to the other team.

Another area of growth for McCarthy will be staying safe as a runner. McCarthy can scoot with the best of them, he has 4.5 40-yard dash speed, and he will be dangerous escaping pressure and running the read-option. Whats imperative is for McCarthy to be careful running the ball. Knowing when to get down, get out of bounds, avoid contact when possible, is the way to go. Dont take the big hit. McCarthy, a former hockey player, embraces contact, but he knows he has a responsibility to stay healthy.

Thats something Ive been having to work on because Im a hockey player in my background, so I love the contact, McCarthy said last week. Its coming down to the point where Im selfish when I just go out there and try to get hit and all that. Because I got the team on my back and I got to be healthy for them. Thats been a huge part as Im getting more experienced in this running game, being able to avoid those big hits and avoid those injuries.

In the evolving college footbal landscape it often takes a versatile athlete at quarterback to help lead a team to a championship, and theres no doubt McCarthy is dynamic. What remains to be seen is how quickly McCarthy ascends, if he can play at a high level consistently against the best teams on the schedule.

Big tests are looming for the 19 year old McCarthy. Theres Maryland next Saturday, theres Iowa on the road the week after, Penn State and Michigan State in October, and of course, Ohio State at the end of season. McCarthys story is just getting underway, and what he does between right now and the last time he wears a Michigan jersey will define his time in Ann Arbor.

McCarthy is taking a game-by-game approach to his improvement. Whether he has a good or bad game, once its over he wants to throw it into the ocean and move on to the next task at hand.

When McCarthy takes the field against Maryland it will be his 15th appearance with the Wolverines and his third career start. McCarthy is now getting a lot of time on task as the starter, and its expediting his growth as a player. The game isnt as fast to him, hes standing tall in the pocket with poise and going through his reads appropriately.

With every game, you just get more and more comfortable and being more and more comfortable, the progress is just gonna be exponential, McCarthy explained. Playing around these guys, their greatness rubs off on you and it makes things easy out there.

Getting through the reads, everythings slowing down, my mind is not racing anymore. Everythings just slowing down and I just feel at ease out there, I really do. And thats something that has changed from last year to this year. Through having those kind of experiences, it feels like its putting me on the exponential growth track.

Michigan had a great season in 2021, but thats now the bar for the program, and they aim to climb to new heights. Will McCarthy be the quarterback that helps Michigan get to the mountain top? Time will reveal that. What already has been revealed is J.J. McCarthy is an exciting player who could rapidly become the best quarterback of the Jim Harbaugh era.

McCarthy won a National Championship as a senior at IMG, a year where he threw for 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Now hell be looking to put together similar TD-to-INT ratios at Michigan along with postseason success.

Excerpt from:

J.J. McCarthys keys to ascension - Maize n Brew

Excuse me while I belt out some Elton John.

Rocket maaaaaan burning out his fuse up here alone

Raheim Rocket Sanders is in a class by himself. Unlike that classic hit song, which was based on a science fiction story about an astronaut who had regular visits to space because that was something we thought would one day be normal 50 years ago, Sanders ascension is happening on earth. The Arkansas ground game, specifically, is where Sanders worked overtime in the early part of 2022.

At the unofficial quarter-mark of the 2022 season, its becoming abundantly clear that the 227-pound sophomore is steamrolling his way to a first-team All-SEC season. His rise from solid rotational freshman to stud feature back is obvious to all, including Sam Pittman.

Pittman was asked after Saturdays nail-biter comeback win against Bobby Petrinos Missouri State squad why Dominique Johnson didnt play in his return from a knee injury. After all, Johnson and Sanders were separated by just 3 rushing yards in 2021.

Here was Pittmans response:

I didnt consider that as a slight to Johnson. That was a nod to Sanders, who has played at an All-American level so far.

Dont believe me? Through Week 3, Sanders ranks:

If we were talking about 3 games against cupcakes, thatd be one thing. Were not, though. Sanders faced a Cincinnati team fresh off a Playoff berth (albeit after it lost 9 players to the NFL Draft), South Carolina and Missouri State, which came in as a cupcake but only lost because it couldnt stop Sanders. In each game, he recorded at least 23 scrimmage touches, 125 all-purpose yards, 55 snaps and multiple catches out of the backfield.

Its clear that the game plan is no longer to split backfield work with 3 backs like it was last year with Sanders, Trelon Smith (now at UTSA) and Johnson, all of whom finished between 97-to-119 carries. Its now Sanders and KJ Jefferson, who have 112 of Arkansas 144 rushing attempts. The ESPN broadcast during the South Carolina game revealed was the heaviest running back-quarterback duo at the FBS level at 469 pounds.

Thunder and lightning? How about thunder and thunder?

To be fair, Sanders isnt just a power back. I mean, the guy is nicknamed Rocket, which he got playing youth football. Why? As he told Whole Hog Sports after his commitment in 2020, all I did was get the ball and ran towards the outside and he said he was good at jet sweeps and no one was able to catch me.

(It also made sense because his hometown of Rockledge, Fla. is located just 12 miles from the Kennedy Space Center, where they regularly launch rockets from.)

Sanders leads the SEC with 4 plays of 30 yards, and hes tied for 4th nationally with 3 plays of 40 yards. Theres no denying that he has remarkable breakaway speed for anyone, much less someone weighing in at 227 pounds. He ran an 11.31-second 100-meter dash in high school. If you can believe it, he actually didnt play football as a freshman he wanted to follow in brothers footsteps and focus on basketball and a knee injury his sophomore year at running back pushed him to shift to receiver. So he ended up getting more work as a receiver than as a running back when he was a 3-sport star at Rockledge High School (Fla.). Actually, he was your standard WR/RB/LB/KR. Thats right. Because who doesnt have a linebacker who also serves as a kick returner?

Sanders being listed as an athlete as a 4-star recruit made perfect sense, as does why his career has taken off.

He went to an ideal scheme for his skill set with Kendal Briles. The up-tempo, run-heavy spread concepts meant that Arkansas needed several backfield options and even true freshmen like Sanders and AJ Green got a chance to be part of the rotation in 2021. Nobody in the SEC ran the ball more often than Arkansas (588 carries), and nobody in Power 5 averaged as many rushing yards as Arkansas (228 yards/game). The Hogs had the luxury of riding the hot hand and rotating fresh backs.

Johnsons injury combined with Smiths transfer opened the door for Sanders to get more run from the jump in Year 2. The 24 carries he got against South Carolina were a career-high, and as crazy as it sounds, that was 1 fewer carry than he had in his entire career as a varsity football player.

So why does it somehow always look like Sanders is shot out of a cannon? He certainly looks like someone with fresh legs.

By the way, that catch and run came with Arkansas trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter against FCS Missouri State. The Hogs needed all 24 touches and 242 scrimmage yards from the sophomore tailback.

Maybe its just the fact that hes doing big things in an Arkansas uniform while rocking No. 5, but Sanders is going to get all sorts of Darren McFadden comps if he keeps this up. Its probably unrealistic to expect Sanders to hit McFaddens program record of 325 rushing attempts (hes on pace for 286), but with Sanders running behind PFFs No. 2 offensive line in America so far, maybe there could be some competition atop the single-season rushing leaderboard. As it stands, McFadden has the 2 best rushing seasons in Arkansas history with 1,830 yards in 2007 and 1,647 yards in 2006. Sanders 13-game pace is at 1,907 yards.

Its early, but its hard not to be bullish about Sanders. Hear Briles talk about him and youll be even more sold that hes ready for superstardom.

Time will tell how Sanders workload evolves over the course of the season. Someone who has never averaged more than 9 carries per game at the high school or FBS level is going to endure a season unlike any hes ever had, even in the likely event that Johnson works his way back into the rotation. But any thought of an even backfield split is in the past with how well Sanders came out of the gates to kick off 2022.

It went under the radar that Pittman actually said in August that Sanders would get the majority of the carries as long as he was fresh. It made sense with Johnson still working his way back from a knee injury he suffered in the Outback Bowl and with Smith no longer in the backfield as the elder statesman. Preseason love aside, it was hard to imagine that Sanders would look this fresh.

Quickly, Sanders became the best player on a top-10 team. Saturdays primetime matchup against A&M will go a long way in determining whether the Sanders buzz continues to soar. Win or lose, the promising start to his career has many coming to the same conclusion.

Dont bet on the Rocket Mans fuse burning out anytime soon.

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OGara: Why its clear that Rocket Sanders first-team All-SEC campaign is beginning its ... - Saturday Down South