The Wiz of Odds

San Diego State Had Bowl Profit of About $11,000

Update: San Diego State's profit was $146,706, but the San Diego Union-Tribune story linked in this post is a big picture piece, taking into account bowl bonuses paid to coaches and other staffers. Thus the lower figure.

Teams looking to profit on the postseason might want to follow the lead of San Diego State.

The Aztecs turned a profit of about $11,000 on their trip to the Poinsettia Bowl, played only a few miles from campus in Qualcomm Stadium.

The combination of revenue from tickets sales and low transportation costs helped San Diego State finish on the plus side. The team was required to purchase 5,000 tickets, but exceeded that number by 3,184, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The game drew a record crowd of 48,049.

Transportation costs were only $21,000, including $2,500 for an escort from the California Highway Patrol.

Connecticut Lost Nearly $1.8 Million on Fiesta Trip

The losses from January's Fiesta Bowl continue to mount for the Connecticut athletic department.

If the 48-20 defeat to Oklahoma in front of a national TV audience didn't feel like a kick in the teeth, coach Randy Edsall resigned hours after the game to become coach at Maryland.

Now comes word that the university lost nearly $1.8 million on its trip to the Valley of the Sun.

Yes, prestige comes at a cost.

A Look at the Best of the Combine

It's time for the annual looked who scored and who soared at the NFL Scouting Combine, which concluded its six-day run Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Defensive back Demarcus Van Dyke of Miami earned the distinction of fastest player at the combine. He blazed a 4.28-second time in the 40-yard dash. That edged Louisiana State defensive back Patrick Peterson and Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott, each of whom clocked 4.34.

Oregon State defensive lineman Stephen Paea put on a Herculean display of strength. He benched 225 pounds a record 49 times. North Carolina defensive lineman Marvin Austin was second with 38 reps.

Nevada tight end Virgil Green recorded a vertical jump of 42.5 inches to edge Pittsburgh receiver Jonathan Baldwin, who went 42 inches.

The winner of the broad jump was Alabama receiver Julio Jones, who soared 11 feet 3 inches to outdistance Abilene Christian receiver Edmond Gates, who went 10 feet 11.

Oregon receiver Jeffrey Maehl set a record in the three-cone drill with a time of 6.42 seconds. That edged Tennessee Chattanooga defensive back Buster Skrine, who had a 6.44.

The 20-yard shuttle was won by Boise State receiver Austin Pettis. He clocked 3.88 seconds to beat Idaho defensive back Shiloh Keo (3.9) and Tennessee Chattanooga's Skrine (3.9).

Skine also won the 60-yard shuttle in a record 10.75 seconds. Citadel defensive back Cortez Allen was second in 10.87.

Here is a link to the top performers in each drill, by position. The NFL draft is April 28-30 in New York. The Carolina Panthers, with the No. 1 pick, are on the clock.