Over the Dam - 6.20.09

--First of all, thanks to Connor, RVM, VD, and everyone else who filled in for me while I was gone on a trip that last few days-- they did such a good job you might haven't even noticed. I'm back now, with only one major vacation remaining on the summer schedule. 

--The 62nd Annual Les Schwab Bowl takes place tonight at Hillsboro Stadium right off of US 26. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m....  I'll be there on the LSB Staff, but I'll at least open up a thread for anyone who is interested in talking about Jack Lomax or any of the other players in the game. You'll be able to listen to the call from Bob Akamian, John Strong, and others on SportsRadio 95.5 The Game in Portland. All the information you need on the game, including rosters and photos, can be found at PrimeTime PDX's website. 

--Interesting Pac-10 news out of USC this morning as Kevin O'Neill (formerly UA's Interim head coach) has been named head coach of the Trojan basketball program. Paragon SC over at Conquest Chroincles (see prior link) wasn't exactly thrilled with the decision:

 I am just not seeing how this is going to help us. If he wasn't good enough to keep the job after being interim coach for Lute Olson what makes anyone believe he would be good enough for us. But hey! He has some pro experience so we have got that going for us...You can hear them laughing from all the way in Tucson.

--Paul Buker shed some light on OSU's pursuit of Giovanni Bernard, Yvenson's brother, in an post written on Thursday... Gio has OSU on his list, but there is a lot of competition. 

--Connor brought you the news on Thursday: SS Joey Wong is headed to the pros in the Rockies organization. It surprised me too. Jim Beseda has more on the story, with some quotes from Joey and Pat Casey. 

"Joey's been a great kid in our program, on and off the field," Casey said. "We'll really miss Joey. From a baseball standpoint, I was positive that if he physically got himself to change over the summer that he could really prove to people that he wasn't some late-round draft pick. "You bet, I wanted him to come back, because I thought it was in his best interest. But that's kind of the nature of the game."

--In the Alumni department, Sammie Stroughter has signed with the Bucs...

The Bucs signed another one of their draft picks today, and from the looks of things it won't be long before they sign a few others. Signing today was seventh-round pick Sammie Stroughter, a wide receiver out of Oregon State. Terms were not dislosed.

But instead of releasing just one player to make room on the roster for Stroughter, the Bucs released three. Let go were former USF wideout Amarri Jackson, linebacker Jamall Johnson and cornerback Evan McCollough. For Jackson this marks the second time in a year his bid for a Bucs roster spot fell short. Stroughter, who is expected to compete for time at slot receiver and in the return game, joins offensive lineman Xavier Fuller as the only two from among the team's six 2009 draft picks to sign so far.

--...And Brandon Hughes has signed a four-year deal with the Chargers:

Cornerback Brandon Hughes became the first member of the Chargers' 2009 draft class to sign a contract as the team's fifth-round pick inked a four-year deal Friday. "I'm blessed," Hughes said. "It's an exciting day. The Chargers showed a lot of faith in drafting me and now to be one step closer to being a part of what's going on here, it's awesome."

Remember... the Les Schwab Bowl is coming up tonight at 7:30 at Hillsboro Stadium. 

--Jake (jake.buildeingthedam@gmail.com)