and security blanket last season. Mayfield at times looked hesitant to throw, and in one instance, he was sacked on a fourth-and-16 in the fourth quarter.A guy like Sterling always stepped up in big mome

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart says he doesnt understand why Jarrod Croker hasnt rated serious mention as a contender for NSW State of Origin.The Raiders skipper has been widely criticised for his defensive game but has improved markedly in 2016, according to Stuart.He has enjoyed one of his best seasons this year, and inspired his side to a 26-22 victory over the Warriors in golden point on Saturday to push them into the top four.Croker scored three tries, including the match-winning effort 90 seconds into extra time, had one try-assist plus five tackle busts and two line breaks.Hes got no greater supporter than myself, Stuart said.I dont understand why, outside of being picked, his name is not even mentioned (given) the consistency Jarrod has shown this year, the aggression hes got in his defence.The former Blues coach said his star centre gets blamed for a lot of the Raiders errors in defence, but insisted it was not all his fault.Jarrods defence has been so strong all season, he said.Theres other centres in the game that are missing tackles.Theres tries scored down those edges but that happens. Hes in an isolated position and a very tough position to defend but his consistency with every part of the game comes from the way he works off the field.Im really happy.Croker said he paid little attention to his critics or those talking up his chances of a Blues call-up.Im only worried about the people around me and the people in the club, he said.I dont buy into too much outside of that.Everyones entitled to their opinion, Im just happy to do my job and try and help the boys around me do their job. Sam Crawford Jersey . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Jose Iglesias Jersey . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. https://www.cheaptigers.com/1119z-victor-reyes-jersey-tigers.html . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Tigers Jerseys 2020 . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Al Kaline Jersey . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield entered the season high on many Heisman Trophy watch lists.After week one, hed settle for just winning a game.Mayfield put up big numbers in the season opener against Houston, but the third-ranked Sooners lost 33-23 to the 15th-ranked Cougars last Saturday. Mayfield took much of the blame and vowed to improve before Oklahoma opens its home slate Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.Ive just got to be better, he said. I know what to expect of myself, and knowing how the team reacts to my play, its even more important.Though Mayfield passed for 323 yards and two touchdowns, he was sacked five times and he missed open receivers at times and forced throws in other cases.Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Mayfield got greedy.I think probably pressing trying to make the big play instead of the simple play and the obvious play, Stoops said of some of the miscues.Mayfield went 9 for 9 for 162 yards and a touchdown in the first half and wasnt sacked. In the second half, he connected on 15 of 24 passes for 161 yards and a score, but he was sacked five times and he lost a fumble.I didnt get the ball out as quick as I wanted, Mayfield said of his second-half effort. They brought a couple different blitzes. Missed some holes where they left people open. Just decision making, knowing when theyre going to blitz and what kind of gaps theyre going to leave in their defense -- youve got to take advantage of it.Its a challenge for Mayfield to rein in his tendency to go for the big play. With his strong arm and ability to impprovise, he believes he can make something big out of nothing every time.ddddddddddddThats not how the offense operates, Stoops said. We had guys in certain spots that would have been easier throws and would have helped us.It was Mayfields first time in a pressure situation at Oklahoma without Sterling Shepard, his star receiver and security blanket last season. Mayfield at times looked hesitant to throw, and in one instance, he was sacked on a fourth-and-16 in the fourth quarter.A guy like Sterling always stepped up in big moments, so yeah, it hurts to lose him, but we have guys that should be able to step up, Mayfield said. Ive just got to get the ball out of my hands. At certain points, there were people open. Ive just got to get the ball out of my hands instead of scrambling around a little too much or just not taking a chance on them -- trusting what theyre doing and getting it in their hands.On the next drive, Mayfield trusted Mark Andrews, and the tight end made a spectacular grab in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown. Andrews catch ended an eight-play, 80-yard drive.It was kind of more of getting back to what we did in the first half -- tempo and doing what we do best, getting the ball out of my hand, not taking any sacks, not doing anything dumb, Mayfield said. Just moving the chains and keeping it moving.---AP college football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP . ' ' '