CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginias top tailback, Taquan Smoke Mizzell, is looking forward to getting a break from grueling practices.Mizzell and his teammates will get that break this week when the Cavaliers open the Bronco Mendenhall era Saturday by hosting highly regarded Richmond of the Championship Subdivision.Im looking forward to the games, honestly, Mizzell said Monday. Practice has been kind of tough. Conditioning has been tough, but I dont think (the game) is going to be anything like the practices that weve been having.Mendenhall promised the Cavaliers they would work harder than they ever have, and harder than they ever believed they could, when he was hired last December. The players say that has been the case, and getting a chance to see how that commitment pays off in a game has them eager to get started.Obviously youre always excited for the first game of the year, but I think we just want to show the fans just how much hard work has really gone into what weve been doing and that were trying to flip the culture here, said inside linebacker Micah Kiser, who was selected in a vote by the players as one of three team captains.Thats probably the biggest word -- culture -- from the entrance to what we wear to how we play. Most importantly how we play, Kiser said. Were definitely trying to change the culture here, come out play smart, tough, aggressive, and really not make a lot of mental mistakes or a lot of penalties that was holding us back in the past.The Spiders advanced to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs last season before losing to eventual national champion North Dakota State. They have lost 10 straight in the series, but are highly ranked again heading into this season.I think this is a football team that is really well coached and they know how to win, Mendenhall said. That in and of itself is hard to earn, and they have done that.Mendenhall compiled a 99-43 record in 11 seasons at BYU. He talks of when, not if, Virginia will be a winning team again. The coach said hes anxious to see how his team performs as it begins that transformation.It will be a step-by-step process, he said. Were not going to launch right to the top of the ACC or the polls in Game One. Weve hardly practiced how to come out of the tunnel for heavens sakes to get onto the field, or where players come off the field for breaks. Theres a lot of new things happening here.The coaching staff saved one of the more memorable events of the new era for last Saturday night. Thats when the team gathered in the locker room at Scott Stadium and 61 of them were allowed to choose their jersey and number. The remaining players have not yet earned the right to make a selection, Mendenhall said.The players, broken up into task units, decided in what order their peers could select their number as the coaches looked on.That was probably one of the most special moments Ive had at UVA, center and offensive captain Jackson Matteo said. Its unexplainable, finally coming together as a team and being able to choose the jersey or, as coach Mendenhall calls it, `the treasure that youre going to be putting on your back for an entire season.---The APs college football page: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr SWell Marble Bottle Uk . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Swell White Marble Bottle .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. http://www.ukswellbottle.com/ . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Swell Bottle 17 Oz Sale . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Swell Traveler Uk . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. PHILADELPHIA -- Cam Newton should start wearing khakis and a navy blue blazer on team flights.The reigning NFL MVP was benched to start Carolinas loss at Seattle because of a dress code violation. Derek Anderson was under center for the first play and threw an interception .Newton returned for the next series, but the defending NFC champion Panthers (4-8) were blown out by the Seahawks (8-3-1).Newton is known for his colorful, stylish wardrobe, but he was punished by coach Ron Rivera for failing to wear a tie on the trip to Seattle.The best way for Newton to avoid any future violations is to ignore fashion and dress boring.Here are other overreactions following Week 13:OVERREACTION: Tom Brady and the Patriots dont miss Rob Gronkowski. They had 402 total yards in a 26-10 win against the Rams.REALISTIC REACTION: They were 4 for 16 on third down. It didnt matter against the Rams (4-8), but that can hurt them in the playoffs.---OVERREACTION: Dan Quinns decision to go for the 2-point conversion was a bonehead call that cost the Falcons a win against the Chiefs.REALISTIC REACTION: Every coach would try to extend a 1-point lead to three late in the fourth quarter.---OVERREACTION: The Pack is back. Aaron Rodgers will lead Green Bay (6-6) to a division title.REALISTIC REACTION: They still trail the Lions (8-4) by two games with four left.---OVERREACTION: Doug Pederson is on the hot seat in Philadelphia after going 2-7 following a 3-0 start.REALISTIC REACTION: The Eagles are regressing in a rebuildinng year but owner Jeffrey Lurie wont pull the plug on Pederson after one season with a rookie quarterback.dddddddddddd---OVERREACTION: Baltimore (7-5) proved it is the team to beat in the AFC North with a dominant 38-6 win over Miami.REALISTIC REACTION: The Steelers (7-5) had an impressive win over the Giants (8-4).---OVERREACTION: Paxton Lynch cant lead the Broncos to wins against good teams.REALISTIC REACTION: With that defense, Lynch doesnt have to do much. Neither does Trevor Siemian when hes healthy enough to play.---OVERREACTION: Snow cost the Texans a win at Green Bay.REALISTIC REACTION: Perfect field conditions wouldnt have helped that offense.---OVERREACTION: Jordan Howard is another reason why teams shouldnt pick running backs on the first two days of the NFL draft. He was a fifth-round steal for the Bears.REALISTIC REACTION: Tell that to the Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott is an MVP candidate.---OVERREACTION: Dont count the Cardinals (5-6-1) out of the playoff race.REALISTIC REACTION: Nice win over the Redskins (6-5-1) but Arizona still trails four teams for the second NFC wild card.---OVERREACTION: The Chiefs-Raiders matchup Thursday night is an AFC championship preview.REALISTIC REACTION: Remember the Patriots?---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi ' ' '