COAST » challenge. Its a bump in the road, but

OXFORD, Miss. -- These should be grand times for Mississippis football program.And in many ways during Mondays first preseason practice, thats exactly how it felt. After all, the Rebels are coming off a 10-win season, including a Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma State, and are now a program thats viewed among the upper tier of the loaded Southeastern Conference.Senior quarterback Chad Kelly, a longshot Heisman Trophy candidate, was zinging passes. Talented defensive linemen like Breeland Speaks and Marquis Haynes looked imposing during drills. At almost every position, the Rebels had the look and feel of an elite program.I really like the look of our team, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. I love our coaching staff. The chemistry and consistency that weve been able to maintain here speaks to our core values and our administration.But all is not well in Oxford. An ongoing four-year NCAA investigation continues to hover over the football program, leaving an unmistakable feeling of uneasiness. Is a postseason ban coming? A suspension for Freeze? Or is it just the loss of some scholarships and a few years of probation that the university already self-imposed?Nobody knows. And until theres some clarity, the questions will continue.Freeze is adamant that while the outside world might be concerned about the NCAA investigation, it hasnt stole our joy at all.Kelly said its not even part of their world. Youre better off not reading anything on Twitter or newspapers or TV because it seems like they always want to talk about it. For us, weve just got to focus on football.Freeze and Ole Miss have good reason to make sure the focus remains on the field. The Rebels have a hard September schedule, starting with a neutral site opener against Florida State on Sept. 5. They also have back-to-back home games against Alabama and Georgia.Its not hard to motivate our kids, Freeze said. They understand whats in front of them.Kellys presence is maybe the top reason for why the Rebels are confident they can be a factor in the SECs Western Division. He threw for more than 4,000 yards in 2015 while also running for 500 yards in his first full season as a starter.There also are experienced receivers like Damoreea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo, along with tight end Evan Engram. On defense, the Rebels return five starters and several backups that had significant playing time last season. Veteran defensive tackle Issac Gross returns after missing most of last season with a neck injury and will bring what Freeze called a breath of fresh air.Ole Miss officials, meanwhile, are trying to ease off-the-field concerns.Athletic director Ross Bjork spent a sizable portion of his spring and summer addressing various fan groups. In some instances, the gatherings drew record crowds, with fans still on a high after the Sugar Bowl win and back-to-back victories over mighty Alabama.Bjork said he could sense the optimism, but also felt the concern about the NCAAs shadow.Ole Miss has already received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA, which includes 13 violations for the football program. The school released its response in May, but the case is in limbo while the school investigates more allegations involving former left tackle Laremy Tunsil.The key thats very important is saying, look, were not going anywhere. Were building a program to last, Bjork said in July. Were not a one-hit wonder. Were not just the last four years, were really building for the next 40 years.So I think thats how you have to approach it -- long-term success can happen. (The NCAA investigation) is a challenge. 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TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays try to clinch their American League Division Series with the Texas Rangers on Sunday in the minimum three games.They need only look back to the ALDS last year, however, to remind them how quickly things can turn.Last year, the Rangers won the first two games of the ALDS in Toronto and the Blue Jays swept the next three games to take the series.The roles are reversed this year with Toronto winning the first two games in Arlington, Texas.The Blue Jays are saying the right things.This thing is far from over, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. We need to keep playing great baseball. I said (Friday) down in Texas they had the best record in the American League for a reason. You dont luck into that. So weve got to come out and play good baseball. They have as much and more talent than most teams in all of baseball. So theyll be ready to go. So weve got to be ready to go.The Blue Jays start right-hander Aaron Sanchez (15-2, 3.00 ERA during the regular season) Sunday while the Rangers counter with right-hander Colby Lewis (6-5, 3.71 ERA).Its a situation, (an) all-hands-on deck must-win type of deal, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. Theres nobody not available to us. But, look, there will be no panic. There will be no reactionary type situation. It will be, I think, a well thought out, decision-making process, however the game unfolds for us. And I think about it this way: What a different scenario sitting here this time last year.The Blue Jays have injury concerns that could influence Game 3.They already are without reliever Joaquin Benoit, who is out for the series after tearing a calf muscle running from the bullpen to take part in the bench-clearing incident with the New York Yankees on Sept. 26.Now they are uncertain about the status of left-hander Francisco Liriano and second baseman Devon Travis.Liriano was struck on the back of the head Friday in Game 2 by a line-drive single hit by Rangerrs outfielder Carlos Gomez, a ball that continued into right center.dddddddddddd He has been diagnosed with a mild concussion. Liriano responded well to tests Saturday, but there is no timetable for a possible return.Toronto replaced Liriano on their ALDS roster with right-hander Danny Barnes. Under a new rule, Liriano would not have to miss the ALCS should they advance. Most injured players who are replaced during the postseason must miss the next series, but a concussion is an exception.Travis was scratched from the game Friday with a sore right knee. An MRI showed a bone bruise and no structural damage. He received a cortisone injection but there is no timetable for his return, either. Darwin Barney replaced Travis, who said he does not know how he was injured.Sanchez led the American League in ERA this season but had little success against the Rangers.In two starts against Texas this season, he was 0-0 with a 5.93 ERA in 13 2/3 innings. He allowed six runs in 6 2/3 innings against them the second time he faced them, May 15 at Globe Life Park.I dont want to take any game in the postseason as pressure, Sanchez said. Its still baseball. Its still 60 feet, six inches. Youve still got to get 27 outs. Maybe the stakes are a little higher but you try not to put any pressure on yourself ... this game is crazy.Lewis was 0-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two starts against the Blue Jays this season. He is 3-6 with a 6.17 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) against Toronto and 2-3, 5.81 in six starts at Rogers Centre.Lewis was asked Saturday if he felt a burden in trying to prolong the Rangers season.I dont feel like its a burden, he said. I feel like its an opportunity. ... I feel like its an opportunity for me to go out, perform, see what I can do, embrace it. So theres not any added pressure or anything like that. ' ' '