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Coral Springs Marriott cancels Muslim conference, organizers call move

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Coral Springs Marriott cancels Muslim conference, organizers call move


CORAL SPRINGS –  The South Florida Muslim Federation is upset after a hotel canceled the group’s conference days before the scheduled event.  

Critics claimed that speakers at the event would spread antisemitism. Marriott management heard enough to act. However, the response triggered cries of racism.

“We didn’t think racism would prevail in South Florida in this way,” Jalal Shehadah, a member of the federation said.

“There was so much evidence against this organization,” Joe Kaufman, a former politician who complained to hotel management about the event.

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The federation represents all mosques in the region to promote unity and support both Muslim and non-Muslim communities according to Shehadah.  Last year, the group partnered with the Miami Heat for “Muslim Night” at Kaseya Center during an NBA game.  The federation also hosted a forum with law enforcement in 2020.  Starting in 2023, the group began hosting a conference at the Marriott in Coral Springs.

However, Kaufman, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress three times in the past, wrote an article online that claimed the federation supports terrorism.

“We were concerned about a lot of the things the organization was promoting online and a number of the speakers who were supporting Hamas and antisemitism on social media,” Kaufman said.

The federation booked the hotel last May. The group sold 1000 tickets, hired 25 vendors, purchased airfare to bring speakers to the event and began promotion months ago.

One week before the conference, though, a petition that cites part of Kaufman’s article popped up online with thousands of signatures seeking to ban the conference.

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Kaufman and four others met with the hotel’s general manager.

Then, Shehadah’s phone ran with bad news.

“(Management) described that there were undesirable circumstances and they claimed that they could not get enough security to cover the event to allow us to have the event,” Shehadah said.  “Yet we’re the ones responsible for the security.  They didn’t ask us if we could get the security.”

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests and team members,” Mark C. Cherry, General Manager of the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel and Convention Center, said via email.  “We have determined that there is an increased risk to the safety and security of hotel guests, team members and the community with the South Florida Muslim Federation’s upcoming event at our hotel.  After careful consideration of these issues, we have made the decision not to host this event at our hotel this year.”

Shehadah said the federation and Muslims frequently use the hotel for other events.  The former member of the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council is more than hurt.  Shehadah said the federation is scrambling to find a new home for their conference.  He feels something bigger at stake too.

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“We have not been provided one credible threat that would support (the hotel canceling the conference),” he said.  “The only thing we’ve been provided are racist, baseless accusations that are built on an islamophobe’s bigoted point of view: that every Muslim is a terrorist.”

“If there were Muslims that wish to condemn Hamas and condemn this organization for having individuals speak here and promote Hamas and they’re condemning them with me I would hug them, shake their hand and want to work with them as I do many Muslims,” Kaufman said.

The federation is close to securing a new venue for the conference which begins Friday and ends Saturday, January 13th.

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Miami, FL

How to Watch Miami (OH) vs. Kent State: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 13, 2024

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How to Watch Miami (OH) vs. Kent State: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 13, 2024


Data Skrive

At 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the Kent State Golden Flashes (0-9) take on Keyon Mozee and the Miami (OH) RedHawks (5-4).

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The matchup is on ESPNU, if you’re searching for how to watch.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Bensley Joseph finds Corey Floyd Jr. for a TOUGH ALLEY-OOP dunk as Providence leads 47-43 vs. Hampton

Providence Friars’ Bensley Joseph found Corey Floyd Jr. for a tough alley-oop dunk against the Hampton Pirates.

Learn more about the Miami (OH) RedHawks and the Kent State Golden Flashes.

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How to Watch Miami (OH) vs. Kent State

  • When: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio
  • Live Box Score: FOX Sports

Read More About This Game

  • Miami (OH) vs. Kent State Predictions

Miami (OH) vs. Kent State: Head to Head

  • Against Kent State, Miami (OH) has totaled two wins over the past two matchups.
  • The RedHawks’ record ATS is 2-0 in the last two times they have gone up against the Golden Flashes while the scoring hasn’t managed to go over the total.
  • Kent State has scored 23 fewer points than Miami (OH) in their past two games.

Miami (OH)’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 at Northwestern L 13-6
9/14/2024 vs. Cincinnati L 27-16
9/21/2024 at Notre Dame L 28-3
9/28/2024 vs. UMass W 23-20
10/5/2024 at Toledo L 30-20
10/12/2024 at Eastern Michigan W 38-14
10/19/2024 vs. Ohio W 30-20
10/26/2024 vs. Central Michigan W 46-7
11/5/2024 at Ball State W 27-21
11/13/2024 vs. Kent State
11/19/2024 vs. Northern Illinois
11/29/2024 at Bowling Green

Miami (OH) 2024 Stats & Insights

  • Miami (OH) is totaling 352.8 yards per game on offense (99th in the FBS), and rank 39th on defense, yielding 335.4 yards allowed per game.
  • From an offensive standpoint, Miami (OH) ranks 71st in the FBS with 226.6 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the defense ranks 32nd in passing yards allowed per contest (194.1).
  • Defensively, the RedHawks have been a top-25 unit, ranking 25th-best by surrendering just 20 points per game. They rank 102nd on offense (23.2 points per game).
  • The RedHawks are averaging 126.2 rushing yards per game on offense, which ranks them 98th in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, they rank 59th, allowing 141.3 rushing yards per contest.
  • Miami (OH) has been a bottom-25 offense on third down this season, ranking 17th-worst with a 33.9% third-down conversion rate. Defensively, the RedHawks rank 95th in the FBS (42.1% third-down percentage allowed).
  • With 14 forced turnovers (45th in the FBS) against 10 turnovers committed (35th in the FBS), the RedHawks’ +4 turnover margin ranks 34th in college football.

Miami (OH) 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Brett Gabbert QB 1,946 YDS (57.8%) / 16 TD / 7 INT
Reginald Virgil WR 27 REC / 510 YDS / 6 TD / 56.7 YPG
Javon Tracy WR 37 REC / 514 YDS / 5 TD / 57.1 YPG
Keyon Mozee RB 650 YDS / 2 TD / 72.2 YPG / 6 YPC
Matthew Salopek LB 60 TKL / 4 TFL / 1 SACK / 2 INT
Brian Ugwu DL 33 TKL / 7 TFL / 4 SACK
Corban Hondru LB 33 TKL / 2 TFL / 1.5 SACK / 3 INT
Eli Blakey DB 48 TKL / 0 TFL

Kent State’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 at Pittsburgh L 55-24
9/7/2024 vs. St. Francis (PA) L 23-17
9/14/2024 at Tennessee L 71-0
9/21/2024 at Penn State L 56-0
9/28/2024 vs. Eastern Michigan L 52-33
10/12/2024 vs. Ball State L 37-35
10/19/2024 at Bowling Green L 27-6
10/26/2024 at Western Michigan L 52-21
11/6/2024 vs. Ohio L 41-0
11/13/2024 at Miami (OH)
11/19/2024 vs. Akron
11/26/2024 at Buffalo

Kent State 2024 Stats & Insights

  • Kent State has plenty of room to get better, as it ranks worst in total yards per game (235.8) and worst in total yards allowed per game (526.9).
  • In terms of passing, this season has been hard for Kent State on both offense and defense, as it is posting just 161.3 passing yards per contest (10th-worst) and ceding 263.1 passing yards per game (15th-worst).
  • The Golden Flashes have plenty of room to improve, as they rank second-worst in points per game (15.1) this season and worst in points surrendered per game (46).
  • In terms of rushing, this season has been ugly for the Golden Flashes on both sides of the ball, as they are compiling just 74.4 rushing yards per contest (worst) and allowing 263.8 rushing yards per game (worst).
  • In terms of third-down efficiency, this season has been difficult for Kent State on both sides of the ball, as it is averaging a 19.3% third-down conversion rate (worst) and allowing a 47.9% conversion rate (seventh-worst).
  • The Golden Flashes have fared poorly in terms of turnovers, as the team’s turnover margin of -10 is ninth-worst in the FBS.

Kent State 2024 Key Players

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Meet CBS Miami Nat Moore Trophy nominee American Heritage wide receiver Malachi Toney

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Meet CBS Miami Nat Moore Trophy nominee American Heritage wide receiver Malachi Toney


FORT LAUDERDALE – CBS News Miami is once again on the hunt for the most outstanding high school football player in South Florida.  

This week’s Nat Moore Trophy nominee goes to American Heritage wide receiver Malachi Toney, who as a freshman already had college football teams looking to recruit him. He has reclassified from the 2026 to 2025 class.

And he has a specific group of people to thank for his drive.

Toney has always been a confident player but his freshman year things changed.

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“My first game I had 103 yards a freshman,” Toney said. “That’s when I was like I could really do it. That motivated me and put a lot of confidence in me.”

He’s kept that skill level up, with more than 40 Division I offers this year.

“I had 30 as a freshman,” Toney said.

It all started when he was younger.

“My uncle used to take us to the beach,” Toney said.  “I used to play tackle in the streets with my brothers. It’s just been my first love”

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But he wouldn’t have been here without women. He credits his success solely to the strong women in his family.

“Growing up I didn’t have the most money but my mom still grind and put shoes and clothes on our back and feet so for her I’ll be forever grateful and thankful,” he said.

This past August, he lost a core member of his support group.

His aunt Reba lost her battle against cancer.

“We grew up together,” he said. “She helped my mom raise me to the young man I am today.”

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He said he’s making it to the NFL to support the women who’ve supported him, especially his late aunt Reba.

“So for her I gotta fulfill my destiny,” Toney  said. “There is no other plan, no other option.”

The four finalists will be announced at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 live on CBS News Miami and streaming. Mike Cugno will be live from Hard Rock Stadium will interview this year’s class .

You too can nominate your favorite high school football player at NatMooreTrophy.com.

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College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction: Oregon Ducks Lead, Georgia and Miami Drop

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College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction: Oregon Ducks Lead, Georgia and Miami Drop


Tuesday night marks the second release of the College Football Playoff rankings, and the Oregon Ducks should expect to stay No. 1. Behind Oregon, however, the CFP Selection Committee has some decisions to make.

The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes should stay put, but the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 4 Miami Hurricanes both suffered upset losses on the road. While neither team is effectively eliminated from the 12-team playoff after losing, both Georgia and Miami fell out of the top-10 in the AP Top-25 Poll on Sunday. How far will they drop in the CFP rankings?

The Duck rides a motorcycle and the Oregon Ducks take the field against the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadiu

Nov 9, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; The Duck rides a motorcycle and the Oregon Ducks take the field before a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium. / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

If the No. 5 Texas Longhorns and No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions replace Georgia and Miami, then the Big Ten Conference will have three out of the top four teams. However, the final top-25 will look much different because the first four rankings are reserved for the four highest-ranked conference champions at the end of the season.

Despite the Big Ten’s presence at the top of the rankings, the CFP Selection Committee placed No. 7 Tennessee above No. 8 Indiana in the first edition of the top-25. This decision implies that the Hoosiers’ undefeated record against below-average opponents is less valuable than the Volunteers’ 8-1 record with a win over No. 11 Alabama.

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No. 9 BYU defeated Utah with a last-minute field goal. The game’s officiating has sparked controversy, but the Cougars are now 9-0 with wins over No. 13 SMU and No. 19 Kansas State. Is BYU’s resume better than Indiana’s?

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.

Nov 9, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The argument is potentially irrelevant because the Hoosiers face Ohio State on Saturday. It will be Indiana coach Curt Cignetti’s toughest test of the season, but it’s an opportunity to prove the critics wrong. A win over the Buckeyes all-but guarantees the Hoosiers an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game.

With three weeks left in the regular season, the rankings are bound to change. As it currently stands, the highest seeds would belong to Oregon (Big Ten), Texas (SEC), BYU (Big 12), and Miami (ACC) in the playoff bracket. However, the rankings will not reflect the automatic bids in the top-four until after the conference champions have been decided.

College Football Playoff rankings prediction:

1 Oregon

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2 Ohio State

3 Texas

4 Penn State

5 Tennessee

6 BYU

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7 Indiana

8 Notre Dame

9 Alabama

10 Ole Miss

11 Georgia

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12 Miami

This article will be updated once the College Football Playoff rankings are released.

MORE: Wisconsin’s Jack Del Rio Resigns After Drunk Driving Arrest Before Oregon Ducks Game

MORE: Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks, Ohio State Buckeyes, Indiana Hoosiers Jockeying

MORE: Oregon Injury Update: Jordan James, Jordan Burch Anticipated to Play vs. Wisconsin

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MORE: Oregon Ducks Betting Odds: Double-Digit Favorites vs. Wisconsin Badgers

MORE: NFL Draft Quarterbacks: Oregon Ducks’ Dillon Gabriel Ranked, Snubbed By Mel Kiper?

MORE: Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning Addresses Jordan Burch Injury After Beating Maryland

MORE: Questionable Officiating Oregon Ducks vs. Maryland Terrapins: Unsportsmanlike Conduct

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MORE: Oregon Ducks Recruiting: 5-Star Jared Curtis Trending Ducks Over Ohio State, Georgia?



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