Under Armour's Patrick Willis was all over the field yesterday, leading his San Francisco 49ers to a commanding 35-0 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

Willis had 2.5 sacks and capped his day with a thrilling interception return for a touchdown, the second of his sure to be illustrious NFL career.

After the game, Willis' coach, Mike Singletary (regarded as one of the best players at Willis' position, middle linebacker) praised his defensive captain, saying that he could end up better than Singletary himself was before its all said and done.

Media outlets throughout the country have used yesterday's performance to strengthen the argument that Willis is following in the footsteps of many great middle linebackers, including fellow Under Armour athlete Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, who many view as the best current player at the postion.

Always the team player, Willis refused to focus on his individual achievements after the game, instead focusing on the play of his entire defensive unit and stressing to the press that their goal is to become the top defense in the NFL.

Patrick is also known for being a great student in the film room, and in typical Willis fashion, he will put yesterday's accomplishments aside and immediately begin studying for a tough opponent next week in the Atlanta Falcons.

Be sure to tune in to the 2009 NBA Draft tonight, where Under Armour basketball athlete Brandon Jennings will be one of the featured athletes in the Green Room, anxiously awaiting to see which team will help him realize his dream of making it to the NBA.

Brandon has been one of the most talked about players in the Class of 2009 after becoming the first high school player to bypass college for a year of professional ball in Europe. Following his season in Italy, Brandon is back in the States and ready to bring his talent to the NBA.

Congratulations, Brandon! We'll all be watching to see where you go. Be sure to check back for a recap of Brandon's draft day and analysis of where he was selected.

Under Armour athlete and Baltimore Orioles top prospect Matt Wieters, the 5th overall selection in the 2007 draft, will make his Major League debut tonight when the Orioles take on the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Wieters has been the talk of the franchise since their selection of him and has blazed his trail to the Majors by dominating Minor League pitching. The catcher should see plenty of playing time right away.

For more info on Wieters an UA baseball, check out the Under Armour Baseball Experience here.

Battling through the final 36 holes at Augusta National, UA golfer Hunter Mahan finished in a tie for 10th at the Masters this past Sunday.

Following his team leading 3.5 point performance at the Ryder Cup this fall, Mahan has begun to prove that he will be a fixture at Majors and high-profile PGA events for years to come.

The sentiment isn't lost on Hunter, as he had this to say after the tournament:

"I feel like I could step up on the tee at any tournament and feel like I should be able to win," Mahan said at the Masters last week. "I don't see any reason why I can't step up on the tee and win. And, playing the Ryder Cup and playing in pressure-packed situations like that with all of the fans, it's a learning experience.

"It is a great confidence builder."

UA congratulates Hunter on his work at the Masters and looks for continued success on the 2009 Tour.

Following a tough second day at The Masters, UA golfer Hunter Mahan battled back during "Moving Day" at Augusta National to finish 54 holes at -4, tied for 10th place with a group including Anthony Kim (who he'll be paired with on Sunday), Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. They are all chasing third round co-leaders Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera, who are in the clubhouse at -11.

The action continues tomorrow from Augusta, as the best golfers in the world chase the coveted Green Jacket for 18 more holes on Easter Sunday. Coverage begins at 2pm on CBS.

Under Armour PGA Tour golfer Hunter Mahan heads to Augusta this week to participate in The Masters. With its rich tradition, as well as being the first Major of the season, this event is always one of the most followed in the sport.

Hunter owned the moment yesterday as he shot 6-under par to finish day 1 in second place, one shot behind leader Chad Campbell.

Mahan tees off today looking to continue his strong play and head into the weekend with a chance to put on the fabled Green Jacket on Sunday.

Coverage of the Masters can be seen on ESPN and CBS. Be sure to check back here for updates as well.

On the eve of the race, we check in one last time before Macca looks to defend his title in the Ford Ironman World Championship. Coming in as a defending champion has a much different feel than chasing the elusive crown. Macca let's us know just how different it is:

Last year i was really facing some serious demons. I had won every major triathlon event in the world multiple times and had not yet won this event in Kona. I was here for my 5th year and my best result was a close 2nd place finish. The event was really starting to baffle me and the conditions played havoc on my body. The past 3 years I have spent so much time in the labaratories working out my own physiology and how my body responds in these brutal conditions in order to get my hydration and nutrition schedules with in this event sound. I was getting close but not winning the race. Last year it was really a crunch event for me. I had to deliver. I didn’t want to be known as the greatest multisport athlete in history to never win the big one in Kona. I was really looking at this in the mirror every day. I really felt that pressure and my competitiors and the media really played this up. I won the race and took this monkey off my back. It was a great relief.

This year I am much more reserved and can really enjoy the process. I know I have the title and I have worked this event out. I don’t have this personal pressure as deeply anymore. I know I will race this event at the pointy end for the next 5 years so now it is about maximizing my performances here and trying to win as many titles now as possible. It is about legacy and my own personal ambitions on the lava fields. I am much more at peace with my self. I don’t feel the need to have to force it. I know it will happen as I have done it before. I can win this race, I have won this race and I will win it again. This is the mindset this year, as opposed to previous years when it was like "what if I just cant win this race", or " maybe my bodies physiology is not suited to these hot humid conditions." The negativity is gone now.
 

Be sure to check back for an update on Macca's title defense and some post-race thoughts from Macca over the coming days.

In today's installment from Macca, he talks about training in Under Armour performance training and endurance shoes. He also talks about how an encounter with Kevin Plank changed his career.


How has training been in your Under Armour running shoes?
 
I have said this many times in press interviews and to many people I talk to. In your career their are key moments that send you down your ultimate path to success or failure. For me I have had many. Meeting certain people who got me involved in swimming and cycling, buying my first ticket to Europe to begin my pro racing career etc. When my career is all over, a key moment in my career I will reflect on was a chance meeting I had with UA president Kevin Plank at the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. We met, had dinner and at that time it was nothing more than that. I was a triathlete and they were a major football company. It was my failings here in Hawaii and my issues with heat, that ultimately had me researching what I needed to do to perform better in these conditions. My research took me straight back to Under Armour and their HeatGear. I contacted Kevin for his help in building me a garment that would help me perform in the brutal heat and humidity of Hawaii. He did just that and we went from there.

Over the years we have built a synergy and a partnership and UA is by far one of the biggest players within my team. They are a no gimmiks company and build performance products for athletes. Their move into the running shoe market in 2009 is spectacular. I have been working out in many of the prototype shoes this past 20 weeks and the feel is amazing. I know these guys listen, which as an athlete is critical in designing products that are functional. Their shoes are amazing, the cartlidge system works perfectly as it evenly distributes the impact force of running through the entire shoe and eliminates hot spots. The shoes are great and I look forward to helping them continue to build better shoes and apparel for the endurance market. The thing I can say about Under Armour is they believe and they listen and functionality is key to them. The shoes are great, and with the development of a racing flat for me late this year you will see me racing in the shoes next season. It is very exciting times for UA and for myself as an athlete who is always looking for better equipment.
 

Tomorrow we inch closer to race day and find out about Macca's travel to Kona and how different it feels from one year ago.

Our next installment in Macca's "Countdown to Kona" features his thoughts on the competition and how his strategy will be different this year as a defending champion vs. previous years spent chasing the title.


Who do you feel your biggest competitors are and how has your preparation strategy been targeted to take on those challenges?
 
The Europeans are extremely strong at endurance racing. They will be very strong, especially the Germans and the Belgiums. They have huge teams here and tend to focus a season around success here. I think the spanish guys, especially Eneko Llanos could pose a problem and if conditions are not brutal, then Australian Craig Alexander could be a big chance. If it is really windy and hot then he does not have the strength to do much but on a nice day he is definately fast. We all know eachothers strength and weaknesses and they all know that I really am the most rounded of the athletes here. I have had an exceptional season and my three disciplines are very strong. My preparation has been sound this year but the key to success in this event is about being brave and being prepared to take your chance with no care about the consequences. Their have only been 5 multiple winners in the 30 year history of this race, because the brutality of the event and the risks you take on a physical and mental level to win this race are so high. My history at this event is sound, the athletes know I have the artillary to win this event, it is a matter of execution now. For me I will see what the conditions present and take my chances on those lava fields. I want another title, that’s for sure and if anyone wants this title they need to take it from me.

How will your race strategy be different this year than last year?
 
I have a very solid marathon and I am sure everyone knows that they do  not want to get into a running war with me in this event. The Europeans have really worked on the bike and the pace this year will be very fast. I have really stepped up a level on my bike ride  so this year I definately have many more strings to my bow. A race day strategy evolves in this race because the Trade winds can blow in excess of 35 miles an hour which can make this race on the bike absolutely hell on earth. You need to find out what you are being presented with on the day when you get out in those lava fields and make decsisions on your strategy then. Attacking the bike when the winds are so strong can be bad move. You have 112 miles of cycling after a 2.4 mile swim and you have to run a marathon at the end of all that. Hawaii like no other event on earth also adds the elements of weather in such a brutal way. There is nothing like this race on earth. You have to see it to believe it. it is brutal. Strategies are planned but evolve as the race unfolds. I know one thing, it will be very fast early in the swim and bike and then the attacks will come. I am ready for this and love this very much.


Next time, Macca talks about the final days of preparation before raceday.

Leading up to race day in Kona, Macca will answer questions daily about his preparation, thoughts and strategy for the Ford Ironman World Championship. Today, we get a general mindset and how Macca is preparing for the defense of his crown:

How are you feeling?
 
I am feeling really good at the moment. I know the preparation has been done now and it just about getting my mind ready and body fresh for the challenge ahead. This event in Hawaii is absolutely brutal both physically and mentally. Racing in 90 degree temperatures and 100 percent humidity for 8 hours takes a lot from you physiologically and mentally. This is what the preparation has been about. I feel in great spirits and looking forward to the race again.


What are you doing to prepare in the last week before the race?  Workout wise?  Rest wise?  Nutrition wise?
 
The last week before the race is all about rest and focus. The imporatnce of getting your mind ready for an event like this is crucial. I spend a lot of time alone and quiet with my thoughts and trying to visualise the day. The unknowns in this race make it so difficult. The key to success here is how your body will respond on the day to the brutality of the conditions. It is as raw as it comes. In the last week it is about getting your body fresh enough and recovered enough to be ready for this onslaught and your mind in the right place that will allow it to continue to push when your body says it has had enough. In real terms it is like preparing for an horrific mental and physical day that you know is coming. Nutrition needs to be clean and refined in these last few days, electrolyte levels are monitored because of the high humidity and hydration is key. The focus of the last week is all about myself really. It is a selfish week.


Tomorrow, check back to see who Macca thinks will be his biggest foes in the triathlon and how his strategy will compare to his victorious 2007 campaign.