Yours Truly was on the windy fairways of Palencia Country Club in St. Augustine, FL while the college football world geared up for this year's Game of the Century between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama. After playing my usual horrible round, with a handful of decent shots, I chilled at the bar at the World Golf Hall of Fame and watched good ol' boys scream and yell for two teams that aren't even from Florida. No love lost for the Tide's Nick Saban, a hangover from his two seasons as Miami Dolphin head man. But while I was driving for show and putting for dough, several of our faves notched victories, while a few bit it.
Union 33, Merchant Marine 14. Dutchmen go over the 400-yd. total offense mark for the fifth time this season, and clinch a share of the Liberty League title with a convincing win over the JV Cadets. Not quite as obvious--but perhaps more imposing--is the Union "D", led by Kevin Quillinan and Steve Modliszewski with seven solo tackles each.
Air Force 24, Army 14. Knights throw big scare into Falcons by charging into 14-0 lead in first quarter. Following failed attempt to cancel halftime, Cadets give up 24 unanswered and the CIC Trophy heads west once again. The spirit of Ben Martin lives!
Navy 42, Troy 14. Isn't Troy a town in upstate New York? So Navy has sunk so low that they're scheduling high school teams? Next thing you know they'll have Wofford and Idaho State on their schedule. A couple of years back Troy gave Free Shoes U all they could handle, but Middies run up 35 first half points before Trojans realize the game has begun.
TCU 38, BYU 28. Finally, a worthy opponent for the Cougars. How's life as an independent now, guys? Horny Toads capitalize on BYU miscues (two Riley Nelson interceptions and a bad punt snap) to leapfrog (oh, brother) to a 35-10 lead, forcing Cougs to scratch their way back into the game. Playing another quarter wouldn't have helped, as TCU tunes up for showdown with Boise State this week.
#5 Boise State 48, UNLV 21. Even Jerry Tarkanian couldn't help these Rebs. Ho-hum, Kellen Moore...five more TDs...more than any other QB in college football history. As always, BCS will reward 'Bama with a fallen ranking that remains at least one notch above BSU. Broncs have moved from WAC to MWC and are headed to the Big East or, like everyone else, the PAC 58. I conclude there is no justice and call for 64-team playoff, to end around the time March Madness begins.
Idaho 32, San Jose State 29. Spartans snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by giving up 22 4th-quarter points to visiting Idaho. Actually, Vandals' record is worse than SJSU, just not on this day. Rally begins with a Trey Farquhar 55-yard field goal as the 3rd quarter ended, followed by two more TDs. Despite entering game averaging just under 115 rushing yards per game, Spartans pull out all the stops and gain only 68 on 25 attempts. In the pros, they talk about restructuring contracts (Titans' Chris Johnson) for producing less than 3 yards per carry.
Thornton Academy 20, South Portland 15. Previous week Riots proved it possible to beat a team (Sanford) twice in the same season. Difficult to do, even more difficult to do twice, as TA had lost to SP 20-16 earlier this season. This is the playoffs, and game goes down to the wire. Riots last-ditch drive stopped short when a Mike Dibiase QB sweep is sniffed out and stuffed by stingy Trojan defense. Riots finish 7-3, best season in several years.
For those of you keeping score, Summit volleyballers get hosed in rematch with Amistad . Must have been the five-mile bus ride.
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