"It's Your Job To Keep The Score Down, Not Mine"

Bobby Bowden to Lou Holtz--October 11, 1969

 

Miami 77…Ohio State 76…Louisville 72…Baylor 70.  All these points caused CBS’s Tony Barnhart to exclaim, “Routs help nobody”.  This reminds me of the craze known as “dwarf tossing” that was the rage in South Florida when I lived and worked there.  Everyone (including me) was horrified at how “little people” were being exploited.  But did anyone ask them?  Well, actually someone did.  What we learned was that at least some were just fine, thank you very much, with separating large sums of cash from the morons who wanted to treat them like bowling balls.

So expressing our outrage while football powerhouses run up the score on their disadvantaged brethren may be the sportsmanlike attitude.  But has anyone asked the “victims”?  If you’re Savannah State, Florida A & M, Florida International, or Louisiana-MONroe, you just made a boatload of money.  To say that it doesn’t help anyone is naive.  Even with schedules being planned 5-6 years in advance, Savannah State only needs to review Miami’s storied (and even probation-affected) past to know that it will get plastered.  On the other hand, State can rake in that additional game revenue to improve its facilities (include adding seats at the stadium), step up its recruiting, and get its name on the college football map.  This is precisely how Boise State upset Oklahoma back in 2007.

Don’t cry for me, Argentina.  Just ask yourself:  how long have Louisville, Northwestern, and Fresno State been in the Top 25?  Of course, if you were Appalachian State in 2007, you have your cake (revenue) and eat it (Michigan) too.  I look forward to the rematch next season.

Here’s  what else happened in Week #4:

Ithaca 17, Union 3.  Dutchmen allow 219 yds. through the air, although Bombers’ two TDs come on the ground.  Ithaca defense sacks Union QB Connor Eck four times, bringing the total to 13 in his first two games.  Even with two offensive turnovers of their own, Ithaca manages to hold my beloved Garnet to just 222 total yards of offense.  The only second half score comes on an Ithaca field goal, as Union’s defense once again provides reason for hope when Liberty League play begins next week.

Wyoming 56, Air Force 23.  There’s optimism right out of the box, as Falcon QB Jaleel Awini runs 33 yds. for a score on the opening drive.  Give credit to the Falcons for recognizing that Awini has to throw more for the offense to be effective, as he completes 11-of-18 for 89 yds.  But Cowboy QB Brett Smith puts on a clinic, throwing 41 times with 35 completions  (that’s over 85% for those of you without calculators) and adds a fifth on the ground.  The Academy manages just three trips inside the 20, while Wyoming is a perfect 7-for-7 on the day.

Practicing with hats instead of footballs

Wake Forest 25, Army 11.  I tune in on the radio on the way to and returning from a haircut.  Black Knights are in this all the way and even take the lead briefly midway through the 3^rd quarter on the strength of three straight Dan Grochowski field goals.  But the Demons respond quickly to end the period, then add an insurance score in the 4^th to spoil Army’s afternoon.

Utah 20, BYU 13.  Although Cougar QB Taysom Hill manages 359 yards of total offense by himself, he’s sacked five times and intercepted once by the Utah defense.  The so-called “Holy War” is a mistake-free game, as both defenses hold tough on four offensive series and force field goals instead of TDs.  Utah’s offense is just a little better on this day, with QB Travis Wilson tossing two TD passes while Hill has none.

USC 17, Utah State 17.  Denise is too busy  to watch this game with me.  Something about an overseas call from Japan.  Well, as a USC fan she doesn’t really miss too much.  Granted, Lane Kiffin has finally settled on Cody Kessler as his permanent-for-now  starter.  But neither team plays especially well, and the talent-laden Trojan offense looks particularly out of sync.  Good thing the defense shows up to give Aggie QB Chuckie Keeton fits.  Keeton manages to outshine Kessler by throwing for two TDs but is pressured up and down the field all afternoon.

Jacksonville State 32, Georgia State 26 (OT).  Doormats don’t take games to OT!  The Gamecocks survive a 4^th-quarter scare, as Georgia State recovers a blocked punt, follows that with a TD, and manages to tie the game on a field goal at the end of regulation.  JState RB DeMarcus James  rushes for fewer than 3 yds./carry on the day, but scores twice inside the 5 yd.-line when it’s needed most, sending the Panthers to their fourth consecutive defeat.  Georgia State QB Ronnie Bell is a source of optimism for the visitors, with 250 yds. through the air and another 57 yds.  on the ground.

South Portland 40, Massabesic 7.  The following “account” is brought to you via Twitter.  Seems the Press Herald doesn’t send reporters to any of the Friday night games last week.  Riots take the lead for good three minutes into the 2^nd quarter, scoring 34 unanswered points en route to crushing the Mustangs and running their record to 2-1.  Senior QB Duncan Preston has a big day, and SP’s defense shines, holding Massabesic scoreless after the first quarter.  But if you want "impressive", Senior RB Joey DiBiase's 40-yard TD run actually made the USA Today Top 5 High School Football Plays of the Week.  Click on http://www.wtsp.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2686929161001 to see for yourself (it's about 40 seconds into the clip).

Rogers 43, Emerald Ridge 40.  Old-fashioned shoot-out finds Rams on the short end of the score after first half.  Defense gets stingy in second half, as Rogers outplays Emerald Ridge down the stretch.  QB Grayson Madland throws for three TDs and runs for two others.  Jaguars add late TD but game is already in the bag by then.

Think Oregon isn't tough?

I’m told by some out there that I may have missed my calling as a sports commentator.  So I’m working to expand my readership from the current four to at least ten.  Along the way, I seem to have piqued the interest of my principal, who is a die-hard Oregon Quacker.  Thus, in order to keep my day job (thanks for the suggestion, Mr. Rad), I will begin following Oregon along with the rest of our merry men in the weeks to come.  That is, if the Ducks pause long enough for me to catch my breath.  I envision wardrobe commentary as a regular feature as well.  If nothing else, Oregon can claim to have influenced the uniform options being sported by several college football teams.  What next…yellow turf?

PARTING SHOT:  Whenever an athlete says, “It’s not about the money”…it’s about the money.  So when Nick Saban says he’s happy in Tuscaloosa and is too old to move…