Fourth and Dumb

Introduction: This is the second part of my liveblogging doubleheader.  My main focus in the 3:30 time slot is North Carolina at Maryland on ABC.  I will occasionally be flipping around to include South Carolina at Florida on CBS.  There are also several games I will follow online and through television scoring updates.

Pre-Game: Both Maryland and North Carolina need this win to keep pace in their respective divisions.  While Maryland has less to lose, they would lose control on their destiny with a loss, unless North Carolina State can upset Wake Forest.  North Carolina is in control of its destiny, thanks to Miami defeating Virginia Tech.  But a loss to Maryland gives control to Miami in the Coastal division.

In the secondary game in this live blog, Florida has clinched the SEC East, but it still has national championship hopes.  In fact, if they defeat Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, they are most likely going to Miami Gardens.  South Carolina is playing for bowl position, as well as the bragging rights that cometh of Steve Spurrier returning to the Swamp and getting a win.

Kickoff: After watching the end of the thrilling Notre Dame-Navy game, I turn to ABC and the Terrapins are running out the tunnel.  Section 1 of the stadium, for the visiting fans, appears to be mostly empty.  Did the Tar Heels bring their band?

Yuck, another diamond commercial.

The rain and wind have died down in College Park, but it could be a factor later today.  Hopefully there will not be a repeat of North Carolina State-Maryland.

North Carolina will kick off to Maryland to commence the game.

First Quarter

15:00: Maryland allows the touchback and will start from their own 20.

14:45: Darrius Heyward-Bey has his first catch of the game for two yards.

14:13: Da’Rel Scott gets the first down.  Next play is another Chris Turner completion.  The Terps are at their 40.

An update from Auburn.  Georgia is up 17-13.  Auburn has the ball at the Georgia 23 with 19 seconds left.

13:00: Scott had a short gain on second.  Chris Turner has a poor throw on third to force a punt.

12:53: It gets worse.  Andrew Schmitt the long snapper “air-mailed” it to punter Travis Baltz.  So accurate that Baltz needs to run after the ball and fall on it for an end zone for a safety.  Up next is the free kick.  North Carolina 2, Maryland 0 with 12:53 left in the first quarter.

The Slate Sanchez implosion AT&T commercial has become, by far, the best ever in this series.

We have a final score from Auburn.  Kodi Burns was unable to get the ball in the end zone.  Georgia wins 17-13.  Whew!

12:48: Travis Baltz punts the ball from the 20.  The Tar Heels return it and get the ball at their own 40.

12:38: Cameron Sexton hits Hakeem Nicks for a big gain down the right down to the 33.  Carolina has the wind at their back, which is out of the northwest (Byrd Stadium is oriented SE-NW).  The student section is partially empty.

11:46: North Carolina rushes forward to the 19.  The forward plays stops as Draughns is stuffed.

10:40: Trey Covington almost interpcepts the ball.  He is #55, which is Madieu Williams’ old number.

10:36: Foster drops the ball for North Carolina.  Casey Barth tries a 38-yard field goal.  North Carolina 5, Maryland 0 with 10:31 left in the first quarter.

10:24: Scott runs for a first down.  The play is overshadowed by the listing of the five goons at Florida State.  On the next play, Chris Turner hits Torrey Smith for another first down.

9:15: Turner goes deep.  The UNC cornerback almost intercepts the ball.  There is defensive pass interference from a guy messing with Heyward-Bey, so Maryland gets another first down.  The ball is at the UNC 36.

8:10: Turner hits Heyward-Bey again!  This time for a first down at the UNC 18.  Scott rushes down to the 12.

7:06: Scott goes out of bounds at the Tar Heel 6.  Yet another Maryland first down.  Is the end zone next?  No, Scott rushes to the 3, but the penalty for offsides is taken instead to keep it first down.

6:26: Da’rel Scott rushes in from 3 out for the touchdown!  Cue Rock n’ Roll Part 2!  North Carolina 5, Maryland 7 with 6:26 left in the first quarter.

5:50: The rain has started again, but not heavy enough to be seen in the main camera view.  Carolina starts at its own 34.

5:34: Sexton throws a 59-yard touchdown pass to Cooter Arnold (hehe, cooter).  The play featured a sick move by Cooter to escape the last Maryland defenders.  Are we in for a shootout today?  North Carolina 12, Maryland 7 with 5:34 left.

5:30: Torrey Smith ran straight into a UNC defender.  The Terps start from scrimmage at the 20.  Scott runs forward for 5.

Florida has drawn first blood in the Swamp.  UF 7-0 SCAR.

4:08: A Turner-to-Oquendo first down is obviated by a holding call, a scourge of this offense.  The Terps are backed up at their 14 as the rain gets heavier.

3:35: The offense does it right this time with a Turner-to-Arnold Davies first down at the 32.

On the west coast, Oregon State is leading California 14-7 in a very important Pac 10 game.

According to the ESPN graphics department, Chris Turner is undefeated against ranked teams (5-0) but only 6-9 against everyone else.

For several seconds, there was the shadow of a graphic involving Michael Crabtree on my screen.  Did anyone else watching UNC-Maryland see that?

1:29: Davin Meggett, the backup running back, is in to advance the ball for the Terps.  He brings it to the UNC 41.  The rain is now coming down in buckets.  Meggett then gets another first down…barely.

0:11: Meggett rushes for 20 yards to bring it down to the 11 yard line as the quarter ends.  After the first quarter, the score is North Carolina 12, Maryland 7.

And as we go to commercial, we hear a strain of what sounds like Ratt.

Second Quarter

14:40: Meggett continues his work with a first down to the 6.  On the next play, it is down to the 1.  What happens next?

13:46: Touchdown on the totally expected Meggett run.  North Carolina 12, Maryland 14 with 13:46 left in the second quarter.

Chris Borglum comments on this post that Florida is now up 21-0 on South Carolina.  Looks like the Cocks are getting blocked, but it is still early.

13:39: Bobby Rome lets the ball hit off his fingers on the kickoff return but disaster is averted.  UNC starts at its 39.

13:20: Sexton hits Nicks for a big gain to the Maryland 41.

12:41: Bob Griese and Brad Nessler just gave a live demonstration of how quarterbacks throw the ball during a rainstorm.  To simulate a wet ball, Nessler pours the contents of his water bottle on the ball.  How cool is that?

12:00: Speaking of wet balls, Sexton fumbles on a scramble and Maryland recovers at their own 34.

The AFLAC Trivia Question is to name the coach who led the Terps to a 6-2-1 record in his only season, 1945.  I would call this one moderately difficult, but a good number of Maryland fans would get it.  Answer coming from me when ABC reveals it.  You are welcome to post it in the comments.  It is now 4:31 pm ET.

10:03: Da’Rel Scott runs for 12 to earn the first down on a draw.  Neither team is stopping the other right now.

8:05: The Turner pass is tipped by the Maryland receiver and both Carolina defensive backs fail to procure it.  On the next play, Maryland goes for it on 4th and 7 in the tweener zone.  Fail!  Turner is sacked.

7:54: Oh rainbow!  UNC starts the drive at its own 45.  Their running game gets nothing on the next two plays.  It is third down!  Get your keys out!

6:45: The Cooter Arnold reception is obviated by offensive holdings.  The Tar Heels will have to punt.

The answer to the AFLAC Trivia Question is not Weeb Eubank, as posited by Chris Borglum, but the Bear, Paul Bryant, before his stints at Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Alabama.

Yes, Warren Sapp is still in the current edition of “Dancing with the Stars.”

5:30: Turner overthrows Danny Oquendo again.  Another punt from Travis Baltz, but hold the phone.  The penalty is chosen (by UNC) to be applied after the end of the run, so the Tar Heels will start in Maryland territory.

Whenever I switch the television to CBS, I see a commercial.  Sheesh.

That Allstate commercial with the guy slurping from the Bobby Bowden cheese fountain is disgusting.  Just the fact that there is such thing as a liquid cheese fountain is abhorrent.

5:03: Brooks Foster takes an end-around and breaks through the poor tackling of Maryland to get down to the 12.  The Terps devour them on the next play.

4:16: On third down, Sexton throws the ball into a tip, which is tipped again, which is failed to be received by a Maryland defender.  Instead, Barth hits a short field goal.  North Carolina 15, Maryland 14 with 4:12 left in the second quarter.

4:07: Kenny Tate brings the ball back to the 30.  On the first play, Meggett goes east-west and ends up going nowhere.

2:55: Maryland puts Josh Portis into the game at quarterback.  He runs to the left (as he always does) and gains 9 yards.  Meggett then takes the rock to the 50 and another first down.

1:51: Another Portis call, and he throws a pass!  It is only the third pass thrown by him this year.  It misses Heyward-Bey by several yards.

1:34: Fourth and 8 at the 48.  They will punt this time.  UNC will start at their own 2.

If you know the song that is playing right now at Byrd Stadium (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh…) please leave a comment and rock my world with your knowledge.

0:35: The UNC running back tried a hurdle and lost the ball, but he was down.  The play will not be reviewed.  After that mess, the Tar Heels just take a knee and end the half.  At halftime, the score is North Carolina 15, Maryland 14.

Halftime

I changed the channel to CBS to see what was going on with the South Carolina-Florida game.  I saw ten frames of action before the game went to commercial.  I am having no luck.  Florida is up 28-3.

In another game of ACC interest, Wake Forest and North Carolina State are tied at 14-14.

Third Quarter

15:00: Maryland kicks off, UNC receives at the 5 and brings it out to the 33.  The Terps stuff the run on the first play from scrimmage.

14:40: On the second and third plays, Sexton throws the ball but nearly throws a pick both times.  Punt time.  Maryland will start at the 34 line after a mediocre punt by Terrence Brown.  Cue O Fortuna.

14:24: The rain has stopped, but the passes are even worse.  Chris Turner gets his pass tipped but it falls harmlessly to the turf.

Dre’ Bly went to North Carolina.  Now I know.  And knowing is half the battle.

13:40: Turner throws another bad one.  Travis Baltz time.  UNC will start at its 26 after the fair catch.

13:13: Sexton hits Christian Wilson for the first completed pass of the half.

12:02: On a waterlogged field, Sexton gets sacked.  Third and 13 goes wanting as Sexton completes the pass to Nicks but is 2 yards short.  Brown comes out to punt.

ABC just showed the Ledo’s Restaurant in the College Park.  I had no idea there was a Ledo’s there.

10:47: Da’Rel Scott gets the drive going for the Terps with a first down.  And another.  And a muddy jersey to boot.

9:08: Dan Gronkowski appears to drop the ball on the reception but kept possession.  He got the first down, but the Terps will be backed up thanks to a personal foul.

7:29: Turner finally gets Darrius Heyward-Bey back in action.  The gain of 13 results in a first down at the 33 of UNC.

5:53: UNC is plugging the holes, forcing a third and long and a poor almost illegal forward pass.  The Terps will punt.  UNC gets the ball at their own 25.

4:03: Sexton hands off to Bobby Rome, who delivers the halfback option to Brooks Foster at the Maryland 17.  FInally, some big play action in this half.

2:38: Sexton tosses the ball to Brooks at the 10, but it is short of the first down.  Barth comes in for the 28 yard try.  It looks good until “boink!” off the left upright.  Defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo goes nuts in a good way.  Terps take over at their 20.

1:12: Turner hits Heyward-Bey for what looks like a first down, but H-B starts dancing and misses it by inches.  Turner sneaks it in to move the chains.  Scott runs it a few yards, and that does it for the third, but for another strain of Ratt.  At the end of the third quarter, the score is North Carolina 15, Maryland 14.

The Acura commercial with the bodies reacting helplessly to imaginary crashes is quite cool.

Fourth Quarter

14:50: Josh Portis is in the game and he fumbles it to North Carolina at the end of his run.  But the play will be reviewed.  The play is upheld because there was not indisputable video evidence to the contrary.  UNC ball at the 33.

14:36: Sexton throws for the end zone but the pass is incomplete.  Greg Little receives Sexton’s next pass but Little drops it.  His third down pass is incomplete as well.

North Carolina State is up 21-17 on Wake Forest with 10 minutes left in Raleigh.

14:30: UNC punts and gains 9 yards of field position.  A gift drive is wasted in the mouth.

When I see the General Motors financing commercial, I have to ask “You are bankrupt.  Where are you getting the money to lend?”

14:22: Meggett gets the Maryland offense going with a 13-yard gain.  First down!

13:02: The next few plays were a step backward.  The Terps have to punt again.  The offenses have gone away from what looked to be a shootout in the rain.  UNC ball at their own 24.

Some score updates: Oregon State is leading California 27-21 early in the fourth.  Baylor is leading Texas A&M 34-7.  Minnesota is up 24-17 on Wisconsin with Paul Bunyan’s Axe at stake.  And N.C. State still leads Wake with eight minutes left.

11:22: UNC is out to the 42.  The Maryland blitz stones the run.  Sexton then runs for it, receives a block, but the block is not enough as Sexton is pushed out of bounds.  Brown puts again.  Maryland ball at its own 17.

9:31: Maryland goes nowhere on first and second down.  On third down, Turner delivers to Oquendo for a first down.  Move the chains.

8:08: Turner gets it to Emani Lee-Odai for eight yards.  Third and 2.  Oquendo for the first down.  Keep on matriculating down the field.

North Carolina State still leads Wake Forest with three minutes left.

6:43: Maryland has run two straight unsuccessful plays on the run.  Can the pass get them a first down here?  Yes!  Ronny Tyler catches it and moves the chains.  Maryland is now at the UNC 37.

5:02: Heyward-Bey gets 5 yards, Turner throws it deep to him, but the play fails.  On third and 5, no dice.  Fourth and 5.  Turner runs for it and moves the chains!  The Terps are getting it done at just the right time.

4:21: Can the Terps run down the clock to zero?  Heyward-Bey going out of bounds is not going to help.  But Scott getting the first down on the following play is another step in the right direction.

In Raleigh, Wake Forest is in State territory with a minute left.  Another thrilling finish.

3:10: Turner throws it out of the end zone on first and goal from the 11.  Scott rushes to the 9 on second down.  Torrey Smith catches the ball at the 1 on third down.  Uh oh!  The play will be reviewed because it may have hit the ground, which I thought on first glance.

Wake Forest has lost to North Carolina State 21-17.  That makes a Maryland loss here less important.  Maryland still controls its destiny no matter what happens in this game.

1:39: The play is overturned.  The Terps will try the field goal attempt for the lead.  Obi Egekeze from 27 yards…good!!!  North Carolina 15, Maryland 17 with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter.

I am getting sick of this shamelessly repeated over-and-over Desperate Housewives promo.

1:42: Maryland kicks off.  North Carolina starts its drive at its own 35 after a nice return.  The Tar Heels need to get within field goal range.  Both teams have all timeouts.

1:29: On the first play, Allen batted the ball into the UNC sideline for an incomplete pass.  On second down, Sean Droughns gets the first down.  Carolina takes its first timeout.  Maryland leads time of possession two-to-one.

1:16: Sexton misses Cooter Arnold on first down.  On second down, Sexton is sacked!  The flag is for holding, but it will be declined in favor of the 12-yard sack.  On third and 22, Sexton’s pass is interpcepted by Jerome McCullough.  Cue the Oh! song.

0:49: The Terps will now take a series of knees.  Can the Terps run the clock out?  With UNC having only two timeouts left and the play clock starting at 40 seconds, the answer is yes.  Carolina will let the clock run out on their third conference loss.

Final Score: Maryland 17, North Carolina 15

ABC now goes to Corvaillis, where Oregon State is up 27-21 on California.  I will live blog the finish.  California is driving for the winning touchdown and has no timeouts left.

0:42: Oregon State punts the ball back to California.  The Bears are at their own 5 yard line.  Kevin Riley throws a pick six.  The play is obviated by a false start penalty.  The Oregon State fans are not pleased.

0:42: The next pass is picked and returned for a touchdown.  Fork!  California 21, Oregon State 34 with 31 seconds left.

0:31: Oregon State kicks off.  Cal brings it back to the 4.  Cal’s wide receiver is brought down in bounds.  Riley spikes the ball.  Third down.  Riley throws the Hail Mary, but to no avail.  The Beavers are two wins away from the Rose Bowl.

Final Score: Oregon State 34, California 21

Introduction: In this space, I will be liveblogging some of the early action of Week 12.  My main focus will be Notre Dame versus Navy in Baltimore on CBS, but I will also be changing the channel occasionally to check out Duke at Clemson on Raycom Sports.  Since I do not have cable, I will not be checking out whichever Big Ten game is assigned to my market, but I will be following it as well as other early game through the magic of the Internets.  I turn on the TV and I see some cartoon on CBS.  Is it just me, or do these Saturday morning cartoons get more stupid as I get older?  This cartoon block is called Kewlopolis, how gay.  I require intelligence and lots of pop culture references to sate me now.

Pre-Game: The big question today is whether Navy can prevent last year’s “upset” of Notre Dame that ended the longest series losing streak in NCAA history from being just a footnote in Notre Dame’s complete dominance of this rivalry since Roger Staubach.  Notre Dame also wants to prove they are back from last year’s terrible season.  Their best win this season might be Stanford.  A win over Navy might end up being the best of all of them, what with Navy’s wins over Wake Forest and Air Force.

In the other game, Duke can actually still become bowl eligible.  They need to win two of their final three games to get to six wins.  That task will be quite difficult.  They have a chance at scalping Clemson today, but they would then have to beat either Virginia Tech or North Carolina.  Ouch.  On the other hand, Clemson has this game and then South Carolina.  A win today would be much more difficult than one against the Cocks.

Among other games are three that were mentioned in the “Five Things We Will Learn” column kickoff either now or at 12:30.  I will keep track of those and let you know of any upset alerts.

Kickoff: These AT&T commercials are usually funny, but I am offended by this commercial with the police officers.  Ironically, the next commercial is an Army commercial.  Not the military academy, but the entry level path.

The introduction mentions the history of this rivalry, including the streak.  Of course, ended by that ever present word in 2008, “change.”  According to coach Ken Niumatalolo, the Midshipmen have got to believe and achieve.  No matter how you feel about the military, is it always impressive seeing them marching in formation in stadiums.  It looks like the Navy students are going to fill the entire lower seating area in one of the end zones.

I always find it strange that the military academies have cheerleaders.  Navy will kickoff to Notre Dame.  According to Steve Beuerlein and Craig Bolerjack, Navy won the toss, which was attended by Condi Rice and Robert Gates.

First Quarter:

14:52: First play from scrimmage is a big rush from Notre Dame right into the Ravens logo.  Talk about establishing the run.

12:49: We have already hear the Notre Dame fight song and Anchors Away.  Navy jumps offsides.  We will hear it many more times today.  We hear about Notre Dame’s playmakers in “Above the Lein.”  Time out Notre Dame.

The slow motion Dr. J commercial is pretty cool, but it could become a victim of being played way too much.  I

12:35: Notre Dame is not having much trouble moving the ball early.  They convert the third down.  Next play, Navy stuffs the run.

11:49: Jimmy Clausen makes a really bad throw on his first pass.  Intercepted by Navy.  You know what time it is?  Totally awesome triple option time!

11:41: That is, if they can avoid false starting and being sacked.  Hehe, Navy can explode at any time.  Now would be a good time, being deep in their own end.

10:39: Navy attempts its first pass.  It was almost as bad as Notre Dame’s first pass.  Navy will punt; they kick it to almost midfield.  This is the first time all year Navy did not score on its opening possession.

I am getting sick of the commercial with the executive who only text messages at work.  I flipped to my usual Raycom station, a MyNetwork affiliate, and they are showing a movie.  I flip around and find the game on the Fox station.  Strange.  At least it is on at all.

9:46: Notre Dame should try to win this game without throwing a pass.  Navy is not going to be able to stop them on the ground, so keep hitting them until the Middies can stop it.  Notre Dame tries something fancy and gets stopped.  Obviously, they are not listening to me.

8:24: Jimmy Clausen completes its first pass.  It is caught in the flat and goes for a first down.

8:00: Notre Dame tries another pass and Jimmy Clausen gets sacked and fumbles.  Navy recovers.  If Navy can win the turnover battle like this, they are going to have a great shot.

Bud Light sucks, but the commercials are great.  Especially if they feature women at football games.  Duke and Clemson are ten minutes in and still scoreless.  Clemson is in all orange.  Eww.

7:31: Navy runs up the middle.  We get an update from Urbana-Champaign.  The Illibuck game is tied at seven.  Illinois is wearing orange and white today.  Eww.

6:43: The triple option is a thing of beauty.  Can you imagine how gorgeous it would be

6:04: Navy was unable to get a first down on its series, so they punt.  Block-six for Notre Dame!  They get flagged for celebration, so they will kick off from the 20.  Notre Dame 7, Navy 0, 1st 6:03.

We have our first Navy commercial.  No, not the naval academy, but the entry level people.  Torpedo fodder.

5:57: Navy has a good return on the kickoff.  They start at their 36.

5:19: Navy is 0-3 when the other team scores first.  Uh-oh.  Navy airs it out (!) and the ball is almost intercepted at the ND 10.

5:09: Katani runs it up the middle.  It is 4th and 1, and Navy is going for the marker.  Movement!  Irish offsides, first down.  The referees are from the Big East, of which Notre Dame is 90% a member.  Just not the sport that counts.

3:50: Navy goes nowhere on first down, and get hit with a chop block penalty.  Craig or Steve call the Football Championship Subdivision university 10 miles to the north “Townson State.”

2:38: On 3rd and 21, Navy throws a pass, but it is dropped.  Both teams are playing sloppy, but Notre Dame is playing better overall.  Navy punts.

The Fighting Zooks (according to Tim Brando) give up a safety on a blocked punt.  Two points sure beats six.

2:10: Notre Dame starts at its 17.  They continue to run very well.  Third and short, James Aldridge gets it with ease.  Tornado Watch announcement and annoying beeping sound from the local station.

0:36: Buddy Green, Navy’s defensive coordinator, wants to stop the run.  Through the first quarter, his unit is not being very successful.  After the first quarter, Notre Dame leads Navy 7-0 and is driving at the Navy 38 yard line.

What looks like a Navy commercial with a bunch of veterans delivering two word lines turns out to be a Boeing commercial.  Well, they are a beneficiary of the defense monopsony.  One minute into the second quarter, Clemson is up on Duke 7-0.  Ohio State is up 16-7, while Texas-Kansas and Georgia-Auburn are early in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

15:00: Jimmy Clausen splits out wide.  Is this that newfangled Wildcat?  No matter, Navy foils the direct snap, so Notre Dame has to punt.  According to Craig, it is the first Notre Dame punt against Navy since 2004.

I hate Crackberries…er, Blackberries, and I hate the AT&T commercials with them.  The Enterprise commecial with the couple getting away for a romantic weekend is pretty dumb as well.

Readers: If you have any questions or comments, please post them in the Comments.  I will answer them as I see them, and I will be elated if there are too many comments for me to respond to.

14:35: Jack Swarbrick, athletic director at Notre Dame, is in the broadcast booth.  Craig is asking him to describe the status of the football program at Notre Dame.  The inevitable question about Charlie Weis’s job security is asked and answered in the affirmative.  He will evalutate them after the season, just like the top ranked women’s soccer team.

12:35: Navy celebrates something, and we go to commercial, but I have no idea what just happened, thanks to CBS distracting us from the action on the field.

Another non-academy Navy commercial.  We are going to see this commercial eight times, but the actual college promotion commercial once.  Duke just punted again.  Memorial Stadium at Clemson has lots of empty seats.  Understandable, given it is Duke, but Duke is not bad this year and bowl eligibility is at stake.  So this is the best atmosphere in the ACC?

12:20: It looks like Navy punted back to Notre Dame.

10:37: Notre Dame is not really using high risk-high reward plays, but it sure looks like it.  They gain chunks of yards alternating with several yard losses thanks to the Navy defense.  Notre Dame looks like it was going to break out but Navy held up and forced a punt.  Touchback.

I am sick of this Coke v. Coke Zero commercial.  Ohio State is up 24-7.  Georgia-Auburn is scoreless late in the first quarter.  Marine Corps Colonel Ripley, Navy ‘62, is “the man.”

8:40: Navy throws a pass.  First down!  More talk about Notre Dame’s relative lack of success in the Charlie Weis era.  Navy throws another pass.  What is going on here?!  Notre Dame is playing well against the run, so Navy has to get their mediocre passing game going.  Middles have to punt.  Irish throw two illegal blocks on the return, so they are backed up.

Finally, the Naval Academy has a commercial.  It is a pretty cool commercial, with good music, and it is a whole minute.  Hopefully we see that again in the second half instead of the entry level commercials.

6:51: Notre Dame starts at their own 7.  Jimmy Clausen avoids the safety sack and moves the Irish forward four yards on the pass.

Michigan is up 14-7 on Northwestern.  That is normal, except Michigan is not normal this year.  Rutgers is up 7-3 at USF.  How much of a disappointment have the Bulls been this year.

4:49: Notre Dame needs to punt.  Navy gets excellent field position.  They capitalize with a Katani run into Notre Dame territory.

3:42: Another Navy first down on a Bryant carry.  Notre Dame had their chance to knock the Middies out early, but they are ruing their failure now.  Katani pushes the pile again to the 23.  Just like the Irish were, Navy is now getting chunks on running plays.

2:39: 23-yard rushing touchdown on the option by Finnerty!  Navy has an illegal formation on the PAT.  Rekick from five yards further back.  Notre Dame 7, Navy 7 with 2:39 left in the second quarter.

Taco Bell commercials (this one is the one with the bull) are funny, but they rarely make me want to eat there.  Clemson is up 10-0 on Duke.  Auburn is up 6-0 on Georgia with a touchdown sans PAT.

2:32: Navy kicks off.  This scoreline is bad news for Notre Dame.  If they do not respond in the last 2 1/2 minutes of the half, they are going to feel the pressure going into the second half.

2:18: Notre Dame starts at their 22.  They go to the no-huddle and start throwing short-range passes.

1:39: Jimmy Clausen throws another awful pass and it is intercepted by Navy.  The Middies have the ball near midfield.  WIll they start throwing downfield to get into scoring range?

1:07: Navy fumbles the ball on their second play (an illegal formation, to boot) and Notre Dame recovers.  The Irish immediately get a good pass and are at the Navy 40.

0:39: Irish get a two-yard pass and call timeout.

Clemson is up 17-0 on Duke with less than a minute left in the half.  Have the Dookies been hit with reality?

0:39: Navy is still winning the turnover battle 3-1, but that does not include the punt block returned for a touchdown.

0:35: Clausen hits Grimes for a first down at the 30.

0:17: Navy misses a tackle, allowing Armando to continue along the sideline and go out of bounds at the Navy 16.

0:11: Clausen runs for it and gets crushed between two Navymen at the 9.  He is down and he is probably out.  Evan Sharpley, the backup, is warming up.

0:07: Sharpley pass to the end zone incomplete.  Clausen is back in for one more play before trying a field goal.  He throws it up for grabs in the right part of the end zone and the Notre Dame receiver grabs but drops it.

0:02: Brandon Walker comes on to kick a 28-yard field goal, but Ken Niumatalolo calls a time out to try to freeze him.  Twice.  Does this idiot strategy ever work?  Walker hits it through.  Notre Dame 10, Navy 7 at halftime.

Halftime

I am seeing the National Lampoon-derived commercial with Chevy Chase for Sprint.  Question for readers: is she or isn’t she wearing a swimsuit?  I have not seen the movie, so I am clueless.

Another entry level Navy commercial.  Bleh.

Penn State is only up 10-7 on Indiana at home.  Uh oh.  Ohio State is up 23-10 on Illinois at the half and serves to benefit if the Nittany Lions cannot get their Spread HD to pick up more than one channel.

I am serious disturbed by the AT&T commercial with the texting humbs with faces.  I am just annoyed by diamond commercials.  Yuck.

More disappointment in Tampa.  Rutgers is up 21-10 on USF.

Notre Dame’s college promotional commercial has more national defense and national service imagery than the Navy one, if that is possible.

Normalcy is returning.  Georgia scores to take the 7-6 lead over Auburn.

Brett Favre is hawking Wrangler Jeans.  He is in great shape, but he looks so old and I hate when athletes unretire.

The Verizon commercial looks like it takes place in Long Beach, California.  Can anyone confirm or deny?

The second Navy promotional commercial is more of a testimonial from a football player.  Decent, but the first one blows it out of the water.

Another entry level Army commercial.  The first part of the commercial shows working in the Army as a corporate job.  Is not one reason to go into the Army to avoid having to take a corporate job?

Third Quarter

15:00: Notre Dame will kick off to Navy to start the second half.

14:56: Navy fumbles the kick off reception.  They manage to recover the ball, but they start at their own 7.

14:21: First down Navy on the pitchout.  Navy has gotten better at moving the chains as the game has progressed.

12:42: Navy fails to convert on third down (and illegal formation to boot), so they have to punt.  It is a nice punt, but Golden Tate brings it back to midfield.

12:12: Uh oh.  Notre Dame is gaining chunks of yards again.  Another first down on a running play to get to the Navy 42.

We have our first comment from the peanut gallery!  From our friend Chris Borglum:

Auburn Georgia is playing like 1957: old-timey, run off tackle, slap those passes down football.

I’ve had two Red Stripes, DanGr, as I get ready for UF-SC, and I’ll keep checking in!

PS: Good parenting alert: wives are gathering elsewhere, and soon we’ll have three dads and four girls between 6-8 here, which will in no way slow down the beer intake.

I am completely in favor of young girls watching football with their fathers.  I am also in favor of getting them started pre-gaming while they are young and impressionable.

10:06: Notre Dame is having an excellent drive.  They are running the ball very well now.  If Navy cannot stop this on this drive and the next, this game could be over.

9:31: Forget this drive; 11 yard touchdown run by Armando Allen.  Cue the Irish fight song.  Notre Dame 17, Navy 7 with 9:31 left in the third quarter.

Another Navy enlistment commercial.  The next commercial, for Liberty Mutual, features a woman driving along normally before getting into an accident.  She does not slow down or anything.  Who is stupid enough to pull of that kind of rear-ending?

9:26: Navy returns the ball to the 19.  They stick with Jared Bryant at quarterback.  They will return to their bread-and-butter, but it is another three and out as they come up 2 yards short.

7:32: Notre Dame returns the punt to the 37 as the local station puts up yet another annoying weather alert.

Miller High Life commercial!  This one is positive; it does not feature the big black guy taking people’s beer.

The AFLAC Trivia Question asked us to name the two Navy coaches who had winning records in their first season in the period after World War II.  Guys named Hardin and Tranquill.  Very difficult unless you are an expert on Navy football.  It looks like Niumatalolo will join them in “immortality.”

The Allstate commercials with the football tailgaters are usually pretty good, but I am starting to tire of the one with the blonde wigs.

5:49: Notre Dame is starting to impose its will on Navy.  They are pushing them around.  Another long first down run.  And another one.  Navy needs to bring in the reinforcements.

4:11: Robert Hughes, the thunder-type back to complement Armando Allen, hammers away at the Naval front.  Then the front gets pierced for a Hughes touchdown.  Notre Dame 24, Navy 7 with 3:29 left in the third quarter.

Clemson is up 31-0 on Duke in the middle of the third quarter.  Shall we put the fork in this game?

3:29: Notre Dame is set to kick off.  It is really windy in Baltimore.  The Irish need to use a holder.  Navy returns the kickoff to the 20.

3:04: Navy has put in Ricky Dobbs at quarterback, but they get stuffed on first down.  He gets a nice gain on the second down play, but is stuffed again on third down.  Is this four down territory?  No, punt formation.

Penn State is pulling away from Indiana.  It is now 27-7.  The Lions are safe for this week.

0:54: Notre Dame’s players may be much bigger than the Navy players, but that is no excuse for shoddy tackling.  Another missed tackle leads to another big gain on first down.

0:06: Notre Dame is in Navy territory and driving.  The outlook is bleak for the Midshipmen if they allow another score on this drive.  Notre Dame 24, Navy 7 at the end of the third quarter.

Papa John’s has a new Italiano pizza.  I thought pizza was Italian?  How stupid do you think we are?

Ladies and gentlemen!  We have the worst non-game minutes of the afternoon: a small games lottery drawing.  The only things worse are those commercials for the games for which they are shagging balls.

Texas is up 21-0 on Kansas midway through the third quarter.  Unless the Fighting Manginos get it going, they are headed straight for 6-6.

13:39: James Aldridge busts through the Naval defenses for another first down.

11:54: Clausen hits Paris for a good gain.  Not another first down, but you just know a first down is around the corner.

11:17: Or maybe not.  Walker kicks a 36 yard field goal.  Notre Dame 27, Navy 7 with 11:17 left in the fourth quarter.

11:10: Notre Dame kicks off.  The announcers bring up Navy’s 20-point comeback against Temple two weeks ago, but Notre Dame is much better than Temple.

Ohio State is up 30-13 on Illinois.  No fork yet, but it looks like Illibuck is going back to Columbus and will keep the pressure on Penn State.  It is still 27-7 in State College.

9:25: Fourth and three.  Navy has to go for it.  Dobbs get stuffed.  Put a fork in this one; it is done.

These E*Trade commercials are old hat, but it is funny having a “clowns are creepy” reference.

DanGo, leave a comment with the name of the NASCAR driver who just promoted Wrangler Jeans.  That is, once you finally read this since you are kind of occupied right now.

9:07: The weather conditions in Baltimore at the moment are similar to how they were in the North Carolina State-Maryland game three weeks ago.  Heavy rain and miserable, if you are a Navy fan.  Evan Sharpley is in the game for Notre Dame at quarterback.

7:39: Notre Dame runs it to the 25 and goes out of bond.  Navy is penalized for a horse collar tackle to bring it deeper into the Navy end.

7:11: Will the Irish score again?  It would be nice if Notre Dame had names on their jerseys so I knew who was gashing the Midshipment.  I want to take names!

6:08: Notre Dame is hit with a 12 men on the field penalty, despite Charlie Weis calling timeout.  We later learn the side judge did hear Charlie Weis, so all is fine in Irishland, except everyone is getting soaked.

5:42: Jonas Grey appeared to stop when he hit the Navy line.  Navy’s defense is playing well at the moment, the moment being the last 90 seconds.  Too little, too late.  Notre Dame appeared to fumble, but it is ruled down.  There will be a review.

5:19: Survey says…fumble!  At least the replay is shockingly clear.  Navy ball at their own 5.  The officials need to get hit with the clue stick, because this is taking forever.  Beuerlein forgot that USC has not traveled to South Bend at the end of November since the early 1960s.  The officials get it right, but in a retarded fashion.

I really like the Christmas AFLAC commercial.  Rarely is an AFLAC commercial not entertaining.

4:47: Navy appears to hit a bomb at the 47 of Notre Dame, but the ball squirts out of the Navy receiver’s hands.  Niumatalolo challenges the call on the field of an incomplete pass.  On further review, it looks like this one will be overturned, or upheld on an obscure technicality.

4:47: We have an obscure technicality.  The play is upheld based on both players having possession of the ball.  Navy will have to punt.  Notre Dame will try to run the clock out on their 71st victory in this series.

Penn State and Ohio State are about to finish off Indiana and Illinois respectively.  Another stupid diamond commercial.  Another entertaining Miller High Life commercial (Miller staff invade a stadium luxury box), this one back to being negative.

Upset alert!  Auburn is up 13-10 on Georgia early in the fourth quarter.

3:50: Notre Dame is at midfield and is set to let the air out of this game.  The announcers are talking about out-of-town action, specifically highly ranked teams vis-a-vis the BCS.

2:30: The Irish go for it on fourth down and fail.  No matter, this one is over.  The fans who have fled the stadium know it.  The Midshipment brigades kind of have no choice but to stay to the bitter end.

Northwestern beat Michigan 21-14 in the Big House.  We know which team is superior in 2008, but it is still a shock to see that scoreline.

1:39: Shun White runs right for a 24-yard touchdown!  Navy has made the final score a little ore respectable.  Will we see an onside kick?  Notre Dame 27, Navy 14 with 1:39 left in the fourth quarter.

1:39: Navy does try the onside kick.  A Notre Dame player bats it out of bounds.  It was an illegal forward bat by the receiving team.  Navy will kick it again.

1:36: This time, Navy recovers the onside kick.  Uh oh.  Uh oh!  This would be incredible if they could pull this off.  They have the ball at the Notre Dame 41.  The rain has slowed down.

1:29: Oh my!  Can you believe it?!  Ricky Dobbs hits Tyree Barnes down the right side!  Touchdown Navy (?)!  But did Barnes step out of bounds or go out of bounds?  The play is being reviewed.  The toes were inbounds but the heel and side of the shoe was out of bounds.  Is this a complete pass?  It will not be a touchdown.

1:29: The officials get the play right.  The ball is at the one.  Dobbs is held on first down.  The announcers say Niumatalolo called a timeout, but I am pretty sure Navy had no timeouts!  I thought they lost their last time out on the failed challenge.

1:21: Ricky Dobbs on the keeper for a touchdown!  PAT is good!  Roughing the kicker on the PAT.  The kickoff will occur from the Navy 45.  Notre Dame 27, Navy 21 with 1:21 left in the fourth quarter.

1:21: We will definitely see an onside kick here.  Navy has no timeouts left, so a Notre Dame recovery ends the game.

1:21: Holy moly!  Navy recovers the onside kick!  There is a flag, but it is waved off.  Ball is at the 42 of Notre Dame.  Wow!

1:21: Notre Dame calls its last timeout to steady their ship.  Both teams are out of timeouts.  The Irish have been incredibly passive on these onside kicks.

1:10: Ricky Dobbs runs to the 33.  Clock runnning.  Shun White just misses catching the second down pass from Robbs.

0:44: Dobbs is forward to the 31.  First down.  Dobbs spikes the ball to stop the clock.  Second and 10 coming up.  0:39 left.

0:33: Dobbs is sacked at the 35.  Navy calls a timeout it does not have, but the referees give it to them!  Will the officials overturn that?!

0:33: Referees allow the timeout!!!  What a miscarriage of justice if you are an Irish fan.  Dobbs throws to the end zone, but no dice.  Fourth and 13 with 0:26 left.

0:22: Dobbs overthrows his receiver and the ball goes back to Notre Dame.  The Irish will take a knee, the clock will run out, the alma maters will be played, and I will continue blogging the late afternoon games in the next post.

Final Score: Notre Dame 27, Navy 21

What’s that? It’s Thursday night in November?!

It can only mean one thing – Thursday night football at Virginia Tech.

Maryland comes to Lane Stadium tonight, looking to be the first team to win in Blacksburg on a Thursday night not named Boston College.

The story tonight is quarterback injuries. Tyrod Taylor’s third on the depth chart tonight, and Chris Turner is starting again for the Terps.

Also, this game features some of the best names in college football – Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and Hokies RB Jahre Cheeseman.

I totally listened to Enter Sandman on the way home.

First Quarter

15:00 Terps win and defer. The Hokies are wearing maroon/maroon tonight for the first time this season.

14:53 And a false start penalty on 1st and 10 for the Hokies. Way to go, boys.

13:38 3 and out for the Hokies. Terps stuffed on the punt return.

11:04 Not sure what’s going on with the VT defense. Turner is completing passes with ease.

9:11 The defense finally wakes up, forces a field goal. A 46 yard attempt by Obi Egekeze (another great name!) misses right.

8:39 Props to Fowler for mentioning the Murray State coaching staff, where Friedgen and Beamer worked together; and so did Ron Zook! I wonder if they went water skiing together?

7:53 And the Hokies blow the end-around reverse, with TE Greg Boone lined up at QB.

7:00 Man, another great name – Maryland LB Moise Fokou!

5:38 Danny Koale (redshirt freshman) is the “elder statesman” of the receiving corps. And holy shit – Sean Glennon completed a pass!

5:14 The legend of VT TE Greg Boone – he takes the snap at QB again, and runs for 3 yards. Apparently in high school he could throw for 70 yards standing flatfooted.

2:49 Glennon to Boone, 5 yard TD! Can’t remember the last time the Hokies had an offensive TD. Keys kick is good.
Virginia Tech 7, Maryland 0

2:44 Commercial break, kickoff return, commercial break. I love televised college football.

1:55 An esteemed Terrapin friend of mine insists that I am lucky because she has not “flipped a bus yet.” Maryland riots have always been weak.

0:00 Fifteen minutes down, forty-five to go.
Virginia Tech 7, Maryland 0

Second Quarter

14:37 Erin Andrews sighting! That is all.

13:58 Another FG attempt for Maryland. Obi Egekeze from 41.
Virginia Tech 7, Maryland 3

13:27 Dyrell Roberts 55 yards on the kickoff return. He’s going to be dangerous next year.

12:25 Glennon throws for -5 and then goes for for another -4 on 2nd down. Glennon never was mobile, but he’s definitely struggling tonight.

11:23 3 and out, after losing 10 yards on the drive. It’s gonna be one of those nights I think.

8:12 Memo to Maryland’s punter: Did you know it says “Baltz” on the back of your jersey?

7:41 Boone lines up at QB again, hands off to Macho Harris on the end-around. Harris has now covered passes, caught passes, and runs with the ball. Also, Darren Evans has outrushed the Terps 10:1.

5:37 I’m waiting on VT off. coord Brian Stinespring to break out the A-11 offense. He’s got Boone lined up at QB, and then Glennon lined up in the slot. What’s going on here?

3:48 Reviewing the Evans TD run – looks like it’s good. Keys kick is up and through.
Virginia Tech 14, Maryland 3

3:08 Beautiful stop on 1st and 10 on the end around – loss of 10.

2:38 A beautiful freeze-frame of the look on Chris Fowler’s face from the UT – Texas Tech game. Crabtree made the catch right in front of him at the sideline.

1:08 One more great name, as Dustin Pickle comes into the game in place of the injured Darren Evans.

0:45 Delay of game on 3rd and 13…except somebody forgot to reset the play clock? Or not…no explanation from the referee. And now Maryland takes a time out, amidst a steady chorus of boos from the stands.

0:38 Glennon converts the third down. Following a 4 yard gain on 1st down, Keys hits a 35 yard FG.
Virginia Tech 17, Maryland 3

0:09 Sage advice from Jesse Palmer — “just keep grinding.”

Halftime!
Virginia Tech 17, Maryland 3

Halftime excitement from the studio.

Lou Holtz claims he took his Coaches’ Poll voting seriously, despite not being able to see other teams play. He is also endorsing a playoff….someone hold me please.

You know, Dr. Lou, I’d be much more excited if these segments didn’t suck.

Third Quarter

14:48 Terps get the ball on the kickoff. Orion Martin sacks Chris Turner and forces the fumble, and the Hokies take over. Also, memo to Chris Fowler: it’s oh-RYE-on, not or-EE-un.

12:48 The Hokies can’t get a TD, but Dustin Keys kicks a 30 yard FG. The hole’s getting a little deeper for the Terps.
Virginia Tech 20, Maryland 3

12:44 Apparently Jesse Palmer thinks Va Tech has the best cafeteria of any college campus.

10:32 Darren Evans busts a 45 yard run down the sideline. He’s 16/160 right now.

8:58 More Va Tech special teams, downing a Bowden punt at the 2.

7:55 Every time Chris Fowler refers to Macho Harris as ‘the Macho Man,’ I think it deprives him of a bit of his masculinity.

6:43 Turner finally connects to Heyward-Bey for a 63 yard touchdown. The Egekeze kick is good.
Virginia Tech 20, Maryland 10

5:05 The Hokies get burned on special teams again – 3 and out following the Maryland TD, and then the punt gets blocked.

3:29 How does the VT defense help make up for the blocked punt? Blindside sack on third down! And then the punt bounces off a Hokie, and it’s Maryland ball at the VT 15…

2:48 Both VT cornerbacks (Virgil and Harris) ran 80 yards down the field on an incomplete pass. VT defensive coordinator burns a timeout to let them catch their breath.

2:37 Well-spent, as Heyward-Bey gets creamed on 3rd down. Egekeze hits the 27 yard FG.
Virginia Tech 20, Maryland 13

1:00 TE Greg Boone has done just about everything but throw a pass and kick a punt. Both are still possible.

0:00 The average margin of victory in the ACC so far this year has been just 9.8 ppg. Hang on to your hats, folks.
Virginia Tech 20, Maryland 17

Fourth Quarter
13:45 A holding penalty backs Maryland up to third and 17 from the Maryland 7. Turner’s having a lot of trouble handling the VT pass rush. Another Baltz punt, this one from the end zone.

11:49 A review of the third down catch puts the spot short of the first down. Hokies are gonna go for it from the Maryland 34. Handoff to Evans up the middle gets the first down.

7:33 The drive keeps rolling, and Keys nails a 27 yard FG.
Virginia Tech 23, Maryland 13

5:49 Maryland punts after Macho Harris breaks up a crucial third down play. Time to start killing the clock.

Argh Verizon Fios, why are you trying to get me to purchase The Love Guru via ondemand? You should pay me to watch that film!

4:09 Darren Evans just cracked the 200 yard mark tonight.

3:17 Darren Evans has not only set a school freshman rushing record tonight, but he put up the most rushing yards since Mike Imoh in 2004, and has managed to outgain the entire Maryland offense tonight.

2:06 Did I say freshman rushing record? I meant school rushing record.

0:00 The final line – 32 carries, 253 yards, 1 TD. The Hokie defense only allowed 225 yards of Maryland offense. And that’s all she wrote.
Virginia Tech 23, Maryland 13

Going into the second half, the score is WVU 14, Marshall 3.

Both of these teams have been disappointing. This game has so far been decided by screw ups rather than good plays. Hopefully this is different in the second half.

Marshall opens with possession, passes – and their receiver fumbles. More sloppy play here.

WVU follows this up with a huge run from Noel Devine. The pulling away begins now.

Touchdown WVU. 21-3

Big kick return for Marshall for 75 yards.

Marshall gets the ball deep in WVU territory, and on a pass play a WVU d-line member breaks through and basically pulls the ball out of the QB’s hands. Yet another Thundering Herd turnover.

WVU is driving. Jarrett Brown drops back to pass – and intercepted by Marshall!

All these turnovers are making this game way ugly.

Marshall gets nowhere with their next drive, which shortly leads to a punt. WVU will take over inside their own 30.

Pat White got banged up a bit, but looks like he’s okay on the sideline. Jarrett Brown takes over.

Noel Devine makes yet another great line, shaking four tacklers before finally being brought down.

OWEN SCHMITT SIGHTING!!!

WVU is driving again and inside Marshall territory, but Jock Sanders just got lit up by a Marshall defender. The followup pass is short of the first down, so it looks like WVU will go for the field goal and the kick is good. WVU 24, Marshall 3.

Updates will come more sparingly from here – the way this game is going, Marshall has no shot making this interesting again, let alone a successful comeback.

Marshall called a timeout right before they converted a fourth and one. More like fourth and dumb amirite.

I’m declaring this oberly painful game done. See you later, folks.

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH WEST BAH GAWD VIRGINIA MARSHALL FRIENDS OF COAL BOWL YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Marshall is walking to the field holding onto a tug of war rope as a group. This is bizarre.

And WVU starts with a pass for a first down. Tremendous.

Noel Devine runs in for a TD at the 10:11 mark. PAT is good. WVU 7, Marshall 0.

Marshall’s ability to stop WVU already is concerning. WVU is a supierior team, athletically, but I did believe that Coach Stewart’s disappointing performance to date would make a difference.

The first Marshall play is… a delay of game. Way to go Marshall!

The first Marshall ends on a three and out. It looks like this is approaching the annual Marshall – but WVU fumbles the punt and Marshall recovers near inside the ten! Play is under review to determine if Marshall had possession.

The call stands – Marshall recovery.

Marshall holding penalty pushes them back to the 17 and negates a touchdown. That’ll sting.

Marshall blows an easy shot at a TD thanks to two overthrownpasses, but they at least get the field goal. 7-3, WFVU.

WVU’s driving again – and they fumble on first down! A terrible toss on a reverse, but WVU recovers.

Pat White is looking crisp out there, but they fail to get a second first down on this drive and are forced to punt. It looked like the punt may have hit a Marshall player’s foot, which would have allowed WVU to recover, but it’s ruled that did not happen. Still Marshall possession.

Marshall tries to drive down the field, but on a third and six the pass to the wide out pops out of his hands and almost into the hands of a WVU defender. This leads to a punt. WVU has a fair catch at the five yard line(?!).

WVU takes possession, and it’s the end of the first quarter with the score WVU 7, Marshall 3.

WVU is committing a few too many penalties here – two on this drive have held them back, and if this doesn’t change they’ll have problems maintaing momentum. And this poessession ends in a punt – a very, very long punt.

Marshall is slowly moving down the field – they’ve gained about 20 yards in six plays so far on this drive. Just enough to keep moving. WVU just handed a first down to Marshall via an offsides, too.

WVU’s weaknesses in the defensive line and secondary are letting Marshall stay close so far, and Mountaineer penalties are a big problem too.

Marshall is, after this timeout, going to run their fifteenth play of this drive.

Once again, WVU fails to pick up the necessary first down and go for the field goal – and they botch the snap! They fall on it, meaning a turnover on downs. Fifteen plays, zero points. Pathetic.

Prediction for the rest of this game: WVU will pick it up in the second half, score multiple points, win by three touchdowns.

Pat White just completed a beautiful pass off a pump fake for a touchdown. PAT is good. WFVU 14, Marshall 3.

Marshall gets the ball and – interception by WVU. WVU is in scoring position wiht a minute left; the only hope for Marshall is that Bill Stewart has not figured out clock management yet.

Noel Devine just pulled off an insane run, where he covered the field from one sideline to the other and picked up 20 yards while runnning about 40 total. That’s a YouTube highlight that needs to be seen to be believed.

Bill Stewart clock management! WVU has the ball inside of the 20 with less than 10 seconds remaining – and they call a pass play what Pat White scrambles forever before throwing a deflected pass . No points, so at the half it’s WVU 14, Marshall 3.

After the half, watch for a new post.

And we open up the quarter with a punt, which is about perfect for this game so far. I’m still holding out hope for a key last game.

And the Terminator continues to fight the Fox Robot. And I enjoyed the parade one for Coke.

FRANK CALIENDO IS A CELEBRITY DONT BE FOOLED BY NAYSAYERS HE IS ON TV OK.

Eli dump off pass turned into a big gain by Kevin Boss! That moves them to the 35.

Jeremy Shockey has terrible choice in hats.

By the way, do you see what this boring game has lead me to discuss? Headware selections of injured reserve-occupying loudmouths. This game needs to liven up.

And Eli’s working on it! Yet another big pass to Steve Smith! Eli’s working on pulling off a Trent Dilfer performance here. Bradshaw follows it up with a good run up the gut, and the offensive line for the Giants are doing a great job tonight.

Eli passes – Touchdown Giants! With the PAT, it’s 10-7!

They’ve apparently saved the best commercials for the end of the game, as the Coke political commentators ad was pretty fun.

Laurence Maroney gets a big kick return, but there’s holding, so that does not bode well for Brady.

Dear networks, please stop surrounding kickoffs and punts with commercial breaks. Just work the kickoff in, then cut to a long break. Thank you.

I will reiterate it – Tom Brady & his o-line have not handled this great Giants pass rush well at all. They desperately need to change this if they want to win.

The second E*Trade commercial (with the clown) worked a million times better. I didn’t think that Gatorade one was bad, as it was simple enough to work.

Eli nearly pulled off another big play, but Burress pulls up a bit and it goes over his head. Manning then goes over the middle, but finishes up short for the first down. This causes a punt, but before it happens there’s a referee conference over the clock. The punt actually happens, with a fair catch.

If the Ferrell commercial happened with anyone else, it would have sucked. Moment of Truth commercial, shortly before it’s canceled in three weeks.

7:30 left in the game, Patriots down by 3 – if this was true storybook Brady, he’d eat all the clock on a drive for a game winning TD.

Brady is now picking apart the Giants defense, with more West Coast goodness. He’s starting to get good reads again. Brady is now just getting surgical with these throws. They’ve eaten up three minutes of clock and have reached the inside of the Giants 30.

I will say one thing – Joe Buck has not gone over the top with the Patriots man crush. I honestly forgot that the Patriots were undefeated until Buck just mentioned it, and I believe that’s been the only time this entire game.

Yet another big short pass to Faulk, getting him inside the ten. The Pats are just cutting through the G defense now and it’s just a matter of time until they score a touchdown. At that point, Eli will throw a game clinching interception and everyone goes home.

At this time, if the Giants win, I think Strahan should get Super Bowl MVP. If the Pats pull it off, which I think they will, Brady will obviously get it, in spite of a fairly sub-standard performance.

Brady just missed a touchdown pass to Moss. There’s really no excuse for that miss.

Also, it’s weird that that’s the first time I’ve typed Moss’ name tonight.

Throw goes behind Welker, and he’s hammered by two G-Men, causing an incompletion. One of those Giants defenders is holding onto his left hand now, too.

Third & goal, Patriots have the ball, down 3, 2:45 to go. If this ends up being the overtime Super Bowl that I’ve spent my entire life looking forward to, I will be so completely let down.

Brady to Moss – Touchdown Pats! With the PAT, it’s 14-10 Patriots! Eli has to get a TD in 2:30, and I just don’t think that’s going to work.

Giants made five fourth quarter comebacks this year. That just does not seem right at all. I think I’m in some bizarro world.

Manning the Younger enters the game now and will now effort for the win. He’s got to go a long way after a poor kick off return. Eli starts off with a nice short pass to get things kicked off. Next play sees a low snap to Eli and a high pass by him.

Burress has one catch for 14 yards. That’s not the kind of numbers you want to see for him if you’re a Giants fan.

Manning throws again, but incomplete. And we’re at the two minute warning.

Acting will not be in Big Ben’s future.

Very nice pass to Toomer which should be a first down, but then the refs move the ball back. And then again. That was one of the worst spots I’ve ever seen.

The Giants have to go for it here. And they do. 4th & 1 – Jacobs gets it just barely. Good play by Jacobs there once he hit the pile.

Eli scrambles – now that’s a scary phrase. He gets tackle, and then fumbles, yet Joe Buck talks – wishes? – that it was a live ball.

Eli nearly throws the ball right to Samuel for an interception. He is so very very lucky on that.

Eli Manning is nearly sacked on the next play, somehow slips lose – and makes one of the craziest passes I’ve ever seen, and David Tyree catches it against his helmet.

His freaking helmet.

If one play can redeem a QB, that’s got to be it.

Still, they have a game to win. Next play, Eli is flushed out and scrambles for no gain. The Giants O-line is now doing their best impersonation of the Patriots’ O-line during the first three quarters.

I am now actively rooting for the Giants after that awesome Eli pass.

Of course, Eli follows it up by a terrible pass. Evil cousin Eli is back.

Manning finally gets a good read out to Steve Smith, who heads out of bounds just for a first down. Smith did a great job after the catch to get inside the 14. Man, this is going to be a great ending.

Manning lofts it to Burress – Giants Touchdown! With the PAT, it’s 17-14! No matter what Eli Manning does from here, he just made himself a legend in New York.

Also, it’s important to note that they are playing “The Final Countdown.“ Props to the sound guy in Tempe.

Kickoff… Maroney gets smothered like Waffle House hash browns. Patriots take over at the 25.

Brady goes way deep and is nearly picked off. 25 seconds left.

Brady drops back again – and he’s spear sacked by Jay Alford! 19 seconds left!

Brady goes way downfield – and it’s just deflected by Corey Webster! This game has finally become exciting. 11 seconds left.

Fox, of course, tries to jinx it by showing off a Super Bowl Champions hat with the Giants logo on it.

Brady back, throws Hail Mary and broken up! One second left, Giants ball, Giants win! They’re going to be made to kneel down by the refs.

Bill Belichick leaves the field! Awesome. Just awesome.

This might be the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. What a great ending, we got Tynes hugging Coughlin which I never would have thought I’d see after the Packers game.

I complained about this game for 55 minutes of on field time. The ending more than made up for it, with the comedy of Belichick bailing before the end being the frosting on the cake.

Great game by the Giants, Eli looked like a solid QB, he made what may be the best Super Bowl play ever… awesome. Just an awesome game. By the end of the game I was actually shouting at the television, which I can’t remember that last time I did that.

I think I’m going to end it here. The Giants did a great job redeeming this game, especially with that awesome play with Eli. The best Super Bowl since Titans-Rams, possibly better, just because of the end.

Tom Petty looks as stoned as usual, but if he shared with the Halftime crew they may have been interesting rather than two-dimensional gimmicks.

Since I’m forced to listen to empty prognostication attempts, I’ll share my own – the Giants’ ability to win tonight depends soley on one thing, which is their defensive line. If they can keep the pressure on Brady going, they will be able to keep this within striking distance, as so far they have completely disrupted Brady’s rhythm. If the New England offensive line reasserts itself and is able to provide actual protection for Old Blue Eyes, they will win and win handily.

Also, I want to say this. I love Tom Petty. I think he’s a great musician. I love his music. Still, his performing at the halftime show is another example of how the NFL has knee jerked into dragging past-their-prime performers onto a nationwide stage. Petty peaked, at the latest, in 1994. The idea that to be a safe act you have to be over 50, male and white is very inane.

One last thing – double-necked guitars are awesome, and anyone who things otherwise is a pinko commie.

All that being said, that’s a pretty rockin’ suit Petty’s in.

A Claritin commercial that actually straight forward tried to sell something! Holy crap!

The game starts up again and… the Patriots start if off with a short pass and then a run. Nothing really going so far.

Brady tries a screen, but Strahan tips it incomplete. When he retires, I will miss the huge gap between his teeth and the fact that he’s a really good D-end.

Brady gets a dump pass off right before he gets sacked, and they managed to get the first.

Patriots are doing their best Bill Walsh impersonation right now with West Coast offense style short passes. That backfires, though, as the Giants are able to get a stop and force a punt. And Joe Buck points out, without any video evidence or anything, about how there was nearly a 12th man on the field.

What the hell, panda commercial. What the hell. And the NFL Robot attempts revenge.

Belichick challenges there being 12 men on the field, as apparently there’s some question as to if the 12th man got both his feet off the field. One might have been in midair.

Token Richard Simmons appearance, and yet another bad Career Builder add.

The challenge is upheld, which gives the Patriots a first down. This is going to be a pretty big deal. Somewhere, Gregg Easterbrook writes “done” in all capitals in a notebook in preparation of yet another sub-par, too long article.

The Giants defense continues to look strong, though, as they refuse to let the Patriots make any major progress, forcing a 3rd & 13. And, of course, a screen pass to Faulk, with the help of a Giants tackle that pushes him forward, gets Faulk a first down.

Michael Strahan comes up with a huge sack on Brady, but the Pats go for it on 4th and 13. Brady drops back but the pass goes out of the end zone! The Patriots continue to struggle.

And that’s a rather random promo for the new Pixar movie. Nothing is funny tonight, it’s all just randomly assembled punch lines.

Eli reverts to his good side for at least a bit and starts moving the Giants down the field. However, that ends quickly, but Feagles gets off a good punt, sticking the the Patriots at the ten.

Okay, this E*Trade commercial was going well up to the vomit joke, at which point it just turned into another bodily function joke. Sadly, it’s still one of the best commercials of the night.

The Giants continue their awesome pressure with what was nearly a safety on Tom Brady. That followed a false start penalty, which Joe Buck points out was drawn by a Giants player. He, of course, makes this sound like a bad thing, as no one should penalize Tom Brady. LEAVE TOM BRADY ALONE.

BIG catch by Wes Welker, which is yet again just an example of how great Brady is at digging his way out of a hole with this receiving corps.

With no further score changes, this would be the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history. The lowest is currently Super Bowl VII, a 14-7 Miami win over Washington.

Also, a random zoom-in occurs to Tom Brady yelling in slow motion. The Man Crush continues.

Okay, I loved the Chester Pitts NFL commercial. It is actually the best one so far tonight in my opinion. And that’s the end of the fourth! Still Patriots 7, Giants 3 after a scoreless third.

We’re back in the second quarter, Patriots still on the goal line – and Laurence Maroney (plus the PAT) pushes it in for the TD! Patriots, 7-3.

More movie promos than I’m used to seeing. GoDaddy plays up their commercial being banned and Dell acts like you should be happy about ordering one of their laptops because they contribute something like .01% to an anti-cancer charity.

And the Patriots kickoff goes out of bounds! Giants’ll be on the 40.

Fedex commercial that shows a horrifying future of huge carrier pigeons. And we actually get the first funny commercial from cars.com, followed up by another amusing Tide commercial.

And we finally do celebrity shooting. Thanks for making it through the first quarter without doing stargazing, but hey – GISELE~!1`eszomg

Manning gets another nice pass off to Burress, but he leads him too much and Burress isn’t able to pull it in. Interesting number from Aikman that the Giants lead the league in dropped passes..

Patriots blitz, but the Giants o-line does an awesome job picking it up. Eli follows that up with a “what the hell” downfield heave – which is caught for a 38 yard game. Eli being competent is really weirding me out here.

Nice shot of Peyton being unamused by Eli’s delay of game. Good job by Fox of getting that shot.

Eli drops back – throw to Steve Smith, who tips it into the air and Ellis Hobbs picks it off! For once, an interception that wasn’t Eli’s fault – Smith did a terrible job pulling that in.

Budweiser gives us a pretty convincing argument about why cuts are useful. Iron Man movie promo. And just in case you forgot – Tom Petty at the half! Get pumped up!

I feel it’s important to note that the defensive coordinator for the Giants just thrust his hips on national television. They did just force a three and out, though, so I would do the same as well.

Patriots punt, and McQuarters gets a nice return out of it.

Another rather boring commercial break, highlighted by a disturbing Corolla commercial featuring badgers attacking a guy in a car.

“Our truck does that best. We may not be the best announcers, but our truck does that best.” – Joe Buck

That was disgusting, Joe. Disgusting!

Eli gets sacked. It looks like we’ve returned to terrible Eli, and then a fumble on the handoff. Definitely evil cousin Eli, but at least the Giants retained possession. And then a screen completely fails, making this a three and out of comic proportions.

Giants punt, and Wes Welker gets an average return. Commercial time!

Career builder.com features the heart leaping out of someone’s chest, which surprisingly did not involve Mortal Kombat. And then lizards and a model dancing the Thriller dance for Sobe. Which was bizarre. And then an anti-prescription drug abuse message.

YOU HAVE TO DRILL A HOLE IN HER HEAD

Brady gets sacked! And then again! Yet another Patriots three and out.

McQuarters makes a random decision to try and return the short punt, and we’re back to commercials. As quick as the first quarter was, this one seems to be going on forever.

That GMC Yukon commercial featured a lot of animated man ass. Also, Carlos Mencia continues to not be funny. HEY I AM A MINORITY ERGO I WILL MAKE FUN OF MINORITIES.

The Giants D is doing a hell of a job, as is the Patriots’. Someone’s offense needs to do something though.

Ahmad Bradshaw remembers he can move forward and pulls off a nice run. The are doing a really good job running up the middle tonight. Looks like they’ve found the weak spot in this New England D, we just need to see if they can get points out of it.

Patriots force a third down; big question here is if the Giants will settle for good field goal placement here, or get risky and try for a first. Eli drops back and is sacked from behind and fumbles! Bradshaw tries to dive for it, but then bats it forward, allowing Steve Smith to recover it. That’s an obvious penalty, and that might cost the Giants big. Still third down though.

Eli throws again and nearly gets picked off again! So much for Eli breaking out (yet again).

Well, that was a bizarre Justin Timberlake commercial. And then a man in a mouse suit beats the hell out of someone over Doritos. Were these commercial writers smoking Tom Petty’s stash? I will say they were pretty… bizarre. Not quite funny.

Apparently Tom Brady has caught the weaker sibling disease from Eli, as he has been completely underwhelming tonight. He’s certainly not helped out by that o-line. Third and thirteen – and big completion to Donte Stallworth for a first down! That’s exactly why Brady is Brady and Eli is Eli.

And that’s followed up by an overthrown pass by Brady, which Buck acts like was the greatest ball ever thrown. Of course.

Faulk runs up the middle for another first down, and there’s a flag – holding! That’s a huge penalty against the Patriots. I bet Brady will convert though. His eyes are just that blue and steel-like.

Patriots are currently sitting as the team with the second least yards in the first half of a Super Bowl, trailing only… the Super Bowl XX Patriots. Fox (more accurately, probably Stats Inc) does do really good research for their productions, and Fox does do good production work.

Welker takes a short pass and picks up eight yards on a nice pseudo screen, letting some more time go off the clock. Yet another first down pass to Faulk. The Patriots take a time out. And no commercials! Amazing!

Brady completes another great first down pass and the receiver gets out of bounds. Brady steps back to pass again – and is hit! And fumbles! And the Giants recover! And more exclamation points!

It’s important to note that Brady’s arm was not moving forward at that point, so there’s no tuck rule bail out here.

Manning throws behind Steve Smith, which is yet another Eli like throw. If the Giants had a consistently good starting QB, they would be leading this game.

Five seconds left, Eli drops back again, we’re in full blown Hail Mary mode. He hurls it, a jump ball and no catch by either side. We’ll go into halftime, Patriots leading 7 to 3.

I won’t do a separate post about the halftime show, as it should be perfectly safe and boring for the NFL. If anything interesting happens, I’ll lump that into the third quarter post.

Also, so far, this is a terribly boring game. It may still end like the Rams-Titans game, which had the greatest ending of any Super Bowl ever. But so far, I’ve been wishing for some relief.

And… we get a chit chat from Troy Aikman about how great the Super Bowl is, how important it is to win, etc. etc.

We get told that Brady is pain-free in his ankle. Buck follows this note up with a disappointed story about how Brady told him it was not pain free earlier this week. I’m sorry Buck; those blue eyes have broken many a heart. You’re not the only one.

We get the kickoff, and the Giants return out to the 23. Two runs up the middle by Brandon Jaocbs, and then a short slant to Plaxico Burress by Manning the Younger for the first down.

Next play is a short dump off pass, good for three yards. The Giants are so far trying to nickel and dime the Patriots apart. A run and then a pass for a first, after which two Patriots go down with injuries. Randall Gay & Rodney Harrison.

And the first batch of commercials are…. underwhelming. An Audi commercial which apparently indicates they’re willing to murder your car to make you buy one of theirs. Or something.

Jacobs just smacks a Patriots player backwards and gets a seven yard run, his longest of the game so far.

Ahmad Bradshaw gets a one yard run and then another rush where he just runs into Ty Warren and keeps moving forward despite Warren being a step away from a rear naked choke.

Easy drop by Kevin Boss, though the pass wasn’t that great.

First promo for the Tom Petty halftime show. Seems like there haven’t been any female performers since the Janet Jackson thing. I just confirmed this

Manning gets off a really nice pass to Steve Smith for another first down. And he follows that up by trying to force a pass into double coverage in the end zone. Looks like we’re going to have a classic Eli game.

The giants get stopped on third down, and we get a Lawrence Tynes field goal try – that’s good. Giants up 3-0!

The Fox Robot is going to haunt my dreams tonight. Also, commercials continue to be nothing of interest.

Big kickoff return by Laurence Maroney out to the 44. And we get more commercials. Can we please get at least three plays between commercials?

Giants nearly get a sack on Brady off a fake reverse try, which is a tremendously failed trick play to start. That’ll only delay the mancrush on Brady for Aikman & Buck.

Brady is not looking all that great so far. A bad pass bounces about three yards in front of his receiver.

Pass interference against the Giants D in the end zone. I’d have to say that was a legitimate enough penaltyBig penalty there, so we get a first and goal for the Pats, but Maroney gets stuffed at the goal line. And they won’t try again this quarter, leaving the score Giants 3-0 at the end of the first.

And the NFL Robot gets taken out by the Terminator in a Sarah Connor Chronicles promo. You better not take that crap, NFL Robot.

I couldn’t stand the thought of sitting through hours upon hours of the endless blabber about Tom Brady’s beautiful hair and etc. etc.

So, here we go! With Joe Buck. Ugh. This’ll be a long night.

Actually, it’s hard to imagine just how difficult this part of the broadcast would be to do. I mean, you have to deal with the fact that every possible facet of this has been pounded into the ground. We’ve had endless around the clock discussions about nothing in particular, and now you have to follow up on that with something interesting. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen, so we get gimmicks like Frank Caliendo’s terribly unfunny John Madden impersonation and Terry Bradshaw’s “aw shucks I’m just so ignorant look at me” act.

We get some fancy pants promo where twenty different Giants players say resiliency while recapping their season. See, they’re resilient because they came back from some losses.

They also repeated the phrase “Road Warriors” multiple times, without once mentioning Hawk or Animal. Show some respect, kids.

The Giants run onto the field to a rather muted reaction.

We get a counterpoint promo video for the Patriots focusing on the word teamwork. This is amazing stuff here guys. Let’s repeat sports cliches over dramatic music with fancy special effects work. That’ll put asses in seats.

Bill Belichick, looking as homeless as ever.

As they cut to commercials, they show some woman named Jordin Sparks with a long exhale. She’s the one singing the national anthem. This will surely work out well.

Apparently Sparks is from won an American Idol contest. How’s that for some synergy?

I’ll admit it – the Matt Hasselbeck commercial for the NFL Network makes me laugh every time.

We get the Anthem. Straight forward performance, although Sparks continues to look nervous after finishing. She seems like she’s expecting to be whacked when she walks backstage.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year award goes to Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor for… reasons unstated. I can only assume due to his robotic visage conquering London.

Giants win the coin flip, and here we go. Finally.