College football and Thanksgiving go hand in hand. Everybody comes home from school to brag about how well their school did... or play down how poorly their school played. While the NFL rules Thursday, there's plenty of pigskin helpings Friday and Saturday with rivalry games on tap-- and more than a few of them carry division, conference or national championship implications. While Virginia Tech is thankful for a soft September schedule and minimal growing pains for quarterback Logan Thomas, Virginia's thankful they're playing meaningful games in late November. Maryland, meanwhile, is thankful the autumn nightmare is coming to a close-- with work already underway on 2012.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse had the weekend off with games against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh pending. At 5-5 they need a split to make postseason play... but with 3 straight losses where they've allowed 30+ points a game, I think we might be looking forward to basketball. Oh yeah, that. Longtime assistant coach Bernie Fine has been accused of molesting a former ball-boy in the 1980's and 90's. I covered the team while I was a student and never heard anything sketchy about Fine-- but my minimal exposure to SU hoops during that time obviously counts for nothing. You just don't know people. If the claims are true I hope appropriate action is taken. If the claims are true I hope my university didn't cover anything up or turn a blind eye when they had the chance to do the right thing. If these claims are false, I have no mercy for those who have lied and slandered... and hope a longtime coach gets his reputation back.
Maryland (2-9) enjoyed a tale of two halves against Wake Forest... playing the Demon Deacons even for 30 minutes before allowing 4 scores in the first five possessions after intermission-- slipping 31-10. Once again there were bright spots with more than a few breakdowns. Bring on 2012. Terrapin Triumphs-- CJ ran for 110 yards while throwing for 186 and a touchdown... Demetrius Hartsfield tallied 14 tackles while Andre Monroe notched 2 and a half sacks. Terrapin Troubles-- 514 total yards allowed... 340 after halftime. Two missed field goals from 32 and 36 yards. And another double digit defeat. Next up: Saturday at North Carolina State.
Virginia (8-3) somehow survived a last-chance Florida State rally and won for the first time ever in Tallahassee... 14-13. Any time you win for the first time in a conference foe's building, it becomes a big season. Kippy and Buffy got into the pre-Thanksgiving celebration by enjoying Louis Jadot Beaujolais with Port Wine Cheese on Wheat Thins. Now Saturday's Commonwealth Cup also means a ticket to the ACC Title game. Cavalier Congrats-- 238 yards passing for Michael Rocco against the best defense in the ACC... and a turnover free game for the offense. The UVa D held FSU to 3 of 13 on third down and allowed the Seminoles to cross midfield just twice after halftime. Cavalier Concerns-- 7 penalties is never ideal... and going 5 of 14 on third down is one way to keep the opponent in the game.
Next Up: Saturday against Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech (10-1) continues to rule Thursday night with the clarity of a Bill Cosby sweater. Despite a late North Carolina rally, the Hokies hold on 24-21. Now the overachieving little brother once again faces his instate rival-- with a trip to the ACC Title Game on the line. Hokie Highlights-- Logan Thomas threw for two scores while running for a third... VT moved the chains on 9 of 16 third downs... Jarrett Boykin tallied 10 catches for 106 yards. Hokie Humblings-- another sluggish first quarter resulting in an early deficit... that I'm used to. But now a fourth quarter where the defense allowed 179 yards and two scores? Special teams saw a field goal missed/-1 punt return yards/under 20 yards a kickoff return. BEAMER BALL?Next Up: Ray and Louann square off with Kippy and Buffy in a tailgating tilt... as the Hokies visit Virginia.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment