Congrats to Kippy and Buffy. My UVa tailgating friends--popped collars with woven sweaters, argyles with Doxides and all-- can lord over their Terrapin counterparts on the gridiron for the next year... and enjoy their clinching a postseason berth to boot. It's kind of odd that Virginia Tech was idle this weekend-- it only magnifies the Maryland-Virginia matchup for all the right and wrong reasons.
Alma Mater Update-- Paul Pasqualoni gets his revenge win as UConn rallies past the Orange 28-21. Thanks for recruiting a decent QB after McNabb, Paul. And thanks for always finding a way to lose to the East Carolinas and NC States from out of nowhere... and oh yes... Temple. My cousin Liz went to that fine institution, but losing to Temple in 2004 still stings. Unless John Chaney is threatening me. Then I'm cool with that. So now not only is the air officially out of the season, the SU bandwagon is ruining its tires by driving on the rims. Pinstripe Bowl here we come! Unless they add another bowl to be played at CitiBank.
Virginia began with a bang against Maryland-- returing a kickoff 47 yards and then scoring from 47 yards out on its first play from scrimmage. After a Terrapin rally, the Cavaliers owned the third quarter: grinding out 207 yards to 65 for the home team, scoring 14 points while being en route to a field goal as the quarter ended, and holding the Terps to a pair of 3 and outs with an interception on the other drive. The final wasn't as close as the 31-13 score would suggest. For the Cavs it means a bowl-- and for the Terps it means 2012 or bust... as 2011 is already officially a bust.
Cavalier Congrats-- Perry Jones gained over 6 yards a carry (139 yards on 22 tries) while setting the tone with a 47 yard scamper for a score and had a game-changing touchdown on 4th and 1 to put UVa up 8 after its first drive of the second half... Kris Burd and Tim Smith tallied 100+ yards receiving... and Rodney McLeod notched three interceptions. Cavalier Concerns-- after a strong start the defense allowed the Terps to score three times in four possessions...
both lost fumbles occurred well within field goal range... and Kippy Cavalier makes a pretty lame mascot. Easily the least threatening I've seen on the sidelines this fall. And that includes the Temple Owl (who fears a nocturnal animal in the afternoon?) and Miami's "Sebastian the Ibis"-- really. "Sebastian the Ibis"? Legally, you can't be intimidated by anyone named "Sebastian". Or "Kippy". Next Up: Saturday against Duke (don't worry, November begins like a Lamb and ends like a Lion-- Florida State and Virginia Tech wrap up the UVa schedule).
Tailgating Tandem-- truth be told my UVa pals Kippy and Buffy brought it big time-- breaking out the Cain Five 2007-- an incredible blend with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cab Franc (the vanilla extract of grapes)... paired with a nice dose of Jarlsberg (Nowegian swiss-type cheese) on Keeblers "Toasteds" snack crackers. Still, I had a better time in the non-popped collar land with the Nobles: Matt and Stacia offered a pregame spread of crabdip and breakfast quiche (Stacia's Mimosa recipie calls for Triple Sec), and postgame Bubba Burgers with shrimp dip and frito's... with cans of Coors Light (raised in honor of my cousin David Watson's birthday) and Pumpkin Ale (I forget the brand; we were holding a "production meeting" for the womens' basketball broadcasts). I was given the leftover shrimp dip and let's just say it was gone within 24 hours.
Terrapin Triumphs-- Quentin McCree notched 7 catches for 117 yards in his final home game... Darin Drakeford tallied 11 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception... and the weather was really nice for the first time in seven home games this fall. I'm the sideline reporter for the Terrapin Sports Radio Network-- and I've seen rain, snow, sleet, slush and even a hybrid I politely title "snushleet". Terrapin Troubles--five turnovers on their last seven possessions (the other possessions failed to gain a first down)... 3 for 14 on third down (all 14 third down plays were 3rd and 6 or longer)... a defense that allowed two huge plays in the first half (a 47 yard run and a 35 yard pass). Next Up: Saturday against Notre Dame.
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