Columbus West

There's a lot to talk about tonight, but I'll start with the road trip to Bloomington yesterday. With gametime set at 12:10, we left at 7:30 for our destination about 3 hours away. Traffic didn't allow us to get to Bloomington until 11, but we wouldn't enter the stadium until 12 for a number of reasons haha. First, about 1/3 mile from the parking lot, father had to go the restroom, badly. He couldn't wait, but we were stuck in traffic. I told him to go in his coffee mug, because it would take forever to get back in line for the parking lot. But there was a Subway just ahead, and since we weren't moving, dad jumped out of the car and started running, literally. Well, first he started walking/doing his gotta go dance, then he started running. Meanwhile, I'm at the wheel, figuring we hadn't moved in 5 minutes, it'll be another 5 before we move again. Right about then, we began to move. And we actually were moving pretty well, so well that we went by the Subway and then some. So I had to get out of line and pull into a McDonalds and wait for dad to find us.

And don't worry, there will be pics of this, and the whole trip coming in the near future.

Eventually we parked, in a grassy area across the street from Memorial Stadium and Assembly Hall (basketball arena). I'm a big fan of grassy areas near football stadiums. They provide a nice backdrop and are good tailgating areas. This didn't compare to the Michigan golf course, but it was still nice. Our seats were in the south end zone, and they weren't bad. We were in the midst of OSU fans, who despite only getting 15,000 tickets for the game (capacity 52,000), they still managed to outnumber the IU faithful or come close to it. They even did the O-H-I-O chant around the stadium as if it were the Horseshoe.

As for the game, IU managed to keep it close until the 3rd quarter despite the worst officiating call I've ever seen. In the 1st quarter, OSU was forced to punt after their first series and the IU punt returner fumbled the punt, despite an early whistle from one of the officials, thinking the play was over. Because the play wasn't actually dead, it was correctly ruled a fumble and OSU took over. At the beginning of the 2nd half, IU kicked off, there was an early whistle, OSU fumbled the kick and IU recovered. The same exact situation, so IU got the ball, right??? The officials ruled that because of the early whistle, the play didn't count and IU had to rekick??? It was as if MAC officials were at the game, how could you rule two different ways when given the same situation???

Anyway, it worked out in the end for IU because on that series, Ted Ginn was stripped and IU ran it back for a touchdown to make it 17-10 OSU with 10 minutes left in the 3rd. But that was as close as IU got. OSU took the ball and went down the field and scored to make it 24-10. A couple of minutes later, it was 31-10 after OSU picked off a Blake Powers pass and returned it for a TD. And in the 4th, Ted Ginn tacked on the exclamation point with a punt return for a TD. OSU won 41-10, holding the Hoosier offense to 131 yards. Ohio St., Penn St., Northwestern, and Wisconsin all share the Big 10 lead. IU still has a chance for a bowl game, but must win 2 of its last 4 (still must play Michigan, Michigan St., Minnesota, and Purdue) to become bowl eligible.

Some other thoughts:
For those of you from Miami and HawkHeads, you will recall "HotCop", the title we gave a couple of years ago to a very attractive female police officer that worked at football games. Well, IU has their very own HotCop, and I must say she was even more attractive than Miami's version. Sadly, she had a big fat ring on her left hand. Again, there will be pics forthcoming.

Another reason why I don't like OSU fans: complaining about the officiating when ahead by 3 touchdowns. The game was basically over, yet the fans were still crying about bad calls. You're winning the game, enjoy it, and shut up!!!!!

IU is coming as a football school. The students came out, despite the early start time (11:10am local time), and were into it until the 4th quarter. I only wish I was able to get my hands on one of the "Hep got me to come" t-shirt or something to that effect.

Meanwhile, on the way home we were able to listen to the wild game that was Miami/Eastern Michigan. Tied at 17 with 5 minutes left, Miami drove down and took the lead on a Josh Betts to Martin Nance pass. 1:10 left, a 24-17 lead, should be good enough, right?? Eastern went 67 yards in 6 plays and scored on a TD pass to make it 24-23 with 12 seconds left. But on the extra point, the snap was bad, and the kick hit the upright. Miami recovered the ensuing onside kick and held onto win the game. Josh Betts threw for 252 yards and 2 TDs (also 2 INTs), and Brandon Murphy rushed for 161. Miami is now 4-3 and back in control of their own destiny in the MAC East thanks to a 45-14 Western Michigan win at Bowling Green. So it appears, if everything holds until then, the Miami/BG game at Miami will decide the MAC East. First, Miami travels to Philadelphia to take on Temple this Saturday.

The Top 10 will appear tomorrow night. I'm gonna need something to write about, so I'll do it then.

In college hoops news, Villanova may have lost Curtis Sumpter for the year. Sumpter is a preseason candidate for National Player of the Year. Miami may have lost starting center Monty St. Clair for the year also. St. Clair would be a huge loss as he provides the beef up front and an additional potent outside shooter.

Who dey gonna beat them Bengals?!?!? Big Ben and the Steelers did. Despite 2 early scoring chances, the Bengals could only get 3 points, which wasn't a good sign. The Bengals couldn't stop the run, giving up 131 yards to Willie Parker, 200+ yards to the Steelers as a team. Roethlisberger did throw his 1st INT of the year, but for the most part was his efficient self, throwing 2 TD passes. The Bengals are a good team. They are 1 defensive tackle stud from becoming really good.

And a team known as Da Bears won their 2nd straight, 10-6 over the Ravens. Kyle Orton threw a TD pass, and Thomas Jones ran for 135 yards. Big showdown for 1st in the NFC North next week as Da Bears look to sweep the Lions in Detroit.

Friday night, Wayne won the big showdown with Northmont 40-15. The Bolts led 9-7 at halftime, but Wayne turned the game around after converting a 4th and 17 in the 3rd quarter. Wayne clinched a 1st round home game with the win, Northmont must win at Troy and get help next week to make the playoffs.

I saw two good commercials today. First, Burger King's King slam dunked the football over the crossbar, very funny. Then, Gatorade came out with one showing Michael Jordan missing the shot over Craig Ehlo, Dwight Clark not making "The Catch", and one other thing I can't remember now. I think it's the only time I've ever seen Craig Ehlo celebrating anything (and it didn't happen haha).

Finally, anyone else think it's interesting that two of the worst hurricanes ever, Katrina and Wilma, hit two places known for their social debauchery (New Orleans and Cancun respectively)???? I'm just saying......