Never have I watched a football game and been so disgusted and yet so overjoyed as I was on Saturday night. So with that said, I apologize for what is sure to be my longest, least humorous blog. Because I have a lot to get off my hairy Italian chest.
First of all, I was overjoyed because my Pitt Panthers defeated their biggest rivalry, number 2 ranked West Virginia, 13-9. And yes I can call them MY team because they took four years of MY tuition; as well as some parking fines; and maybe an alcohol violation fine.
It was arguably their biggest win ever. Words can't describe the feeling I had when Pitt's punter Dave Brytus ran out the final seconds of the clock, officially ending West Virginia's national Championship hopes. Actually, I think if you ask their basketball team, it's spelled West Virgina. Or maybe that's just some really cool 51st state I haven't heard of yet. Don't take my word for it, look for yourself - WVU Basketball NIT Champion Shirts.
But enough of their illiteracy. Not only did Pitt have to overcome the 10-1 Mountaineers on the road - they also had to overcome the referees.
Now I'm not a complainer when it comes to penalties. I am not like an NBA coach, who seems to blame every loss on the zebra's calling the game. But this game was different. The fix was in. If you don't believe me, click the link at the bottom of this blog.
With 1:38 left in the third quarter, freshman running back LeSean McCoy ran over right tackle for a 13 yard touchdown. But as McCoy crossed the goal line, the ref threw a holding penalty, calling it back. Replays confirmed that that particular referee was a blind jackass. But hey, people make mistakes. And referees are people, too. Pitt ended up missing a field goal on that drive.
Late in the 4th quarter, Pitt again had a chance to ice the game and seal the Mountaineers fate. On 3rd and 4, McCoy scooted to the left for a first down. But wait, a flag was thrown for holding on wide receiver Oderick Turner. It wasn't thrown by the side judge, who was less than five yards away from Turner, watching him the whole time. Instead it was thrown from the secondary, a good fifteen yards away from the play. And it wasn't thrown at the time of the "hold", it was thrown after McCoy had ran out of bounds. Although, technically he was so far away from the play, he would have had to thrown the flag before the play even started to give it enough time to reach its destination.
On the very next play, quarterback Pat Bostick threw a sideline pass to Turner who was grabbed by the jersey and spun away from the ball by the defensive back, right in front of a referee. No flag.
Dave Wannstedt was furious. I was furious. The Reverend Jesse Jackson was furious.
Three calls against the Panthers at three critical junctures in the game. Not to mention the excessive celebration penalty at the end of the game when WVU had turned the ball over on downs. Apparently pointing two fingers to the sky in happiness is an illegal gesture. Or maybe the referees where holding on to the slim chance that the Mountaineers could still win the game.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Big East referees wanted West Virginia in the national championship game to represent the conference, even if it meant selling out Pitt. But when it came down to it, Pitt's will was just too strong.
It will be a game that the players involved will never forget, and either will I. Sure they didn't make a bowl game, but this season couldn't have ended any better.
You be the judge - VIDEO OF THE PENALTIES
Phantom Calls
My Grown Up Christmas List
My title is really cheesy.
And I don't even mean cheesy like Celine Dion cheesy, but cheesy as in the end of "Full House" when Bob Saget sits down with (insert any of the three children) and talks about (insert their problem and how they solved it) and they hug.
But don't blame me for my title, blame Kelly Clarkson because if anyone has her Christmas album (none of you), you would already know that I ripped this off of her. The song is self explanatory; she has a grown up Christmas list. But, wait there is a twist! She doesn't want things of material value, she wants, "no more lives torn apart, that wars would never stop, and time would heal all hearts, and everyone would have a friend, and right would always win, and love would never end."
I'm pretty sure I just went into a diabetic shock with the amount of sugary goodness in the lyrics to that song. While those things are all well and good, I'm sending my own Grown Up Christmas List to Santa this December and it has a twist of its own.
....It's about sports. (come on you should have been able to guess that by now.)
So here is my list of things I would like to see happen on December 25th.
1. Johan Santana turning down a lucrative deal with the Yankees to go play for the Red Sox without the Sox having to trade Lester and Elisbury. (I think I'll have to be extra good, no no, Saint-like, over the next three weeks for that to come true.)
2. Nancy Kerrigan announcing that she is coming out of retirement to ice skate again. Who is Nancy Kerrigan you ask? Well if you don't know, then I'm not going to tell you! Ok, I'll give you a clue, "whyyyyyy, whyyyyy" (said while clutching her knee). Still don't get it? I suggest google and shame on you. I love Nancy.
3. Bonds gets his Homerun title taken away from him. (I'm still angry.)
4. The Pats continuing their streak of domination. Oh and that Brady dumps his hot Victoria's Secret Model for me.
5. NESN fires Hazel Mae. Or at least fixes her bangs. The last time I saw bangs like that, they were on Julia Roberts when she donned that wig in "Pretty Woman."
6. When I come back from winter break, the Celtics won't have lost their mojo. I can't deal with a semester like last spring where every week I would report on highlights from yet another Celtics loss. The trinity of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce is working for me and Celts fans all over, so let's keep that going.
7. A phone call from ESPN saying that they've read my blog and would love to give me an internship. (Hey you never know).
8. Tickets to a Sox game (just saying Mom, I know you keep up on the blog.)
9. B.C. Quarterback Matt Ryan wrapped in a box with my name on it under the Christmas tree. And mistletoe. I'm just saying, you can't turn down mistletoe!
10. That experience.com let's me back for another semester of blogging because, and note the incredible transition, this is my last blog of the semester!
Can you believe it! Experience.com brought me onboard in May, asked me back for this semester and added Joe to the sports blog (I think they assumed he would help tone down my blogs, but he is naughtier than I am), and I think that they may be crazy enough to ask me back for another go at the blog.
But anyway, thanks for reading my blog for yet another semester! It has been fun and I've enjoyed myself, so I hope you have too.
Happy Holidays!
