2009 Arizona-Arizona State Running Diary

It’s the Battle for the Territorial Cup! Arizona enters this game gunning for their seventh win, while this is Arizona State’s bowl game. If the Wildcats win, it will be two straight over the Sun Devils. The last time Arizona won consecutive football games over the Sun Devils was 1993-1998. The last time Arizona won in Tempe was 2001. Lots of “firsts” could happen today. You know what that means…time for another running diary!

Pregame – We had to do some shopping today (for needs, not wants), so I am watching this game in HD on my DVR from Dish Network. I highly recommend Dish Network . . . I have been completely satisfied with everything from them. Anyway . . .

ABC introduces the game by showing the Wildcats’ epic collapse against the Ducks last Saturday night in Tucson. Please drive the knife deeper, guys. Really. The ABC narrator called it “the emotion of the most exciting game of the season.” What he should have said was “the gigantic kick in the stomach.”

Meanwhile, the Cats enter the field to a chorus of boos. I love it.

15:00 (1) -- The Sun Devils kick off to the Cats. The returner gets to the 17. The grass on Frank Kush Field at Sun Devil Stadium on Arizona State University in Tempe in Arizona in the United States in North America on Earth looks great, might I add. (See how ridiculous it is to have all those names in a stadium? Just name the stadium for Kush, guys.)

14:54 – William Wright catches a sideline screen pass and gains four. By the way, Keola Antolin is injured and will not play today. Greg Nwoko will play tailback instead. He’s averaging 4.3 yards per carry, might I add, as Wright runs a slant and catches another pass from Foles and gains a first down.

12:04 – On third and less than a yard, the receiver drops the pass, so Keenan Crier comes out to punt. The returner gets nine yards.

11:47 – Kyle Williams makes a nice diving catch to gain 44 yards.

11:18 – Then Dmitri Nance rips a 15 yard gain on the ground. Arizona’s defense is still in the locker room, I guess, as Nance gains two yards on another running play.

10:08 – Nance gets stuffed on a run up the middle. I guess the defense IS here. I finally see ASU’s QB’s name in print. It sounded like “Sakachi” and looked like “Szfhdsjklafsdlchi.” But it’s “Szakacsy.” Well there ya go. Meanwhile, Arizona has the wrong personnel on the field and calls timeout.

9:33 – Xavier Kelly and a three other Cats force Szcaudsiofejwlkny to scramble and throw it away. Here comes the field goal unit. A delay of game penalty sets them back five yards. We now hear that ASU has 84.8 penalty yards per game, which is the second-highest amount in all of College Football. You mean that a team coached by Dennis Erickson lacks discipline?!??? Are you going to tell me now that John Kennedy was a womanizer? Amazing! Meanwhile, ASU narrowly misses a field goal wide left.

8:20 – Announcers just mentioned that the trophy they are playing for is the oldest trophy in college football. Arizona, meanwhile, self-destructs, fumbles, recovers, and punts. Crier is roughed (knocked on his back), but it was ruled as running into the kicker, which is a five yard penalty.

6:54 – ASU takes over on their 37 yard line. Szfdshahjchy’s first pass is nearly intercepted. Then Nance gets wrapped up in the backfield.

6:17 – The cameras show Threet, ASU’s incoming transfer QB, on the sidelines. He’s sitting out because of a transfer from Michigan. He transferred there from Georgia Tech. Maybe next year, if he doesn’t get the starting spot, he’ll transfer to Hawaii. Meanwhile, Szerwuiofdhsakjchy gets sacked and then ASU booms a 68 yard punt.

5:00 – Cameras show the A on Hayden Butte last Sunday, when it was red. Haha. Even today, you could still see the red peeking out.

3:54 – I thought Antolin wasn’t playing today! Guess what, he came into the game, busted up the middle AND WAS LONG GONE FOR A 67 YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Zendejas’ extra point is good for a 7-0 lead. It was only four yards shorter than the kick he shanked last week that knocked the Cats out of the Rose Bowl hunt. I will now go slam my head on a table.

3:49 – Right on cue, the color commentator mentioned how big field goals were last week. Darn it all.

ASU starts their drive on the 26 and rattles off a three yard gain.

3:12 – Another Sun Devil penalty. Three penalties for 15 penalty yards in the first quarter alone.

2:03 – Another sack by the Cats, dropping Szcsafsjdkltrauihgadschy on the ASU 19. Here comes another punt...

1:28 – William “Bug” Wright runs the punt 38 yards after a 44 yard punt. First and ten on the 26. The announcers mention all of the good punt and kick returners who came through the University of Arizona: Chuck Levy, Chris McAlister, Bobby Wade.

0:30 – While I’m typing the last section, Arizona gets another first down; this time they’re on the 14 yard line. End of the first quarter shows the Wildcats ahead 7-0 and threatening.

15:00 (2) – Arizona’s cheerleaders are better looking than ASU’s.

Arizona gets a one yard run on first and ten. Arizona’s red zone stats this year are horrid, we are reminded.

14:11 – Foles throws a pass that is caught by Carr, ASU’s safety, but his first foot landed out of bounds out of the back of the end zone. Replays show that he might have put his right foot down inbounds first, but I don’t think he did. Arizona calls timeout.

Buffalo Wild Wings Top 30 plays of the last 30 years. . . #6 is the famous Hook and Lateral by Boise State against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl three years ago. That play should have been #2 in my book, behind only The Play in 1982 Stanford-Cal involving the Stanford Band.

13:39 – The Cats can’t do squat in the Red Zone, and then Zendejas shanked a 30 yard field goal that hit the crossbar and bounced out. 30 STINKIN YARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13:04 – Arizona should be ahead 14-0 but instead is only up 7-0. The three losses involved missed opportunities in the Red Zone. Come ON.

11:31 – After a failed Sun Devil drive, the Cats take over on their own 31. Matt Scott comes in at QB at runs the ball 15 yards on the second play of the drive, getting a first down. The ball pops out when he hits the ground, but he was down, and replay confirms it.

10:18 – First and ten from the 48, then Antolin ran the ball to the ASU 47. Scott then carries to the 44, two yards short of the first down. Third and two now. Nwoko carries it past the first down marker, but a horrible spot made him short of the first down. Foles is in now for the fourth down sneak, which looks to be more than enough for a first down. The official spot confirms this, and so does the measurement. On the replay, it is obvious that three ASU linemen were lined up offside. I am, for some reason, not comfortable with the officiating today.

7:34 – A deep ball by Foles on second and nine is incomplete. This is irritating. Arizona should be ahead by a lot already.

7:34, Part Two – DELAY OF GAME?!??? COME ON!!!!

7:34, Part Three – Foles fires a pass incomplete. Yet another failed drive. Sheesh. Crier’s punt sails out of the back of the end zone. Hangover from last week’s debacle?

7:21 – Just saw a report that Bud Selig will step down as MLB commissioner after the 2012 season. Why not sooner? I’m serious here.

6:47 – Now Danny Sullivan is playing QB for ASU.

5:05 – ASU just misses a first down. Their receiver also gets a wretched spot. At least it happens to both teams. ASU is going for it on fourth down. Nance easily gets the first down, by the way.

4:38 – Danny Sullivan bombs one deep that bounces as it reaches the receiver. Second and ten.

4:38, Part Two – Another ASU penalty; their fifth of the game.

4:34 – UA blocks a screen pass.

4:23 – Another screen pass for ASU falls well short. Fourth down.

3:59 – Hankins’ punt is BLOCKED BY ORLANDO VARGAS, WHO SCOOPS IT UP AND TAKES IT ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Zendejas miraculously tacks on the extra point and the Cats now lead 14-0.

3:43 – ASU’s kick returner is SMOKED on the return.

3:43, Part Two – Replays show that Vargas’ block was one of the rare punt blocks in which the defender never even touched the punter.

3:24 – Earl Mitchell nearly takes the handoff, dropping Nance for a huge loss.

3:09 – Mitchell badly airmails his pass. Third and fifteen.

2:47 – ASU’s fans are booing their completely inept offense. ASU gained 44 yards on the first play, and in every play combined since then, they have gained 27. The punt only went for 30 yards, giving Arizona the ball near midfield.

2:07 – Terrell Turner makes a nice shoestring catch on ASU’s 45.

1:46 – Another first down for the Cats.

1:26 – Wright makes another catch for the first down – wait, no it’s incomplete. Don’t know if I agree with it; but I’m not calling this game.

0:48 – Criner catches the third down catch but is four yards short. Fourth and four. UA goes for it, but Foles’ pass is overthrown. Criner looked like he might have been held. Either way, ASU gets the ball on downs.

0:12 – ASU runs the ball for another loss. Words are exchanged between opponents as halftime rolls around. 14-0 Cats at halftime.

15:00 (3) – Arizona is only up 14-0 but should be up “a lot more than that” according to the announcers. They need to blow it open. BADLY.

ASU gets away with a block in the back on the return.

14:41 – Nance makes a nice run, but a lineman held on the play. It’s the sixth Sun Devil penalty of the afternoon, by the way. Second and twenty now.

13:47 – Third and sixteen for ASU, and Sullivan completes a twenty-four yard pass to Taylor. First down. (?)

13:22 – Then Sullivan gets sacked by Ricky Elmore for a loss of 7. Elmore leads the Pac in sacks.

12:21 – Pass dropped. Wow. Williams could not have been more open. Another incomplete pass brings up fourth and sixteen.

12:03 – Another short pass, this one to Criner. Second and six.

10:35 – Wright makes a beautiful leaping catch and falls near the first down marker. The line judge spots it in another bad position. My goodness. The measurement confirms that they are inches short. Keenyn Crier comes on to punt.

10:05 – Criner booms it to the ASU 31. ABC now shows the famous catch by John Jefferson in 1975 where he caught it parallel to the ground.

9:30 – Somehow ASU got to third and eleven, and I have no idea how.

9:11 – Great breakup by Ross to prevent a first down. ASU is now punting.

8:59 – Hankins got bumped into. Seemed to me that the Wildcat was bumped into him. There was also an illegal block in the back on the return. Looks like Erickson has a decision to make. He accepts the block in the back.

8:59, Part Two – OH MY GOSH. Two absolutely dreadful calls. The Wildcat WAS blocked into the returner, for one. Two, the “block in the back” was NOTHING. It should have been a no-call. This former high school official is beside himself.

8:59, Part Three – Foles passes out of his own end zone incomplete. It is a good thing that the receiver dropped the ball, because it would have been a safety.

8:23 – Foles makes a gorgeous throw and Dave Roberts makes a diving catch for a first dow. . .WHAT?!??? That was a catch. Oh wait, no it wasn’t, according to the replay.

7:47 – Kyle Williams makes a very nice, long return and takes it all the way to the Arizona 20. There were some blocks there that looked more legitimate as blocks in the back than the one that was called on the Cats a few minutes ago.

6:54 – It doesn’t matter. . .Arizona’s defense only gives up seven yards. Here comes the field goal unit. Defensive victory.

6:50 – Thomas Weber makes the 26 yarder. Zendejas probably would have missed it. 14-3 Wildcats.

6:45 – Wright returns the kickoff to the 25.

6:41 – Foles’s screen pass falls incomplete.

6:36 – Delashaun Dean makes a tip-toey catch near the sideline for a first down. Antolin follows it with a run for no gain to the UA 39.

5:38 – ASU is tipping many screen passes in the backfield now. Maybe it’s time to throw downfield?

5:31 – Foles fires incomplete over the middle. As Wright is returning to the huddle, an ASU defender is following him and jawing the whole time. Where’s the official?

5:23 – Crier’s 40 yard punt is returned by Williams. A blatantly obvious illegal block in the back is seen by several officials and flagged.

5:17 – Brooks Reid goes untouched to Sullivan and sacks him for a huge loss. It was the fifth sack of the day.

4:30 – And then Nance makes a 22 yard run for a first down. Horrible job tackling and covering the play by the linebackers.

3:07 – After a failed reverse, ASU rattles off another huge run. COME ON, GUYS! DON’T LET THEM BACK INTO IT!!!!

1:48 – Sullivan overthrows Williams on an out pattern on third and four.

1:40 – The punt goes into the end zone for a touchback.

1:28 – Matt Scott is in at quarterback again for the Cats. He makes a nice five yard run up the middle.

0:50 – A QB draw by Scott gains three. Third and two.

The clock runs out to end the quarter. Arizona leads 14-3. They should be ahead 35-3.

15:00 (4) – Foles makes a horribly ugly throw on third and two. I am ready to go slap someone upside the head. PUT THESE GUYS AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14:57 – Crier’s 65 yard punt is downed at the seven by the Cats. A flag is thrown by the field judge for an obvious hold on the Sun Devils during the kick, so the half-the-distance penalty will put them on the three-and-a-half yard line.

14:31 – Why did Arizona lose to Oregon, Cal, and Washington? They are HORRIBLE at putting teams away. Case in point: Sullivan throws from his own end zone for a 24 yard gain. You simply CANNOT allow this if you’re Arizona.

13:23 – Another converted third and long. This is ridiculous.

12:57 – Nance makes a nine and a half yard run. I am ready to go punch a wall. I thought Arizona had a good defense!

12:23 – Another first down on a run by Nance. TACKLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11:54 – Sullivan should have been sacked, except for a non-called hold. Then Williams makes a catch after a failed gamble by the UA safety and goes 44 yards for a touchdown. I will now throw up. Sentence fragments are currently racing through my head. What’s the flag for? Unsportsmanlike conduct?

ASU’s extra point is now a 35 yard kick, which Thomas Weber makes easily. Zendejas probably would have made the kick difficult.

11:37 – Delashaun Dean makes a nice catch for an eight yard gain on second and ten. It’s right in front of the ASU sideline and he hangs on despite getting TATTOOED.

11:13 – Foles makes another nice throw to Dean for a first down. Now Arizona is 2 for 12 on third downs.

10:28 – Antolin runs for six yards. The ball comes loose after he’s down. Second and four.

10:09 – Nwoko runs for the first down.

9:48 – Criner just turned a pu-pu platter of a play into a five yard gain on an end-around. Most guys would have been dropped for a two yard loss.

9:03 – Turner makes a nice catch-and-run for a first down. There’s a flag at the end for unsportsmanlike conduct by an ASU defender, Ryan McFoy. HUGE penalty. ASU now has nine penalties for 73 yards. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2009 Dennis Erickson-coached Arizona State Sun Devils!

8:44 – Foles is off today. He overthrew Criner in the end zone on a play where he could have easily caught a touchdown pass.

7:50 – Alex Zendejas drills a 30-yarder to put Arizona up 17-10. I will not make any more jokes about his kicking performance last week. Nice job, Alex.

7:50, Part Two – And then the free kick goes out of bounds. Darn it all. ASU has the ball on their own 40 now.

6:28 – Third and three for ASU from their own 47. Sullivan throws under pressure and Chris McGaha can’t make the catch. Here comes the punter. . .

6:13 – aaaaaaaand it goes out of bounds at the four. Nice punt by Trevor Hankins. Vontaze Burfict for ASU needs to be flagged. He will not leave Dean alone after the plays are over.

6:04 – Third and ten from their own five. And then Foles gets delay of game. Now third and twelve from the 2 and a half. And Arizona gets flagged for a penalty on the play, which was yet another overthrown pass. I’m afraid it was in the end zone.

5:57 – Thankfully it wasn’t in the end zone. It was an illegal chop block, which is a block below the waist while your opponent is already engaged in contact with another player. The call was correct, and ASU declined. ASU gets the ball back on the UA 48 after the punt. Arizona has not shown up yet this half.

5:32 – Sullivan makes another miraculous throw and completion under duress. I am beyond irritated.

5:11 – Nance gets the ball to the 33 on first and ten.

4:37 – Third and eight. Sullivan back to throw. . .and BHDFSJHDSKJLYURAHJKL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another first down! What the. . . come on! Defense? ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

4:00 – I HATE DIMITRI NANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3:15 – Nance is now inside the five. There is nothing in this room for me to punch or throw. That’s probably a good thing.

2:21 – Nance scores a touchdown, but Garth Gerhart is called for holding at the line of scrimmage!!!!!!!! Replays show that the hold prevented a UA player from tackling Nance for a loss.

2:09 – Third and thirteen, and the pass falls incomplete. I didn’t see the ball bounce initially, and I thought that there was an interception return for a touchdown, but I saw it hit the ground in the replay.

2:02 – ASU is going for it on fourth down and thirteen, Sullivan’s pass to the end zone is caught for a an apparent touchdown, but there is a flag on the play. What’s it for?

CRAP! It’s pass interference on the defense. WHY CAN’T ARIZONA CLOSE OUT GAMES?????????????????????? I think they just heard my angry yells all the way in Seattle. JEEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thomas Weber comes out and splits the uprights on the extra point. 17-17.

2:02, Part Two – Arizona is playing absolutely horrible football. I am not thinking that they will win this game.

1:54 – Wright returns the kickoff to the 27.

1:47 – Dave Roberts makes a four yard reception.

1:29 – Dean makes the catch, and then drops it. Third and six.

1:11 – Terrell Turner makes the catch but is a yard short of the first down. Today’s pathetic effort is embarrassing. Arizona has been completely dreadful in the second half. And Danny Sullivan has looked like Joe Montana did in the Super Bowls in the second half.

1:10 – After a timeout, Crier punts it. Kyle Williams called for a fair catch, but MUFFS IT AND MIKE TURNER RECOVERS IT FOR ARIZONA AT ASU’S 22 YARD LINE!!!!!!!!!! It would have been a touchdown if it were a fumble.

0:58 – Greg Nwoko runs it up the middle for a three yard gain to the 19. Second and seven.

0:54 – Greg Nwoko runs it again to the 13. ASU uses their last timeout. Third and just over one.

0:52 – I really feel sorry for Kyle Williams. He’s a senior, and that was the last punt return of his college career. Nobody wants their college football career to end like that. Poor guy.

0:52, Part Two – Arizona now calls timeout. What will they do here? The announcers are wondering aloud whether they’ll QB sneak it to the center of the field and run the clock down for Alex Zendejas to kick an easy game winner.

0:05 – Arizona calls their last timeout to bring the field goal unit onto the field.

0:05, Part Two – Alex Zendejas attempts the game winning 32 yard field goal. . .AND HE MAKES IT!!!!!!!! CATS WIN, 20-17!!!!!!!

Postgame – And there’s a potential brawl at midfield. Lots of coaches and policemen are breaking it up, thankfully.

The camera shows Kyle Williams hanging his head on the bench, while Terrell Carr and Spencer Gasu attempt to console him.

Next week for the Cats: against the USC Trojans in the LA Coliseum.

My First Live NASCAR Experience

I got a hold of a pass to the NASCAR races at Phoenix International Raceway this past weekend.  Friday was the Nationwide Series and Saturday was the Nextel Sprint Cup Series.  I took the day off on Friday and went with my brother.  Not only did we have passes, we had HOT Pit and Garage passes.  We could go close to wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted.  It was awesome!  Not only was the track access great, but we also saw some pretty famous people.  For one, I knew we were in for a cool weekend when Dale Jarrett crossed the street in front of us while driving in to the track parking lot.  Above and to the right is the leaderboard as viewed from the (heavily restricted) driver/owner lot.

I viewed practices and qualifying runs throughout the day on Friday.  Pictured above is pit road during Nationwide Series qualifying Friday afternoon.

Friday's race had me all excited!  And it wasn't even the Sprint Cup Series yet.  I kept getting more and more giddy as the green flag drew nearer.  At left is the stage they used for pre-race introductions.  It was cool to see the fans pour their love on the drivers.  But since it was the Nationwide Series, only a few drivers got cheers.  I felt bad for the guys whose names were announced and then were followed with silence.  And then I laughed my head off when Kyle Busch got booed mercilessly, because I don't like him either.

My vantage point at the beginning of the race is pictured at right.  Reporters from local news stations were standing near me.  I was that close.  When the race started I made sure I was standing on the pit wall at the start/finish line.  It was awesome.  The roar of the engines, combined with the rush of all the cars whizzing past me at blazing speeds got me hooked.  Once my email starts working again I will post a video of the green flag from my vantage point, which was 30 yards from the track.  I stayed there, mesmerized, for a few dozen laps.  Then I went down at the end of the pit near the exit of Turn 4.  That was also a great view.

As the race went on, I moved around the pits to see the crews in action.  One person I met this weekend is the pit coach for Richard Childress Racing.  When one caution came up, we ran to the

 pits to take a look at the stop.  His job was to analyze the pit stop and give the crews pointers for improvements, whether it be incorrect fundamentals or just plain slow technique.  My brother and I left the race with around 20 or 25 laps left.

Saturday was a blast as well.  During the afternoon, I cruised the pits again, but this time, it was during the pre-race pit pass window where fans got to bring their children and take pictures in the pits.  It was quite crowded.  While there, I snapped some photos of the pits.  Below are the pits.  From left to right, they are the pits of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and Michael Waltrip.

Mark Martin had the pole, and flat out dominated the race.  I was glad that he won.  I've heard from several people how great of a guy he is.

On a side note, I saw a couple of celebrities there.  One was Evander Holyfield (below left) and Michael Strahan (below right).

As my email gets up and going again, I'll post some of the videos as well.

Here's to you, Bruce Snyder

In memoriam: Bruce Snyder

3/14/1940 - 4/13/2009

I was very sad to hear today's news: Bruce Snyder has left this world.  And he's left us far too soon.

It's been obvious from many of my posts that I have no love for ASU athletics.  I'm not only a die-hard Arizona Wildcats fan -- and have been since I was in grade school -- but I also graduated from the U of A.  But Coach Snyder has always had my utmost respect.  He was not only a great football coach, but he was an even better man.  My junior year of college, I dated a girl who worked in ASU's public events office.  She saw Coach Snyder on a somewhat regular basis and had nothing but good things to say about him.  She said he was like "the campus grandpa" and that everyone loved him.  I can see why.  Everytime he spoke to the press, he did so with class.  As I've said before, I've never EVER liked the Sun Devils -- but his ASU teams always played with high character on the field.  (Their fans were a different story, but that's best left for another column. . .)

I remember the 2000 college football season.  It was my junior year of college.  Both ASU and UA had their long-time coaches run out of town by ungrateful/ruthless alumni and a fanbase with remarkably short memories.  UA and its supporters treated Coach Tomey -- the winningest coach in school history -- terribly, for the most part.  I was pretty angry about that. The football program went into a tailspin that it still hasn't recovered from.  

ASU treated Snyder worse than UA treated Tomey.  They showed no gratitude for his nine successful years.  He not only coached football well but he also transformed his players into great young men, and ASU turned around and badmouthed his coaching and unceremoniously shoved him out the door.  That was shameful.  Disgraceful.  Thinking about it still makes me mad.  That's how highly I think of Coach Snyder.  He deserved so much more.  He deserved to go out on his own terms.  He deserved a "Bruce Snyder Day" in his honor, and to have his name added to some Ring of Honor.  He deserved to have a field or a stadium or a seating section named after him.  And he deserved to see it done, and to hear fans applaud and cheer in appreciation.  ASU should be playing on Kush-Snyder Field.  His statue needs to be erected outside Sun Devil Stadium next to Frank Kush's bust.  Yes, he's that important. He's that deserving.  After all, Coach Snyder is the second-winningest coach in school history, behind only Frank Kush.

Instead, he was bought out unceremoniously and replaced by the Anti-Snyder.  Dirk Koetter may have known X's and O's, but he was a pompous jerk.  Ask any players recruited by Coach Snyder, except for Andrew Walter and Terrell Suggs, whom Koetter buddied up to because he knew he couldn't win without them.  Ask UA punter Danny Baugher.  According to his father, when Danny decided to go to U of A, he felt that he should call Dirk Koetter to inform him of his decision, since Koetter had been the first coach to try to recruit him.  Keep in mind that Danny was a high school senior at the time.  Koetter reacted to Danny's decision by screaming at him and cussing a blue streak.  Would Snyder have done that?  No way.

And who was ASU's coach when the post-game fight happened in 2001?  Not Snyder.  It probably wouldn't have even happened had he still been the coach.

Coach Snyder, you were a great man.  You have left us far too soon.  Your death has left heavy hearts all across the Grand Canyon State.  RIP.

And ASU, wake up and honor this man.  You have nine years to make up for.

A Punch in the Stomach

Super Bowl XLIII Running Diary

4 PM – We are live from my in-laws' house! My brother-in-law's stepdad has been a Cardinals fan since they were in St. Louis. He is one of the only – if not the only – people I've met who have liked this team longer than I have. We'll call him Rich. He will be referred to during this game quite a bit.

4:08 PM – The Steelers take the field as the whole room jeers. I'm going to have fun one way or the other.

4:10 PM – The Cardinals take the field to thunderous applause from the room. Rich: "I don't see Travis LaBoy." I frown.

4:11 PM – The commercial where LeBron James signs with the Cleveland Browns airs for the 526th time in the last week. Rich says what we're all thinking: "This commercial is so stupid." Agreed.

4:12 PM – I send my niece to get me a Dr. Pepper.

4:14 PM – They announce the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award finalists. The winner had better be Kurt Warner. And it is! YES!

4:15 PM – Faith Hill (the Beautiful) tears it up on "America the Beautiful." The last time she sang anything at a Super Bowl was when she did "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. That was also the last time Kurt Warner won a Super Bowl. (I just knocked on wood.)

4:17 PM – The crew from U.S. Airways Flight 1549 walked onto the field to a heroes' welcome. Those guys rock. Anyone who can land a plane on the Hudson the way he did. . .

4:18 PM – Jennifer Hudson sings "The Star-Spangled Banner." I think she's starting too high. She's singing it in Bb. That high F is going to be a major MAJOR warble.

4:19 PM – Here comes the moment of truth . . . and the high F is flat. Painfully flat. Jordan Sparks whooped up on her.

4:20 PM – Rich, after another flat series of notes by Jennifer Hudson: "Those notes aren't even in the song."

4:22 PM – Hudson just plain butchered the vocals. The orchestra nailed it, but she butchered it. The last note was okay . . . but the rest of the song was mediocre at best.

4:25 PM – The final breakdown, with Al Michaels and John Madden. Madden is raving about the Cardinals' high-flying passing attack and warns the Birds to avoid being one-dimensional. He also says that the Cardinals are going to go after Big Ben and try to bang him up.

4:26 PM – Nice coin toss lineup. Lynn Swann, Roger Craig, John "Horseface" Elway, and General Petraeus. Arizona won the toss and deferred to the second half, so the Cardinals will kick off.

4:29 PM – Sideline reporters are rambling on and on and on. I really don't care about what they said, so I'm not printing it.

4:30 PM – My nephew is bringing me my pretzels.

4:31 PM – Rackers kicks off to Russell, who returned it to the 26, and Rackers, the hard-nosed kicker he is, is in on the tackle.

4:32 PM – Willie Parker runs up the gut for three yards on the first play of the game.

4:33 PM – Blown coverage! Rod Hood! Come on! Hines Ward was WIDE OPEN. Huge gain to the Cards' 32 yard line.

4:34 PM – Now Parker runs a sweep left and turns what should have been no gain into a nine yard gain. I also just found out that the Cards have allowed 46 touchdowns this year, most ever by a Super Bowl participant. And the Steelers got another first down on a short gain.

4:35 PM – Pass over the middle to Heath Miller gets the Steelers to the 1. Roethlisberger got flattened, too.

4:36 PM – Steelers FB Russell gets wrapped up for a loss by Antonio Smith! On the next play, Parker gets back to the 1.

4:37 PM – Roethlisberger scores a TD on a scramble that Whisenhunt challenges. Two things wrong with that play: number one, the Steelers' guard wrapped Ben up and drug him into the end zone, but two, Ben's knee was down before crossing. I didn't even notice number two because I was too busy griping about the helping the runner penalty that wasn't called. Once the commercial break is over, we'll know the outcome.

4:41 PM – Whiz was correct. Fourth and goal from the 1, and Tomlin sends Jeff Reed out to kick the chip-shot field goal. Watch for the fake. . .

4:42PM – Reed boots the 19-yarder through the uprights. The next commercial involves some lousy vocals but hilarious dancing. By the way, NBC hasn't shown this – and I doubt they will – but the 19-yarder is not even close to the shortest field goal in Super Bowl history. That record can't be broken unless they change a rule, for the record is 9 yards, and that was before they moved the goalposts back in 1974. Hilarious Doritos commercial in the meantime.

4:45 PM – J.J. Arrington takes the kickoff to the 25, and on first down, Edgerrin James pounds it up the middle for a short gain.

4:46 PM – And then Warner zips one to a leaping Steve Breaston who gets tattooed, but gets a first down.

4:49 PM – After a penalty and a fumble that James recovers, James pounds one for three, and then Warner and Boldin fail to connect. Ben Graham – the first Australian to ever play in a Super Bowl – comes out and booms a nice punt that the Steelers return for one yard to the 31.

4:51 PM – This Conan O'Brian Bud Light commercial is disturbing. The Jack Black film Year One looks pretty funny though.

4:53 PM – Big Ben finds Santonio Holmes on a quick screen for a 25 yard gain. The Steelers are doing whatever they want on offense right now. Step it up, D!

4:54 PM – THIS IS WHY WE DRAFTED DOMINIQUE ROGERS-CROMARTIE! He nearly picked it off in spectacular, leaping fashion, right after I had said that Ben R. would throw a pick. 'Nique nearly made me a prophet.

4:56 PM – Antonio Smith jumped the snap early, but the right guard moved, thankfully.

4:57 PM – WHAT THE HECK DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO SACK ROETHLISBERGER?!??? 13 yard gain after what should have been a sack.

4:58 PM – The Cards get Parker in the backfield for a one yard loss but should have smacked him for a four yard loss. They're over-pursuing. They need to settle down and stay in their gaps. Right as I'm typing this, the Steelers hit Heath Miller over the middle for another first down.

4:59 PM – Willie Parker snaps off an eight yard gain to make the offensive stats 131-13 in total yards, in Pittsburgh's favor.

5 PM – The first quarter mercifully ends with the Steelers up 3-0. The Cardinals haven't shown up yet. Maybe they will in this quarter. In an unrelated note, I loved the Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head Bridgestone tire commercial. I also am a big fan of Snyder's of Hanover's Buttermilk Ranch flavored Pretzel Bites.

5:03 PM – The Cardinals stuffed a Heath Miller catch-and-run at the 3 yard line. Then Hines Ward comes in and attempts yet another Hines Ward Cheap Shot, which starts a nice pushing and shoving match. During the timeout, we see a preview of the next Will Ferrell flick, The Land of the Lost. It looks entertaining.

5:07 PM – Third and goal from the two. Parker runs up the gut. Touchdown, Steelers, and Reed barely hits the extra point for a 10-0 lead. The Cards MUST SCORE here and then get a stop.

5:09 PM – Nice Pepsi Max commercial with some excellent slapstick comedy, followed by a funny Pedigree commercial that involves an ostrich and a funny Bud commercial where a Clydesdale fetches a tree limb.

5:10 PM – Back to the game, where the Steelers have had the ball for 12 minutes to 3 minutes for the Cards, and the Steelers are outgaining the Cards 141-13. My shoulder is sore and now my neck is starting to hurt. I am starting to feel sick.

5:13 PM – Leonard Pope just dropped a pass on first and ten. On second down, Edge catches a pass out of the backfield and gets a first down.

5:16 PM – Nice leaping catch near the sideline by Steve Breaston nets another first down.

5:17 PM – James catches a swing pass out of the backfield and jukes Troy Polamalu out of his socks for yet another first down. And then on the ensuing play, as Hightower gets a slight gain on a run, yet another hold sets the Cards back.

5:19 PM – Breaston gains 13 yards on the next play on a nice pass by Warner. Second and seven.

5:20 PM – BOLDIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 45 YARD GAIN ON A BEAUTIFUL CATCH AND RUN! Warner had all day in the backfield and found Boldin WIDE OPEN. Boldin streaked down the sideline and got a beautiful block from Fitz. First and goal from the one!

5:21 PM – BEN PATRICK MAKES A REMARKABLE FITZGERALDESQUE CATCH IN THE END ZONE! TOUCHDOWN! Rackers tacks on the extra point to cut the Steelers' lead to 10-7. Meanwhile, my wife and Rich's wife are making fun of our excitement.

5:24 PM – NBC points out how many times Warner has had his feet tangled up with his linemen's feet during the playoffs. Madden and Michaels then describe how improbable this matchup is. I thought it would be Tennessee and the Giants, myself. Meanwhile, Parker runs another one for a first down. On the next play, 'Nique drops another potential interception. Rich: "He's gettin' one tonight." After that, Karlos Dansby tackles Parker in the backfield on a screen pass for a loss.

5:27 PM – As Roethlisberger scrambles and finds Holmes open for a first down, the Steelers get hit with an obvious hold. You can't strangle Darnell Dockett and get away with it. Then Dockett encroaches. Third and 17.

5:30 PM – Breaston returns the punt 42 yards to the 43! I thought we were going to see the first-ever punt return for a touchdown in a Super Bowl. Had he made it past that last guy, we would have.

5:33 PM – I got excited after James ran a six yard play on first down. Then Edge got called for an unwise chop block (you can't hit a guy low if your teammate is already blocking him), and then Warner got sacked. . . next thing I know, it's third and 22. Cards take a timeout.

5:36 PM – Warner from the gun throws BEHIND James, and then he dropped it. Graham in to punt. A Steeler turnover here would be really nice.

5:37 PM – GREAT punt coverage by Michael Adams! (My brother-in-law: "Who?") Holmes catches the ball at the 11, where Adams immediately wraps him up.

5:40 PM – We're looking forward to seeing The Boss perform at halftime, but back to the game. And LaBoy is playing, because he almost took the handoff just now. Second and six, Ben R.'s pass gets TIPPED BY ROBINSON, and the jump ball is INTERCEPTED BY DANSBY!!!!!! That was the first turnover of the game, and now it's first and ten for the Cards at the Steelers' 35.

5:44 PM – Warner just overthrew Fitz on second down. My bro-in-law: "How hard is it to overthrow Fitzgerald?!??"

5:45 PM – Tim Hightower catches a swing pass out of the backfield, jukes Ike Taylor, and gets a HUGE first down at the 25. Timeout.

5:46 PM – Chester Cheetah!!!!!!!

5:47 PM – And now Fitzgerald has a catch! Pass up the middle is caught for another first down at the 13.

5:48 PM – Warner's Passer Rating in the Red Zone this postseason is 131.0.

5:49 PM – Boldin is hands down the TOUGHEST man in the league. He caught a tough catch-and-get-decked at the five, and then caught another one and fought for a first and goal at the two.

5:51 PM – ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? A 100-yard interception return by James Harrison?!??? Boldin FOR SURE was going to catch that, except Harrison jumped the route. The booth is looking at this again. This review is taking forever. Harrison was down before crossing the goal line. I don't care if he landed on Fitzgerald. He's down. Fitzgerald was lying on the ground and that's what prevented Harrison from being down. Ridiculous.  That rule needs to change.

5:55 PM – And they give him the touchdown. Such bull. 17-7 Steelers on a nonsense play.

5:59 PM – Those three 3D commercials were COOL.

6:01 PM – I can't express how frustrated I am.

• The Steelers were offside.
  
• Warner made a rare mistake.
  
• Hightower got blocked in the back on the return, which prevented him from having the opportunity to make the tackle.
  
• And that rule that kept Harrison from being down is DUMB.
  

6:25 PM – The Cardinals seem to have more talent than the Steelers, but the Steelers are getting almost all of the breaks.

6:30 PM – This is an important drive for the Cardinals. They need to score a TD on this drive BADLY. And after Boldin's catch on first down, he comes off of the field holding his shoulder. Then James runs one for a first down.

6:31 PM – James runs again for seven, and then again for three and a first down. Now Boldin returns to the field.

6:33 PM – They keep playing a riff from the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" when they show player profiles.

6:34 PM – Edgerrin James is doing a pretty good job so far this half.

6:35 PM – These officials are not doing a good job. That was a blatantly obvious pass that they just ruled a fumble. Thank God that Sense and Sanity prevailed on that replay.

6:43 PM – Where was that facemask? I didn't see it. Wait. There it is. Rookie mistake by Cromartie.

6:46 PM – And the Cardinals just gave up a third down conversion.

6:47 PM – THAT WAS A HORRIBLE CALL!!! First off, the Steelers blocked Dockett in the back illegally. Secondly, that was intentional grounding. Third, there is NO WAY that was roughing the passer. NONE. Seahawks fans, I understand your frustration from Super Bowl XL.  (After the replay, we see that Ben R. WAS out of the tackle box, so it couldn't have been grounding.  I stand corrected on that one.  But I mantain my other two points.)

6:51 PM – Momentum is clearly in the Steelers' favor. So is the officiating. There was holding right in front of the referee that he let go. And now a penalty on Wilson for roughing the holder that was actually correct. On a related note, Al Michaels made a veiled reference to Super Bowl XL and that officiating.

6:54 PM – The Cards stuffed them on first down. And then on second down Rolle ALMOST HAS AN INTERCEPTION!!!! D'OH!

6:56 PM – Good. They stuffed Roethlisberger on third and goal. When the Steelers lineman fell down, I was expecting the officials to call a personal foul on the ground for tripping him and then give the Steelers another first down.

7 PM – Nice Coke commercial. And a BROWNS fan is texting me to taunt me. I think that a fan of a team (actually, of every team in that city) that hasn't done anything in the postseason since 1964 – except choke in glorious fashion – should know to keep his mouth shut.

7:02 PM – The Cards need a touchdown NOW. Meanwhile, James is still playing well.

7:03 PM – Boldin catches another pass. He is having a decent game.

7:04 PM – I'm starting to get annoyed. And there are annoying kids in the room where I'm watching the game, which is really making it worse for me. Meanwhile, the fourth quarter is rolling around, and the Cards are down 13. Turn it on.

7:08 PM – A first down play for the Cardinals is predictably called back for holding.

7:09 PM – And on third and 13, the Cardinals come up short again. Jeez.

7:13 PM – That was a pretty weak defensive hold on Roderick Hood. These officials may as well put on Steelers jerseys. This is ridiculous.

7:14 PM – The Cards stuffed Parker on second and five. My brother-in-law just asked where the flag was.

7:15 PM – Darnell Dockett sacks Roethlisberger for a huge loss. And they don't call roughing the passer, because that would be a dead giveaway that the game is not on the level. The ensuing punt is caught by Breaston, who immediately gets CREAMED.

7:17 PM – Nice redo of the classic Coke commercial involving Mean Joe Greene, this time with Troy Polamalu. Very funny.

7:19 PM – This is the Kurt Warner we know and love. Four consecutive passes for first downs have the Cardinals marching downfield like men possessed.

7:20 PM – Five in a row. And the Steelers finally get called for a penalty, which is declined.

7:21 PM – Six in a row. Second and goal at the five. Timeout Cardinals.

7:24 PM – Seven in a row. Third and goal from the 1. FITZGERALD MAKES ANOTHER LEAPING OVER-THE-OPPONENT'S HEAD CATCH FOR A TOUCHDOWN! Rackers tacks on the extra point to cut the lead to 20-14!

7:27 PM – Al Michaels tried to compare that last catch to David Tyree's play in last year's Super Bowl. No way. Fitz does these on a regular basis. Tyree couldn't do that play from last year again if you held a gun to his head.

7:30 PM – ANOTHER SACK BY DOCKETT! Even though he was being held, Dockett still pulls off the sack. If the Cards come back and take this game, Dockett has to be heavily considered for MVP. He has been a beast.

7:33 PM – Nice – yet silly – commercial by Pepsi that was a knockoff of MacGyver that guest starred Richard Dean Anderson.

7:34 PM – 5:28 left as the drive begins. This is a good time to mention that the only other pro championship for the state of Arizona was on a comeback. Boldin, meanwhile, makes a nice catch for a first down, and then Pittsburgh gets hit with unnecessary roughness for their first penalty of the second half.  With 5:28 left in the fourth quarter, no less.

7:36 PM – On the ensuing play, Breaston makes another great catch-and-run.

7:38 PM – Two bad passes nearly were intercepted. Third and 20 for the Cards. Weird pass flutters harmlessly to the ground.

7:39 PM – Great punt-and-down by the Cardinals. The ball is now on the one-half yardline. Why the heck was Harrison not thrown out for that cheap shot? Uncalled for.

7:41 PM – NEARLY a safety. SO CLOSE.

7:44 PM – ARE YOU SERIOUS? Another first down on third and long?!??  WAIT A MINUTE! HOLDING IN THE END ZONE! Takedowns have to be called all the time. Nice! 20-16 Steelers now.

7:46 PM – Breaston fields the ensuing free kick and gets downed at the 35.

7:47 PM – Second and ten, FITZ IS OPEN OVER THE MIDDLE IN STRIDE AND IS GONE!!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!! The whole room just erupted into wild screaming! THIS IS AWESOME! HOLY AFSHHGKJAHAGKJHADSKJJDKLASHKL!!!!!!!!!!!!! 23-20 Cardinals after the PAT!!!!

7:50 PM – 2:30 left in the game. This is where the Arizona defense has to step it up one more time! Come on guys!

7:51 PM – Holding on Pittsburgh, first and 20 with 2:24 left.

7:52 PM – Pitt got away with another hold on Dockett, and then Ben R. makes an amazing pass for a first down. Right before the two minute warning, R. tries for another long bomb, and Aaron Francisco makes a nice play to knock the pass down. I'm getting lightheaded here.

7:54 PM – My brother: "Steelers fans CANNOT complain about bad officiating on that last play, given what has happened the rest of the night."  Well put.

7:55 PM – Santonio Holmes makes a nice catch to get the first down. 1:33 left.

7:56 PM – Another first down for Pitt, but the receiver is kept inbounds. Nice play by Wilson. On the next play, Ben R. scrambles for a one yard gain and the Steelers call timeout.

7:57 PM – FRANCISCO FELL DOWN! After a 40 yard catch-and-run by Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh has first and goal from the six. COME ON!!!!!!!

7:59 PM – Ben R. throws the first down pass over Santonio Holmes' head. Homes' leaping attempt comes up short. Holmes, you are not Larry Fitzgerald.

8:00 PM – And then Holmes shuts me up by making an absolutely amazing catch while falling down to put Pittsburgh ahead 26-23, the replay upholds the call, and then Reed tacks on the extra point to put the Steelers up 27-23. 35 seconds left for some magic.

8:04 PM – Arrington returns the kick to the 22 yard line.

8:05 PM – Nice catch by Fitzgerald for a first down! 22 seconds left after a timeout by the Cards. I'm starting to get a bad feeling.

8:06 PM – Arrington makes a catch over the middle and then the Cards use their final timeout. 15 seconds left. Please?

8:08 PM – THAT WAS AN INCOMPLETE PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How do you call THAT a fumble?!??

8:09 PM – Without a review on the play, the Steelers get the ball and take a knee to run out the clock. This has to have been the most poorly officiated championship game that I have ever seen in any sport.  Why didn't they review that play?  What's the point of having replay?

Final thoughts

I am embarrassed right now that I was a sports official for six years. That was an absolutely disgraceful performance by this officiating crew. DISGRACEFUL. I could accept this loss better if the officiating wasn't so stinking bad. I don't know what else to say. The Cardinals should keep their heads up. They played very hard and played pretty well and have nothing to be ashamed of. Final Score: Steelers and the officiating crew 27, Cardinals 23. What a kick in the groin that was.

Super Predictions

The biggest game of my life as an NFL fan is nearly upon us. Who's going to win? How does the game break down? What's going to happen? Let's see. . .

 

Cardinals Offense vs. Steelers Defense

Both are among the best in the league. The Cardinals haven't faced a defense this talented. The Steelers haven't faced an offense this explosive. The Cards may have a slight advantage here, but I'm going to call it even.

Advantage: Push

 

Steelers Offense vs. Cardinals Defense

The Steelers' offense is average. The Cardinals' defense is playing great ball right now and has some scary playmakers. They have forced twelve takeaways and shut down some of the better offensive teams in the league.

Advantage: Cardinals

 

Kicking Game

Neil Rackers and Josh Brown are both excellent kickers. The Steelers have a slightly better punter than the Cardinals do. Rackers has more of an advantage over Brown, though.

Advantage: Cardinals

 

Special Teams Coverage

The Cardinals' kickoff and punt coverage tends to give up two bad returns per game. In a game that will be as close as this one figures to be. . .eesh.

Advantage: Steelers

 

Intangibles

The Cardinals have been playing the "No one believes in us" card quite well. Now that many people DO believe in them, and that so many fan bases are rooting for them, will they continue their magical run? I say yes. They're hungrier and so is their fan base.

Advantage: Cardinals

 

Prediction: Cardinals in a close one.

 

Bring on the Steelers!

Some Rivalry Advice

After last week's Arizona-Arizona State basketball game I dared to venture into the viper's pit known as The Commenting Zone on azcentral.com.  Wow.  All I can say is . . . wow.  Civility and logic seem to be a thing of the past on there.  Plus, the amount of people who just spew inane drivel is mind-boggling.  And I can't BELIEVE how many people on there try to be experts.

Look, I have no love for ASU at all.  AT ALL.  I plan on telling my children that they can go to any university whose chief color isn't maroon.  I have called them Scum Devils on a regular basis, and have occasionally referred to the institution as "Scum Devil High School," but of course it is all in jest.  I also have to know my audience.

Here are some helpful pointers to all posters in the comment zone.  I hardly expect many people to follow them, since, like I said before, civility is left at the door, but here goes.

1.  It is OK to call your rival school by its actual name.

Arizona fans, please refrain from spelling ASU with two esses.  Seriously.  It just looks dumb and makes you look like a buffoon.

Arizona State fans, "AU" stands for Auburn University, whom you haven't played in much of anything in your school's history.  Before you go saying "well, it's not the only university in Arizona," spare me.  It doesn't change the fact that ASU is a university, and is a fine institution at that.  All that the "AU" nonsense does is make it look like you have an inferiority complex about your favorite school.

2.  It is also OK to refer to them by their actual mascot name.

Look, like I've said before, I've referred to ASU as "Scum Devils" on several occasions.  But leave it out of posts.  It just looks dumb, and stops being funny pretty quickly.

ASU fans, calling UA the "Kitties" doesn't even show creativity.  It got old a long time ago.

3.  If your team has been a doormat for decades and is suddenly having a good season, you have no right to talk!

ASU has never won the Pac-10 Championship in men's basketball.  EVER.  ASU is also the only Pac-10 team to have never made the Final Four.  Furthermore, they have never advanced past the Sweet Sixteen since joining the Pac-10 in 1978.  They do have three appearances in the Elite Eight, but those came in 1961 (when they only invited 25 teams, not 64 like they do today), 1963 (again -- only 25 teams), and 1975 (when they invited 32 teams).  In the past 20 years, they have made the NCAA Tournament a grand total of three times.  They've appeared in the NCAA Tournament a grand total of 12 times in their program's history.

Arizona has won 13 Pac-10 Championships.  The last time they failed to make the NCAA Tournament was 1984, making 24 straight appearances (out of 27 overall), giving them the longest active tournament streak in college basketball -- and I know that this year, it looks like the tournament streak is in serious jeopardy.  They have made the Sweet Sixteen twelve times, the Elite Eight a total of eight times, the Final Four four times, the National Title game twice, and won the championship once.  Honestly, when one program is a doormat FOREVER and the other program has consistently won, and then in one season the roles reverse, trash talk rights have not been earned yet.

ASU fans, when the Devils get past a Sweet Sixteen, then you can talk SOME.  If they get to a Final Four, then you can start talking.  Until then, keep your mouth shut.

4.  When arguing about your team's merits in a particular sport, do not bring up another sport as a comeback.

ASU fans, if Arizona fans are taunting you about their basketball supremacy, mention your team's play this year.  DO NOT bring up the Rose Bowl or football.  It is irrelevant in the conversation.  All that does is make you look like a total moron.

Arizona fans, if ASU is taunting you about football, mention the fact that Arizona still has an overall edge in the all-time series.  Mention The Streak, how Arizona did not lose to ASU from 1982 to 1990.  Mention the win from this year.  DO NOT mention basketball.  Again, you'll just look dumb.

Mind these tips when posting and you'll avoid looking like a complete fool.  Thank you.