10 Reasons Why College Sports Are Way Better Than Professional
10. Mike Gundy, the Oklahoma State football coach, freaked out on the media after their win over Texas Tech. Coach Gundy was upset with Jenni Carlson's column that suggested OSU QB Bobby Reid had a bad attitude. He freaked out in the press conference and it shows loyalty to his team.
9. It's times like when Mario Chalmers hit a three with 2 seconds in the Championship game against Memphis. It took them into overtime, which led to Kansas' victory over Memphis.
By the way--the time Michael Flowers hit the three-pointer with 2 seconds left to beat #9 Texas is up there too. And right after he hit the three he stole an inbounds pass--now that's heart.
8. College athletes (hopefully) don't do steroids to get ahead of their fellow athletes. They are pure and are actually as good as they perform without enhancers.
7. The fan based loyalty at college games is indescribable. When there are fans who go to the school or are alumni of the school, they have more of a connection to the team--it's like their family. Look at the student sections--Duke basketball, Wisconsin football's "Jump Around" and Penn State--what NFL team has gotten the whole stadium to do a white out??
6. Rivalries. There is nothing like a college rivalry game--it is the biggest thing of the season. It was huge in the 90's and has died down a little but the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry is HUGE. For Iowa fans it's the Iowa State/Iowa game every year. USC/UCLA. And the whole country knows about the Duke/UNC rivalry--there's nothing like it.
5. College athletes don't play for money. They play because they love the game, not for their million dollar contracts. Alabama coach Nick Saban even said it:
"The decision to return to this level came down to this question: Do I want to coach a bunch of immature, undisciplined football players...or do I want to coach college?"
4. The last minute upsets by the underdog. Iowa/Penn State two weekends ago was the biggest thing that's happened to our campus in years. Texas/Texas Tech a few weeks ago. What about George Mason who beat out top-seed UConn in overtime to make it to the Final Four. And in what is called the biggest upset in college football history: When Stanford upset #2 USC last year.
3. Tailgating. There is no comparison to college football tailgating. Most of the games have more people tailgating than the actual stadium capacity. The only NFL team that is comparable are the Packers but it's still not even close.
2. It says something when Coach K--a college coach-- is the coach for the USA Olympic basketball team instead of an NBA coach.
1. Tradition. The NFL has been around for only 40 years--by the 1920's Michigan and Notre Dame had already won 12 championships a piece. Colleges have so many different traditions: cheers, colors, mascots, rituals on the field and each college is known for a different one.
Fight with me if you must, but I will always think college athletics are better than professional sports. You watch pro sports if you want to watch an awesome athlete. You watch college sports if you love the game.
Iowa. I'm a little nervous coming off the big win from last weekend--I hope our team isn't overly confident. But then again, the momentum we've got going will really help us in the long run. Our team wants to make it to a bowl game and this game is our opportunity to get there. For Joe Tiller's last season, he's going to bring a challenge to Kinnick, but nothing the Hawks can't stop. Our defense is undeniable and with Shonn Greene going for this 11th consecutive game with over 100-yards rushing--I have no doubt. It goes to Iowa.
Wisconsin/Minnesota
Wisconsin. Growing up in Madtown, this rivalry is just as familiar as the Iowa/Iowa State rivalry is to those who grew up here. I know Wisconsin football and I know they hate Minnesota more than anything, this is their do-or-die game. The Badgers have the upper hand with home field advantage, they have an amazing student section--Wisco is a tough team to beat at home. Minnesota is also missing wide receiver Eric Decker to a high ankle sprain. The Badgers have won their last two and they have their momentum back. They finally lost that cockiness they've had for so many years--karma. Anyway, P.J. Hill and John Clay are going to help Wisco walk away with the W.
Penn State/Indiana
Penn State. Just because they lost to us last week doesn't mean they aren't a great team. They are going to bounce back and just embarrass Indiana (like every other team). The Loins are pissed after last week and are ready to revive their offense. Indiana has no competition, they've had injury after injury and no defense whatsoever. Daryll Clark will bounce back this weekend after his performance last week. Game to Penn State.
Ohio State/Illinois
Ohio State. There really isn't a reason Illinois should win this one, Ohio State is still wanting that BSC shot and they're going for it. With Penn State's loss last week they are back in the running. They don't lose on the road and Beanie Wells is healthy--he'll be getting the ball a lot I'm assuming. They are playing more consistent and finally aren't in the lime-light this season with all of Penn State's success, which I think is an advantage to the Buckeyes. But I still think Illinois won't go out without a fight. But my pick is Ohio State.
Northwestern/Michigan
Northwestern. Michigan is a horrible team this year, but for some reason they have been able to pull off surprising games. They're performance against Wisconsin came out of no where and after that week, everyone was starting to think they would actually See something out of Michigan. But then after losing the next 5 in a row...it was over. But then last week they came back and beat Minnesota?? But my guess is still on Northwestern--neither team really has a solid offense but Northwestern is just more consistent than Michigan. Both are sloppy and heavy in turnovers but I just don't think Michigan will pull through on this one.
Bye: Michigan State.
HAPPY COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY! Enjoy watching the Hawks while I'm working at Vitos from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m. :-/
From the first time I picked up a basketball in 3rd grade, I felt like I never put one down until I was 17.
There was our 3v3 league, MATC, travel tournament team, Tri-county, Keva League, MHS basketball...it feels like the list continues.
It feels so long ago that I actually held a basketball, let alone played. So when I called Kula to reminisce, it seemed like a lifetime ago. Kula (Sara) is one of my best friends to this day and we grew up playing basketball together. Talking to her tonight made me miss the game--probably because basketball was our life.
I asked Kula what came to mind when she thought of basketball pre-high school:
-The little red jersey's.
-Tournaments were my childhood. I think it's so funny because I don't do anything athletic anymore. But growing up, every weekend that's what we were doing. We had tournament after tournament.
-Subway and eating footlong subs.
-I had a knot in my leg at a tournament at University of Northern Iowa once. Amber and Natasha had to rub it out.
-I got in trouble when I got my upper ear pierced and had to wear tape on it.
-I spent my weekends on basketball courts and in sweatpants.
-My clutch shots I nailed and won the games for us. There were three different times: a free throw to tie it then to win it, and two jump shots in the lane.
-Deforest basketball team and the girl named Janel. I don't even remember playing them, I just remember the reputation of playing them, like, "Oh we're playing Deforest...."
She just kept listing of the memories.
So then I asked her about high school:
-Coach Kind and how he ruined it for me.
-My sweaty, sweaty coach freshman year. What was his name, hmmm what was his name? Sir sweats a lot or something.
-I remember Jamie Christiansen. Or now I call her Jaylana because she moved to Milwaukee and got ghetto. And now she thinks she's from Atlanta, not Middleton, Wisconsin.
-Weekend tournaments in the off season: leagues two times a week plus practice.
-I met my man crush at a tournament at UNI. He had arms to die for.
-Coach Halbleib giving us advice on the bus to never marry a guy who doesn'thave a good relationship with his mother.
-I remember the drill we used to do where Halbleib would put a time on the clock and wehad to make a certain number of lay-ups in that time. We could only take two dribbles and passed the ball at half court. Brutal.
-Watching movies together at night because we couldn't go out at night sincewe had to wake up so early to travel.
-Walking around at tournaments looking for cute guys.
-Britt and her Gatorade--she had every flavor imaginable.
-Our Keva league. And whoever we had crushes on would come to the game.
-I always looked so tan..I miss those days.
-We won a lot of trophies--we were pretty damn awesome, a force to be reckon with, actually. -How hot and sweaty it was inside MATC during our league every Wednesday night.
-Carpooling everywhere we went.
-How you could always trot down the court and make any shot--a couple feet in from the three, a couple feet out. You'd make them all. And then you would do something obnoxious that would bring you back to good old Megan.
-When we coached Alyssa's 3v3 team. Ross Hammer hates us to this day because he was such a crappy ref and we called him out on it.
-After games we would go back to my house and swim.
-At our 3v3 league Emmy slipped, so after that we always called her "Slippy."
-When Mike Olsen came to watch and you had a crush on him. And on Mike Vieth.
-All the guys like Shawn and Ross would come watch. Or we would go watch them play.
As Kula continued on, we realized all the memories she listed were the times that surrounded the game. There wasn't a specific memory of a huge game we won or that undefeated team we beat. That wasn't because we weren't good, because we were. Our sophomore year I think we went something like 23-1. But we played for so long that our lives revolved around the game. Our friendships were made because of our teammates. We were together 24-7 and we had each other to share the memories with.
Kula put it perfectly, "I always had so much fun with everyone I played with, it didn't matter who I was with," she said. "We could always laugh at the end of the day and have a good time with each other. Basketball was a common interest between us. You put everything aside and this was the one thing no matter what--we all just had it in common."
We'd played together from grade school through sophomore year in high school. We knew each other from their game. We knew how they played and who you could count on. Tasha was the fast one. Kate was the one with the moves. Schwirtz was always the one that stood with her big butt under the basket. Dee Simon was always the one who when she got pissed, she played PISSED. Patz was the one who could sink the three like it was nothing. Amber was the aggressive one. Kula was the one who sweat. We just knew how each other worked and we clicked.
"It's hard to say if we'd be as close as we are today if we didn't have basketball," Kula said. I grew up with this girl and got close to her because of the game. And years later, she's still my best friend.
And our last memory of the sport we grew up loving and living, is our worst of the game. We we prepared for tryouts Junior year and were excited to finally play on the Middleton Varsity Basketball Team--something you look forward to your whole childhood. But on the last day of tryouts, Coach Kind pulled five of us aside and told us spots were saved for all the seniors on the team who wanted them. He told us five we had a choice to be on the team or to quit if we wanted.
"When Coach Kind said, 'I'll leave it up to you,' that was a wimpy-ass coaching move," Kula said. "Everyone told me I should take the spot but it just didn't feel right. But how do you go from it being your life to not even touching a basketball?"
So the picture of the five of us sitting in Varsity Hallway of our high school is still vivid.
"F*** no, I'm not playing," Dee Simon said.
Schwirtz stood against the locker not saying a word.
"There's no way. I'm not playing," I said.
And Patz and Kula stood there wondering what to do. We called our JV coach, Coach Halbleib. She was irate--that made me feel a little better.
To make the story short, we all quit except Schwirtz. We all knew we deserved a spot on the team, but playing for Coach Kind wasn't how we wanted to play our game. It was spoiled and didn't mean the same. So we walked away from the game we grew up playing 12 months a year, 5 days a week, for eight years.
But as Kula reminded me tonight, we have all those memories in between the games and the practices. We have those friendships with the girls we never would have been friends with without basketball. The actual sport was obviously important to all of us, but it wouldn't have been anything without the times in between.
7:11: We've got four minutes until game time. Tonight the New York Giants visit the Philadelphia Eagles. My pre-game pick: the Giants. A great little rival game here tonight, get excited.
7:15: I know they've been doing it all season, but seriously--Faith Hill opening Sunday Night Football? Come on, how soft. But maybe that's because I hate country.
7:19: A little pre-game information. The Giants are 7-1, while the Eagles are 5-3. The Giants lead the NFC East.
7:23: Giants will be receiving. It's 48 degrees in Philadelphia, definitely a lot better than the 32 degree weather in Iowa City.
7:24: Eli Manning's numbers this year are very similar to what they were last year at this point. He has 5 interceptions and has thrown 1,735 yards.
7:26: Interception by Manning within the first two minutes of the game! It was blocked by defensive lineman Mike Patterson-- he got the knock down and caught the ball. Man he's a big boy, that's his first interception of his career. Good field positioning for the Eagles: first and goal at the 9 yard line.
7:28: Touchdown by Shaun Jackson! Nice run to the left, almost didn't get it in the end zone but a nice dive for the TD. Impressive start by the Eagles.
7:30: I got a flashback to last night's game, I just thought Iowa deserved a shout out to how awesome the game was.
7:31: Miller Lite is much better than Bug Light--just saw a Bud Light commercial.
7:36: It's amazing how well these players can just run through the line. Brandon Jacobs just had a great run and made it through about 3 players. And those NFL guys are HUGE.
7:37: The Eagles are really putting the pressure on Manning. He has little time to think which is causing him to throw quickly but they aren't so smart of passes. He just nearly got picked off.
7:38: Touchdown Giants! Great catch by Plaxico Burress--his 33rd touchdown reception of an Eli Manning pass. 88 Yard drive, 10 plays.
7:40: Another little bit of information: Eagles defensive coordinator served as a mentor to Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. This is an interesting story line because the Eagles are old at offensive tackle, which Spagnuolo will take advantage.
7:41: Giants recover inside the 50-yard line on an Eagle fumble! Man, this is a sloppy game--two turnovers in a matter of 7 minutes.
7:44: John Carney attempts a 27-yard field goal--and it's good. That reminds me of the 31-yard field goal Daniel Murray made to put Iowa ahead of Iowa 24-23. Anyway, Giants are up 10-7.
7:47: Oops, time out, my contact fell out!!
7:51: On the Eagles first series after their TD and turnover, Donovan McNabb struggled to get the first down. He was covered by his line, but he wasn't making smart passes and couldn't find the open receivers.
7:57: Fight on the field! I find NFL fight hilarious because they are tackling and hitting each other the entire game, yet that's not enough to let their steam out. I wish I could have played football as a stress reliever.
8:05: This is really a back and forth game and I'm starting to think it may be a blow out. But then again, I shouldn't speak to soon. After Kevin Boss's touchdown, the Giants are up 17-7. And not to pick favorites, but I would really like to see the Giants do well this season. They are already 7-1, but everyone has been questioning them the entire season. There have been so many stories about how the Giants won the Super Bowl, but still not much should be expected out of them. Last season, they were not picked to be Super Bowl contender after Tiki Barber retired and Michael Strahan was considering retirement. Coach Tom Coughlin's job was really on the line. But so far this season, they have proved they are a Super Bowl winning team.
8:11: Woah John McCain is on Jay Leno tonight!
8:15: Annnd Manning got sacked by Mike Patterson. Eli is really struggling tonight.
8:16: Trent Cole has alien eyes.
8:18: Ok that Canon commercial was awesome--where they did picture after picture putting together a story.
8:19: How disappointing was that Packers/Vikings game? I wasn't able to watch any of it because I was working at DI all day, but I get ESPN texts updating me with the game. The only reason we were in the game was because of the Pack defense. I'm getting depressed with this season: 4-5. We need Favre. And he needs us. But I am lovin' it that the Cowboys are doing pretty bad too--5-4.
8:21: Nice misdirection by Shaun Jackson, he's really fun to watch. I like the Eagles strategy to make the whole d-line go one way with a toss to the opposite. Nice left cut by Jackson. But McNabb is not in rhythm tonight.
8:23: Good incomplete pass call by the official. Sometimes I wonder how they really catch those plays without re-watching them.
8:25: Ok, watching a commercial with Eli Manning wearing a Citizen Eco-Drive watch is NOT going to make me want one. And one commercial later is the same thing with Paula Creamer wearing a Citizen Eco-Drive watch. Seriously get a new advertising scheme.
8:27: Eagles fumble recovery. I could hang on to the ball better than BOTH teams are tonight.
8:30: Man DeSean Jackson is fast.
8:32: Jason Avant--talk about an easy touchdown. Surprisingly, the Eagles are holding up really well.
8:33: I need ice cream--time out.
8:38: The Giants have outplayed the Eagles 232-67 yards, yet they are only ahead by three points. They are not playing their game tonight--they hadn't lost a single fumble all season until last week when Manning lost two. And now tonight they have two turnovers already.
8:41: Andrea Kremer just pulled a Rachel Nichols. She said, "Tom Coughlin told me..." If you don't know Rachel Nichols, be happy you don't--a waste of ESPN space.
8:42: Surprise, surprise, another turnover. McNabb is picked off.
8:42: Does anyone else put milk on top of their ice cream? So good.
8:46: Manning just completely forced a pass when Burress was wide open. Talk about frustrating. The Giants settle for a field goal: 20-14.
8:47: McNabb is warming up with an oven mitt on his left hand--interesting. You gotta love John Madden "You can take a turkey out of the oven with that mitt."
8:48: McNabb's family looks just about as happy as Penn State fans looked with six seconds in the 4th quarter last night.
8:51: Overall yards this game: Giants 244- Eagles 93.
8:53: 10 seconds left in the half-Eagles are driving and on the Giants 11-yard line..touchdown?? I'm doubting it.
8:54: Halftime-- 20-17 (Giants).
8:59: As much as I hate the Vikings, I'm a big Adrian Peterson fan, unfortunately.
9:02: There was just a commercial on a high school football team: Cathedral High. Anyway, it reminded me of my high school--yesterday we won in the third round of playoffs against Kenosha Bradford. On Saturday we play the best team in the state and if we win, we'll play in the finals at Camp Randall. So a little shout out to Middleton High School and Coach Cabalka--GO CARDS.
9:11: I don't think Tom Coughlin ever looks happy.
9:13: Touchdown by Hank Baskett for his third reception of the night! Eagles take the lead 24-20.
9:16: Do you think the Manning brothers argue?
9:18: I've been really disappointed with the commercials so far this game. They have been playing jewelry, car, and boring Bud Light commercials. Step it up NBC.
9:20: Tom Coughlin has the lowest rate of turnovers on his team--that's the lowest rate in NFL history among coaches with 150+ wins.
9:22: The Giants just got their first big 3rd down conversion of the game...finally.
9:23: A Lowe's commercial just gave me a craving to watch "The Elf."
9:31: Another crucial 3rd and 10 for the Giants. Manning had a complete pass BUTTT he crossed the line of scrimmage. Now that is just foolish play--it's his 5th year in the league and his first penalty for crossing the line of scrimmage. The Giants are challenging the play but there's no point--he definitely crossed it.
9:35: Wait! The rule is all parts of the body must be across the line of scrimmage to get the penalty. Manning's right heel was not yet across the line, so the Giants win the challenge. Good call by Coughlin. Giants first and goal.
9:36: TOUCHDOWN Giants! By the way--Tom Coughlin is the most successful with challenges among any NFL coach. Giants take the lead, 27-24.
9:40: McNabb rushed for 17 yards for the 1st down, he has 3000 career rushing yards as a QB.
9:40: I would love to have Kiwanuka as my last name.
9:43: Fair catch interference by Greg Lewis resulting in a 15-yard penalty. That's just laziness, penalties like that are completely avoidable.
9:46: Manning and Burress really aren't connecting tonight--he's struggling to get the ball out, let alone to Burress.
9:47: Great hurdle by Kevin Boss--he could have run the 300 hurdles better than me. The Eagles defense is getting run down.
9:50: There was just a commercial on gambling addiction. I've never been to the Riverside Casino, but I'm kinda dying to. I feel like that's a hot place lately and I've heard of so many people going there to play the Russian Roulette...am I missing out???
9:51: I love skyscrapers--the view of Philly makes me want to visit, I've never been.
9:52: The Giants have been down to the red zone 5 times, in the end zone 4.
9:54: I just thought of the ESPY's where Justin Timberlake basically called Manning a virgin before he won the Super Bowl. That had to be the best ESPY's I'd ever seen--I could watch it right now.
9:58: I found it! Watch ^^^
10:00: A great MasterCard commercial on Peyton Manning was just on. Not to hate on Eli or anything, but Peyton is just the better brother--hands down.
10:04: I really wish I hadn't brought up the ESPY's, I'm really craving it now.
10:08: The Giants have really been getting a lot of big breaks in this drive. They had a 23-yard run but the ball was fumbled right as it went out of the end zone. Luckily, the ball when out of bounds before it was recovered by the Eagles. And just now the Giants fumbled again inside the 5-yard line. The Eagles recovered it in the end zone but the officials say he was down before the ball went loose. The Eagles are challenging it--we'll see what happens.
10:11: Denied! Giants got it back on the Eagle's 3-yard line. And TOUCHDOWN (maybe) Giants--again the ball goes loose again but Giants recover. HOLD ON TO THE BALL GIANTS!!! SERIOUSLY. Another challenge by the Eagles. But it looks like the ball is across the goal line. Again, we'll see shortly.
10:15: The call stands--Touchdown Giants...even though they don't deserve it because they can't hold onto the ball. They go for the two-point conversion and it's incomplete. Nice defense on Burress.
10:16: Overview of the Giants. If they go to 8-1 it's the best record in the conference. Al Michaels and John Madden are saying the Giants may be the best team in the NFC, maybe in the NFL. Nah, I'm going with the Titans right now, but I agree--the Giants are a damn good team.
10:24: McNabb runs for the TD, gets stopped on the 2-yard line. It's 4th and goal--GO FOR IT.
10:25: Caught by Curtis for the TD!!! That drive was 10 plays, 71 yards and four minutes long. giants are still up 36-31. The Eagles are really holding on.
10:29: I'm trying to look up more ESPY videos on YouTube.com but the website isn't working right now!
10:31: It's a key 3rd and 1 for the Giants--less than four minutes to play.
10:31: The ball is loose!!!!!! Again!!!!! The Giants recover (again).
10:32: Flag on the punt---Eagles jumped into the neutral zone. Offsides by Eagles' Daniels. Correction: Giants decline the penalty--first down Philly.
10:34: Three minutes to go. Philly with the ball, 1st and 10 on the Eagles 30.
10:35: Holding on Giants' Antonio Pierce--5 yard penalty.
10:38: I missed the Office on Thursday and I'm NOT happy about it. I still have to re-watch it online.
10:40: It's 4th and 1--Philly still with the ball, they go for it and come up short--game O.V.E.R.
10:41: O.K. Why isn't YouTube working?!
10:45: All the fans are leaving, game over. Giants beat the Eagles 36-31. I must say--not the most entertaining game to glog. If only I didn't have meetings all day during the Packers/Vikings game.
10:47: Happy Sunday Funday everyone--I must go do other homework now. Peace out boy scouts.
MC: What position did you play then and in high school?
MK: Running back and a little bit of linebacker.
MC: When did you switch to the d-line?
MK: In 2005. Everyone got hurt on the d-line and Coach Parker and Coach Ferentz thought I might be OK at it so they decided to give it a try. And it ended up being a good fit.
MC: Tell me about your high school football team; were you guys good?
MK: We were bad, very bad. We went 2-7 my senior year and 1-8 my junior year.
MC: What was your worst experience in high school football?
MK: I would have to say my worst memory of high school football would be winning three games in two years. That was pretty bad.
MC: If your team was so bad, how did you get the University of Iowa to recognize you?
MK: My head coach in high school, Ron Glasgow told Iowa about me. He always said I had good dimensions for a linebacker. Reece Morgan helped me out a lot too. I'm glad they did tho--I was the first kid from Burlington to ever get a full-ride scholarship at a D-1 school. I think I was the first kid from Burlington to even pay at a division one school...ever. Someone walked on once but that was about it.
MC: How did you first get involved in football?
MK: My big brother, Vince, used to take me out to play with his buddies in the backyard. He's the one that got me into the game and really taught me a lot of what I know today about football.
MC: Did you ever consider going anywhere else to play football?
MK: Yeah, I almost committed to Iowa State. My brother wanted to be a grad assistant there which was a big factor. I also really liked the recruiting there, the coaches were really nice.
MC: Describe your recruiting process with them.
MK: First they sat me down and said, this is what we have to offer you. And how they did the whole process was big. Coach Mac sat me down individually and told me what they had to offer. Iowa was the complete opposite. They didn't even call me. They just sent a letter.
MC: So what made you choose Iowa in the end?
MK: It was just a better program. Where they were at the time was big. They were up and rising in '01, '02, '03 all the way till the Orange Bowl. And if I ever did want to play past college, it would be a better place and opportunity. Playing right away was a big concern for me, but in the end the better school and program would be better overall than just playing time.
MC: Do you ever regret your decision to come to Iowa?
MK: No I've never regretted my decision. I've started all four years, so I guess I got pretty lucky.
MC: Who is your biggest role model in football?
MK: My brother Vince for sure.
MC: Why?
MK: Everyone always said I would never be as good as Vince. They always said it was never possible. But he was always the one telling me I could be. He was always my biggest supporter. And plus he played my same position. He was defensive line and three-time All-American at Wartburg College.
MC: Who is your biggest role model in life in general?
MK: My mom.
MC: Why?
MK: She's definitely my hero. She raised me as a single mom since I was six and has worked harder than anyone I have ever met. She set everything aside for her kids. I'm definitely a momma's boy. She's my best friend and I talk to her everyday.
MC: What has playing college football done for you?
MK: It has made me more a big picture kind of guy. I'm not just living day-to-day anymore. Football has made me see the big picture, like education is big. I probably wouldn't have gone to this big of a college if it wasn't for football. It's made me more responsible and has made me realize what I can and can't do. I'm now put on a higher expectation for some things. I know some things aren't acceptable for the position I've put myself into as an athlete.
MC: What are you hoping to come out of this season as a senior?
MK: Well, hopefully we finish by winning the final three games of my senior year. I want to be remembered as one of the best to have ever played here. I want to beat Penn State and finish out on top. I guess I just want to build a legacy.
MC: Alright, well in Joe Paterno's press conference on Tuesday he said, "That kid, (Mitch) King is a really good football player. Maybe as good of a defensive lineman as we've played against." What do you have to say about what JoePa said about you?
MK: Man well that says a lot, especially from someone like him. He's seen a lot of players. I don't know if he's saying that because we play him this weekend and he's trying to toot our horn. But that's pretty big. I'm excited about that.
(About 15 seconds later)
MK: Wait where did you read that? I don't believe you, I wanna see this.
MC: If you could choose anywhere to play professional football, where would it be?
MK: Mmm, man that's hard. I don't know, I would go anywhere. I would just love to play professional football, no matter where it be.
MC: Would you ever want to play for the awesome Green Bay Packers?
MK: Oh no way, it's too damn cold there.
MC: Alright lastly, out of professional football players, who is your favorite?
MK: Dan Marino for sure. I just love the way he played the game. He made the most of what was around him, there were no big superstars in his era. He made the Miami Dolphins a playoff contenders and a runner in the Super Bowl. He was a real humble guy as well.
I'm listening to McCain's speech as I type and you have to give him credit. He gave an incredibly appropriate and respectful speech--he even expressed his condolences about Obama's grandmother who passed away on Sunday. You really have to sympathize with him for everything he put into this election and to be honest, it makes me like him a little more.
Another thought: how hard would it be to write a concession speech before you even lose--wondering which you'll be giving--one to a victory or one to failure.
But something that disgusts me are people's status on Facebook. Everyone is commenting on how they want to move out of the country and how our country is f*****...all because Obama is a "socialist." He's not a socialist, he has never come out and said he is a socialist and he has never said he has the ideas of Karl Marx. The things he is proposing does the same things; his main goal is to bridge the gap--and what is wrong with that?
Once again, we're having some off the field trouble....this time, we had a player TASERED.
Senior safety Harold Dalton was kicked off the team today after getting arrested early this morning....on his 23rd birthday. He was charged with interference with official acts, disorderly conduct and public intoxication after getting into a bar fight.
He was supposedly throwing glasses in the bar, pushed an employee and then tried to take a swing at him. He tried hitting the employee again and then was arrested. He fought the cops and they proceeded to taser him. Wow.
The sad part--last week Ferentz commented on how happy he was with how the team had been behaving off the field. Dalton was the third player arrested since the beginning of the season.
1. Dezman Moses: Public intoxication (Sept. 21)
2. James Ferentz: illegal underage possession of alcohol (Oct. 17)
3. Harold Dalton
He didn't play Saturday against Illinois, but did travel with the team.
I'm sure you all have noticed, but all the games in the Big Ten this weekend were unbelievably close games. ALL of them.
Let's start with Iowa/Illinois. You all know what happened and it's just depressing thinking about it. We were lucky to tie it up with just less than three minutes left but the field goal with 24 seconds left was ridiculous. Our defense fell apart and let Juice run all over us. Illinois just downright shut us down the whole game until the fourth quarter. But seriously how frustrating--why was it nearly impossible for our O-line to cover Stanzi?? I mean six sacks in one game is just embarrassing. It's pathetic. Repulsive. UGH. They have been impressives lately but that was thrown out the window on Saturday. Anyway...we lost in the last 24 seconds.
Earlier in the day, Wisconsin (yet again) let their should-be victory slip away in the fourth quarter. Bret Bielema has no sense of time management. Where was the timeout before the final field goal kick? Where was his time management the whole game? Where is his time management ever? He's losing more and more fans every week. Well, they too lost the game in the final minute--with 7 seconds remaining. And again to a field goal. Final score: 25-24 Michigan State.
Now the Minnesota game, it was just poor and sloppy play by the Gophers at the end. They missed a crucial 3rd quarter 20-yard field attempt that would have put them up 20-17 over Northwestern. But the final play with the interception and 48-yard run to score with only 12 seconds left was sick. Brendan Smith ran past seven different defenders, but you have to give a lot of the credit to his teammates. They blocked every defender to clear the way through the endzone. But again, a loss in the last minute...this time with 12 seconds to go.
Michigan/Purdue game was the same situation. Michigan scored with 1:20 to go to tie it up at 42 all. Then Purdue had a 28-yard pass with 26 seconds to go. Michigan fell to 2-7 and it will be the first time in 33 years they will not make it to a bowl game. This will also be their first losing season in 40 years. The funny thing: Purdue's QB (Justin Siller) is their third-string and has been playing at running back most of the season. On Saturday he threw for 266 years and three TD's.
And then there's Central Michigan and Indiana. I wasn't too entertained with this game but I'll still touch on it. At the end of the 3rd quarter Indiana was up 34-28. But then in the 4th, CMU had a field goal and then with a little under 9 minutes, CMU score again to go up 37-34. Again, a Big Ten team loses it in the 4th quarter.
Obviously the best game was the Texas Tech/Texas game. AMAZING. I was freaking out.
Teams I love: Milwaukee Brewers, Iowa Football, Wisconsin Badger Basketball, Green Bay Packers, Phoenix Suns.
Teams I can't stand: Chicago Cubs, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, LA Lakers, Wisconsin Badger Football.
Just a forewarning...I tend to trash talk the teams I hate.
