Postgame wrap from USC at ASU
And now the postgame report ... only five days late!
Here's my excuse:
I called Audioblogger three times during the game, but only the first one posted. For those of you who don't know, all this magnificent audio is done using my cell phone.
It's a damn shame, too. Those two posts that didn't take (for whatever reason) were two of the best yet. Here's a recap of what we're all missing:
End of first quarter update:
The crowd was electric as ASU was leading 7-0, and the Sun Devil defense was punishing the Trojans. In the first quarter, USC quarterback (and Heisman winner) Matt Leinart took a hard hit and stayed down.
Zebras called it a late hit, and we went nuts. Leinart, of course, only sat out one play. This resulted in ASU students loudly (and almost fairly) comparing him to a part of the female anatomy. And judging by USC's performance in the first half, we were totally in his head.
Leinart later whined about the hit and told the AP that the Sun Devil fans were "disrespectful and classless" to draw such anatomical comparisons. Whoa, there's a shocker. You can read the full story on azcentral.
The post ended right as USC picked off ASU quarterback Sam Keller, putting the Trojans in prime scoring position (insert Peter Griffin-esque giggle here). But the Devils held them to a field goal. The crowd was jumping and screaming like I've never seen before!
Halftime update
By halftime, the blazing sun was doing its best derail our energy. ASU was leading 21-3, and most of us in the student section had screamed to the point of cotton-mouthed dehydration.
It was no secret that a few of us had snuck into the lower bowl with counterfeit wristbands, but a lesser known fact is that some of our friends had legitimate ones.
Paul tried to take his bona fide wristband and get water for the rest of us, much like I imagine Jesus would have done. We were dying.
But before the half, they weren't re-admitting anyone to the lower bowl student section, wristband or no. This is probably because the whole section was overcrowded with people who snuck in (some using precise methods, as we did, others using stealth, others maybe using brute force). It exposed a fundamental flaw in the wristband policy: the crew at Sun Devil Stadium half-assed and then tries to overcompensate. In this case, it resulted in hundreds of students on the brink of heat stroke.
Paul finally got us water at the half, as I was making post number three.
Fans in other sections later confirmed that most of the stadium's concession stands sold out of bottled water during the game.
The post conveyed much thirst and desperation, with a hint of pride at what looked, at that point, like an eminently winnable game for ASU. And, if you don't already feel as though you're really missing out on this lost audio, it featured the first-ever commentary from my girlfriend, Sara.
Postgame wrap up (for real this time)
...
Highlight: hoisting Josh up for crowd pushups. I wanted to go up, but, to be fair, I weigh as much as nearly two Joshes.
Lowlight: Josh, who has a concealed carry permit for any sports rule that might possibly help the team he's rooting for, screaming, "The pylon is out of bounds!" After an airborne USC player scored on a run by striking the pylon with the ball.
We had a good laugh at that later, but it turns out he wasn't wrong.
According to NCAA rules, Rule 4: Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out-of-Bounds, Section 2.b:
Upon further inspection, however, it turns out Josh's on-field ruling was a little misguided. According to NCAA rules, Rule 8: Scoring, Section 2: Touchdown, Article III:
So next time, I'll have to remind Josh of 4-2-4-e.
Anyway, I could go on griping about this game forever. My friends, girlfriend and coworkers know I've been doing it all week. But, instead of pulling a Leinart and whining about USC's classless fans, I'll take the classy route and stick with my explanation of pylon rules.
And take some solace in the fact that at least my team's not called the Trojans (again, cue Mr. Griffin).
Stay tuned for nonexistent audio from the Who Cares Bowl.
Here's my excuse:
I called Audioblogger three times during the game, but only the first one posted. For those of you who don't know, all this magnificent audio is done using my cell phone.
It's a damn shame, too. Those two posts that didn't take (for whatever reason) were two of the best yet. Here's a recap of what we're all missing:
End of first quarter update:
The crowd was electric as ASU was leading 7-0, and the Sun Devil defense was punishing the Trojans. In the first quarter, USC quarterback (and Heisman winner) Matt Leinart took a hard hit and stayed down.
Zebras called it a late hit, and we went nuts. Leinart, of course, only sat out one play. This resulted in ASU students loudly (and almost fairly) comparing him to a part of the female anatomy. And judging by USC's performance in the first half, we were totally in his head.
Leinart later whined about the hit and told the AP that the Sun Devil fans were "disrespectful and classless" to draw such anatomical comparisons. Whoa, there's a shocker. You can read the full story on azcentral.
The post ended right as USC picked off ASU quarterback Sam Keller, putting the Trojans in prime scoring position (insert Peter Griffin-esque giggle here). But the Devils held them to a field goal. The crowd was jumping and screaming like I've never seen before!
Halftime update
By halftime, the blazing sun was doing its best derail our energy. ASU was leading 21-3, and most of us in the student section had screamed to the point of cotton-mouthed dehydration.
It was no secret that a few of us had snuck into the lower bowl with counterfeit wristbands, but a lesser known fact is that some of our friends had legitimate ones.
Paul tried to take his bona fide wristband and get water for the rest of us, much like I imagine Jesus would have done. We were dying.
But before the half, they weren't re-admitting anyone to the lower bowl student section, wristband or no. This is probably because the whole section was overcrowded with people who snuck in (some using precise methods, as we did, others using stealth, others maybe using brute force). It exposed a fundamental flaw in the wristband policy: the crew at Sun Devil Stadium half-assed and then tries to overcompensate. In this case, it resulted in hundreds of students on the brink of heat stroke.
Paul finally got us water at the half, as I was making post number three.
Fans in other sections later confirmed that most of the stadium's concession stands sold out of bottled water during the game.
The post conveyed much thirst and desperation, with a hint of pride at what looked, at that point, like an eminently winnable game for ASU. And, if you don't already feel as though you're really missing out on this lost audio, it featured the first-ever commentary from my girlfriend, Sara.
Postgame wrap up (for real this time)
...
Highlight: hoisting Josh up for crowd pushups. I wanted to go up, but, to be fair, I weigh as much as nearly two Joshes.
Lowlight: Josh, who has a concealed carry permit for any sports rule that might possibly help the team he's rooting for, screaming, "The pylon is out of bounds!" After an airborne USC player scored on a run by striking the pylon with the ball.
We had a good laugh at that later, but it turns out he wasn't wrong.
According to NCAA rules, Rule 4: Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out-of-Bounds, Section 2.b:
A player or an airborne player who touches a pylon is out of bounds.
Upon further inspection, however, it turns out Josh's on-field ruling was a little misguided. According to NCAA rules, Rule 8: Scoring, Section 2: Touchdown, Article III:
Runner A1, advancing in the field of play, becomes airborne at the
two-yard-line. His first contact with the ground is out of bounds three yards
beyond the goal line. The ball, in possession of the runner, passed over the
pylon. Ruling: Touchdown (Rule 4-2-4-e).
So next time, I'll have to remind Josh of 4-2-4-e.
Anyway, I could go on griping about this game forever. My friends, girlfriend and coworkers know I've been doing it all week. But, instead of pulling a Leinart and whining about USC's classless fans, I'll take the classy route and stick with my explanation of pylon rules.
And take some solace in the fact that at least my team's not called the Trojans (again, cue Mr. Griffin).
Stay tuned for nonexistent audio from the Who Cares Bowl.
posted by Tim @ 3:11 AM
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