14 Point Momentum Change

Busy week.

Very busy at work the past few weeks and will continue till at least the end of the year.

Wednesday

Went to see Steely Dan with Boseman and Nuke. Good show. However, like us all, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are aging. Voices aren't quite what they used to be.

The set selection was geared towards crowd pleasers. I was disappointed they didn't play The Royal Scam or Deacon Blues.

Thursday

Bose, Nuke and Chip went to the game last night.

There were two very questionable calls.

Actually one call was not questionable - it was blatantly wrong. A touchdown run was called out of bounds on the side line. Replay shows the State runner (Underwood) was clearly in bounds. Still, it was a big gain but State fumbled the ball 3 plays later. Clemson recovers and then scores. A 14 point turnaround and big momentum killer.

Frankly, I think Clemson still would have won. But it would have been a barn burner of a game.

Instead, the official (who was behind the play / run with a 'view' obstructed by two players between him and Underwood) blew the whistle.



The official should have let the play run out. Then - the touchdown would have been reviewed. If Underwood stepped out of bounds - touchdown goes away - bring the ball back. If Underwood did not step out of bounds (which is what happened) - then the touchdown stands. Blowing the whistle killed the play - with no review allowed.

Bad call twice - first, Underwood did not step out of bounds and second, the ref should not have blown the whistle anyway and let the play get reviewed. A dumb ass incompetent decision / call by the ref.

Make the right decision and you've got an exciting 1 point game in the 3rd quarter. Would have been a great game. Too bad the ref wasn't there to see it.

The other iffy call was when Clemson snaps the ball and throws an interception which State returns for a touchdown. Oh wait - nope. Somehow, Clemson not only snapped the ball and ran the play but magically and simultaneously calls a time out! Thus - negating the interception and State score.

Truly a poorly officiated game.

Our guys played great and all the way through to the end of the game. I didn't really believe the upset was possible. I wanted us to play a close, tough game. We did that and way more.

State has really upgraded the program with the new coaching staff. In 2 or 3 years - I firmly believe State can be a top 20 team and playing toe to toe with Clemson, Florida State, Louisville and any other team in the nation.

Miscellaneous

Nuke is up for the football and basketball seasons.

It will be good to have company around the house.

Weekend Update - on a Monday

No game this weekend.

Next game is Clemson at NC State this Thursday.

Having watched Clemson - they look for real like the No. 2 or 3 team in the nation. I hope State plays well and keeps it respectable. I don't expect a win - just a good game. I DO expect to be competing with Clemson (and Florida State and Louisville) in the future. Here's hoping that Coach DD can take us to the next level.

Went to Southport again this weekend. Hung out with the puppy dogs. Had lunch again with Boze. Just like last weekend.

No Highlights

I spent the weekend in Southport visitng Nuke and the dogs. Gave my football tickets to Chip and Gmail - hope they found someone to go with them.

First home NCSU football game I've missed in years.

Watched it online (ESPN3). Geez - very exciting. And not in a good way. State pulled the game out of their arse with a field goal in the last 33 seconds.

No highlights for this game. Usually when you have four or more turnovers (2 int - 2 fumbles) you lose. On the positive side - the boys hung in there and did not give up.

Space Aliens

Speaking of arse.

I went to the Space Aliens (gastroenterologist) this week for my consultation to set up my Anal Probe (colonoscopy). Boy, am I looking forward to this - NOT. Oh well - do not want cancer - so it is what it is.

Photo is Nuke and Dave waking along the river in downtown Wilmington. It was a beautiful Saturday.

I Can See the Future +Addendum

State 40 - La Tech 17

You could see Coach Doren's wide open spread offense yesterday during the first quarter. With a mobile quarterback, we scored touchdowns on the first 2 possessions. Running a quick pace, the opposing team's defense didn't know how to handle it. QB Brandon Mitchell ran the offense flawlessly. He reminded me of Russell Wilson.

Mitchell ran two long drives, 93 yards passing (3 or 3), 19 yards rushing - all in the first quarter.

Then - at the end of the first quarter - Mitchell broke his foot.

Second QB Pete Thomas will do OK - but you could see a real drop off in pace and execution.

Mitchell will be out 5 or 6 weeks. By then, Thomas and the offense will be well established, for good or average, and you normally don't put in a (essentially) new QB in unless you have a real problem to solve.

In one quarter, I think this season went from a cautiously optimistic big season of 8 and 4 or even 9 and 3 to an average season of 7 and 5 or 6 and 6 filled with 'what might have been'.

We played 11 true freshmen yesterday. Including a wide receiver and a running back who might just be 'the next big thing' for NC State football.

I'll tell you one thing - we have a team that is motivated and inspired and will play through the adversity. You could see it on the side line yesterday. Those kids were way more involved than I ever saw under T'OB.

Mitchell's injury notwithstanding - I can see the future. And it looks pretty darn good.

Thanks to Erika and Chip for going to the game with me. It's aways fun hanging out with the peeps.

House

Had the house power washed this week. It had gotten pretty gungy over the years. Man - what a difference power washing makes. It's not the pressure, it's the cleaner / detergent they spray on first. I don't know what that stuff is but it just melts the grime away. In two hours my house went from yuk to brand new looking.

Also had an appliance service call. My range quits baking and sends me error codes telling me the temperature sensor is not working. I ordered a replacement and installed it - but still keep getting the same code.

So - I called in Discount Appliance Service (top rated in Sanford by Angie's List). The new sensor checks out fine - so - he's ordered a replacement control board. That's gonna cost. Hope it arrives soon.

Camera

I've lost my Cannon camera. I have no idea where I left it. Been looking for it for a couple weeks now. Pretty sure it's gone for good.

Bought one online last night at Walmart. A Sony. Going to go get some lunch soon and will pick it up also.

I hate losing stuff. That's just money down the drain.

Addendum

So - I'm reading through the camera manual and looking at the menu of features. There's the usual settings available for macro, landscape, portrait, night time, etc. And - a setting for 'food'.

LOL

Actually - that makes sense. So many people nowadays take restaurant beauty shots of their meals.