Look Out Tahoe!

After agonizing over where to go to get my snow fix--Whistler, Colorado, New Zealand (oops, wrong season) I ended up cutting the baby in half. Went to California...well, that is if you can sayTahoe is in California completely. It's almost in a world of its own, really, though we stayed on the Cali side. I eventually chose Northstar, even though I had heard less than complimentary things about it, primarily because Dave's company owns it, and we thought we could get some perks from the management folks. Sort of yes and sort of not so much. I did get a few days of lift passes and some help with baggage transport, but it was pretty hectic the rest of the time.

We lucked out on the lodging, getting a 3 BD condo for roughly $150 per night. No, that is not a typo, nor is it a per person price. As the kids today say, s-w-e-e-t. It wasn't Interlude or Thunderwolf, of course, but it was very serviceable. I flew out earlier than the rest, so I got the big loft room; I had offered to share it with one of the guys, but no one wanted to get that personal. Waldo would be laughing up his sleeve. There were beds for everyone, though they were small and uncomfortable. A small price to pay for a small price.

The timing was off for the Stockton/Loescher/Schwartz clans (new jobs, new baby, soon to be new baby...all very understandable), so I solicited the Coyle clan. Of the group, only Dave could get away. It was, after all, a business trip for him, and my impression is that he will go anywhere any time if snow is involved. Dave brought his buddy from school, RJ, and his cousin Adam. A small but robust group. RJ hadn't been on snow in quite a while, and Adam was often struggling himself, but we managed to escape serious injury nonetheless.

Adam

RJ

I went out a few days early to get in shape (and because I could) and it was mucho funo.

I flew into Sacramento and took a quick sidetrip on the way to the slopes via the Bogle Winery just south of the city. It was gorgeous, very European feeling, and I got to sample a bit. Just a tad, as it was a 2 hr drive to the mountains.

 Of course, I got some paraphernalia and almost a case of various wines (red, of course) thinking the guys would help with it. Who knew?

The first day I piddled around and got out for a half day; success was measured by the fact I came home in one piece. I have no other recollection of it. The second day (Monday) I bopped over to Squaw Valley and found that this was the 50th anniversary of the Olympics there. Seemed pretty small to me at the time, and maddeningly unmarked. An interesting concept, they colored the lift lines on the map according to what types of terrain that lift served. Then you were on your own getting down. Crazy, but I hear the locals love it. The best part about it was that the lift ticket worked for night skiing also; I hadn't intended to push it that hard so early, but when I picked Dave up at the Reno airport late that afternoon, ... well, one thing led to another, and you know how boys are... we scurried back to Squaw for a few runs. It turned out it was only a few by the time we found the entrance to the tram and got back down (another story). The cable car was HUGE, holding I think over 50 people, though not that night.

As is the case with most night skiing, the snow was hard and often crusty. It was chilly, to say the least, but we managed. Dave was a bit rusty at first, but that soon passed and we piddled around the top for a bit, then headed down. Somewhere along the way, a funny thing happened. Dave slowed next to a sign that it was too dark to read, and which (as we found out later) pointed down to drop off that looked icky. Of course the only reasonable thing was to keep going straight. Also unbeknownst to us, that wasn't where the lighted trail was--we were on a regular blue trail that ended at the bottom during the day, but was closed at night. Shades of War Dance! We finally figured something wasn't right when we looked across the ravine and saw the light poles (and lights) way over on the other hill. Well, I sure wasn't climbing back up the few hundred yards we had come to get back to the trail--I had been down that run earlier and knew it was doable. Guess I forgot that "earlier" meant it was light then. It was kinda fun to have to turn blind, or by the scraping sound of the person in front (Dave), but a few of the sharp drops were, shall we say, exciting in the dark. Why is it I always end up riding with people who say "That's the last time I'm following you anywhere!"?

All was copacetic when we got to the bottom and we sturggled back to the tram. There was time for another run, and, at the indicated spot, we took the drop toward the lights in what was the most thrilling, fastest, and most uncontrolled 100 yards of the day. Thought I was dead, fer sure...or at least broken up a bit. But, in the end, neither of us fell, enabling us to cheat death once again.

The rest of the trip was a blur as RJ and Dave did all they could to injure themselves in the trees and the terrain parks, and on the ungroomed blacks. Now, Northstar didn't get the nickname "Flatstar" for nothing, and the blacks there are essentially blue or, at worst, dark blue in places like Colorado and Utah. But they still aren't to be trifled with if you're a mediocre rider. We trifled. My mistake was trying to follow the two pairs of 30-something legs down ungroomed, choppy slopes. My thighs and knees have seen too much other territory to hold up to that for very long. But...once we finally stumbled onto a groomed black run, (name) the tables turned dramatically. Even Adam liked those better, as proper technique is golden when it's smooth and steep. I have a fond memory of looking back uphill to see RJ on his ass cursing loudly. Technique, my man. Finally he and Dave took off into the woods to tease the reaper instead. All in all, a tiring and good day. And the ski-in part of the lodging was very much appreciated.



Tahoe is beautiful if you ride the lake side. Here's why.



Sugar is sweet, my love ...

Ah, the Sugar Bowl...that marvelous consolation prize that came from one bad game in the SEC championship. I will have to think of much more to say about this, but I am glad to get that dumb post about the Alabama game off the top of my blog.

Christmas in Atlanta

Another Christmas in Hotlanta! A quick trip but a wonderful time had by all. Well, almost all. Maitlyn was sick most of the time, and teething, so the parents had some rough nights, but the twins were still cute as can be. And Pierce is such a little man! It melts me. Bryce--a bit young to have fun with, but what a little doll. Adorable, quiet, smiley...all great things in a babv.
When I get some pictures, I will post.

Sad, Sad, Sad

McElroy, you done ripped my heart out and stomped it flat.

I am sad beyond my ability to express it. Vicariously hurting for the guys who came back for one more shot at the gold ring. . . who were "living the dream," as one player said.

The dream became a nightmare in the second half. Too many mistakes, not enough key plays.

This is Tim, being not happy with his and his team's performance. We didn't get to see this much in 2009.

Best wishes to the Bama fans, let's hope they destroy Texas!!

We will have something to prove in the Sugar Bowl.

(anyone noticed we don't play the big games well when it's close and we're ranked ahead of the other guys, but kick ass when we're lower ranked?)

We still love you, Tim, and all the other Gators who had such a fabulous year (4 years actually).

Go Gators!!

Perfect Ending

An emotional beginning ... followed by... well, you know. Urban described it...

"I'm not sure what perfect is," he said, "but that was a perfect night."

The first 12-0 regular season in Gators' history! Most excellent. And against the Noles, even more so. Another beatdown, six in a row, Tim had a great game, and Johnny B even got in the game. It was all you could ask for -- except maybe another 30 points (but the O&B did beat the spread). It seemed like the only thing that could keep the Gators from scoring was the sportsmanship not to.

If that game didn't win Tim the Heisman, the thing is rigged (yeah, it probably is anyway, but I hold out a scintilla of hope for that second statuette--when he doesn't win because the media hype throws it elsewhere, we shouldn't be upset... it's become a joke...like the Nobel now).

I know I skipped 2 games in sequence, but had to get something posted for this game--as the Pointer Sisters said long ago, "I'm So Excited...." What a great day for the Gators and, even better, a great day for the SEC. 3-0 against the Almost Competitive Conference, and some great SEC matchups to boot. I'm burnt.

I don't usually crib from the talking heads, but this is some good stuff from Pat Dooely in the Gainesville Sun (and there will be lots of pictures):

"...Tebow said. 'It has been a long day. I was telling (Riley Cooper) when we got on the bus it seems like everything is in slow motion today.'
No, that would be FSU's defense.
The Seminole defense cured pretty much everything that had been ailing the Florida offense this season. The big plays were back. The touchdowns were scored without an FSU hand touching the Gators who scored them.
And so it was a complete victory. The defense toyed with FSU's offense like a killer whale with a wounded seal."

. . . .
"We may never see anything like him [Tim] again. We may never see a class like this senior class. What was it Jermaine Cunningham said when he spoke to the team before the game? 'I'm living the dream.'"

A few more things were said about Tebow.

David Nelson (perhaps biased): "Tim is the best college player ever to play the game. All the credit he gets, I think he deserves even more."

Bobby Bowden (perhaps shellshocked): "It's like like playing against 12 people. He presents so many problems. Tim Tebow is a great player."

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At the end of the game Urban thanked the fans. "I want to thank the Gator fans for showing up pregame and sending off one of the greatest groups of players to come through Florida," Meyer said. And that they are....

The day we all dreaded came ... and went. This is Tim's final TD at the Swamp!

And a view of that play from the end zone.... You don't see any FSU jerseys in the photo because there weren't any nearby.

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Bring on the Tide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

F-I-Ueeeeww

Golden Panthers? You're joking, right? Where's the SPCA when you need it?

The Gators looked like they wanted to make this endangered species extinct, with a crushing, score-at-will game that ended with Johnny B getting more touchdown passes than Super Tim. Not surprising, as he played almost as much as Tebow and the first string did. Of course, Tim got to show off his moves and his speed with a 55 yard run to pass Kevin Faulk for most all-time TDs scored in the SEC (54). With 3 games to go to add to that total...wow.

Maybe I can post some pictures later, or you can just go to Gatorzone and examine the damage.

Here come the 'Noles.....! Can't wait.

Bumper Sticker of the Week:

I read about the evils of drinking beer, so I gave up reading.

'Cocks Were Game

The uniforms were a bit of a shock (theirs, not ours) because they were all camo and had words describing the qualities of our servicemen on them instead of the players. An excellent tribute, I'd say, but they didn't hold up like our boys in Iraq did. Of course, the sandmen didn't see a defense like the Gators'. Some perspective, if you please, from the G'ville Sun before the game:

"Meyer threw out some impressive numbers at his weekly news conference.

'Twelve of our 17 interceptions have come in the second half,' Meyer said. 'Twenty of 29 sacks have come in the second half. We've held four SEC opponents to five yards or less rushing in the fourth quarter. Unbelievable. We have held five of 10 opponents to (less than) 100 total yards in the second half.

'In the last three games, rushing yardage (allowed) in the fourth quarter is minus-two, passing yards 39. Total yards given up in the fourth quarter, 37. That almost takes your breath away. When you see something like that, it just tells you about the relentless pursuit and play of our defense.'

The defense has never been more relentless (or impressive) this season than it was this past Saturday night at South Carolina.

In the fourth quarter, the defense intercepted two passes, sacked USC quarterback Stephen Garcia four times and held the Gamecocks to minus-20 yards of offense. USC managed only 41 total yards in the second half and had five three-and-outs."

One of those interceptions was by Justin Trattou, who would have scored but for some friendly fire...he tripped over Jermaine Cunningham who was trying to block.

Impressive win, if not overly dominant. I think the Gators have what it takes to get to the Championship game, if only they don't lose sight of it.

Bumper Sticker of the Week:

If I agreed with you, then we'd both be wrong.

And then there were four...

Here's a lovely shot of the Atlanta branch enjoying the new addition. What a beautiful little clan. Both of the boys are such miracle babies (for different reasons)--it renews one's faith to see it.

Bryce is only 7 weeks old! Whoa....can we say gianormous? Those cheeks....must contain a day's rations.

Looks like the odds on him being a lineman are pretty good. Mt. Loescher? First offensive tackle to win the Heisman?

Can't wait to see him (and all the rest, of course) this coming weekend.

P.S. Damn, that Tracy is so photogenic! Always has been. Especially now in the full bloom of her womanhood. Pete is one lucky man.

Bored by the 'Dores

Vanderbilt always plays the Gators tough, but who knew they would hold us to 148 yards rushing!?!? And get 99 yards of their own with a new/old quarterback? But they did. Still, they got no touchdown....the Gator defense has allowed 6 touchdowns in 9 games, and one of those started close to the goal line (at the UF 31 in the Arkansas game). That's pretty damn impressive.



Ve vill CRUSH you...








Got nowhere to run to, ba-by, nowhere to hide...

Come here, you...now we spank you, yes?

And the linebacking corps got another interception (sorry, Mr. Spikes, none for you--they didn't throw it to the sidelines).

OFFENSE:

Passing was a bit better for us, 227 vs their 100 yards. Tebow was 15 of 20 for better than 200.

Is the passing game back? We hope. We wish. Time will tell.

Hernandez had a career night with 7 catches for a buck-20.

Nelson caught a touchdown pass. Yeah, David! Even better because Cooper let it go right through his hands at the goal line.

Rainey played well again, though Moody was second in rushing.

Chris almost got another punt block, but the guy got away.

Timmy played his usual tough game--this pretty much sums it up...

I

Individual stats were decent in this game. Besides the passing, the highlight of the game was the punting--go figure--3 punts for a 52.8 yard average. Wow. The bad news is that Henry kicked it so far Vandy got 13 return yards on us, to bring our net total for the year to 8 yards. For the year... in 9 games. Stunning.

And the Bumper Sticker of the Week:

...now where did I put that...?

Sweet Georgia Beatdown

A A A AGATORBAIT!!!!!!

To quote the Great One, How sweet it is!!

Not only to get a victory in a heated rivalry, but to win convincingly with both offense and defense (and special teams) gets the Gators back on track. The fact that Tim broke Herschel's record for rushing touchdowns was a bit of a cherry on top. I knew he would get the go-ahead TD in this game when he couldn't get it last week at MSU. I'm glad he waited--it was so utterly perfect to have a long run against the Dawgs for that special score. I was yelling and jumping, I was amped. As one of the worst actors of all time is famous for saying ...Ex-cellent!

The defense stepped up big-time AGAIN. The pass defense was Spectacular (with a capital S). On top of the 4 interceptions by the linebacking corps, CBs Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden held star receiver A. J. Green to three catches and 50 yards. Let's see now, that's

A J Green, superstar receiver:: 3 catches, 1 touch w/o catch (became a UF interception)
UF defense, peerless warriors: 4 catches, 3 touches w/o catch (knocked down or deflected)

NOTE: In two games this season, LSU and UGA, the corners have held 3 NFL quality receivers who were burning up the stat sheets to a total of 3 catches and 36 yards apiece. Un-freaking-believable. And they are a junior and a sophmore. Let's see Eric Berry do that!

Not to be outdone, the run defense held Georgia's best runner, Washaun Ealey, to 70 yards and the entire team to 121 yards (counting sacks--146 if you don't figure those in). This is the defense that has held opposing "star" runners to an average of under 70 yards per game over 6 games, and allowed only 617 total rush yards in the SEC campaign so far (729 if you don't count sacks as losses--they aren't really rushes). The only player to go over 100 yards was Dennis Johnson in the Arkansas game with 107 (and 42 of those came on one play). And it will likely get better with 2 more conference games against poor rushing teams! Might it be possible to finish the regular season allowing under 1,000 yards rushing? Wow.

In this game, the special teams were truly special--Sturgis’ 56 yard field goal was an NFL caliber kick. The Gators still have not allowed a positive punt return yard this season. Brandon Boykin was held in check on kickoffs, gaining 114 yards on six returns. (That's an average of less than 20 yards per return--on kickoffs? That's unheard of.)

Cade Holliday's tackle at the 16 yard line was unbelievable! Fight off the block, spin out and knock down the Boychild...priceless.


Chas Henry had two punts downed inside the 10. One was a 61-yarder! And, once again, zero return yardage. How special is that?

But the day was made by the offensive eruption. Defense wins games, but offense is what puts butts in the seats. And Timmy and company found themselves with a vengence. Two quick TDs were just what the doctor ordered to get the Orange and Blue out of its blue funk. The first one to Cooper was a thing of beauty, a perfect pass from Tebow. The second was even better. A perfect throw against perfect defense (Boykin again) ended in a perfect catch by Cooper. Result: 14-0 Gator lead.

Lets' see--one hand for you, one hand for the ball...yeah, that should do it.


The Bulldogs did manage to claw back to a 14-10 standoff, which then became 17-10. As the half wound down, though, it was time for the fireworks. I had worried that the Bulldogs would get tough when we got inside the 10, not wanting Tim Terrific to surpass the Holy Herschel. As the Gators drove the field as halftime loomed, I was resigned to another field goal. Third and 3 with under 2 minutes to go at the 23 yard line. Tim just wanted to get a first down (he said), and got the call. A fake right, a cutback into the line, and it was all over. TOUCHDOWN! New Record! 24-10. Perfect. Just like the Gators so far.



Outta my way, puppy, I'm heading for the record!






Tim back to being the Heisman favorite? Of course.





The UGlies got the ball after the half and were desperate to make something happen. OK, let's do it. A. J. Jones bullrushed Cox on what looked like a screen play, and Whap! tipped the pass up in the air, blew by Cox and snagged it just above the ground. As they say, The Crowd Went Wild.



A thing of beauty!




Shortly thereafter, Tim ran in a 5 yard TD to put the game out of reach. Sure, there was some more scoring, but the game was effectively over early in the third quarter. Still time for 3 more Gator interceptions, including a beautiful pick 6 by Spikes. And Stamper got his first one, especially sweet as it came after Green bobbled the ball (and got clobbered by Major Wright--reminded me of the Championship game last year!).

Facts to warm a Gator's heart: Florida is now 17-3 over Georgia over the past 20 years and has outscored the Bulldogs 90-27 in the last two contests.




The bad news...Chris Rainey went out with a shoulder injury. Could be trouble going forward.


Date of note: November 1, the fourth anniversary of Grossi's death. Doesn't seem that long ago.... a moment of silence please.

Last but not least, the Bumper Sticker of the Week--in keeping with the spirit of the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (as it once was)


Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

Bullpups Get Spanked

Headline: Florida beats Mississippi State puppies.

to quote Gatorzone.com...

The Florida defense stepped up once again and limited the Mississippi State offense to two field goals and 237 yards. They held the Bulldogs without a third-down conversion until midway through the fourth quarter (total was 2-12) and intercepted quarterback Tyson Lee three times. The Gators also held Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon to a season-low 53 yards rushing after entering the game averaging 116 yards on the ground.

Do you realize the Gator D has given up 4 touchdowns in 7 games? (the other 2 came on the offense or special teams) And a total of 57 points all season? (and not to mention that 2 of the touchdowns scored were on short field drives after the offense coughed it up!) It was almost a relief when the Mississippi State offense had the ball, because you knew they weren't going to score--you couldn't say the same when the Gator offense was out there! Without the two gross plays--the interceptions for touchdowns, the score would have been 36-6, which was much more realistic as to how the game really felt.

The score at halftime was 13-10. But that was really deceptive. Check out the stats:

Tim Terrific caught some heat for trying to "squeeze" in that pass at the end of the first half, leading to the interception (run back for 100 yards--who ever DOES that?). I watched it several times and I'm not sure who he was throwing to. If it was to Deonte Thompson, that was a bad throw; too high, and wide. If, OTOH, he was throwing to Hernandez, it wasn't such a bad toss, and it was Thompson's man--gee, how did he get over there?--who started the whole thing by deflecting it. I suspose the quarterback gets the glory when the receivers run great routes or when the defenders fall down, but he also gets hammered when they run bad routes. (Are you listening, Riley? and Deonte?)

If it's Hernandez alone in the corner, it could have (should have) been a touchdown for us instead of a MSU freak play--a 14 point swing. Ah, if frogs had wings....

Speaking of freak plays, the pass out of our end zone late in the game seemed dumb, but only because of the result. Timmy had a receiver streaking wide open down the right side, and if the defensive lineman had been a step slower, or picked up by someone .... ah, another 14 point swing, just by a hair. But I never really had the fear that the Puppies could take control of the game. Still, it made the Gators look silly and the coaches might have wanted to avoid that, for Tim's sake if nothing else.

But it was, once again, the Big D and special teams coming to our rescue.

What's a Bulldog say? Roof, Roof.....

You want some passion, some heart? How about that Rainey!?! What a game. Another blocked punt--if only he had scored with it--90 yards of rushing and a TD. And what a smooth TD run it was. He looked like he was snowboarding ... just gliding one way, then another, without a care in the world. True it was only 8 yards, but it was pretty.

But Chris, who sometimes gets a bit theatrical, lost his Top Hot Dog status to Dustin Doe, who embarrassed himself and the team with not only excessive cockiness on his interception return, but inept cockiness. It's one thing to celebrate with the ball as you cross the goalline, but for God's sake, at least hold the ball OVER the line when you do. It was fortunate for him (and us)the refs saw that as a touchdown and not the touchback it could've (should've?) been. It wouldn't have helped the equally inept Miss State offense to win, but the score would have been closer. Because he was being a butt-head, I decline to put a picture of him in this post. So there, Dustin!

For the Lakeland contingent, Ahmad Black had a beautiful interception. Unfortunately, it was called back by a bogus call on Ryan Stamper. Guess that made up for the bad call on Doe's pick 6.

Timmy did have a great touchdown on a 26 yard run. He would not be denied--classic stiff-arm and way to lay out for the score, big guy.

Get Outta my face!!!

Here you go, Herschel, now we're even!

In case you've been living under a rock, you should know this ties him with Herschel Walker for most "recorded" TDs in the SEC. (Seems the powers that be were counting differently when HW was playing.) So, to be fair, TT should score 3 more, to offset the 2 he got credit for in the postseason bowl games. Easily achieved with 5 regular season games left. But the "official" record breaker will... should...must come next week against the 'Dawgs. That makes my mouth water. Even better than the timeouts at the end of last year's game.

And, of course, ...(drum roll)... the Bumper Sticker of the Week...

A day without sunshine is, like, night.

Hog Wild Homecoming!

Sooooo-weeeeee!
Talk about dodging a bullet! There is no way we could win that game with 4 turnovers in the red zone and 6 sacks. And yet....we did.
What is lost in the hype about the Arkansas onslaught is the fact that the Gator D, though it had some lapses--take away two plays and the yardage given up goes down by almost a third--held the Hogs below their season average. And if you look at the Arkansas-Alabama game, you'll see that 'Bama was 2 plays away from having a mediocre day against them. And Auburn...wow, don't get me started. That Arkansas team is darned good. And yet, UF beat them in almost every phase of the game except turnover margin. (Check the box score... http://www.gatorzone.com/football/boxscore.php?gameid=7533)

And Ryan Mallet....what a talent he is. Even if he does look like a guard at a Russian Gulag. Some of those passes he made were spectacular. Surely our Tim Terrific, with his 6 sacks and 2 fumbles must have looked palsied next to the Wunderkind of the Wasteland? Not exactly. He obviously outran the Ryant the Giant, but lo and behold, he also outpassed him by 5 more completions and 31 yards! Tim had 255 yards passing and, if you don't subtract from his total the yards he lost when sacked (clearly passing, not running--what a dumb way to keep stats), he was over 100 yards rushing as well. Not to mention (I will anyway) that he, once again, picked the team up, put it on his shoulders in the 4th quarter, and carried it down the field on the winning drive. I might be crazy, but I think this could have been (should have been) Tim's Heisman-clinching game. Let's wait, shall we, because I suspect he may have a few more of them left in him this season. Boy, do we hope so.

It seems the win under such adverse circumstances wasn't enough to keep the Gators #1 in all the polls--the Crimson Tide captured the top spot in the AP poll. Just goes to show you what sportswriters know. There's not a more worthless, good for nothing bunch of ignoramuses living off of expense accounts in any part of the world--unless you count Congress and everyone associated with the White House. The geniuses were impressed that Bama beat Carolina by 13 points, even though they were lucky to get out alive, and the outcome was still in doubt until the last 6 minutes. If SOS hadn't been so in love with the fade route--3 times in a row!--twice!--South Carolina would have been ahead at that point. But, hey, the BCS has it right (who would have thought that could ever be said?!?!), and in the end it will all be settled on the field come December--it doesn't matter a sportswriter's fart until then. We assume that both teams will win out, and the championship game will be another donnybrook, with the winner again playing for the crystal trophy. Hopefully against the crybabies from Texas, so we can shut them up once and for all. I can't wait.

Bumper Sticker of the Week:

Research says married men live longer--it only seems longer.

Hayley's Wedding

It was an odd way to watch the game, I'll admit. Saw the first half, officiated at the wedding, saw the last 3 minutes. The scariest part and the best part (sort of like the wedding).
It was a thing of beauty--the wedding, not the game.



There were roughly 100 people to witness the nuptials,







held on the beach at Anna Maria as the sun was setting.

The house was beautiful and the weather cooperated (somewhat--a bit windy, but no rain).

..

The introduction, vows and, in fact, the whole procedure was done with something of an alternative style,

















but in the end a good time was had by all.





The lovely couple....










Couple with Bride's Parents








Couple with Groom's Parents




Layla came east with hubby John, and Jane and I got to meet Kyle's parents. Nice folks. (I forgot to thank him for the rehearsal dinner at the Sandbar.)

Tame Those Tigers!

Death Valley wasn't so bad after all. I heard that Jacob Hester was in the crowd--they could've used him.

This was supposed to be Florida's first real test--against the Number 4 team in the country, a former national champion that put a dagger in the Gator's hearts 2 years ago. But not tonight. The Tigers' padded streak of undeafeated night games in Death Valley (32 often weak teams) came to a crashing halt.



It was clearly a defensive struggle, and the Gator defense was outstanding. The Tigers converted 1 of 9 third downs, but more importantly (and sweetly) only 1 of 3 fourth downs.

Florida got to their quarterback for 5 sacks--LSU got ... NONE.

Oh, and did anyone see the Terrifying Tiger Tandem receivers, Tolliver and LaFell, who are supposed to be NFL quality? They had a combined 56 yards on 6 catches. Boo-ya!


There wasn't as much scoring from the Gators as we could have hoped for, but Florida outrushed LSU by 2 to 1 (held them to net 66 yards, with only 29 in the 2nd half) and had half again their passing yardage. We whipped them in almost every phase of the game.

We got the advantage of the lone touchdown in the game when Riley Cooper managed to "slingshot" himself off the defender by grabbing the guy's jersey. For those who don't know, that is technically not allowed, but he succeeded for two simple reasons: (i) it was a very short grab, and (ii) the official didn't see it. Aw, c'mon, not like it doesn't happen every week...!



Tim's other favorite target--Aaron Hernandez--also had a good game, as is his wont. He's a stud. And our other super speedy stud--Jeff Demps--had a good (but not great) night, running for 86 yards on only 14 carries.



And let's not forget Timmy's sparkling play: He got 41 on the ground and over 130 in the air--most of that to Hernandez. Another gem in the SEC!!




Of course, we mustn't forget the ubiquitous Bumper Sticker of the Week,

My feminine side is a lesbian.