Weekend Notes

Well, a real bummer of a sports weekend that was partially saved by Jonathan Taylor. Let’s get into it.

Friday

Shades of late August/early September as I was both listening to the Cathedral game and watching sports on the TV. My attentions were less divided than back then, though, as most of my attention was on the KU-North Carolina game. Which was a lot of fun for the first 20 minutes as KU took an 8-point lead into halftime, then kind of a pisser for the second 20 as UNC ran the Jayhawks off the floor.

I don’t want to overreact, but my two biggest fears about this year’s KU squad may be true: not enough shooters in general, and no true Robin to Darryn Peterson’s Batman. Bryson Tiller tried in the first half, swishing four 3’s without touching the rim. But he also hacked so much he fouled out midway through the second half without adding another point. Tre White was really, really bad, and I hope it was just from trying to do too much. I liked some of the things he was trying to do, but the execution was not there Friday.

It’s the first of a pretty brutal stretch of big games over the next six weeks. With a team this young, you expect high highs and low lows. I still insist they are going to be a lot of fun to watch when things are clicking. Certainly more fun than the last two years’ teams. How many wins does that translate into is the big question.

I kept the volume down on the CHS game, just checking in during commercial breaks in basketball. The first time I checked the #2 Irish were down 7–0 to #1 New Palestine. Apparently New Pal ran back the opening kickoff.

Later I heard screaming on my nearly muted radio and turned it up to hear that CHS had just forced a safety. And then ran the ensuing kick back 65 yards only to be tripped up inside the five. Things were looking good! Until they threw an interception in the end zone.

That interception ended up being the play of the game. NP led 20–15 late and CHS was driving before throwing their third interception of the night and that was the game.

No one had come close to New Pal all year, but CHS was two special teams plays and a bad throw away from pulling the upset. L went to the game and said it was a ton of fun. Well, other than the interceptions.

A 7–4 season for the Irish, with losses to class 6A #1 and defending state champs, class 5A #1 and defending state champs, and two out-of-state teams both ranked in the top ten overall in their states. I’m assuming next year, my final as a CHS parent, will be about the same schedule as this year, and another date with New Pal in sectionals.

Saturday

OK, the weekend was not a sports disaster for our entire family. HOLY SHIT THAT IU GAME!!!! What a ridiculous catch by Indianapolis’ own Omar Cooper Jr. to keep the Hoosiers undefeated. 12–0 and a #1 vs #2 matchup with Ohio State in Indy is all but guaranteed now.[1]

Then came pisser #3 for the weekend, the perpetually snake bit Kansas Football Jayhawks. They got the best performance from their defense all season, only to see a pick six cancelled by a penalty, another interception overturned on replay review, and a third interception that would have been a sure pick six and game-clincher dropped. Naturally, after their best game of the year, the D fell apart on the last drive of the game and let Arizona march the length of the field and score with 39 seconds left to win.

Every single KU fan knew it was coming. We were powerless to stop it. Hell, our kicker hadn’t missed a kick all season and pushed a chip shot just right late in the game, opening the door for the Wildcats.

Yet another loss pulled from the jaws of victory, something that has happened entirely too often the past two seasons. Just a cursed program, and it will be cursed forever. I keep waiting to hear the new stadium has collapsed or something.

At this point in the weekend I was really hating sports. I told several friends I was going to buy a big pile of 5000 piece puzzles and spend my weekend afternoons putting them together instead of getting constantly let down by my teams.

Sunday

And, good grief, the Colts came close to making it a totally lost weekend. Daniel Jones was doing New York Daniel Jones things. The kicker missed a PAT and field goal. The defense, after being solid most of the day, pulled a KU and let Atlanta march right down their throats to take a late lead.

Fortunately the Colts hit a field goal to send it to overtime and then Jonathan Taylor capped off one of the greatest rushing days in franchise history with a touchdown that gave the Colts the win.

I have to say, these European games are kind of great. The Colts kicked off at 9:30, ended just before 1:00, which is very West Coast to begin with. Then I sat on my ass and watched most of the Giants-Bears game as it began to snow outside. Then I rolled into Lions-Commanders until the in-laws came over for dinner.

Oh, I almost forgot another shitty part of the sports weekend. We were all excited after the Colts traded for Sauce Gardner on Tuesday. Then on Friday came news that defensive MVP DeForest Buckner was going on the IR with a neck injury. A massive loss that was certainly felt up front Sunday. If the Colts can tread water through the next three weeks then get him back healthy, and Jones isn’t indeed turning into a pumpkin, I will have some postseason hopes for this team.

The Pacers lost two more games over the weekend to fall to 1–9, but as they are now doing the low-key, one-year tank, I’m fine with that.

Family/Weather

C hitched a ride with a friend Friday and was home for the weekend. She’s been laid low with the “Frat Flu” that apparently struck most of the IU campus after last weekend’s Halloween festivities. Her roommate was going out of town and she didn’t want to deal with her dorm’s usual weekend nonsense, so came home to get some downtime, meds from momma, sleep in her own bed, and work on some papers in quiet. She was feeling better when I took her back to B-town Sunday evening.

As I mentioned, we got our first snow of the season Sunday. It started as light snow that melted as soon as it hit the ground. By late afternoon Sunday it was sticking. By late Sunday evening, the yard was covered but the roads still clear. I had zero issues driving C back to school. Many rural schools are delayed this morning. CHS is actually delayed, too, but that is for an already scheduled educator event.

It was 70° last Thursday, nearly as warm Friday. This morning the windchill is in the teens. Next weekend? Close to 70° again. Midwest fall weather roller coaster time!