NAU running game commentary

The Hornets are playing the NAU Jacks at their Skydome in Flagstaff, AZ; elevation is 7,000 some feet. Let me start by saying I HATE dome games and artificial turf. You could argue that it is un-American. I have nice things to say about Flagstaff though as it is beautiful and you feel at home if you drive a Subaru and wear Birkenstocks. I don’t own either.

Family day at the Skydome. Steve is describing the artificial turf and how it is held together by velcroe and went out running on it earlier today – almost pulled a hammy. My guess is Steve starts to talk about food within the next minutes.

With ACDC’s Thunder Struck playing in the background, Steve and Jason discuss their kicking field goals and playing wiffle ball when Skydome is empty.

SCORE!!! Steve brings up popcorn before the game even starts. It is for a good cause though as Jason’s son just got released from hospital. Sac Rat wishes his electronic best.

Fairwarning though, SR is feeling a little punchy. Not feeling good about this game. Engine running on high octane.

With the elevation, I don’t even know why they bother kicking off. They should just start at the 20 yard line for each possession.

KICKOFF- suprise – Hornets start at 20.

Hilliard gets carry – maybe 3 yards. Can the Hornets run the ball today against this “swarm defense?”

Duncan White, the freshman qb gets the start today and, misses Baker over the middle. 3rd and 10.

12:43 1st qt. WOW! The Frosh hits TW for a 53 yrd TD!!!!!! Who needs to run the ball?

NAU on offense. No huddle. Average 474 yards per game. 2 yards up the middle.

I guess Mulitalo’s hair deserves recognition today for its sheer, sooth, silky, and shine. Does he use Prell?

Hornets blitz. 1 lost helmet already. Now talking about hair plugs. No Hairclub for Men for me.

Another incomplete pass for NAU. Punt and touchback. T.V. time out. Blogger time out. Too many distractions. Focus. Focus.

Food! Danny picking up the tab – he gave his credit card to Steve. Take it easy on Danny. There is a Quiznos on the main boulevard.

Mmmm, not everyone knows Alex.

Lost radio signal. Did not enjoy the silence.

Good news as Weber beat Montana.

3 and out for Hornets

Oscar, 11th in nation in punting, pins NAU at 9 yard line. Holding on Hornets! Redo and NAU starts at 25 yard line.

NAU starting to move the ball, Jacks looking at their wristbands and now fans are looking at their wristbands.

NAU kicks 37 yard field goal. 7-3 Hornets leads.

Start at 20, DW sidearms incomplete pass to Washington. White gets sacked and Hornets punt.

J and S talking about their bye. SR takes no bye. Keeps bringing “off-the-wall-stuff.”

NAU going with no-huddle offense. WR Sweeney picks up 9. 2:23 left in 1qtr.

INTERCEPTION BY VIRGIL!!! Unfortunately, Hornets start at their own 1 yard line.

%$###@@&^^%$^%$$^%*&^&*!!!!!! White drops handoff to Hilliard but scrambles to get ball. NAU safety. NAU 5 – SAC 7

END OF FIRST QUARTER

3 and out for Hornets only to get pinned at 1 yard line again. Hilliard gets to 2 yard line. Croxdale get 6. Croxdale again and stuffed. Marshall “riverboat gambler” Sperbeck going for it on 4th down in their own territory.

White sacked!!!!

Time for a SR timeout.

I am back from demolishing my lawn chair. I hated that chair anyway. Part of my anger management therapy. I will have to run to Aimee and buy a new one before Ms. SR gets home. Matching set.

Things did not get any better while venting. Jacks score in a touchdown in 2 plays with the short field.

NAU 12 – SAC 7

The Hornets drive to the 30 and White throws a pic. Jack ball on their own 20.

Time for another SR timeout.

Jacks pin Hornets deep in own territory. Can’t run the ball, can’t catch the ball, can’t punt the ball, can’t go after the ball in endzone; Jacks land on loose ball in the endzone for easy 7.

NAU 18 – SAC 7

HALFTIME
Jason and Steve swaying in treehouse with no Pepsi.

NAU with a nice return.

QB keeper of 3 out till 42.

Oh my. Out and up and WR Berry gets to Hornet 18 yard line.

Hand off to Deonte Williams and stuffed by Clark. 2 yard gain for Sacramento native. Williams down to 10, now 3rd and 1.

Hornets facemask. Next play Williams gets in endzone. I am losing my appetite. 25-7 lead by NAU.

Short pass to Deadder and he picks up 14 yards on screen. Players losing shoes, not helmets today.

1 and 10 White throws deep to Hill who catches on slide and into NAU territory.

I think White missed intended receiver – radio station ad cuts in.

Another incomplete pass. NAU blanket coverage working.

Elon Paige in. Have not heard his name called in a while. Hyperspace?

Hornets get first down with completion to TW. White overthrows Paige, 2nd and 10.

10:28 to play, 3rd quarter. Ugh. Croxdale called for chop block. 1st and forever.

White lobs deep for incomplete pass. 2nd and 25. White gets sacked again. 3rd and 26.

Paige catches pass and picks up 19 yards. 4th and 7. Marshall “riverboat gambler” Sperbeck goes for it. Justified this time.

NAU calls time out. Sperbeck changes mind and send out Gamboa for 45 yard field goal try. GAMBOA TIME!!!! NAU 25 and SAC 10.

NAU picking up easy yards – another 6, Brannon with the stop.

Kriesen hits TE for 50 yards plus easy touchdown. AWFUL! NAU 32 – SAC 10. Bermuda triangle is right. Missing in Action.

7:54 3rd quarter. Slipping away? Run away freight train.

TW returns kick and Hornets will start at 20. Run for 2 yards. 2nd and 8. Incomplete and nearly picked off. 3rd and 8. Another incomplete pass.

Roughing the punter. Personal foul. A rare Hornet first down.

6:37 3rd quarter

5 receivers. Hill drops a deep ball. It must not have been over the middle. 3rd and 9.

Defensive holding. Another Hornet first down!

Near midfield. No Hilliard 2nd half. Must of have gotten hurt. Croxdale in backfield.

White sacked again. Another 3rd and 20. Hornets call timeout.

Hill gets a 19 and 11″ catch. Not enough for 1st down. Hilliard gets first down and pops out for 12 yards.

White gets called for push in the back. NO FIRST DOWN AND NOW A PUNT. Time to put some Enya on as background music.

Pass interference by Hornets. This is a nightmare. Hornet meltdown. I already melted down.

1 minute some left in 3rd. The best is when the clock has stopped. NAU facing a fourth down.

Despite all the problems, Washington having a great game. Another 5 yards.

White blindsided sack, fumbles ball, and still gets ball.

END OF 3RD QUARTER NAU 32 – SAC 10

If White can show that kind of grit and determination, I guess I can gut out the 4th quarter. Knowing the game is pretty much out of contention, the nerves have settled.

But then, did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

@#$#%%^$!!#$!#$!#$!@#! Interception NAU on pass intended for Washington.

Is this how Chicago Cub fans feel?

Jason and Steve need to start talking about food, hardware, fieldturf or something.

Meadows gets first down and finally tackled at Hornet 11 yard line.

Portland State threw for 700 plus yards and beating EWU. How did the Hornets beat them?

Another Jack touchdown. The horn blare after NAU touchdowns sound like the ole Mayflower trucks at Fred Anderson Field, Hornet Stadium at the Alex Spanos Athletic Facility.

NAU 39 – SAC 10

Hornets with negative 9 yards rushing. NAU run defense for real.

Another Hornet penalty. Best starting field position of the day; 21 yard line negated to 8 yard line.

New quarterback with 5′ 11″ John Loeliger. Movement. False start.

Loeliger pinned at 2 yard line. Been there done that. What is that? 4 times today within their own 5 yard line.

Another flag. Brannon with a late hit. I am trying to think about what to hit outside next. A baseball bat to the hummingbird house is looking mighty tempting. No, that is just mean. Plus, I don’t want to have to pick up the mess.

I could round up all the Ms. SR’s “that school across the causeway” apparel and burn them in a reenactment Jimi Hendrix air guitar routine.

I can’t even hear what Jason and Ross are saying anymore. I am thinking about flammable objects.

I heard field goal and horns. NAU must have scored again.

Hill returns kick to 27 yard line. Best starting field position today. LETS GO HORNETS!!

Croxdale gets a yard. Talking Heads on in background. Same as it ever was. I am thinking more about being on the road to nowhere.

Crox gets 10 yards. Thats it. That is is nickname from here on out. Real original on my part, but I like it. Crox. Like short for crocodile — low to the ground and dangerous. Picks up 4. Another Hornet first down!

Keep running the ball – put me out of my misere.

4th and 6. GO FOR IT! No go.

I am staring at the ceiling. Those squiggly “eco friendly” light bulbs sure are ugly.

Steve and Jason, you bet its tough to stick with it when down 42-10. Flagellation in Flagstaff is what I call it.

Hornets get ball at 32 yard line. Best field position today!!!

2:06 4th quarter

NAU is building a new press box. Jason and Steve won’t have to hang precariously from the tree-fort.

4th and 1 Hornets going for it. Delay of game. 4th and 6th.

I AM LISTENING. I AM DEDICATED TO MY CRAFT. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Is it over? Finished?  It’s done. Hopefully, there is no post-game report. I am free as a bird now.

NAU has 40 something to Sac’s 10.

Erase this game from memory. In two weeks, season restarts. Raise those stingers!