91 seconds

Time of possession. The NY football Giants used to make a living with their ball-control offense. In fact, a lot of teams in the pre-West Coast and Greatest shows in turf era made a living out of running the ball, keeping their defense on the field, and thus, the opposing offense off the field, and control the clock. Overwhelming nine minute drives would crush an opposing team's spirit, and prevent any offensive rhythm from appearing in the game. And the next thing they would know, it's 21-7, and there isn't any time left for a drive, and they are so out of whack and trying to throw on every play, and a fresh defense is pinning its ears back and coming after them on every play.

So, how then, do you explain 1:31 versus 13:29 in time of possession on Saturday, yet look at the scoreboard and see 42-0 in the second quarter of the Spartan massacre? How do you look at 11 offensive plays that cover 277 yards and result in six touchdowns? I can't recreate that on NCAA college football 08. It seems impossible (and maybe a little inhuman) that a team can have drives of:

2 plays - 52 yards
1 play - 28 yards (after a botched fake punt)
2 plays - 92 yards (pass of 65 yards, five yard penalty, then a 22 yard run by Ray Rice)
2 plays - 46 yards
3 plays - 42 yards (starting to slack off offensively...)
and finally, 2 plays - 53 yards.

For the quarter, four guys accounted for all the offense...
Ray Rice, 3 carries, 33 yards, 3 TD's (Rutgers 3-0....)
Mike Teel, 7-8 passing, 244 yards, 3 TD's
Kenny Britt, 3 catches, 96 yards, 2 TD's
Tiquan Underwood, 4 catches, 148 yards, TD

Plus, two penalties by NSU, an illegal sub, and a pass interference. The only blemish, outside of those borderline timeouts, was an incomplete pass and that little roughing the kicker penalty. Otherwise, that is a perfect pummeling of an overmatched opponent.

91 seconds. Oof.

Lastly, I might have a bone to pick with Coach Schiano for calling timeouts at the end of the first half, trying to get the ball back to add to the 42 points already posted over the poor Spartans of Norfolk State. But upon further review, I think he was just trying to get his first stringers back on the field for one last series, to practice the two minute drill against semi-live competition. And Schaino even said after the game, that he was coaching the game hard through the first half, so I guess I give him a break for trying to squeeze everything he could out of the first half...maybe.

But, and maybe I need that Mark guy from the Ledger to write a scathing opinion piece to get this started... for all the people upset at booing college athletes, calling timeouts up by 45? No outrage from the sit on your hands set? Hmmm....where are all the people who were worried about feelings last week. Doesn't Norfolk State deserve any compassion? No Spartan love? See, football is about physicality. All you George Will wannabes should crawl back to your area rugs and fireplaces and stick to things that you know. Allow me to bring you to the breakfast club as you sip your chaintes...

          RARITANSAM
        Don't you ever talk about my
             friends!  You don't know any of my
             friends, you don't look at any of my
             friends and you certainly wouldn't
             condescend to speak to any of my
             friends so you just stick to the
             things you know, shopping, nail
             polish, your father's BMW and your
             poor--rich--drunk mother in the
             Carribean!

                       COLUMNIST
                  (furious and sobbing)
             Shut up!

                RARITANSAM
             And as far as being concerned about
             what's gonna happen when you and I
             walk down the hallways at school,
             you can forget it!  'Cause it's never
             gonna happen!  Just bury your head
             in the sand...and wait for your
             f***in' prom!

And stop telling me when I can and can't boo. I consider this issue laid to rest.



Go RU.