Big Party's B1G Word of the Day

Word: Touché
Definition: (interjection) tou·ché  - Acknowledgment of a telling remark or scoring hit

I try not to be intentionally crappy at anything (usually).

Other than my brief post earlier this week, this will be the first time in a long time that I’ve written something for others to read.  Well, other than a school papers and work e-mails.  Those uninspiring creative outlets aside, the last time I put pen to paper about a topic I actually felt passionate about was probably my comprehensive Warcraft 2 Geocities page, which was an epic monument to how much an unbelievable nerd I was before puberty.

I committed to writing these snap reactions without the benefit of re-watching the game or reading any professional recaps because that would lend to some modicum of novelty to my post.  I didn’t want my viewpoint to be skewed by someone else’s opinions, and I wanted to write more from an angle of what it felt like in the stadium instead of having 100 percent accuracy about happened on the field. I thought I could aide my recollection of the game by taking notes and figured it would be easiest to just use my phone to accomplish this. Now that I am reviewing those notes I have no idea what half of them mean.



Tailgating for 11 a.m. games ain't all bad.

Actual notes from my phone:
     ·  Cochoran dor a loss1)!! Keller
     ·  Maxx big block Leif
     ·  Lesiee good push 2 tinez td
     ·  Spartan Pottstown in the bathroom
     ·  Nugget good power, covv great shimmy. Stick it I. The home and make it all wiggly.

So, I guess I’m doing this review from fully from memory. Here goes…

In my last post, I wrote quite a few words defending Phil Nelson as the starting quarterback. I was admittedly more than a little weary of this game since San Jose State was by the far the strongest opponent on the non-conference schedule.  I thought to win they would have to have a great game on defense, another Marcus Jones punt/kick return, and a strong game from the running backs.  I didn’t have a ton of faith in Leidner playing well for a full game.

(Cue The Monkees)

Then I saw this game, and I’m a Be-Leidner!

Sorry that’s terrible. I should delete it and not actually post that.

Why haven’t I deleted it yet. We’re keeping it?

Yep, we’re keeping it.

Sorry again.

We see you, Lamplighter. Touche' friend.

Anyways, Touche’, Lamplighter, you definitely proved me wrong.  I will be mighty pleased if you keep it going.

I still don’t think a healthy Nelson should hit the bench just yet, but Mitch “The Lamplighter” Leidner put together the best game by a Gopher QB since Purdue last season. The passing numbers weren’t great, but Mitch was putting most of the balls where they needed to be, including the his first pass to Engel on the sideline (which I still think was a catch – again, I haven’t watched any highlights) and the pretty touch throw over the top to KJ Maye. However, the big game changer was the way he used his legs. The boy ran like he was possessed to the tune of 150+ yards and 4 tds. Leidner seems to have a little bit more speed and power when he tucks it and runs than Phil Nelson, but the Gophs are going to need someone behind center who can sling it in order to stand a chance in the Bee One Gee.

As Higgy mentioned earlier this week, Shortell had a pretty decent game against Syracuse last year (and was flawless the week before against WMU playing in relief of an injured MarQueis Gray), so I don’t know what to expect from either of the QBs next week against the hated intruders from the land that smells like Floyd’s pig pen.

Other things I liked:
     ·  The Nugget and Cobb, Thunder and Lightning Ground Show. (Nugget: MINE FELL THE HARDREST!  Cobb:YEAH, WELL MINE WERE THE DEADEST!) Cobb could prove to be a great change of pace from the bruising Williams Jr. and Kirkwood when/if he returns to the rotation. It definitely helps soften the blow of the Berkley Edwards injury and potential redshirt if Cobb can keep showing the speed and vision he’s shown the last few games.
     ·  Cockran and Optimus Prime getting pressure on the QB.  Kellen predicted it!
     ·  Other than the quick TD drive in the 2nd quarter (which admittedly happened when I was in the bathroom) it seemed like the D actually kept the much-hyped David Fales pretty in check.  A lot of completions and yards, but a minimum of big plays. I was still really impressed by his accuracy and quick reads.


Rap & Big Party rep for Jerrysota.

     ·  Speaking of big plays, great pick by Aaron Hill and a huge forced fumble by DeVondre Cambell when SJSU was driving. It seemed like they were both all over the field on Saturday.
     ·  I can safely say that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a kicker get booted from the game for fighting. That’s the strangest ejection I’ve seen at a sporting event since Bruiser and I saw Jerry Sloan get kicked out of a game against the T-wolves about four minutes into the 1st quarter nearly a decade ago.
     ·  Sitting with adorable kids will get you on the Jumbotron.  Excellent work on your handsome progeny, Constable and Mrs. Butler.
     ·  Amazing response by the Epilepsy Foundation in rallying behind Coach Kill.  I plan to wear my Jerrysota shirt with pride to every remaining game this year.

Well, that’s it for now.  Make sure to come back for some even more incoherent rambling after next week’s game!