24 7
“Oyster Shooters > Boiler Makers”
Overall: OK, that quote isn’t exactly true considering the last time I had an Oyster Shooter, Bixler threw up on Megan and I used the distraction to casually spit mine out under the table. But after the Champs Sports Bowls, we own all bragging rights with anything Purdue.
Unbelievably enough, I did not watch the Champ Sports Bowl live, I actually had to tape it. I was at a party up in Harrisburg and didn’t want to drive 3.5 hours to sit by myself in the American Legion Bar while my family was in the dining room partying away. (Intresting side note, while at the party some 12 year old kid walked by and threw up all over our table, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, poor guy couldn’t make it to the trash can, and before you ask, he wasn’t blood, and no it wasn’t alcohol induced).
Anyway at the party I told everyone and anyone who might have the slightest interest in catching a glimpse of the game to not say a word to me about it. Don’t even make eye contact with me, I’ll be able to see what you’re thinking. So I taped it, I turned off my phone, skipped the morning paper, turned off my radio (though I almost forgot I had the ticker going on the XM which would have ruined everything). I made it home bright and early the next day, sat back in my couch and turned the game on. Of course I had to endure about a 100 “You know though lost right” and a 100 “You know they won right” jokes from Kristin.
But in the end, all the trouble, the vomit, the 3.5 hours in the car, the media black out. It was all worth it, because on that DVR was the climax of the 2006 Maryland Football season. I’ve said many times we were extremely fortunate to get 8 wins this year, and as happy as I was to just be in the Champs Sports Bowl, I was that much more happy to see us get win number 9 in dominating fashion. It was the most complete game Maryland played all year, and it was a joy to watch.
Congratulations to Ralph Friedgen and the boys for such a fine finish to such a fine year. Hopefully this will help catapult the 2007 Terps off to a good start, and then we can aim a little higher for post season play next year.
Game Highlights: The Terps played so well in this one it was hard to pin point one specific moment, but since I have to, I am going to go with the 46 yard TD pass from Hollenbach to Darrius Heyward-Bey. What a beautiful pass. I have a feeling we are going to see that on a highlight several years down the road, I’m going to scratch my head and say “Oh yeah, I forgot Hollenbach and Hey-Bey were both on the team at the same time”. The play truly stretched from one Terp Era to another. Not to mention it built the lead from 14-0, to a soul crushing 21-0.
Game Lowlights: There wasn’t too much low about this one. Though I started to panic a little when Purdue scored that touch down with :30 left in the first half to cut the lead to 14. Luckily the defense clamped down in the second half and Purdue never scored again.
MVP: This one is easy. Not many games pick the MVP for you, but since the Champs Sports Bowl made Sam Hollenbach the MVP, then so will I. Sam had a great game, played flawless and threw 2 TD passes. He completed 15 of 24 for 223 yards with no INT’s.
Another unsung hero was Josh Wilson. I was glad to see the senior get an interception there at the end. He has had a great career at Maryland and it was nice to see him go out like that.
Random Thoughts: I hate to keep going back to this “Re-match” crap, but I hope that all of those people who wanted a rematch are forced to watch the Rose Bowl over, and over, and over, and over again. What a stupid idea and I’m thrilled it never happened, apparently so is USC.
Random Thought #2: That’s right, bonus coverage. As I write this the Big 10 is not looking so hot in post season play. I can’t help but think that the long lay off between games is really hurting that conference. Granted it is only one year, but to think that all Big 10 schools end their season before Thanksgiving, it has got to take it’s toll. Maryland and most of the ACC (if not all) played on Thanksgiving Weekend. Teams like Georgia Tech and Wake, played the week after that. So if Ohio State is playing Florida who’s played a hell of a lot more recently, and Florida pulls off the upset, don’t be so shocked, and try to remember you heard it hear first!
Florida State 44 UCLA 27
Emerald Bowl in San Fransico CA
Lorenzo Booker led the way for the Seminole, who avoid a losing season, in this game which was probably featured the biggest names the Emerald Bowl has ever, or ever will see again. Booker ran for 91 yards, caught 5 passes for 117 yards, and scored 2 TD’s to lead Bobby Bowden to his precious 7th win of the year.
Kentucky 28 Clemson 20
Music City Bowl in Nashville TN
For all those who said the ACC had a down year this year, here is your exhibit A. I don’t know how the final was even this close because Clemson never even really felt like they were in this match up. For someone who had money on the Tigers to cover the 8 point spread, it was even that much more of a blow out. Regardless the mighty Thunder Cats got their first post season win in 22 years. For Clemson, at least it’s basketball season now.
Boston College 25 Navy 24
Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte NC
Wow what a heart breaker this was. Navy had BC by the balls only to drop a pitch late in the game. BC quickly converted it to a FG when walk on kicker Steve Aponavicius hit a career long 37 yard field goal. As the ball was snapped I confidently exclaimed “there’s no way this kid is going to make this” only to see one of the truest kicks in the post season split the upright. Congratulations BC for beating, (clear throat) Navy. And Congratulations to Steve Aponavicius for joining the million other people in the world who have proven me wrong!
Georgia 31 Va Tech 24
Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta GA
I need Bishop Don to explain this one to me. I go to bed with Va Tech up 21-3 at halftime and kicking myself for not betting on the Hokies, only to wake up and see they lost??? Oh well with the win Georgia can now claim to have a record as good as Marylands!!
Miami 21 Nevada 20
MPC Computers Bowl in Boise Idaho
I’m very careful not to mock this bowl because deep down in my heart I know we are going to end up there one day and I am going to be ecstatic. How often do you have an excuse to go to Idaho in the dead of winter. For some that doesn’t sound like a very intriguing offer, but for someone as in love with snow as me, that’s like playing in the St. Thomas Bowl! Anyway, I thought for sure Nevada would pull this one out (I mean how often will the Wolfpack have a chance to knock off the Hurricanes), but Miami held on. Not much to brag about, but we’ll add this one to the ACC win total.
West Virginia 38 Georgia Tech 35
Toyota Gator Bowl in Jacksonville FL
I must say, I was shocked when I put this one on and Ga Tech was winning. Of course WV then proceeded to rattle off a huge run and take the lead. But I really didn’t think this one was going to be as close as it was. Most interesting facts pulled from this game, Reggie Ball isn’t that good, and Calvin Johnson may have his name on a patent for an inexpensive toilet system for 3rd world countries. How many do you think he sold to the WVU faithful this weekend?
Louisville 24 Wake 13
Fed Ex Orange Bowl in Miami FL
Again, much like GT, I was shocked that Wake kept this one as close as it did. I was worried the in such a down year as 2006 that the ACC was going to be publicly humiliated in prime time (ala the 2001 Orange Bowl), but Wake gave them everything they could handle. I now believe us losing to Wake wasn’t so much of us blowing our opportunity as it was Wake truly being the best team to come out of the Atlantic Division. But alas this one still went into the loss column for conference.
Overall: 4-4
Not too bad when this was supposed to be a down year.
Well there it is, the last recap of 2006. Let’s just hope the 2007 season has an ending equal to or greater. Though Josh Wilson and Sam Hollenbach will be missed, there are a lot of players coming back that could make huge impacts for us. I think the 2007 season will be one of the most anticipated Maryland Football seasons in a long time. So to everyone, enjoy your spring and summer, and see you next fall. Go Terps!!!