The Sommer Frieze

I was at one of my brothers watching the PSU whipping of Wisconsin. As the game became a blowout, we switched back and forth between PSU and the ALCS.

A postseason record-tying seven HR were hit in the game, and the Red Sox hit three in one inning, but it was B. J. Upton’s SF off Mike Timlin that won the game for the Rays in the bottom of the 11th, handing the victory to rookie David Price. Price, the hyped (for good reason) rookie, came into the ALCS with five games and 14 innings of MLB experience. The series now heads to Boston even at one game apiece.

Dustin Pedroia hit two HR for the Red Sox, and Kevin Youkulis and Jason Bay added one each. Pedroia and Youkulis HR’d off Scott Kazmir in the fifth, and after a pitching change, Bay added one off Scott Balfour. Pedroia, Youkulis and Bay had 3 hits each, 4 RBI for Bay. So far in the postseason, Bay went .412-2-5 against the Angels (7 for 17) and in two ALCS games, is 4 for 8 with a HR and 4 RBI. Jonathan Papelbon kept his postseason ERA at 0.00. He’s now at 22 IP.

For the Rays, they got HRs from Evan Longoria, B. J. Upton and Cliff Floyd. Longoria had 3 hits and 3 RBI.

As for college football, the Wisconsin game was a game I was worried about before the season started. It was still a game I worried about as the game started. After all, the Badgers were a top-10 team and after couple of losses knocked them out of the top 25, could have remade their season and started a turnaround with a win. You don’t take any opponent likely in college football. Michigan found that out in their 2007 opener vs. Appalaichian St. Same later with West Va. vs. Pitt. I don’t know what happened to Wisconsin, but was very happy to see PSU blow the Badgers out 48-7. With #1 Oklahoma losing to #5 Texas 45-35, # 3 Missouri losing to #17 Oklahoma St. 28-23, and #4 LSU getting manhandled by #11 Florida 51-21, there will be a shakeup at the top. PSU should move to at least #3.

So this alum awaits a couple games for PSU. Next week, they are home vs. Michigan and SHOULD beat the Wolverines for the first time since 1996. After all, Michigan lost to Toledo yesterday, 13-10. But there have been times since 1996 when PSU should have beaten Michigan and didn’t. Like I said, never take an opponent lightly. But one thing’s for sure. After 12 years, and with the Wolverines having a down year, the crowd and players really want this one. Twelve years of frustration to Michigan should end.

The following week will be huge. Circle it. PSU at Ohio St. on October 25th. Should PSU win that one, the old Lion—Paterno—could see the BCS title game in his grasp. On the surface, it would appear (giving no disrespect to Iowa or Indiana) that should PSU get by Ohio St., that the only thing standing in their way then would be the final regular season game of the year vs. #23 Michigan State—a home game for PSU.

But you never know. One game, one play at a time.

For the old lion, one last roar?

Out in the AFL, Austin Jackson has hit a slump after a good opening day. I believe he was 2 for 4 in the opener. He is 1 for 13 since.

Remember that YFCR is on hiatus. When YFCR returns, I’ll let you know.