Week 2...Instant Classic

That's right, see it tonight on ESPN Classics...okay, not really but what a night of football in Bulldog land. After our week one beating, we welcomed to town the #7 team (the TV says #10...we will stick with #7) in 5A featuring the best running back in Oklahoma. We entered the game giving up 232 rushing yards to the opposing quarterback last week, I can not begin to explain what Mr. Baker-Hughes could do to us. I entered the game expecting us to get rolled up (I'm realistic in my thinking). We took the ball to start the game but did not accomplish much, so we punted and the Eagles fumbled the return and we took over again with decent field position. Our sophomore QB took the field and marched us down to the 5 yard line. 1st and 5, we might score first, but the Eagle defense held and then blocked our field goal attempt. They scooped the block and returned it 93 yards for an apparent touchdown, fortunately it was called back because of a penalty. So the Eagles took over 1st and 10 at their 7. On the next play Baker-Hughes took it 93 yards for a touchdown. We were behind. We then battled for a most of the second quarter until Baker-Hughes to a screen pass 76 yards for another TD. 14-0, Eagles. However the Bulldogs were not ready to throw in the towel and responeded with a TD pass by the rookie. Of course, the extra point was blocked...14-6. Just before halftime, the Bulldogs mounted another drive scoring on the rookies 2nd TD pass of his career, we successfully scored the 2 point conversion to tie the game at 14 going into halftime.

With a little less than 9 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Eagles had taken a commanding lead of 28-14. I guess they got jumped at halftime and decided that they better stop overlooking the Bulldogs. However, that is all the Eagles would get. The 4th quarter belonged to the Bulldogs. Rookie QB added two more TD passes to his stats (of course on the fourth TD we had to go for two because...you guessed it they blocked our extra point). Two minutes remaining 28-28. Our defense held and received the punt, a rookie mistake gave the Eagles the ball back on an interception (#2 on the night). However the Eagles turned around and threw it back to us...so with 19 seconds remaining and about 60 yards between us and victory (we can't kick a field goal remember) we moved the ball about 20 yards when time expired. Hello overtime.

For those of you not familiar with Oklahoma overtime each team gets the ball on the 10 yard line and gets 4 downs to score, either by TD or FG. The Eagles took the ball first and ran it 3 times moving the ball to the 3 yard line. However, the Eagles decided to go for the glory and our defense stuffed them keeping them from scoring. Do you feel the tension...we should not be in this situation. Get ready 1st and Goal from the 10...rookie drops back and nails the slant for the game winning touchdown (Rookie was 13 for 33, 5 TD's and 2 Int's). Man the place erupted. What a night!!!!

Now we may go out next week and get rolled up by another mediocre team but we at least will win one game this year. I must also tell you that one of our players is being nominated for player of the week (Nose Guard - 18 tackles, 7 assists, 1 tackle for loss, and 1/2 a sack...let me put the tackles in perspective for you...he had 25 tackles in 58 plays.)

Isn't it nice when we win, don't you feel like you get more information and feel like you were a Bulldogs for just a moment. See you next week on the Gridiron.