D-Rock's 12 Best Football Things or Whatever

Hi.  I'm D-Rock,  and I'm a college football addict.

(chorus of voices: "Hi, D-Rock.")

My esteemed co-authors and I have differences about many things.  They enjoy Mexican food from El Rodeo in Blacksburg, whereas I do not.  They pwn noobs in Call of Duty, and I'm a permanoob in any video game that isn't Super Mario Kart. Their allegiance lies with a prestigious college football program in the Mid-Atlantic, while I swear allegiance to an imaginary school up near Alaska or something.

We do, however, share one important similarity:  We get an irrational level of joy from watching 18 to 23 year olds play American football for payment from wealthy boosters the love of the game.

We're about to tear the shrink wrap off of a new college football season, and I'm in a sharing mood.  But I struggle with how to share my feelings about what college football means to me.  I could never hope to match the eloquent contribution Travicopter made on this hallowed date last year.  And I hate most of the tripe that lazy sportswriters trot out every August.  But still, I need to testify in some way.

In the end, I settled on a 12-item list of "firsts" and favorite short stories from my years of adventures in college football.  You already know I'm a dork who enjoys West Coast football and wears purple.  (Even my life partner knows it's okay to buy me purple shirts).  Hopefully this will give you a clearer idea of where my addiction and world-view came from.  Enjoy.

1)  Husky Stadium, September 1998

My first UW game, first game as a Husky Band nerd, and first game in Husky Stadium was the "Leap by the Lake."  For the Hokies:  The game is referenced in that manner because Arizona's QB did a somersault into the end zone with 5 seconds left to beat UW.  For the Huskies:  UGGHHH I KNOW RIGHT????

tucsoncitizen.com

After the infamous front-flip, I looked around at 70,000 completely silent people and said "uhmmmmmmm.... is this normal?"

2)  Oregon in Husky Stadium, October 1999

The Ducks had beaten UW in 4 of the past 5 years coming into this anticipated night game on Montlake.  Husky fans were amped, angry, and had plenty of time to prefunk.

The Husky Band's pregame "run-on" involves a drum lead-in, and 200 nerds yelling and high-stepping onto the field.  It's pretty fun, I guess.

When our run-on for this hyped game started, I heard 2 seconds of drums... and then the most epic cheer/roar I've ever heard directed at a marching band.

UW went on to win by 14.

3)  Miami in Husky Stadium, September 2000

In the week leading up to this game, Miami players and coaches told reporters that they weren't afraid of the noise at Husky Stadium, because they had "been to lots of loud places before, like Syracuse and West Virginia."

Big mistake.

The Seattle Times picked up the comments, and UW fans were prepared.  Husky Stadium got so aggressively loud for this game, I couldn't hear my own saxophone at times.

4)  Apple Cup 2000, Pullman

Scene:  D-Rock walks the sideline at Martin Stadium.  UW leads 27-0 in the 2nd quarter.  UW has all but clinched the Pac10 title.  With this loss, Wazzu will finish 4-7 and stay home for bowl season.

deadspin.com

Two very drunk Coug fans:  "(rabble rabble rabble) FUCK THE HUSKIES (rabble) PURPLE IS GAY YOU'RE GAY (rabble rabble)"

D-Rock:  "Hey guys, check out that scoreboard!  And you know the best part?  This isn't our last game of the year!"

Drunk Coug fans:  "(GARBLE RABBLE GARBLE GARBLE WAAHHHHGARBLE RABBLE RABBLE WAHHHHHHHRBLE) I bet you voted for Gore, motherFUCKER!!!"

D-Rock stares in stunned, confused silence, then walks away.

5A)  Rose Bowl 2001, Los Angeles

Two random memories:

• Tom Brokaw was taller that I expected.
• Every lunch and a few dinners (for 5 days straight) were take-out boxes from Boston Market or In-&-Out Burger.  If I ever see another white lunch box from Boston Market or In & Out, I will involuntarily vomit.

5B)  Ten months later, back in LA for a UCLA game

Scene:  A charter bus, 10:00am.  Most band nerds still nursing hangovers from the previous night.

Band director:  "GAAAMEDAAAAY!!!"

Band nerds:  ".....gameday....(mumbles)"

Band director:  "Our bus driver has offered to stop at In & Out, whatta you guys think?"

Band nerds (in unison):  "NO."

6)  Apple Cup 2002, Pullman

On the drive into Pullman, and the walk to the stadium, Coug fans appeared quite assured of themselves.  And why wouldn't they be?  The Cougs were ranked #3 in the country, well on their way to the Rose Bowl or the BCS title game.  Meanwhile, UW was slogging through a disappointing season, and needed an improbable Apple Cup win to become bowl eligible.

So Coug fans were more punchy than usual for this Apple Cup.  Middle fingers were more prolific than in previous years.  The Cougs' favorite phrase involving the word "Fuck" was bellowed with more gusto.  And many Coug fans made sure we saw them waving their roses and bags of Tostitos.

A few hours later, after UW's epic win in triple overtime, for the first and only time in my life...... I rushed the field:

7)  Lane Stadium, September 2006

My first live Hokie game!

They played Northeastern!

I left in the 3rd quarter!

Sorry guys, it was REALLY boring.

8)  The Matt Ryan game, October 2007

Before the season, my cousin asked me if I wanted dibs on any of his VT season tickets.  I requested the Thursday night game against Boston College, because I'd never been to Lane on a Thursday night, and wanted to see if the experience matched the hype.

hamptonroads.com

Fast forward to October, and suddenly that Thursday night tilt was the "Game of the Year ©."

BC was ranked #2 in the country.  VT was #8.  Hokie fans were mental.  Matt Ryan and the Hokie defense were locked in an epic struggle all night.  And most fun of all (for me anyway), it was pouring rain.  It was an intense and relentless rain, unlike anything I'd experienced, even after going to UW home games for 4 straight years.  My socks were squishy early in the 1st quarter.  My Beam & Coke (shhhh) was half rainwater by the 2nd quarter.

The night didn't end well (the Hokies lost on the final drive, then I drank too much and made an ass of myself).  But it was some of the greatest fun I've ever had at a football game.  Thanks again, cuz.

9)  Arizona State, October 2007

Scene:  Sun Devil Stadium.  Myself and 2 friends have jerseys on, bearing the numbers 5, 18, and 21.

Drunk ASU fan seated behind us:  "Hey 21!  Heeey 21!"

#21 turns around

Drunk ASU fan:  "YOU SUCK!"

30 seconds later...

Drunk ASU fan:  "Hey 21!  21!  21!  Hey 21!"

#21 turns around

Drunk ASU fan:  "YOU SUCK!"  (giggles)

30 seconds later...

Drunk ASU fan:  "Hey 5!  Heeey 5!"

#5 turns around

Drunk ASU fan:  "Tell 21 he sucks!"

10)  Notre Dame, September 2009

The same group from Story #9 spent several days in Chicago before a Husky game at Notre Dame.  On Thursday night, we went to a karaoke bar in Boys Town.  And yes, it was as awesome as it sounds.

A family member, "#21," and I made lots of new friends after our enthusiastic rendition of NSync's "Bye Bye Bye."  When we returned to the stage for a Backstreet Boys-related encore, the MC proclaimed "Sorry guys, they're straight.  ....but they sing like they're gay!"

Later, a different group was performing an especially awful version of "Constant Craving" or something like that.  I told one of my new friends that I would pay him $20 if he stormed the stage and did an interpretive dance to their warbling.  To this day, that was the best $20 I've ever spent.

.........oh, and then 2 days later, UW lost a heartbreaker to the Irish in overtime.  But on the train ride to South Bend, we learned that Jack Daniels will soak through cheap Dixie cups.

11)  Nebraska, September 2011

Scene:  A bar in downtown Lincoln

Random Nebraska fan:  "Hey, Husky fans!  You guys want a drink?"

Scene:  A parking lot outside Memorial Stadium

Random Nebraska fan:  "Hey Husky fans!  You guys want a drink?"

Repeat 267 times.

Seriously, Nebraska fans are the best.

12)  Logan Thomas middle finger play, October 2011

Scene:  Champs Sports Bar, downtown Blacksburg, watching Miami-VT.  Hokies are down by 4 with one minute left.  VT ball.  4th & 1 at the Miami 20.

DirtyGirts:  "OMG I am about to poop myself."

D-Rock:  "Word.  But this is an easy play call here.  It's a play called 'Fuck You I'm Logan Thomas.'  If they call anything other than 'Fuck You I'm Logan Thomas,' Stinespring needs to be fired immediately."

Literally 10 seconds later, I swear to god...

DirtyGirts & D-Rock:  (With upside-down Miami hand symbol...)  "YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!"

West Coast Tour Guide: Boise State University

Boise is one of the most underrated towns in the West.  There's tons to do in the city, it's close to rivers and mountains, it has a temperate climate, and they've got the ice cream potato.

When I told some east coast friends that I applied for a job in Boise, I was heartily derided.  ("LOL, Nazis, Larry Craig, etc.")  I didn't get that job, but I'll have my revenge.  When I move there someday, I'm going to turn this site into a photo blog about my adventures in the real-life 1970s Coors commercial that is Boise. And you're gonna be sooooo jealous.

Unfortunately, this underrated city is home to one of the most overrated schools in the country:  Boise State University.

As Hokie fans, you probably know 3 things about Boise State:

• Blue field
• Fiesta Bowl '07
• Chokie Bowl 2010

Now you'll learn some other things.

SCHOOL AND ENVIRONS

Boise is a city of over 200,000 people, nestled at the eastern edge of the Treasure Valley in southwest Idaho.  The drive from Portland to Salt Lake City is over 800 miles long, and Boise is the only city on that drive that doesn't suck.  Also, like most of southern Idaho, Boise is about one-third Mormon.

Boise Junior College was founded as a Sunday School in the 1930s.  They started awarding 4-year degrees in the 60s, and finally achieved "university status" in the 70s.  Kirk Cameron, Mariah Carey, and Winona Ryder are all older than Boise State University.

For years, BSU languished as a broke-ass commuter college.  It was home to University of Idaho rejects and aspiring truck drivers.  But now, thanks to their wildly popular football team, BSU is the largest commuter college in Idaho!  With engineering classes and everything!

Your average Boise State student is white.  No seriously, I mean white.  Whiter than Mitt Romney's swimsuit area.  So white they make Josh Groban look like 2 Chainz.

Famous BSU alums include:

• A porn star
• That's about it

OBLONG BALL

LOL congrats on your stupid Vegas Bowl titles LOL (...weeps uncontrollably).

Boise State joined the "no bowls" football division in the 70s.  During their 20 years in the Big Sky Conference, they won 1 national title and lost a bunch of games to their in-state rival (U of I).

BSU started playing for bowls in 1996.  Good times have been abundant since then...

1999:  First 10-win season.  First bowl game, sort of.  (If it was played in their home stadium, does it still count?)

2003:  First bowl game played outside of Boise.

2006:  First undefeated season.  Beat Oklahoma in amusing fashion.

2009:  Another undefeated season.

2010:  Finally beat a "good" team other than Oklahoma.  (I blame the Hokies' uniforms.)

Boise State has won 10 games for 7 straight seasons, which means they are the greatest college football program ever according to Frank Beamer.

BSU has bounced among different conferences for their entire Division 1 existence.  They currently play in the Mountain West with Nevada, Wyoming, and a bunch of other schools that play Wednesday night games on ESPN2.

BSU is coached by Chris Petersen (seen above, celebrating another meaningless bowl win).  Each offseason, he's linked with every open football job across the country.  But Petersen never leaves Boise, and he never will.  Because nothing could replace the rich life he has in southwest Idaho.  ......Plus he'd have to give up 9 easy wins every year.

Famous former gridders include:

• Kellen Moore (PEW PEW!)
• Titus Young (Crazy person)
• Doug Martin (The running back on your opponent's fantasy team who scores 40 points over projection the week you play against him.  Fuck you, Doug Martin.)

Boise State plays on a blue field.  Their fans call it "The Blue," and thanks to the enablers at ESPN, they basically never shut up about it. Also, it will never be as awesome as "The Inferno."  (D-Rock's life partner wrote that.)

Boise State doesn't play Idaho anymore, because the fanbase in Moscow is full of nasty and inebriated rubes.  On a related note:  I'm guilty as charged.  I've been to a grand total of 2 Vandal football games, and I was very drunk for both of them.  At one game against Fresno State, I was so loud and obnoxious that I cleared out 3 rows around our group in the student section.  On another related note:  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)  WHO DO WE HATE???  (BOISE STATE!!!)

ROUND BALL

Note that no Boise State basketball players are pictured here.

Boise State has a basketball arena.  It was originally called "BSU Pavilion."  Now it's called "Taco Bell ArenAAAAHAHA WAIT SERIOUSLY THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED? AAAAAHAHAHAHAAA HA HA HAAAAAHAHAHAHAAA CHALUPAS."

Taco Bell Arena is one of the most storied venues in the NCAA tournament.  March Madness has been staged there 8 times, and it's been host to several dramatic finishes and early-round upsets.  Remember Tyus Edney's buzzer-beater?  That happened in Boise.  Remember when 15-seed Hampton upset 2nd seeded Iowa State?  That also happened in Boise.

BSU's basketball team also plays in Taco Bell Arena.  They mostly suck.

FANS

"KILLLLL MEEEEEE."

Everything I wrote about Gonzaga basketball fans also applies to Boise football fans.  Just read the "Fans" section at that link, and replace "Duke" with "Alabama."

BAND NERDS, MASCOTS, AND OTHER SYMBOLS

The "Keith Stein Blue Thunder" marching band is sponsored by a local beer distributor.  There is nothing else remotely interesting about Boise State's band.

During the 2010 Fiesta Bowl, everyone laughed at cowbell girl.  Then they found out she was blind.  Then everyone felt bad about themselves.

But I still laugh.  Not because of the blind thing, that's not funny.  It's actually pretty awesome.  Sound bounces around in a football stadium, so staying on-beat without seeing the director is freaking impressive.  Major props, cowbell girl!

I just think it's funny that BSU (like many bands) thinks they need all those extra instruments on the sideline. I mean, come on.  You're not the New York Philharmonic.  You're a college marching band.  You play in a giant concrete bowl for half-interested sports fans, many of whom are plastered.

How did this start?  What was that conversation like?  "You know what would really set off this half-tempo version of Livin' On A Prayer?  A cowbell and a marimba!!!!"  That's funny to me.  College marching bands have the potential to be so awesome, but most of them suck so hard.

Boise State's mascot is a donkey named "Buster Bronco."  Yes I know he's supposed to be a bronco.  He's not.  He's a donkey with a weird tail.  Fix it or learn to deal, Boise fans.

HOW THIS MAKES YOU FEEL

Boise State is slowly turning into a respectable school.  Which is great.  Seriously, the entire state of Idaho is pretty short on those.

But even if I weren't a part-time Idaho fan, I can't approve of "Bronco Nation."

The current edition of Bronco Nation isn't a humble bunch of underdogs scrapping for respect on a blue field.  Today's Bronco Nation is a half-million bandwagoning dickheads, a bunch of insufferable ESPN fluff about blue turf, and the Frank Beamer Memorial "10-Win Season" Streak.  (Fun fact:  The infamous Statue-of-Liberty play that put Boise on the map?  That was seven years ago!)

There are a few sports teams that sorely need 3 years of bad times, just to clear out the bandwagon and to force ESPN to talk about something else.  Boise State football is Exhibit freaking A.

Happy vs Unhappy: Hokies 2013

I don't have a plan of action or an outline for this entry so excuse the rambling and musings.

Ultimately, the reason I'm most excited about this VT football season is because hype is low and I expect very little.  It's hard to be disappointed when the "feels meter" is hovering right around 0 going into the 2013 campaign.  There's question marks everywhere, mostly on offense, and we start the season against NFL, Jr.

I will be happy if

In the opener against 'Bama in Atlanta we score at least 10 points and don't lose by more than 17.

I know, I know. What? Am I even a Hokie fan?  I would be okay with a 27-10 defeat?  Well, only sort of.  Of course winning would be much preferred and also prove the existence of God which would also prove that Nick Saban is indeed Satan himself.  (Satan and Saban are similar...)  We all have our theories.  But with a new set of coaches, new coaching scheme, the same O-line, and the same wishy-washy quarterback it's really hard for me to feel confident playing against arguably the best college football program of the last twenty years.  Go ahead though, call me cynic.

mrsec.com

But look on the bright side.  We scored 10 points!  Right?  Remember last year when scoring 10 points was pretty awesome?  Even when we lost, watching our clueless offense peddle tricycles down the field and somehow scoring was mind boggling.  Were the other defenses even trying on that possession?  So yeah, 10 points against Alabama with our O-line of weak-hinged saloon doors, a quarterback more unpredictable than Johnny Manziel's Twitter account, not a single running back with college experience, literally no tight-end, and a handful of nobodies with "WR" near their name on the depth chart.  YEAH, 10 points against Bama in the first game might be all the confidence VT needs to go unblemished the rest of the year, right into the ACC championship.

And have a real good time.

Plus, 27 Alabama points means we either blocked an XP (BEAMER BALL!) or had Bama replace a couple of TD's for FG's (BUD BALL!).  I don't see how one can argue that either of those are bad.

I will be unhappy if

We come within a touchdown of losing or lose by 43 points.

If we come within a touchdown of dethroning the king of college football during our season opener with our fresh coaches and offensive band of misfits, I might seriously consider burning down every house within walking distance of the Blacksburg Country Club.  How dare you get my hopes up when they're so down!?  I already said I'm okay with losing this one!  You're going to make me feel like we have a shot and then murder my heart like that?  No.  Not okay.  Either you go out there and win or you lose by less than 17.  Period.
 
Remember Cincinnati last year?  Yeah.  We sucked.  If we had lost by the third quarter, I could have probably made it to my hot yoga class in time but no, you had to drag it out until the bitter end and lose on the last play.  Fuck.  Matt Ryan, too. Fuck.  It's hard to bounce back from a near victory and gut wrenching defeat, especially one against a team like Bama.

Stupid sexy Matt Ryan.

But seriously, don't lose by 43 points either.  If we lose by more than 17, I'll be pissed but I'll get over it in like 4 days.  But 43?  That will suck the life right out of the entire organization.  We'll turn around the next week and lose to Western Carolina or whoever and then my life won't be the same after that.  I'll have to change my name and move to the midwest where football is still popular but so is being sad and obese.  I could fit in there.  Get a job polishing wagon wheels or whatever the fuck they do out there for fun.  Anything to get my mind off the pain.

nytimes.com
48-7 didn't feel good either.

I will be happy if...

The new receiver's coach teaches the fundamentals of down field blocking.  As sorry as our O-line is at blocking, at least they try each play.  Last year, any rare moment a running back made it to the second level of defenders, the receivers were usually standing around clueless, probably expecting a bubble screen or something.  Marcus Davis even procured internet fame for sucking so bad at blocking.  To me, receivers blocking downfield is tremendously more important than anything the line can do.  Decent O-line blocking can net 3-4 yards at a whack.  But if your backs are consistently getting to the second level, a good block on a corner or linebacker means 10 more yards, 15 more yards, or more.

Aaron Moorehead seems perfect for the job.  He was a big receiver in his day (6'3, 200+) and blocked like a beast.  It's fundamental and our receivers have no excuse not executing decent down field blocking regardless of who's coaching.

I will be unhappy if...

Well, if we don't.  There's not much that can be done with the current state of our O-line.  Sure, Grimes has recruited well having only been in Blacksburg a short time so the future hogs look bright but this year is going to be what it is.  Then we have the shortage of high profile runningbacks we're used to.  Not having the established run game is really what I think handcuffed our offense last year aside from having a playcaller who scripted plays that had pretty shapes and no logic.  This year won't be much different at runningback and a starter from last year already got the boot before the season. 

So who do we have?  Gregory, Coleman, Edmunds, ...?  *shutters*.  With these offensive limitations, any chance a back has to net yards down field can't be hindered by receivers afraid to get their pads dirty. It happened an embarrassing amount of times last year.  It was so bad, even ESPN's worthless commentary picked up on it and pointed it out.

bleacherreport.com

I will be happy if...

By the time mid October rolls around, Logan Thomas isn't getting booed in the third quarter.  I don't think the 2011 Logan Thomas was an apparition but I also don't think he was first overall NFL draft selection material.  I also don't think 2012 Logan Thomas is really all the fault of Logan Thomas.  I think 2013 Logan Thomas would happily be a nice average of the two and I'm okay with that.



Less interceptions would be nice, maybe a 4:1 TD/interception ratio as opposed to 3:2 ratio of last year.  And I don't know, maybe some leadership?  Too often Logan would just storm to the bench and sit down real hard instead of getting together with his offensive teammates and deciphering Bryan Stinespring's sidewalk chalk formations.

I will be unhappy if...

By the third quarter of the second game, Logan Thomas doesn't look solid.  Bama is going to give him hell and I won't judge too harshly as long as he plays smart.  But by the time the second half of the next game rolls around against whoever (Blacksburg Summer Rec League Football Squad #4) if he doesn't look more polished, more confident, and more under control then our season is completely doomed.  Panic button, panic button.  Abort.  Overreaction!  Bu that's just me.

We'll probably have to settle for a MAC Tire Butt Plug and Jimmy Dean Sausage Apple TV Bowl against Miami...of OHIO.  But hey, as long as we win...

mgoblog.com

 I will be happy if

As cliche, predictable, and elementary as it sounds, I'll be really happy if this Loeffler dude pans out.  I'm too entrenched in VT football to force my narrow scope of what I want Tech to become outward to give an unbiased judgment.  As of now, he seems likeable which wins 0 football games.  His resume isn't terrible, but that doesn't win football games either.  So I'm blindly looking forward with hope that this change that we wanted becomes the change we needed.

techsideline.com

I will be unhappy if

Could our offense really get worse?  Last year as the exception for wins and losses, as a perennial top 20 program the last 15 years in recruiting and performance, to not yield a better offense than we have is nauseating.  I can't see it getting more disappointing or more uninspired but if it does, consider me quite unhappy.

Offseason review haikus

HOKIES

Questions:  Logan sucks?

Hired Auburn's leftovers

to beat Bama?  Huh?

HUSKIES

Lost the Apple Cup.

Lost to Boise in bowl game.

Sark:  Please win now please.