Mathenia left it all on the field

Here is the column I wrote two days after the Bearkats rallied for 21 points in the fourth quarter to beat Eastern Washington in the 2004 NCAA quarterfinals. Still the most thrilling finish to a game I have ever seen.

Originally printed Dec. 6, 2004

The Huntsville Item

Jason Mathenia didn't look at his performance last Saturday as anything out of the ordinary. He simply stepped on the field and did what he has done all season long - catch passes.

But whether he will admit it or not, Mathenia is special and there was nothing ordinary about the way he played in one of the biggest games in Sam Houston State history - in any sport.

Mathenia was a key player in the Bearkats' 21-point rally to defeat Eastern Washington this past weekend. He caught a school-record 13 passes for 226 yards, which stands as the second-best single-game receiving mark in school history.

Oh, by the way, he did it all on a bad ankle.

Early in the game, Mathenia and the rest of the SHSU receivers were having a hard time adjusting the to 30-degree temperatures and muddy/icy grass field. He caught two passes in the first half for 37 yards, and both times, limped to the sideline after the catch.

He was hurting, but that was nothing new for Mathenia. He has been playing on a bad ankle for nearly a month now.

He finally broke loose in the third quarter. Quarterback Dustin Long hit the junior receiver on a 10-yard pass. The defensive back dove for the interception, but missed, leaving the sideline open for Mathenia to run. Bad ankle and all, he beat everyone to the end zone for a 69-yard touchdown.

His night was just getting started.

With the Bearkats trailing 34-14 early in the fourth quarter, it took Mathenia just about everything he had to keep going back on the field.

"I was just so tired and I was hurting," Mathenia said. "It was so cold and breathing was difficult. I tried to come out and coach just sent me back to the huddle. I just knew I had to suck it up."

And suck it up he did.

Long hit Mathenia four times on the Kats' opening possession of the fourth quarter. Each gain was for more than 10 yards, with two going for 14 yards. The drive ended on a 34-yard score to Corey Roberts.

34-21 Eastern Washington, 11:04 to play in the game.

After the offense got the ball back, Mathenia was in for nearly every play of a 15-play scoring drive. He caught one pass for 10 yards and was Long's intended target four other times. Robert Garmon capped things off with an 8-yard run for the score.

34-28 Eastern Washington, 3:34 left to play.

Fellow receiver Vince Cartwright blocked a field goal with less than a minute to play in the game, giving Mathenia and the Bearkats one last hope. After two completions to Cartwright and one to Roberts, Long and Mathenia took over the game.

Mathenia caught a 12-yard pass at the Eastern Washington 42 and got out of bounds with 12 seconds left to play. With the secondary of EWU playing nearly 15 yards away from Mathenia, Long looked his way again, this time for a 19-yard gain. Mathenia got his toes down inbounds and then fell out at the 23-yard line with seven ticks remaining on the clock.

"I was so tired, but at no point did I even think about coming out," Mathenia said. "It was gut wrenching, but it was almost over. I knew I had to just finish it out."

But even he had doubts that was going to be possible.

"I thought I was going to fall over when I was standing at the line," Mathenia said about the last drive. "I was afraid I would get a false start because I was just so dizzy."

Dizzy and all, Mathenia continued to be a thorn in the Eagles' side. Expecting the Kats to take a shot at the end zone from 23 yards out, once again Eastern Washington gave Mathenia more than 15 yards and the sideline to work with.

Just like the two previous plays, Long hit Mathenia for a 16-yard gain to the 7-yard line. The time on the scoreboard read 00:02.

"We really just wanted to get close enough for a hail Mary," Mathenia said. "But Dustin did a great job of getting us in position for the last play."

Everything had happened so fast, Eastern Washington evidently didn't have time to think about who the Kats would throw the ball to on the final play of the game. Because had the Eagles thought about it, there probably wouldn't have been press coverage and no help on a guy who had already beaten them 12 times for 220 yards.

But the middle of the end zone was left wide open, and after Mathenia beat his man off the line, all he had to do was catch the pass from Long. He did and the Kats live to see another week.

Completely out of gas, Mathenia had just enough strength to get to the sideline. He never made it past the 10-yard line. He took a knee and watched as Lance Garner kicked the deciding extra point.

As the players stormed the field, Mathenia just sat there and cried. It was about the only thing left he hadn't done that night.

"There was no way I was going to be able to run out there," Mathenia said. "I was just happy enough to see all my teammates out there having fun."

The Kats will be on the road again this week when they travel to Montana. A berth to the NCAA Division I-AA national championship game is on the line, and if he has anything to say about it, the Kats will be celebrating once again. But don't be surprised if No. 21 goes to one knee again just to watch.

After all, to him, it is just an ordinary game and all he did was catch a few passes to help his team win. Nothing more, nothing less.

2012 MLB Draft results

I don't think I did this last year, but I always like to go through the MLB draft results and see how many players I have seen play. I used to get a heavy dose of high school games to go along with the college games I see every year.

But I haven't seen a high school game in five years, so this list is all from the college games I have seen in the last few years. Assuming I didn't miss anyone, I saw 97 players who were selected this year play in college, which might be the most I have seen in a single draft. Of that group, 32 were at the College World Series in 2010 when I was there, and I saw 50 of these guys play at the Don

Here is the list:

3 Zunino, Mike                  Florida, FL            C
15 Naquin, Tyler               Texas A&M, TX OF
19 Wacha, Michael          Texas A&M, TX RHP
23 Ramsey, James           Florida State, FL                OF
24 Marrero, Deven          Arizona State, AZ             SS           R/R         JR
25 Shaffer, Richie             Clemson, SC       3B
31 Johnson, Brian             Florida, FL            LHP
45 Barnes, Barrett            Texas Tech, TX  OF
57 Gelalich, Jeff                                UCLA, CA             OF
61 Fontana, Nolan           Florida, FL            SS
63 Melotakis, Mason      Northwestern State, LA                LHP
71 Reynolds, Matt           Arkansas, AR      3B
72 Chargois, J.T.                                Rice, TX                RHP
74 Sanburn, Nolan           Arkansas, AR      RHP
82 Rodriguez, Steven     Florida, FL            LHP
96 Rodgers, Brady            Arizona State, AZ             RHP
132 Walker, Christian      South Carolina, SC           1B
150 Mejia, Alex                 Arizona, AZ         SS
159 Aplin, Andrew           Arizona State, AZ             CF
160 Duffey, Tyler              Rice, TX                RHP
169 Muncy, Max               Baylor, TX            1B
174 Kieboom, Spencer   Clemson, SC       C
175 Delatte, Brad             Nicholls St U, LA                LHP
176 Stripling, Ross            Texas A&M, TX RHP
178 Blach, Ty                      Creighton, NE    LHP
186 Beck, Preston            University of Texas - Arlington, TX
187 Refsnyder, Rob         Arizona, AZ         2B
200 Boyd, Jayce                                Florida State, FL                1B
209 Elander, Josh             Texas Christian, TX          C
219 Tucker, Preston        Florida, FL            OF
222 Price, Matthew         South Carolina, SC           RHP
232 Amaral, Beau             UCLA, CA             CF
234 Benincasa, Robert   Florida State, FL                RHP
244 Randall, Hudson       Florida, FL            RHP
262 Mejias-Brean, Seth U Arizona, AZ     3B
273 Marzilli, Evan              South Carolina, SC           CF
274 McVaney, Jeff           Texas St U, TX    LF
278 Ludy, Josh                   Baylor U, TX
279 Minor, Daniel             Texas A&M U Corpus Christi, TX
281 McGruder, Jamodrick            Texas Tech U, TX              2B
292 Pigott, Daniel             Florida, FL            OF          R/R         SR
297 Roth, Michael            South Carolina, SC           LHP        L/L          SR
302 Rickard, Joey              Arizona, AZ         CF
310 Baxendale, D.J.         Arkansas, AR      RHP
312 Hutter, Joel                                Dallas Baptist U, TX          SS
320 Sewald, Paul              U San Diego, CA                RHP
324 Manuel, Craig            Rice U, TX            C
353 Vick, Logan                 Baylor U, TX        OF
356 Rathjen, Jeremy       Rice, TX                RF
408 Von Tungeln, Kyle   Texas Christian, TX          CF           L/L          JR
409 Pudenz, Stuart          Dallas Baptist U, TX          RHP
424 Travis, Devon             Florida State, FL                2B
427 Pazos, James             University of San Diego, CA         LHP
431 Hebert, Brock            Southeastern Louisiana University, LA    2B
438 Broyles, Shane          Texas Tech, TX  RHP
446 Reckling, Matt           Rice, TX                RHP|
447 Johnson, Sherman  Florida St U, FL  2B
454 Scantling, Hunter     Florida St U, FL  RHP
457 Benak, Andrew         Rice, TX                RHP

510 Scanio, Joseph          Northwestern State, LA                RHP
517 Lopez, Stefan            Southeastern Louisiana U, LA     RHP
528 Stolz, Jason                 Clemson U, SC   SS
563 Head, Louis                 Texas St U, TX    RHP
567 Dalton, Ryan              U Texas San Antonio, TX               3B
573 Medrano, Kevin       Missouri State, MO         2B
576 Harvey, Ryan             Seton Hall, NJ    RHP
579 Elkins, Austin             Dallas Baptist U, TX          2B
608 Carver, Tim U             Arkansas Fayetteville, AR             SS
633 House, Jacob             Texas A&M U, TX             1B
637 Reynolds, Michael   Texas A&M, TX SS
640 Altobelli, Bo                Texas Tech U, TX              C
655 Turner, Colton           Texas State, TX LHP
695 Wall, Douglas             Rice U, TX            LHP
699 Ballew, Travis             Texas State, TX RHP
711 Kiser, Kale                   U Nebraska Lincoln, NE CF
714 Selsor, Casey             U Texas San Antonio, TX               OF
722 Redman, Reid            Texas Tech, TX  2B
733 Maggi, Beau               Arizona St U, AZ                C
737 Juengel, Matt            Texas A&M U, TX             3B
781 Cooper, Khiry            U Nebraska Lincoln, NE OF
826 Johansen, Jacob       Dallas Baptist U, TX          RHP
827 Jackson, JUSTIN        Sam Houston St U, TX    RHP
836 Gonzalez, Justin       Florida State, FL                SS
850 Goldsmith, Carson   Northwestern State, LA                RHP
852 Torres, Dennis           U Massachusetts Amherst, MA RHP
862 Wiley, Matthew       U Houston, TX   RHP
891 Coats, Jason               Texas Christian, TX          LF
893 Fant, Randall              Arkansas, AR      LHP
896 Cannon, John            U Houston, TX   C
929 Kalenkosky, Casey   Texas State, TX 1B
1000 Merck, Kaleb           Texas Christian, TX          RHP
1030 Haar, Brian                U San Diego, CA                OF
1053 Ray, Jared                 U Houston, TX   RHP
1067 Christensen, Chad Nebraska, NE     CF
1071 Martin, Kyle             Texas A&M, TX RHP
1122 Bleeker, Derrick     Arkansas, AR      RHP
1159 Drummond, Calvin                University of San Diego, CA         RHP

Bradley, US Soccer wasted 2011

I have taken a few days to digest the US Men’s National Team performance in the Gold Cup. First off, I was thrilled getting to see them play in person. Clint Dempsey scoring the game winner in the 77^th minute was almost a storybook finish to the game.

But even during that game, the deficiencies of the US team became clear. They were slow, lacked any creativity up top, technically were not very good with the ball and tactically they were not very good either. Some of that falls on head coach Bob Bradley and rest falls on the US Soccer Federation.

The first question that gets asked is should Bradley keep his job?  That really depends on what the focus of the US Soccer Federation and president Sunil Gulati is. If the goal is to put a competitive side on the pitch that will play hard, compete and every few years surprise someone, then Bradley is the guy. If the goal is to win the World Cup, then a change needs to be made. Not just with the coach, but with the philosophy.

Bradley and US Soccer gambled big time in this Gold Cup, and lost not once but twice. In terms of player development, 2014 is not that far away. This is the summer they should have been identifying and preparing players for 2014. If that wasn’t going to happen then they HAD to win the Gold Cup. Unfortunately they did neither.

I think one of the main problems is they were blinded by the success of the 2009 Confederations Cup. Beating Spain and pushing Brazil to the brink was a great moment for the US. It was hailed as a huge success as a tune-up for last summer’s World Cup. I would be more inclined to believe it was that vital of an experience had the World Cup be a little more successful. It took a 93^rd minute goal from Landon Donovan just to get out of a soft group and they then lost in the round of 16.

But Bradley and the US put all of their eggs in the Gold Cup basket this summer in hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup preview a year earlier in Brazil. (Side note: are there going to be stadiums for 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil?) So they rolled the dice and put out a veteran laden squad in hopes of earning that coveted 2013 invitation to Brazil. By losing, Bradley and US Soccer pretty much wasted an entire summer of international soccer for the US.  

Had they gone into the tournament with a goal of preparing for 2014 and started playing a few more guys who are going to feature in three years, then the loss to Mexico would not have been as bad. At least they would have been able to begin to develop the next crop of national team players. Instead, neither goal was accomplished this summer.

When looking at the way the team was put together, I have no problem with Donovan, Tim Howard or Clint Dempsey being on the squad. Those guys have been here before and know what it takes to win. They also will probably still be in the mix for 2014. Howard would be 35 at that point and doesn’t show any signs that he won’t still be a top keeper. Donovan (29) and Dempsey (28) both should be in pretty good form in 2014 (personally I am ready for Donovan to just go away).

With the exception of inserting Juan Agudelo (19), Eric Lichaj (22) and Alejandro Bedoya (24) into the lineup and Tim Ream (23) had a cup of coffee with the team, what else did Bradley do with his players to start preparing for the next World Cup?

Some of the biggest questions about decision made by Bradley and US Soccer come at the back.

Howard is one of the top goalkeepers in the world and is without question the US’s No. 1. He would be a great guy for a young keeper to learn from. However, the other two keepers on the Gold Cup roster are either his age or older.

First off, why is Marcus Hahnemann even in the player pool? He is five years older than I am, and by the time 2014 rolls around he will be 42. He got his last start in goal in March of this year. Who is that going to benefit? If Howard gets a night off, Bradley should be thinking about 2014 and maybe who the keeper will be when 2018 qualifying starts five years from now. Playing Hahnemann in a friendly does nothing for anyone, and was pretty much a waste.

Even the third-string keeper on the Gold Cup roster, Nick Rimando, is 32 years old and will be 35 when Brazil rolls around. He played in January of this year, earning his first cap in more than six years. Once again, if the goal is to win the World Cup, why is he on the roster? I can’t imagine he is in future plans past this year.

The situation in front of the keeper is beyond a disaster. Steve Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra have been fixtures for the US backline for nine years. But they will both be 35 the next time the World Cup rolls around. Similar to Howard, I think both are guys who a young player can learn from, but unlike Howard, can’t see any way they are a significant factor in 2014. While Lichaj and Ream (who was benched) did play, no one else who played defense for the US this month will or should be in the plans for 2014.  

As for the rest of the guys on the pitch, I think there is a good group to build around. What they need is some consistency. At times the midfield looks like they have never played with each other (in Jones case, he hasn’t). There just doesn’t seem to be much chemistry or connection between the mids and the guys up top.

Finally, they need a finisher not named Landon. Is it Altidore? He hasn’t show enough to think he can get the job done. Is Agudelo the guy? While he has shown some flash, he disappears for stretches of the game. Maybe there is someone else? That is the question Bob Bradley and the US Soccer Federation need to answer by next summer. They can’t expect to plug a striker in sometime in late 2013 and expect him to be a force in Brazil, assuming they qualify.

NCAA Tournament predicitions

The NCAA Baseball Tournament gets underway today with 32 games going across the country. This will be the first time since 2006 I will not be attending any NCAA Baseball postseason games. But at the same time, I am going to attempt to predict the field anyway.

Charlottesville Regional – I think the clear winner here is Virginia. They are the No. 1 National seed and maybe the favorite to win the whole thing.

Los Angeles Regional – UCLA is the host as the top seed, but they are a little shaky with a 33-22 record. Fresno State has played the role of Cinderella before winning the national title as a four seed in the regioanal. They enter here as a No. 2, but in the end, UCLA wins.

Super Regional – South Carolina beats UCLA

Twas the morning of the NCAA Tournament

Twas the morning of the NCAA Tournament and all through the land

The best days in sports are finally at hand

The brackets were hung around the house with care

In hopes of a Cinderella or two will appear

And mamas got her final Four, I have mine too

Should I be worried we have the same teams getting through?

The First Four has been played, so the field is now set

UTSA got in, are they thinking of pulling an upset?

The DVR is set. As the games are a must see

Does anyone know exactly how to find TruTV?

The experts are weighing in, giving locks and teams to watch

Yet when the show is over, they have the 1-seeds ruling March

I turn to CBS for a little pre tournament chatter

Hoping for some insight from Jay Bilas or Billy Packer

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

It was Charles Barkley, what’s he doing here?

He and Kenny Smith are Turner’s NBA gurus

What do they know of the Hoyas or the Purdues?

I’m a huge fan of Reggie Miller and he’s calling the Penn State game

But the last time he was in college the uniforms were pretty lame

The tournament will be seen on four different channels

Meaning I no longer will gripe because they are showing us the Vandals

So as the first tip draws near, let me leave you with my two cents:

May your upset bids come to fruition as we witness another year of shining moments 

National Championship game blog

Here is a running blog during tonights national championship between Oregon and Auburn.

I really don't have a rooting interest in this one, but I think Oregon will win this 37-35. Also, The uniforms are not as bad as they could have been.

Wow, I don't think I have seen that stat before about Newton. 19-of-19 passing on opening drives this season. That is pretty impressive.And then he throws an incomplete pass. Of course.

2010 Sports Year in Review

As 2010 wraps up, I decided to take a look back at the year for me personally in the world of sports. With a trip to the World Series, College World Series, MLS All-Star game and two trips to the NCAA Tournament, this was easily my best year in sports yet. I managed to cross five items off my list of 100 things to do in sports.

Here is just a quick rundown of some of the things I got to do this past year: Game 5 of the World Series, first eight games of the College World Series, MLS All-Star Game, NCAA Basketball first round, NCAA Basketball Regional, Shell Houston Open and Monday Night Football. I went to six Major League baseball games in three different ballparks, four NFL games, the Shell Houston Open and a minor league baseball game.

All-Star game blog

Once again, home field avantage in the World Series is on the line tonight, nd the National League is long overdue for a win. Also, since the Braves are four games up in the East, this game means a little something more to them tonight than it has in the past. And with five guys in Anaheim (four eligible to play) hopefully they will play a key part in the outcome. I really wish Jason Heyward was playing in this game, but I am glad he is thinking about the team first. Braves are going to need him healthy in the second half.

I quit cold turkey -- and I've never been happier

It was 12 years ago that I simply walked away.

I was as passionate of a fan as they come. It started with the Rockets being my hometown team and eventually I gravitated to a team that fit my personality – Indiana.

The Pacers had the flash that I loved with Reggie Miller, but they were also the underdog and I love an underdog. Always the team up against more history and a better story. It was first the Celtics, and then the Knicks and finally the Bulls. There was always a sexier team for the NBA to have move on in the playoffs.

From 1993 to 1998, during the playoffs I wore my Reggie Miller jersey religiously on game day. It didn’t matter where I was, if the Pacers were playing, I had that jersey on. If the Pacers lost, I was crushed. I was in high school and my friends were going out every night during the summer. I was usually there as well, unless the Pacers had lost that day – or the day before in some cases.

I even wore my jersey underneath my gown on the day of my senior baccalaureate. The Pacers and Knicks were playing Game 7 that day of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. People were wondering if I would even go. I did, but the jersey was right there with me. Afterwards, everyone went to a senior party. I went home, put in the tape and started watching.

I even opened up my speech at graduation with an update on the Rockets-Spurs Western Conference Finals. There was no doubt I was a fan.

The Pacers were always a victim of circumstance. There was always a better team for the League to play in the Finals. The NBA needed New York in 1994. They needed to have Shaq and Orlando in the finals in 1995, after all, Houston-Indiana wasn’t going to draw the ratings the league needed.

But it was 1998 that delivered the final crushing blow to me. The Pacers met the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jordan had already announced he was “retiring” at the end of the season, so this was his “last” run. Anyone who watched that series knows the Pacers outplayed the Bulls. But with Utah waiting in the finals, and the need for Jordan to go out on top, the Bulls were handed a ticket to a sixth title. The Pacers were the better team, but the Bulls were in the finals – again.

I woke up the morning after Game 7 and said I was done. I was interning at the Baytown Sun that summer and wrote a column writing off the NBA. No one believed me. Why would they? I was the biggest fan most people knew. I was going to get over it.

“When the Pacers are in the playoffs next year and you are on the couch jumping and screaming I am going to get this column out,” my dad said with a knowing smile.

I was simply overreacting like I did following a handful of other losses by the Cowboys, Braves, Nittany Lions and of course the Pacers. But to their surprise, and to an extent mine, I never came back. I think it helped the NBA had a lockout and cancelled a good chunk of the next season. Once again at the end of the year, the Pacers were screwed and once again, it was a move the League needed to happen. The Spurs were already in the Finals, and the League needed a story following the lockout – it needed the Knicks. I don’t remember watching any of that series. I was working in a newsroom that didn’t have a TV, and I didn’t go out of my way to watch. It ended as I expected it to.

The 2000 season was no different. The Pacers finally made the finals, but Kobe and Shaq were the story. The duo was looking to bring glory back to LA. It was pretty obvious who was going to win that one. The only game of that series I saw was the last one, in a pool hall in Baytown. I was there with a friend who talked me into playing in a darts tournament. I lost early – he went to the finals. So I had a pitcher of Shiner and the Pacers on the only TV in the bar. I watched, emotionless. The game ended, the Lakers won the title, and I truly didn’t care. I was done with the NBA.

I have watched just twice since. A year later in 2001, my wife bought us tickets to see the Pacers play in Houston. She said I would regret never seeing Reggie Miller play in person. She was right. I would have regretted it and I am glad I did it. The only other time I went to a game was when I was in San Antonio for the NCAA Regional and I got free tickets, as luck would have it, to see the Pacers. I honestly nearly fell asleep during the game. I really would have been better off staying in the hotel doing nothing.

I have moved on, and have been so much happier for it. I feel like I had my eyes opened at an early age and I am grateful for it. I hear people talking about the NBA and just wonder why they haven’t seen it yet. I see the statues on Facebook during the playoffs, and I actually feel pity for these people who still follow David Stern’s puppet show. They have not had come to the realization yet that I did in 1998.

I am sure I am not alone in this. I have friends who, over the years, have moved away from the NBA. I am sure there are people who have a specific moment that they stopped watching – the lockout, the Malice in the Palace, ect. Something turned them off.

I think the way the LeBron James decided to handle his free agency, and maybe more importantly, the way ESPN has decided to cover it, may be bringing more people to the other side. I saw an ESPN analyst during the day today say he thought this was great for the NBA. “When is the last time we were talking about the NBA this deep into the summer?” he asked. I certainly don’t have the pulse of the nation on this, and I am sure I look at it a little different than most. But I can’t imagine this fiasco will bring more fans to the table. I am sure there are some LeBron fans who will shift allegiances. The Heat will probably show a boost in ticket sales, jersey sales, ect. But when you are talking about the league as a whole, I have to think more people will walk away tonight.

I once thought that being a sports fan meant I had to be an NBA fan. Believe me when I say this, if you do decide to walk away, you will be much happier for it. There are plenty of sports out there to fill the void. Don’t worry right now about what you will do in June when the playoffs are on. Just step away, and trust me, the rest will work itself out.

The best sports day of the year -- and I didn't see any of it

A week ago Wednesday was a sports fans dream. The US pulled off a thrilling victory over Algeria to advance to the knockout round of the World Cup, Isner and Mahut played an incredible 118 games of the fifth set at Wimbledon and TCU rallied in the 8th with a grand slam to beat Florida State in an elimination game at the College World Series.

It was a day that was set up perfectly with the US game going in the morning, Isner-Mahut lasting for the better part of the afternoon, and TCU capping thing off at the end of the night. It was great day to be at home on the couch or even in the office watching on the laptop. As someone who loves sports theater, this was a day tailored for me -- a constant flow of nail-biting dramatic sports moments playing out on TV from morning to night, with very little overlap. Unfortunately, I saw none of it.

I spent that Wednesday in the car for 19 hours driving home from Omaha. The only images of the day we got to see were briefly during lunch at Eskimo Joe’s in Stillwater.

We were relegated to ESPN Radio coverage and satellite radio broadcasts of the games. People say they won’t forget watching Landon Donovan score the game-winning goal against Algeria. I have been told stories of how they reacted to the goal. The cheers you could hear in the office from everyone watching on laptops. The scenes captured on Youtube of the celebrations across the world. I was on the Kansas Turnpike.

We were going old school with this one, kind of. There wasn’t even a radio station in Kansas broadcasting the game, so we were going with the iPhone app and hoping the 3G coverage stretched the to middle of nowhere (had one little glitch in the 80th minute). Even if we wanted to stop somewhere for a quick break to catch the finish, there was no where to go. We were somewhere between Topeka and Hell and there just aren’t a lot of sports bars you can pop into on that stretch of road.

When we decided a year ago to make a trip to Rosenblatt Stadium and the College World Series, I knew I was doing it during a World Cup year. Ideally I would have picked another year to go to Omaha, but this was the final year at Rosenblatt – it was now or never. I was willing to take the risk.

We made the hotel reservations and decided we were doing the first four days at the CWS – eight games in four days, we were going to get the most bang for our buck. Shortly after booking the rooms, the World Cup draw came out. The England match was going to be no problem to watch. It was on Saturday, several days before we left. However, the last two games of the group stage were on the two driving days. I had hoped the last game wouldn’t matter. Unfortunately, it was a do or die for the Americans, and all I had to get me through it was the sounds of JP Dellecamera and Tommy Smyth.

The drive was excruciating. With every elevation in Delecambre’s voice Brian and I leaned closer to the radio as if we were going to get a look at the action. It looked like the World Cup run was going to end in the group stage for the US. The worst part was there were still 12 more hours of driving ahead. It would have been a much longer day had that game finished 0-0.When Landon Donavon scored it was pure elation. I’m really not sure how I kept the car on the road.

We listened to all the post match analysis, interviews and opinions. It wasn’t long that we started hear the first reports of what was going on at Wimbledon. Isner and Mahut were in the fifth set tied at 25. “Wait what? Did you just say 25 all in the fifth?”

It didn’t sound real. Most of the talk on the radio was about the US match. But between the brief updates as well as posts on Facebook and Twitter we were able to keep up. 30 all, 35 all, 40 all. This can’t keep going can it? 45 all. Are they going to get to 50? 55 all, 56 all, 57 all, 58 all and finally 59. Match was suspended at 59. From the time we left Omaha to the time we were stopping for lunch in Stillwater, Isner and Mahut had been on the court.

We were passing through Norman and listened to Clemson finish off Oklahoma in the College World Series. It was the conclusion of the game we were watching at Rosenblatt the night before. As we were driving through Dallas we decided to check out the TCU-Florida State game. For about 15 minutes we were able to pick up the TCU broadcast on the campus radio station and then it was gone. FSU had gone up big and we didn’t worry about it after that.

Somewhere south of Dallas, we checked the score and TCU was starting to put something together. We had the Rangers game on and that was getting out of hand, so we decided to see if there was a satellite station with the College World Series on. We found the game and 10 seconds later – PING! The Horned Frogs had just connected for a grand slam to take the lead after trailing 8-2.

We watched the first eight games of the College World Series – it was game No. 9 that produced the first dramatic come-from-behind victory of the final season at Rosenblatt. That is how our day was going.

We had been on the road for about 15 hours, listened to a dramatic World Cup match that will have non-soccer fans talking for years, listened for updates on a tennis match that was defying all reason and logic and heard Rosenblatt make a noise we didn’t hear in four days there.

The rest of the drive was left reflecting what had happened that day, and how we had seen none of it. A week or so later, I have a different look at things. The trip to Rosenblatt was a dream trip that will never happen again, and while I didn’t get to see the drama of that day unfold, I have a feeling because of the circumstances, I will never forget were I was the day the US stunned Algeria, the day Isner and Mahut played tennis all day with no result and the day TCU electrified the crowd at Rosenblatt for one of the final times.

The Back Page

After seeing all the British tabloids before the World Cup, I decided the Bearkat Sports Forum needed a back page. So here is the back page following the US victory over England.

Chili Dogs and Fish and Chips

We have waited 188 days for this matchup. This is US vs. England. I'll be blogging my thoughts throughout the match.

I am hoping for a good showing for the US. It is not a must win for the US, but they HAVE to play well. There is no way the US can afford to go out and play bad in this game. And I promise I will lay off of Donavan today.

I am glad Martin Tyler is calling this game. He has a great voice and his delivery is spot on.

4th Minute
The concern for the US was the back line and they just got shreaded there. Not a good start at all. Have to settle down and recover from this.

9th minute
Have to do a better job holding posession. Only getting one or two touches before losing it. We aren't going to be able to put anything together like this.

12th minute
Posession looking a little better here. Working a few corners in. We just have to do something with it. Don't panic with the ball.

17th minute
I don't think we have to have a goal here in the first half, we have to have some pressure on offense.England is winning everything at the back line right now.

19th minute.
Jozy has to get that. You are not going to get that many scoring opportunities. It should be 1-1.

21st minute
England responds. Three good lokks at goal in just a matter of minutes. They are so good at getting back and having an answer to the US.

28th minute
Game has settled in a little bit now. A few nervy moments in the box.

30th minute
Howard being down is not a good sign. If he can't go our World Cup is over. I have no faith in Guzan Heskey went in studs up on Howard. Don't like that challenge at all.

33rd minute
Don't really like that shot by Altidore. Need him to step it up. I'd love to keep as little pressure on Howard as mush as we can for the last 12 or so minutes.

35th minute
Rooney has been quiet, which is scary, because you know he is going to get loose at some point. Of course, he could get frustraded, and he is not very good when he plays frustrated.

40th minute
DEMPSEY!!!!!!!

It was a very soft goal but we will take it. Dempsey just puts a ball on target and the US gets something out of it. I was surprised to see Green in goal and he gave us one.

44th minute
Nothing cheap here late. Let's take a draw into the half.

Halftime tied at 1-1

Very fortunate to be tied at the half, but the US needs to take advantage of this. England is shaken right now no doubt. We need to come out and try to put on on the early. It will be interesting to see if Green comes back on the field for the second half. The goal was soft, but the US has momentum right now and they need to take advantage.

Start of second half
A second replacement for England. They only have one left. I wonder if that will come back to cost them.

50th minute
We have survived the first five minutes. That was big to get through that stretch.

52nd minute
Big save by Howard. That was a very good run by Heskey. A good opportunity for England stopped.

59th minute
England is getting frustraed and nervous. I have seen a red given on that challenge by Gerard before. Studs up on the knee.

61st minute
A good opportunity for the US on the free kick. England gets back so fast though. they are attacking less than 30 seconds after a US attempt on goal.

64th minute
What a great strong run by Jozy. Would have been a spectaular goal.

70th minute
20 minutes to play. Who is going to step up and make the big play? Someone can become a hero and forever be remembered.

74th minute
Good run by Robbie Findley, but two minutes later he picks up a card. We have racked up a few yellows this match.

76th minute
Two more big saves from Howard. Rooney starting to get involved in the match. England os starting to get some good chances in the box. Have to hold on. Buddle coming on now. I like this change.

82nd minute
THe chants of USA starting to ring a little over the sounds of the vuvuzelas

Final 1-1
This was a huge victory for the United States. They are going to carry confidence into the next two matches. England is a bit shaken. We can now look at taking the group and hopefully avoid Germany in the round of 16.

Tim Howard was huge today. He is no doubt the man of the match. It was a lucky goal no doubt, but Howard kept the US in this one. A few hug saves, especially late. After seeing him on the ground for a few minutes in the first half it was great to see him bounce back and play, not just solid, he was money.

World Cup is finally here

It is the opening day of the World Cup and I am pumped. I actually had a hard time getting back to sleep after waking up early this morning, for fear I might sleep through a portion of the opener.

I have always been a fan of soccer and the World Cup. I played for seven years, so I have an appreciation for the sport. World Cup has always been fun to watch, and spending a few weeks in Europe during the 1994 World Cup gave me an even greater apperception for it.

I have some very good World Cup memories, especially from 1994. I had the chance to sit and watch Cup games in Italy and Greece with people who are truly passionate about the sport. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, or have seen since.

It seems as though this year I am even more excited than I have been in the past. The main reason might be because I have really stepped up my viewing in the past two years. I have begun closely following the English Premier League, as well as keeping tabs on the other leagues around the world through Champions League. I certainly know who more players are this time around than I have ever before and I think that adds a little something to it.

Also, I think there is just a greater expectation for the US team this time around. After the success they had last summer in the Confederations Cup, people are expecting a deep run at the Cup. I am not in the camp that sees us making a final, but a trip to the quarters is possible.

The other factor that has interest so high is the opening round match against England. To a lot people in the United States, England is soccer. Just like the win over Mexico eight years ago, this is a measuring stick match. The win over Spain last year was nice, but this is England, this is Wayne Rooney, this is the World Cup.

If Mexico was looked at as our big brother, then England would be our dad. That moment you finally beat your dad in anything is always a special landmark. I think that is the thinking here, we have not arrived until we beat England.

While I don’t think this is the year for the US, I think this campaign is a huge step. With the youth on this year’s team, I think they are setting up for 2014 in Brazil. However, those plans can be derailed if the US has a poor showing over the next month. I think we took a big step back after the 2006 Cup, and we are really just starting to recover from that.

England is immensely talented and should e able to handle the US, but we saw last year against Spain, the American are capable of pulling off a shocker. As much as I would love to knock off England, I don’t think this team is capable of a magical run. If we have just one huge shocker in us, I would rather it come in the knockout round.

A draw would be something special and a big-time result. While I would love 2-2, I think we probably fall 2-1. But, don’t be surprised if we regroup and knock off Germany in the round of 16.

As for the rest of the Tournament, I think it will be fun if the African countries do well, I will be pulling for Netherlands and I think Spain wins it in the end.

Predicitions for the College World Series

After giving much thought and in some cases, not much thought at all, here are my predictions for this year’s College World Series:

Regional Rounds

Tempe Regional – Arizona State shouldn’t have much trouble getting out of this regional.

Fayetteville Regional – Arkansas will get a little pressure from Washington State but I like the Razorbacks here.

Auburn Regional – I’d love to see an Auburn/Alabama Super Regional, but I like Clemson to get out here.

Atlanta Regional – Home team should take care of business here with Georgia Tech moving on.

Charlottesville Regional – Virginia and Ole Miss will battle here, but in the end I think I like Virginia to get out here.

Norman Regional – No one expects anything from the ninth-place team out of the ACC. That is why North Carolina wins this.

Columbia Regional – Virginia Tech is on a roll right now and hopefully we will get to see their sweet Astros style rainbow jerseys.

Myrtle Beach Regional – Coastal Carolina might be a dark horse national champion. I look for them to advance.

Austin Regional – Texas shouldn’t have much of a problem here.

Fort Worth Regional – TCU is the best team here with a loaded pitching staff. Might drop a game, but still see them getting through.

Norwich Regional – Uconn is the home team, Florida State is the top seed, but I think Oregon pulls off the shocker and gets through

Louisville Regional – The Cards play on an all synthetic field and will have the home field advantage as they know how to play all of the hops.

Los Angeles Regional – LSU gets shipped out west for the first time in school history. They are still the defending champs and will continue their hot play.

Fullerton Regional – Fullerton is at home and the 2-seed Stanford is not that strong. Titans shouldn’t have a problem.

Coral Gables Regional – Interesting Regional with FIU and Wittles hitting streak and the Aggies, but I think Miami still gets through.

Gainesville Regional – Another magical run for the Beavers? No, Florida wins it, but might get pushed a little.
Super Regionals

Arizona State/Arkansas – Sun Devils will make it out of this regional in two.

Clemson/Georgia Tech – Tigers go on the road for the second straight week, but Georgia Tech will win this in three.

Virginia/North Carolina – Both teams very familiar with each other, but I think the ACC Champs will put an end to UNC’s streak of four straight trips to Omaha.

Virginia Tech/Coastal Carolina – Coastal Carolina will earn its first trip to the College World Series taking this in three.

Texas/TCU – TCU has the pitching to win this, but in the end, the Longhorn will return to Omaha.

Oregon/Louisville – The Ducks’ Cinderella runs ends here.

LSU/Fullerton – LSU won’t get a chance to defend their title, falling to Fullerton.

Miami/Florida – A good rivalry game that I think Florida will end up winning.

College World Series

The Big 12 tournament was not the Texas we are going to see in the postseason. I think the Longhorns win this year, knocking off Arizona State in the championship series.

Field of Dreams - CWS style

I am going to do predictions later in the week, but since I am going to be in Omaha, I am going to first do my College World Series wish list. These are not the teams I think will make it to Omaha, but rather the teams I want to see at Rosenblatt.

There are a couple of factors involved here and a few will actually clash so I will have to make a few concessions. The main factor is program prestige. Cinderella need not apply, so UConn, I am a big fan of your basketball program, but I would like to leave it at that. Also, College of Charleston, Louisville and Florida Atlantic can stay home as well. Prestige factor will overrule every other reason for making my list.

The next major factor is whether I have seen the team play before. I am always looking to add new teams to my list, so UCLA, Baylor and Rice, I have no need for you in Omaha. Southern Miss and Ole Miss, you are out as well.

A potential good rivalry game always makes for a good story in Omaha, so I will have to see if there is the potential for a historic matchup at Rosenblatt. After seeing what happened with Alabama and Auburn at the SEC Tournament, it is a shame they are slatted to meet up in a Super Regional. Had they had a potential opening round matchup they would have been a shoe in for my fantasy CWS field.

Historical significance will play a part. Is there anything that can happen that will always be remembered and I can say, I was there for that. Most of the time you can’t plan for that, like Warren Morris hitting a walk-off to beat Miami in the 1996 final (BTW, the only other team to beat Miami that postseason was Sam Houston State). Others you can plan for, like Robin Ventura extending his hitting streak to 58 games with hits in his first two.

Finally, potential to see future pro prospects will make a team intriguing. We will already know who has been drafted by the time the World Series rolls around, but right now I am looking at prospects and who has the most.

With all that in mind, here is my CWS wish list:

Tempe/Fayetteville Regional - Arizona State is pretty much a slam dunk here. They have 21 appearances and five titles and I have never seen them play before. The Sun Devils have two top pitching prospects with Seth Blair (No. 34) and Jordan Swagerty (No. 61). Arkansas is the other intriguing team there with Zack Cox who is rated the No. 6 prospect in this year’s draft and Brett Eibner who is rated No. 23.

Auburn/Atlanta Regional – There are a couple of good teams here and it makes it a tough one to pick. No one in these two regionals has a national title and I have only seen Southern Miss play before. Alabama, Auburn and Georgia Tech all got consideration here, but I think I am going with Clemson. They have made 11 trips to Omaha, one less than the other three combined. I have never seen them play before and outfielder Kyle Parker is a potential first round pick.

Charlottesville/Norman Regional - North Carolina has made the last four College World Series and features pitcher Matt Harvey who is a potential top 20 pick. They, however, have no national titles and didn’t even make the ACC Tournament this year. Oklahoma has been nine times and claimed two titles, the last in 1994. I’ve never seen them play and even with no real prospects, the Sooners still get the nod here.

Columbia/Myrtle Beach Regional – This is tough to pick and I think I am going to have to break my rules here. South Carolina has the most history with eight trips, but no titles. Virginia Tech has never been and NC State was only there in 1968. College of Charleston would be Cinderella here and I have no interest in them. Coastal Carolina is a national seed, but no prospects or history. I’m leaning toward South Carolina because of the history, but it is kind of a toss up with Coastal.

Austin/Fort Worth Regional – Texas, enough said. They have 33 trips to the CWS and six titles. They also have six other trips to the title game. A lineup full of pro prospects headlined by pitcher Brandon Workman (No. 19). Yes, I have seen them play before, but Rider and Arizona are the only two teams here I haven’t seen play.

Norwich/Louisville Regional – This was another fairly easy pick. Florida State has made 19 trips to the CWS, but don’t have a title. Still, they have been a staple in Omaha and I’d like to hear the War Chant ring around Rosenblatt.

Los Angeles/Fullerton Regional – Wow! Tough, tough, tough. Cal State Fullerton, LSU and Stanford have a combined 47 CWS appearances and 12 titles. I have never seen any of them play and there is lots of historical significance. A potential second round match up against Texas would be a Finals rematch for both Fullerton (1984, 2004) and LSU (2009). Stanford is just not sexy enough for me, and really has no top pro prospects for this year’s draft. LSU, being the defending champs, feels like the pick here. But the potential to see them in person is better than the chance to see Cal State Fullerton in future years. Plus Christian Colon and Gary Brown both being potential top 15 picks this year ultimately gives the Titans the nod. On a side note, throw in Minnesota’s three titles from the 50’s and 60’s and these two regionals have a combined 15 championships.

Coral Gables/Gainesville Regional – I really want to say Florida International here just to see Garrett Wittles extend his amazing hitting streak. It would be in the 60s by the time he got to Omaha and already be an NCAA record. The chances of FIU getting out of the first round are slim and even more remote they get through a Super Regional. Texas A&M could give an Aggie/Longhorn rivalry game, but the Aggies don’t really excite me. I know Cody wants to see Florida, but I have to go Miami here. Like Texas, I have seen them play before (1996 loss to Sam Houston State – Eat’em Up). But 23 appearances is second-most behind Texas and they have four titles. A top catching prospect in Yasmani Grandal helps the ’Canes cause here as well. There is also the potential for a Miami/Florida State second round pairing which helps.

That gives a loaded right side of the bracket with Texas, Florida State, Cal State Fullerton and Miami battling it out for a spot in the championship series -- can’t argue with that. There is only a combined 91 CWS appearances in that grouping.

Looking forward to see how it all plays out.