I’m speechless.
I have more of a block than the offensive line provided Omarr, Jerious or Nick Saturday.
While I combat this writer’s block, I thought I would reflect on what others have said about Saturday’s vexation against Maine.
A week before the game during a staff meeting a couple of writers said we should not include the Maine-MSU game in Pigskin Picks.
I convinced them that we should take the opportunity to pad our records, because that’s what athletics director Larry Templeton had in mind when he scheduled the 1-AA Black Bears.
The result?
All nine sports writers took one on the chin in the standings.
Broadcasting veteran Jack Cristil has been the voice of the Bulldogs for 50-plus years.
During the game he told radio listeners next week’s game would be on the air and said he couldn’t imagine anyone would want to watch or listen to it.
A friend of mine who attends Furman University is not a football fan. However, she kept checking the score. Her first comment about the game?
“I was surprised that a football score would be that low.”
LSU head coach Nick Saban, who is 4-0 against Mississippi State said: “I think they played their best football game of the year last week.”
It sounds strange at first but State did out-gain Maine by 148 yards, Conner threw for a career high in yards and Prosser had a career best 117 rushing yards.
Yet the Voodoo curse that’s been on the program the last four years struck at four opportune moments.
Those pesky W-L columns are what matters.
That’s what people remember; it’s a song they can’t get out of their heads.
After the game, with his left arm in a sling, Conner blamed himself, saying he “hadn’t led the team the way he should have.”
Clarence McDougal, who led State’s defense with six tackles said it was “the worst loss in school history.”
Although I won’t forget the game’s outcome, I have stronger memories.
After Conner’s pass hit the grass 10 feet from me, MSU players scampered off the field.
The Maine players savored the victory at midfield, then slowly walked up to their locker room as maroon-clad fans applauded the Bears.
Head coach Jack Cosgrove and his players beamed the way that MSU players had two weeks before.
I doubt I will forget that MSU lost to Maine. I haven’t forgetten the other losses since I’ve been here.
But, what sticks in my head the most, however, is the professionalism that Conner, McDougal and Jeramie Johnson displayed when hit with tough questions 20 minutes after the game.
It was impossible for them to smile, but they managed to impress.
Craig Peters can be reached at [email protected].