There was plenty of drama while channel surfing around midnight on Sunday night.
The World Series was in the ninth inning of a 4-4 game on Fox and Marshall was playing Central Florida on ESPN.
Johnny Damon singled after a nine-pitch at-bat for the Yankees with two out … flip … Marshall was running out the clock with a 20-14 lead and only 2:14 remaining … flip … Damon steals second and third with Mark Teixeira batting … flip … Marshall quarterback Brian Anderson fumbles on a second-and-one … flip … Teixeira is hit in the shoulder by Brad Lidge, putting runners on first and third … flip … Central Florida is doing a horrible job of clock management with the game on the line … flip … Alex Rodriquez rips a double to left field to score Damon … flip … Central Florida completes a pass to the Marshall 1-yard-line with 26 seconds remaining … flip … Jorge Posada lines a two-run single to put the Yankees ahead 7-4 … flip … Marshall calls a timeout and then completely blows a coverage, leaving a receiver wide open for an easy touchdown. The ensuing extra point is the difference in a 21-20 victory … flip … Mariano Rivera sits down the Phillies on eight pitches for a commanding 3-1 lead in the World Series.
-Note to Phillie fans: There’s only one Big Red Machine.
-I’m not sure who’s loss was more devastating – Kentucky’s 31-24 defeat to Mississippi State or Marshall’s heartbreaking defeat to Central Florida. In both cases, coaching decisions have to be questioned.
-Before Kentucky played Mississippi State: Fans and media were talking about the possibility of playing a bowl game on New Year’s Day. After Kentucky played Mississippi State: Fans and media were wondering if Kentucky can become bowl eligible.
-Marshall will have a harder time recovering from its loss.
-I’ve watched more of the World Series than I expected even though it’s hard to root for the Yankees or the Phillies. It’s still baseball and I’m addicted.
-The Browns are more like the Clowns. Cleveland has lost 13 of 14. Nobody needs a bye week more than the tortured Browns’ fans.
-I’ll admit to being wrong about Brett Favre. I was on the Favre-should-stay-retired bandwagon. Well, the 40-year-old quarterback still has gas in the tank. He’s been amazing.
-O.J. Mayo was brilliant against the Nuggets on Sunday night. He scored 40 on 17-of-25 shooting but the Griz lost 133-123. Mayo also had five rebounds and four assists.
-Flip. That’s my television and computer shutting down for the night.
MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.
