Here’s a tip of the hat to one of my all-time favorite television shows, Pardon the Interruption. ESPN’s longest-running and highest-rated sports talk program celebrated its 25th anniversary of sports journalism excellence this week. With veteran hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon providing insight into the world of sports in an informative and entertaining way, often at odds with each other’s opinions, PTI has become must-see television for all sports enthusiasts.
With a format that has changed little over the years, a variety of guest commentators, and fascinating give-and-take between the two hosts, the combination never fails to give viewers quality information and food for thought. Here’s hoping that we’re going to be blessed to have at least a few more years of PTI to look forward to on ESPN!
Goodnight Canada!!
Two games of the World Series are in the books, with Milwaukee posting two close wins at home over Tampa Bay. The champions of the NL and AL are basically the same teams in makeup and philosophy of play, with the difference in the opening games being the outstanding work of the Brewers bullpen. Action continues Monday night with the next set of games being played at the home of the Devil Rays. National television executives are dying a thousand deaths at the thought of two “small market” franchises being on air but this promises to be a great, hard-fought Series between two equal squads. Don’t miss it!!
A few quick thoughts on this weekend’s college football games:
Second-ranked BYU lost in double overtime to UCF, an outcome which no doubt pleased Notre Dame fans who thought the Irish were “homered” at Provo the week before.
Indiana survived a tough encounter in Ann Arbor, beating Michigan in overtime and actually, I think, caused Coach Curt Cignetti to break into a small smile (I really enjoy his State Farm Insurance commercial!).
The Bearcats of Cincinnati pulled off a major upset with a home field win over #8 Texas Tech, making my neighbor Gary Lloyd, a UC grad, a happy man!
How about wins by undefeated UCLA over Michigan State, Minnesota claiming the Floyd of Rosedale trophy over Iowa, Wisconsin over USC (always enjoy seeing the Trojans lose!), and Illinois shooting down the Ducks of Oregon! Also, the Red Devils of Eureka (IL) College remained winless, losing to the Lakeland Muskies 58-20. Here’s today’s trivia question—who is Eureka’s most famous alumnus?
And the Greenville University Panthers were tamed by the Eagles of Northwestern (MN) 40-10. What’s interesting is that Greenville, Illinois, is on the Route 127 exit off of I-70!
Is it just me or is Arch Manning the most overrated quarterback in college football? The Texas signal caller with the famous family lineage constantly gets national press coverage but is statistically only the eighth-ranked quarterback in the SEC at present. Worthy of being a first-round NFL draft pick?
After sleepwalking through the first half of their game with the Ravens, in which they only had possession of the ball for less than eight minutes, the Bengals finally woke up and thoroughly dominated the last two quarters in pounding Baltimore 35-13 and remaining in contention in the tight AFC North. It was only the tenth time in NFL history that a team was shut out in the first half and scored 35 in the second. Talk about a swing in momentum!!
The tournament trail has begun in high school volleyball, soccer, and cross country as late October approaches. Local teams in the OHSAA Southwest District who have advanced in volleyball include: #3 seed Eaton in D-IV; #1 Versailles and #2 Arcanum in D-V; #6 Tri-Village in D-VI, while #8 Newton will advance to face #9 National Trail this coming Tuesday; and in D-VII #1 Russia, #8 Covington, #11 Mississinawa Valley, and #15 Ansonia all lived to see another day. Unfortunately for Greenville, the sixth-seeded Lady Wave were upset by Chaminade-Julienne in D-III first-round action. For complete brackets and upcoming games, visit the OHSAA website.
Congratulations to Tippecanoe on winning the MVL Miami Division football title (allowing only six points in the last seven regular-season games) and to Fairborn and Xenia for sharing Valley Division honors. Also, applause for Marion Local once again taking the MAC; Tri-Village repeating as WOAC champions; Springfield hoisting the GWOC trophy; Oakwood and Valley View sharing SWBL Buckeye Division laurels; and, in the Three Rivers Conference, Covington, Miami East, and Riverside splitting the crown three ways.
All of these champions will participate in the OHSAA Southwest District football playoffs, with Tri-Village the #1 seed in D-VI; Marion Local the top seed in D-VII, with Ansonia #2; and Tipp slotted at #2 in D-III behind #1 seed Bellbrook. Again, follow the brackets at the OHSAA website.
And from the Dayton Daily News—can you believe that this is the 60th anniversary of the third “Peanuts” animated TV special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”? Good Grief!! You know you enjoy watching it every Halloween!
Finally, Eureka College is the proud alma mater of 1932 graduate Ronald Reagan! The 40th President of the United States played football for the Panthers, participated in theatre and the debate club, worked on the school newspaper and yearbook, and served as student council president. Sounds like good training for his future years in Hollywood and Washington, DC!!
