San Jose State 10/29/11

I think I have finally recovered this week and I am getting back to normal after my week prior in New Orleans. What an incredible win we had at Utah State. I am very proud of the guys and I know they put their heart and soul into that win! Even though it was very difficult for me to know what was going on during the game I am so glad we got another road win over a very good football team. I still was not super excited with some of our clock management and some of our play calling. That is just me! I am sure some people worship our play callers, but I still don't understand. When you have a coach who gets off the bus at home games and walks by himself and not with the team needs to be reminded the there is no "I" in TEAM! I need to move on before I get all lathered up again. It is time to get my mind right for the head dress wearing, spear throwing Spartans from San Jose.

Since these spear chucker's are fresh off of a win over the hula girls, they are going to flying pretty high when they arrive Ruston. Don't they know it is homecoming weekend and we schedule teams we can beat on homecoming? I personally feel like our guys are peaking at the right time. I really feel good about this game. So Spartacus get ready to take a butt woopin in Ruston. I did get to talk to Matt a few times this week. He felt good except his back was in knots. I told him he needed a good massage from the legal places. He thought that was funny! He said he was kicking the ball good in his workouts and with the team. JC was going to be snapping again. He said the team had a lot of focus and the energy/emotions were pretty high. I did not ask about any strange kicks this time because the practice them every week. He said they might go for more hang time instead of distance this game.

This would allow the kick coverage more time to get down field I guess. Overall Matt was excited and was ready for game time! We made our way over from North Dallas late Friday afternoon. My parents (John & Carol) were coming over from The Villages, FL for the game as well as Janet's parents (Bob & Margaret) from Spring, TX and her Uncle David from Murphy, TX. We met my parents at Matt's house and loaded up the tailgate stuff and headed to the stadium to setup. That is my favorite part is getting it ready and enjoying a nice adult beverage. We decided to eat at El Jarrito for dinner. This was a pretty happening place and the margaritas were 2 for 1. You can't beat that! The food was ok and I would go back again. After dinner we headed back to the Fairfield Inn. After a nice bottle of red wine it was time to call it a night.

The morning came early and after a few cups of coffee and a nice visit with Mr. Garland it was time to head to the stadium. What a great day for football! Chile Dawgs and Frito Pies were on our menu for the day. Since the game was early I was not fixing breakfast. My breakfast of choice was a good ole spicy bloody mary. I wish more people were here early to tailgate. It is such an awesome environment. Kicking back with family and friends does not get any better. Mr Harper was bringing his wife (Betty) to the game. I had never met her before so I was excited for the opportunity. Mr. Rust and Mr. Hamm hung out with us as well. The chile is heating up, the beer is cold, the dawgs are on the grill, the frito's are singing "sauce me", the world famous cheese ball is waiting and the brownies are in need of some Blue Bell. I knew I forgot something!

The weather is perfect today! Food is served and man does it hit the spot. This is some mighty fine tailgate food with some might fine people! We hear the sirens and know the team is close by. We head over and get in line so I can get my head nod. This is my indicator that all is well and I can have a few more cold beers. It is game time and I am heading in to find my seat. The family is already in the stadium. They like to go watch Matt warm up. Up Up and away! The kickoff is away and this game is underway! Both teams have to punt on their first possession. SJSU then throws the ball for a very nice CB interception. Tech takes over at the SJSU 20. After a 1st down we run 3 plays and Matt comes in and boots a 25 yard FG. I like it! The kickoff is away and it is in the end zone for a touch back. Where have you been all of my like? Awesome kick! SJSU comes back with a TD and SJSU is up 7 - 3. On our next possession we rack up 45 yards in penalties.

What are we doing? Tech punts and the 1st quarter comes to an end with SJSU up 7 - 3. There is still plenty of time, no worries! The 2nd quarter starts off with a bang as Tech scores on a RC 21 yard run making the score 10 - 7 Tech. Now we are talking. SJSU scores next on a 60 yard bomb and then Tech matches it with much more with a 90 yard bigger bomb to QP. Wow! The PAT is good and Tech is up 17 - 14. On Tech's next possession Tech gets down to the SJSU 8 yard line and Matt comes in for a 26 yard chip shot. I am behind my camera lens and it is no good! What just happened? This is not normal. I don't know if he hit the ground first or the spot was off or what. I guess I will find out after the game. Matt will be one hot cracker! SJSU throws an interception JJ returns it to the SJSU 13 with 51 seconds on the clock.

We run 3 plays with a nice little pass to QP and the half comes to an end with Tech up 24 - 14. I am liking this! The offense is moving the ball and our defense is playing well. We start the 3rd quarter with a 12 play drive and LC pounds the ball in from the 1 yard line. The PAT is good and Tech is up 31 - 14! Wow! Let's go Dawgs! On SJSU's first play in the 3rd quarter JD intercepts the pass and takes it to the house. The PAT is good and Tech is up 38 - 14. This is awesome! SJSU scores late in the 3rd quarter and fails on a 2 point conversion and the 3rd quarter comes to an end with Tech up 38 - 22. Let's go defense! This is our game! The 4th quarter starts off punting back in forth and at the 3:18 mark SJSU scores and fails at another 2 point conversion.

Tech is up 38 - 28. Let's run this clock out! Oh yes we did! We just won this ball game! Can you believe it? I am so happy for these guys! This is so awesome! I did not go to the field house after the game. I knew Matt would be very excited with the win, but personally he will be beating himself up inside. Sometimes you just have to get it out of your system by yourself. I went back to the tailgate spot and celebrated with a ice cold Blue Moon! I tried to pickup somethings before everyone else made it back over. When Matt arrived I got a big hug and a smile. You could tell he was excited! I told him great game and what a huge win. You know me! I had to ask what happened! He said it does not matter if it was a bad spot, a bad snap or a fat wedge that it will always be on him.

I left it at that and he said he would watch film tomorrow and he will get it corrected. That young man get it! He is so far ahead of me in his mental thinking. Thank goodness he got that part from his mother. We took off to Chili's to go pig-out and celebrate this great win. We finished off our night with a nice bottle of wine and this guy was hitting the sack. Sunday morning came early and we made our way back to the tailgate area to load up the stuff and take it back to Matt's. My parents were staying in Ruston Sunday night. They went to church with Matt and then cooked him and his roommates steak, mac-n-cheese and roasted new potatoes for dinner that night.

I wish I could of stayed for that meal but the dogs were calling and work was around the corner. I don't say this enough, but I want to thank all of my family members who make their way from several hundred miles to come to the home games every Saturday! It really means a lot to us and we are very grateful for all of the support! Bulldogs you played your heart and soul out and came away with a great victory. I am very proud of each one of you. Everyone played fantastic! Stand-up and rise Bulldog Nation. We have a WAC Championship to go get. PS: Mr. Rust, I have your cooler! The Battle of the Bone is staring us in the face. Nobody takes our bone! Let's get this straight from the beginning! Pat Hill is an awesome coach and will have his team ready. Fresno St is going to be a tough game.

It is a 9:30 central time game on ESPNU. Fresno St has some offensive weapons. I know our defense will be ready to attack. Our players will be ready for whatever is thrown at them! There is only one real Bulldog and that belongs to La Tech! Let's bring this bone back home baby! Best of luck Saturday night Dawgs! Make us proud! It is such a blast to follow Matt Nelson through his eyes and the Bulldog team! I write from the bottom of my heart and what my feelings are at that moment. I don’t intend to ruffle any feathers or hurt anyone, but I am very passionate about La Tech Football! Everything I say comes from beneath my feathers! I am just a College Football Fan! Don’t forget to listen to my friends at Bleed Tech Blue on ESPN 97.7 every Tuesday night at 6:00PM.

May your Football Season be filled with many Football Victories, Sunny Smiles, Sandy Dreams and Travel Your Way! May your Football Season be filled with many Football Victories, Sunny Smiles, Sandy Dreams and Travel Your Way! Until our paths cross again, have a blessed week! College Football Dad!