Idaho - 10-20-12

I am still recovering from this war that we just fought. I know Matt takes one game and one kick at a time and that is what his focus is, but on this one I can't. I can not let it go. I know I should be thinking about Idaho now, but this track meet is still running around in my head. We came so close and the recovered on-sides kick got us right where we needed to be. CC's pass to RH was just perfect and the 50/50 2 point play just did not go our way. CFD let this thing go! I need to get this "Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda" out of my thought process. Go get your Mr. Potato Head out, sit on the floor and get your mind right for the Spuds.

I am still damn proud of this never quit and never give up team. I need to uncover some dirt on these potato head people. What is a Vandal? They say don't use your dictionary to find Idaho's definition of a Vandal. No, Idaho's student-athletes go by a name earned nearly a century ago by a basketball team coached by Hec Edmundson, whose teams played defense with such intensity and ferocity that sports writers said they "vandalized"  their opponents. Really? That can not be the real reason they are called Vandals. I guess that is what can happen when you live in Moscow. We are the ones who are going to cause damage and destruction.

The potato heads will feel vandalized when we get finished with them. That nickname needs to go back in the ground and grow some more. I talked to Matt a couple of times during the week. He said he felt good and his nasal pressure was starting to calm down. He said he was kicking the ball well and was trying to limit his amount of kicks during the week so he can continue to stay fresh during the game. They continued to work on the left corner for kickoffs and he played around with some new on-sides kicks. I asked Matt if they were truly focused on Idaho and he said that is all they are focused on. He said the coaches do a great job keeping them focused on the game at hand and nothing else.

He said the practices have been intense but very focused. We made our way to Ruston late Friday afternoon. We met my parents at the hotel and then headed to Matt's to gather all of the tailgate stuff and then headed to our tailgate spot. After all of the tents and tables were set up it was time to kick back and enjoy a few adult beverages. I am ready for this team to move me forward to another victory. After some grub at WOW and a nice bottle of red wine we called it a evening. We made our way to the stadium around 8:30 so we could get everything setup for an awesome day of tailgating and watching these Bulldogs take care of business.

After everything was setup it was now time for the Bloody Mary bar to open up and I was ready. On our menu today was a baked potato bar, chopped beef stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon, Earl Campbell Hot Links and chicken & poblano peppers with queso sausages. The potatoes were on the grill and the family and friends have arrived. What an awesome day! Bobby had made it in and his tailgate tents were set up. He was making Red Beans & Rice in this awesome Jambalaya pot ( I want one) and Bradly & Bryan were doing ribs and crayfish bread. The food is cooked and the adult beverages are flowing.

I don't know what it is, but after cooking I am never hungry  I am always thirsty though. I did get to sample Bobby's red beans & rice and it was to die for. Then Bryan brought over some crawfish bread and it was amazing. After all of that Bradly brought over some ribs and some more of this awesome crawfish bread. Man was it good! We really do have great tailgate neighbors. Is it game time yet? We see the band make their way down to tailgate alley and we know the team is close to arriving. We see the buses and make or way over to watch the team make their way to the field.

We see Matt and I give Matt a big bear hug and told him to go have fun. After a few more adult beverages we make our way over to the stadium. It's game time so let's get this part started. Matt kicks off and Idaho fumbles and Tech recovers the ball at the 1 yard line. Are you kidding me? KD takes the hand off and takes it in from 1 yard out. Matt connects on the PAT and just like that Tech is up 7 - 0. Matt kicks off and we stop Idaho at their 12 yard line. Idaho runs 3 plays and has to punt. Tech takes over at their 34 and runs 5 plays as KN runs it in from 2 yards out. Matt connects on the PAT. Matt kicks off we stop Idaho at the 26 yard line.

Idaho runs 2 plays and scores on a 58 yard pass play. Tech takes the kickoff and runs 9 plays as RH takes it in from 5 yards out. Matt connects on the PAT and Tech is now up 21 - 7. Matt kicks off and Idaho takes it to the house for a 92 yard touchdown. What just happened? Tech takes the kickoff and starts at their 25 yard line.Tech runs 5 plays as KD runs it in from 1 yard out. Matt connects on the PAT and just like that Tech is up 28 - 14. Matt kicks off and hold Idaho to their 14 yard line. Idaho runs 5 plays and has to punt. Tech starts at their 15 and runs 10 playes as CC hits QP for a 20 TD pass. Matt connects on the PAT and Tech is now up 35 -14.

Matt kicks off and Idaho runs 2 plays as the 1 st quarter comes to an end. Wow! I am out of breath and we have 3 quarters left. The 2nd quarter starts as Idaho runs 1 play and has to punt. Tech starts at their 26 yard line and runs 5 plays as CC hits MW for a 36 yard TD. Matt connects on the PAT and Tech is now up 42 - 14. Holy Cow! Matt kicks off and we have a touch back. Idaho runs 3 plays and has to punt. Tech starts at their 45 yard line runs 6 plays as KD takes it in form 7 yards out. Matt connects on the PAT and Tech is now up 49 - 14. I am exhausted! Matt kicks off and Idaho starts this drive on their 23 yard line.

Idaho runs 7 plays and Tech stops them on their 4th down and 21 yard attempt. Tech takes over at their 21 yard line and runs 8 plays as RH fumbles and Idaho runs it back 84 yards before the ball is knocked out by QP at the 1 yard line. Idaho runs 1 play and scores a TD. Tech is now up 49 - 21. Tech takes the kick off and this drive starts at their 39 yard line and runs 3 plays as KD takes it in from 2 yards out for a TD. Matt connects on the PAT and Tech is now up 56 - 21. Matt kicks off and Idaho starts on their 18 yard line. Idaho runs 2 plays and LL intercepts the ball. Tech runs 4 plays and Matt Nelson comes in to kick a 43 yard FG and it is no good.

I am not sure what happened. Janet said it looked like it barely missed left. Idaho takes over and runs 1 play as the half come to an end. Tech is up 56 - 21. This is just incredible! Where is this team going to take us next. How do you score 56 points in one half? Tech starts the 3rd quarter with the ball and runs 10 plays and does not convert on a 4th down play. Idaho takes over at their 27 yard line and runs 9 plays and they fail at their 4th down attempt. Tech takes over at their 20 yard line and runs 5 plays as KD runs it in from 20 yards out and score a TD.

Matt connects on the PAT and Tech is now up 63 - 21. Score more points! Matt kicks off and Idaho will start at their 21 yard line. Idaho runs 4 plays and fumbles the ball as Tech recovers the ball. Tech starts at the Idaho 44 yard line and runs 7 plays as ZG runs it in from 3 yards out for a TD. Matt connects on the PAT and Tech is now up 70 - 21. Wow! This is a lot of points. Matt kicks off and Idaho will start at their 23 yard line. Idaho runs 3 plays and punts, Tech runs 3 plays and fumbles and Idaho runs 2 plays and Tech intercepts as the 3rd quarter comes to an end. I am in need of some oxygen!

Idaho scores a TD in the 4th quarter as we exchange possessions the rest of the 4th quarter as Tech wins 70 -28. What a game! That is a ton of points! This offense is amazing! This team is amazing! KD is a beast! RH is a beast! CC is a machine! RA is a weapon! MN is amazing! What else can I say? We made our way to the field house to see Matt. We got to talk to RA and VC before Matt came out. Matt had several family members and friends there so it took him a while give each person a hug and thank them for coming to the game. I got a hug and asked a couple of questions like I was some reporter. I need to refrain from those questions and wait until later but sometimes I can not hold back.

He said his leg still felt good but he knew later in the night he would be sore. An ice bath on Sunday would cure any soreness and put him back on the road to recovery. I asked him about his missed FG and he said he hit the ball well. It went a couple of feet left of the left upright. He would have to wait to watch film on Sunday, but if he had to guess is that his plant foot was probably straight at the left upright instead of being pointed more towards the center of the upright. We made our way back over to the tailgate spot. Earlier in the day we met a young man who plays soccer and wants to be a kicker and he wanted to meet Matt. We told him and his family that Matt would be with us after the game and their son could meet Matt.

He was waiting for us when we got there and Matt introduced himself to him and they talked soccer and football for a little bit and then Matt held the ball for him as he kicked some balls in the parking lot. It was really pretty cool to see and Matt loves to help these kids in anyway he can. I was very proud of Matt. We picked up a few things and then headed to Chili's for a late night dinner. I sure wish Ruston had more of a late night restaurant choice. It seems like everyone closes right after the game. After dinner we headed back to the hotel. It had been a long exciting day and this kid was tired. My parents were heading back to Florida early and we were going to meet Matt at the tailgate spot at 9:30 for take down and then store it back at Matt's house.

We say our goodbyes and head back to North Dallas. My reflections of the game are awesome. I am just on the ride and I am waiting to see where this team takes me next. They play hard until the bitter end and they execute when they are called upon. I am very proud of each and everyone of them. I will leave the potato head game here. It is time for me to get my mind right for the maroon Aggies of another mother. New Mexico State in Las Cruses is up next. I am not sure how many point we will score, but I do like our chances of coming away with another Tech victory. I always think their fight song is hilarious. Their fight song goes like this: Aggies, Oh Aggies! The hills send back the cry, we're here to do or die! Aggies, Oh Aggies! We'll win this game or know the reasons why! And when we win this game, we'll buy a keg of booze, and we'll drink it to the Aggies till we wobble in our shoes! I have a feeling that you will know the reason why!

That is an awesome fight song. A special thanks to Donny Crowe, Louisiana Tech University and Tom Morris for the use of some of the photos used in this blog. What a blast it is and we are so blessed to have the honor to watch Matt Nelson and this La Tech team. I appreciate all of those who are following my journey. I can't wait to share my thoughts with everyone as the season goes on. It is such a blast to follow Matt Nelson through his eyes and this Bulldog football team. I write from the bottom of my heart and what my feelings are at that time and sometimes I get carried away. I am very passionate about La Tech Football! I am just a College Football Fan and I Love College Football! Until our paths cross again have a blessed week! College Football Dad!