October 4, 2024

Around the world in 80 seconds

Last year’s sports editor stole my spot this week, but the world still goes ’round, so here we go.
The Marlins won the World Series.  The Vikings finally didn’t win a game, but Virginia Tech feels their pain. The world of sports is always changing.  As a famous quote says, “That’s why you play the game.”  Here is what happened in the games played last week.

This archived article was written by: Jeremy Jones

Last year’s sports editor stole my spot this week, but the world still goes ’round, so here we go.
The Marlins won the World Series.  The Vikings finally didn’t win a game, but Virginia Tech feels their pain. The world of sports is always changing.  As a famous quote says, “That’s why you play the game.”  Here is what happened in the games played last week.
Baseball:  The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees by a score of 2-0 last Saturday in New York to win their second franchise World Series title.  The Marlins won the series four games to two.  Josh Beckett pitched a shutout to clinch the series and MVP honors.  The Marlins also won the World Series back in 1997, becoming the franchise that had won the World Series the fastest since their first year.  Now, with another World Series championship seven years later, the Marlins are the franchise to have won two championships the fastest.  On the other side, no one had won a World Series game against the Yankees in New York since 1981 when an injured Kirt Gibson of the LA Dodgers, knocked out a homerun to win it for the Dodgers.  Also, Yankee owner George Steinbrenner spent a whole lot of money to get the talent that he has.  In return, he expects that talent to win.  Since they didn’t, many people feel that there will be some major changes in the Yankees coaching staff and players this off-season.
College Football:  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  It does not pay off to be in the top 25 sometimes.  Just ask Virginia Tech.  The number-three-ranked Hokies went to unranked West Virginia a heavy favorite and still in contention for the national championship.  They left totally humiliated.  Mountaineer tailback Quincy Wilson rushed for 178 yards and quarterback Rasheed Marshall threw for a touchdown and rushed for another.  When it was all said and done, West Virginia came out on top 28-7.    Also, the Wisconsin Badgers, ranked number 17, were 3-1 in the Big 10, tied for second with Ohio State and Michigan, going into their game against 1-2 (3-4 overall) Northwestern.  It looked like a blowout on paper, but again, “That’s why you play the game.”  Northwestern won 16-7.  The top 25 bug also bit number 20 Arkansas against Ole Miss.  With their solid defense, Ole Miss came out on top, 19-7.  Number 14 Northern Illinois miracle undefeated season also came to an end on Saturday against Bowling Green.  Quarterback Josh Harris threw for an amazing 438 yards and three touchdowns in the win.  Harris also threw completions to seven different receivers.  Northern Illinois tried to mount a comeback with a 15-point third quarter, but it wasn’t enough.  Bowling Green won 34-18.  The win moved Bowling Green to number 20 on this weeks poles.  
On a more local note, the University of Utah was ranked 23 before their game against the University of New Mexico.  Even though the Utes were at home, the Lobos proved too tough, beating the Utes 44-28.  And finally, number 15 Michigan played number 10 Purdue in Ann Arbor.  It was predicted to be a close game, but Michigan was picked to win.  Michigan did win, but it wasn’t close.  Final score:  Michigan 31, Purdue 3.  Here are some scores from the top 25 that managed to win:  Ohio State 35, Indiana 6; Iowa 26, Penn State 14; Minnesota 36, Illinois 10; Nebraska 28, Iowa State 0; Georgia 16, UAB 13; USC 43, Washington 23; Florida State 48, Wake Forest 24; Oklahoma State 38, Texas A&M 10; Tennessee 51, Alabama 43; Washington State 36, Oregon State 30; Oklahoma 34, Colorado 20; Texas 56, Baylor 0; LSU 31, Auburn 7, TCU 62, Houston 55.
NFL:  Coming into Sundays action, there were two teams yet to be beaten.  After Sundays games, there’s only one.  The Kansas City Chiefs kept their perfect record in a big way, beating the Buffalo Bills 38-5.  However, the Minnesota Vikings can’t say the same.  The New York Giants traveled to Minnesota and came out with a win.  Giants quarterback Kerry Collins threw for 375 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Giants.  The win moves the Giants to 3-4 while the Vikings drop to 6-1.  Here are some other scores from the NFL last weekend:  New England 9, Cleveland 3; Carolina 23, New Orleans 20; Tampa Bay 16, Dallas 0; Tennessee 30, Jacksonville 17; Baltimore 26, Denver 6; Chicago 24, Detroit 16; Cincinnati 27, Seattle 24; St. Louis 33, Pittsburgh 21; Arizona 16, San Francisco 13; Indianapolis 30, Houston 21; Philadelphia 24, NY Jets 17.