Recap Feb. 4, 2006

WEATHER: Turkey received rain and snow coming from central Mediterranean and the Balkans on Sunday. Meanwhile, Turks with satellite dishes were watching the football action in Venice, where it started a tad foggy before turning clear and 72 with no wind. Perfect.

GAME: A 2 ½-hour thriller that went back and forth. White finally prevailed, 38-32, on Anthony's third TD, in a game where there were only a handful of defensive stops. Well played by all!

PLAYER OF THE GAME: I'll give this one to the Dark fourth-down offense. They converted 9 of 10 fourth downs, including two of 20 yards. Now, a cynic might want to fault White's defense, but since this blog is spun positively, we won't mention it! David (Marino) did a great job on that down, as did his receivers. In contrast, White seldom went to a fourth down, mainly because of their amazingly efficient (and modest) QB.

TOUCHDOWN MAKER: Anthony led the way with three TDs, two on shovel passes and a third on a great grab in the corner of the end zone that was so clearly in, it was amazing that Dark even challenged it.

HIS SENIOR MOMENTS: We needed Jeremiah to start the game and he was taking his sweet time. He then came on the field but forgot his flag. He went back to do something else ("He's putting on his nails," someone quipped), then came back on the field … and still had no flag. An hour later, we started.

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE GAME: Bubba made a brilliant flag grab on Anthony on a fourth-and-1 that stopped White on the Dark 3. Black Jesus becomes The Freak!

NOT FOOTBALL, BUT FUNNY: Bubba passes on this great clip from South Park of Tom Cruise "stuck in the closet." Check it out.

HUSTLE OF THE DAY: I hit Columbia Brian (one of our three Brians, and he went to that fine university) on a long slant that looked like a sure TD. But Patrick came from the other side, timed his dive perfectly and made the grab (not bad, considering Patrick twisted his ankle on the first play of the game). Brian did catch a TD pass a couple of plays later.

CONTROVERSY: Oh, for replay. Brian (Puff Daddy) made a great deflection of a pass that was heading to the ground. Zach dove and got his hands under the ball (or did he?) for a pick. Eventually, after the U.N. Security Council met in emergency session, Dark conceded the interception, which was sporting of them. Either way, Zach made a brilliant play.

ASSESSMENT OF THE DAY: "I didn't drop a single pass all game!" Jeremiah said after. He had about a half-dozen catches, only one that was bobbled (see photo above), and a nice TD in the back of the end zone. Wearing stick-em instead of lube will work every time.

MOVE OF THE DAY: Jeremiah was still in wonder on Toby's great move and catch on him. Marino threw a great pass, Jeremiah had wonderful position, but Toby still made the catch. He then walked over and handed Jeremiah the ball. Well done!

LONG TIME: It was great having Matthew and David Hinders back after a long absence. David had some nice grabs, including one where he tumbled like a Bulgarian acrobat. Matthew, meanwhile, made several catches, including a great one where he bolted between two tacklers and tumbled into the end zone.

GOOD HANDS MEN: Bubba made a great snag of a 2-pointer between two defenders. He was more aggressive than Jack Abramoff hustling an Indian casino. … Columbia Brian made a brilliant catch off a nice 2-point pass from Puff Daddy, going up high and spiking it out of the air (see 2nd photo above). … Zach became Air Zach on going quite high over the middle to haul one in.

NOTABLE: A heads-up play by Patrick on getting a TD on fourth down. The ball was batted up instead of down at the goal line and fell right into Patrick's hands as he ran behind in the end zone. … Columbia Brian was an awesome pass rusher, garnering about four sacks and showing great flag-grabbing skills. … Brian Rubin was clutch on several fourth downs and had a nice grab for a TD. … I liked Peter's catch for a first down in the middle of traffic. ... I thoroughly enjoyed the Walter and Jeremiah battle when we played man. They spoke more than they played, which made it all the more enjoyable. … A great call by Dark on a 4th-and-10 shovel pass to Walter that caught White flat-footed for a first down.

SCHEDULE: We are back Saturday Feb. 11, same time and place.