Well this was one of the most exciting games I have ever played it.
The weather was hot. In fact there has been nice weather the past 4 days. This was by far the hottest game day since we've been here. This took a toll on both teams, especially the players that are playing both ways.
The Crocs were in 3rd place coming to this game. They lost to the Roosters 2 or 3 weeks ago in overtime. So we knew it was going to be a good game. They like to pass the ball a lot too. So we knew it was going to be an airshow.
They got the ball first and the kickoff past the 50. They had really good field position all day when they were returnin kickoffs. On the first drive, we almost sacked the QB but he squirmed away and flung a side arm pass to a slant route for a TD. Their QB is from Canada and one of the best QBs in the league. So they went up 7-0. We stalled on our first drive and they stalled on their next drive.
Then we got things going and I hit Klaus on a corner route for a touchdown. Coach Haula being the genius that he is, instead of just kicking an extra point to tie it up we go for 2 and we make it. So now we are winning 8-7. Since we went for two and made it, if you know a lot about football, then you know the scoring is messed up for the rest of the game.
There was a lot of scoring on both sides. We were up by 5 at one point, and down 2. To tell you the truth I don't quite remember the game details off the top of my head, because we were going back and forth all game. So I will update this page later when I get the stats and look at the drive charts.
At halftime it was 25-19 and we were winning. We had 3 TDs and a FG, and they had 3 TDs but failed on all of their 2 point conversions.
I do have some stories about this game. In the first half, we had the ball on our own 40 yard line or so. We had a drop back pass play, and no one was open so I started running up the middle. Normally I run into about 3 linebackers and just fall on the ground so I don't get my head taken off, but this time everyone was on levels. If you think about it all the defensive guys are running from their receivers straight back to me, and I am running straight ahead as fast as I can go. So the first guy was a line backer and I gave him a juke to the left. Next, was a defensive back and I leaned to the right then shook to the left and he fell over. Its not that I have great moves, but the guy was running full speed at me so it is harder to make a cut. Then there was 2 DBs coming at me and this was about 20 yards downfield, I juked again and used a little stiff arm and shed them both. So now I'm in the open field, but I still have about 40 yards left to the endzone. I end up getting hunted down on the 12 yard line by the opposite corner. I ran out of gas, but it was the longest run of my life by far, so I felt I had to mention it. Some of you are laughing because you know about my running skills in college or lack there of, but people were saying how good of a run it was even after the game. But it was cool to get a long run like that.
Back to the game... after halftime, we couldn't get things going too much at least on the first 2 drives. Then we kicked it in and started scoring again. But so were they.... so lets skip ahead to the 4th quarter with about 9 minutes left. Trojans down 8 and not looking good, a bunch of our players had their head down. Teemu the running back got hurt, and Rio our corner got hurt too. On top of that 3 of our starting 4 receivers weren't at the game. Satola broke his collar bone playing that girly sport of soccer, Juha is on his honeymoon, and Antti has a fever. The only starter was Klaus.
But the Trojans weren't done yet. I led the troops down to score a passing TD and we ran in the two point conversion. Now the score is tied, with about 5 minutes to play. They go down and score again and kick an extra point. Now the wind is really out of our sails because they just responded when it appeared we had the momentum. So now there is 3 minutes left and we are on our own 25 down 7 points with no timeouts. Who wants Brett Favre in this situation when you have Brett Dietz? Obviously we drive down on some passes and some runs too. We get down to about the 25, and we are calling normal plays but also changing one receivers route almost every play. Mikko ran a crossing route and everybody cleared out. I had about 6 seconds to throw the ball, tons of time. He caught it on the five and ran it in. So now we just scored with a minute left down one. Do you think Coach Haula is going to kick it for the tie? Heck no, we go for two and I hit Scott for the two point conversion!!!
Now we are up 1 point with a minute to play. I come running off the field and Coach Haula stops me and says, "have you ever played safety before?" and I say, "yes," (Note: the last time I played safety was 8 years ago, a freshman in high school.... although, i did lead the league in interceptions as a 7th grader, haha). Coach Haula says, "okay, you're in!" On the kickoff, they bring it back to about their own 45, which is still good field position.
So I am playing the safety on the left side of the defense. They throw a 9 yard pass to the other side and get out of bounds. So its 2nd and 1. The QB rolls out to my side and a guy runs a corner in front of me but the QB thows it to the short receiver, incomplete. 3rd and 1, they try to throw a screen pass, but Klaus tips it down. 4th and 1. The QB rolls away from me and as he is getting sacked he tries a shovel pass, but the guy standing there is a lineman, incomplete. Game over, Trojans win by one. Final score Trojans 41 Crocs 40.
All pics from Trojans website Pics on my site Game stats