Armchair Weekend in Review (October 26-28, 2007)

Sox sock it to the Rox

The Boston Red Sox did what was the previously unthinkable: win another World Series and not wait 86 years to do it. The Colorado Rockies came close on Saturday night in Game 3, but the Sox eventually pulled away, 10-5, behind Daisuke Matuszaka's solid pitching and rookie Jacoby Ellsbury going 4-5 with a double and 2 RBI. The Sox locked up the Series 4-1 the following night, with third baseman Mike Lowell getting MVP honors.

In other news

During the Sox' Game 4 romp, there was word concerning their archrivals, the New York Yankees: Third baseman Alex Rodriguez had decided to opt out of the remaining three years on his contract. This come as a surprise, considering his career year this past season.

On campus

Highlights of three noteworthy games from a big Saturday in college football

The juggernaut that was the USC Trojans continued to erode with a 24-17 loss to Oregon in Eugene. Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon threw for 157 yards, and got his only touchdown on the ground. Running back Jonathan Stewart made Comedy Central out of the USC defense, getting two scores along with 103 yards on 25 carries.

Ohio State proved its number one BCS ranking with a 37-17 win against Penn State under the lights in Happy Valley. Todd Boeckman threw for three touchdowns and over 250 yards as the Buckeyes remaine undefeated.

The World's Largest Cocktail Party saw Georgia fans get drunk with glee after their Bulldogs ousted the Florida Gators, 42-30, in Jacksonville, Florida. Knowshon Moreno was the toast of J-Ville and Athens, Georgia, getting 188 yards on 33 carries and three six-pointers. If you're a Dawgs fan, buy a round at The Varisty Club for him, will ya?

NFL Week 8

The NFL's first foray into the UK wound up like the weather in London: ugly. The New York Giants weathered a late touchdown by the Miami Dolphins (Cleo Lemon to rookie Ted Ginn, Jr.) to win 13-10 at Wembley Stadium. The first attempt may not have turned as brilliant as the league had planned, but expect them to try another international effort sometime in the future.

Peyton Manning added the Carolina Panthers to the list of teams he has beaten, playing a small role in the Colts' 31-7 win. Despite throwing for only 254 yards, Manning also got three touchdowns, passing the legendary Johnny Unitas for the franchise's all-time TD pass record.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has also beaten all of the 31 other teams in the NFL, blowing out the Washington Redskins 52-7.

During the week, it was uncertain whether or not the San Diego Chargers would play Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, as Qualcomm Stadium was being used as a shelter for evacuees of the wildfires in Southern California. But, the situation was soon put under control and the Bolts went on to smoke the Texans, 35-10. LaDainian Tomlinson got only 90 yards on 17 carries, but they really didn't need him as the Chargers defense took the headlines. Adrian Cromartie got two interceptions, one of which was reutrned for a touchdown, and recovered a high punt snap in the end zone for another score.

Over the border

Michael Bishop led the way with 145 yards passing and a touchdown in the Toronto Argonauts' 16-8 doubling up of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, taking first place in the Eastern Division in the process. The Bombers' Milt Stegall got only one catch for 10 yards, so it is unlikely that he will break Allen Pitts' yards receiving record this year, since next week is the CFL regular season finale.

When Ricky Ray went down due to injury, the writing was on the wall for the Edmonton Eskimos vis-à-vis the playoffs. Official confirmation came when the Esks lost to the Saskatechwan Roughriders, 36-29 in overtime. Sean Fleming would have kept the Esks alive with a 47-yard game-winning field goal, but a holding penalty made it nill, null and void.

One team that will be in the playoffs will be the Montreal Alouettes, who weathered a ten point Calgary Stampeders rally to win, 33-32. Marcus Brady went 16 for 23, throwing for 260 yards, a touchdown and an interception filling in for Anthony Calvillo.

- Speaking of whom, our best to Calvillo's wife who is fighting a battle with lymphoma.

The BC Lions, led by Jarious Jackson's 206 yards passing and two scores, got by the Hamilton Tiger Cats, 27-19.

Across the Pond

As London played host to part of the NFL this past weekend, let us focus on the London clubs in our look at fútbol doings:

Arsenal looked as though they would be dealt a loss at the hands of Liverpool, but Gunners striker Francesc Fabregas netted the equalizer in the 80th minute to secure a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea gave new manager Avram Grant a lot to grin about in handing Sven-Goran Ericcson his biggest loss to date as Manchester City manager, 6-0. Blues striker Dider Drogba scored two goals in the rout.

- INTERESTING SIDENOTE: The Giants trained for their NFL matchup against the Dolphins in the shadow of Chelsea's home ground of Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. lost to Blackburn Rovers, 2-1, with Christopher Samba winning it in injury time.

Fulham drew away at a shorthanded Sunderland, 1-1. The Black Cats lost defender Greg Halford via a red card in the 63rd minute.

Fast Track + Odds and Sods = Crazy Delicious

Jimmie Johnson closed to within nine points of Jeff Gordon after taking his seventh win of the year at the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Kudos to Curlin, who all but put himself at the front of the Horse of the Year class by winning the 2007 Breeder's Cup Classic at Monmouth Racetrack in New Jersey. Hard Spun placed 4 1/2 lengths behind the Steve Asmussen-trained horse, while Awesome Gem got a surprising show (3rd place in horse racing parlance).

The New Jersey Devils NHL team opened their new playpen, the Prudential Center, with a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres wrapped up their Florida roadtrip with two big wins. The first win came on Friday night with a 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers thanks to a late goal by Danny Paille. The following night, the Sabres got a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning thanks to a late overtime goal from Thomas Vanek.

Ye Olde D's

Dude of the Weekend

The city of Boston: The Red Sox win the World Series, the Patriots are 8-0, the Celtics seem to be relevant again, the Bruins are doing alright (though noone really seems to care), and Boston College's football team is undefeated with Matt Ryan a Heisman Trophy candidate. Are you guys on a roll or what?!

Dope of the Weekend

Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Griese, who was at the epicenter of a ballbreaking 24-17 loss at home to the Detroit Lions. Griese got four interceptions despite throwing for 208 yards in the game.