MLB's Final Day, One of the Best Nights of Baseball Ever!

Heading into the final regular season day of the 2011 MLB season, two playoff spots still needed to be determined.  Four teams, the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays, were in the race for the final two berths.  The night began with the Yankees visiting the Rays.  The Yankees took an early 5-0 lead in the second inning, but three innings later their lead was up to seven.  At the same time, Boston held a 3-2 lead in Baltimore, putting the Rays in a near-elimination situation.  The tide quickly turned when Tampa Bay star Evan Longoria hit his first home run of the night, a three run shot to left.  The Rays finished with six runs in the inning and were within a run of their division rival's once seven-run lead.  As the top of the ninth began, the Rays sent out pitcher Joel Peralta, who held the Yankees to a three-and-out inning.  The game was still in reach for the Rays as the bottom of the ninth began.  Pinch Hitter Dan Johnson took advantage of the situation, hitting his second home run of the season to tie the game up at seven and send the game to extras.

At this point, the Red Sox and Orioles were set to resume a rain delay that lasted an hour and twenty-six minutes, but the excitement was yet to be seen.  The Red Sox brought in longtime Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth to finish off the Orioles.  They were within an out of accomplishing the task, when Baltimore struck gold with two straight doubles and a single, scoring two Baltimore runs.  Papelbon recieved credit for the loss as Baltimore stole the season finale 4-3.  Moments later in Tampa, Evan Longoria hit a 12th inning walk-off home run to give Tampa a steller 8-7 victory and the final playoff spot in the American League.  With Tampa's victory, the Red Sox were officially eliminated from playoff contention, even though they held a nine game lead in the Wild Card standings at the start of September.

In the National League, the Braves and Cardinals were fighting for the final National League playoff berth.  The Braves and Phillies began the night an hour prior to the Cardinals-Astros game, so Atlanta fans were expecting to be the National League game-watchers of the night.  Even with a ninth inning 3-2 lead in hand, this would not happen as Braves' closer Kimbrel gave up the game-tying run and the game was off to extras.  The Cardinals, on the other hand, became the NL game-watchers after shuting out the Astros and Chris Carpenter's complete game.  After the Phillies got out of an Atlanta first and third in the bottom of the twelfth, Hunter Pence hit the game-winning RBI to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead in the thirteenth.  Atlanta was unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning and St. Louis won the National League Wild Card.  The Rays and Cardinals became two of the biggest surprises of the baseball season after their nine and eight-and-a-half game deficits in the Wild Card standings at the start of the month.  The MLB playoffs should once again be a joy to watch after the incredible night in the Majors last night.

Dallas Comes Up Big on MNF Against Washington

Whenever the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins meet up, it is always an important match-up and with quarterback Tony Romo plagued by a rib injury, no one knew if he would last.  The 101st overall meeting between the two divison rivals would become a defensive brawl like no other and both offensive lines found it difficult to protect their quarterback.  The Redskins scored first with an early first quarter field goal, but their divison rival would respond later in the quarter.  The Dallas D came alive as they intercepted a Rex Grossman pass, caused a three-and-out, and blocked a Washington field goal in setting up Dallas' first lead in the game.  By halftime, the score was once again tied, this time at nine.  This was the second time in NFL history that two teams were tied at nine at the game's thirty minute mark.

As the second half began, the Cowboys received the second half kickoff and were determined to take yet another lead.  The drive began as a successful drive, but an overthrown pass by Tony Romo in Washington territory was intercepted by cornerback Kevin Barnes, giving Washington their first second half possession.  Quarterback Rex Grossman led the team down the field and scored the game's first touchdown with four minutes remaining in the third.  Although down, Dallas was determined to match Washington's score, scoring three field goals in their final four possessions.  Two late stops by the Dallas defense and a last minute fumble by Grossman confirmed the Cowboys' victory.  Dallas finished off Washington 18-16, with Kicker Dan Bailey setting a Cowboys' rookie record for most field goals made in a game.  The Cowboys return home next Sunday as they host the 3-0 Detroit Lions at Cowboys Stadium.

UTSA's 2nd Straight Loss a Blowout in Utah

As UTSA traveled to Utah to play the first road football game in team history, the team was coming off a nailbiting loss to McMurry at home last Saturday.  UTSA didn't want another first half shutout and scored a touchdown on their opening drive.  The tide quickly turned as Southern Utah scored thirty-eight straight points and held a comfortable lead in the game.

After struggling for most of the night to have an extensive drive, the Roadrunners responded in the second half with two touchdowns and a successful two-point conversion.  It wouldn't be enough as the Thunderbirds snagged the easy homecoming game victory 45-22 over the Roadrunners.  UTSA returns home to the Alamodome on Saturday for the school's first homecoming game and a surprising first losing record in school history.

UTSA "Still Undefeated" after Storming to School's First Victory

      September 3rd, 2011 was a long time coming for UTSA fans and alumni as their inaugural football season began.  Fans came out early and in large numbers as they filled the Alamodome, setting the modern day record for attendance (56,743) in a program's inaugural football game.  It turned out to be a great first game for UTSA as they won the coin toss and scored on their first three possessions.  With the help of an excited student section, the Roadrunners held a 21-0 lead over the Northeastern State Riverhawks by quarter's end.  Not much scoring occurred in the second, but the Roadrunners extended their lead with a field goal as time expired in the half.
      The Roadrunner defense continued to dominate as the second half began, but allowed the first opponent points in school history, a 22 yard field goal from Dylan Beers with 10 minutes remaining in the third. UTSA was not ready to give up just yet.  A 7 yard TD run by David Glasco II extended their lead to 31-3, which turned out to be the final score of the game.  Coach Larry Coker was a huge part of the innagural game victory and said not even his 2002 National Championship could stand up to yesterday's victory.  The Roadrunners return next Saturday to the Alamodome against the McMurry War Hawks and UTSA fans will be digging their "Still Undefeated" after the inaugural victory.