Saturday, December 05, 2015

The Twelve Days of Gheorghemas: Day Two

On the second day of Gheorghemas, Big Gheorghe gave to me...

Two in-state rivalries
And a dork with a split personal-ity

The God of Gheorghemas has truly blessed the Tribe this festive season, giving us a pair of revenue sport blood feuds on this first Saturday of December. (Also, I insist that you do a Ghoogle image search for 'god of gheorghemas', sans quotes. It'll fill you with the gholy spirit.)

At noon, W&M runs it back against the University of Richmond in the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs. The Spiders thumped the Green and Gold a mere two weeks ago in the regular season finale, winning 20-9 and costing Jimmye Laycock's team sole possession of the CAA title and a certain first-round tournament bye.

W&M played like they actually had that bye for long stretches, almost losing to an underdog Duquesne squad before squeaking out a 52-49 win.

Spidey's won four straight against W&M, though the longtime rivals have never met in the postseason. Richmond dominated both sides of the ball two weeks ago, keeping W&M out of the end zone, turning the Tribe over three times, and rushing for 227 yards. Jacobi Green ran 36 times for 217 of those yards.

Tribe tailback Kendell Anderson needs 77 yards to break Jonathan Grimes' single-season school rushing record of 1,431 yards. W&M's turned the ball over seven times the past two weeks, after only giving it up ten times in the season's first ten weeks.

Sometime in the middle of the third quarter of the Tribe/Richmond game, the 5-2 W&M hoops squad tips at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville against 10th ranked UVA. In what seems to be a theme, it's been a while since W&M beat the Hoos. Twenty-one years, to the day, as a matter of fact. The Tribe's last win over Virginia is old enough to drink legally.

In 1993, W&M came close to knocking off a ranked Cavalier squad. As Daily Press scribe Dave Fairbank wrote at the time, "There was The Drought, then The Comeback, which was culminated by The Shot. That was followed by The Disappointment. William and Mary spotted 15th-ranked Virginia 23 points in the second half, came back and forced overtime before falling 93-84 Monday at W&M Hall."

Those were the days of (Kurt) Small, (David) Cox, and (Derrick) Peters. I mention that for no other reason than, c'mon, Small, Cox, and Peters? Best set of guards ever, at least in name. (If you Ghoogle "small cox and peters", the only hits you get are from G:TB. Proud day, friends.)

That game may have been the highlight of
Chuck Swenson's W&M tenure
I attended that contest, staying in my seat while Clarence, Buck, and handful of other FOGTB left after W&M fell behind, 61-38, with 11 minutes remaining. I stayed because I'm a true fan, and true fans don't...nah, I stayed because I was there with a girl, and she was cute, and she wanted to be there with me, and that didn't happen very often back then. But I stayed, nonetheless, and got to see Small's game-tying, buzzer-beating three-pointer cap the Tribe's comeback and send the game to overtime.

This year's UVA squad has scuffled a bit in the early going, losing to George Washington and barely escaping a young Ohio State team earlier in the week. The Cavs will be without starting point guard London Perrantes, though they'll still have Malcolm Brogdon and Anthony Gill.

Hoops junkies will really dig this one, as W&M brings one of the nation's most efficient offenses to face UVA's stingy pack line defense. The Tribe's claimed one ACC scalp already this season, easily defeating North Carolina State. Only the most optimistic W&M fan would predict a similar outcome this afternoon.

And only a wildly selfish Tribe fan could hope to win both of today's contests.

But it is the most wonderful time of the year, and a boy can dream.

97 comments:

T.J. said...

I threw you a curve by changing day one after you wrote this, obviously

Clarence said...

As Marston would tell you, don't talk about Small, Cox, & Peters without mentioning the big Duff. (Swingman Sean)

rob said...

yeah, need to make an edit

zman said...

You can buy a gun even if you're on the terrorist watch list? How does that make sense?

Danimal said...

UT up 17-0, or rather 38.5-0 if you took UT. To go 3-0 on the week thus far.

rob said...

liberty, zman. liberty.

rob said...

tribe looking good against spidey. by good i obviously mean, 'like dogshit'.

TR said...

I'm no Merrill Hoge, but I would guess that giving up 100 yd pick-sixes does not help your chances of winning.

zman said...

Jimmye Laycock is a fantastic new school rapper name.

TR said...

Volunteering to take your kid to a b-day party when he's old enough to get dropped and there's a fantastic beer bar five minutes away is one of the savviest decisions I've made recently.

Drinking a dozen vodka tonics last night - less savvy.

zman said...

Tribe needed 7 there.

rob said...

banner afternoon for the green and gold

Danimal said...

Jmu in a close one so they are destined to lose too.

rob said...

tribe had it to within 7 with 7 minutes to go. too much uva down the stretch, but that game was closer than the final.

TR said...

Derrick Henry will be Ron Dayne 2.0 in the NFL.

zman said...

I respectfully disagree. Dayne had no speed, just size and a great line in college. Bama has a great line but Henry's size and speed are abnormal. He might not be the next Adrian Peterson but at a minimum he will be a serviceable starting back.

Dave said...

a dozen vodka tonics? yikes . . . that makes me feel better about my alcohol consumption, which is why i come here.

TR said...

Steph Curry: 9 of 15 on his 3-pointers today. 44 pts. Yawn.

zman said...

TR lives in fear of malaria hence all the tonic.

Danimal said...

So who is watching what tonight? Roll call.
I am laying out on my lanai with a blanky, cigar, and bourbon n gingah watching the Clemson game. It is pretty glorious I gotta tell ya. Clemson UNC

rob said...

big 10 championship here. and elf.

rob said...

oh, and it's a wonderful life

zman said...

Twin Peaks marathon continues in zhome. I could write a thousand words easily about why True Detective season 2 is a Twin Peaks ripoff.

Danimal said...

Recording elf. Going to introduce the kids to it tomorrow. Can't wait.

Danimal said...

Book rec: Living With a SEAL. Funny as hell with some inspiration to boot. Very quick read.

Danimal said...

And can someone tell me why these 3 games are on at the same time? Geesh!

mr kq said...

x2 on the bourbon n gingah. ACC - 1, Big 10 - 1A, highlights on computer of USA beating All Blacks TWICE in Dubai 7's, porn on phone. Just kidding on the Big 10.

rob said...

wait, we beat the all blacks again?

mr kq said...

Beat them on the whistle in pool play. Then beat Springboks in the quarters. Lost to England on last play of match in Semi's. Then crushed All Blacks in 3rd place match.

rob said...

#goldmedalforusrugbyinrio

mr kq said...

#zackly

zman said...

If you like bourbon and ginger you should try Grown Up Soda ginger ale as your mixer.

#onetogrowon

TR said...

Two Roads Double IPA here. In full toggle mode b/w the games.

Been a long day in the TR house. My 8 y/o and 6 y/o boys had their first wrestling "tournament" this morning, ignoring my hangover-inspired desire to sleep in. It was an introduction to a whole new crowd of asshole dads pressuring their kids. There was one match today where two coaches on the same team and a dad were barking at one 8 y/o boy at the same time, each from less than five feet away. Most of the 8 y/o matches ended with a kid crying. My 6 y/o, however, kicked ass. Lots of his peers had no idea what they were doing, and ended up getting thrown around a bit and then contorted in a half Nelson. Awesome for me. Less so for them.

Whitney said...

In a tux watching Lee Ann Womack belt it out in support of a good cause. Just exchanged Tribe condolences with Pres Reveley en route to the men's room. Much aplomb on his part. Maybe he just really had to take a whiz.

mr kq said...

Dabo seems like a Dabobag.

rob said...

green flash imperial ipa up in here. gonna be good and hungover tomorrow. i used to love bourbon and ginger. it's too sweet for me now. and the ginger just dilutes the good stuff.

Danimal said...

Herby and Davis I are the best in the biz. Herby...no one better at breaking down a play within seconds of it ending.

Danimal said...

Only if you put too much in Rob.

rob said...

agreed on the tv crew, danimal. herbie did a great job on that clemson touchdown. second time tonight he's called the play before it happened.

TR said...

Second on Dabo. I wish the announcers would call him out when he has hissy fits on his players. He had three separate outbursts at the poor punter. Each one looked over the line.

And now he goes and sandbags the punter in his halftime interview. Douche.

TR said...

Dabo getting ripped on the Twitter. Justifiably. I I was that punter's dad, I would punch that dildo in his schnozz.

TR said...

Great job by Sparty punter to dive and earn the personal foul. He's the bizarro Clemson punter.

rob said...

text from my wife at the busta rhymes show: 'more pot than i've ever experienced at on show'. and also, 'mariah carey came onstage for a few songs, looking and sounding like a hot mess'.

mayhugh said...

Michigan St Iowa is the best 6-3 game I've seen this year, thanks in part to Gus Johnson, who somehow makes football games sound like pugilism.

The first season of Twin peaks was 10-12 years ahead of its time. But no show fell off as quickly after a successful first season. I stopped watching maybe 90 seconds into the second season, and I'm comfortable with my decision.

rob said...

wu tang just took the stage

rob said...

pugilism is an excellent word

TR said...

Jeff Samardzija just got himself a 5-yr, $90 MM deal. He was 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA last year, and had a losing record in each of the last six years.

Danimal said...

Yeah but he can catch a football real good.

TR said...

Nihilism > pugilism

rob said...

no, donny, these men are nihilists

TR said...

UNC fake punt was a travashamockery.

rob said...

balancing out clemson's?

Danimal said...

One last comment on dabo and the punter....he was laying groundwork should they lose. (Which they aren't but he did not know it at the time) He was thinking that a possible "Clemsoning" was in the works. #psychoanalysis

rob said...

wife is happy to report that she just heard naughty by nature perform 'hip hop hooray' live. i did the same thing in 1990. circle of life.

Danimal said...

Anyone else getting a shit ton of spam from The Donald? Or just the conservative in the group?

zman said...

Nice marmot.

mayhugh said...

I'm just gonna go find a cash machine...

rob said...

donald-free zone up in here, danimal

zman said...

Grown Up Soda's ginger ale is very dry. Give it a whirl by itself.

Is GFK at the show?

rob said...

i'll ask, but she'll have no idea. apparently mary j blige just killed it, and fetty wap just went on.

rob said...

that was a cool moment in indy

Danimal said...

Dagger for Iowa. Ferentz has crazy incentives in his package too. National championship would have wielded 1.5m. And final four was another big #. Molly McGrath is hot. Irish too. That doesn't happen often.

rob said...

molly mcgrath does seem nice, danimal. in a giada delaurentis sorta way.

zman said...

McGrath went to BC which is where the nicest Irishwomen can be found. Giada is on another level despite the fact that the Internet says she is romantically linked to Bobby Flay, who may or may not be January Jones' baby daddy and is thus divorcing one of the blondes from Law and Order. Flay killin' it! Who knew?

Danimal said...

Slayer Flay they call him.

So Musvhamp gets gig at S. Car. The last two coaches reportedly have memberships at a club down the road in Georgia. My guess is that Will won't be so lucky.

Danimal said...

And Giada....hubba hubba. I met Flay at a Jags game a few years ago as we were both heading to the pisser. He's a little fella.

TR said...

I like Molly, but would like her more if she gained 5-10 pounds. Her meat don't shake.

And I'm shocked at the Giada love. She's pretty annoying. My wife and I have watched and mocked her for years. Her former husband was a total boob. He would sit around like a tool, while she would whip up crazy meals. But surprised to see her trade up as she got more rich and famous.

TR said...

Should read "Not surprised to see her trade up..."

T.J. said...

who has day 3?

rob said...

cosign the notion that molly could eat a cheeseburger or two. the giada comparison is based on the fact that they're both tiny blond ladies with giant heads. giada doesn't do much for me.

zman said...

On second thought, you're right, there's nothing appealing about a thin but curvy independently wealthy woman who likes to lavish her man with world class food and travel.

Danimal said...

Before today knew little about Giada. Have seen enough to think she's kind of hot but not enough to know she's annoying or that her ex was a tool, so lay off!

rob said...

bit of a different angle on the issue of womens' body shapes. my 14 year-old daughter is a dancer. she's very fit, with muscular legs and toned abs. she's also short, and a little bit stocky, and will never have a willowy frame, given the genes that mom and dad have passed along. in the last month or so, she's been obsessed with the notion that she needs to lose weight - keeps telling us that she's fat. it's maddening and frightening at the same time.

rob said...

in completely unrelated news, there's a sex podcast hosted by the flat hat that's called 'just the tip'. i see you, youngsters.

dave, for your gheorghemas writing interests: https://soundcloud.com/theflathat/vaginas-are-not-endless-caverns?utm_source=hootsuite

Clarence said...

Need the Jets to start playing like they played the Skins, dammit.

Clarence said...

They just jumped offsides on a punt, giving the Giants a first down. How very Skins-ish. Nice.

rob said...

mls cup was a fun, fun soccer match.

rob said...

hold up. olivia wilde had a child with jason sudeikis? strong work on his part. she's the most beautiful human being i've ever seen in person.

Clarence said...

Um, Rob, that's a bit insulting given that you've seen me in person.

zman said...

I bet he meant that Wilde is the most beautiful human being he's seen naked in person. That would explain the apparent error.

Clarence said...

Can anyone explain how the shitbird Eagles beat the Pats?

Dave said...

this giants season is chinese water torture.

Squeaky said...

I missed all the Tribe activity on Saturday but it was for a good cause. My wife got a limo for my b-day to shuttle a bunch of us guys around to breweries in Boston. 6 hours of drinking good beers not a bad way to spend a Saturday.

Shlara said...

I caught a St. John's game this weekend at MSG. They have a Frosh PG from Italy who is fun to watch.
Too bad no one can find Big East basketball games on TV

zman said...

Is it worth paying extra to get a 4K TV? I'm torn between a 1080p non-smart Samsung and paying $200 extra for a smart 2160p LG. I don't need the smarts (I have Apple TV) but I might want the extra pixels.

TR said...

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

Danimal said...

Z....just bought a 4k a month ago. So far so meh. I watch nothing with the 4k but the kids do and it is pretty darned good especially the animated stuff. Of course in a year or so the premium will be close to $0. Assuming this is your last TV purchase for a while I would spend the caysh.

Squeaky said...

$200 is worth it. Everything will be 4K in a year or two and you most likely won't buy another tv until zson throws a ball through it.

Whitney said...

ORF Rock at 7pm

wodustudios.com

Guess the theme!! Dave, I defy you...

TR said...

Spurs beating the Sixers by 49..,

TR said...

How many hours in a Gheorghemas day anyway?

Marls said...

69

zman said...

Duh.

rob said...

i am, at this moment, looking from my hotel window into the parking lot where scott weiland died. that's weird and sad.

Clarence said...

Refs really making their presence felt here tonight.

Marls said...

That may be the greatest terrible football game of all time

mr kq said...

As is Douchean Jackson, Clarence.