they stole the clocks; we stole the game

Sometimes it feels great to be wrong. Like when you go to buy something, ready to pay full price, only to find that it's on sale. Or when you think you've lost something forever and find it at the bottom of your closet. Or when you've given up all hope of winning a heated rivalry football match-up, and you find yourself sadly (or elatedly) mistaken.

Kell assured me (and anyone else who would listen) that State would win the always-tumultuous Egg Bowl, but I wish I could say I held complete faith in the Bulldogs the entire game. In fact, we toughed out three grueling quarters of the Rebel-led contest only to wander out to a friend’s tailgate to finish watching the game on a tiny TV complete with rabbit ear reception. I don’t understand the infamous, questionable 4th quarter call that created the perfect storm, I probably never will, and it really doesn’t matter. When the tides began to turn the way of the Dawg, we ran back into the stadium and squeezed our way into some empty space near the goal line. The next thing I know, the game is tied, there’s 18 seconds left in the game, and I’ve completely forgotten how cold I am. Adam Carlson, who has to be dying for some last-second field goal redemption, places a kick that seemed to just inch through the air in slow motion, and the eyes of all 51,727 attendees were glued to the pigskin as it sailed right down the middle of the uprights. Even watching the replay of the game today, I still don't believe it.

Burly security guards stood between the fans and their desire to celebrate with the team on Scott Field, and game operations had the goal posts down before anyone could think about it. It’s just as well since I’m sure I would have gotten trampled and left by my husband, who was almost comatose with excitement. Maroon-wearers everywhere seemed to be in a state of euphoria mixed with shock, and I think I heard “Can you believe that game?” over 100 times between then and right now. It took seeing the Starkville Daily News front page and reading articles on the internet for it to really sink in. Pretty silly emotions for just a game, right? Maybe. But not silly to Coach Croom, his staff or his players. And not silly to the thousands of Bulldogs that are still pinching themselves. Hey, good thing Ole Miss isn’t able to get fired up to play in Starkville. If they had been, that loss might have been painful.

On another, but equally exciting, note, The Twins are 1 year old today! Exactly 365 days ago, the world became a wilder, albeit cuter, place. O and C enjoyed a cake/sandwich of wheat bread, turkey and peanut butter decoration. They were careful not to mess up their maroon and white. Happy Birthday, Olive and Charlie!