With the memory of many brutal defeats still fresh in their minds, the Commas opened Fall 2009 with a commanding win over one of the league's new teams, Johnny Utah's Heroes. Early in the game, Daniel scored on a routine crossing route, and Oxford never looked back. From there, the defense hassled the Heroes' quarterback into committing multiple turnovers, with pressure coming from both Jon"The Law" and Gonzo. (There were literally too many of those clips to show below.) As a result, Daniel had two interceptions, Brian had one, Kari had her first as a Comma, and Ash and Matt came really close to stealing one themselves. Oxford was well on its way to its first shutout ever.
Meanwhile, the offense scored every time they touched the ball. A possessed (and very sweaty) Alex led the way with three touchdowns and a conversion; among them was a great leaping catch at the back of the end zone. Dayne both threw a touchdown and caught a conversion, while Michelle got the first score of her Commas career.
The Heroes were a cool group of people--we hope they don't take their sweet time to win their first one like we did. As the newer teams come together, the games will get much tougher than this one.
If you're a football addict, you can watch virtually the entire game here. Photos are here. Thanks again, Gina.
Before we get to the choice highlights, have a look at The Inspirational Football Clip of the Week. There will be a quiz.
Daniel turns a quick pass into a score.
Brian catches the conversion, and his reward is a guy sitting on him.
Ash earns push-ups for herself by admitting she doesn't know a play. Meanwhile, Alex catches a screen pass.
Gonzo fights for extra yardage.
A scramble followed by Alex's first touchdown.
Daniel's first interception. Beware the flailing arms.
Get a load of this guy: Alex "intercepts" a ball intended for Ash. Even T.O. has never done that.
Then he backs into the end zone for a score.
Matt bats a pass away, but the receiver chases it down for the amazing catch.
I saw this all day long: Jon and Gonzo pursue the QB, then the linebackers (in this case Ash and Michelle) close on the ball.
Dayne catches one. Sideline gawkers agree: it's "Nice, nice."
Dayne: "Brian's open."
Robert: (trying to be cool like Captain Sully) "Hold on."
Dayne scores a conversion after Daniel's second touchdown.
Pressure from Jon leads to an interception for Brian.
Alex in your face! You could almost strip the ball from him!
Gonzo's turn to be in your face.
Michelle makes a leaping catch and holds on in traffic for the score.
Kari intercepts the ball.
Matt grabs a pass.
Dayne throws a touchdown to Alex.
Jon bats a pass away. I love this sh*t.
Kari passes to Brian. Brian says, "Thank you."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Commas Undefeated (Technically)
After a long off-season filled with contract squabbles, holdouts, questionable draft picks, and a dog-fighting ring (thanks, Ashley), the Commas regrouped with big expectations for their third season. For their opening scrimmage, they were pitted against a yet-to-be named team of Zog veterans, a squad that would have slaughtered the Commas back when they were just an expansion team. But Oxford held their opponents scoreless for the first few drives, until a couple of bobble-catch TDs put them behind 12-0. Before the half, Oxford put points on the board thanks to a score by Brian. But the team in black answered, making it 18-8.
After halftime, Oxford used the Wildcat offense to put more points on the board, with Jon "The Law" B. hitting Daniel for a long touchdown bomb. The two teams traded scores, but only the Commas could convert the two-pointer, which allowed them to close within 25-22. Later, Oxford was able to force a turnover the red zone, thanks to Elyse's relentless pass rush. But then, a phantom TD on a blown call (see below) allowed the unnamed team to pull ahead for good. Oxford scored again to close the game, but things were out of reach at that point. Final: 38-31.
Still, there are high hopes for Week 1, with Oxford looking to build on its performance in the drive for the playoffs.
What's that, Mr. Fat-Ass NFL Fan? You're stressed because your team signed a dog-killer? You're concerned that your pretty boy quarterback might hurt his knee again? You're worried that a punter might hit the jumbotron at your billion-dollar stadium? Bite me. This is where the real action is.
Photos are here.
And here are the highlights. Thanks, Gina.
Alex in the flat:
Commas denied:
Big play for The Team with No Name, but Iain saves a touchdown:
The bad guys score first:
Almost to Alex:
Good catch by Brian, but he's out of bounds:
Good defense by the Commas, but the ball gets tipped right into the receiver's hands for a score. A jogger is almost killed:
Brian scores:
Daniel catches the two-pointer, cutting the lead to 12-8.
Iain hustles, and almost comes up with the INT:
Big bomb from the bad guys:
Daniel scores after signaling that he's open by yelling, "Oh my god!"
And then he scores the two-pointer again. Commas are down 25-22.
Elyse puts on the pressure, while Jon gets the steal:
Michelle tackles the opposing player, but the call is for a TD anyway.
If that play had taken place in the early 90s, it would have been included in this video:
Gonzo takes the shot, holds on to the ball:
Kari completes a long pass to Daniel:
After halftime, Oxford used the Wildcat offense to put more points on the board, with Jon "The Law" B. hitting Daniel for a long touchdown bomb. The two teams traded scores, but only the Commas could convert the two-pointer, which allowed them to close within 25-22. Later, Oxford was able to force a turnover the red zone, thanks to Elyse's relentless pass rush. But then, a phantom TD on a blown call (see below) allowed the unnamed team to pull ahead for good. Oxford scored again to close the game, but things were out of reach at that point. Final: 38-31.
Still, there are high hopes for Week 1, with Oxford looking to build on its performance in the drive for the playoffs.
What's that, Mr. Fat-Ass NFL Fan? You're stressed because your team signed a dog-killer? You're concerned that your pretty boy quarterback might hurt his knee again? You're worried that a punter might hit the jumbotron at your billion-dollar stadium? Bite me. This is where the real action is.
Photos are here.
And here are the highlights. Thanks, Gina.
Alex in the flat:
Commas denied:
Big play for The Team with No Name, but Iain saves a touchdown:
The bad guys score first:
Almost to Alex:
Good catch by Brian, but he's out of bounds:
Good defense by the Commas, but the ball gets tipped right into the receiver's hands for a score. A jogger is almost killed:
Brian scores:
Daniel catches the two-pointer, cutting the lead to 12-8.
Iain hustles, and almost comes up with the INT:
Big bomb from the bad guys:
Daniel scores after signaling that he's open by yelling, "Oh my god!"
And then he scores the two-pointer again. Commas are down 25-22.
Elyse puts on the pressure, while Jon gets the steal:
Michelle tackles the opposing player, but the call is for a TD anyway.
If that play had taken place in the early 90s, it would have been included in this video:
Gonzo takes the shot, holds on to the ball:
Kari completes a long pass to Daniel:
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