A sports blog for a day

If this were a sports blog, I'd be forced to deal with The Ohio State University's double overtime win against Penn State Sat. last.  TOSU benefitted from one questionable call and one non-call.  The questionable call was an interception that wasn't.  The non-call was a field goal that was kicked about three seconds after the play clock hit 00.  It should have been a five yard penalty against TOSU.  Instead it was 3 points.

Here's the deal.  As my high school coach used to say, as much as you may hate them, the referees will never cost you a game.  Do not put yourself into a position where they can.  It's sort of like Dope voter fraud.  Republicans need to get out and get enough votes to off-set one of the Dope's natural constituents - cheats.

So it is with regard to the interception.  The play itself resulted in no points.  It was called an interception on the field.  As one not to embrace replay reviews, I subscribe to the thought that the officials are just part of the game, like a gust of wind that blows a pass off target.  As George Washington used to say, $h!t happens.  Shut up and play defense.

Same with the field goal.  How did TOSU get into position to kick the filed goal in the first place?  Don't put yourself in a position to let the officials decide the game and they won't decide the game. 

Another coachism: The bad calls tend to even out over a game and the year.  So it was Sat. when PSU benefitted from two questionable roughing the passer penalties that kept drives alive.  Play on.

Last, and as a former huge Joe Paterno fan, it's hard to point out.  Any university that allowed a pedophile to run rampant on campus for decades ought not be complaining about an official who missed a call or two in a football game.  It is not as if the officials averted their eyes while TOSU players sodomized PSU players.  So...