Behind the Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, September 6, 2007
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| Photo Gallery

Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

Big upset in ‘Big House’

If you saw any sports headlines at all this holiday weekend, it is a sure bet that two of the more prominent ones were about two most prominent victories. What really thrusts them into the field of prominence were the margins of victory and the teams which achieved them. It is said that no matter how small the margin of victory, it is still a victory.

First we will set the stage with some tidbits about the greatest conference in these here parts, the SEC. The first spear was thrown by the LSU Tigers of the Western Division with their dismantling shutout of Mississippi State last Thursday. The 45-0 score, as luminous as it sounds, comes early in the season and points to the carry-over reputation of the Tigers from the last season. It does not necessarily indict the Bullies’ program. After all, LSU is ranked at Number 2 in the Top 25.

There were no other SEC vs SEC contests on opening week and the rest of the members put up some impressive numbers against other conferences. Save one. We’ll get to that later.

How many of you have heard of Appalachian State? Hey, don’t beat yourself up. The hundred thousand plus fans who flocked to the Wolverines’ own “Big House” at Ann Arbor probably hadn’t either. They were there simply to watch their Number 5 Wolverines devour, in rollicking fashion, a team called the Mountaineers to open their season.

If you have scurried to look for the Mountaineers in the Big 12, the Big East, etc., don’t bother. As a matter of fact you won’t find them in any 1A venue. They’re in 1AA. They shocked Michigan and the entire sports world with their two-point win. A feat which might not be repeated in a lifetime, but will be savored for a lifetime by the unknown team from the hills of Boone, N.C.

Seth Adams didn’t have a stadium audience of a hundred thousand plus, but his first university start was witnessed by a sellout crowd from his Rebels. He blanked the Memphis Tigers for an entire half and then held on to give the Rebels their third consecutive win over Memphis. The margin of victory was just two points, but remember what was said earlier.

We are not going to blow this win all out of proportion because both teams have long, arduous seasons ahead. But this was an important contest for both teams and it furthers the cause of the University of Memphis eventually joining the SEC.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
Questions, comments, corrections: south@dixie-net.com
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page