Being a huge University of Texas fanatic, I thought I would keep a journal regarding the Rose Bowl.  Below is what transpired.

6:00 PM – One hour before kickoff.

WifeGeeding starts to cook dinner and mentions we are having some type of beef roast with noodles.  I politely let her know that I will be having my own food for dinner.  Roast and noodles just isn’t football food.  I mean, this is a big game, especially if you a UT fan.  It’s been a long time coming.  I head out to pick a pizza even though I’ve been dealing with a sore throat because of my allergies.

 

6:22 PM

Since Geeding Manor is out of beverages, I stop by the local 7-Eleven on the way home.  During checkout, I see they sell DVD’s behind the counter.  Not a big selection, but big titles like the latest Star Wars and Mr and Mrs Smith.  Question:  Who buys DVD’s at 7-Eleven?  I got a bag of nothing.

 

6:28 PM

Arrive home.  I catch sisterGeeding preparing funnel cakes.  Now we’re talking – THAT’S THE SPIRIT!

 

6:58 PM

Time to switch from regular TV to HDTV.  If everyone had HDTV there would be world peace.  Seriously, who would want to leave that quality of picture and go out and terrorize and stuff.  There, I did it, I solved the world peace problem.  Oh, look, a political ad by Gov Rick Perry, a.k.a. Gov Good-Hair.  You should see that hair in HD.

 

7:00 PM

- Keith Jackson speaks.  He’s one of my favorite Keiths and favorite announcers of all time.  Good times, good times.

- The whole graffiti thing ABC is doing regarding all these bowl games are stupid.  That’s it, lets promote destroying property - youth aren’t impressionable.

- Also, in case you are wondering, I’m not wearing any University of Texas paraphernalia.  I’m scared I would jinx the game.

 

7:04 PM

There’s that announcer dude that talks with only one side of his mouth.  I think his name is Aaron Taylor.

 

7:05 PM

- WifeGeeding sees Mathew McConaughey and all I hear is, “Oh yeah . . .”  I tell her to take a cold shower.

- Pretty good skit b/t McConaughey and Will Ferrell.

 

7:07 PM

You can download the game to your iPod?!?!   Prediction, one campus will not download any copy of this game.  I hope that one campus is USC.  Sidenote, I found out that the USC hand sign stands for victory.  Kinda prosaic if you ask me.

 

7:09 PM

- Just a thought, but I thought the Texas fans should be waving yellow roses instead of red ones.

- I love how the Rose Bowl is painted in opposing colors – just darn cool.  What I don’t like, isn’t this just a home game for USC like the Orange Bowl is a home game for all the Florida teams?  I hate this.

 

7:12 PM

The Air Force is singing some patriotic songs and lots of celebrity sightings in the stands.  Hey, The Fonz.  That Desperate Housewives plumber dude.  Several USC alums.  Huh, where’s OJ Simpson? Oh, look, Matthew McConaughey is on again and wifeGeeding once again says “Oh yeah . . .”

 

7:15 PM

All funnel cake is gone.  I didn’t get any.  Bummer.

 

7:17 PM

Leanne Rhymes is singing the national anthem.  Side note, she got married the same day I got married and I have not idea why I’m telling you this.  OH LOOK, A B1 Bomber from Dyess Air Force Base next to Abilene , TX does a fly over.  I interned there for a while when I was a college student.  That was cool.  

 

7:22 PM

Sandra Day O’Conner can flip my coin anytime.

 

7:24 PM

Those USC cheerleaders look naughty in their sweater uniforms.

 

7:25 PM

Reggie Bush is actually stopped.  Please let this be a sign of good things to come.

Matt Leinart looks like a pretty boy that needs his butt kicked.

 

7:28 PM

Three and out.  Good start for UT.  WHAT!?!?!  A fumble on the punt return.  Explicative. Explicative.

 

7:30 PM

Vince Young looks pretty darn angry.  I hope this is a good thing.

 

7:34 PM

USC scores.  Big downer.  All hope is lost.

 

7:41 PM

If you are on the 50 and face a fourth and one early in the game – PUNT PUNT PUNT!  ARGH!!!!!  Either that or have Vince Young go over the middle.

 

7:43 PM

Commercial for Dancing With the Stars.  Why would a football player ever subject himself to this.  Then again, I remember watching Mr Roger’s Neighborhood and seeing Lynn Swann perform ballet.  Wife receivers are metrosexual.

 

7:53 PM

Another dumber coaching call, this time by Pete Carroll.  If you have a chance to extend your lead, do it.  Or, if faced with a fourth and one AND you have Heisman winner Reggie Bush in the background – use him.  Thanks Pete for keeping the score close.

 

7:59 PM

Another UT FUMBLE!!!!  ARGHH!!!  I can’t take this.  Luckily UT recovered.  

 

8:01 PM

Hey, a Harrison Ford movie is coming out.  He’s been quiet as of late.

 

8:06 PM

First quarter over.  7 – 0 USC.  At least it isn’t a blow out – yet.

Also, I’m tired of seeing the Taco Bell ‘full’ commercial.

 

8:11 PM

Reggie Bush is one heck of a play, but he is pretty darn stupid.  Why the heck would he try to lateral the ball after such a massive gain of yardage.  But I have a feeling that won’t hurt his draft status.  Hopefully this is a momentum changer.  Hey, maybe he’s point shaving and is controlled by the mob?  Great players just don’t do stupid things like that.

 

8:17 PM

Another UT FUMBLE!!!!  My heart just can’t take this, and my dogs look at me weird when I yell at the TV.  As if to ask, what did the TV ever do to you, why are you yelling at it?

 

8:19: PM

Longhorns score a field goal.  At least it wasn’t a shutout.  Oh, the stupid Nokia ‘Duke of Hazzards’ theme song commercial is on again.  Another commercial that is simply getting old.

 

8:31 PM

USC is driving, and I think they are in the red zone.  INTERCEPTION!  What, it’s called incomplete.  Urghh.  What?!?  Instant replay!?!?  It’s ruled not only as an interception, but also a touchback!  Whoa, this is a good game.  Time for me to do my little ritual to get rid of the bad luck – not that I believe in that stuff or anything.  Too bad Jimi is the only person who gets this joke.

 

8:36 PM

Texas TE Thompson is one tough player to bring down.

 

8:39 PM

TEXAS SCORES!  What a crazy lateral by Vince Young, didn’t he learn anything from Reggie Bush earlier in the game?  Whoa, What!?!!  They aren’t going to review it?  He knee was totally on the ground before the pitch.  Guess that bad luck cleansing ritual worked after all.  The extra point was missed, but I guess I can live with that for now since the Longhorns have the lead.

 

8:43 PM

Just found out there will be U2 music at halftime.  Is this game tailored for chubby half-asian UT U2 football fans or what?

 

8:51 PM

Dude, did I just see someone on the Longhorn offense score a touchdown that didn’t involve Vince Young other than him handing the ball off.  I’m not celebrating until after the extra point because I simply just can’t believe UT scored and is leading by more than one score.  The EP is good.  Dude, is this real?  UT is winning.  Whoa.  Time for me to start running around the house singing ‘Texas Fight.”  

 

9:07 PM

USC makes a 43 yard field goal.  Score is 10-16 with Texas leading.  Stink, they had to score before the half.  Halftime is here.

 

9:19 PM

The USC band is playing, and they are wearing their sunglasses at night.  BAND GEEK ALERT!

 

9:27 PM

I didn’t know UT was ranked 2nd behind Harvard regarding national merit scholars.  Yes, I’m one of those that reads the scroll on the bottom of the screen.

 

9:34 PM

Finally, the second half is about to start.  Bowl halftimes are too long.  This one was roughly 26 minutes.

 

9:40 PM

ABC is showing Leinart’s father a little too much.  Not as much as the girlfriend/sister from that The Ohio State – Notre Dame game, but I hope I don’t have to see is mug again.  

 

9:46 PM

Touchdown USC.  They lead by one, 16-17.  All hope of a UT victory is lost.  USC is just good, and their coaching staff is really good at halftime adjustments.

 

9:50 PM

I just noticed that a bunch of USC assistants or staff are carrying around video cameras.  What’s up with that?  Wouldn’t it be great if they were filming a documentary of a winning streak coming to an end or a champion dethroned.  Eh, wishful thinking.

 

9:53 PM

Vince Young scores!  Dude, that only took seven minutes from the last score.  With the extra point that brings the score to 23-17 Texas .  Three lead changes thus far.  Good game.  Much better than Oklahoma last year.

 

10:03 PM

Touchdown USC on a fourth and one.  All hope is lost, they have the lead again.  24-23 Sigh.

 

10:12 PM

End of the third quarter with UT about to kick a field goal.  One more quarter to go, I hope I can make through the game without getting an aneurysm.  The end of the quarter commercial break is going to ice the kicker.  

 

10:15 PM

Missed field goal. What did I tell you.  USC still leads 24-23, all hope is lost.

 

10:29 PM

Touchdown USC.  Couldn’t hold USC Reggie Bush forever.  They lead 31-23.  All hope is lost.

 

10:36 PM

Texas gets lucky with a replay call.  Wonder what Vince Young can pull out of his arse to save this game.

 

10:40 PM

Another fumble by UT.  Once again go lucky with the recovery.

 

10:41 PM

Texas actually makes a field goal.  31-25 USC.  USC is just too darn good on offense and the Texas defense just keep cramping up.  All hope is lost.

 

10:46 PM

Roughing the passer call due to a great acting job by Leinart.  Guess living in the Hollywood area helps regarding acting skills.  Why do I have a feeling that during the NFL draft he is going to pull an Ely Manning or John Elway and will do whatever he can to not get drafted by the Saints.  I hope he gets VD.

 

10:47 PM

Touchdown USC.  They lead 38-26 with 6:42 left on the clock.  All hope is lost.  I think I just went through all five stages of grief and acceptance is setting in.

 

10:59 PM

Vince Young scores again.  He is simply amazing.  I am in awe.  It is a pleasure just to watch him play, as it is a pleasure to watch Reggie Bush play.  Score is 38-33 USC with 4:03 left in the game.  I think USC is just teasing UT right now.

 

11:06 PM

USC is at midfield and goes for it on fourth and two and DON”T convert. UT ball with 2:09 on the clock at midfield.  I’M GOING BONKERS RIGHT NOW.  THE HEARTRATE IS UP AND MY THROAT IS DRY AND MY BELLIE HURTS.

 

11:15 PM

30 seconds left in the game and it is third and five on the USC nine – IMCOMPLETION.  Fourth down.  I might just start drinking for the first time in my life.

 

11:18 PM

VINCE YOUNG TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I have said before – just a pleasure to watch him play.  Wow.  InVINCEable.  Truly amazing.  Only 19 seconds left on the clock. 

 

11:20 PM

Vince Young converts the 2 point conversion.  41-38 Texas over USC with 19 seconds still left of the clock.  Now I’m scared, Reggie Bush is back to receive the kickoff.

 

11:22 PM

Leinart takes the field with 16 seconds.  Shovel pass to Bush.  Eight seconds left on the clock and USC might just be in field goal range, on the Texas 43. 

 

11:24 PM

Leinart faces pressure . . . throws the ball away . . . NO TIME LEFT ON THE CLOCK!!!!!!!!!  Did I just type that?  No time left on the clock . . . that means the Longhorns of The University of Texas are NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.  The USC streak is broken!  IT’S A PERFECT SEASON FOR THE LONGHORNS!  41-38 is the final score.  I can’t believe how emotional I am!  I think I just peed my pants!  Wow, after a week of hearing how USC will dominate UT - all I can do is smile.  They talked the talk, and walked it.  What a great way to start off 2006!  Guess all the USC celebrities and celebrity-alumni can all go home and sulk in their Hollywood mansions.

 

Wow, what a game.  One for the ages.  Mack Brown has a HUGE monkey off his back.  Guess Vince just showed everyone who should have won the Heisman afterall.  467 total yards.  Guess I can’t legitimally complain about a Texas football game for five years.  I feel physically ill but I’m on cloud nine.  But for now, it’s time for me to break the bank and buy a plethora of UT National Champions merchandise.  I’m glad I decided to keep this journal. 

 

Many people live a lifetime never seeing their favorite team with the big one.  Luckily I have seen the Cowboys win three Super Bowls and now I just witnessed the Longhorns with the NCAA Football Championship.  Sports, what a great concept.