BOX Football - Game 2 vs. Miami (OH)

Another beauty of a day at Stade BOXLeft as the Redhawks come to town.  When we originally scheduled this game it looked like an opportunity to beat up on the local patsy down the road.  Then Miami went out in week one and upset Florida in Gainesville.  That was unexpected.

We're on TV for the 2nd week in a row and the pre-game guys focus on a Miami LB.

1st quarter -
Miami gets the ball first and picks up a first down on a 3rd and short but hold on...
Flag on the play. Holding. March it back 10 yards and then on 3rd and 10 the Miami QB tosses up a duck which I settle under for the INT.  BOX ball!
Nick to T-Bird for a 17-yard TD. After so many drops by the TEs T-Bird was so surprised when he caught the ball at the 5 that he didn't start running again right away. BOX 7-0.
After the kickoff I find out apparently Nick got hurt on the play. Strained neck, should return shortly.
Miami does not take kindly to being scored on. 5 plays later they drop a pass in right over my head for a long TD. 7-7.
The tie doesn't last. 5 plays back the other way and Nick hits a wide open Jandy for a 21-yd TD. BOX 14-7.
The Miami QB passes 100 yards with 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter. This is more impressive because we're only playing 8 minute quarters.
But on 3rd and 3 Miami makes the mistake of trying to run the ball. Pete sees it coming and drills the RB for a 2-yd loss.

2nd Quarter -
Oops. 3rd and 10 Miami blitzes and Nicks off-balance throw is intercepted. Miami ball at the 30.
Miami moves the ball close enough for a FG. BOX 14- Miami 10.
After several successful Dave and PJ runs, Nick hits Werley on a quick slant.  Werley gets hit at the 6 but drags 2 tacklers towards the endzone. He stretches and...
FUMBLE! Bob drops the ball at the 1-foot line. The ball rolls into the endzone. Louie dives for it, and ends up pushing the entire pile up forward enough so that Werley ends up right on top of the ball. TD! 21-10.
3rd and 1 Miami, they run a counter and MRBaum flies in from the safety position and blows up the play.
We try busting out the Outside The BOX offense, but PJ's wildcat pass is batted down at the line. Sad.
Then the drive stalls. Laura hits a 37-yd FG. BOX 24-10.
D forces a 3 and out. Going to get it back with 1:40 in the half.
Miami has not scouted the "send everyone right, run left" play. 1st down at the 3.
Ouch. Kaylor is down after landing on his head while trying to catch a cross in the endzone.
3rd and goal. No one is open so Nick takes it in himself for the TD. BOX 31 Miami (OH) 10.
Kaylor has a hip, but is expected back.
Miami drives all the way down the field, has 1st and goal at the one but gets stuffed with 6 seconds left. Even though they're trailing by 21, they kick a field goal. What a bunch of wusses.

3rd Quarter -
The question everyone was asking at halftime: How the hell did these guys beat Florida?
The news just gets worse for Miami. They're starting running back got hurt on the goal line play at the end of the half and will not return.
Nick hits Jandy in the endzone! but Jandy gets blown up, drops the ball and doesn't get up. Strained abs. Should return.
Laura hits a 33-yd FG to restore the 21 point lead. BOX 34-12
Another 3 and out followed by another Laura FG. BOX 37-12.
On the ensuing kick off Jay comes up with his tribute to Tecmo and makes the kicker tackle.
Shalvi then forces a bad throw which Woodyard intercepts.
At the end of the 3rd this one is all over but the stats. BOX 37 Miami 13.

4th Quarter -
Hope you had Laura as your fantasy football kicker. She hits her 4th FG of the day from 47. BOX 40-13.
After Werley lets a long gainer go right through his hands, Jay actually comes on to punt for the 1st time all day.
Katy K. gets the 1st BOX sack of the day.
Miami's back-up RB then busts a 73-yard TD run. The Monkey chews out the defense.
Dave recovers the onside kick.
Nick gets hurt again as we officially enter stat-padding time.
Laura's 5th FG of the day. 43-20.
Another long Miami TD. Apparently our D has gotten bored. 43-28.
This time Nick does not come back out so we run all WildBOX offense with PJ at QB.
5 plays later PJ hands it to Dave on the end around and it's 50-28 BOX.
MRBaum forces a fumble which Ray recovers and returns 20 yards before HE fumbles it. Luckily it rolls out of bounds. One last chance to run it up.
WildBOX offense doesn't work so well this time, but Laura does hit her 6th FG of the day.
Final score - BOX 53 Miami (uh OH) 28.

Play of the game is the first Nick to T-bird TD.
Laura was the Player of the Game.
Stats are here.

The only lingering question is how badly is Nick hurt.