RESULTS

Classic City Classic, Athens GA. November 4-5 2006

Attending: Geo, Jerod, Chuck, Tallis, Justin, Marcus, Mike, Jeff, Joel, Colin, Sean, Pete, Kevin, Jake, Kyle, Chris D., Josh D., Josh L., Andy, Luke, Ranger, Paul, Calvin, Charlie, Chris Y.

Saturday Pool Play

• MagnUM, Michigan (13-4 W)
• UFUCT, Florida (10-12 L)
• Sideshow, Delaware (9-11 L)
• Wolfpack, North Carolina State (8-13 L)
• Dozen, Texas A & M (13-4 W)

Sunday B Bracket Play

• En Sabah Nur, Pittsburgh (12-15 L)
• Burning Couch, Michigan State (15-10 W)
• Leadbelly, Ohio State (13-4 W)

Saturday Recap

After a desperate struggle to negotiate the continental breakfast at the HoJo, Grey Duck took the field ready to meet any challenge. With smothering "D" (6 team blocks) and a workman-like "O," Minnesota made surprisingly quick work of Big Ten rival Michigan.

Defending National Champion Florida proved to be a more formidable opponent. The Minnesota offense remained strong and the defense was formidable, but in the end Florida's skill and experience proved to be just enough to squeek out a 12-10 victory over Grey Duck.

Both the offense and the defense struggled to find their earlier consistancy in the game against Delaware. Though the defense had moments where they were able to shut down the Sideshow, they were unable to convert turnovers into scores. Meanwhile the offense, though generally finding a way to convert, lost the rhythem that made it look so easy in the previous games. Final score, 11-9 Delaware.

Now 1-2 on the day, Grey Duck toed the line against North Carolina State. Perhaps the extra effort trying to grab the last Danish at breakfast began to show itself, but after playing even with the Wolfpack through most of the first half, NCState pulled away to a 13-8 victory. All, however, was not lost in the game as Grey Duck unveiled the Big Boy defense, which is certain to become a powerful weapon in the defense's springtime arsenal.

A tired and slightly banged-up Grey Duck turned its attention toward a Texas A & M squad for the final game of the day. As the sun set and the day went from cool to cold, the northern waterfowl found themselves in their element and took the game in hand, going on runs of 3 or more on three seperate occasions. In the end, A & M would manage only 4 points in the 13-4 drubbing.

Sunday Recap

For many of the U of M contingent, the morning began the healthy and delicious way – Waffle House. This would prove to be a critical decision.

After taking half against Pittsburgh, the Duck suffered an agonizing nine second half turnovers and lost 15-12. Any one of the four drops during a 3-point Pittsburgh run would’ve been enough to send a lesser breakfast projectile-vomiting onto the pitch. Waffle House, however, stuck tight to the ribs, leaving me with only mild indigestion. Waffle House – my MVP for round one on Sunday.

To make ourselves feel a bit better, we proceeded to beat up on some Big Ten competition for the rest of the day.  Against Michigan State, Duck got out of the gate quick taking half 8-4, then endured a three point run by the Burning Couch to start the second half on its way to a 15-10 victory.

Minnesota rode the momentum of that win into the final game of the weekend vs. Ohio State. Duck recorded its highest defensive block output of the weekend with ten in routing the tired squad from the buckeye state 13-4.

Overall, the CCC experience was a useful one for Minnesota. A 4-4 record and a middle-of-the-pack finish (13th, I think, out of 24) against some high quality competition, and a well-crafted Haiku to boot. A fine way to head into winter.