Everything was set up for IUP to win a national championship. The Crimson Hawks had three playoff games at Miller Stadium, something they earned by going undefeated and having the number one ranking. West Florida’s win over IUP was no fluke. They dominated the Crimson Hawks on their way to a 24-0 lead. I was at the game and was shocked at what I saw. IUP made a great comeback but it wasn’t enough. Tough way to end the season for IUP. They had a great year, yet they were so close to being in a position to win the school’s first-ever national championship.
• The Steelers keep winning, but barely. Thank goodness they have reliable kicker Chris Boswell, who has now booted four game winning field goals in the last five weeks. The Steelers’ Killer B’s, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Bell and Le’Veon Bell put on a show and sparked the comeback over the Ravens. Truth be told, I thought the Steelers were cooked when they fell behind by eleven points. Somehow they managed to pull it out.
• Steelers’ defensive coordinator Keith Butler should be concerned about his unit. Once again the defensive backs gave up a few long passes. At times the Ravens made it look easy. The Ravens also ran the ball down the Steelers’ throats at will. You could really see how much the Steelers missed Ryan Shazier. Baltimore outscored the Steelers 31-6 at one point. Tom Brady must be salivating. He’ll get his chance to expose the Steelers’ defense next week.
• I continue to pray for Ryan Shazier and hope the Steelers’ linebacker is able to live a normal life following his spinal cord injury against the Bengals. Football really isn’t that important when you consider what he’s gone through, and what he may face down the line. Shazier is a very important member of the Steelers’ defense, and is one of the best players in the game. I just hope the young man can get up and walk. Anything after that will be a bonus.
• Shazier’s injury could very well alter the Steelers’ draft in 2018. If he doesn’t return to the field, the Steelers will either need to sign a linebacker in free agency, or invest a high pick on the position. There just aren’t many athletic linebackers like Ryan Shazier around. Finding a replacement, should his career come to an end, won’t be easy.
• I think the Steelers have every right to be upset with the suspension Juju Smith-Schuster received for his hit on Vontaze Burfict. It was brutal, but I thought it was a football play, not a cheap shot. I believe the NFL suspended him because he taunted the Bengals’ player after the hit. I think it was ridiculous, especially when you consider the hit on Steelers’ receiver Antonio Brown drew a suspension that was ultimately overturned. No wonder the players don’t know what they can and can’t do on the field anymore. The NFL’s system of discipline is hard to figure out.
• Congratulations to Homer Center for a memorable football season. I was on hand to watch the Wildcats play Jeannette in the state championship game in Hershey. It wasn’t much of a contest, as Homer simply couldn’t match the Jayhawks’ speed or limit their big plays. Still, it was a heck of a year for the Wildcats. They made us all proud.
• Congrats to Indiana’s Riley Stapleton, who put on a one man show for James Madison in their win over Weber State in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals. I watched the game and marveled at Stapleton’s performance, which included eight catches for 189 yards plus a late touchdown, followed by a two point conversion that tied the game. Riley is a heck of an athlete and a great kid. I hope the young man is part of a second straight national championship.
• The Penguins have had trouble starting games. They were brutal Saturday night when they surrendered two quick goals to visiting Toronto, and trailed 3-0 after the end of the first period. This team is too talented to play like that. The Penguins have had a brutal early season schedule. The schedule is much more favorable going forward. It’s time for this team to start playing like a contender.
• The Pirates held their annual PiratesFest at PNC Park this year. According to media reports, fans didn’t hold back in their question and answer sessions with Pirates’ brass. Who could blame them, given the team’s reluctance to spend money? Incredibly, Pirates’ owner Bob Nutting didn’t attend PiratesFest. Wonder why?
• The Evil Empire is back. The New York Yankees, already loaded with great young talent, just got a whole lot better by shocking the baseball world with the trade that brought them Giancarlo Stanton. It’s the latest example of the big markets versus small markets in major league baseball. Few teams could take on Stanton’s contract, yet the Yankees are doing so. Former Yankees’ legend Derek Jeter is part owner of the Florida Marlins, and is the guy responsible for dealing Stanton to his old team. Wonder if the Yanks will send Jeter another World Series ring when they win their next title?
