The LaPorte Slicers lost tonight to the Crown Point Bulldogs 42-41 on a soggy Kiwanis field. A steady rain did not keep the fans away as both bleachers were full. Slicer fans were forced to watch the game from the track, because the seating was full. The Slicers had their chances in the final minute to win the game, but could not capitalize. This was one of the best offensive games that I have seen played on a high school field. The Bulldogs score the go ahead touchdown on a 4th and 23 play with about two minutes remaining. The Slicers then took the ball down the field and scored a TD on a Creed to Mizia pass. Creed’s pass on the two point conversion was no good, and the Slicers were down one. Lewis recovered the onside kick for the Slicers, but after four plays the Slicers turned the ball over on downs letting the Bulldogs run out the clock. Both of the team’s star running backs had a great game. Shark ran for 281 yards on 26 carries with 2 TD’s for the Slicers. This was one of the best high school football games I have seen this year as far as atmosphere, and actual gameplay. We have gone for two twice this year instead of just opting to tie the game. The first time against Valpo we won the game. This time it did not work. I would expect to see the same kind of offensive slugfest tommorrow during the Notre Dame – Purdue game.
Monthly Archives: September 2006
Top Notre Dame – Purdue Matchups
Here is my ranking of the top games between the Irish and Boilers that I have seen:
7. 9/27/2003 Notre Dame looked horrible in this game losing 23-10. A Quinn to Stovall 85 yard TD pass is the lone highlight for the Irish. Notre Dame was close at the half, but never came out to play in the second half.
6. 12/1/2001 This game was played in December because of the attacks of September 11th. Neither team played real well, and Notre Dame wins 24-18 in Bob Davie’s last game as coach of the Irish. Vontez Duff’s 96 yard kickoff return is the highlight of the game.
5. 9/14/1996 Notre Dame runs all over Purdue at Notre Dame Stadium. Allan Rossum returns a kickoff 99 yards as the Irish win easily 35-0.
4. 9/24/1994 I came home from college to watch my first game in the series. Notre Dame easily handles the Boilers at home. Ray Zellars and Randy Kinder run for 156 and 143 yards respectively. Notre Dame wins 39-21.
3. 9/13/1997 My first game in the series at Ross-Aide. Notre Dame never got it going, and the Boilers snap an eleven game losing streak to the Irish. Fans storm the field after the game. I stayed in the Purdue Student section in disbelief. This game did mark the rebirth of the Boiler football program. Boilers win 28-17.
2. 10/1/2005 Notre Dame comes into Ross-Aide with revenge on their mind after getting pounded at home the year before. I found a cheap ticket on E-bay to get into the stadium and ended up in the middle of the Notre Dame student section. I had a great time watching the Irish pick holes in the Boiler secondary. Quinn threw for 440 yards in 3 quarters, and Samardzija had 153 yards receiving with 2 TD’s. Irish win 49-28.
1. 9/11/1999 Sitting in the Purdue student section for the second time in three years wearing Irish colors I watch Purdue stop Notre Dame four times at the goaline to seal a 28-23 win. Drew Brees diving over the pylon for a two point conversion is one of the memorable moments of the game.
Where will this years game end up on the list? Time will only tell.
Game Preview: #12 Notre Dame (3-1) v. Purdue (4-0)
Purdue comes into South Bend this weekend on a seven game winning streak. Notre Dame comes back home after pulling off a huge comeback last weekend. This game has all of the makings of being one of the great games of the series. On the other hand, Notre Dame could just run away with it. Both secondaries are the big question marks for their teams. The defense that plays the best will win this game. Purdue’s chances will depend on the arm of Curtis Painter as well. He may be without receiving tagets Greg Orton and Dustin Keller. They need Keller at tight end to have the types of games he has had the last two weeks. Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija should have a field day with the Boiler secondary. Notre Dame will have to come out and play from the begining of the game to crush the Boilers hope of an upset. If Purdue can hang with the Irish early, they will stay confident enough to possibly pull off the upset. This should be a great game.
My prediction: Notre Dame 38 – Purdue 30.
Game Preview: #9 LaPorte Slicers 5-1 (4-0) v. #3 Crown Point Bulldogs 6-0 (4-0)
The Slicers can claim first place in the Duneland by themselves this week if they beat Crown Point. Both teams come into the game with a 4-0 record in the Duneland with Crown Point beating Valparaiso 35-21 and LaPorte beating Merrillville 41-14 on Friday. This game will go a long way to determining the Duneland Conference Champ.
Let’s go Slicers!
Purdue 27 – Minnesota 21
Purdue outlasted Minnesota today at Ross-Aide Field 27-21. Purdue’s bend but don’t break defense held Minnesota, and the offense led by Curtis Painter put up just enough to get the win. Purdue is now 4-0, and will take that undefeated record into South Bend next weekend.
Saw a lot of bright spots again yesterday. Nick Cavallo looked like a stud on the kickoff team. He made about every tackle he could. Painter was patient and seemed to go through his progressions to find the open receiver. He had some bad throws, but made pretty good decisions. Sheets and Taylor could not be brought down on the first hit. They both showed good escapability. Keller once again was tough to tackle. Greg Orton looked hobbled the little that he played, but Standeford seemed to do well in his place. The team is improving every week, and that is all that you can ask.
By the way, rain and thunderstorms kept me away from the Slicer game last night. They took care of Merrillville though 41-14. They are now 5-1 (4-0 DAC). Crown Point comes to LaPorte next Friday for a showdown of the only two team without a DAC loss.
#1 Grand Valley State v. Michigan Tech
Last night I went up to Allendale to see the #1 ranked team in division II beat Michigan Tech 41-20 for my 80th game of the year. For a smaller school the atmosphere was pretty good. The game was televised on CSTV, so some of the excitement may have been from the national exposure. Both teams played well in the first half, but as the second half started Grand Valley took control. The Lakers now have the longest winning streak in college football at 17 games. I should be back to Lubbers Stadium November 4th to watch the Lakers take on Saginaw Valley State. Thanks for the tickets Kim!
Confessions of a Sports Junkie 