football history

This weekend the Michigan State Spartans staged the largest and most dramatic comeback in the history of college Division 1A football. And that's not just my opinion (as a biased fan)...it was literally a performance for the record books.

The Spartans have had a dismal season. After winning the first 3 games, the rest of the season has been a total stinker. Injuries, players being suspended and heartbreaking losses had led to a weekend game that very well could have cost John L. Smith his job as head coach.

This weekend was a chance for redemption. This game was the last ditch effort to turn an excruciating season around. And the good news was that we were playing the Northwestern Wildcats (perennial doormat of the conference).

But in the first quarter, it became clear that this would not be the day for which everone hoped. All of a sudden the Wildcats were on fire and the Spartans were left reeling. Before you knew it, the Spartans were down 3 to 24 at halftime. Disgusted fans had already decided this game was the last straw. By the middle of the 3rd quarter, we fell to an impossible score from which to recover:

Spartans 3
Wildcats 38

No team in college history has ever come back from such a deficit...especially not this late in the game. There was only 9:54 left in the 3rd quarter. I've talked to many people who said that they just couldn't take anymore. People turned off the TV or changed the channel. Game over.

But for the foolish fans like me, who often keep watching...hoping for a miracle. For the die hard optimists who are angered to see people leave the stands in the 3rd or 4th quarter...this was a day for history to be made.

The Spartans went on to score 38 points, kicking the winning field goal with only 13 seconds left on the clock!!!

Now the question: Why do we get so engrossed in sports? I believe in many ways it is a microcosm of real life.

When the world has counted you out (you're down for the count and nobody gives you a chance)... always remember that there is still hope!

History says, "You might as well quit. You're a loser." People have changed the channel and vacated the stands. But listen...as long as there is time on the clock, you're still in the game. Don't quit.