CBS Sportscaster Ranks Cure Bowl As Best Game-- Part 2

"The game's biggest lead came when Miles Joiner  caught a 12-yard TD from Rocky Lombardi to put Northern Illinois ahead 24-16 late in the first half.  Even that deficit was short-loved as  Coastal got a field goal a minute later to make it 24-19.

"Not only was it a  one-score game the entire time, but the lead changed seven times (4 times in the third quarter).  It was non-stop, back-and-forth football entertainment.  Coastal couldn't stop Northern Illinois, and the Huskies couldn't stop the Chanticleers.

"Aside from the final  possession of the half, the first 12 possessions of the game ended with points, and only three of them ended in field goals.  When Coastal's Charles Ooverson came onto the field for the game's first punt, he did so with only 54 seconds left in the third quarter.

"It came down to the very last play, too.    Northern Illinois had the ball at the Coastal 8-yard line with two second left, but Lombardo's pass to Joiner was stopped short of the end zone and the Chanticleers held on  for the win."

I Completely Agree, That Was One Hell of a Game.  --RoadNIU

Last Week: Stucky's, NIU Bowl Game, Stucky's, McHenry Legion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

Sunnyside was having their customer appreciation Christmas party, but we figured it would be too crowded and too difficult to watch the NIU-Coastal Carolina Cure Bowl on TV, so went to Stucky's and sat with friends Kevin and Kelly and watched the game.  

We figured Northern would get blown out as we have lost the last six bowl games and been blown out in them, but this one was different.  Our guys came to play and we actually led for almost the whole game until the end, but lost, sadly. 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

No McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group for me as it was on Zoom only and I don't do Zoom.

Finished putting up Christmas decorations outside and inside. We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and enjoyed the  $1 draft beers and a great pizza burger.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

Enjoyed Bob Stroud's annual Holiday Hootenanny on WDRV, where he played three hours of 60s-70s Christmas music.  Went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Packers win a game.

Go Pack.  --RoadDog

Last Week: NIU Wins MAC Championship, Sat. Afternoon Band, Stucky's, Karaoke, Bears Lose...Again, Another Legion

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Watched NIU defeat Kent State for the MAC Championship game, one of the rare times Northern actually dominated an opponent.  (And earlier this season Kent State had just barely beaten us.)  Sadly, I couldn't get it on the radio as I enjoy listening to Bill Baker call the Huskies as he's been doing it since the 1980s.  He IS the "Voice" of the Huskies.

Went to the Fox Lake American Legion for their monthly first Saturday afternoon band and saw an excellent two-piece group but can't remember their name.

Then to Stucky's in Johnsburg for dinner, $1 draft pints and karaoke.  A whole bunch of Sunnysiders came in.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Watched and listened to the Bears lose another game at home (now 4-8).  I always enjoy listening to the Bear announcers on the radio as they are real fans.

Then to the McHenry American Legion for the $2.50 Adequate Bloody Marys and $1 off Happy Hour prices.

--RoadDog

Thanksgiving Weekend: Sunnyside, NIU, Donovan's Reef, T-Giving, McTurkey, Da Bears, Da 'Vacation'

**  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23

We went to Sunnyside to watch the last NIU regular season football game since we don't get ESPNU.  Northern was blown out.  

**  WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes to have the pre-T party.

**  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25   THANKSGIVING

We had thoughts of eating at the Grand Buffet Chinese place in McHenry, but they were closed so ended up having the McTurkey at McDonald's.  (Well, actually the McDouble Bundle of fries and sandwich for $3.)

Watched the Bears "beat up" on the winless Detroit Lions 16-14 to run up the record for the season to 4-7.  Well,, at least it was a win and snapped a 5 game losing streak.

Came home and enjoyed three of the "Vacation" movies, some of my favorites.  The only one I didn't see  was Christmas Vacation."

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  I'll try to be nicer if you try to be smarter.

Last Week: A Garbage Pizza, Cheap Beer, Ricky's 73rd Birthday, McHenry VFW and PLAV and NIU Football Watch Party

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Went to Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois, and had that great Harry Caray pizza featuring four meats and four veggie, a real garbage pizza.  And, best of all, it was half price.  Also, $6 draft pitchers. Then to Sunnyside for the $1.50 draft pints.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Met a bunch of Sunnyside folks at the McHenry VFW to celebrate Rocky's73rd birthday.  Absolutely great BLT sandwich.  Then to the Polish Legion of American Veterans for cocktails and back to Sunnyside.  Rocky somehow survived.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Temps in the upper 50s today, so did some yardwork to prepare for the winter.  

Went to Half-Times in Johnsburg where they were having a NIU Watch Party for the televised Huskie football game.  We had about 15 people there and the Huskies had a close game against Buffalo and finally won in overtime.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Stupid-Looking Hair Coming Out of Helmets-- Conference Championship Games-- NIU Football

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  STUPID-LOOKING HAIR COMING OUT OF HELMETS--  A couple weeks ago Liz and I saw the annual Army-Navy football game at the American Legion.  Sure was nice to see that no member of either team had hair coming out below their helmets.  I'm sorry, but that just looks stupid.  

Anytime you watch a college or NFL game it seems you see more and more of that long, funny-looking hair on both Blacks and whites.  I don't like it on any person.  Then, there is the guy on the Titans we all call Old Turd Hair.

2.  CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES--  Well, one thing nice about all the college conference championship games this year is the size of the crowds.  NIU is in the MAC and our championship games draw maybe 5,000 to 8,000 fans (but then again, who wants to go to Detroit).  Then the Power 5 games are standing room only.  This year, they are all essentially empty.  Wonder why?

3.  NIU FOOTBALL--  A sad year for Northern Illinois University football with an 0-6 record.  But, this really wasn't a real year anyway.  Too weird and strange with you-know-what.  But, the second year Joe Novak was our coach, we were 0-12 and then by the fourth year, it was all up from there as we were able to somehow keep him despite his success and the Big 10, 11,12,13,14 grabbing MAC coaches all the time.

Maybe This Is a Sign of Good Times to Come?  --RoadWin

In case you're wondering what the name of the group was that beat out the Beatles in their audition, scroll down to this months Music Deaths for David Munden.

Northern Illinois Closes Out Season With a Victory, End Up 5-7

Last night, the Northern Illinois University (NIU) football team ended its season at 5-7 with a 17-14 victory over Mid-American Conference division rival Western Michigan.  This was Thomas Hammock's first year as head coach.

It was also the first year I didn't even make it out to Huskie Stadium for even one of the five home games played there.

A few days ago I wrote in this blog about how often it is better for first year coaches not to have too good of a record and this fits the case.  Shoot, even our best ever coach, Joe Novak, had about as bad a record as you could have in his first three years at Northern.  In 1996, he was 1-10, 1997  0-11, and 1998 2-9.

***********************

NIU 2019 GAMES:

NIU 24 Illinois State  10
Utah  35  NIU 17
Nebraska  44  NIU 8
Vanderbilt 24  NIU 18

Ball State  27  NIU 20
NIU 39  Ohio 36
Miami (Ohio)  27  NIU 24
NIU  49  Akron 0

Central Michigan 48  NIU 10
NIU 31  Toledo  28
Eastern Michigan  45  NIU 17
NIU 17  Western Michigan  14

Of course, our all-time nemesis and rival is Toledo, and at least we beat them.

But, even better, NIU is not bowl eligible, which is alright with me as we usually get blown out pretty bad in those games.

Looking Forward to 2020.  --RoadHuskie

DID YOU KNOW:  An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Well, It's High School Football Season Again

And, I missed the first one, let's just blame it on the afternoon game of the Cubs and $1.50 draft pints at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.  I go to them unless it is bad weather.

***********************
Anyway, I back these six teams

RICHMOND-BURTON Rockets  Our local high school and where lots and lots of our money goes in property taxes.  I'm pulling for my money.

GRANT High School Bulldogs in Fox Lake, Illinois.  We kept out boat there and it was like our town all these years.

ROUND LAKE Panthers   I taught in Round Lake at the middle schools for 33 years and we lived in Round Lake Beach for 17 years.

PALATINE Pirates    Where Liz and I graduated in 1969

JOHNSBURG Skyhawks  We hang out a lot in Johnsburg these days and the school is just two miles directly south of our house.

MT, CARMEL Caravan, Chicago.  Ex-NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch is coach.

Where Else You Want To be On a Friday Night With Good Weather?  --RoadDog

STATE OF THE JOKE:  California    What is every Californians favorite part of winter.  Watching all the bad weather on TV.    (That is unless they aren't being shaken about or sliding off the hillside in a  mudslide.)

JSS-- Valentine's Day-- Better Uniform Choice-- NIU Basketball Homecoming Saturday

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  VALENTINE'S DAY--  Liz and I really don't "celebrate" this contrived holiday.  But, we did go to CorkScrew Pointe in McHenry, Illinois, with intentions of having a muffuletta sandwich, but, unfortunately, the kitchen didn't open until 3 and we had to be at a Kenny Reid's funeral by 3:30.

We ended up eating at Burger King, which is alright as I worked at the Burger King in Palatine, Illinois, when I met Liz and we ate there often.  Liz was an especially "cheap" date yesterday as she got the chicken nuggets, 10 for $1, and value soda for $1.19.  Thanks Liz.

2.  BETTER UNIFORM CHOICES--  I sure hope NIU's new football coach will be able to better pick uniforms for our team than the last guy.  His solid white uniforms with white helmets with just player number on them was extremely blah.  And, for crying out loud, we have a good-looking logo finally and let's return it to the helmets.

3.  NIU BASKETBALL HOMECOMING SATURDAY--  Planning on going out to DeKalb tomorrow for the basketball homecoming.  For $5, you get to see both the men's and women's basketball teams at home.

Go Huskies!!   --RoadHuskie

NIU's New Football Coach: Thomas Hammock

The last coach left for greener pastures I guess, but that's ok as I don't think we were going any farther under him.  And then there was that horrible bowl record of his.  It was so bad I didn't want us going to any more bowls.

Thomas Hammock played football for Northern Illinois and had two 1000+ rushing seasons.  He was also an assistant coach at NIU and for the last five years running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens.

He professes to bleed Huskie red and black blood and says he even named his son after Douglas Hall.  He said its always been his hope to be head coach at Northern,  Hopefully we picked well and I have high hopes for him.

Now, lets continue our winning ways and win some bowl games and do something about the horrible attendance at the games.

Hopefully, he's the guy.

Welcome Back Coach Hammock.  --RoadDog

MAC and NIU Stinking Up Bowl Games Again

It is getting to the point that I would just as soon that my school, Northern Illinois, didn't go to any more college bowl games.  It is embarrassing.  We have now reached six straight bowl losses and most of them have been by blowout scores.

And, the same goes for our whole football conference, the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Gone are the days when the MAC only got one bowl invitation.  Back in 2003, NIU had a 10-2 record and beat five Power Conference foes, two of whom were ranked when we played them.  But, we lost a game to Toledo (of course) and they went and we sat home.

This year, the MAC had six teams in minor bowl games.  So far the MAC record is 1-4, with just one game remaining, Buffalo vs. Troy in Mobile later tonight.

MAC teams shown in caps.

Georgia Southern 23  EASTERN MICHIGAN 21
University of Alabama-Birmingham 37  NIU 13
OHIO  27  San Diego State University
Florida International University 35  TOLEDO 32
Brigham Young University  49  WESTERN MICHIGAN  18

Please, Santa, No More MAC or NIU Bowl Games!!!  --RoadLoss

POLITICALLY INCORRECT CHRISTMAS SONGS:  "Do You Hear What I Hear"  Blatant disregard for the hearing impaired.

Dec. 23:  Final score in the Buffalo-Troy game:  Troy 42  BUFFALO 32.  So, the MAC went 1-5 in bowl games.  Please, no more bowl games for the MAC!!

And, I see they are adding one more bowl game for the MAC in 2019 in Myrtle Beach.  Last thing we need.

This Past Weekend-- Part 3: Da Bears, Da Party and Double D

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2018

The problem with having the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party when we did was that it was opposite the Bears game.  I sure would have been watching it somewhere.  But, I did listen to it on the car radio on the way back home from Huntley and got home just in time to see the end and was that ever exciting as the Bears tied it up as time expired.  Sadly, they lost in overtime.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, where they were having a fundraiser for a musician.  Two of our favorite performers, Jim Sieg and Uncle Will, were performing and we had a great time.  We also met Double D, who is a big-time NIU fan, so we had a great time talking Huskie football.

We found out he was also a big DeKalb Footstomper fan and he was the one who hired them to play at his birthday party at After the Fox in McHenry which was their second-to-last performance as they have retired after playing together for 45 years.

Busy Day.  --RoadDog

This Past Weekend: Nov. 29 to Dec. 1: Movies, Bars, Band, and Two Sad Days

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Movie day for me.  I saw the movies "Creed II" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."  I always try to see at least 52 movies every year, one for every week.  Today's movies were #42 and #43.  The music in "Bohemian Rhapsody,"  Wow!!!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30

We had more snow  Went to Meijer and ate at Steak 'N Shake.  We met Kevin and Kelly at the Legion and watched the last few exciting minutes of the MAC Championship.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

Today was the anniversary of a very sad day in Chicago history, the Our Lady of the Angels fire which took the lives of 92 students and 3 nuns.  Liz knew some of the students.  Also sad to hear that former President George H.K. Bush died on Friday.

Went to the Fox Lake American Legion and had a great time listening to Joe Kadlec in the afternoon.  Then we went to Sunnyside and watched the Northwestern and Georgia Big 10, 11,12,13,14 and SEC championship games.  Sadly, both lost.

--RoadDog

Five True Facts About Northern Illinois Football

This appeared in the Brigham Young, Utah, student newspaper as they prepared to play NIU this past Saturday.

1.  Northern's home is Brigham Field in Huskie Stadium, renamed in 2003 for Robert J. Brigham, former player, coach and athletic director.  (Brigham Young fans would find this of interest.)

2.  NIU has won four MAC championships )1983, 2011, 2012 and 2014) and has played in ten post-season bowls since 2004, most notably the 2013 Orange Bowl against Florida State.

3.  After a 17-6 victory over Eastern Michigan in 1998, the student body tore down the goal posts at Huskie Stadium, carried them down Lincoln Highway and planted them in the campus lagoon.  University President John La Tourrette personally paid to have new goal posts  installed.  (There was a good reason for this which I will tell you in a few days.)

4.  Next year, Northern is scheduled to play Utah, Nebraska and Vanderbilt.  (This year we played Iowa, Utah, Florida State and Brigham Young.  All are Power 5 Conference members.

5.  Former quarterback Jordan Lynch, a finalist in the 2013 Heisman Trophy, is a n assistant coach for the Huskies, handling the running backs.  (Well, now he is head coach at Chicago's Mount Carmel High School, a state perennial power.

NIU Huskies.  --RoadDog

It's That High School Football Season Again

And, sadly, I have not been to a single Friday night game and they have already played 5 of the 9 games they play.

I follow five teams, well 6 now.

How they are doing.  All high school are in Illinois.

Richmond-Burton 4-1  We send a whole lot of money to this school because of property taxes.

Johnsburg   4-1    Right down the road and where we hang out at Sunnyside Tavern.

Palatine    1-4  Where Liz and I graduated, Class of '69.  A down year for them.

Round Lake    1-4    We lived in Round Lake Beach for 17 years abd taught in Round Lake schools for 33 years.

Grant   2-3   Fox Lake.  Where we kept out boat for 33 years.

And now, Mt. Carmel in Chicago  4-1  This is a traditional powerhouse and ex-NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch.

Friday Night Lights, You Know.  --RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE PAPER:  A man in Taomina, Italy, was hospitalized after swallowing 46 teaspoons, 2 cigarette lighters and a pair of salad tongs.

About Last Weekend-- Part 2: NIU President's Reception, Huskie Football, Four Seasons

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

We drove to DeKalb, Illinois, for the NIU President's Reception and Huskie football game against the Utah Utes.  Decided that we'd not take Il-176 and Il-23 next time because of all the construction.

Parked at the Barsema Alumni Center for the reception which had several hundred people and featured a buffet, drinks as well as speeches by the president, athletic director and a performance by the NIU Marching band.

Afterwards we adjourned to Huskie Stadium where we had free tickets.  We were playing Utah, who are part of the Pac-12 Conference.  They are a Power 5 school, always difficult for a Group of 5 school like us, but we did lead 3-0 at half.

We had around twenty marching bands perform at half time.  Stayed until the end of the third when the wind got too much for us and we left with Utah leading 7-3.  Sadly, they beat us.

Had a few drinks and watched the Cubs blow a game at the Four Seasons Bowling Alley in Sycamore, near the Motel 6 where we spent the night.

--RoadDog

ABOUT GROWING OLD:  When you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

Please, No More Bowl Games for NIU: Northern's Bowl Woes Continue

After sitting through the latest debacle of Northern Illinois' football team, all I can say is, "Please, No More Bowl Games!!"

Northern was dominated and thrashed by a so-so Duke team 36-14 to finish the season 8-5 after losing three of the last four games it played.  Other than one brief exciting three minutes when Northern scored twice on some great plays to tie the game at 14, it was horrible.

Northern has won just two of its last ten bowl games and have been absolutely blown out in the last three.

2006  Poinsettia Bowl  Lost TCU  37-7
2008  Independence Bowl  Lost  Louisiana Tech 17-10
2009  International Bowl  Lost  South Florida  27-3

2010  Humanitarian Bowl--  Won  Fresno State  40-17
2011  Go Daddy Bowl--  Won  Arkansas State  38-20
2012  Orange Bowl--  Lost  Florida State 31-10

2013  Poinsettia Bowl--  Lost to Utah State 21-14
2014  Boca Raton Bowl--  Lost  Marshall  52-23
2015  Poinsettia Bowl--  Lost  Boise State   55-7

2017  Quick Lube Bowl--  Lost Duke  33-14

I Am a Huskie Fan, But This Is Just Too Sad.  --RoadDog

ACCIDENT REPORTS:  The accident happened when the right door of a car came around the corner without giving a signal.

NIU Unveils Diesel Statue

From the October 26, 2017, Raleigh (NC) News & Observer "Northern Illinois University mascot memorialized in statue"  AP.

Siberian husky Diesel served as NIU's mascot Huskie from 2005-201.\3.  He will be memorialized with a bronze statue which will be dedicated outside Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, today before the NIU-Eastern Michigan football game.  NIU teams are called the Huskies.

Diesel lifted his paw in 2013, seemingly to give NIU cheerleaders a high five in a game after a Huskie touchdown.  This was captured on national TV and became viral.  Sadly, Diesel died in 2015.

The statue is designed by Renee Bemis and NIU alumni used an online funding site to raise the $25,000 to make the sculpture.

We met Diesel on several occasions, including the Go-Daddy Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.  He was one cool dog and lived in our former town of Round Lake Beach, Illinois.  He had the softest fur I've ever touched.

Big Diesel Fan.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You help your dog chase its tail.

A Football Kind of Weekend-- Part 3: NIU Beats Nebraska!!! Two Bands, Three Bars

SEPTEMBER 16, SATURDAY

I came home to find Liz watching TV and quite anxious as our school, Northern Illinois had actually given Nebraska a good football game and had been up 14 to 0 thanks to two interceptions run back for TDs, but Nebraska had stormed back to a 17-14 lead.  There was still time to go in the game so I watched it.  And Northern scored another touchdown and held on to win 21-17.  That is a huge game for us.  We've only played Nebraska two other times and were blown out.

Huskie Fever!!!  Put our Huskie gear on and the NIU banners up outside the house.

We then went to Thirsty Turtle in Antioch on Channel Lake and sat out on the deck and enjoyed the band for a set and then we went over to Chopper's on the same lake and sat out on the deck and enjoyed the solo performer there as well.

Nothing like sitting outside on a deck on a perfect summer-type day and seeing bands on the Chain.  Like I said, why go anywhere else.

Last stop was at Sunnyside for a night cap.

This was one really busy day for me.

Like I Said, Good Times Around Here.  --RoadDog

MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  Your birthday is a national holiday.. IN BRAZIL!!

Northern Illinois 21 Nebraska 17!! Huskers Didn't "Git-R-Done!!!" Sorry, Lar.

I know this is the kiss of death as far as NIU losing this coming Saturday, but I still have to do some gloating about that unbelievable victory over Nebraska a week and a half ago.   Believe me, I am a huge sports fan, but normally don't write about my teams when they are doing well, as that causes losses.  It is my bit of idiosyncrasy I guess.

Besides NIU being one of the Group of 5 college conferences ,Mid American Conference, and Nebraska being in one of the Power 5 conferences, Big 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and there is a huge gulf between the two in the caliber of athletes they get, this is the first time that any MAC team has ever beaten Nebraska.


In the two previous games between NIU and Nebraska, the Huskies lost 48-17 in 1989 and 60-14 in 1990.

Our defensive player, Juwuan Johnson was chosen MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week after he intercepted and returned two Cornhusker passes for two touchdowns in the first half to five Northern a 14-0 lead.

And they just didn't "GIT-R-DONE,"   Not one bit they didn't.   Big-time Nebraska fan Daniel Lawrence Whitney (you might know him better as Larry the Cable Guy) was quite a bit put out that a little guy like NIU would be beating his Big Guy team Nebraska and posted a lot of tweets during and after the game.  I had always figured him to be from the South with that redneck demeanor and drawl, but it turns out he is from Nebraska and even attended the University of Nebraska a short time before going full-time into comedy.

And NIU was named the National Team of the Week for last week.  This is awarded by the Football Writers Association of America.  This is the first time Northern has had the honor since it started in 2002 (and we should have gotten it that year after we defeated Alabama when they were ranked as well as Maryland and Iowa State on our way to a 10-2 record, but no bowl game).

This was the third time a MAC team has been Team of the Week.

So Proud of Our Guys!!  --RoadDog

MORE TOO MUCH COFFEE SIGNS:  When someone asks you how you are, you respond with, "Good to the last drop."