Oklahoma State coach stooped to article’s level

By Joe McAdory

Found this link at another journalist’s blog of Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy berating a newspaper article on a Cowboy quarterback, and berating newspapers in general. I understand his point to a degree, but anytime a newspaper prints WHAT HAPPENS how can that be challenged? He calls this quarterback “still a child.“ Really? Is this child old enough to vote? Is this child old enough to drive a car? He is not a child.

Then Gundy rips into the reporter, Jenni Carlson of the Daily Oklahoman, and tells her that he wishes her child had to endure a similar hardship. When Gundy did that, he stooped to the exact level he was berating. At that point, his argument became invalid.

If a newspaper article prints something that is inaccurate, then a retraction should be forthcoming. Articles should be backed with attribution. Was this story inaccurate? I don’t know. There were some stabs at the quarterback, but he is a public figure. I’m not sure if some stabs were necessary. Carlson used the phrase “word is” regarding the quarterback’s possible transfer. “Word is” doesn’t cut it in my field. That’s only heresay.

But singling out newspapers, coach Gundy, is wrong. There are other means of journalism that deliver dirty laundry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoMmbUmKN0E

Here is Carlson’s column: http://newsok.com/article/3131543/1190474803

Golf designed to destroy my psyche

By Joe McAdory

Random thoughts on a Sunday evening:

* Golf was designed to completely destroy a person’s psyche and bring us to our knees. How in the world am I supposed to relax on a golf course when my allotment of balls sail into the nearby lake? And just when I thought my slice problem was gone, it reappears far more pronounced than ever. Why? And just what are those evil-looking mutant squirrels at Grand National? Those things look creepy. I ain’t feedin one.

* FYI, Auburn’s football team has not lost a game in white uniforms since its trip to Georgia in 2003. Auburn wore white uniforms in 2004 at Mississippi State, at Tennessee, at Ole Miss, at Alabama and in the SEC Championship Game against Tennessee. Won them all. Auburn wore whites in 2005 at Arkansas, at Kentucky and at Georgia. Won those too. AU wore blue at LSU in 2005. Auburn wore whites in 2006 at Ole Miss, at South Carolina, at Alabama and again in the Cotton Bowl against Nebraska. Won those too. AU wore blue in 2006 at Mississippi State. That said, Auburn has won 12 consecutive games in white uniforms. Auburn will more than likely wear white Saturday night at Florida. My guess is the Tigers will need a heck of a lot more than a uniform mojo to pull that one off.

* The last time Auburn began SEC play with an 0-2 mark was 1980 in what turned out to be Doug Barfield’s final season as head coach. Auburn is 0-1 in the SEC going into Gainesville. The Tigers began the SEC 0-2 in 1966 under Shug Jordan and he coached nine more seasons after that.

* I just learned that I like candy corn. Never tried it. Probably shouldn’t have. Now I’m wired.

* Was told Saturday night that I don’t look my age. That’s always nice to hear. I look younger than 39, but I feel older. Thank God for anti-inflammatories.

AU turns tables on turnovers

By Joe McAdory

Five turnovers will get you beat every time. Auburn knows all about that. Tonight, New Mexico State is learning it too.

Auburn forced three Aggie turnovers in the third period, returned a first-period fumble for a touchdown and used an NMSU fumble on a kickoff to set up another score to take a 48-20 lead.

Looks like it’s time for Auburn to put in the reserves. This one’s over.

Tigers strike in third quarter

By Joe McAdory

This is by far Auburn’s best third quarter this season. The Tigers used an interception by Jonathan Wilhite to thwart New Mexico State’s first drive, then a beautiful 18-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Cox to Rod Smith—Smith’s second of the game—to take a 28-20 lead.

Moments later, junior defensive lineman Sen’Derrick Marks intercepted NMSU quarterback Chase Holbrook at the 10 and barrelled inside the 5 to set up Cox’s 1-yard TD sneak for a 35-20 lead. Cox’s touchdown was particularly interesting as AU students shouted BRAN-DON, BRAN-DON before the play as if they knew what was coming. It’s good to see Cox get something other than boos. Touchdowns generally do that for you.

Halftime odds and ends

By Joe McAdory

Been hearing about the feats of New Mexico State quarterback Chase Holbrook all week. You know, he ain’t half bad. The kid completed 20 of 23 passes for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first half Saturday as the Aggies trail Auburn 21-20.

By contrast, Auburn’s quarterback combo of Brandon Cox and Kodi Burns completed 6 of 10 for 111 yards and a touchdown. Not bad in a running-oriented offense.

Auburn’s first half MVP had to be Ben Tate, who rushed 10 times for 62 yards. He was out briefly with an injury, but came back moments later.

Come to think of it, Auburn has led at the half in all four games this year (6-3 over Kansas State, 17-14 over South Florida and 14-13 over Mississippi State). Those leads have proven to be worthless. Auburn must slow down Holbrook in the second half, further establish a running game and try to avoid those costly turnovers.

This game seems to be up for grabs, but Auburn has a flicker of momentum at halftime.