Uh, wow.

Back home. Yesterday was the season opener against Tennessee. Expected a fun time pregame, not so much during the game. And expectations were filled, but not the way I expected.

Pregame tailgating with friends from all over (Oxnard, the OC, near Pasadena) was wonderful and relaxing. Jack came down with a fever, though, and they took him to first aid during the second quarter.

We left just as the second half was beginning... and we weren't too sad to be leaving, as our new starting QB had tossed FOUR ints (including a pick-six) in the first half. And we had lost three offensive players (major skill guys at that, but more on that later). And we were down 14-7 (but luckily only that... it could have been WAY worse if the defense hadn't played really well).

So we left and listened to the game on the radio. And by the time we were back in the county, we had listened to our boys in blue make a wild comeback and stun the (probably really overrated) #18 Volunteers 27-24 in OT. Un. Believable.

So unlike the last few years. COACHING!
Special teams coach saw that the UT punter was taking his time with the ball, so he sent the house and we blocked a punt for a TD.
Craft throws four picks, all on the outside and in attempts to go behind (rather than under) the coverage. Chow alters the game plan throws under the coverage and in the seams in the second half to great effect.
Walker's already stalwart D, clamps down on the running game hard in the second half.

Flipside: UT Coach Fullmer is a prick:

"They were crying about the quarterback situation; I knew darn well they'd be ready for us," Fulmer said. "We made enough mistakes tonight to fill three or four games.

"We will play better teams than UCLA is, and I know we're a better team than we were tonight."

Ahhhh, it's good to be a Bruin today. Realistically, we're still probably only a .500 ball club, but I don't think we're going to be out of any game this year.

Jack's staying home today. Kyle has a sore throat but has already left for practice.

I'm exhausted, as is Lisa. But we're happy. The only downer are the injuries to Paulson (out 6-8 weeks with a broken foot), Bell (day to day, high ankle sprain), and Everrett (a couple of weeks, dislocated toe). And those are just the offensive injuries... more worrisome is Reggie Carter's knee tweak (and we won't know the severity of that until later today)... he's the QB of our defense... this isn't good.

But it's a great start to a NEU era.

Go Bruins!