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Show EDITOR BACK PACE Monday, September 23, 2002 David DeMille, 586-548- 8 Maybe fans understand this strike Last weeks fan attack of Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa was incredibly disturbing. If by disturbing you mean entertaining. The only thing that would have made for more riveting television than the attack itself would have been if Ving Rhames came off the bench with a bat and started hammering the attackers. Unexpected senseless violence makes people as happy as A.C. Green on his honeymoon. Baseballs token Jerry Springer moment for the year came as a reminder that those in mainstream America are still too busy admiring dieir mullets to step back and realize that shock value isnt what should command their attention. Tire attackers, William Ligue, Jr. and his son, were taken away in handcuffs and charged with aggravated battery. Their goal to become famous (or infamous) was accomplished. Theyll spend some time in jail, getting some exercise and losing their love handles. And Im not talking about their ears. Ligue made it even better when he said afterward that Gamboa got what he none-too-subtl- e ERIN MADSON UNIVERSITY JOURNAL SUU quarterback Dustin Randolph is tackled during SUUs loss to Eastern Washington. The Thunderbirds were outgained by a margin of 568 yards to 237 yards. Despite a short period in the third quarter when the team appeared ready to make a comeback, the Birds couldnt find the necessary offense. The explosive Eagles have averaged more than 41 points per game this season, and SUU never had a chance. 49-1- 4 deserved. Before the attack, Ligue had called his sister and told her to watch tire game. When she said the game wasnt on, he told her to watch the news. This some careful was planning, and dre media did their part, giving dris distorted fadrer-soversion of Thelma and Louise 15 minutes of fame. They got what drey didn't deserve. Im no different I thought this was the most interesting moment of television in months. mid-daI followed my television watching with a trip to dre buffet, wearing jogging suits and buddies when we nry scored a table right next to the pudding. What Ligue and his son proved, once again, is that there is no end to my tastelessness. If they had turned over Stephen Hawkings electric wheel chair and whacked him over dre head repeatedly with one of his own limbs, I wouldnt have been able to turn away. Who wouldnt be fascinated by the thrilling spectacle of two shirdess rebels pounding dre life out of a physicist just for a few meaningless nanoseconds in dre spotlight? I say bring more blood. I say celebrate your acts of random destruction with a bottle of Strawberry Zinfandel and some Chicken McNuggets. Im always saying things. Were expected to be all sensitive and y pre-staine- d high-fivin- world-renowne- d concerned about doing the tasteful things, and to feel bad about situations like this Gamboa episode. Not me; I v atch W WE Smackdown and yell at the referees for being biased. I keep my driveway cluttered with old Big Wheels and old trash. I wear denim jackets. My house is on cinderblocks. I dont understand the popularity of these subtitled foreign films. Hey, if I wanted to read a book, Id buy one on tape. I salute Mr. Ligue and his ugly kid. I hope when they get out they celebrate with a family dinner at Dennys. I like to see Geraldo Rivera interviewing people, making unsubstantiated charges against people. I like Phil Donahue acting in the middle outrageous and of a publicity storm someone else created. Ive left the point again. The attack of Tom Gamboa was just one of many instances where the death of class on the American scene was evident What Im saying is that I dont miss it, if it ever existed in the first place. Its nice to know that if Im ever starved for a little attention, I can just jump someone in a public setting Ligue and his son were just bonding. They just did it by beating a guy up in front of 10,000 people and television cameras. Of course, Im just kidding. As far as you k now. David DeMille is the Sports Editor for the University Journal. He can be reached at daviddemillel 1 yahoo.com. THE JENSEN WATCH Former SUU pitcher Ryan Jensen picked up his winning form for the San Francisco Giants on Friday against the Milwakee Brewers, pitching 5.1 strong innings, striking out 2, walking 2 and surrendenng only 1 run on 4 hits The 5-- 1 victory moved Jensen to 12-- 8 on the season and was his first win in five starts, though he hasnt lost since Aug 16 He has pitched 166.2 innings on the year, racking up 102 stnkeouts and a 4.64 ERA The Giants are fighting for a wildcard playoff spot SUU offense stalls again in By DAVID DeMILLE SUU needed to produce offensively, but was unable, going games, UNIVERSITY JOURNAL t four times and punting ten times. When we block it right it goes right, head coach three-and-ou- The Thunderbirds fell to an to impressive opponent, 4 4 Eastern Washington Saturday. r SUU was in the game after a , touchdown made it but 28 points in the final quarter by the Eagles made it a blowout. The Birds had trouble moving die ball on offense once again, allowing the explosive EWU offense to take advantage of plenty of opportunities. Against a team that had scored over 50 points in each of its last two third-quarte- 21-7- C. Ray loss to Eastern Washington 49-1- 4 Gregory The Birds were getting it done occasionally, but only in stretches, and die Eagles always had a response. At one point in the third quarter the Thunderbirds gave themselves a chance when defensive tackle Tonga Mounga recovered a fumbled snap at midfield. The pumped-uBirds then scored on a run by Chris Williams after quarterback Dustin Randolph used a great spin move to break free and ran for 29 yards down the sideline. After drat drive die defense held, and die offense had p said. If we dont, its just bad (EWU) 35-yar- d ran just about everything exactly how we thought, and we had prepared for them all week. We just arent getting it done. Fast start anodier chance to score, but stalled leave a few plays after taking a big hit I thought wed caught a chance diere, Gregory said. We had some momentum and were getting diings going, but something always got in die way. The inability of die offense to move the football was apparent for die third straight week. Despite some success with the passing game late, the team finished with only 237 yards, far less than the Thunderbirds are used to. See GRID, Page 12 when Randolph had to 9 (Dimick SUU wins By DAVID DeMILLE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL The Thunderbirds picked up a win of in their first conference match-uthe season Friday, shutting out Western Illinois in a thoroughly dominating performance. Heading into conference play, the soccer squad was winless, but valuable experience from a tough preseason schedule had the team p 4-- 0 rapidly improving and for the start of the well-prepare- d Mid-co- n season. Junior midfielder Ilene Dixon scored 2 goals, while Lindsay Mulliner and Michelle Davis each had one. Mulliner, Davis, Annie Payne, and goalie Megan Flowers all had assists. Dixons first goal came on a header after Paynes corner kick only 1:18 into the match. From there, it was all SUU. The ability to control the ball in the middle of the field and to set up offensive options led the Birds to a 22-1advantage in shots, including a 11-- edge in shots on goal. The people in back did a really Dixon said The good job, offense starts from the back, and they were doing a good job looking for targets and setting people up instead of just booting it. The defense, anchored by Annalisa Banks, Sarah Sillitoe and Tracy McArthur, did a solid job of keeping the WIU offense shut a down, while group of midfielders Angie including Profancik, Meesha Mangus and Amber Tubbs controlled the ball and gave the forwards plenty of chances. The communication was really good, Tubbs said We did a great job of possessing the ball in the middle and setting things up. Flowers spent all 90 minutes in goal for SUU, and tallied 9 saves, halting any chance for Western to make a run. She was able to stop a chances by pair of one-on-on- e WIU. The great g and defense led to open looks up front, and holes in the defense repeatedly take open shots. Mulliner had 6 shots by herself, including 4 on Western let SULf goal. We did a great job of passing to the feet, Mulliner said. We got the ball into the open space and set up scoring opportunities. SUU led 2 0 at the half, and even with 45:00 left to play, the teams confidence was evident. Dixons goal after a goalie kick by Flowers and an insurance goal by Davis off a pass from Mulliner less than two minutes later put the match away. The continued improvement impressed coach Brian Stock, especially aftei the team spent extra time working on setting up the offense. One of the things we stressed this week was to create options for the offense, Stock said. Were getting people open and giving Forward Liz Brooks dribbles down the field in SUUs 0 win over Western Illinois Friday as Michelle Davis (4) and Trucy McArthur (15) follow. The huge conference win was SUUs first of the year. 4-- them multiple options to pass to." face California The Baptist today at the SUU soccer field across from the centrum. Game time is 4 p m The match will provide more work for the young squad, hopeful of making the playoffs in only the programs second year of existence.. hope the skys the limit, Stock Today was the culmination of a lot of hard work. We hope we can get better and surpass this performance. We want to work hard, and do the simple things I said. well. We can play even better. match for SUU The next Mid-cowill be against Oakland University on Oct. 3 at SUU. We just need to do the same Tubbs said. Keep things, possession and play together. n Lindsay Mulliner brings the ball down field for SUU Friday. Mulliner had a goal and an assist in SUUs first conference match. |