Recappin

Thumbs UP: Getting our pound of punt return flesh. After Saturday, I'm finally at peace with the un-fair catch. The Cards recovered a muffed punt when the returner admitted post-game that he should have signaled a fair catch, and Doug Beaumont shrugged off a bogus penalty that negated a return TD only to take another one to the house. I think we can finally put that baby to bed.

Thumbs DOWN: The Gatorade bath for Charlie Strong, his second in 4 wins. I'm thrilled with this team's progress too, but please cease this practice until bowl season.

Thumbs UP: Defense, defense, defense. I know UConn is bad, but they're not that bad. Like I said last week, much credit to Vance Bedford for turning this unit into something more than the sum of its parts. The D bends but doesn't break, it ballhawks and swarms tackles, and the mistakes they make they make because of effort, trying too hard to make a play, which is always more forgivable. Seeing Darius Ashley dart full speed on a corner blitz is fun to watch.

Thumbs DOWN: Charlie Strong freaking me out. Full disclosure, I was out of town last Saturday (though my ticket in the UPS FLIGHT DECK was dutifully used) and had to watch the action on a computer. Several times when the announcers were going off on a riff about Strong and his coaching, the camera would pan in on Strong. Even during the game, seeming to sense something, Strong would suddenly look right up and stare into the camera, scaring the hell out of me. It was like he caught me peeping into his bathroom window, which I've been court-ordered not to do anymore.

Thumb UP: The frosh, particularly Hakeem Smith and Deon Rogers. These guys are fully aware of their roles, and are responding to the challenge to step in and immediately make plays.

Thumbs DOWN: Kickoff coverage, which has been a problem all season. Philpott had a great day going 4 for 4 from the field, but he also made two saving tackles on kickoffs. A fine effort, but it's never good for your kicker to be such an accomplished member of your coverage unit.

Thumbs UP: Falling in love with your football team. And, so long as the effort is there, I'll feel the same way even if we lose our last 5 games. Though I disapproved of the Gatorade bath, I still got goosebumps watching the good vibes on display as the last seconds ticked off the clock and the team marched into the locker room. Charlie Strong was keeping his professional bearing, but couldn't keep an irrepressible smile off his face, his players were bouncing by him, good-naturedly ribbing him...it all felt good.

The mix of personalities is there for a memorable squad. Bilal Powell's silent mystique, Josh Bellamy's brashness, Doug Beaumont's work ethic, and Adam Froman scrapping to get every ounce out of his ability.

When you read in the paper about Doug Beaumont beating the training staff to the facilities each morning to bust his ass rehabbing so he could get back on the field as soon as possible, and then watch him single-handedly break the game open, you can't help but sit back in admiration. I love watching this team play.