Something To "Mitch" About

Its the Grey Cup everyone wanted. At least everyone in Saskatchewan. Next Sunday night. the Saskatchewan Roughriders will play at home for the 101st Grey Cup with the opposition being some guys you might know. Kent Austin will bring Henry Burris and Andy Fantuz into Mosaic Stadium in a matchup that has to have so many salivating because of the storylines.

What a performance in the Western final by the Riders. I knew two weeks ago when I said the winner of the Western semi would be back in two weeks because I knew deep down the Calgary Stampeders would soil the linen when it counts and oh my goodness did they ever. In a game very similar to the last regular season meeting, the Stampeders could not hang on to the football for whatever reason with the only difference this team being the Riders scored touchdowns including field goals. Was Calgary ever in this game? If they were when? The green and white had control of this game right from the beginning and they never looked back. I will admit I got a little anxious when Chris Milo had his field goal blocked which after the Scott McHenry fumble to end the first half made me wonder what cruel fate the football gods were setting up for us, but those football gods are giving us the matchup we want. OPEN THE TENTS NOW!!!! It is time for a week we will never, ever forget.

I wonder what the people of Calgary thought of a "ThinkSask.ca" logo on their field.

Where did all the Stamps fans go at the end of the game?

Dwight Anderson----you were bang on with your comments!

The Durant haters are awfully quiet these days!

What great scenes from TSN as the Riders came out to congratulate their fans!

I love the fact they wanted nothing to do with the trophy. Its a hockey mentality!! I don't agree with the mockery the NHL has made of the trophy presentations, but I love the fact the Riders came to Calgary meaning business and not giving one lick about the trophy presentation. Its the one next week that matters.

In a game that had many big plays by the Riders on offence and defence, the biggest play may have come from Ricky Schmitt. How much does the game change if Schmitt is unable to A) get his hands on that high snap in the 2nd quarter and B) get the ball away with three Calgary guys coming at him. If that ball is blocked, the Stamps might have scored a TD on the play and get the momentum they could never capture. Think about it!

In the end, Calgary's cockiness caught up with them yet again. Maurice Price suggested what it would be like living in the Riders dressing room next week. The Riders never bit, they just let it go and did their talking on the field. They shut Calgary up!

Are you ready for a celebration in Rider Nation????? HELL YEAH!!!! This place is going to be somewhat crazy over the next seven days. I can't wait.

 --I am setting  the over/under of "Henry Burris" and "Kent Austin" mentions in stories written by Rob Vanstone this week at 493.5. I will go over. His two favourite guys are coming to town. How can you not go over?

  --Grey Cup 101 Fact #1  --Three men have thrown over 30 touchdown passes for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their history and all three will be on the field in Grey Cup 101 as that trio is Kent Austin, Henry Burris and Darian Durant.


Other odds and ends

  --The people of San Francisco should be applauded for what happened Friday with Batkid. If for some reason, you don't know what I am talking about, click here

  --Virginia State's football team should be embarrassed for what happened Friday. If for some reason, you don't know what I am talking about, click here

  --I'm guessing this snow is staying and winter has arrived. (Keyboard dripping in sarcasm) YAYYYYYYYYY!!!

 --Jonny Hendricks may have been the better fighter in the Octagon, but you can't take the champ the distance and win on a decision. You have to beat him outright and he did not do that to Georges St, Pierre thus he is still the UFC welterweight champion in what was a helluva match. The Hendricks camp is upset and well they should be, but he didn't do enough. Why is it no one is talking about the fact Hendricks tapped or looked to have in the first round? After the match, GSP said he had to leave the UFC for a while, but he wasn't talking retirement. Does he have to go found his smile? Long-time fans of the WWE and Shawn Michaels will know what that line is all about.

 --Those Flames 3rd jerseys are atrocious. Then again, so was Calgary in the 3rd period Saturday night against Edmonton. As bad as the Oilers are (and they are bad), its nice to know they can still walk into Calgary and knock off the Flames.

 --Reason 24786 that I love football-----the end of the Auburn/Georgia football game Saturday. Did you catch it? If not, click here

 --A huge tip of the hat to everyone connected in making the Crystal (Heisler) McGregor night a big success at the CKHS Saturday night. I don't know how much money ended up being raised to help Crystal in her fight against cancer, but I'm sure it was a lot. The Cougar womens basketball alumni came out in droves for this one doing one thing or another. I saw many of them and they made me feel old as I can remember doing games on Access when some of them were rookies and of course, I had a front row seat for their CIS championship win when Crystal was the point-guard of the team. I didn't get a chance to talk to all of them, but I did see a lot. They came through for someone who needs it as did many others who stepped up to the plate. Well done!!!

--That's all I got. OPEN THE TENTS NOW!!!!