Another (Soaked) Victory

Saturday, Gardner-Webb traveled to the home of the #8/10 Wofford Terriers.  I had been keeping an eye on the weather all week, as the Upstate was supposed to get rain on game day.  When I checked my weather app on Saturday, it said there would be a break around 7 pm (kick-off time).  The Weather.com app couldn't have been more wrong.

I left at 4:15 to make the hour drive to Wofford.  It poured the whole way there.  I got the field around 5:15.  The rain was coming down hard...and steady.  Knowing it was supposed to rain, I had brought two trash bags; one to sit on and one to put my purse in.  Thankfully, I also brought my beat-up umbrella and wore my supposedly rainproof jacket. Yogi and Gail had stopped at Target to pick up a tarp, so we sat on that.

Since Brett coaches special teams, his punters and kickers go on the field first to warm-up.  I sat there watching, noticing how slippery and heavy the ball was.  That's when I started to get nervous.  Brett had said running the ball would be important against the Terriers, but the rain made it even more of a key to success. 

The torrential rain and wind made it difficult to throw the ball.  Wofford, a triple option team, attempted seven throws, and only completed one.  GWU completed 50 percent of its throws for a little over 100 yards.  At the end of three quarters, the score was still 0-0.

Every phase was on point that night.  Defense was all over the Terriers, holding their offense to just 144 net rushing yards, and a game total of 149 yards. This is unreal for a triple option team.  The offense held the ball for almost 36 minutes, another great stat against an option team.  Special teams made significant plays, especially the punt team.  In the third quarter alone, GWU's punt team recovered two fumbles.

The fourth quarter was nothing short of nerve-wrecking, especially for a coach's wife.  The Wofford punter mishandled the snap, was swarmed by the defense, and threw an incomplete pass from the 1 yard line. He was charged with intentional grounding.  The result was GWU getting the ball on the 1.  Lucas threw a touchdown, which got called back by a blocking penalty.   Jordan, the place kicker and punter, made a 35 yard field goal with 10:52 left on the clock.   GWU held Wofford to a 3 and out.  The Dawgs missed a 38 yard field goal on our drive.  Wofford got the ball back with 2:37 left on the clock.  They went 31 yards, but GWU defense stepped up big with an interception with 50 seconds left.  That meant... BALL GAME!! 

Despite the rain never ever stopping, and me being drenched down to my core, I was thrilled the Runnin' Bulldogs pulled out the win.  It was the first time in history that a Big South team had beaten two ranked teams in back to back weeks.  What an accomplishment. 

And the grind continues. Here we come, Point!

Pre-game. It is raining

Kickers and punters warming up

Team warm-up

This was before the game even started

Right before half-time.  The field was soaked.

The rain never stopped

So happy for a Dawg win!

And this video makes the 4 hours of sitting in the downpour all worth it.  Go Dawgs!

Happy Birthday Oba

Today is my sweet little Asian lady's 84th birthday.  I have so many fond memories that involve Oba.  I remember whenever we'd go to her house, I would wash her dishes in a tub with yellow gloves and hot soapy water since she didn't have a dishwasher.  I'd have to stand on a stool in order to reach the sink.  True to Oba fashion, she would slip some money into my pocket.  If it was cold outside and my hair was wet from my shower, I would sit in front of her old furnace in the living room to dry it.  We'd draw the curtain between the living room and dining room to keep the living room warm.  Oba's bed was like climbing a mountain because it was so tall.  I'd often have to run and jump in order to make it.  There was a little closet in the kitchen that was perfect for hide and seek.  As I look back at that old house, I realize that even though it wasn't a mansion, some of my happiest memories happened there.

As my grandparents get older (84, 87, and 89 this year), I cherish these memories more and more.  I realize how blessed I am to still have all my grandparents around.  I learn so much from Oba, Mimi, and Pappaw.  I only hope to be as strong and determined as they are.

As Oba's mind and body slips more and more to her dementia, I cling even more tightly to these memories. Despite her dementia, she still has a great sense of humor.  When she visited last week, she still slipped me some money. She still walks with her head down and her hands clasped behind her back (something I realize I do more and more).  She is still my little sweet Asian lady.  She is still my Oba.

After a recent, scary visit to the hospital, Oba said, "God told me I give you one more chance."  I'm so glad He did.  I love you Oba!

Babies and Another Dawg Win

Yesterday was a great day.  Not only did the Runnin' Bulldogs pull out another huge win, we got to celebrate the upcoming birth of another coach's child.  Melissa, one of the coach's wives, is due in October.  Kelly and Quanza came up with the great idea to throw Melissa a pamper party.  This is Melissa and Rocco's second daughter, so we knew she had a lot of clothes from when Reilly was little.  All of the moms in our group suggested that, instead of buying more of the clothes and "first child" gifts, we stick with the necessities like diapers and wipes.

For the past two weeks, we have been sending around mass texts trying to coordinate who was bringing what.  When I was driving home from Raleigh on Wednesday, my phone was going off like crazy.  When I got home, I looked and had around 25 texts from everyone. Days like that make me smile.  I have such a great support system here.

It was a wonderful day, cool with a slight breeze.  Definitely becoming football weather.  We got to the tailgate early to set up.  Let me say, these ladies did such a great job!  The food was great and all of the little shower details were wonderful.  Melissa was completely surprised when she showed up.  I am so glad we could show her and Rocco that we love them and support them.

Kenny doing the Ray Lewis dance

He was Ray Lewis all day.

Sydnei with some of her friends

Kendall has a woman's barber shop.  Kelly always seems to be his customer.

The woman of honor!

These women are amazing.

We're so excited for the new addition to our football family.

We got into the stadium just as the colors were being presented.  The Richmond Spiders were the "bad guys" (as Reilly says) this week.  They are also ranked in the top 20 in the country for FCS schools.  Now if you follow football in NC, you know that Richmond almost beat NC State last week.  I had no idea that our game against Richmond would come down to the last play of the game too. 

Our run defense was stellar; Richmond was held to an average of 0.5 yards per rush!  At the end of the third quarter, it was 6-3 (GWU).  The fourth quarter was another story though.  I was shaking because it was so intense. Gail, Yogi, and Brett's brother Sam were able to make it to the game.  I think Sam lost his voice in the fourth quarter.  Jordan Day made a field goal to put GWU up 9-3.  Richmond then scored the lone touchdown of the game with 2:06 left in the game to put the Spiders up 10-9.

Brett is the special teams coordinator.  He knew they had to come up with a big play in order to get the team into field goal range.  Brett made an adjustment. J.J. received the ball on the kickoff and hit the gap hard, returning the kick for 51 yards to the Richmond 47!  The offense made a couple of big plays in order to give Jordan a manageable field goal.  Jordan made the 30 yarder to put GWU up 12-10 with 25 seconds left on the clock. 

The Spiders managed to get a couple of big passing plays and get out of bounds to stop the clock.  Their kicker had a 43 yard field goal for the win... and MISSED!!!!  Check out the missed field goal and GWU's reaction here.  It still gives me chills.

I'm so proud of this team for hanging in there and continuing to fight.  Now onto Wofford (another top 20 program).  Let's go Dawgs!

Brett is in the middle.  Before kick-off.

I love seeing him on the field.

One of J.J.'s returns.

Go Juanne!

Liyah is so adorable. She was waving to the bulldog.

We win!

Happy Birthday Meesh!

Happy birthday to my beautiful best friend Michelle!  It's your first birthday as a married lady.  I hope Andrew spoils you with showers and showers of gifts ;)  I mean, it is your birthday MONTH!

I have so cherished your friendship for the past eight years.  College would not have been the same without you.  Often, I wish I could go back to those cookies and Grey's type nights.  You helped shaped my college into one of the most positive experiences of my life.

Can't wait to see what God is going to do in your life this year.  Love you Meesh!

Dawgs Win!

Saturday was a terrific day.  It was my first game day as a GWU Running Bulldog.  Brett had to go into work early for pregame breakfast and meetings so I headed to Tre and CJ's first football scrimmage.  I have never lived anywhere where the elementary schools have football and cheerleading teams.  It's quite a culture where we live.  It teaches kids the game we all love early in life.  I think it's also a great way to get kids outside and exercising.

Tre (#12) is the starting quarterback and one of the captains.  CJ (#83) is one of the linebackers.  He says he's like Ray Lewis.  Although their team didn't win, it was a great way to start game day.  I'm hoping to go to Keenan and Matt's games this weekend.

Tre was one of the captains.

One of Tre's many hand-offs.  No fumbles.

Little Ray Lewis right there.

Sydnei and Isaiah with some of Sydnei's new friends

Adorable

Proud of these guys.

After the game, I hung out at the house waiting for our parents to get here.  Brett and I have such great parents; they are extremely supportive.  I was so happy to learn that my parents would be making the trip down to the first game.  They came to the first game that NGU won last year (I was hoping they would see another win).  Brett's Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary Beth, and Brian and his family (the pastor that married us) also made the drive for the first game.

The coaches' families decided to tailgate so I got to the field early.  There is nothing quite like the game day atmosphere to me.  It is exciting but also makes me a little anxious too.  Travis' wife Kelly went all out for the tailgate.  She is the only wife I didn't know before this season, but I am so glad I know her now. She always has a smile on her face and really lights up a room.

We were all set up: the tents, chairs and food were out and the kids were playing flag football.  I had been watching the sky get darker and darker.  The wind picked up, and the temperature dropped really quickly.  We all knew the sky was about to open so we decided to move our tailgate into the conference room.  Shortly after we moved upstairs, the sky turned black and the rain started.  For those of you who live in the south, you know how quickly these summer storms pop up and move out.  Luckily, we were only under a 45 minute delay.

I just have to say that we are blessed with a family-friendly staff.  We (the wives and kids) overtook our husbands' offices during the storm delay.  With 10 kids running around the halls, it was quite loud.  As KaShanda said, "Walk into the hallway at your own risk."  I love that atmosphere, and I am so thankful that Coach McCray allowed us to take over the offices.

Melissa and Reilly

Flag football

The storm approaching

Making the most of the rain delay

The players got on the field at 6 and the game started at 6:45.  The Dawgs were playing Furman.  Some of the GWU staff used to coach/play at Furman so I know this game was especially important to them.   Brett is now the running backs coach and special teams coordinator.  Lucky for me, he was on the field during the kick-off so I was able to snap a picture of him before he went into the box.

Furman seemed to have momentum the first half, going into the locker room up 14-7.  Furman scored first in the second half to go up 21-7.  I'm already a wreck at the beginning of a game, but being down two touchdowns made me really nervous.  Thankfully, the Dawgs scored 21 unanswered points to win 28-21!  Juanne, one of Brett's running backs, had a monster game: 28 carries for 162 net yards.  The offense made huge plays on third down and took care of the ball with 0 fumbles and interceptions.  Defense stepped up with two interceptions, one with less than a minute left to clinch the win. 

Brett was so pumped that he was dancing on the field after the game and proceeded to dance in the locker room too.  The office was buzzing after the game and everyone was so wound up.  It took a while to go to sleep that night.  I woke up the next morning still excited about the win.

I am so, so proud of the coaches and players.  When things started looking like they were going in Furman's direction, they never stopped competing.  Ben, the strength and conditioning coach, has done a great job with getting them ready physically too.  Proud to be a Dawg. 

Now to prepare for Marshall.

Pregame warmups

Coach McCray and Ben getting ready to lead the guys on the field

Go Dawgs!

Opening kickoff

Only picture of Brett on the field, in between the McCrays.

One of Juanne's 28 carries

He played awesome.

Defensive staff minus Travis

This was a huge third down conversion.

My parents must be a good luck charm, batting 1000 with the games they've been to.