Killing drives and calling back touchdowns, penalties and turnovers killed the Pirates in this one. Due to a solid performance by the East Carolina defense, the game was never out of reach. Yet, a touchdown called back because of holding and a fumbled ball going out the back of the end zone for a touchdown were a few of things that held East Carolina short. Despite their narrow escape, Virginia Tech running back ran for a career-high 179 yards, as quarterback Tyrod Taylor had 198 all-purpose yards on the night. Perhaps the most valuable player of the game was Virginia Tech’s kicker Matt Waldron. Waldron split three field goals through the uprights, tripling the points of the East Carolina offense. Offensively, the Pirates were just full of bad breaks; their only trip to the red-zone was called back because of a penalty. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney had a mere 169 yards passing with no scores and the whole team managed only 110 yards on the ground. But hey, with eight punts on the day, the punter got a good workout. From the Hokies stand point, by winning this game, they keep their top-25 stature in tact. With a relatively easy schedule left, all the Hokies can do is win-out and see what happens.

GEORGIA TECH – 30 WAKE FOREST – 27

This game was fluke-upset, if you will, by Wake Forest. Perhaps the third time that Wake Forest blew an upset this season, they’ve got to get better at closing games out if they want to make a bowl game. The Yellow Jackets got off lucky. Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner went 26 for 40, 263 yards, and two touchdowns, keeping it a close game throughout. However, the Deacons offense was one-dimensional and I’m not quite sure how Georgia Tech didn’t manage to stop them through the air. But either way, Georgia Tech matched it offensively, rushing for a grand total of 412 yards or four scores. The thing with Georgia Tech is that they’re perhaps the only team in the entire nation that can be one-dimensional offensively and still beat you. Now when you do run a one-dimensional offense and still manage to be the #7 team in the nation, then you pretty much know that you can move the ball. Back to the game and it was a fairly inconsistent one. Coming into the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets looked to have had a firm 10-0 lead. Yet, storming their way through, Wake Forest put up 17 answered points, leading by seven at the half. Georgia Tech ended up forcing the game into overtime; where the good teams are separated from the great teams. There, Josh Nesbitt ran for a 1-yard fourth down conversion and eventually ran it in for the game-winner. Closing in on the ACC title, all Georgia Tech has to do is win out and they’re in.

CLEMSON – 40 FLORIDA STATE – 24

Say all you want about this game, but when it was all said and done, CJ Spiller won it for the Tigers. With 312 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on the night, Spiller was a man among boys Saturday night in Clemson. And the amazing thing about his performance is that, more than half the time, he looked like he was just jogging around the field. On a different note, Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker has really stepped up his game lately having yet another good showing with 242 yards and four scores through the air. Yet, the whole offensive explosion out of Clemson could have just been the outcome of five Florida State turnovers. Either way, Clemson simply outplayed Florida State when it really mattered. Outscoring the Seminoles 19-0 in the 4^th quarter, the Tigers merely wanted it more. Going 21-33, 262 yards, and one touchdown; outside his, drum roll please, four interceptions, Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder had a pretty good game. Seminoles running back Jermaine Thomas had 119 yards rushing, along with one score and a solid 4.6 YPC. In terms of the ACC title race, this game may have just pushed Florida State out of the picture. If they had one, then they’d win the tiebreaker over Clemson with a 3-3-conference record and currently be holding 1^st place in the Atlantic division of the ACC. However, with Clemson’s win, the Tigers are sitting at 1^st in the Atlantic division and Florida State is holding up the 3^rd spot behind Boston College.

NORTH CAROLINA – 19 DUKE – 6

Scoring only six points, Duke’s offense came to a sudden halt this Saturday vs. UNC. Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis had thrown for 300+ yards in each of his last 4 games up until now. UNC running back Ryan Houston ran for 169 yards and caught for another 15, spurring the Tar heels offense past Duke.

MIAMI – 52 VIRGINIA – 17

At the end of the first half, Miami held a mere 7-point lead and this game looked to be a close one. However, with the help of stellar performances by both quarterback Jacory Harris and running back Graig Cooper, Miami out-scored Virginia 28-0 in the second half; ultimately leading them to a 52-17 beating.

NC STATE – 38 MARYLAND – 31

Though they turned the ball over 4 times, in the end, NC State somehow managed a victory. Wolf pack quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns, as well as a score on the ground, surging State past Maryland for their first in-conference win of the season.

Everyone involved with the UFL keeps using the catch phrase “alternative entertainment,” but I prefer to use the term “football at a price everyone can afford to watch.”  With seats priced at levels even lower then most college football games, everyone should be taking advantage of the chance to see professional football.

If you tally the cost of going to an NFL Game (even if you have tickets you purchased at regular face value), you would have already priced the average person out of their rent or mortgage payment for a month. With the going price for a UFL seat at $20 per, a family of 4 can have an affordable day or night of football.

While Thursday’s game was another loss for New York, they continue to improve in every facet of the game. Recent additions to the roster include former NFL Punter Scott Player, who wears a faceguard out of the 1950’s era.  When I asked New York head coach Ted Cottrell about player’s faceguard (as I’m an ex-kicker/punter and wore a similar one as a youth player in the 1960’s and 70’s), he lit up that great smile of his and told us, “they’ve (the team) never seen it!”

California would win this game by a 20-13 score, but New York kept it more then interesting, considering they had given up 17 points in the first half. Give the New York coaches and players credit for not packing it in early, as you could almost hear echoes of Herman Edwards famous “you play to win the game” quote along with his infamous (to Giants fans) fumble recovery for a touchdown throughout the halls of the building that will soon be torn down.

Personally, I spent many years learning about football In the Meadowlands, as both a fan sitting in section 311(row 25, seats 6-10), and later as I began my sports writing career. It holds a special place for me, and having the opportunity to cover the first UFL game here just made this last year of the building’s existence and my memories of it that much sweeter for me.

Both coaches have a wide array of feelings about the building as well. Redwoods head coach Dennis Green was asked about it and told us, “It was exciting to be at Giants Stadium, but once the game starts, you don’t notice. All the players were excited.”

He also made mention of the famous “Open Doors” Incident that he felt cost him a win over the Giants when the facilities staff would open the doors on the field level to allow the wind to aid a Giants’ field goal attempt or punt and then make sure they were closed for the opposing team In the same situation.

Coach Cottrell offered some other thoughts on the positive side:  “It was great to be in the area we’re locating to. I wish it (the game) had come out another way.” He went on to tell us “This ball park is great for fans. The new one (stadium) is going to be even better.” He still holds a deep fondness for the area from his time as a Rutgers assistant coach, and as the Jets defensive coordinator, but also recounted his famous quote as a Bills assistant when his defensive players talked about coming to New York to play the Jets, “It’s not New York, it’s East Rutherford New Jersey.”

All that being said, the stadium with the skyline of Manhattan in clear view will be missed by many people, but will be remembered for many great moments, including the launch of the UFL in the NY area.