Just One More Second

November 30, 2013 will go down in history as an unbelievable day in college football. For those who may not worship the gridiron gods, let me provide a snapshot. Football rivalries are part of the tradition that has surrounded the game since its inception. Growing up, it was the T-NT game, an aptly named contest that paired the Davidic Tonawanda High School with its Goliath-like enemy, North Tonawanda High School. Unfortunately, the Tonawanda Warriors seldom were able to defeat the bigger, stronger Lumberjacks, but they never gave up the fight.

Upon arriving in Canton, Ohio, we were introduced to the Massillon-McKinley battle , packing more than 20,000 fans into the stadium for a ferocious contest. It’s always a crazy week in Stark County, as each school vies for bragging rights that will last until the next November encounter.

And then there is The Ohio State University rivalry with the Michigan Wolverines, a classic matchup that stirs up emotion both on and off the field. Those high emotions were evident in the dust-up in the second quarter that resulted in the ejection of three players. That game came down to the last seconds, as Michigan scored a final touchdown and made the ill-fated decision to go for the win with a two-point conversion. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, destiny called their name, and the gutsy call failed to convert into points on the scoreboard. Dodged that bullet.

Not to be outdone by the drama in the Buckeye-Wolverine game, the Crimson Tide of Alabama attempted to roll over their worthy cross-state opponent, the Auburn Tigers. Ranked number one and number four in the nation, these teams passed the lead back and forth, and at the end of regulation time, the scoreboard indicated a tie game. Time for overtime, right? No, wait – could there still be one second left on the clock? Instant replay proved Nick Sabin right one more time, and instead of taking a knee or attempting a Hail Mary pass, Alabama sent on the field goal unit for a very long attempt. Loading up the line with the big guys to prevent a blocked kick, the Crimson Tide had failed to factor in the possibility of a missed field goal that could be returned for – you’ve guessed it – a touchdown, leading to one of the most bizarre conclusions to a rivalry game in the history of the sport.

To be sure, college football has its critics. It’s big money, big business, big television contracts. College should be about educating our young adults for the future, some tell us, not making money on the backs of its “student” athletes. Surely the learning that takes place in the lecture halls and chemistry labs is much more important than what happens on the football field, right?

I’m all for formal education, but I couldn’t help but notice the huge life lessons being played out in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Auburn, Alabama on Saturday afternoon. When the Michigan coach chose to go for two for the win, Dale Carnegie’s words supported his decision: “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” However, Buckeye Tyvis Powell reached in and grabbed the ball away from the intended receiver, proving that the words of wisdom from hockey great Wayne Gretzky translate from the ice rink to the football field: “Skate to where the puck is going to be.” Can you say O-H?

Other valuable life lessons were present in the Iron Bowl at Auburn. For Alabama coach Nick Sabin, what a difference a second makes. The coach was quoted as saying, “first time I lost a game that way,” proving that indeed, there’s a first time for everything. For Chris Davis, waiting in the end zone at the completion of the Auburn/Alabama game, the words of Abraham Lincoln speak volumes: “I will prepare and some day my chance will come.”

There’s one final life lesson (unfortunately all too familiar to Cleveland fans) that holds true in any kind of rivalry: “There’s always next year.” Just think, only 358 days until Michigan and Ohio State meet again. Can’t wait!