Sports Our Way

Plans have the unique ability to look magnificent on paper. The execution of said plan sometimes fails to be delivered. Reasons for failure can be plentiful. At the top of the list? Sick kid.

This past Saturday was the final chance to see the current group of Golden Hurricane in person. I missed the TU Express' final stop at home but a fortunate 25,428 rabid fans witnessed a 56-7 beatdown.

Tulsa throttled Houston entrenching themselves in the driver's seat of the C-USA West division. Paul Smith's back must be sore from all the pats we've given him this year. Today, I'll talk about the defense. After all, it's not often we can do so in a positive light.

The Cougars entered the game with a top-5 offense in the nation. They left H.A. Chapman Stadium bloody, bruised and offensively confused. They managed 324 yards in the game but 97 of those came in a meaningless drive against TU subs.

Linebackers Chris Chamberlain and Nelson Coleman reeked collective havoc. A total of 36 tackles, a forced fumble, two interceptions and a sack for the undervalued pair.

The team has but one goal left. A chant usually saved for an incumbent during a reelection campaign. Four more games! Four more games! Army, Rice, C-USA title game and a bowl appearance.

More Paul Smith? You got it. Coach Graham summed up the prominent feeling about our QB after the game.

"In 20 years in this business there is not a person, or finer quarterback, that I have ever been around than Paul Smith.

Random news and notes of interest. Have you ever sat in your office or walked through the kitchen and wondered the month or day? Well, the lovely ladies that encompass the Tulsa 66ers Dance Team have you covered.

Their 12-month calendar not only features the easy-to-look-at 66ers Dance Team members but, as an added bonus, the dates are listed too. "With a calendar that rivals any NBA team and top quality dance skills, we are very proud of our dance squad," said Charlie Seraphin, Tulsa 66ers executive vice president.

Feel free to call the Tulsa 66ers at 585-8444 or grab one at a home game later this month.

The second annual Route 66 Marathon will be in Tulsa on Sunday, Nov. 18. Of course this begs the question, Tulsa had a first annual Route 66 Marathon? If a tree falls in the... nevermind.

I love the idea. Not the actual running part, but watching others run is what I do best. I'm reminded of a Seinfeld episode when the hysterically funny (before we knew he was a racist) Cosmo Kramer handed a marathon runner scolding hot coffee. Good times.

What makes this marathon exciting? "Great live entertainment really adds to the excitement of the marathon," said Chris Lieberman, Route 66 Marathon Executive Director. Exactly what I was thinking.

"My goal for the entertainment has been to replicate the diversity of Route 66 by having a variety of acts along the course. There is something for everyone to enjoy, whether they are running the marathon or just come out to hear their favorite band." said Kim Hann, Route 66 Marathon Entertainment Director.

The laundry list of bands, groups, entertainers etc. is too long to list. Visit route66marathon.com for specific locations, times and nutrition tips.

Major League Baseball is in the midst of the 'Hot Stove' season. The Hot Stove League, as they call it, is the biggest abomination in sports today. It is basically the Yankees and Red Sox keeping themselves in the news during baseball's off-season by spending millions of dollars. Pathetic.

A bit of newsworthy information trickled out of the winter meetings that you probably didn't hear about. The GM's decided first- and third-base coaches will wear some sort of head protection during games next season.

This is in direct response to tragic death of Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh. Overreaction? Probably, considering many agreed even a helmet would not have protected the neck area in which he was fatally struck. However, MLB took the opportunity and expect the minor leagues to follow suit.

On a lighter note, Amanda, Coolbaugh's wife, gave birth in San Antonio to their third child. The 8?pound, 8?ounce girl was named Anne Michael Coolbaugh. Donations are still being accepted for the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund c/o SpiritBank.

Finally, if you want hard-hitting mixed martial arts news in Tulsa, who's got your back? Right here! I was hanging out at Tulsa Combat Fitness, the old Mikey's Gym, and watched Tom Jones work up a lather sparring with several fighters for what seemed to be an eternity.

I wasn't there to speak with Jones but asked him about the intense training. Without taking a deep breath he remarked, "Fighting in two weeks." Sweating profusely? Yes. Gasping for air? Not in the least.

Suffice it to say everything came together once I realized "Snake-Bite Fight Night" was taking place this Friday night at 8. Jones battles Cory Devala for the middleweight title.

The card is stacked with 11 professional MMA fights including four titles up for grabs. Oklahoma is well represented on the night. There are several fighters I'm most interested in seeing in person.

Johny Hendricks and Jake Rosholt are members of Team Takedown. Both are celebrated collegiate wrestlers from Oklahoma State. The night of extreme fighting gets underway at the Tulsa Convention Center.

The newly formed High Roller Productions claims their partnership with the Oklahoma Boxing Commission awarded them as the sole production company to distribute Oklahoma Title Belts. Visit highrollermma.com for the complete card as well as information on tickets.

Game scripts, weekend schedules and MMA fight plans. What do these have in common?

The loquacious Mike Tyson who happens to be half-pugilist, half-manic and half-philosopher, once said, "Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."

Keep your chin down and your guard up.