sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Michaelmas!
Michaelmas is a Christian festival celebrated by some Western churches. Its name derives from the phrase "Michael's Mass", similar to how Christmas comes from "Christ's Mass". Michael is the greatest of the archangels, and defeats Satan in the war of heaven in the Book of Revelation. He also is the protector against the darkness of night. Michaelmas was started in the 5th century after a basilica was dedicated to Michael. The day now honors Michael and all the other angels. At one time it was obligatory to participate in Mass on the day, but that was discontinued in the 18th century. It is associated with autumn and the shortening of days, and in some countries—such as Britain and Ireland—it is known as one of the four "quarter days", along with Lady Day, Midsummer, and Christmas. On these days, servants were hired, rents were due, or leases were signed. This also once was looked at as the end of the harvest season. Geese are also strongly associated with the day, as geese were sometimes offered to landowners as part of their rent on the day. Also, it is believed that Queen Elizabeth I heard of the defeat of the Spanish Armada when she was eating goose, and decided she would eat goose again on Michaelmas. A tradition in Britain also was the eating of a fattened goose after the harvest, to protect against financial problems in the coming year.
SU News
NC State vs. Syracuse Fearless Prediction & Game Preview (collegefootballnews.com; Fiutak)
NC State (3-1) vs. Syracuse (2-2) Game Preview
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, Sept. 30th
Game Time: 12:20 pm ET
Venue: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Network: ACC Network
Contact @PeteFiutak
Are you really ready to be a major player, NC State?
This was the team we all thought it would be, coming up with a smart, effective game on the road to beat Florida State, and now it’s Game On. Now, if this really is the team that’s good enough to win a game like that, it’s time to start believing it’s a good enough team to beat anyone and everyone on the schedule.
There’s time off to rest after this before a Thursday night game against Louisville, and then comes a run of four road games in five weeks, with Clemson in the middle.
There can’t be a misfire at home against Syracuse.
The Orange can’t seem to get their season going, alternating the two wins with two losses, but the defense hasn’t been bad, the team put up a good fight on the road against LSU, and there’s just enough hope to think this might be a bowl season with an upset or two along the way.
This might need to be one of them.
One Reason Why Syracuse Will Win
It might seem boring in a game between two teams with decent firepower, but there’s a shot the Orange can stay in the game – or change it around – with the punting game.
It’s part of the reason the Wolfpack lost to South Carolina in the opener, and it should be a problem this week with a punting game that’s averaging just 35 yards per boot and can’t do much on punt returns.
The Orange offense might be having problems, but the Sterling Hofrichter is averaging over 46 yards per boot. Considering the SU defense is seventh in the nation in coming up with third down stops, pin State deep, make it go on long drives, make it get to third down, get off the field.
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NC State expects CB Stevens to make season debut vs Syracuse (wtop.com; AP)
North Carolina State says cornerback Mike Stevens is expected to make his long-awaited season debut this week against Syracuse.
Stevens was listed as probable on the injury report Thursday and coach Dave Doeren said after practice that “Mike’s playing.”
Stevens is an instate senior from Charlotte who has 22 career starts for the Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). He has not played this season due to a knee injury suffered in training camp.
He warmed up before the Florida State game last week but was ultimately held out.
Junior safety Dexter Wright was once again listed as questionable with an opening-game groin injury that has sidelined him for the past three games. Doeren says he will be a game-day decision.
NC State favored by 12 points to beat Syracuse (backingthepack.com; Muma)
Coming off its upset win in Tallahassee, NC State is a big home favorite against Syracuse. The Orange have had their struggles early this season, but still I can’t say I expected to see the Wolfpack as a 12-point favorite this week. Seems a little bit optimistic.
But, I dunno, maybe it’s time to just shut up and quit worrying about this type of thing. I mean, I’m not questioning the notion that NC State has a better football team than Syracuse, and also it is telling that the initial line for this matchup hasn’t really moved. Vegas seems to be recognizing that State is progressing, and maybe I should do the same.
Not that I’m going to, mind you. But it’s a thought I had. Beating FSU last weekend was a significant step forward, and taking care of Syracuse without a lot of trouble would be another. If State wins without sweating much this weekend, I might finally be able to relax a little bit about this season.
Doeren meets with media before Syracuse matchup (cbssports.com; video)
Dave Doeren met with the media one last time before NC State's ACC home opener against Syracuse on Saturday.
Michigan High School Football: Syracuse-bound Tyrone Sampson leads Detroit's East English Village (clickondetroit.com; Hetzler)
Detroit East English Village has found a winning recipe with a mix of young and veteran players.
Coach Rodereck Oden knew he could count on an experienced offensive line, with all five starters returning from last year’s football team that went 5-4 overall. He knew he had several college recruits on both sides of the ball. And he knew the Bulldogs would be good.
But Oden has watched East English Village roll this season, thanks not only to his seniors but also thanks to some talented underclassmen.
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“We’ve had several young players step up and play significant roles for us,” Oden said. “Our receiving corps is young and stepping up for us.”
The Bulldogs are 5-0 and have only given up six points in their last three games, not including a win by forfeit over Detroit Communication Media Arts.
Seniors have played a big role in that start.
It starts up front, where senior center Tyrone Sampson Jr. anchors the offensive line. A four-year starter, Sampson has played every position on the line this year as the Bulldogs have dealt with injuries.
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Other
Vito's Ristorante opens in Rico's old spot in East Syracuse (PS; Weaver)
Vito's Ristorante opened 11 days ago, and Michael Albanese can hardly believe the crowds.
"People just can't wait to come in and start hugging each other," Albanese said of former Rico's diners who are loyally returning to the restaurant just off Manlius Center Road in East Syracuse.
At lunch today Thursday - which was still going strong well after 2 p.m. - people were still being seated. Two parties of 10 had just left. And some members of a 22-person-top were still in the back room. Dinner reservations for 6 p.m. were just about booked.
"The bar was packed on Monday," Albanese said. "On a Monday night."
Rico's Ristorante closed in May. Enrico Geremia had opened it in 1997 after working for years at Grimaldi's on Erie Boulevard. More recently, his son Steve Geremia ran the restaurant. Enrico Geremia brought over staff from Grimaldi's 20 years ago.
Some are now working at Vito's, Albanese said, alongside three of Geremia's grandchildren.
"Rico was here last Friday for lunch," Albanese said.
The lunch and dinner menus include Italian classics, such as braciola, as well as chops, seafood and steaks. Vito's serves riggies with a choice of five different sauces and chicken, shrimp or sausage. Some versions are those of Tony Albanese, who also oversees Tony's Family Restaurant on Burnet Avenue. The red sauce version is Geremia's receipe.
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