looking back (Nov. 30 - Dec. 6) | NFL FOOTBALL: Titans 20, Colts 17
When the Indianapolis Colts lost 21-14 to the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago, most NFL experts viewed the game as an accomplishment for the Cowboys rather than a failing of the Colts.
Sunday's Colts game though raised doubts about the league's best team while bolstering the legend of Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young as the Titans upset the Colts, 20-17. Knotted at 17-17 with 2:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, Young engineered a 9-play, 33-yard drive capped off with a 60-yard field goal by Rob Bironas with just seven seconds to play.
The Colts out-gained the Titans in yardage but held the ball for only 12 minutes in the second half as the Titans defense frustrated Peyton Manning.
Young had driven the team 95 yards in 11 plays a series before that to give the Titans a 17-14 lead. Last weekend, the Titans rallied from 19 points down against the Giants to win 24-21 as the media touted Vince Young's ability. The former Texas Longhorn rode his 2006 Rose Bowl win over USC all the way to a starting job, and continues to add to his list of accomplishments.
The Titans have now won five of their last seven games with three straight wins over the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants, and the Colts. The Titans have games remaining against Jacksonville and Cincinnati and could play the role of playoff spoiler.
looking ahead (Dec. 7 - dec. 13) | Women's basketball: Simmons at tufts
Looking for a sweet homecoming to follow a convincing 61-43 victory over nationally ranked No. 18 Salem State on Tuesday, the women's basketball team will host Simmons tonight in its first home game of the season.
The Jumbos have strung together a successful first half of the season, compiling a 4-1 record after dropping the its season opener against Suffolk on Nov. 17. Simmons, on the other hand, is 2-3 this year, having lost its last game, against Umass-Dartmouth on Nov. 30.
Defense has been the name of game for the Jumbos this season, as they have induced nearly 20 turnovers per game from their opponents and have nabbed an average of 9.8 steals per game. Twelve team steals, including a nickel apiece for senior Valerie Krah and junior Jenna Gomez, propelled the team to Tuesday's defense-powered win. With consistent play on its defensive end, offensive production against Simmons' zone set could be the difference-maker.
Coach Carla Berube's team did not have much trouble with Simmons in their showdown last year on Dec. 8, when Tufts walked away with a 76-62 victory behind last year's senior tri-captain Jess Powers, who notched her 1,000th point of her career during the game. The Jumbos had to play catch-up for most of that game, as the Sharks led for most of the first half.
Tufts will try to jump on the Sharks in the way it did against Salem State on Tuesday evening, hoping to avoid relaying on late-game runs to overtake its opponents.
