Game From Obscurity

Toward the end of every week, tBBC gives you a preview of a game from the far reaches of the Empire. Almost far enough to hide a rebel base… just saying.

Hey! Remember that one episode where Joey and Phoebe went to Lima on a wacky adventure? Yeah, me neither- that’s why it’s important that we let you in on the goodness that is Peru and Friends this Saturday.

(Admit it, you read that as “Li-ma” and not “Lee-ma“. Sue would be so proud.)

As exciting as adding the Cornhuskers to the schedule is for Ohio State fans, wouldn’t it have been more prestigious to have invited Nebraska’s first college. In Peru (obviously), the college has been described as a “campus of a thousand oaks”. It’s unknown why the athletic teams are the “Bobcats” and not the “Squirrels”, though. Amongst the highlights for the campus is the Misty Blues Show Choir, which I was more impressed with when I thought it was something else. Within the mission of the institution is the desire to create graduates who have “the ability to pursue intellectually, ethically, aesthetically, and physically rewarding lives”. I’d love for someone to help me understand what an “aesthetically rewarding life” might be- Does it mean I have to redecorate?

Independent members of the NAIA, the Peruvian Bobcats are 2-4 on the season thus far. They are led on offense by Joel Woodhead, who has amassed 284 yards on the ground this season, and by QB Curtis Thompson who averages 200 yards per game through the air. On defense, linebacker Jake Mertens has 32 solos and 4 sacks in the Bobcats 6 games in 2010.

Here’s something exciting for Buckeye fans- the Falcons are proud to sport the scarlet and gray as their school colors. Now THAT’s aesthetically rewarding. Members of the NAIA’s Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, the Falcons were picked to win the conference going into 2010. That was quickly brought into perspective at the hands 52-20 loss in the opener. Nonetheless, Freddy Falcon’s footballers press on and have gained momentum back. In their last game, running back Jeran Trotter had 240 yards rushing, including a 70 yard TD. This season, sophomore QB Jayme Bristow is averaging 190 yards passing per game, and DB Jeff Kontz has 3 Ints on the year.

There are rumors about Friends’ name, but the truth is actually more horrific. The original name of the institution, which was founded in 1887, was Garfield University. Named after the “Society of Friends” (Quakers; we’ve covered this before), the current president is named “Biff“. No, I’m not kidding. Famous alumni include Christian artist Rich Mullins and Vernon L. Smith, recipient of the Nobel Prize for Economics.  Friends is unique for their degree program in Zoo Science, a fact that a current Buckeye might find interesting.