2008 Woodie Awards
Super Bowl Upset Leaves Football Fans Stunned
Mike Jeffries: Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Features
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"I'm just watching it for the commercials now," said Christina Vaughn, a senior nursing major at UCM. "The game is pretty boring."
Most of Vaughn's friends agree. A 7-3 score isn't what they were hoping for. Especially when the game included the NFL's best-ever offense in the New England Patriots, and Peyton Manning's red-hot brother Eli Manning and the New York Giants.
But, of course, this party of a dozen is a lot like the other 200 million American's tuned in to the 42nd Super Bowl. The game just isn't the best part.
"It's pretty much about bringing people together," said Justin Milligan, a sophomore graphic design major who attended a party of about 15 UCM students.
All across Warrensburg Sunday night, football fans and those just looking for a good time joined millions in what has now become an international phenomenon. Some have even called the celebration surrounding the modern Super Bowls America's biggest holiday.
"Well, I would definitely say that," Milligan said. "There's always a lot of hype surrounding the game. Especially this year with the Patriot's trying to go 19-0 and having another Manning in the Super Bowl."
Even Milligan, who considers himself an avid football fan, felt bored for three quarters of Sunday's game. "I wish they could have started really playing a little earlier," he said.
The fourth quarter, however, featured big plays from both team's, and an improbable comeback by Manning and the New York Giants. Final score, Giants 17, Patriots 14.
For many, the excitement of the fourth quarter was enough to override 45 minutes of sub-par Super Bowl thrill. According to an espn.com poll, which questioned 62,424 as of late Sunday night, 53 percent of voters ranked Super Bowl XLII among the top five Super Bowls ever.
Additionally, 23 percent of voters considered the game the best Super Bowl ever. Another 19 percent felt it was better than most, and only 5 percent thought it was nothing special.
What did Warrensburg party-goers think?
"I don't know if it was the best Super Bowl ever, but I definitely think it was one of the best I have ever seen," said Patrick Benson, a sophomore undecided major at UCM, who invited friends to his apartment for the game. "I mean, that fourth quarter was one heck of a 15 minutes.
The comeback by the Giants was awesome. Going into the game, I really didn't care who won. But when Manning completed that long pass, and the receiver (David Tyree) caught it with his head, all seven of us stood straight up and took a step toward the TV. It was exciting."
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