The Post's Molly O'Hare had proved she can cover Ohio football, but could she go throw-for-throw with Bobcats' quarterback Austen Everson on the turf of Peden Stadium?
Armed only with footballs and two official Peden Stadium trashcans, the pair decided on a modified version of the classic game Pig to pit writer against athlete.
Both O'Hare and Everson stood on the goal line and began the competition throwing at a can placed five yards away. After each successful bucket, the player's respective receptacle was moved back an additional five yards.
Any successful throw into a can by a player meant his or her opponent must match the shot. By making a toss into their can, a player could null the other's efforts, but missing resulted in being issued a letter. O'Hare received three chances after an Everson bucket while Everson was only allowed a single attempt.
Both players drained their five-yard attempts with ease. With the cans moved to 10 yards, Everson found dirt, after ringing his ball around the rim of the can on his third attempt. O'Hare struggled to package her distance and accuracy.
After three attempts, including one teasingly bouncing off the rim, O'Hare was issued a 'P,' the first letter of the game. Everson's can was moved to the 15-yard line and the competition began to heat up.
Just a few throws later, O'Hare threatened to tie the score after hitting her can 10 yards away. With the pressure on -he had missed his first four tries at the 15-yard can -Everson crushed O'Hare's comeback hopes as he found the bottom of the can.
That was the turning point
Everson said. She had the momentum going and the scouting report was that she had been practicing a lot breaking a sweat and getting ready for the competition. I had to get the momentum back on my side.
The cans were pushed back once again, O'Hare's to 15 yards and Everson's to 20. Both players found the rim of the can numerous times, but it was Everson who finally swished his eighth attempt, using the 20-yard completion to hand an 'I' to O'Hare.
The pair decided to up the stakes. O'Hare's trash can was placed by the 'O' of the OHIO in the back of the end zone while Everson placed his can in the far corner. Both players stood on the near hash for their throws.
Almost effortlessly, Everson hit his can in the corner on his first attempt, forcing O'Hare to make one of her next three attempts or face being labeled a Pig. O'Hare hit the rim of the can on all three tries, but failed to find the bottom of the can. Everson took the win, no letters to Pig.
Yeah I don't practice these kinds of drills all the time so my opponent has an advantage
O'Hare said.
With the title of Pig decided, O'Hare and Everson moved on to a more run-and-gun style game. Keeping the cans where they were, one point was to be handed out for hitting the can and two points for throws making it into the can. After 10 throws, points would be tallied and a winner declared.
O'Hare took an early 1-0 lead but it was short lived as she missed the can on her second attempt and Everson drained his throw to take a lead he would not relinquish. The game continued back-and-forth with Everson ultimately winning by a score of 8-5.
I think the wind affected my opponent more than it did me
Everson said. I think she let me get in her head a little bit and it took her out of her game. I definitely had to utilize all the tools I ever learned since Pee Wee football today.
O'Hare felt that weather conditions were not severe enough to throw her game.
I don't think the wind had anything to do with it
she said. I didn't bring my 'A' game today. I would say I brought more of a 'B' to 'B+' game.
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Mark Shugar
