Kansas State, Eight and Oh, and the Counter Votes on a Walk
Cleveland State56
Kansas State16
- Game
- 2034 Week 8
- Site
- Home
- Result
- Win
- Record
- 8-0
Vikings 56, Kansas State 16, at home. Eight and oh.
Forty points of daylight against the Wildcats, our fourth straight win over them since those two bad years at the start. Folks, Kansas State used to scare me. In 2024 and 2025 they beat us by a combined forty-two points, and I wrote columns about them that Donna had to proofread for despair. Now it’s sixty-three to three, fifty-two to thirty, sixty-three to thirty-five, fifty-six to sixteen. Time heals. So does a good defense.
Here’s what happened at Big Stan’s on Monday. The counter council had a vote, but it wasn’t about football. Walt stood up and said, “Motion: Mickey walks to the deli from now on.” Walt said, “Park on Fleet Avenue and walk the long way around. Doctor says thirty minutes a day. That’s thirty minutes.” The council voted six to nothing in favor. Chester did not abstain. Chester voted yes. Then Chester said, “I’ll walk with him.” Then he sat back down like he hadn’t said anything.
So now, every Monday morning, Chester and I walk to the deli together. He doesn’t talk. I talk enough for both of us. Last Monday, at the corner of Fleet Avenue, he stopped and pointed at a hawk on a telephone pole, and we watched it for a while. That’s all. It was a very good walk.
Four pierogi. One on the plate, earned.
A forty-point home win over Kansas State. Eight and oh. The defense has allowed eighty-three points in eight games.
Mickey and Chester walk to the deli together on Mondays. I’ve been told this by four separate people, including Big Stan, who called me specifically to report that Chester “talks on the walk.” I asked what Chester says. Stan said, “Birds, mostly.” I’d like it known that my father also talks about birds now, and only birds, and that I’ve spent ten years doubting everything in this city except the men who stop on a corner to watch a hawk.
The Doom Model’s “Perfect? (again)” tab has gotten a second cell: “Ohio (playoff?).” The Vikings and Ohio don’t meet in the regular season this year. Miami (OH) is also undefeated, and the Vikings don’t play them either, unless it’s in the Big 12 title game. Two dynasties, both off the schedule, both waiting at the end of the road. I’ve never seen a Vikings schedule this quiet and a postseason this loud.
Ten miles on Saturday with Teresa. The half is in April. I’m, apparently, almost there.
Back and forth
Chester pointed at a hawk.
Stan says Chester talks on the walk. Birds, mostly. My father too. I’m starting a bird notebook.
Two dynasties waiting.
Ohio and the RedHawks. Neither on the schedule. Both somewhere down the road.
Eight and oh with a defense that keeps getting cheaper, a council motion that Mickey walk to the deli, and Chester stopping at the corner of Fleet Avenue to watch a hawk.
Split Decision is fiction. Mickey Bridges, Ken Hogmanes and The Lakefront Ledger are invented; the games and scores are not.