What is it about Cardinals? Of late this would seem to be a very good mascot to have on your helmet should you be playing football against NGM. This time it was the Cardinals of Columbus, a team that has given NGM much trouble over the past three years, that would keep this “red bird curse” alive.

The first quarter was largely a draw as neither team could establish a sustained offensive drive. But Columbus entered this game with a chip on their shoulder, having just suffered a last second field goal loss the week before at Lodi. They came alive in the second quarter with 14 unanswer...