Beaver County Times, December 29, 2013

It's almost time to unwrap the new Equibank calendar as 2013 fades into history.
It was the year the Pirates finally won after 20 years and had PNC Park rocking the way it was supposed to. The Steelers took a frenzied path to another mediocre season, losing games on two continents to start 0-4.
The Penguins got through two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs before they hit a brick wall with a Boston Bruins logo.
Pitt said goodbye to the Big East and inaugurated ACC competition. Robert Morris knocked Kentucky out of the NIT. Duquesne lost a lot. Again.
It was a memorable year for a variety of reasons, and it's time to take one last look back before focusing completely on Tuesday's AdvoCare V100 Bowl game. Grab a couple of sharpened No. 2 pencils, and get after the traditional dozen puzzlers.
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1. If you have no power, you are likely:
a. Oppressed.
b. Downtrodden.
c. In the Pirates' mix for first base.

2. When Neil Walker was married at St. Paul Cathedral, many guests said:
a. "What a lovely couple."
b. "What a majestic setting."
c. "I wonder how much St. Paul paid for the naming rights."

3. What was the year's most bitter rivalry?
a. Steelers-Ravens.
b. Penguins-Flyers.
c. UPMC-Highmark.

4. Arizona State coach Todd Graham was on a flight that suddenly dropped 25,000 feet. When he landed safely, he:
a. Kissed the ground.
b. Said a prayer.
c. Checked to see if the pilot was wearing a Pitt class ring.

5. What did Santa bring bad boys and girls?
a. Nothing.
b. A lump of coal.
c. Zoltan Mesko jerseys.

6. Mike Tomlin needs:
a. Better players.
b. New assistants.
c. Fluorescent sidelines.

7. When The Sporting News named Clint Hurdle manager of the year, what was the most common reaction?
a. Congratulations.
b. It's well deserved.
c. The Sporting News still exists?

8. The biggest question about the Steelers season is:
a. Where does the offense need help?
b. How can the defense be improved?
c. How does Bruce Gradkowski have a weekly radio show?

9. Penguins players know they have:
a. A championship opportunity.
b. The support of sellout crowds.
c. No better friend than Dan Potash.

10. What is the key moment at any Mike Tomlin Tuesday news conference?
a. The injury report.
b. The evaluation of the previous game.
c. When Jory Rand's question gets Tomlin's laser stare of contempt.

11. What's been impossible for the Pirates to get this offseason?
a. A proven clean-up hitter.
b. An All-Star caliber shortstop.
c. A return call from A.J. Burnett.

12. What lesson can be taken from this Steelers season?
a. It's hard to stay on top.
b. The salary cap forces hard choices.
c. Don't complain so much when they're 12-4.