02.04.08 -- ENDZONE!

Fans fill University of Phoenix Stadium before Super Bowl XLII between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.

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Monday, February 4, 2008

Click here for LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Dave and Tracy Mackey, edited by Will Shortz

The Giants produced one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history Sunday night, beating the previously undefeated Patriots, 17-14.

Words for the Patriots:

DONTBEASTRANGER (17A. “See you again”)

DROPINANYTIME (37A. “See you again!”)

YALLCOMEBACKNOW (59A. “See you again!”)

Those are the three main entries in this very conversational crossword, joined by 1A. “ONCE upon a time…”; 31A. “Veni, vidi, vici” speaker, CAESAR; 47A. “BEIN Green” (Kermit the Frog song); 69A. Where “you can do whatever you feel,” in a hit 1978 song, YMCA; 4D. EATME (Words on a Wonderland cake); 26A. “Nobody doesn’t like” her, in a slogan, SARALEE; 36D. “How was ITO know?” -- adding up to a Monday puzzle that is very ONKEY (54D. Perfectly pitched)!

Just like that fantastic catch and then on to the ENDZONE (21A. Touchdown destination) at the Super Bowl!

Joining CAESAR, people in the puzzle include LEIA (14A. “Star Wars” princess); MUDD (20A. Longtime CBS and NBC newsman Roger); LOU (27A. Bud’s partner in comedy); LTCOL (41A. Henry Blake’s rank on “M*A*S*H”: Abbr.); AOLERS (42A. Many IM recipients); ODIN (57A. Chief Norse deity); EARP (66A. Lawman Wyatt); Former Cub RYNE Sandberg (57A.); ETS (7D. U.F.O. fliers); LORNE (9D. Michaels of “Saturday Night Live”); FONZ (10D. “Happy Days” cool cat, with “the”); STENOS (12D. Dictation takers); DYAN (35D. Actress Cannon); NOBLEMAN (38D. Duke or earl); SPY (43D. Austin Powers, e.g.); LAWYER (44D. Perry Mason, e.g.); OLEARY (45D. Clinton cabinet member Hazel; EVA (60D. Actress Mendes); and an ORC (62D. Tolkien creature).

Other Across: 5. Like a score of 10 out of 10; 10. Speedy; 15. Dated yet trendy; 16. Knowing of; 22. Blacktops; 25. Tricky curves; 28. Had Dinner; 29. BNAI B’rith; 30. Coarse file; 34. The “R” of NPR; 44. Letterhead design; 49. Snooze; 50. In the style of; 51. Mah-jongg pieces; 53. Domineering; 55. The dole; 64. Suffix with sock; 65. Ship-related; 68. Entrap.

Down: 1. Outdated; 2. Recent: Prefix; 3. The Reds, on scoreboards; 5. Steamed; 6. Muffle, as a sound; 8. Kind of well; 11. Country north of Namibia; 13. Shredded; 18. Greyhound vehicle; 19. TV spots; 22. Grp. Funding 19-Down in campaigns); 23. Just slightly; 24. Swerve; 29. BRIC-a-brac; 30. Stir up; 32. Lindbergh’s classic flight, e.g.; 33. Fitting; 39. Restroom door word; 40. Chapters in history; 46 Gasoline unit; 48. Weather map line; 51. Tic-TAC-toe; 52. Cattle branding tools; 53. Lighter and pen maker; 56. A polar bear might be found on one; 58. Valley; 61. ‘60s conflict site; 63. F.D.R. initiative.

The Giants are headed back to New York for a parade... and the Patriots? "See you again!"

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