Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY’s crossword, Spirit of the Game (Freestyle)

Sally delves into USA TODAY’s crossword, Spirit of the Game, on Off the Grid (Freestyle). There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! The Spirit of the Game (Freestyle)
Constructor: Matthew Stock
Editor: Amanda Rafkin
Random Thoughts & Interesting Things
GREEN WASTE (14A: Compostable stuff in a dumpster) GREEN WASTE is also referred to as biological WASTE. The term refers to any organic WASTE that is compostable. Many communities have initiated GREEN WASTE collection programs in order to decrease the amount of such materials ending up in a landfill.
GAS STATION SUSHI (17A: Fishy road trip food) GAS STATION SUSHI is the subject of many classic jokes and memes. Not only might GAS STATION SUSHI be “fishy” in that it contains fish, it may also be “fishy” as in “of questionable safety.”
TEA TREE (24A: Alliterative landscaping shrub) The TEA TREE is a shrub in the myrtle family with its alliterative name. TEA TREE oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is used in some herbal acne treatments.
TAR (32A: The ___ Heel State (North Carolina)) The TAR Heel State is a nickname for North Carolina, as well as the nickname of the University of North Carolina athletic teams, students, alumni, and fans. In the mid-18th and 19th centuries, North Carolina was a leading producer of turpentine, TAR, and pitch, products of the state’s plentiful pine trees. The TAR Heel moniker came about as a result of this. Birds (45A: owls, oystercatchers, and oropendolas) This clue has some great alliteration that goes well with the TEA TREE answer. A nice choice to use examples of BIRDS whose names all begin with the same letter. By giving three examples here, a solver can be successful even if they are only familiar with one of these types of BIRDS. Owls are nocturnal BIRDS of prey. Oystercatchers are wading BIRDS found on coasts around the world. Oropendolas are large BIRDS with pointed bills and long tails (that usually have some bright yellow coloring) that feed on large insects and fruit.
FARGO (47A: North Dakota’s largest city) FARGO, North Dakota is located on the eastern edge of the state along the North Dakota-Minnesota border. Approximately 17% of North Dakota residents live in FARGO. Although FARGO is North Dakota’s largest city, it would take over 64 cities the size of FARGO to equal the population of New York City.
SHIA (57A: Counterpart of Sunni, in Islam) The two main branches of Islam are SHIA and Sunni. This History article gives an overview of how the two branches of Islam arose.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE (60A: Sport whimsically called “flat ball”) ULTIMATE FRISBEE is a team sport played with a flying disc, leading to the nickname of “flat ball.” ULTIMATE FRISBEE differs from most other sports by relying on self-officiating at most levels of competition. Players call their own fouls, officiating in the “spirit of the game” (SOTG) – an expectation that each player will be a good sport and play fair.
LEAF INSECT (64A: Bug named for its ability to camouflage) LEAF INSECTs are sometimes called “walking leaves.” LEAF INSECTS come in a variety of forms and are all adept at disguise. This is a survival tactic, as predators have difficulty telling the LEAF INSECTs apart from the leaves.
AGGIES (1D: Texas A&M University athletes) Texas A&M University is located in College Station, Texas. The AGGIES are the school’s graduates, students, and sports teams. The fact that Texas A&M is an agricultural (“ag”) university is the source of this nickname. CATNAP (6D: Quick sleep) My cat, Willow, is a pro at taking a CATNAP.
ASIA (7D: China’s continent) China is located in East ASIA. Its capital is Beijing. This is the second appearance this month (and year) of our crossword friend ASIA.
T’NIA (36D: “The Haunting of Bly Manor” actor Miller) The Haunting of Bly Manor is a TV series centered on the events at a countryside Manor in the United Kingdom. It is adapted from an 1898 novella by Henry James, The Turn of the Screw. The show is also a follow up to a previous series, The Haunting of Hill House, though the narratives of the series are not connected. Hannah Grose, Bly Manor’s fiercely protective housekeeper, is played by T’NIA Miller. EURO STEP (38D: Evasive basketball move) In basketball, the EURO STEP is also called a two-STEP or a long lateral. A player with the ball stops dribbling, takes a step in one direction, then quickly takes a step in the opposite direction and shoots a basket to perform the EURO STEP. Unsurprisingly, I learned about the EURO STEP from a previous crossword.
HARI (54D: Comedian Kondabolu) HARI Kondabolu is a stand-up comedian and writer. The Problem with Apu, a 2017 documentary about the character Abu Nahasapeemapetilon from The Simpsons, examines negative stereotypes of people of Indian and South Asian descent. HARI Kondabolu’s appearances on the NPR podcast Wait Wait… are the primary source of my knowledge of him. Don’t Tell Me.
ISSA (59D: Rae who played President Barbie in “Barbie”) I thoroughly enjoyed seeing ISSA Rae as President Barbie in the 2023 movie Barbie.
ALS (61D: Ice Bucket Challenge) Do you remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? In the summer of 2014, the challenge went viral on social media in an attempt to promote awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and to encourage donations for research.
Several additional clues I particularly enjoyed: GOOD EVENING (37A: Greeting from a dinner host (or a vampire!))
LASER TAG (11D: Team competition with light-up vests)
SOOT (29D: Stuff washed off of Santa’s suit, presumably)
Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis
SPIRIT OF THE GAME (Freestyle): There’s no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to ULTIMATE FRISBEE (60A: Sport whimsically called “flat ball”).
We have a number of other GAME-related clues and answers today to get us into the SPIRIT OF THE GAME, in addition to the grid-spanning answer ULTIMATE FRISBEE. We have references to LASER TAG, basketball (EURO STEP), and the AGGIES, to name a few. Thank you, Matthew, for this entertaining puzzle.