On our last installment of Blind Date, Cupid’s arrow failed to make a love connection with our first test subjects, Levi Ziller and Chelsea Kahler. Now, we’re trying for better results on our second match by way of willing participants Mitchell Duncan, a 19-year- old criminal justice major, and Nicola Mathias, a 19-year-old child development major.

Setting: 1900 hours at the fountain in front of the library in Sac State Friday, May 9th

Eligible bachelor Mitchell presented his date Nicola with a single pink rose to start the night off. Nicola’s face bloomed with delight, but the couple exchanged a traditional greeting that couldn’t have been more formal than if it had been a curtsey (no hug or kiss on the cheek).

They decided to begin the evening with a romantic dinner at the Olive Garden. Nicola became giddy at the thought of an Italian setting and excitedly followed Mitchell to his car.Yes! It looks like a match.

Conversation blasted off immediately – the couple spoke non-stop. They were so engrossed in conversation that Mitchell missed the turn-off lane twice while he was driving. Once they were seated they didn’t even glance at their menus until the second time the waiter showed up to take their orders.

As the conversation thickened, they found out they had more in common than they thought. Mitchell takes swing lessons and Nicola choreographs dance routines for theater productions, they both play soccer and they’re both fans of cartoons like “Rocko’s Modern Life” and “Ren and Stimpy.”

The obvious differences between the two came as dinner progressed. Nicola was smiling, laughing while Mitchell’s ankles were crossed the whole night and his right elbow never moved from the arm of his chair.

After the food was consumed Mitchell and Nicola decided they both wanted to burn off a few calories from dinner. Mitchell suggested they head over to the Country Club Lanes for a few rounds of bowling.

On the ride over, Nicola inquired about Mitchell’s car. He said that technically it was his parents’, but it was considered his. Nicola made a comment about how nice it is to have your own car, and how he wouldn’t know what that feels like.

Mitchell smiled and laughed, but Nicola’s comment created more tension in the already awkward set-up, and it became clear that Mitchell felt insecure as an offset of Nicola’s bold personality. At the bowling alley the couple appeared to be having a good time. Nicola was leading the board in the beginning with a clean steady game until Mitchell made the golden dating mistake and threw three clean solid strikes. Mitchell and Nicola played two games, both of which Mitchell won by over 33 points.

The change of heart became clear when Mitchell walked back from the platform of the lane without making eye contact with Nicola, indicating that the magic of the evening had gone sour.

Nicola and Mitchell stood in silence for the rest of the bowling session. The look on Nicola’s face made it clear that this date was over.

After their second game Mitchell suggested they play a game that she could win, such as billiards, but since they were both 19 and wouldn’t be able to enter the pool hall, they decided to call it a night.

The atmosphere on the car ride back to campus was sort of like Mitchell’s flower gift to Nicola. Both seemed artificial. Nicola and Mitchell stepped out of his car and thanked one another for the evening, without a hug or a kiss. Not even a handshake!

So, our second attempt at helping two students find their match didn’t work out as planned. There’s always next time.

Nicola on Mitchell

Rating: 7 out of 10

Positives: very polite, like a father figure, and Nicola also noted his talent to carrying on a conversation.

Negatives: Very militaristic, comments on his rigid natureand is concerned that he may be too shy to continue a relationship with him. Doubts that he would give her a chance to bring him out of his shell anyway.

Final Verdict: When asked if Nicola would go out on a datewith Mitchell again, Nicola noted the change in mood at the bowling alleyand said that she would go out with him again, but not to start a relationship. However, she gave him her number anyway.

Mitchell on Nicola

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Positives: Mitchell commented on Nicola?s bright happy go lucky type of personality and her smile.

Negatives: Mitchell confessed that at times Nicola made small biting comments that belittled him on occasion.

Final Verdict: Mitchell sensed a connection with Nicola during dinner and would enjoy another date with her. On their second date Mitchell hopes if they choose another physical activity that would allow more opportunities for conversation that maybe the date would go more smoothly a second time around.