Yale might claim credit for starting a commencement tradition, but Roger Craig started his own Jeopardy! tradition today—winning. Entering Final Jeopardy! with a commanding lead, Craig correctly identified Edward Elgar as the composer who received an honorary doctorate from Yale in 1905, cementing his victory in this quarterfinal match of the Invitational Tournament.
The game began with a familiar face, returning champion John Focht, facing off against Roger Craig and Maya Wright. Focht initially seemed poised to continue his winning streak, amassing a substantial lead in the Jeopardy! round. He handily navigated categories like “Sayeth the Bible Book” and “It’s Country Music, Y’all,” leaving his competitors scrambling to catch up.
However, the Double Jeopardy! round saw a dramatic reversal of fortune. Craig, an applied scientist, applied his strategic thinking to the game board, seizing control and capitalizing on two Daily Doubles. His knowledge of wedding processionals and the works of James Baldwin proved crucial, propelling him far ahead of Focht. Wright, despite a valiant effort, struggled to gain traction.
While Final Jeopardy! posed little challenge for the contestants, with all three correctly identifying Elgar, the outcome had already been decided. Craig’s strategic play and mastery of the Daily Doubles secured his place in the next round. While Focht’s early dominance faltered, he still finished respectably, with Wright trailing.
Final scores: Maya Wright 1,447, Roger Craig 36,000, John Focht 14,715.
Jeopardy! airs weekdays in syndication. Check local listings.
