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New York Times, Saturday, September 21, 2013

Author:
Tim Croce
Editor:
Will Shortz
Blog:
1980s Olympic star with the autobiography "Breaking the Surface"
TotalDebutLatestCollabs
333/12/20106/27/20151
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
01332816
ScrabDebutFresh
1.5620082%
Tim Croce

This puzzle:

Rows: 15, Columns: 15 Words: 58, Blocks: 32 Missing: {JQXYZ} Grid has both 90- and 180-degree symmetry. Average word length: 6.66 This is puzzle # 25 for Mr. Croce. Saturday freshness: 100%
Tim Croce notes:
So how did I do it? Well, I started with some graph paper, several mechanical pencils, a LOT of erasers, and a caffeine ... read more
Will Shortz notes:
With just 58 words, this grid design is an eye-opener. My favorite entries in it are 6A, 38A, 14D, 20D, 23D, 29D, and 34D. I didn't ... read more
Jeff Chen notes:
In addition to the usual criteria for judging a themeless crossword (lively entries, lack of crosswordese/partials/abbrs., fun ... read more
1
L
2
I
3
A
4
R
5
S
6
B
7
L
8
A
9
S
10
T
11
I
12
T
13
U
N
D
O
C
14
K
15
C
O
M
E
O
N
S
16
S
A
S
S
O
N
17
S
18
S
A
N
T
A
N
A
19
T
W
O
S
T
E
P
20
S
21
F
E
T
T
E
R
22
F
O
R
E
T
E
L
L
23
S
24
S
L
U
R
S
25
U
R
B
S
26
P
I
A
M
27
A
T
E
R
S
28
L
D
S
29
B
A
T
T
A
L
I
O
N
30
L
E
T
T
E
R
M
E
N
31
C
O
N
C
E
R
T
O
S
32
S
33
E
34
A
35
T
O
U
G
H
R
O
A
D
36
M
A
G
I
37
C
O
N
G
A
38
S
O
L
O
39
H
O
M
E
R
40
L
O
C
A
L
41
S
42
F
E
V
E
R
I
S
H
43
A
L
E
N
C
O
44
N
45
C
A
R
E
S
T
O
46
M
E
D
I
A
T
E
47
R
E
S
E
E
S
48
P
R
E
S
T
O
S
49
S
O
N
D
E
© 2013, The New York Times9/21/13 ( No. 23,328 )
Across
1
They aren't straight : LIARS
6
"Aarrghh!" : BLASTIT
13
Shove off : UNDOCK
15
Lures : COMEONS
16
"Oo la la!" jeans, informally : SASSONS
18
Preceder of John Sebastian at Woodstock : SANTANA
19
Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" and others : TWOSTEPS
21
Chain : FETTER
22
Heralds : FORETELLS
24
Produces lush sounds? : SLURS
25
Heavily populated areas, informally : URBS
26
They adhere to brains : PIAMATERS
28
Temple inits. : LDS
29
Lieutenant colonel's charge : BATTALION
30
Students with outstanding character? : LETTERMEN
31
See 48-Across : CONCERTOS
32
Its arms are not solid : SEA
35
Difficult journey : TOUGHROAD
36
Gifted trio? : MAGI
37
Follow the party line? : CONGA
38
Round trip for one? : SOLOHOMER
40
Direction givers, often : LOCALS
42
Superexcited : FEVERISH
43
Delicate needlepoint lace : ALENCON
45
Is so inclined : CARESTO
46
Do some work between parties : MEDIATE
47
Brings in for more tests, say : RESEES
48
Fast parts of 31-Across : PRESTOS
49
Meteorological probe : SONDE
Down
1
Like wolves vis-à-vis foxes : LUSTFUL
2
Not at length : INAWORD
3
Takes up onto the surface : ADSORBS
4
Susan's family on "Seinfeld" : ROSSES
5
The Father of the Historical Novel : SCOTT
6
Group of football games played at the beginning of Jan. : BCS
7
Dog it : LOAF
8
Pardons : AMNESTIES
9
Choose in the end : SETTLEON
10
Flawlessly : TOATURN
11
Areas next to bull's-eyes : INNERS
12
Strongmen of old : TSARS
14
Remedy for a bad leg : KNEEPATCH
17
Fastballs that drop sharply near the plate : SPLITTERS
20
Durable cover : SLATEROOF
23
Wise sort : SMARTALEC
27
2002 Best Original Screenplay Oscar winner for "Talk to Her" : ALMODOVAR
29
Spotted hybrid house pet : BENGALCAT
30
1980s Olympic star with the autobiography "Breaking the Surface" : LOUGANIS
31
Grant : CONCEDE
32
Geisha's instrument : SAMISEN
33
Expelled : EGESTED
34
Pressure gauge connection : AIRHOSE
35
Mechanic, say : TOOLER
36
Beyond that : MORESO
37
Shop keeper? : CLAMP
39
"___ Lucy" (old sitcom) : HERES
41
Florida's De ___ National Monument : SOTO
44
Wii ancestor, briefly : NES

Answer summary:
5 unique to this puzzle, 5 debuted here and reused later, 4 unique to Modern Era but used previously.

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