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After traveling over 4,500 miles round trip to see the game in person (for the geographically challenged, that is the same as flying from Des Moines to Berlin one-way, nonstop) I feel that a recap is required to rationalize the 25 hours I spent traveling:
First, the credit where due –
• Credit to the UNI fans that somehow got to the game. 15,800 in that ice storm was incredible. The Dome was loud. My ears were still ringing on Sunday.
• The Panther team and coaches. Even though things didn’t go our way, and I was shaking my head at times, I am still amazed at what they have accomplished this year. The only loss was in the wrong week.
• DE # 67, the REG Beverley. How did that guy finish the game? For at least most of the second half, it was taking everything he had to get up off the ground due to a groin injury. The guy could hardly walk off the field – how did he block anyone? Forget Flacco & Cuff, this guy was the keystone to the game.
• Rick Hartzell and the athletics department / admin – the athletic complex is an incredible improvement compared to early 90s. So are the programs.
• UNI Visibility – We were stopped to and from Nor Cal in Cincinnati, Salt Lake City and San Francisco because our gear. The Iowa Diaspora is tuned into the Panthers. See point above.
Not certain what to make of it –
• What was up with Eric Sanders? I know that good defenses make QBs look bad, but he floated at least 5 passes. Even the passes that were caught were often high. Was his arm tweaked from UNH? He was taking sacks that he saw coming.
• Three playoff games attended (@ Marshall in 96, @ Chattanooga for NC in 05, and Saturday) three losses. I will stay home from the next run if we can get a NC. Fair trade.
• Did anyone else have a flashback to Appy State when Eric lost the ball to DE #11?
• Was there another angle on the Victor Williams fumble? We saw it from the back, and really could not see where his legs were when the ball squirted out. Obviously no replay on the Dome board.
Thumbs down –
• Blitzing on 3rd and 11. WTF?
It wasn’t even hid – I saw it, and I was a basketball player.
• UNI Tix – screwed up our ticket order and shorted us tickets. What else is there left to say….?
• UNI Band Halftime show – best cover of Guns and Roses ever. They should have just had Guns and Roses – it would have been their biggest audience in a while. Stick to the fight song.
• DE fans heckling UNI fans on Hudson road after the game – yelling out a bunch of obscenities in front of families with 3 – 7 year kids (including mine). That was the true mark of champions. And you wonder where your reputation comes from?
• Tampa 2 defensive – sorry, just not a fan. It shortens too many fans’ lives. I think that Farley and crew either needs to recruit more speed in the DB area, or change the plan. Easy for me to say.
• DE # 67 Uhl – he was 2nd on the depth chart for a reason. The left side of the DE O-line was collapsing all day, even with a dedicated TE presence.
• Officiating crew – what are those sticks with chains for?
One measurement on all of those spots? How was there not an illegal touch when Flacco drilled a lineman on a screen attempt?
Anyone have thoughts?
First, the credit where due –
• Credit to the UNI fans that somehow got to the game. 15,800 in that ice storm was incredible. The Dome was loud. My ears were still ringing on Sunday.
• The Panther team and coaches. Even though things didn’t go our way, and I was shaking my head at times, I am still amazed at what they have accomplished this year. The only loss was in the wrong week.
• DE # 67, the REG Beverley. How did that guy finish the game? For at least most of the second half, it was taking everything he had to get up off the ground due to a groin injury. The guy could hardly walk off the field – how did he block anyone? Forget Flacco & Cuff, this guy was the keystone to the game.
• Rick Hartzell and the athletics department / admin – the athletic complex is an incredible improvement compared to early 90s. So are the programs.
• UNI Visibility – We were stopped to and from Nor Cal in Cincinnati, Salt Lake City and San Francisco because our gear. The Iowa Diaspora is tuned into the Panthers. See point above.
Not certain what to make of it –
• What was up with Eric Sanders? I know that good defenses make QBs look bad, but he floated at least 5 passes. Even the passes that were caught were often high. Was his arm tweaked from UNH? He was taking sacks that he saw coming.
• Three playoff games attended (@ Marshall in 96, @ Chattanooga for NC in 05, and Saturday) three losses. I will stay home from the next run if we can get a NC. Fair trade.
• Did anyone else have a flashback to Appy State when Eric lost the ball to DE #11?
• Was there another angle on the Victor Williams fumble? We saw it from the back, and really could not see where his legs were when the ball squirted out. Obviously no replay on the Dome board.
Thumbs down –
• Blitzing on 3rd and 11. WTF?
It wasn’t even hid – I saw it, and I was a basketball player.• UNI Tix – screwed up our ticket order and shorted us tickets. What else is there left to say….?
• UNI Band Halftime show – best cover of Guns and Roses ever. They should have just had Guns and Roses – it would have been their biggest audience in a while. Stick to the fight song.
• DE fans heckling UNI fans on Hudson road after the game – yelling out a bunch of obscenities in front of families with 3 – 7 year kids (including mine). That was the true mark of champions. And you wonder where your reputation comes from?
• Tampa 2 defensive – sorry, just not a fan. It shortens too many fans’ lives. I think that Farley and crew either needs to recruit more speed in the DB area, or change the plan. Easy for me to say.
• DE # 67 Uhl – he was 2nd on the depth chart for a reason. The left side of the DE O-line was collapsing all day, even with a dedicated TE presence.
• Officiating crew – what are those sticks with chains for?
One measurement on all of those spots? How was there not an illegal touch when Flacco drilled a lineman on a screen attempt?Anyone have thoughts?
GO PANTHERS ! ! !
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