*Official Semifinal Game Thread*

[DomeRanger Posse]

Re: *Official Semifinal Game Thread*

Yeah, 2009 would be nice, but I just took it for granted that all teams would tremble in our paths and quake with fear at the thought of playing the Panthers. That and I was tired.

[VistaPanther]

Re: *Official Semifinal Game Thread*

Great season for the Panthers.

If, back in August, you would have said we would be hosting the semifinal game in the Dome, I am not sure I would have believed you.

If winning conference championships and getting deep into the playoffs is disappointing, I am not sure what else we can do for you.

You are spot-on FM!

All week I was thinking back to spring game, pre-season and how under-rated we truly ended up being. This team was basically viewed as a mystery team by most of the FCS world and that was echoed by most Panther fans. All the talk was how much experience we lost at many positions such as most of the O-line and defensive secondary and how our QB was untested and unknown. There wasn't any play-off talk to speak of. This team was considered to be in a re-building phase by most and most of the buzz was about HOPING that we would have a respectable finish in the MVC as our unknowns gained experience.

I am very, very proud of this team and all that they accomplished throughout this season. They faced all kinds of adversity in experienced opponents and internal loss and consistently came out shining all the way to and including this semi-final match. Let's not so quickly forget that this Richmond opponent categorically dismantled their play-off opponents all the way until tonight. They destroyed Appalachian State by 20 points! Our fine team lost by the slimest margin possible in football. Our mystery team of unknowns and want of experience came within 1 point and 14 seconds of a chance at the national championship!!! They took us closer to the title than our undefeated, number 1 ranked team of a year ago did. They have shown us what heart, diligence, faith and extra effort is all about! I thank each and every one of them for an incredible ride all season long!

Those who would disparage any of these fine young men show us a complete lack of heart and the utter inability to recognize diligence, faith and extra effort. In fact, you simply show us just how little you actually know about football, team and individual effort, and the spirit that is UNI Panther Football. Hell, you should stop watching football all together because you likely will never understand what football is.

You are the biggest disappointment that I have experienced regarding the 2008 UNI Panther Football season and College Football in general. I am very glad that you were NOT on the team, coaching the team or involved in any way other than voicing your ignorance so loudly. Take off your purple, gold, black, white or Panther apparel and leave it alone because currently you do not deserve to represent the fine athletes who give their all to represent UNI, their team mates and themselves every day, all year long.

To the Panther Players, Coaches and entire organization: Thank you for a wonderful season of excited and fulfilling football. Thank you for developing into the kind of team that all UNI fans can be proud of, are proud of and will remember for years to come. Thank you for your awe-inspiring effort and the heart that you brought with you every day and put on display for us each Saturday or game day all season long. To the Seniors and others who move into the next phase of your lives, you have shown us what leadership looks like and I respectfully thank you for all that you have done while here and I wish you all success, prosperity, health and happiness in your future endeavors. I am certain that you will do well. To the remaining, I can hardly wait for next season to begin!

[TravelingPanther]

Re: *Official Semifinal Game Thread*

I know I have not been around in quite some time and I am sorry for that, but that was bay far the DUMBEST PLAY CALL IN THE HISTORY OF UNI FOOTBALL.

Why in the Heck do you call a friggin Trick play when you can throw the ball down field for 20 yards and then call a time out and at least attempt a long field goal.

I am VERY upset right now. That was the Panther's Chance to make up for 2005 and they blew it.

I'm sorry to say this as well but maybe it's time to go in a new direction. Sure we've had good football teams in the recent past, but we haven't gotten to the "NEXT LEVEL"!!!

Your first sentence says it all.

Be careful because your ignorance is showing.

UNI championships before Farley: 0
UNI championship appearances before Farley: 0

UNI championship appearances since Farley: 1
UNI semifinal games since Farley: 3, 3 in 8 years.
Last home semifinal: 1992
Total semifinal games in the Dome: 3, including tonight.

I'd say we're ok.

Your next level crap is stupid at best.

[General_Panther]

Re: *Official Semifinal Game Thread*

Your first sentence says it all.

Be careful because your ignorance is showing.

UNI championships before Farley: 0
UNI championship appearances before Farley: 0

UNI championship appearances since Farley: 1
UNI semifinal games since Farley: 3, 3 in 8 years.
Last home semifinal: 1992
Total semifinal games in the Dome: 3, including tonight.

I'd say we're ok.

Your next level crap is stupid at best.

I'm stupid for wanting my alma matar to win the national championship and be the best team in the nation, instead of having them consistently lose in the Playoffs every single year.

I will also clarify something from above. Someone wanted me to give an example of a game we lost like this in the past couple of seasons. That I can't do, but that wasn't my point. My point is that we get close every single year only to do the same thing, lose in the playoffs. It also seems from my perspective, being at games, talking to people who were at games/watching games, that over the past couple of seasons several times when we have been ahead in big games or any game and have had leads we have gotten very conservative and ended up losing because of it. Now either those people who I talked to were lying, or I was actually asleep and dreaming about it when I was watching the game myself.

When we got the ball 2 something left on the clock in the fourth why not throw a pass on 3rd down and at least try to get the first down. I know nothing is garunteed, but had we gotten that, we could have proably sealed the win and we'd be playing Montana. Of course the missed field goals, overthorwn passes to wide open receivers in the endzone, and dropped passes killed us as well.

I don't think Farley is going anywhere I just wish we could win a national title when we have the tallent to do so, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that thought process.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: *Official Semifinal Game Thread*

I'm stupid for wanting my alma matar to win the national championship and be the best team in the nation, instead of having them consistently lose in the Playoffs every single year.

I will also clarify something from above. Someone wanted me to give an example of a game we lost like this in the past couple of seasons. That I can't do, but that wasn't my point. My point is that we get close every single year only to do the same thing, lose in the playoffs. It also seems from my perspective, being at games, talking to people who were at games/watching games, that over the past couple of seasons several times when we have been ahead in big games or any game and have had leads we have gotten very conservative and ended up losing because of it. Now either those people who I talked to were lying, or I was actually asleep and dreaming about it when I was watching the game myself.

When we got the ball 2 something left on the clock in the fourth why not throw a pass on 3rd down and at least try to get the first down. I know nothing is garunteed, but had we gotten that, we could have proably sealed the win and we'd be playing Montana. Of course the missed field goals, overthorwn passes to wide open receivers in the endzone, and dropped passes killed us as well.

I don't think Farley is going anywhere I just wish we could win a national title when we have the tallent to do so, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that thought process.

First of all, alma mater.

Second of all, we all want them to win. Only one team gets to.

How many years did you attend UNI? Did you attend sporting events every year or just jump on at the end? A lot of us have been watching for a very long time. This IS the next level. There is only one more step to take and we're getting close.

We're seen plenty of "diehard" students come and go. Most of them leave the school experssing their love for everything UNI and tell us they'll be back all the time.

Most of them complain on message boards, come back once a year, and give nothing to the PSC. So excuse me for being negative.

Also, if we pass on the last series..... failure gives them more timeouts and more time to work with.

[Panther789]

Re: *Official Semifinal Game Thread*

I'm stupid for wanting my alma matar to win the national championship and be the best team in the nation, instead of having them consistently lose in the Playoffs every single year.


I don't think Farley is going anywhere I just wish we could win a national title when we have the tallent to do so, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that thought process.

Obviously, everyone feels the same way about those things. It's the other crap you are coming with that is getting people's attention.