Just Got Home From The Game...

[GrandGreen]

The first half of football was the most dominating I have seen in a long while. Something like 30 yards of offense for NT versus 300 for FIU. Even with the injuries I don't understand how NT's offensive line has got this bad. There is a reason that Baine was the fourth string QB but he did about as well as anyone could with the blocking he had. Likewise the best back in the league has been totally destroyed the last two weeks as everyone keys on him. The defense after getting better has regressed.

I don't think this team has given up but there is just not a lot of talent left on the field missing Thompson, Tune, Leppo, Johnson, Dodge, Stradford, Mosley, Ford, Cook, Neal, Jones, Bynes, Jackson, Brown plus others. This game was just brutal, as soon as the team gave up their always first drive td, the game was basically over despite the return by Chancellor. Good game by Chancellor, as always Robertson, and a few others but this effort joined some of Dodge's worst defeats: big loss to Rice in Houston and his first game against Oklahoma. FIU has a good team and the conference championship may will be settled when Troy and FIU play.

It will be interest to see how the rest of the season progresses. With a different coaching situation you would expect that the final games could be used to build up for next year and give playing time to the players who will return, but there is no reason for Dodge to play it that way. I would like to see more of the several freshmen that have already lost their redshirts such as Abbe, Orr, Chancellor and Byrd as well as the people who should be vying for offensive line positions next year: Bean, Noble, Franklin and Adelpipe. I don't see any NT victories unless Riley Dodge returns and I am not sure that is worth the risk.

[UNT 90 Grad]

I stayed until the bitter end. I got through it by trying to not look at the score board and watch one play at a time, looking for something good. I was glad I was there to see Craig's run on the fake punt. It was good to see Lance score a touchdown. It was also interesting watching the team transform into an under-center team. I think we easily ran more plays under center last night at the end of the game than we have in the past 4 years total.

Apparently they've run out of room for injured players on the sideline. While sitting in the stands, I heard someone shout "Hey Riley". I looked over to see Riley Dodge heading up to the press box in warm ups with the coaches after the half. I later realized that the person that shouted at him was JJ Johnson, sitting in the stands behind me with his family, surrounded by upset fans talking back and forth about how bad the team is. I talked with him briefly about his foot. I feel bad for these young men sacraficing their bodies to the football gods and then listening to their "supporters" shout about how the team is playing like "s". I sure hope things turn around next year.

[NM Green]

As painful as this was isn't it some ways 10,000 better than another close loss? This game left no doubt about where we are, where they are and reinforced the fact that this call needs to be made now.

GMG

[Cerebus]

I stayed until the end of the game because this one was my personal Fouts Field Finale. I will not attend another game this year. I just cannot stand it any more. I will be back again for next year, but this one is over for me.

Wow. When a great fan like Huff is having these thoughts... it's not a good day for the program.