First of all, apologies for not posting earlier like I promised. I went to bed at about 4 a.m. and had to get up three and a half hours later. It's been a tiring trip - next time, I'll take the plane! We finished a total of 28 hours of driving, and I'm now back in Mount Pleasant. Here's hoping to a more relaxing week.
Overall, though, I had a wonderful time in Athens, Georgia. Sanford Stadium is easily one of the best college football environments I've seen, with more than 90,000 screaming fans and excitement all over the campus around it. It reminded me of last year's October trip to Clemson, S. C., a similar drive south and a similar environment. But I never remembered Clemson Memorial Stadium getting as loud as Sanford did Saturday. That place gets deafening at times, especially when you're on the sideline and, dare I say, between the hedges - I can only imagine what it's like during a critical SEC showdown. There were a handful of Chippewas fans, too, that were either in the state or made the trip. Among them was former linebacker Red Keith, who finished up his college career last season as one of the most prolific defenders in school history.
Having the chance to spend time in the press box, as well as roam the sidelines taking photos of the game, is amazing in itself. Kind of makes me wonder how on earth I managed to land this job, even with the 28 hours of total driving! The funny part is, the trips are just beginning. My next drive takes me to Athens, Ohio, for the Bobcats, then to West Lafayette, Ind. for Purdue, so there's plenty to look forward to this season. But Georgia was a heck of an experience, hopefully one that I don't lose vivid memories of. Experiencing that place during the game is one of the biggest reasons why I will always love NCAA football over NFL football. The marching band, the pride, the heart and the high stakes are all there and in full tilt.
Overall, though, I had a wonderful time in Athens, Georgia. Sanford Stadium is easily one of the best college football environments I've seen, with more than 90,000 screaming fans and excitement all over the campus around it. It reminded me of last year's October trip to Clemson, S. C., a similar drive south and a similar environment. But I never remembered Clemson Memorial Stadium getting as loud as Sanford did Saturday. That place gets deafening at times, especially when you're on the sideline and, dare I say, between the hedges - I can only imagine what it's like during a critical SEC showdown. There were a handful of Chippewas fans, too, that were either in the state or made the trip. Among them was former linebacker Red Keith, who finished up his college career last season as one of the most prolific defenders in school history.
Having the chance to spend time in the press box, as well as roam the sidelines taking photos of the game, is amazing in itself. Kind of makes me wonder how on earth I managed to land this job, even with the 28 hours of total driving! The funny part is, the trips are just beginning. My next drive takes me to Athens, Ohio, for the Bobcats, then to West Lafayette, Ind. for Purdue, so there's plenty to look forward to this season. But Georgia was a heck of an experience, hopefully one that I don't lose vivid memories of. Experiencing that place during the game is one of the biggest reasons why I will always love NCAA football over NFL football. The marching band, the pride, the heart and the high stakes are all there and in full tilt.
I do have some burning questions here, following the 56-17 loss at Georgia yesterday. I also attached some of my photos, with possibly more to come - These ones aren't cropped as of yet, but hopefully I'll have time in the next day or so to crop the rest and put them up.
(Former linebacker Red Keith, graduated last year)
Uga, the Georgia bulldog
BURNING QUESTIONS
Post-game burning questions
1. What's the final conclusion after CMU's 56-17 loss to No. 2 ranked Georgia?
The conclusion, to somebody that looks at the final score, is that CMU can't compete with the nation's best. But for those who watched the game, it's obvious that it can. But as I said before the game, the Chippewas couldn't give up the big plays if they were to stay in the game and they did. A 78-yard interception return, a 52-yard run and a 54-yard pass, all for touchdowns, were huge contributors in the Bulldogs' route. Without those plays, CMU keeps it at least a two-possession game and has a chance come the fourth quarter. Nobody was out of line thinking CMU could compete with Georgia heading into this game; it can. But it's those big plays, coupled with an inconsistent offense, that haunts Central in the end.
2. What impact does a loss like this have on the football team's confidence?
Very little, if any. After losing 70-14 at Clemson last year, the Chippewas rolled off four wins in five games, including at Western and in the MAC Championship against Miami. I think a loss like this will motivate the team rather than hinder it, especially heading into the MAC opener against Ohio on Saturday. But that game's not going to be easy, either - the Bobcats did come one quarter away from knocking off No. 3 Ohio State over the weekend. Coach Frank Solich has that team heading in the right direction.
3. After seeing one BCS game, what does CMU need to do to beat either Purdue or Indiana later in the year?
As I said before, don't give up the big play... but also get quarterback Dan LeFevour on his feet and running. This doesn't necessarily mean scrambling when a hole opens in the offensive line. The Bulldogs had to deal with LeFevour's running ability just three times Saturday, so all they had to do was zero in on the occasional run and the plethora of pass plays CMU called. That makes stopping an offense so much easier and CMU was a victim of that. Purdue, up in a couple of weeks, had difficulty stopping LeFevour in the Motor City Bowl and surrendered 48 points. Establish that part of his game and CMU's got a huge shot at winning.
4. After two weeks of non-conference play, who's the biggest surprise in the MAC?
It's tough to say, because Bowling Green's big win over No. 25 Pittsburgh was negated by a 42-17 blowout loss at home to Minnesota, a subpar Big Ten team. I have to go with Buffalo for now, despite their 26-17 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Bulls, once a bottom-feeder not only in the MAC but in the entire NCAA Division I, destroyed UTEP 42-17 last week and played strong against a ticked-off Panthers squad. James Starks is one of the best runners in the conference and quarterback Drew Willy finally threw an interception after a nation's-best 284 attempts without one. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Buffalo represented the MAC East in the championship game.
Also, be sure to check out Monday's CM Life for more coverage from Saturday and a small look into next week's game at Ohio!
1. What's the final conclusion after CMU's 56-17 loss to No. 2 ranked Georgia?
The conclusion, to somebody that looks at the final score, is that CMU can't compete with the nation's best. But for those who watched the game, it's obvious that it can. But as I said before the game, the Chippewas couldn't give up the big plays if they were to stay in the game and they did. A 78-yard interception return, a 52-yard run and a 54-yard pass, all for touchdowns, were huge contributors in the Bulldogs' route. Without those plays, CMU keeps it at least a two-possession game and has a chance come the fourth quarter. Nobody was out of line thinking CMU could compete with Georgia heading into this game; it can. But it's those big plays, coupled with an inconsistent offense, that haunts Central in the end.
2. What impact does a loss like this have on the football team's confidence?
Very little, if any. After losing 70-14 at Clemson last year, the Chippewas rolled off four wins in five games, including at Western and in the MAC Championship against Miami. I think a loss like this will motivate the team rather than hinder it, especially heading into the MAC opener against Ohio on Saturday. But that game's not going to be easy, either - the Bobcats did come one quarter away from knocking off No. 3 Ohio State over the weekend. Coach Frank Solich has that team heading in the right direction.
3. After seeing one BCS game, what does CMU need to do to beat either Purdue or Indiana later in the year?
As I said before, don't give up the big play... but also get quarterback Dan LeFevour on his feet and running. This doesn't necessarily mean scrambling when a hole opens in the offensive line. The Bulldogs had to deal with LeFevour's running ability just three times Saturday, so all they had to do was zero in on the occasional run and the plethora of pass plays CMU called. That makes stopping an offense so much easier and CMU was a victim of that. Purdue, up in a couple of weeks, had difficulty stopping LeFevour in the Motor City Bowl and surrendered 48 points. Establish that part of his game and CMU's got a huge shot at winning.
4. After two weeks of non-conference play, who's the biggest surprise in the MAC?
It's tough to say, because Bowling Green's big win over No. 25 Pittsburgh was negated by a 42-17 blowout loss at home to Minnesota, a subpar Big Ten team. I have to go with Buffalo for now, despite their 26-17 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Bulls, once a bottom-feeder not only in the MAC but in the entire NCAA Division I, destroyed UTEP 42-17 last week and played strong against a ticked-off Panthers squad. James Starks is one of the best runners in the conference and quarterback Drew Willy finally threw an interception after a nation's-best 284 attempts without one. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Buffalo represented the MAC East in the championship game.
Also, be sure to check out Monday's CM Life for more coverage from Saturday and a small look into next week's game at Ohio!
1 comment:
As a Georgia fan, I'm glad you had a great experience in Athens. Good luck to the 'Chips, and to your journalism career.
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