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This will be longer than normal, but yesterday's game deserves it. I've been going in circles about how to start the column this week, as a number of different ideas have been going around in my head in the glorious post-game bliss that yesterday brought me. But let's start with this one -- Attitude. From the opening kick off yesterday, it was absolutely clear that our players thought this was a winnable game. Not just that they wanted to give it their best shot on Senior Day, but that if they played with emotion and if they executed, they could win this game. There didn't seem to be much of a rational reason for this belief, but they had it. Whatever rationality existed behind their swagger should have been blown up when their QB and leader was taken out of the game woozy from a dirty (not malicious but dirty nonetheless) late hit. After all, we were playing a 10-0 thirteenth ranked team that had moved the ball all year long against everyone, and now we had to go up and down the field with them with Tim Boyle (more on that later)? But the underlying belief that they had it in their power to win this game never vanished. Sure, the D had to know that their margin for error had just gone down. And sure, the Offense for the most part pulled the reigns in and was going to stay as conservative as it could until such time as our lead shrank and we needed to make plays. But the body language -- the attitude on the sideline -- never changed. And yes, I admire the job the coaches did to sell this, but coaches can only do so much. The team -- right up to its fifth year seniors, who had endured hell frankly in terms of losses, fan apathy, coaching changes, conference turmoil, absolutely everything -- were not going to let the quality of the opponent or the injury to Shirreff stop them from believing. And unlike good crowds past, it was the players who sold this to the fans -- not the other way around. But they did sell it, and while the Rent doesn't rock like when it was full, those there (including JMoney in shorts, which I will attest to) believed more and more as the game wore on, and with that belief came excitement and electricity that we've barely seen since 2010. And this is why people go. This is why I have kept my season tickets, even as my sons are both grown and out of state and finding someone to go to is often difficult. There is an emotion that you get from melding your mind and soul with 25 thousand other people in a building that you just can't experience in a desk job. And when you get that charge, after not having really had it for five years (the road win at Maryland in '12 and maybe the home win against Syracuse in '11 being the only fleeting moments), it is wonderful. And sports is wonderful. I gave this team close to a zero per cent shot at bowl eligibility at the start of the year. Entering yesterday, I was thrilled that we had gotten to five wins and were relatively competitive in the five losses, but I did not see a chance at a 6th. And that was with a healthy Shirreffs. My had is off to the entire roster, and the staff, for bringing the thrill of really supporting a team back for everyone. And, while I will after my Turkey start thinking about Temple, and I will care about the Bowl when we get close to it, I do not want to Spackler towards the next game -- I am going to spend a few days enjoying this and thinking about next year.
A little more about the game itself. Yes, they were playing with a backup QB (and when Ward came in you could see he couldn't move very well) but it's hard to imagine anyone's defense short of Alabama's playing much better than we did yesterday. But for Jhavon getting beat deep once (and the ball still had to be thrown perfectly over the WR's outside shoulder) the D only allowed three points and generated 3 sacks and 4 turnovers. Where did the pass rush come from? Three sacks, two KO's of their QB (both by Cam Stapleton) and their QB's under duress the entire game? On offense, yes, once Shirreffs went out they overplayed the run on 1st downs, and we ran anyway, but they were limited Tim Boyle's chances to make a big mistake, and as long as we held the lead unchallenged why not. Our offense did generate two long scoring drives for 7, and moved the ball enough to match them in offensive statistics for the game. But without a single turnover or sack allowed (although there certainly was pressure on our QBs all game). When they cut it to 13-10, and again to 20-17, in each time we opened it up a little more, and had a response. And the three runs up the middle with two minutes left were exactly right. This was a game where you wanted the key play to be made with our D on the field, not our O. And thanks to the pass rush and Jamar Summer, it was.
Let's start offense, defense and specials with specials this week. Yes, we gave up the long KO return, which almost cost us the game, but there were good things to say as well. Bobby Puyol just getting his job done, week after week, since we sat Tarbutt down. Dom Manco just being perfect all season (frankly, all career) long with the snapping. And maybe the single key statistic to this game -- Justin Wain punted 9 times to the #1 punt returner in the nation. And gave up 0 -- 0 --return yards. Credit to him, the gunners who I haven't given enough credit this year for the steady job they've done (thank you McAlister and Marder) and the entire unit.
On Defense, let's mention some individuals (although recognizing that the entire unit just played an absolutely unbelievable game). Mike Myers -- made two huge plays in the 1st Quarter -- stopping a third and short run up the middle and then a pass rush that caused him to be tackled by the Guard negating a long Houston TD throw. Campenni -- again was just a beast in the middle clogging up the run. Foley played a great game. Luke and Stapleton between them played their best game of the year at that hybrid DE/LB slot. Without their pass rush being the best it's been all year, we don't win. Andrew Adams, who I think had disappeared since the kicking the ball penalty against BYU, used the off week and played his best game in half a season. Junior Lee, on his senior day, making at least two plays in the dime defense in the 4th Quarter. I didn't think any of Steward, Vann or Adeyami had individually brilliant games, but that doesn't mean they didn't step up and do their jobs on Senior Day -- a D doesn't succeed like that without everyone doing their job. And the continuing great play by our two underclassmen CBs, notwithstanding the one mistake by Williams, made up for by yet another Summers pick to end the game.
Even more to say about individuals on Senior Day on offense. Garrett duck*ing Anderson. What do you say about a kid who transfers here to play QB, learns he isn't good enough to get on the field, becomes a backup fullback and then may have won our season for us. He played well overall, including the huge 3rd down conversion play leading up to the flea flicker. But he has not gotten enough credit for the flea flicker. Think about this -- a young man who worked out for the first part of the year at QB has to catch a tipped ball lateral, and, after making the catch and having the timing of the play thrown off, has to set his feet, make a determination that the play will still work, and then throw a 40 yard strike. On a play where, if he just caught the ball and saved the fumble, he would have made a good play. Tim duck*ing Boyle. If this young man was scared as anything coming into this situation, after his two years actually playing and his only meaningful throws this year being the key plays in the loss at Mizzou, no one would have blamed him. Did his play make me forget about what an upgrade Shirreffs is, or think we could survive with him at QB for a few games? Nope. But who cares what I think. He played almost a full game, threw the ball 22 times and didn't throw a pick or take a sack, while under fairly intense pressure from the pass rush. And we put 13 points on the board (albeit 6 off short field FGs after turnovers). He kept cool, he avoided the big mistake (frankly, the only reason I can;'t say he avoided a mistake is because he never, never, never should have thrown the lateral to Anderson that lead to the TD, but the Gods were smiling), and if he does nothing else in his career he can tell his grandkids about how he led State U to one of the biggest wins in is history. Good for him. Good for Tyler Samra, who played on an OL that more than held their own today and did their part. Good for Chris Lee, who had to play meaningful snaps for Tommy Myers and didn't cause anyone to notice his presence blocking (which is all we needed). Good for Noel Thomas, who showed us again they he will be great next year if he just plays like he's capable of every down every game. Good for Ron Johnson, who ran like we haven't seen him this year and whose 40 plus yards were a big part of the victory. Good for Josh Mariner, who instead of sulking about the fact that he's only going to get one or two touches a game continues to work to make sure his touch (in this case) helps the team with a big third down conversion. Good for Arkeel, who was the key to us jumping on top of them, than had real trouble gaining yards with them run blitzing constantly, but came back in the 4th Q with some huge runs as we're trying to kill clock. Our offense is not the strength of the team, and make no mistake, we won this game on D, but nonetheless without Bryant Shirreffs these guys held their own yesterday in a way that would have been unthinkable a six weeks ago.
I'm sure I left some people out, but no one should worry. This game was won on attitude and effort, and that went from our stars right down to the reserves and walk ons (and my thanks to the seniors in both categories, like Gifford and Max and Claflin) who were in the game emotionally with their teammates the whole way.
So as I said, I'm going to enjoy this for a few days before worrying about Temple. Because moments like yesterday are few and far between. My father is 88, and I got him to come with me, tailgate and watch the game. There are moments that family has together around sports that are special. This will be one of them. Besides, before thinking of beating Temple I need to know if Shirreffs is really good to go (and there is no reason to play him if he isn't -- win #6 satisfied the most optimistic goals of this season) and we will need to see if this team has anything emotionally left. This is a big game for Temple, senior night for an outstanding class that helped turn the program around and needed for a slot in the AAC Championship game. So what happens happens. And then we see where we bowl. We will go bowling at 6-6 -- every 6-6 team will. I think if Navy wins the AAC we go to Annapolis. As I said earlier, if the AAC has an extra bowl eligible team based on ECU and Tulsa and Navy doesn't go to the New Years 6 but plays at home, I still think there is a high probability we play in Yankee Stadium. But wherever we go and whomever we play, I will feel great for the seniors and upperclassmen who endured a ton of crap and yet kept working to earn their reward.
And then I will start getting excited about next year.
A little more about the game itself. Yes, they were playing with a backup QB (and when Ward came in you could see he couldn't move very well) but it's hard to imagine anyone's defense short of Alabama's playing much better than we did yesterday. But for Jhavon getting beat deep once (and the ball still had to be thrown perfectly over the WR's outside shoulder) the D only allowed three points and generated 3 sacks and 4 turnovers. Where did the pass rush come from? Three sacks, two KO's of their QB (both by Cam Stapleton) and their QB's under duress the entire game? On offense, yes, once Shirreffs went out they overplayed the run on 1st downs, and we ran anyway, but they were limited Tim Boyle's chances to make a big mistake, and as long as we held the lead unchallenged why not. Our offense did generate two long scoring drives for 7, and moved the ball enough to match them in offensive statistics for the game. But without a single turnover or sack allowed (although there certainly was pressure on our QBs all game). When they cut it to 13-10, and again to 20-17, in each time we opened it up a little more, and had a response. And the three runs up the middle with two minutes left were exactly right. This was a game where you wanted the key play to be made with our D on the field, not our O. And thanks to the pass rush and Jamar Summer, it was.
Let's start offense, defense and specials with specials this week. Yes, we gave up the long KO return, which almost cost us the game, but there were good things to say as well. Bobby Puyol just getting his job done, week after week, since we sat Tarbutt down. Dom Manco just being perfect all season (frankly, all career) long with the snapping. And maybe the single key statistic to this game -- Justin Wain punted 9 times to the #1 punt returner in the nation. And gave up 0 -- 0 --return yards. Credit to him, the gunners who I haven't given enough credit this year for the steady job they've done (thank you McAlister and Marder) and the entire unit.
On Defense, let's mention some individuals (although recognizing that the entire unit just played an absolutely unbelievable game). Mike Myers -- made two huge plays in the 1st Quarter -- stopping a third and short run up the middle and then a pass rush that caused him to be tackled by the Guard negating a long Houston TD throw. Campenni -- again was just a beast in the middle clogging up the run. Foley played a great game. Luke and Stapleton between them played their best game of the year at that hybrid DE/LB slot. Without their pass rush being the best it's been all year, we don't win. Andrew Adams, who I think had disappeared since the kicking the ball penalty against BYU, used the off week and played his best game in half a season. Junior Lee, on his senior day, making at least two plays in the dime defense in the 4th Quarter. I didn't think any of Steward, Vann or Adeyami had individually brilliant games, but that doesn't mean they didn't step up and do their jobs on Senior Day -- a D doesn't succeed like that without everyone doing their job. And the continuing great play by our two underclassmen CBs, notwithstanding the one mistake by Williams, made up for by yet another Summers pick to end the game.
Even more to say about individuals on Senior Day on offense. Garrett duck*ing Anderson. What do you say about a kid who transfers here to play QB, learns he isn't good enough to get on the field, becomes a backup fullback and then may have won our season for us. He played well overall, including the huge 3rd down conversion play leading up to the flea flicker. But he has not gotten enough credit for the flea flicker. Think about this -- a young man who worked out for the first part of the year at QB has to catch a tipped ball lateral, and, after making the catch and having the timing of the play thrown off, has to set his feet, make a determination that the play will still work, and then throw a 40 yard strike. On a play where, if he just caught the ball and saved the fumble, he would have made a good play. Tim duck*ing Boyle. If this young man was scared as anything coming into this situation, after his two years actually playing and his only meaningful throws this year being the key plays in the loss at Mizzou, no one would have blamed him. Did his play make me forget about what an upgrade Shirreffs is, or think we could survive with him at QB for a few games? Nope. But who cares what I think. He played almost a full game, threw the ball 22 times and didn't throw a pick or take a sack, while under fairly intense pressure from the pass rush. And we put 13 points on the board (albeit 6 off short field FGs after turnovers). He kept cool, he avoided the big mistake (frankly, the only reason I can;'t say he avoided a mistake is because he never, never, never should have thrown the lateral to Anderson that lead to the TD, but the Gods were smiling), and if he does nothing else in his career he can tell his grandkids about how he led State U to one of the biggest wins in is history. Good for him. Good for Tyler Samra, who played on an OL that more than held their own today and did their part. Good for Chris Lee, who had to play meaningful snaps for Tommy Myers and didn't cause anyone to notice his presence blocking (which is all we needed). Good for Noel Thomas, who showed us again they he will be great next year if he just plays like he's capable of every down every game. Good for Ron Johnson, who ran like we haven't seen him this year and whose 40 plus yards were a big part of the victory. Good for Josh Mariner, who instead of sulking about the fact that he's only going to get one or two touches a game continues to work to make sure his touch (in this case) helps the team with a big third down conversion. Good for Arkeel, who was the key to us jumping on top of them, than had real trouble gaining yards with them run blitzing constantly, but came back in the 4th Q with some huge runs as we're trying to kill clock. Our offense is not the strength of the team, and make no mistake, we won this game on D, but nonetheless without Bryant Shirreffs these guys held their own yesterday in a way that would have been unthinkable a six weeks ago.
I'm sure I left some people out, but no one should worry. This game was won on attitude and effort, and that went from our stars right down to the reserves and walk ons (and my thanks to the seniors in both categories, like Gifford and Max and Claflin) who were in the game emotionally with their teammates the whole way.
So as I said, I'm going to enjoy this for a few days before worrying about Temple. Because moments like yesterday are few and far between. My father is 88, and I got him to come with me, tailgate and watch the game. There are moments that family has together around sports that are special. This will be one of them. Besides, before thinking of beating Temple I need to know if Shirreffs is really good to go (and there is no reason to play him if he isn't -- win #6 satisfied the most optimistic goals of this season) and we will need to see if this team has anything emotionally left. This is a big game for Temple, senior night for an outstanding class that helped turn the program around and needed for a slot in the AAC Championship game. So what happens happens. And then we see where we bowl. We will go bowling at 6-6 -- every 6-6 team will. I think if Navy wins the AAC we go to Annapolis. As I said earlier, if the AAC has an extra bowl eligible team based on ECU and Tulsa and Navy doesn't go to the New Years 6 but plays at home, I still think there is a high probability we play in Yankee Stadium. But wherever we go and whomever we play, I will feel great for the seniors and upperclassmen who endured a ton of crap and yet kept working to earn their reward.
And then I will start getting excited about next year.
