QuoteWell, Widener certainly escaped today....
First - need to address all the comments seen previously, that Muhlenberg was unworthy of a playoff spot...quite simply, not only were they worthy, but were worthy of a higher seed...and still highlighting the question of why they would be seeded and sent where they were...
Second - This game pitted the number 1 rushing defense in the nation(statistically) versus number 9...and I can tell you that on this day, the Mules rushing defense was much better than WU's. I have felt for a few weeks, that the WU rating was bolstered in large part, by the fact that they have had leads, which shifted the focus of opponents to passing offense...I feel more strongly than ever, that this is a major factor in that ranking. The Mules were stellar(for the most part) and incredible when backed up against the goal line...Widener simply couldn't run the ball inside the 10, especially when they needed to...
Third - Not that it affected either team more (it actually killed both teams), but the officiating in this game was atrocious. Missed blatant calls, an instance when they didn't know the downs, and a bizarre sequence at the end of the game that still leaves me scratching my head...
Bman- that's an excellent report on the game. Its one of the best football games I've ever attended-even though I didn't like the outcome. It was one of those games that neither team deserved to lose. It should certainly put to rest any notion that the Mules didn't deserve to be included in the playoffs. (It should really highlight just how good Hopkins is!) A game where both teams played so well should not have been affected by the officiating but this game unfortunately was. (I thought you were supposed to get the good refs in the playoffs!) You left out the intentional grounding/no intentional grounding call just before the game winning field goal. It was a little hard to see from the visitor's stands but it sure looked like the Widener QB dumped the ball to nobody in order to avoid the sack- that would have required a 10 second run off-or cost them the last time out- and pushed the ball back. (although who knows what would have happened since the referee did appear to be challenged by the rules at times) I don't know why they picked the flag up. But you're right- Muhlenberg runs the ball 3 times coming out of the end zone and the game is over. I think that the Mules OC choked when they were faced with getting the ball out from the 1/2 yd line after the last goal line stand . The play calls just didn't make sense. I don't mean to be critical because I think he had a great game plan and otherwise called a brilliant game. (how do you argue with 565 yds in offense?) But wow! What a game. Two talented teams that both played really well. I just wish it was the Mules moving on. Good luck to Widener against CNU. Actually you're not going to need it-you've got a great team.