FB: Empire 8

[Bombers798891]

Alright, I'm curious. What do you guys think of McMurry putting up 848 total yards?

I'll give that a 23-point lead in the 4th quarter isn't insurmountable, but they threw 17 times in the 4th quarter, including seven times on their final drive, when it was 53-16. Sixty-three total passes in a game you win by 44? Seems a bit out of line. I know, it's the defenses job to make a stop, but I'm just not a fan of that kind of stuff

Coach Hal Mumme's (former University of Kentucky Head Coach and college coach of Cleveland Brown QB Tim Couch) offense is the spread, and the second team QB and 2nd and third team receivers were getting reps.  Fifteen players caught a pass in the game.

The key to the 848 yds was that the officials threw for over 300 yards of penalties to the 2 teams in the game. That gives lots of chances to get "+" yds that have to put into the record books several times as you march downfield.

The 2nd string quarterback didn't come in until the final drive, when there were four minutes to go in the game. They hardly emptied the bench. And was McMurray doing the classy thing on that last drive, handing it off to the running backs, letting the clock run? No, they were throwing the ball on 3rd and 8 with three minutes to go, because they were still short of the all-time record. They didn't even take a knee with a 1st and 10 at the 16, record already in hand. Kept on going for another touchdown, which they got by passing the ball on the final play of the game. In my view, that's classless.

Look at Wesley vs. Husson this year. They didn't throw a single pass in the second half. Who knows what records they could have set had they been so inclined?

[Frank Rossi]

Alright, I'm curious. What do you guys think of McMurry putting up 848 total yards?

I'll give that a 23-point lead in the 4th quarter isn't insurmountable, but they threw 17 times in the 4th quarter, including seven times on their final drive, when it was 53-16. Sixty-three total passes in a game you win by 44? Seems a bit out of line. I know, it's the defenses job to make a stop, but I'm just not a fan of that kind of stuff

Coach Hal Mumme's (former University of Kentucky Head Coach and college coach of Cleveland Brown QB Tim Couch) offense is the spread, and the second team QB and 2nd and third team receivers were getting reps.  Fifteen players caught a pass in the game.

The key to the 848 yds was that the officials threw for over 300 yards of penalties to the 2 teams in the game. That gives lots of chances to get "+" yds that have to put into the record books several times as you march downfield.

The 2nd string quarterback didn't come in until the final drive, when there were four minutes to go in the game. They hardly emptied the bench. And was McMurray doing the classy thing on that last drive, handing it off to the running backs, letting the clock run? No, they were throwing the ball on 3rd and 8 with three minutes to go, because they were still short of the all-time record. They didn't even take a knee with a 1st and 10 at the 16, record already in hand. Kept on going for another touchdown, which they got by passing the ball on the final play of the game. In my view, that's classless.

Maybe they're prepping for their rise to D1 in a few years? 

[Frank Rossi]

In all seriousness, it looks like about 10 out of 27 plays for McMurry in the 4th quarter were runs.  McMurry was up by no less than 23 in the 4th, with the 30-point lead coming less than three minutes into it.  I'm going to side with you, Bombers, that this would be a bit of running up the score on the part of McMurry, unfortunately.

[Bombers798891]

In all seriousness, it looks like about 10 out of 27 plays for McMurry in the 4th quarter were runs.  McMurry was up by no less than 23 in the 4th, with the 30-point lead coming less than three minutes into it.  I'm going to side with you, Bombers, that this would be a bit of running up the score on the part of McMurry, unfortunately.

You and I agreeing makes me uncomfortable. Can we argue about Union or something?

Just kidding. Look, I understand certain things are inevitable. If a guy gets a pick, or is running back a punt, I'm not saying you go out of bounds. But especially with the 40 second play clock, running the ball allows you to eat into the clock and keep some of this stuff down.

[bomber3]

Is there someone out there that could explain what the heck happened with the Ithaca QB situation yesterday?

From the stats.... Hendel had an decent start, but was yanked in the 3rd quarter after throwing an interception.  Griffin came in to lead three drives, two which resulted in scores, with an interception sandwiched in the middle.  Then, with two minutes left, they brought in Neumann who had a drive stall out around the 20.

What is going on here?  Injuries?  Indecision? Mass chaos? Some insight would be much appreciated on what appeared to be a wacky day!

I heard injuries, but nothing's been confirmed

From my standpoint it looked like Hendel was yanked and Griffin got hurt, then Neumann was inserted instead of Hendel.  Hendel was 6-10 for 96 yards with a TD and a pick when it appears he was pulled.  He also had about 15 yards rushing (excluding the sacks).  Now I understand Hendel hasn't been all-world but he hasn't been the sole reason for the past few losses.  With the situation the offense is currently in, I don't see the benefit of swapping quarterbacks at this point of the season; unless there are longer-term motives involved (next season development or something along those lines).  At the point he was pulled, the Bombers had put up 24 points and had some offensive momentum (were driving on the possession he threw the pick).  Given what the other quarterbacks have shown this year, the move doesn't make much sense to me unless there are longer-term development motives.

It should be interesting to see who starts at QB against Utica given that it looked like when Griffin got hurt they went with Neumann instead of Hendel.  That makes me think it won't be Hendel under center.

Utica is a tough team to beat at their place and Ithaca's defense will need to show up.  The defense played their worst game of the year against Springfield and will be tested against Utica's offense.  Hopefully the team can bounce back and finish the season strong. 

[Bombers798891]

Is there someone out there that could explain what the heck happened with the Ithaca QB situation yesterday?

From the stats.... Hendel had an decent start, but was yanked in the 3rd quarter after throwing an interception.  Griffin came in to lead three drives, two which resulted in scores, with an interception sandwiched in the middle.  Then, with two minutes left, they brought in Neumann who had a drive stall out around the 20.

What is going on here?  Injuries?  Indecision? Mass chaos? Some insight would be much appreciated on what appeared to be a wacky day!

I heard injuries, but nothing's been confirmed

From my standpoint it looked like Hendel was yanked and Griffin got hurt, then Neumann was inserted instead of Hendel.  Hendel was 6-10 for 96 yards with a TD and a pick when it appears he was pulled.  He also had about 15 yards rushing (excluding the sacks).  Now I understand Hendel hasn't been all-world but he hasn't been the sole reason for the past few losses.  With the situation the offense is currently in, I don't see the benefit of swapping quarterbacks at this point of the season; unless there are longer-term motives involved (next season development or something along those lines).  At the point he was pulled, the Bombers had put up 24 points and had some offensive momentum (were driving on the possession he threw the pick).  Given what the other quarterbacks have shown this year, the move doesn't make much sense to me unless there are longer-term development motives.

It should be interesting to see who starts at QB against Utica given that it looked like when Griffin got hurt they went with Neumann instead of Hendel.  That makes me think it won't be Hendel under center.

Utica is a tough team to beat at their place and Ithaca's defense will need to show up.  The defense played their worst game of the year against Springfield and will be tested against Utica's offense.  Hopefully the team can bounce back and finish the season strong.

Yeah, plus honestly, none of them are especially good. Pick one and run with it. It's not like you're going to suddenly discover one of the is Josh Felliceti

[sjfcards]

Alright, I'm curious. What do you guys think of McMurry putting up 848 total yards?

I'll give that a 23-point lead in the 4th quarter isn't insurmountable, but they threw 17 times in the 4th quarter, including seven times on their final drive, when it was 53-16. Sixty-three total passes in a game you win by 44? Seems a bit out of line. I know, it's the defenses job to make a stop, but I'm just not a fan of that kind of stuff

You can usually tell if a 23 point lead in the 4th quarter is going to hold up. Texas Lutheran is a decent team, but I would imagine that if you polled the crowd at the game they would have felt early in the 4th that the game was in hand. That is the benefit of having a 23 point lead, late in a game. If you start running the ball every play and the other team scores a TD or two, you can start to air it out again, and put more distance in between you. I know a coach is not going to want to put himself back into the game, but if you execute running the ball, the clock becomes your best friend.

I think it is rediculous that a coach would continue to throw that many times. I like setting records as much as anyone, but there is no need to show up the other team.

[tecmobowler]

My hunch is that Welch has some character issues with Hendel.  After his suspension last year, and his inability to lock up the job for a second straight year, things seem to point in this direction. None of the three current guys can throw, so it seems Hendel would have the one advantage as a decent scrambler.

After one of his interceptions last week, he slumped over to the sidelines and had about half the team run over to him and give him the "it's going to be ok pat"....a couple coaches as well.  Small sample size, but nothing about the way he carried himself last week seemed to scream out "confident fellow who team will rally around."

[dewcrew88]

Good to see you on Dew,
The UC win was good, but while I agree that the UC team is improving and the facilities are ok, I really think Blaise was looking for something more this season.  Lets face it UC is a tough sell.  Hell, no disrespect here but football at UC is second banana to hockey hands down.  As long as Heenan keeps that program steamrolling, I dont see the atmosphere changing.

I wouldn't say that. Hockey is king, but I think it's closer than many think.

[dewcrew88]

I wanted to echo one point that Bombers made last week...

While it's super Ithaca had scored on an number of opening drives, depending on sixteen-play drives to go sixty yards doesn't seem very sustainable.  I've never quite seen a team dink and dunk the way IC did early last week, with one and two yard throws down the field. 

While it may be a effective for a bit, you have to imagine something will eventually go wrong (turnover, penalty) if you need that many plays to get down the field.

Stat that pretty much explains the Bombers' offense: Their running backs have carried the ball 133 times. They have one run over 20 yards this season.

Now I want to so something similar with the defense, who's praises I have touted all season. The Bombers forced 18 turnovers their first five games which covered up some warts, especially in the defensive line. But I think this game exposed them. They basically been living off of turnovers, but finally met a team that didn't cough it up, and couldn't get the stops.

Let's not forget that Blaise always gets my boys extra fired up for Ithaca week.

[fisheralum91]

Dew is right about the UC IC game.
Blaise gets them pumped.

As for UC hockey.....Dew- they sell out the Utica Aud every game.
They lead the nation in D3 attendance and have so for 3 years.
Football is second banana at UC....

[SJFF82]

it is very unlikely at this point, but not impossible....SJF could easily lose 2 conference games, ie: Salisbury and lets say, 'Wick, because it will be last game of season after a big downer loss to Salisbury with all the marbles on the line.  Then Salisbury loses to Wick this week in a huge upset at the cage and later loses to Frostburg also in the last game of the season after a week of celebrating their win over Fisher and what they thought was the E8 championship game.  Now AU wins out leaving SJF, Salsbury and AU all with 2 conference losses and the dreaded tie breaker.....thoughts?

[SJFF82]

...or maybe more plausible....Frostburg beats a demoralized AU team, and heads into the last game of the season against Salisbury with only 2 conference losses and a chance to force the three-way tie breaker with SJF and Salisbury under my prior scenario....

[Frank Rossi]

it is very unlikely at this point, but not impossible....SJF could easily lose 2 conference games, ie: Salisbury and lets say, 'Wick, because it will be last game of season after a big downer loss to Salisbury with all the marbles on the line.  Then Salisbury loses to Wick this week in a huge upset at the cage and later loses to Frostburg also in the last game of the season after a week of celebrating their win over Fisher and what they thought was the E8 championship game.  Now AU wins out leaving SJF, Salsbury and AU all with 2 conference losses and the dreaded tie breaker.....thoughts?

Yes, and the Rapture was rescheduled for October 21st.  Therefore, anything can happen -- but I have a headache and this post didn't help. 

[Bombers798891]

...or maybe more plausible....Frostburg beats a demoralized AU team, and heads into the last game of the season against Salisbury with only 2 conference losses and a chance to force the three-way tie breaker with SJF and Salisbury under my prior scenario....

If the Wick even comes within 30 points of Salisbury, I'd be stunned. Frostburg is the worst defense in the league going up against the best offense. I shudder to think how bad that game is. Also, as much as I want to say Ithaca blows that game, that's a loooong bus ride and a very tough place to play. Bombers win that one.