FB: Empire 8

[drt]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I thought for a long time before responding to this post.  (It probably didn't help, though.)
The characterization of your loss to Utica being the low point for your program stings me, as well.
And thanks for the congratulations, but to me, you make it sound like UC is like someone's crazy, (but loveable) Uncle.
"Hey Uncle Joe, congrats on getting that monkey off your back."  (Wink wink, nudge nudge.)
Well, crazy Uncle Joe, I mean Utica, is 5-2.  I know three of those wins were against LL teams, but I haven't seen anyone else come close to hanging 45 on Salisbury, much less lead them by 14 in the third quarter.  (Keep in mind that I'm looking at UC's remaining three games and feeling more than a little queasy.)
I have more than passing familiarity with Ithaca's tradition, so I know what a string of seasons like this must feel like, but Utica played hard, and did what they had to do to win that game.  They could have quit when they had a TD called back and missed the subsequent FG.  They could have quit when the offense got stuffed for a safety after that,  but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to get it done.
Sorry to get long-winded, and I know there aren't many UC folk out here, but I just wanted to put it out there that the game was about more than IC's woes of late.

[Bombers798891]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I thought for a long time before responding to this post.  (It probably didn't help, though.)
The characterization of your loss to Utica being the low point for your program stings me, as well.
And thanks for the congratulations, but to me, you make it sound like UC is like someone's crazy, (but loveable) Uncle.
"Hey Uncle Joe, congrats on getting that monkey off your back."  (Wink wink, nudge nudge.)
Well, crazy Uncle Joe, I mean Utica, is 5-2.  I know three of those wins were against LL teams, but I haven't seen anyone else come close to hanging 45 on Salisbury, much less lead them by 14 in the third quarter.  (Keep in mind that I'm looking at UC's remaining three games and feeling more than a little queasy.)
I have more than passing familiarity with Ithaca's tradition, so I know what a string of seasons like this must feel like, but Utica played hard, and did what they had to do to win that game.  They could have quit when they had a TD called back and missed the subsequent FG.  They could have quit when the offense got stuffed for a safety after that,  but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to get it done.
Sorry to get long-winded, and I know there aren't many UC folk out here, but I just wanted to put it out there that the game was about more than IC's woes of late.

Hmm...

[boobyhasgameyo]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I thought for a long time before responding to this post.  (It probably didn't help, though.)
The characterization of your loss to Utica being the low point for your program stings me, as well.
And thanks for the congratulations, but to me, you make it sound like UC is like someone's crazy, (but loveable) Uncle.
"Hey Uncle Joe, congrats on getting that monkey off your back."  (Wink wink, nudge nudge.)
Well, crazy Uncle Joe, I mean Utica, is 5-2.  I know three of those wins were against LL teams, but I haven't seen anyone else come close to hanging 45 on Salisbury, much less lead them by 14 in the third quarter.  (Keep in mind that I'm looking at UC's remaining three games and feeling more than a little queasy.)
I have more than passing familiarity with Ithaca's tradition, so I know what a string of seasons like this must feel like, but Utica played hard, and did what they had to do to win that game.  They could have quit when they had a TD called back and missed the subsequent FG.  They could have quit when the offense got stuffed for a safety after that,  but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to get it done.
Sorry to get long-winded, and I know there aren't many UC folk out here, but I just wanted to put it out there that the game was about more than IC's woes of late.

When your record in the E8 is 6-26 since 2006 (It was probably a lower winning percentage before that but it doesn't show it on this site)...I'd say that qualifies as the crazy/lovable uncle

[maxpower]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I thought for a long time before responding to this post.  (It probably didn't help, though.)
The characterization of your loss to Utica being the low point for your program stings me, as well.
And thanks for the congratulations, but to me, you make it sound like UC is like someone's crazy, (but loveable) Uncle.
"Hey Uncle Joe, congrats on getting that monkey off your back."  (Wink wink, nudge nudge.)
Well, crazy Uncle Joe, I mean Utica, is 5-2.  I know three of those wins were against LL teams, but I haven't seen anyone else come close to hanging 45 on Salisbury, much less lead them by 14 in the third quarter.  (Keep in mind that I'm looking at UC's remaining three games and feeling more than a little queasy.)
I have more than passing familiarity with Ithaca's tradition, so I know what a string of seasons like this must feel like, but Utica played hard, and did what they had to do to win that game.  They could have quit when they had a TD called back and missed the subsequent FG.  They could have quit when the offense got stuffed for a safety after that,  but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to get it done.
Sorry to get long-winded, and I know there aren't many UC folk out here, but I just wanted to put it out there that the game was about more than IC's woes of late.

Dude, i'm sorry you feel this way, because this post was, for me, about showing that it was more than just embarrassment for me; you seem to have skipped the part of my post that I bolded above. The reason the loss doesn't sting as much is because I know how good a team Utica is. It's not just that Ithaca's gotten worse, it's that the balance of power in the E8 has totally shifted. If we had lost to you guys in 2006 it wouldn't have been as bad because it would have so obviously been a fluke. That is what I am saying. I have been rooting hard for Utica since Blaise was hired because, as I said in my original post, they are a team doing all the right things to win.

I'll try harder next time, but if you guys are gonna keep winning, you're going to have to learn how to take a compliment .

[Pat Coleman]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I thought for a long time before responding to this post.  (It probably didn't help, though.)
The characterization of your loss to Utica being the low point for your program stings me, as well.
And thanks for the congratulations, but to me, you make it sound like UC is like someone's crazy, (but loveable) Uncle.
"Hey Uncle Joe, congrats on getting that monkey off your back."  (Wink wink, nudge nudge.)
Well, crazy Uncle Joe, I mean Utica, is 5-2.  I know three of those wins were against LL teams, but I haven't seen anyone else come close to hanging 45 on Salisbury, much less lead them by 14 in the third quarter.  (Keep in mind that I'm looking at UC's remaining three games and feeling more than a little queasy.)
I have more than passing familiarity with Ithaca's tradition, so I know what a string of seasons like this must feel like, but Utica played hard, and did what they had to do to win that game.  They could have quit when they had a TD called back and missed the subsequent FG.  They could have quit when the offense got stuffed for a safety after that,  but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to get it done.
Sorry to get long-winded, and I know there aren't many UC folk out here, but I just wanted to put it out there that the game was about more than IC's woes of late.

When your record in the E8 is 6-26 since 2006 (It was probably a lower winning percentage before that but it doesn't show it on this site)...I'd say that qualifies as the crazy/lovable uncle

Fixed. We are very close to having all of the schools' records listed back to 1999 but keep getting pulled into more pressing projects.

[drt]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I thought for a long time before responding to this post.  (It probably didn't help, though.)
The characterization of your loss to Utica being the low point for your program stings me, as well.
And thanks for the congratulations, but to me, you make it sound like UC is like someone's crazy, (but loveable) Uncle.
"Hey Uncle Joe, congrats on getting that monkey off your back."  (Wink wink, nudge nudge.)
Well, crazy Uncle Joe, I mean Utica, is 5-2.  I know three of those wins were against LL teams, but I haven't seen anyone else come close to hanging 45 on Salisbury, much less lead them by 14 in the third quarter.  (Keep in mind that I'm looking at UC's remaining three games and feeling more than a little queasy.)
I have more than passing familiarity with Ithaca's tradition, so I know what a string of seasons like this must feel like, but Utica played hard, and did what they had to do to win that game.  They could have quit when they had a TD called back and missed the subsequent FG.  They could have quit when the offense got stuffed for a safety after that,  but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to get it done.
Sorry to get long-winded, and I know there aren't many UC folk out here, but I just wanted to put it out there that the game was about more than IC's woes of late.

When your record in the E8 is 6-26 since 2006 (It was probably a lower winning percentage before that but it doesn't show it on this site)...I'd say that qualifies as the crazy/lovable uncle

Max, thanks for the compliment, we appreciate it.  Sorry, I can be a little thin-skinned at times.  I just didn't put the emphasis onthe most important part of your post.
Boobie, Yeah, it was undoubedly lower, but I'm not talking about 2006, or 2007, etc.  I'm talking about extending the slightest bit of respect for what they've done in 2011.  I think they've earned it.  Maybe especially based on 2006, 2007, 2008, etc.
Some of the Fisher guys have been all over this board this week about the lack of respect from U of R when they were up and coming.
How about projecting a little of that Utica's way?
 

[Bombers798891]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I thought for a long time before responding to this post.  (It probably didn't help, though.)
The characterization of your loss to Utica being the low point for your program stings me, as well.
And thanks for the congratulations, but to me, you make it sound like UC is like someone's crazy, (but loveable) Uncle.
"Hey Uncle Joe, congrats on getting that monkey off your back."  (Wink wink, nudge nudge.)
Well, crazy Uncle Joe, I mean Utica, is 5-2.  I know three of those wins were against LL teams, but I haven't seen anyone else come close to hanging 45 on Salisbury, much less lead them by 14 in the third quarter.  (Keep in mind that I'm looking at UC's remaining three games and feeling more than a little queasy.)
I have more than passing familiarity with Ithaca's tradition, so I know what a string of seasons like this must feel like, but Utica played hard, and did what they had to do to win that game.  They could have quit when they had a TD called back and missed the subsequent FG.  They could have quit when the offense got stuffed for a safety after that,  but their defense kept them in it long enough for the offense to get it done.
Sorry to get long-winded, and I know there aren't many UC folk out here, but I just wanted to put it out there that the game was about more than IC's woes of late.

When your record in the E8 is 6-26 since 2006 (It was probably a lower winning percentage before that but it doesn't show it on this site)...I'd say that qualifies as the crazy/lovable uncle

Max, thanks for the compliment, we appreciate it.  Sorry, I can be a little thin-skinned at times.  I just didn't put the emphasis onthe most important part of your post.
Boobie, Yeah, it was undoubedly lower, but I'm not talking about 2006, or 2007, etc.  I'm talking about extending the slightest bit of respect for what they've done in 2011.  I think they've earned it.  Maybe especially based on 2006, 2007, 2008, etc.
Some of the Fisher guys have been all over this board this week about the lack of respect from U of R when they were up and coming.
How about projecting a little of that Utica's way?

I think we've all been very respectful of Utica on this board. We understand the program is making strides and we've praised the coaching staff for years. While it sort of was a backhanded compliment, it's also sort of a realistic statement. This is a really bad Ithaca team, and they're going to be setting a lot of firsts for the program, most of them negative. This loss, because of the timing of it crystalizes a lot of those things. It's not that we're using it to try and take down the win. We're all aware of the strides Utica's made as a program. It's simply that it's impossible to differentiate the two at this point. It's unfair I know, but it's true

[fisheralum91]

I respect the hell out of what Blaise has done for his program..He is a nice guy and a class act.  You could tell that this one was huge when he was interviewed on Time Warner Sports.  I thought he was going to break down.  The passion was there.  It would not have been the same if it were say Fisher simply because of his love and admiration for IC.  That said, with all due respect, this is a team that has lost to Frostburg and barely beat Hartwick....They arent going to win the E8, but the transformation that we have all been talking about ever since Blaise arrived certainly has begun.  I will say this as well- Its tough being second banana to another sport...Its like Football at Duke.......Duke has a football team?  UC's Hockey team is nationally ranked and leads the nation in attendance year after year... That is a tough act to compete with let alone follow.

[AUPepBand]

I respect the hell out of what Blaise has done for his program..He is a nice guy and a class act.  You could tell that this one was huge when he was interviewed on Time Warner Sports.  I thought he was going to break down.  The passion was there.  It would not have been the same if it were say Fisher simply because of his love and admiration for IC.  That said, with all due respect, this is a team that has lost to Frostburg and barely beat Hartwick....They arent going to win the E8, but the transformation that we have all been talking about ever since Blaise arrived certainly has begun.  I will say this as well- Its tough being second banana to another sport...Its like Football at Duke.......Duke has a football team?  UC's Hockey team is nationally ranked and leads the nation in attendance year after year... That is a tough act to compete with let alone follow.

and Pep says, "So what's so bad about that?"

On Saxon Warriors!

[fisheralum91]

Thats funny.....I typed it and never thought about AU -- sorry pep!

[AUPepBand]

Thats funny.....I typed it and never thought about AU -- sorry pep!

Pep takes no offense. And against Salisbury, neither did the Saxons....but hey, it's football, and just like life, it has its ups and its downs. Everyone loves the ups.... The downs?...Not so much. So we go back to work.....speaking of which, it's Monday and there's a paper to get out!

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bombers798891]

I will say this as well- Its tough being second banana to another sport...Its like Football at Duke.......Duke has a football team?  UC's Hockey team is nationally ranked and leads the nation in attendance year after year... That is a tough act to compete with let alone follow.

That's the 800-pound gorilla. I ask this respectfully: Do you think, for a guy like Blaise, Utica is a "forever" job? Or do you think his success in turning around the Utica program will lead to him moving on, maybe going somewhere where football is a little bigger, even at the D-III level? I wonder. I mean, Blaise is a young guy--late 30's I believe. Is he going to stay at Utica for 30-35 years? Maybe, but IDK.

[Doid23]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

I don't know, I read max's post as a compliment, he took the high road. He say's it's hard for him, but he sees this more through the lense of a great moment for Utica, rather than what it says about Ithaca. And not a backhanded compliment either.

[sjfcards]

I believe a lot of what we're seeing is IC's tuition killing the program. When I was at the football picnic earlier this year, Mike Welch said something very interesting. He was talking about the incoming class and he said they had some talent, but "not as many players as they had hoped for." I think you're seeing IC get hit in the depth department. You're able to recruit a great unit or tow (LB's/CB's) but other units are deficient (OL), and if some positions don't pan out--like say QB--you don't have the talent to make up for it.

I agree with that assessment 100%. I would also add that the administration has started to show more of a push in other sports. IC has always been great at all sports (obviously), and I am not saying that the administration is trying to gut the football program. But, have you seen that new A&E center at Ithaca? That is an incredible facility, and has no football amenities to it. I don't think the Football team has any use for it. The Soccer, lacrosse, track, and especially swimming teams are going to get a huge boost to recruiting, but when was the last time IC upgraded the football facilities (I honestly don't know and am asking sincerely)?

I still think IC, as an institution, is committed to football, but the other sports are getting more support and it may have an impact.

[fisheralum91]

Bombers,
I say that it is doubtful that he stays long term....Now I say that and am inferring 10 or more years.....