118th Monon Bell Classic

[Breckenridgebear]

Silly Caveboyzz, everyone knows that Zima stopped production in 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zima

Yes Sir, 'Boar, and in agreement right up until last year when DPU's "Team for the Ages" and fans QUIT in front of 11,000 spectators and a national TV audience. ...

Your memory is apparently shaky.  The same thing happened in 2008 at your place -- the W fans bolted early having seen enough of the slaughter.  Maybe you guys are closet Zima lovers?

Maybe there are differing opinions of what it means to have "bolted," but even down by 23 points late in the third quarter of the 2008 game, the stands look pretty packed to me.

Ryan, looking at your picture there appears to be a lot of black and gold in those stands. Could it be there were closet Depauw fans on dabash side?

[cave2bens]

More likely Purdue - tiller misdirection southbound from Ross-Ade 

[1837Tigers]

Yes Sir, 'Boar, and in agreement right up until last year when DPU's "Team for the Ages" and fans QUIT in front of 11,000 spectators and a national TV audience. ...

Your memory is apparently shaky.  The same thing happened in 2008 at your place -- the W fans bolted early having seen enough of the slaughter.  Maybe you guys are closet Zima lovers?

Maybe there are differing opinions of what it means to have "bolted," but even down by 23 points late in the third quarter of the 2008 game, the stands look pretty packed to me.

I don't see a clock in that shot, but my DVD of the game shows a steady evacuation as it became clear Hudson & Co. weren't showing up.  You've also got to factor in weather -- last year was the most miserable Bell-day weather in years, and if the shoe was on the other foot, you would've been outta there, too (I mean, we didn't even nick the red zone and the car has heat).  That said, I was there 'til the bitter end.  Why?  Ask my shrink.

[Danny Boy]

Yup 1837, that was probably the most miserable all-around Bell game for DPU fans I've attended.  Between the expectations, the weather, and worst of all the score, I was ready to grab a hose and redirect the exhaust into our RV.  But then I remembered that if we off ourselves, the wallies get another win.  Short-lived option.

Stood there the whole game, soaked, wondering "WTF is this about?"  Apparently our guys forgot that the Bell game is always a must-win.  Maybe the team became complacent; I'm hoping dabash does the same.  So yeah, I did see our fans start to evacuate the premises which twisted the knife a bit more.  But that horrendous loss is actually an example of why I love Monon.  The game can be an anomoly for perfect and piss-poor seasons.  Everyone on this thread knows that weird sh*t happens in the last game every fall.  In '99 we started out 1-6 and still managed to win the Bell.  It's a luxury that DePauw and that boys' home up north share a game that can redeem (or destroy) a season. 

I have no idea what is up with the program.  I knew we'd miss Spud and Koors but the offense is absolutely abysmal.  We lose 30-7 to Sewanee and our only score was a kick return?!  I like that Kirtley has been starting and he might develop just enough to give us a fighting chance next month.  No, he won't single-handedly unearth the Tigers.  But he might elevate the passing game so our defense doesn't spend so much time on the field. 

[CruFrenzy]

Is the game going to be on any major TV network this year?

[Wabash Hokie]

Stood there the whole game, soaked, wondering "WTF is this about?"  Apparently our guys forgot that the Bell game is always a must-win.  Maybe the team became complacent; I'm hoping dabash does the same.  So yeah, I did see our fans start to evacuate the premises which twisted the knife a bit more.  But that horrendous loss is actually an example of why I love Monon.  The game can be an anomoly for perfect and piss-poor seasons.  Everyone on this thread knows that weird sh*t happens in the last game every fall.  In '99 we started out 1-6 and still managed to win the Bell.  It's a luxury that DePauw and that boys' home up north share a game that can redeem (or destroy) a season. 

I hear you.  2008 was much the same way for us.  Additionally,  the anticipation (specter) of the playoffs seems to have impacted the game in unexpected ways.  Many on this board have debated that question.  Now that DPU is coming into the NCAC, this game will get nothing but bigger and give us even more reasons to hate each other.  Here's to many competitive games in the future - makes winning ever sweeter.  Hooo waah.

[Wabash Hokie]

Is the game going to be on any major TV network this year?

The game will be carried on HDNet again this year.  Not a major network by any imagination but it is carried by the satellite networks (Dish and DirecTV) and many cable systems.  The schools also host telecast parties in cities across the US.  You can find these events listed on the Wabash and DePauw websites.

[CruFrenzy]

Okay thankyou very much!

[Breckenridgebear]

Stood there the whole game, soaked, wondering "WTF is this about?"  Apparently our guys forgot that the Bell game is always a must-win.  Maybe the team became complacent; I'm hoping dabash does the same.  So yeah, I did see our fans start to evacuate the premises which twisted the knife a bit more.  But that horrendous loss is actually an example of why I love Monon.  The game can be an anomoly for perfect and piss-poor seasons.  Everyone on this thread knows that weird sh*t happens in the last game every fall.  In '99 we started out 1-6 and still managed to win the Bell.  It's a luxury that DePauw and that boys' home up north share a game that can redeem (or destroy) a season. 

I hear you.  2008 was much the same way for us.  Additionally,  the anticipation (specter) of the playoffs seems to have impacted the game in unexpected ways.  Many on this board have debated that question.  Now that DPU is coming into the NCAC, this game will get nothing but bigger and give us even more reasons to hate each other.  Here's to many competitive games in the future - makes winning ever sweeter.  Hooo waah.

Can you imagine the scenario in which a Bell game where Depauw/Dabash have both the NCAC Championship and the playoffs riding on a win? BEST GAME EVER. The level of play and hatred would be through the roof. It is almost scary to think of that situation. Or even the other end of the spectrum, where one team will win the NCAC/Playoff Bid, but just has to get past a substandard Bell competitor who has nothing to lose. We could see the second scenario this season. The NCAC is about to get real interesting.

Although seeing many of the fans leaving (On both sides, depending on the year) before the game is over, bothers me, I feel that many of these people headed to the lots are missing out.

The Monon Bell game is the last organized football game that many of the players ever get to experience (It was for me). It is the last time they will go through the pre-game ritual, the last time they put on the pads, and the last time they play to represent their school, their team, family, and themselves. Seeing the players on the field after the Monon game is something that you do not see very often in life. It is a collective end to a portion of many players' lives as they have known it since they were 6 or 7. You also see the younger players and how they react and get that spark that helps motivate the next generation of players.

I know the score means a lot in this game, but the game itself is something special that impacts every guy on the field. Seeing how the players react after the game is lost on those people who are headed to the lot.  There is also an opportunity to interact with the coaches and players after most of the crowd has headed out. Even though the DMZ exists during the game, the fences do come down afterwards, and the cops will let you go on the field.  Over the years I have had a chance to speak with coaches, meet players and their parents, and to congratulate those who have won.

Yeah, it bugs me that people leave early, but I also know that by staying late, you get to see that something extra that makes Monon so special.   

 

[wally_wabash]

My god.  He said something that makes sense.  There's may be hope for you yet, Bear.  Well said, indeed.

[Danny Boy]

Agreed Bear.  That's why it's so amazing.  In one fact pattern you could have two good teams fighting for a playoff berth.  In another fact pattern you could have a 9-0 playoff locked team vs an 0-9 team with a suicide bomber mentality.  That second scenario is especially frightening for the favored team --  the underdog team activates "kamikaze mode" b/c there is nothing more to lose and they just want to vent there frustration against their arch rival.  The underdog can be a dangerous pest, so I guess that's what we'll hang out hats on this year.

Might be in the minority, but I hope Coach Long has told the guys that the season is over except for 1 game against dabash.  A couple Saturday "scrimmages" and weekday practices but nothing more, so they might as well prepare for their last game.  What have you done to beat wabash today?

[wallyworld12]

For the Wabash Faithful the football team has requested that our fans be decked out in ALL WHITE to show solidarity with their road whites in our joint effort to WHITE OUT the Dannies. Be sure to spread the word to all in the Wabash Community who will be attending this year's slaughter....

[Breckenridgebear]

My god.  He said something that makes sense.  There's may be hope for you yet, Bear.  Well said, indeed.

It all makes sense, depending on which side you are on.

[smedindy]

Unfortunately for DPU, Wabash already had its wake-up call with Oberlin. So I can guarantee there will be a concerted effort to make sure DPU finishes 1-8. Yes, I went there. Enjoy the Hiram-esque record....

[Danny Boy]

Smed, that record projection might offend me if I didn't agree with you.  That's okay, there's a 300 lb chalice that can completely salvage a 1-8 season.