Where to start? I could mention that the few fans at the game were the most diehard green blooded fans we've got. That the team treated these fans to a game in which they QUIT...again. That its great to be having the radio and paper ablaze with discontent because it shows that we do care, do strive to be better, and people are watching. I believe there are numerous couch fans out there. But I'm a fan who makes my schedule around the home games and love to hit an away game if possible whether its West Pont or Starkville. So I put forth my effort as a fan and make as much noise as possible every opponent's third down. I demand the same from my team. My team does not seem to be playing much like a team right now. I did notice yesterday one player on that field who knew what team meant. For all the yards Andre Hall ran, they are nothing compared to the work that player did on his sideline from the moment he walked on the field till his business was over and it was time to go home. He kept his team pumped as he got in the face of every player and coach and dished out the high fives all night long. Far cry from the UAB sideline where in the fourth when a comeback needed to be put together, some of the players seemed to be more interested in communicating with their friends in the stands. To them the festivities seemed to be more of a social event then a time to take care of business. These were players who do play on the field. This lack of motivation comes straight down from coaching. Saw many excuses for the Tulane game but its quite clear that status quo with this program will not allow it to grow. For as good as things were three weeks ago we are now worse off than last season. This also is a pattern. 3 steps forward, 5 steps back. Sorry to ramble on so long but there's alot more where this came from because I care... we should do better... we are close. This program may be at a point where its move forward and succeed or stay stagnant and ultimately fail.
I was also at the Wednesday night game. I watched as Andre Hall #2 on USF continually pumped up his team on the sidelines and on the field by racking up massive between the tackles yardage from the beginning to the miserable end of the game.
This could have been a great year in the history of the football program. First time AP top 25 ranking with two potential NFL players on the offense (Hackney and White) but now its going to be a struggle to just win one more game.
I guess we are about the only ones who won't put up with status quo mediocrity. Looks like every other so called fans on this board are happy being the red headed stepchild...like being the ridiculed program in the state. Looks like I'm wrong in thinking that we can do better. Its appearing to me that the majority of the fans don't care or just don't know football. I'm beginning to think that this program may really be destined to ultimately fail. Pitiful. I'd welcome some discusion on this but since we are not soothesayers our posts are destined to be lost by being moved over here to the smack forum. Just need to finish this up with the comment that I'm not used to being associated with quitters, and I'm seeing it not only on the field, but now also in the stands. :mad:
I'm very unhappy right now, I've expressed my anger and thoughts, but I've also realized there is nothing we can do about the coaches at this point in the season so I'm going to be positive and put my support behind the TEAM.
At the end of the season we shall see how things turned out and then either turn up the heat for an immediate change or be glad that we turned things around and made it to a bowl game with a win.
If we get one more win and make it to a bowl game is the season a success? Not to me the way we started this season. This team's talent is better than that. I'm reminded of Bartow Jr's ability to just hang on. I'd love to give a new coach one year with Hackney.
I was thinking the same thing and am having trouble with it. I'm sure that the pure emotion of making it to a bowl game and WINNING will determine how I feel but if I look at it statistically I would say I would be disappointed.
If we win the next 3 games we will finish 8-3: best record for UAB football in D1 BUT we will still sit back and ask "What if?"
What if Lindsey held on to the punt at Tulane? What if our defense got that 1 big stop at the end of the game?
What if Roddy didn't lose the ball on the USF 4-yd line? What if we didn't get down and we actually made some tackles?
What if we won all of our CUSA games and were co-champs or CUSA champs? What kind of attendance would we have? What kind of media attention would we receive? How much would UAB donations, private and corporate go up?
WHAT IF? Instead of this being the year of "No Excuses" it has turned to the year of "What If?"
One play does not make a game.
You seem to see it like I do. The damage has already been done. Hate it but its reality.
One play does not make a game but it change change the entire scope of the game.
If UAB scores on that play where Roddy fumbled, or a play later, then there is no telling what that could've done to the USF players. They could've got down on themselves, fought on the sidelines about the defense, or just given up hope. Instead they caught a break at the most desperate time and they get hope and MOMENTUM. You can't quantify momentum....it's one of the most powerful things in a game. Same thing goes for the Tulane game. Had Lindsey not dropped the punt then we could've ran out some clock, stopped Tulane from scoring on the VERY next play thus giving them more momentum, etc etc.
With that said, it's still our job to take care of business.
I feel that Saturday's game will be one of two things: the same defense we've seen or the best defensive performance of the year. Remember, this is the last time that those LB's will be playing at Legion Field.
First off, This conversation has been moved to the smack board. How pathetic is this? We are real fans with real big issues about the program and the future.
This isn't smack. THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL that we have insufficient leadership at the helm of the athletic program. It has spread into the player's minds now.
From going as many games as I have this season, Army will not even be stopped by our defense unless a miracle happens.
Don't expect another win.
Secondly, don't jump into the "what if this play or that play was different?". Hands down, Tulane and South Florida should not have even been around after the 1st quarter much less that late 3rd quarter/4th quarter fumble scenario.