Optimism aleart

[pokefanchaz7]

Count me as one of the fans who hoped we would keep it close but didn't really think we would win. Now I scratch my head and ask how did we lose. If you only looked at the statistics in this game and didn't look at the final score you would assume the pokes won this thing easily. We won every meaningful statistical category in the game except the final score. I know some of you negative nancie's in here will be quick to point out that the score is the only statistic that matters.

I look at things from a different angle. We had a true freshman quarterback and two true freshman running backs running the show tonight. I thought we were going to get curb stomped in this game without Brett Smith and we outplayed Air Force for the most part. This should be a sign for optimism.

I'm sick of losing too, but overall I can't fault the players effort tonight. I can't fault the coaching staff either as I think the right calls were made but execution was lacking. I know the players won't blame the rain and the coaches didn't use it for an excuse but the rain played right into Air Forces game plan and really hurt our passing game. Balls were slipping out of the qb's hands and the receivers were slipping on cuts and missing catches. I don't think it's coincidence that we dominated this game until the rain came and once the rain started to pour at halftime we struggled on offense. Another one point loss hurts but I feel good about this team overall. Things have to start going our way eventually. I know the mantra is getting old but with one break going our way in 4 of the 5 losses and we all of the sudden are a 5-1 team. We have a lot to work on still and obviously their is room for improvement but don't give up on these guys.

 

[laxwyo]

I almost didn't even listen when Brett wasn't playing. I'm glad I listened and then watched the second half after work.

I agree with you about everything. Good to see some running game and Thompson looks like a good QB at times.

 

[fromolwyoming]

We did do well, just no execution in the second half with the passing game. Thompson, with more experience (more control with his throwing in general), will become a QB about on par with Smith. Wick, though young, is a hell of a young RB, and May isn't too bad either.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Was "aleart" intentionally misspelled...because I would actually agree that the team does play with a lot of heart.

 

[cowboyz]

Count me as one of the fans who hoped we would keep it close but didn't really think we would win. Now I scratch my head and ask how did we lose. If you only looked at the statistics in this game and didn't look at the final score you would assume the pokes won this thing easily. We won every meaningful statistical category in the game except the final score. I know some of you negative nancie's in here will be quick to point out that the score is the only statistic that matters.

I look at things from a different angle. We had a true freshman quarterback and two true freshman running backs running the show tonight. I thought we were going to get curb stomped in this game without Brett Smith and we outplayed Air Force for the most part. This should be a sign for optimism.

I'm sick of losing too, but overall I can't fault the players effort tonight. I can't fault the coaching staff either as I think the right calls were made but execution was lacking. I know the players won't blame the rain and the coaches didn't use it for an excuse but the rain played right into Air Forces game plan and really hurt our passing game. Balls were slipping out of the qb's hands and the receivers were slipping on cuts and missing catches. I don't think it's coincidence that we dominated this game until the rain came and once the rain started to pour at halftime we struggled on offense. Another one point loss hurts but I feel good about this team overall. Things have to start going our way eventually. I know the mantra is getting old but with one break going our way in 4 of the 5 losses and we all of the sudden are a 5-1 team. We have a lot to work on still and obviously their is room for improvement but don't give up on these guys.

I'm not giving up on the players. I hope all the non-graduating players come back next season, but we know that's not going to happen. If balls are slipping out of the QBs hands and receivers were having a tough time slipping and missing catches, do you think maybe we could have reconsidered the strategy? Strategy + execution = success. We couldn't execute the strategy, so it needed to change.

 

[Bryoming]

I'm done with this season. I'm still going to attend all the games, and cheer like hell for those kids, but I have no optimism left for this season. On the plus side, I'm really looking forward to the basketball season!

 

[djm19]

On the plus side, I'm really looking forward to the basketball season!

WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reign that optimism in. jk. This is how we all felt a few months ago going into football. Manage those expectations, cause if I have learned one thing about being a die hard Pokes fan , it is don't get TOO excited. I have had that Smiley Face balloon shot down too many times.

 

[BeachPoke]

Would we rather be back with Vic K, Joe G, or Dismal era.... at least these kids come out ready to play and not get a beat down by 40 points or something like that... I find it very hard to compare this team to anything we had on the field before Dave came on board. At least we can score more than 10 points a game and in most cases we have chance to win... take this years texas game... Mack Brown said at the end of the game this Cowboy team was the best most physical out of the 3...

 

[stymeman]

it was fun staying for the 2nd half in that downpour though, at least I thought, and the students were really into it whole game for a change!!!