jmuroadkill
12-12-2016, 06:41 PM
12/3/2011
I was at the Fargo Dome that day. Here is what I remember, but I must admit I got a lot of the details from the box score from that game.
The previous week we had won a hard fought battle against EKU. We out played them, out statted them but it took a FG near games end on a swirling windy day to eke out a win. It was a very tough game physically, it took its toll on us, we had a lot of banged up guys.
In Fargo it was cold and blustery but not nearly as bad as predicted for later this week. We got in a day ahead of time and hit some bars downtown that night. We wore JMU stuff and barely got a look from the locals. The next day we killed time at the Mall where Roger Maris's Museum is located. Lots of folks roaming around and now we were noticed and were getting welcome to Fargo remarks with some folks thanking us for making the trip. ( I fought the urge to say: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?, and decided that the folks actually were being nice.) The game was at 3pm and we ended up back downtown looking for lunch and found ourselves in the Radisson where the team was staying. Actually we went in to use the restrooms, I guess you could call it a peeliminary round. Low and behold in the restroom was an older Bison fan wearing a Green jacket and we struck up a conversation. He turned out to be Roger Maris's brother-in-law who was in his 80's then but also still working part-time at the Radisson. I learned more about Roger Maris from him than I did at the museum!
Onto the game we went. Parked fairly close to the entrances and headed in, eyes peeled for Purple and not seeing much. I decided to do a Quarterfinal Pee and discovered lots of tailgaters in there with the same problem, those young bucks can pee gallons as I danced for my turn. I almost got peed on as the guys to the left and right of me did a double-take when they saw Purple.
We had good sideline seats right behind our defense. Our section was mostly empty and ushers kept others from coming in, and to protect us, I imagine. (I hear we are in the corner this year?)
It was a close game 7-7 when NDSU kicked a killer FG with no time left on the clock at the half to go up 10-7. That was a momentum builder for sure, and it sagged us.
In the second half, NDSU built the lead to 19-7, our only positive highlight was when they false started on their extra point conversion and was penalized 5 yards, we then blocked the kick. I guess it was too quiet for them.
What was worrisome, too, was the number of our guys going to the bench with injuries. The worse was when our outside linebacker went down, I think it was Pat Williams, but defer to anyone who remembers better than a 70 year old. We scored on a trick play where WR Kerby Long reversed roles with our QB Justin Thorpe and hit him for a long TD pass. Now it was 19-14 and remembering "Dumb and Dumber" thought there's hope! Actually I was thinking: Hey we can win this thing! Maybe.
We kickoff out of bounds and NSDU got the ball on the 40. Ugh. (and, now remember that our stud outside LB is hurt and not playing). So first and ten for NDSU and bam they run the ball around that corner and our sub had nary a chance to contain and seal, HOME RUN 60 yd TD 26-14.
Technically there was still time for a miracle comeback, but remember this is 2011 and we took our time on offense, even when behind we had no hurry-up. Our final drive ended in an end of game interception on the 2 yard line after moving the ball 48 yards in 14 plays! Have we had a 14 play drive this year?
If you look at the statline for the game. it was close in all categories except the score.
Anyway that is how I remember 12/3/2011
After the game we drove in a snow storm to Minneapolis to get to a hotel for an early am departure.
In looking over the box score, three current NFL players were on that team.
I was at the Fargo Dome that day. Here is what I remember, but I must admit I got a lot of the details from the box score from that game.
The previous week we had won a hard fought battle against EKU. We out played them, out statted them but it took a FG near games end on a swirling windy day to eke out a win. It was a very tough game physically, it took its toll on us, we had a lot of banged up guys.
In Fargo it was cold and blustery but not nearly as bad as predicted for later this week. We got in a day ahead of time and hit some bars downtown that night. We wore JMU stuff and barely got a look from the locals. The next day we killed time at the Mall where Roger Maris's Museum is located. Lots of folks roaming around and now we were noticed and were getting welcome to Fargo remarks with some folks thanking us for making the trip. ( I fought the urge to say: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?, and decided that the folks actually were being nice.) The game was at 3pm and we ended up back downtown looking for lunch and found ourselves in the Radisson where the team was staying. Actually we went in to use the restrooms, I guess you could call it a peeliminary round. Low and behold in the restroom was an older Bison fan wearing a Green jacket and we struck up a conversation. He turned out to be Roger Maris's brother-in-law who was in his 80's then but also still working part-time at the Radisson. I learned more about Roger Maris from him than I did at the museum!
Onto the game we went. Parked fairly close to the entrances and headed in, eyes peeled for Purple and not seeing much. I decided to do a Quarterfinal Pee and discovered lots of tailgaters in there with the same problem, those young bucks can pee gallons as I danced for my turn. I almost got peed on as the guys to the left and right of me did a double-take when they saw Purple.
We had good sideline seats right behind our defense. Our section was mostly empty and ushers kept others from coming in, and to protect us, I imagine. (I hear we are in the corner this year?)
It was a close game 7-7 when NDSU kicked a killer FG with no time left on the clock at the half to go up 10-7. That was a momentum builder for sure, and it sagged us.
In the second half, NDSU built the lead to 19-7, our only positive highlight was when they false started on their extra point conversion and was penalized 5 yards, we then blocked the kick. I guess it was too quiet for them.
What was worrisome, too, was the number of our guys going to the bench with injuries. The worse was when our outside linebacker went down, I think it was Pat Williams, but defer to anyone who remembers better than a 70 year old. We scored on a trick play where WR Kerby Long reversed roles with our QB Justin Thorpe and hit him for a long TD pass. Now it was 19-14 and remembering "Dumb and Dumber" thought there's hope! Actually I was thinking: Hey we can win this thing! Maybe.
We kickoff out of bounds and NSDU got the ball on the 40. Ugh. (and, now remember that our stud outside LB is hurt and not playing). So first and ten for NDSU and bam they run the ball around that corner and our sub had nary a chance to contain and seal, HOME RUN 60 yd TD 26-14.
Technically there was still time for a miracle comeback, but remember this is 2011 and we took our time on offense, even when behind we had no hurry-up. Our final drive ended in an end of game interception on the 2 yard line after moving the ball 48 yards in 14 plays! Have we had a 14 play drive this year?
If you look at the statline for the game. it was close in all categories except the score.
Anyway that is how I remember 12/3/2011
After the game we drove in a snow storm to Minneapolis to get to a hotel for an early am departure.
In looking over the box score, three current NFL players were on that team.