Originally Posted by
BisonRoyal
I don't know why I am relegated to posting on a fan forum, because that's what this is turning into. A lifelong bison fan and former college football coach, I will say the fans typically have pretty good takes but you throw a loss into the mix and all hell breaks loose. A couple thoughts as a former coach:
1. The off sides call, since I am posting in the thread does appear to be bogus and did have an effect on the game. For all those including Anish who suggest JMU was far superior and would win 8 out of 10 against the Bison I would say maybe. Maybe on a neutral field. In the dome, I would say it was a 50/50 game at best.
2. Think of all the what-ifs, including the off sides call, there was also the 3rd and 10 touchdown pass (a great play) but just that a play. It wasn't physically imposing, or anything schematic, we were beat by a step which happens from time to time, also doesn't happen from time to time. How about the throw across the body the JMU quarterback made back to the middle of the field on third and long. This was unorthodox, unwarranted, and something they do not practice. Sure he made a play, but between the catch and the throw, if we are talking percentages in the betting world, this play goes down as high risk/low reward status.
3. The field goal kicking was huge, had we made one of the two, we were in that game down to the last play. Our ability to rally from two scores down proved to be ugly and a coaching disaster, however Stick will mature and bounce back pushing to be better in this area going forward as will the coaches. This proves my point regarding JMU winning 8 out of 10 times or those who feel the better team won. I would argue the right team won on the right day based on the plays they made. The Bison resiliency was impressive as was the comeback to tie the game 17-17 and following the Bison INT, JMU's resiliency held. That was the difference! Two key field goal situations, we missed ours and the refs aided in the off sides penalty. The final touchdown, the situation, everything changes with those two situations and it is hard to say what happens.
4. Both teams were missing players, the difficulty and length of the season may have been the determining factor. Not an excuse but playing the grind of the valley with the non-con schedule we had was unprecedented. Couple that with the injuries and mental fatigue may have set in for the first time in six years. It's over and done, a great season, a great team, and more importantly a great program that will be back. Hats off to JMU, amid suspensions they were resilient and their QB/defense were the separating factors.