while the call at the end was legitimate. this was a great game decided by the refs and instant replay. every late score toledo made was reviewed. huge penalties on ut for physical play negating big plays. even miami's triumphant walk onto the field to celebrate an end to their losing streak... was delayed for review, resetting, and an extra play.

it was a gut wrenching loss for a rocket fan. but it was a well played game. miami made great throws and catches. got the gift td from opelt.

ut ran the ball. held onto the ball. page. thomas. pettee. dantin. collins. williams. williams. all good.

i do question some of the use of personnel on latter plays. cortazzo and noble on key third downs with williams and page and running backs all having big days. is questionable. strange to see pettee at the end. he did a great job, but were both opelt and dantin suddenly unable to go on?

and the attendance was terrible, but the fans were into the game. i just think the game is being played more now for tv while the pacing and physicality is being stripped by the changing rules and use of replay.

this game should have been decided by the teams on the field in the 59th minute. ut scored to make it 30-31. that's how the ref in perfect position made the call. let stiegerwald kick and at 31-31 miami gets a minute to earn an end to their losing streak. instead, they get a gift from god. and a clumsy reset, reviewed, restarted 15 minute 59th minute of the game playing chicken with the clock.

to me, that's why there are so few fans at the game. if i'm gonna sit in the cold for 2 hours and 45 minutes to see the best team win. don't sit me out there for 3 hours and 20 minutes to see the refs and camera angles decide every exciting play.

do you believe me yet?

I think the primary difference in the game was the defense not showing up until the 4th quarter when it looked like we might have a chance to win.

The offense put up 444 yards of total offense, but only 24 points, and only converted 3 of 11 third downs--which is disgusting in the context of Miami being 0-8.

BTW, Miami put up 436 yards of total offense, and I repeat, 0-8.

(10-31-2009 05:14 PM)RocketJeff Wrote:  Opelt is playing with pain.

It seems pretty obvious that there is a much bigger problem with Opelts shoulder than a "bruise". Does anyone know the real story? I wonder if he will be out for the remainder of the season.

(10-31-2009 10:30 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  No way I'm going to Central Michigan, I'll sit at home and avoid another $100+ in diesel fuel like today just to be disappointed.

I usually enjoy the trip to CMU. Although we are on an awful losing streak to them right now.

Everyone in the MAC is taking out years of pent up frustration and aggression out on the Rockets while they can!

Anyway, as for CMU, I'll think about what to do and decide if I'm going mid-week.

(11-01-2009 08:18 AM)RocketRobert Wrote:  I think the primary difference in the game was the defense not showing up until the 4th quarter when it looked like we might have a chance to win.

The offense put up 444 yards of total offense, but only 24 points, and only converted 3 of 11 third downs--which is disgusting in the context of Miami being 0-8.

BTW, Miami put up 436 yards of total offense, and I repeat, 0-8.

Correction: Miami is 1-8

(10-31-2009 10:22 PM)Rocket pop Wrote:  You might be surprised just how much a corner of Marrows size and agreesiveness makes . He is the type that can so disrupt timing because he has the ability to also jam recievers . He'll be back . Trust me . I know he appreciates those who appreciate what he can do for the rockets . Please keep him in your prayers. I know we have many areas of concern on offense and defense. We really should try to remain optimistic. I know it ain't easy!

I sure hope so. He would give us a much needed upgrade. I'm hoping that he's back on the field and 100% for next year.

(10-31-2009 03:54 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  The injuries to Opelt haven't helped us with the season. With Opelt - we beat Temple. This game isn't over yet, but still don't have a healthy Opelt playing.

Nevertheless, our defense has not been good all year except against NIU - and now the offense is terrible with a hurt true freshman and/or a 3rd string JC transfer at QB.

The defense has gotten progressively worse for 9 straight years - and that's a major issue.

Very disappointing loss to an 0-8 team. UT has a talented group of players, with many true freshman learning while playing as first string. Page is truly talented. I really question the defense and the weak side. I question the coaches choice to put a true freshman at QB. It looks like the new coaching staff want their guys at all costs even loosing critical games. You have an injured starter in Opelt, Dantin is not better with an ankle sprain and you still put him in. It is clearly bad decisions on the part of the coaching staff. Coach Beckman is getting a handle on recruits, academics etc but this year shoulda coulda woulda.
At this point maybe the third string QB shoulda really been the backup all along. He made a point of it Saturday, he was fun to watch as well and still healthy. Adonis Thomas is a fireball , keep him in. Lets hope the CM game is good. This was a sad day for the UT seniors as UT coulda been going to a bowl game. I still love the ROCKETS!!:ncaabbs:

One nice thing for me was not seeing the defense leave receivers wide open in the middle seam. Didn't see that even once yesterday. Nor did I see us fail to contain the Miami QB when hise blocking broke down- didn't see him gain a single yard scrambling. And it was nice to not see us have bad punts for a change. That was a huge plus for me- not seeing Steigerwald or Clause boot a twenty yarder.

Yep, I didn't SEE any of those things for the first time in four weeks. Almost makes me glad I didn't go to the game.