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Although some may debate whether this is the best win in program history, I will suggest at least that in terms of timing and importance to a season, this is the best.

First, it comes at the start of a very promising season, and against a very quality power five conference school, who was expecting a very good season itself, and for good reason. It was on the road, and it wasn't a fluke win either. Other big wins against BCS schools seemed not to be quite as important to the season. They were still big, as is any WMU win against a BCS school, but not as big.

It is had to compare big conference wins with non conference wins, as Conf games mean more directly to conference standings, but we are always expected to compete with MAC schools, even during down years.

Suffice it to say, this win was huge; particularly to start the season. Now we need to take care of business against everyone else, steering this week. We have good talent, chemistry and coaching with this bunch. I think the MAC West is as strong as ever, but I like our chances.

PS:. I don't think Illinois can be taken for granted. They won huge, and have new energy with new coaches.

It's just great to start a season off with a win!

(09-04-2016 12:34 PM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  It's just great to start a season off with a win!

Yep. That literally never happens to us. Wikipedia only goes back as 2007, but we hadn't won an opening day game since at least then.

Go Broncos!

Beat Tennessee-Martin in '04 opener (only win of Darnell's last year).

Every other season since '03 except '15 we've been playing Pay Out games on the road in openers. And last year was a home Pay Out game (MSU).

Dominated time of possession. Dominated line of scrimmage. Aggressive when it counted. On the road against a good opponent.

It's all good.

Congrats on the big win yesterday Broncos! Looking forward to our visit in a few weeks.

Sent from my B3-A20 using CSNbbs mobile app

It's great. That should put the object of the Fleckdashians affection high on the national coaching radar.

I think it's nice as far as a way to kick off the season, but honestly, we many times did lose our 1st game -- and it hasn't dragged us down. We lost to @Wisconsin in 2000, but then beat @Iowa the next game. In the end, as far as ranking's concerned, it's best to lose early. :)

Most the toughness of our schedule is in the 1st half of the season. Whether it's opener or not, I don't think it matters too much. It's not like our team's ever had confidence issues. :)

(09-04-2016 05:47 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  I think it's nice as far as a way to kick off the season, but honestly, we many times did lose our 1st game -- and it hasn't dragged us down. We lost to @Wisconsin in 2000, but then beat @Iowa the next game. In the end, as far as ranking's concerned, it's best to lose early. :)

Most the toughness of our schedule is in the 1st half of the season. Whether it's opener or not, I don't think it matters too much. It's not like our team's ever had confidence issues. :)

I agree with the OP because it's always good to start off the season strong the year you're picked to win the MAC. That is, this team from Game 1 looks like it's not a pretender.

But I also agree with you but for a different reason: Most MAC teams lose the first game because they always play at some Power 5 program. So when In Conference games start, whether if you won or lost the first game, it doesn't necessarily matter. For example, expect Bowling Green St to still be tough in conference. Very happy we don't play them this year. (We would've won the Division flat-out if we had played anyone other then Bowling Green St om the East last year, I believe.)

(09-04-2016 07:03 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(09-04-2016 05:47 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  I think it's nice as far as a way to kick off the season, but honestly, we many times did lose our 1st game -- and it hasn't dragged us down. We lost to @Wisconsin in 2000, but then beat @Iowa the next game. In the end, as far as ranking's concerned, it's best to lose early. :)

Most the toughness of our schedule is in the 1st half of the season. Whether it's opener or not, I don't think it matters too much. It's not like our team's ever had confidence issues. :)

I agree with the OP because it's always good to start off the season strong the year you're picked to win the MAC. That is, this team from Game 1 looks like it's not a pretender.

But I also agree with you but for a different reason: Most MAC teams lose the first game because they always play at some Power 5 program. So when In Conference games start, whether if you won or lost the first game, it doesn't necessarily matter. For example, expect Bowling Green St to still be tough in conference. Very happy we don't play them this year. (We would've won the Division flat-out if we had played anyone other then Bowling Green St om the East last year, I believe.)

Congrats guys :cheers:was pulling for WMU all the way great win for the MAC!

Strange-weird things happen in first games - fumbles into EZ, blocked PATs run back for two points (ND), etc.

Besides final score best thing about our win was paucity of mistakes - no turnovers, few penalties. Did not beat ourselves and thus had a chance to win, and did when Wildcats fumbled at our one.

Going four-for-four on 4th Down conversions impressive too and helped tremendously in TOP advantage, kept our Defense off the field.

I am such a *****, I was praying that we let Northwestern score with 3-some minutes left since they were in FG range. I figured we might as well let them score so we have time to score.

BIG PROPS to Robert Spillane. I believe I predicted he would have a great game. He played HARD to the last possession, to the last inch of field before the goal line. He is becoming the monster MLB he was predestined to be.

GO BRONCOS!!!!

(09-05-2016 08:58 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Strange-weird things happen in first games - fumbles into EZ, blocked PATs run back for two points (ND), etc.

Besides final score best thing about our win was paucity of mistakes - no turnovers, few penalties. Did not beat ourselves and thus had a chance to win, and did when Wildcats fumbled at our one.

Going four-for-four on 4th Down conversions impressive too and helped tremendously in TOP advantage, kept our Defense off the field.

All of the 4th down attempts were good smart decisions too. I would have been ticked off if we didn't go for it. Mathematically it is usually the smart decision. I hate playing conservative.

I really like how our OC calls plays. Very mixed, and never very predictable.

I am so glad football is back, and that optimism is so high.

And I need to give a shout out to the Watch ESPN App, which allowed me to watch game in great clarity on my phone from West Point. What amazing technology us sports junkies have now.

Anthony Walker had 7 total tackles (5 solo). That was his stat line. He's supposed to be pretty darn good. KUDOS to our OL.

Congratulations on a very impressive win.

Quote:I am such a *****, I was praying that we let Northwestern score with 3-some minutes left since they were in FG range. I figured we might as well let them score so we have time to score.

I was yelling at the TV with that same thing in mind. "Let them score, we can't stop them anymore!" But I have Zero regrets about it. It would have been a good thing to do. We couldn't stop them anymore. The chances of getting a turnover in a turnoverless game thus far? Pretty much zero -- but we got it! Phew!

(09-05-2016 09:05 AM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  I am such a *****, I was praying that we let Northwestern score with 3-some minutes left since they were in FG range. I figured we might as well let them score so we have time to score.

BIG PROPS to Robert Spillane. I believe I predicted he would have a great game. He played HARD to the last possession, to the last inch of field before the goal line. He is becoming the monster MLB he was predestined to be.

GO BRONCOS!!!!

To be fair, Spillane's performance prior to that hit on Thorsen at the 1 was less than impressive. Missed several tackles and pretty much got owned in the 1st half.

That said, he certainly got his redemption... And how sweet it was!

First games are always hard, Spillane was out last year, takes awhile to get in the grove. The units also have to get in the groove playing with a new set of teammates. Practice isn't the same. It came together when the chips were down.

http://www.todaysu.com/mac/western-michi...r-the-mac/

At Pat Fitzgerald's weekly news conference, someone asked him why NU doesn't schedule easier teams week 1!