10-17-2004, 11:07 AM
We went to yesterday's game in Kalamazoo between EMU and WMU and, as always, the folks at Waldo were great. The weather was about the worst that you could imagine. It could not have been more 40 degrees and a steady, drenching rain was falling. My wife and I were in our full EMU regalia, yet a Waldo Stadium volunteer spotted us walking from one of the parking lots and offered us a ride right up to the Will Call window on her golf cart. Thank you.
As for the game, it was what I expected and predicted in my column and on the air (end of shameless self-promotion). Defense was a little more than a rumor for most of the game.
Some very questionable decision making by Coach Darnell by going for it on fourth down on a couple of ocassions and a fake punt that gave EMU the ball deep in WMU territory. Also, the killer was obviously on WMU's last series when they were forced to take a timeout on 3rd and 3 with about 1:17 or so remaining in the game, up 31-28 and EMU had no timeouts. WMU was forced to take the timeout due to the play clock running out. What was the indecision? What was possibly the consternation? Just run the ball up the gut and keep the clock running!! Which is what they eventually decided to do, but they gave the ball to a freshman instead of Riley who then promptly had the ball ripped out of his hands by EMU's Kevin Harrison who then got the ball back on the WMU side of the field.
Now, as for the finish, this was the first time I can recall since EMU's Charlie Batch defeated Toledo on the last play of the game about 8 years ago (or more?). Third and ten from the WMU 30 and Bohnet hits AJ Bennett with the winning TD. Gutsy. EMU has probably the MAC's best kicker in Andrew Wellock and could have been satisfied with the game tying attempt to send it into OT.
Let me tell everyone, after years and years of embarrassment after emabarrassment I just let loose after that touchdown and my wife and I hugged like, well, like we just saw the game winning TD. For one glorious, rain-filled, cold, miserable afternoon it was great to be a Huron again!
I know it is fashionable to bash a team for losing to EMU (hi MAKO), but folks, EMU now sits at 3-1 in the division. We have so far defeated Buffalo, WMU, Ball State (and going back to last year, UCF)...no big deal? Hell yes it is when you consider the depths to which we had plunged. We are no longer the laughingstock of the MAC. We have a legitimate shot at going 5-3 in the conference and 5-6 overall (I am not delusional enough to predict wins against BGSU or NIU). Oh, it was also good to see Idaho get another 1A victory...makes our defeat a little less painful...no excusing that EIU loss though.
Anyway, I am wearing my Huron/EMU green/white with a little more pride these days.
As for the game, it was what I expected and predicted in my column and on the air (end of shameless self-promotion). Defense was a little more than a rumor for most of the game.
Some very questionable decision making by Coach Darnell by going for it on fourth down on a couple of ocassions and a fake punt that gave EMU the ball deep in WMU territory. Also, the killer was obviously on WMU's last series when they were forced to take a timeout on 3rd and 3 with about 1:17 or so remaining in the game, up 31-28 and EMU had no timeouts. WMU was forced to take the timeout due to the play clock running out. What was the indecision? What was possibly the consternation? Just run the ball up the gut and keep the clock running!! Which is what they eventually decided to do, but they gave the ball to a freshman instead of Riley who then promptly had the ball ripped out of his hands by EMU's Kevin Harrison who then got the ball back on the WMU side of the field.
Now, as for the finish, this was the first time I can recall since EMU's Charlie Batch defeated Toledo on the last play of the game about 8 years ago (or more?). Third and ten from the WMU 30 and Bohnet hits AJ Bennett with the winning TD. Gutsy. EMU has probably the MAC's best kicker in Andrew Wellock and could have been satisfied with the game tying attempt to send it into OT.
Let me tell everyone, after years and years of embarrassment after emabarrassment I just let loose after that touchdown and my wife and I hugged like, well, like we just saw the game winning TD. For one glorious, rain-filled, cold, miserable afternoon it was great to be a Huron again!
I know it is fashionable to bash a team for losing to EMU (hi MAKO), but folks, EMU now sits at 3-1 in the division. We have so far defeated Buffalo, WMU, Ball State (and going back to last year, UCF)...no big deal? Hell yes it is when you consider the depths to which we had plunged. We are no longer the laughingstock of the MAC. We have a legitimate shot at going 5-3 in the conference and 5-6 overall (I am not delusional enough to predict wins against BGSU or NIU). Oh, it was also good to see Idaho get another 1A victory...makes our defeat a little less painful...no excusing that EIU loss though.
Anyway, I am wearing my Huron/EMU green/white with a little more pride these days.
