Thursday, December 23, 2004

Falcons Top Off Season with Bowl Win

It was a very good day to root for the Falcons. The GMAC Bowl win is a nice way to end the season. Don't get me wrong---I'd trade the Toledo game for the GMAC game anyday. But the win was nice.

Nice because Omar really got to shine in front of a national audience. His 5 TD's showed everyone what he could do.

Nice because our seniors got to leave with a victory.

Nice because the defense came to play in the second half, instead of falling apart.

Nice because we were up two touchdowns when Williams went out (and yes, I understand his health had a big role in the game).

Nice because when the passing struggled, we went to PJ, and he produced, and then the pass opened up again (lesson learned from Toledo).

Nice because Coach Stud got some pub, too, on ESPN.

Nice because we had things going south, and we turned it around.

Nice because it made a snowy Northwest Ohio night fun.

Nice because Keon got an interception in his last game.

Nice because it sets us up for a season when we should be the favorites to win the MAC.

And that has to be the next goal. We've won the division, and two bowl games in four seasons since Blackney left. We are 37-12 in that span. And now we need a MAC Title. Not the West--or East, whichever--but the MAC Title. It has been 12 seasons since we won the MAC, and the time has come to finish the job this year.

If it means winning on the road, we win a big game on the road. If it means shutting down a big RB, we do it. If it means making a big special teams play, we do it. We have lots back--especially on defense.

One last thing. I understand Memphis' coach said that we had only played one big-time defense and that was Oklahoma. I don't know if he still thinks that, but let's be clear. This team can move the ball on anyone. The MAC is a better conference than the CUSA, and I don't think its close.

A 9-3 record for the Falcons, and a great send off to the year. We'll review the season shortly, and then look at the opening depth chart. But, in the meantime, let's savor the bowl system, which let us finish with a victory, get some practices in, and move on to a victory on national TV.

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