Nuanced Disappointment

So, the first game is in the books for the 2010 season.  I'll have more extensive posts coming up later today, but here are some initial impressions.

It was obviously a disappointing game to lose.  Coach Clawson noted in the post-game presser that we didn't wrap up the way we are supposed to, and that cost us big time, and those long 3rd down plays on the final drive were very frustrating.  The interception was mostly a matter of some bad luck, and without it you have to think we would have nailed that final FG.  Obviously, the FG we missed earlier was very costly as well.

On the other hand, there were lots of positives, and the team is ahead of where I feared they might be.  Schilz made some nice throws, and Ty Pronty emerged as a real playmaking threat.  The defense had some nice moments.  And, we kept battling back and put together a very spirited effort.

After we got to 17, Troy did seem to shut our offense down and held us to only 2 FGs after that.  Whatever they did, we did not seem to have much of an answer.  It seemed like we were not protecting the QB as well as we need to.

So, despite the lingering feeling that we should have won the game, you have to feel OK for us as this team improves over the season.  It was something to build on.  And, I have increasing confidence that this coaching staff knows how to prepare a team to play.