So after the game, Coach Loeffler quoted that famous phrase from the Navy Seals....that you have to "embrace the suck."
He then finished with this...."because this sucks."
It certainly does. Just a reminder that comes up from time to time. For as much as it sucks for the fans, it sucks 10x more for the people who are living it day in and day out. Can't compare. You're getting your brains beat out and there's just not much you can do about it. And you're not losing a baseball game...you are getting your brains beat out.
Them, not you.
As Coach says, he watches this from the sidelines and "I want to throw up."
His message is we have to enjoy the process of improving. Because the next couple games are going to be rough as well...and beyond that.
No one can deny that our tackling was terrible. Coach says we have guys out there who aren't strong enough yet to make those tackles. He noted the sideline route for a TD where the WR ran right through the tackles of 3 BG defenders who weren't strong and athletic enough to make the tackle. He has them in the weight room more now than any other team he has worked with during the season.
I recall Coach Clawson making a similar observation at a similar point in his turnaround.
No one can deny the offense is anemic. Remove Terion Stewart, who came in when the game was decided and had 162 rushing yards, BG had 200 yards through about 3 quarters. We threw only 20 passes and completed only 6. We had dropped balls, protection issues and on one play converted a 3rd and 15 only to have an illegal shift bring the play back.
No one can deny we had too many penalties, and mostly off-sides and alignment issues. Coach says those are no talent issues and we certainly need to get those cleaned up.
Last year, BG lost to Kent by 42. And BG got it down to 38 in this one...which is just a little gallows humor. BG played without Andrew Clair and Karl Brooks, probably our best offensive and defensive players. Injuries are no excuse, but it's weird how they seem to strike undermanned teams.
It's going to take time. A lot more time. We need three recruiting classes in the door before this has a chance. And we have one. There are glimmers of hope. Terrion Stewart could be a really good player. Kinsey could be a really good player. There are others.
But right now, this team is just a long way from competing. Let's stay behind them.
Because of the state of the program that Coach Loeffler inherited I'm willing to give him four full years. It was tough to watch last night, but not nearly as tough as the players and coaches had it. Props to the band and cheerleaders too! My daughter received her acceptance to BGSU yesterday, I'm not sure she's going to pick Bowling Green, but I'd be proud if she did!
ReplyDeleteRoll Along!