Sweet Victory #1

 

Sweet victory.

What a night.  What an incredible game and so happy that our boys got the W.  Honestly, in the stands it was like a bunch of people who were liberated, hugging strangers...selfies...what a great night.  It's why we love sports.

I'm proud of the guys for their resilience.  They came off a really tough and disappointing loss and turned it around with a great performance in front of a great crowd against a team we were expected to lose to.

And based on what we have seen, for good reason.

People were tough on BG last week--including on this blog.  You know, you lose to your FCS opponent--even the vaunted Eastern Kentucky Colonels--in the year you are supposed to finally be competitive, it's easy to see things falling apart.

And then, one week later, everything looks different.  Marshall can say the same thing.

This team is far from out of the woods.  What is needed to make this year a success is what we have not seen in the Loeffler era--or, honestly, in 7 years--and that is quality performances strung together.  BG has won 2 games in a row only once during Loeffler's time here. BG lost 4 in a row after the Minnesota upset and 5 of 6 after the UT upset.

But the game was a glimpse of what could be.  As John Gibson said after the game, let's hope this is where we look back and see it all turned around.  Either way, our boys rewarded themselves with a huge victory on our 100th Homecoming.

BG was expected to lose this one, and it certainly started as expected.  Marshall scored on their 4th play from scrimmage when their receiver rolled off a pile, wasn't down and ran to the end zone. BG went three and out and then Marshall scored on their 2nd play on a 78-yard TD pass and run. So we're down 14-0 with 2:38 elapsed.

While the defense steadied itself, things did not get better for the offense.  BG had 5 punts and 1 first down in the first quarter. BG had 21 yards on 18 plays. It was as one-sided as it could be.

At this point, commenter Paul came on and commented that BG couldn't handle Toledo Christian and Loeffler had to go now.  Which you could see....sorry Paul, I fat-finger-deleted your comment.

BG started the second quarter on its own 30.  BG converted a 3rd and 12, two plays later hit Broden for 28 yards and then capped the drive off with a 25-yard TD pass to Odieu Hilaire...to put BG on the board.

It's 14-7.  Marshall, kept the pressure on with a 9-play, 69 yard TD to go back up two scores with 9 minutes left in the second.  They would next score 34 minutes later.

Last week, the 2nd Q killed BG.  Things were different here.   BG took the ball on their own 25, converted a third and one (PASEAN WIMBERLY) and then hit Hilaire for a 24-yard completion and then a TD catch for the ages.

WHAT. A. PLAY.🤯

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 Now down one score, BG needed a stop.  Obviously, when you are behind, you can't keep trading scores. They got it and more when Trent Simms intercepted a pass and BG was in business. BG converted a 3rd and 10 and then on a 4th and 2 BG came out in a tight formation, ran a hard play fake and then went over the top to Cavon Croom for a WIDE OPEN 30 yard walk-in TD pass to tie the game with 1:44 left in the half.

Marshall opted not to really try a 2-minute drive and the half ended tied.

BG had 21 points on 203 yards and 22 plays in the 2nd quarter.

BG went 3 and out to start the half.  Marshall moved the ball and you could sense them re-asserting control, until a holding penalty put them behind the chains.  On 4 and 3 from the BG 26 they went for it with a run that BG stuffed.

BG went 3 and out again and Marshall drove right back into BG territory. They were on the BG 14 when Laborn caught a  pass and was headed for the end zone when he fumbled and the ball went out of the end zone for a touchback in what was probably the single biggest play in regulation.

BG then went on a drive.  They had 2-and 18 and made a first.  Converted a 3rd and 10. Converted a 3rd and 5 and then Fannin scored from the 1 and BG had a 28-21 lead.  That's 14 plays, 4:54 off the clock and 13:08 left to play.

Marshall drove to the BG 45 before Colombi was sacked twice in 3 plays and they punted BG to their own 7.  Playing with fire, BG goes 3 and out and Marshall starts on their own 47.  They convert this one into a TD and the game was tied with 5:47 left.

BG made one first down and then had a holding penalty and punted Marshall to their 26.

This is the drive of the game.  Marshall made 2 first downs and got to the 50 before BG stiffened up and the Herd punted BG to the 1 with 1:04 left.  Marshall had 3 time outs and BG needs a first down.  Marshall gave McDonald room to run and he finally started to take it.  He gained 5 yards and left hurt.  Orth hit Sims for 3 yards. McDonald, back in the game, gutted out the first down on a run, just barely making it.  

Overtime again.

Marshall ended up going first, but got a holding penalty on second down, BG held and they kicked a FG to go up 3.

From the 25, BG ran a fake double reverse.  Gibby said that it fooled Marshall because the fake pitch--if real--would have run right into the Herd defense.  But Wimberly kept it and JETTED the corner and appeared to score.  Pandemonium reigned.  Fans rush the field.  Fans hugging.

And then you look on the field and Marshall wasn't leaving the field and it was clear something was wrong.  They ruled him down on the 2.  A near brawl nearly broke out.  McDonald is back on the field and Coach said after the game that the QB told him he literally couldn't move with 2 hip pointers. So BG called a play, his second read was Taron Keith in the flat, and he scored.

Pandemonium reigned.  Fans rush the field.  Fans hugging.  This time it was over.

What we have been looking for is evidence we are on the way back.  This was the first we've gotten this year.  I'm proud of our guy--they have not quit on Loeffler, which is to his credit.  We've seen teams quit on the coach (I'm thinking late Ankney, late Blackney, Jinks) but these guys are still on board, or Marshall would have demolished us.

It was a top-10 night at the Doyt.  More to come.