18 years later- you can't blame Townsend

[Plum Street]

Originally posted in 2016. The anniversary of this game was Monday this week.

original post on the 10th anniversary :

This weekend is the 10th anniversary of the classic Rutgers-West Virginia game. Even after Townsend's drop we still went up by 3 late in the game. Other things happened that led to that loss:
1. The defense just needed one stop against a backup freshman quarterback. Of course the ru and schiano defense cost us as we let him go down the field to tie the game. This wasn't pat white playing qb.
2. Ito whiffed on a game winning attempt at the end of regulation. Yes it was a long kick and cold, but a whiff.
3. The offensive playcalling was suspect. Before ito's attempt we had an incomplete pass. A run by rice would have got us a little closer for Ito. And the fatal 2-point play was an incomplete pass to rice. Terrible play. Rice was not a good reciever.
4. Very questionable officials calls went against us in that game like they always seem to do.
So it wasn't Townsend's fault.

 

[hbbsm713]

Steve slaton's fumble that was ruled down deep in wvu territory

 

[RU#1fan]

And Rice was mugged on the Pass Play in the Endzone on the last play of the game. No flag. Total BS
Big East made sure the status quo on their BCS team. No RU.

 

[kstmar]

I was there and it was an awesome game. You can take any game and say one thing or another was a key moment. Townsend needed to make that catch. At some point our players have got to make plays. It's been a very longtime since I've seen an opportunity like this game for Rutgers.

I agree that it was dumb playing in prevent mode late in the game. I just never understood that crap. Playing prevent prevents a win. WVU dissected that decision by Smith and Schiano. We pretty much smacked them in the mouth all night.

Rutgers is going to have to learn how to win football games.

 

[RUsojo]

Yes, yes you can.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

Ugh. Why ? I still feel physical pain remembering this game.

 

[RU31trap]

I thought that was a very good game regardless of the outcome. Rutgers deserved a lot of credit for going into West Virginia and almost beating them. But keep them very important point in mind, West Virginia started a freshman quarterback with absolutely no experience. As for Townsend the ball hit him right in the arms but in the moment he froze. Losing to Cincinnati was the real issue that year.

 

[hbbsm713]

Ruckers?

 

[czxqa]

Ruckers?

Yeah, wtf?

 

[greenknight]

Yes, yes you can.

Agreed ball was right between the 8 and 0 it doesn't get better than that with nobody around you

 

[gef21]

Catch the ball.

 

[RC85]

Steve slaton's fumble that was ruled down deep in wvu territory

worst call ever

 

[tm_nj]

I thought that was a very good game regardless of the outcome. Ruckers deserved a lot of credit for going into West Virginia and almost beating them. But keep them very important point in mind, West Virginia started a freshman quarterback with absolutely no experience. As for Townsend the ball hit him right in the arms but in the moment he froze. Losing to Cincinnati was the real issue that year.

What's a Ruckers?

 

[RU31trap]

What's a Ruckers?

You guys didn't read the article in Dominion Post the next day?

 

[KnightsofChrome]

A WR has one real job, CATCH THE BALL! Dude cost us the Division championship. All this other crap, is just that crap.

 

[ru-baby]

Ah the RU FBALL urban legends. All the more potent in the age of facts not mattering. Nonetheless, here are some of the most repeated and may they one day fade:

-Townsend's drop cost the game and conference
-Hairston was a fumbler
-Rice couldn't catch out of the backfield
-Retting couldn't grasp the "complex" play calling we put on the filed in 2015 and 2016
-And the every year don't "burn the "shirt"" cries despite the statistics of how many players actually appear in 4 years worth of games

 

[RUMcMahon]

Still have nightmares . Catch the ball

 

[rutgersal]

We can make all kinds of excuses but WV was slightly better that day. Never been prouder of the team after a loss. Both squads gave it all they had.

 

[RUbacker]

This weekend is the 10th anniversary of the classic Rutgers-West Virginia game. Even after Townsend's drop we still went up by 3 late in the game. Other things happened that led to that loss:
1. The defense just needed one stop against a backup freshman quarterback. Of course the ru and schiano defense cost us as we let him go down the field to tie the game. This wasn't pat white playing qb.
2. Ito whiffed on a game winning attempt at the end of regulation. Yes it was a long kick and cold, but a whiff.
3. The offensive playcalling was suspect. Before ito's attempt we had an incomplete pass. A run by rice would have got us a little closer for Ito. And the fatal 2-point play was an incomplete pass to rice. Terrible play. Rice was not a good reciever.
4. Very questionable officials calls went against us in that game like they always seem to do.
So it wasn't Townsend's fault.

No I still blame him. I was on the sideline and saw everything . I remember like it was yesterday . Still think about that. Still hurts.

 

[beaced]

This weekend is the 10th anniversary of the classic Rutgers-West Virginia game. Even after Townsend's drop we still went up by 3 late in the game. Other things happened that led to that loss:
1. The defense just needed one stop against a backup freshman quarterback. Of course the ru and schiano defense cost us as we let him go down the field to tie the game. This wasn't pat white playing qb.
2. Ito whiffed on a game winning attempt at the end of regulation. Yes it was a long kick and cold, but a whiff.
3. The offensive playcalling was suspect. Before ito's attempt we had an incomplete pass. A run by rice would have got us a little closer for Ito. And the fatal 2-point play was an incomplete pass to rice. Terrible play. Rice was not a good reciever.
4. Very questionable officials calls went against us in that game like they always seem to do.
So it wasn't Townsend's fault.

Funny that you mentioned J.J.(TOWNSEND TO THE UNINITIATED) He is a good friend,and former Holy Cross Delran team mate, of my Grandson.James owns a Crossfit Gym in L.A.,is married with kids.Competes and is huge and cut.Doing well and enjoys it all.Your post is right on the mark except for Ray not being a good receiver.He was MUGGED in the end zone and did not get a call.

 

[beaced]

:football:

 

[beaced]

Agreed ball was right between the 8 and 0 it doesn't get better than that with nobody around you

So why have people been blaming James? His # was 83.

 

[Plum Street]

It’s been 18 years.

 

[Roy_Faulker]

I was there. Great game. Total heartbreak…in true Rutgers fashion.

 

[jtung230]

Steve slaton's fumble that was ruled down deep in wvu territory

Today’s review process and we win the game.

 

[RU76]

Was Slaton ruled diwm by contact or forward progress stopped?

 

[knightfan7]

Was Slaton ruled diwm by contact or forward progress stopped?

I believe he was ruled down.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Steve slaton's fumble that was ruled down deep in wvu territory

Which we returned for a touchdown.

Today’s review process and we win the game.

Correct.

 

[G- RUnit]

worst call ever

Before replay review.

Thought we got hosed at NC one year on a TD too.

 

[wheezer]

A WR has one real job, CATCH THE BALL! Dude cost us the Division championship. All this other crap, is just that crap.

The game was not won or lost on that dropped pass

RU kicked a field goal for a 3 point lead thereafter

WVU went down the field and got into field goal range
They faced a 4th down
Had we gotten the td, they would have had to convert another first down

They opted to tie it up
With our luck, they probably get the td to tie anyway had we gotten the td

Then , we missed a e winning field goal at the end
I believe the kick was way off

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Slaton fumbled and it was a scoop and score that we were denied. That was the #1 reason we lost the game. Townsend's drop didn't help for sure.

Oh well.

 

[wheezer]

Slaton fumbled and it was a scoop and score that we were denied. That was the #1 reason we lost the game. Townsend's drop didn't help for sure.

Oh well.

It would make more sense to blame the non called fumble

ThE truth about the dropped pass, there was enough time on the clock remaining for West Virginia to equal what ever we did, be it the field goal or td

I have wondered if WVU had to convert that last 4th down ,
would they have succeeded

 

[jtung230]

Guys you are stealing from the now with this. Keep chopping 😀