So last night was something else eh. Not exaggerating but besides the Louisville game in 2006, there has never been a day/night that had the COMPLETE FINISH THE JOB play and atmosphere of the Washington game. So many supposed "big games" in the past that never lived up to the hype. Whether it was the promise of hanging in vs Penn State at Giants Stadium in the 80s, being desperate for attention and validity in failed games vs BC and Syracuse in the 90s, the Lucy take the football away moments vs West Virginia in the 00s, the Big East championship near miss vs Louisville under Flood and finally the emergence of the big time, big light crowds against the likes of Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State in the 10s. Those games brought the peeps in. The tailgates were wild. The opening minutes of these games usually pretty hyped and insane but alas with the exception of a win vs a Michigan team that wasnt good that year, all those games had one thing in common. They gave a bit of a taste of big time, Big 10 atmosphere but never delievered. In fact some of the games were over by haltime. Whats the point of all the hype and drunken tailgates if the program has trouble staying within 35 points of any program with a pulse. Like an endless cycle, after years of trying to prove they belonged in big boy college football, Rutgers was there but the feeling was empty. Here we are but what does that even mean. Does it even matter?
Last night was a 24 hour finish the job chop from the expanded Rutgers community. From the production of the lights, the drones, the band. That takes a whole lot of work and planning to make it come together and make it work and last night was brilliance. Rutgers football was a true event last night. The type of experience that will make the next game and the next game after that a hot ticket. Contrast that to the complaints about the drab, boring, forced atmosphere in games vs Howard and Akron where it appeared as if the fans, team and staff were all sleepwalking through. Rutgers fans take a bowl The fans were a big part of last night too. Howling and screaming in all the important parts. Willing that last fg attempt to miss miserably. True not a full sellout, but that is okay. The fanbase still has room to grow. Last night helps alot. The Rutgers pregame and tailgating atmosphere is back again after years of dormancy. If we only can somehow get the students an area to tailgate and be a part of the on campus festivities things could really get wild. The student turnout was impressive last night. In their seats early, cheered and danced like mother****ers all game and stayed to the triumphant end. It all came together last night and when it does you make note of it in your memory
No doubt the Ash years were as big of a stain as the Terry Shea years. Wrong coach at the wrong time. Schiano was the right coach at the right time. As everyone is well aware I have not been shy about criticizing Schiano especially his plateau after the 2006 season. Have been more on board with him the 2nd time around while realizing the things about him that make me hit my head against the wall are the same reasons why he is so successful at pushing the right buttons for the Rutgers program. Last season was true progression. Beating BC and Va Tech were a leap forward. Unfortunately we were stuck with a poor quarterback that could not throw for a lick and it really showed as Rutgers stumbled against the better teams in the Big 10. Now with Athan, Rutgers isnt about just trying to eek out a win 10-9. Athon can actually throw. He ismt a goddamn turnover machine waiting to happen. We have a OC who can actually mix up the plays. Kyle and Sam are a potent combo. In some ways our offense has now become more of a strength. Much more versatile and unpredictable than our opponents are used to.
At the end of the day, I am at the point of quibbling about style points in wins. Box score is full of ugliness....521-299 yards. You can pull your hair out on why RU called an awful series coming out of halftime or the last series of downs just so damn predictable in not getting the first down. I do not want to hear anything about luck or Rutgers was outplayed or Washingtons lack of discipline gifted us this win. At the end of the day its a victory and its glorious period. No team is perfect and certainly Rutgers is not. I do know they are 4-0 and they now have an opportunity in their next biggest game to have another opportunity to have an even bigger opportunity at home. See how this works. It does not work if you cannot finish the job and that is all tha matters from the last 2 wins vs very very very respectable programs.
Atmospheres like last night get noticed. So today wear your Rutgers gear with pride. Brag and boast you had an incredible time at the game last night. Make your skeptical friends think they are missing out on something because they are.
Last night was a 24 hour finish the job chop from the expanded Rutgers community. From the production of the lights, the drones, the band. That takes a whole lot of work and planning to make it come together and make it work and last night was brilliance. Rutgers football was a true event last night. The type of experience that will make the next game and the next game after that a hot ticket. Contrast that to the complaints about the drab, boring, forced atmosphere in games vs Howard and Akron where it appeared as if the fans, team and staff were all sleepwalking through. Rutgers fans take a bowl The fans were a big part of last night too. Howling and screaming in all the important parts. Willing that last fg attempt to miss miserably. True not a full sellout, but that is okay. The fanbase still has room to grow. Last night helps alot. The Rutgers pregame and tailgating atmosphere is back again after years of dormancy. If we only can somehow get the students an area to tailgate and be a part of the on campus festivities things could really get wild. The student turnout was impressive last night. In their seats early, cheered and danced like mother****ers all game and stayed to the triumphant end. It all came together last night and when it does you make note of it in your memory
No doubt the Ash years were as big of a stain as the Terry Shea years. Wrong coach at the wrong time. Schiano was the right coach at the right time. As everyone is well aware I have not been shy about criticizing Schiano especially his plateau after the 2006 season. Have been more on board with him the 2nd time around while realizing the things about him that make me hit my head against the wall are the same reasons why he is so successful at pushing the right buttons for the Rutgers program. Last season was true progression. Beating BC and Va Tech were a leap forward. Unfortunately we were stuck with a poor quarterback that could not throw for a lick and it really showed as Rutgers stumbled against the better teams in the Big 10. Now with Athan, Rutgers isnt about just trying to eek out a win 10-9. Athon can actually throw. He ismt a goddamn turnover machine waiting to happen. We have a OC who can actually mix up the plays. Kyle and Sam are a potent combo. In some ways our offense has now become more of a strength. Much more versatile and unpredictable than our opponents are used to.
At the end of the day, I am at the point of quibbling about style points in wins. Box score is full of ugliness....521-299 yards. You can pull your hair out on why RU called an awful series coming out of halftime or the last series of downs just so damn predictable in not getting the first down. I do not want to hear anything about luck or Rutgers was outplayed or Washingtons lack of discipline gifted us this win. At the end of the day its a victory and its glorious period. No team is perfect and certainly Rutgers is not. I do know they are 4-0 and they now have an opportunity in their next biggest game to have another opportunity to have an even bigger opportunity at home. See how this works. It does not work if you cannot finish the job and that is all tha matters from the last 2 wins vs very very very respectable programs.
Atmospheres like last night get noticed. So today wear your Rutgers gear with pride. Brag and boast you had an incredible time at the game last night. Make your skeptical friends think they are missing out on something because they are.
