Well yesterday was what we all had hoped for when RU signed up for the Big 10. A big game under the lights against a ranked opponent with a rich history. The question was could RU actually play a competitive game against a program with so much more talent and better coaching. Last year was a rude awakening as RU was blown out in every facet of the game against the traditional powers. The shaky start to this season didn't exactly give confidence that RU could compete last night but what we saw was clear..at least for one night, RU showed up and played with heart. RU didn't play to lose. They elevated their game. They adapted. They took chances. They risked failure to reap reward. They didn't fold when they could have. So many positives on both sides of the ball with play calling and execution
I really wasn't all that crushed after the loss last night. I felt far worse after Washington State. Last night was a night to be proud of the program after an incredibly rough and tumultuous 6 weeks. Kudos to the players and coaching staff for keeping things together and restoring a little bit of respect back to the program. It was sorely needed for a fanbase that has been steadily losing faith. Consider the drubbing RU took at Michigan State last year 45-3, you can say this was marked improvement in cutting the gap with the traditional powers.
But and its a big but...going forward though last night will mean nothing without a win at Indiana. INDIANA IS A MUST WIN FOR THE PROGRAM. There is no other way to approach it or spin it. Last week Purdue played Michigan State just as tough as RU did last night and then got bitchslapped by Minnesota. Was last night the start of a reversal in form for the season or just an anomaly. It looks like we need more evidence. Last week I said that these two weeks would go along way to determine the fate of Kyle Flood. Without a win at Indiana, a shot at a bowl is all but gone. Looks like Indiana may be vulnerable, I saw their qb was knocked out in last nights game. It looks like they also came crashing down to earth after their great effort at Indiana. Its a huge opportunity to build next week, step it up and work toward making a bowl and saving the season or revert toward the old ways.
I really wasn't all that crushed after the loss last night. I felt far worse after Washington State. Last night was a night to be proud of the program after an incredibly rough and tumultuous 6 weeks. Kudos to the players and coaching staff for keeping things together and restoring a little bit of respect back to the program. It was sorely needed for a fanbase that has been steadily losing faith. Consider the drubbing RU took at Michigan State last year 45-3, you can say this was marked improvement in cutting the gap with the traditional powers.
But and its a big but...going forward though last night will mean nothing without a win at Indiana. INDIANA IS A MUST WIN FOR THE PROGRAM. There is no other way to approach it or spin it. Last week Purdue played Michigan State just as tough as RU did last night and then got bitchslapped by Minnesota. Was last night the start of a reversal in form for the season or just an anomaly. It looks like we need more evidence. Last week I said that these two weeks would go along way to determine the fate of Kyle Flood. Without a win at Indiana, a shot at a bowl is all but gone. Looks like Indiana may be vulnerable, I saw their qb was knocked out in last nights game. It looks like they also came crashing down to earth after their great effort at Indiana. Its a huge opportunity to build next week, step it up and work toward making a bowl and saving the season or revert toward the old ways.
