Home now, in retrospect

Sep 10, 2016, 9:51 PM

maybe today wasn't the worst that could happen. While losing this game never crossed my mind, it was evident in the latter part of 3rd quarter that this game indeed was "up for grabs" and the stadium was not the home field advantage that we usually have. I was worried needless to say.

Now, Troy was a pretty decent team and were in no way intimidated by us. Did we think they would lay down because of our talent, our pre-season hype?? I don't think that they cared one cent and played there ### off, well coached team without question.

Having said that, and from what I witnessed firsthand, was a team that felt entitled to win easily. When the game got real, and I mean when Troy stood there and didn't back down, I saw a team in our Clemson Tigers get stagnant and very "vanilla". We could not run the ball on that team, they literally took the run game away. Never, ever would have believed anyone if they told me we would not run the ball. Our Oline was, well, to be honest overmatched by the fight and spirit of that Troy D. I saw things I never expected and while there in the stands watching, my frustration ran high because I kept thinking, "now we will get rolling"..... Yea, about that, it never happened!! Even in the 4th when we finally did a little moving of the football, it was tense and uneasy. Of course once we secure a 2 TD lead they score 2 TD's on our horrifically inept D. Sorry but that ending was merciful for all Tiger fans, and definitely for Clemson football.

I will say this, and for such a mega Clemson fan I feel poorly having to admit this, but we were fortunate Troy played just bad enough to "LET" us win that game. Sorry but they had penalties, even taunted us on a couple occasions and out hustled us from the get-go. Ray Ray came to play and was a flat out stud on that field, BUT he was also the biggest ASSHAT with the dropping of the football before the goal line. I'm sure he feels horrible and hates it happened but he only has himself to blame. That might have changed things for the better, but his selfish act cost us 7 points and nearly ended us bring much worse!!

I will add that our coaches seem unable to prepare our team and players for "game situations". Seriously, how hard is it to stay inbounds at end of game?? How about hold onto the ball until across the goal line?? Or secure the football at all times?? And yes, the play at the goal line could have easily been ruled a fumble. His forward motion was halted but he and the Oline were still pushing and out pops the football, guy ran it all the way back(would have been a brutal turn of events needless to say). We seem unable to run very many plays, a rotation of maybe 7/8 plays all game long, much like last week. Why?? Are our guys unable to properly run anything else?? It makes it easy to defend tons of talent. In general our receivers are incapable of clean receptions!!! Ray Ray played outstanding today minus his boneheaded punt return snafu. Catch the football, especially when it hits you in the hands! Thompson with multiple drops, Cain with multiple, heck even Hunter drops one right in his hands. Drops happen but not typically to all the receivers!! Watson was off, no doubt about that, but our receivers certainly sucked up the place for way too much of the game.

We won and move to 2-0, that much is certain. Improvement needs to happen, from the top, to the bottom. We aren't nearly as good as our offseason press clippings would had them and us believe.

My thoughts are simple. Lots to improve, duhhhhh. But, I believe this team is still special and can/will beat anyone on any given day!! We just simply need to face late game adversity, apparently anyway. My heart may not last the season at this rate, need to work on my cardio to improve my chances of hanging until end of the year(I'm only 41).

I'm happy to laugh and feel happy that we at least are 2-0, in spite of self inflicted woes.

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military_tech

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Home now, in retrospect

Agree with some of your points but that was not almost a fumble at the goal line

cu1981fan, no doubt you are right, play blown dead

if so then we got lucky with an early whistle. Very lucky***

Re: Home now, in retrospect

If we want to win a national championship

Re: If we want to win a national championship

Re: If we want to win a national championship

I could be wrong, but hype got in the head

prettypaw616, Fun!!!

Re: prettypaw616, Fun!!!

I noticed todat that about 1/4 of the people in attendance

Re: I noticed todat that about 1/4 of the people in attendance

Hey at least you have dip n dots up there now.

tigerdrummer, I don't remember a hotter day

03 UGA.

I was not at that game, must have been nasty

Re: Hey at least you have dip n dots up there now.

Re: I noticed todat that about 1/4 of the people in attendance

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