Not sure how many of you have seen this article that is linked to the front page but it seems to be a niec way to kick off the football weekend.
Stay in the stands
Posted: 09.16.2004
Austin Johnson
I can see it now.
N.C. State's Jay Davis takes a knee, and fans rush out onto the field to celebrate an upset victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes.
But wait -- time hasn't expired yet. That doesn't stop the elated throng of fans from trying to rip down the goalpost (it's collapsible now, though).
Buckeye Coach Jim Tressell eventually agrees to call the game -- it was over anyway; State had the win sealed. Sportscenter kicks off its broadcast with the upset and is sure to include the mistake of hundreds of Wolfpack fans rushing the field early -- clamoring for their chance to take Pepper Spray to the eye.
That vision should be reason enough to realize that if on Saturday your beloved Pack manages to squeeze out a victory over Ohio State, maybe you should refrain from jumping the wall.
I can't remember a single instance in which a commentator has said, "And the fans rush the field in ecstasy, showing love for their team in a way that only rioting can really illustrate."
Are there times when rushing the field/court is defensible? I'd say yes, take last year's win over Duke in basketball. Duke was No. 1 at the time, and we kicked them out of their post. Or in 1998, when State took down the impenetrable force that was Florida State football. They were only the second ACC team to beat the Seminoles since FSU joined the league in 1993.
But this weekend, against this opponent, isn't the time. For one thing, and I can't stress this enough -- it's the second game of the season. The second game. State could go on to lose nine straight, as unlikely as that is, and miss out on a bowl game completely.
It's also not a conference game. While the win will surely pull the Pack into the top-25 nationally, it brings them no closer to a league title that has eluded them for 25 years.
In reality, it's much more important that State beats Wake Forest or Georgia Tech than beating the Buckeyes. The bragging rights might not be there; those are victories that count in the ACC standings.
Ohio State isn't a defending champion -- not this year. In fact, if their first two games are any indication, they might not even be that good of a team this year. Would it really be worth it to rush the field for beating a team that finishes 8-5?
I know that it can seem like the greatest moment in State football history when you're in the stands watching a big win unfold. But try to step back, think in context and realize maybe the win isn't as big as it seems.
Save your celebration for later in the season, when a game really matters. Like if State defeats Florida State to win a conference title. Hey, it might even be worth taking some Pepper Spray in the eye.
Austin can be reached at 515-2411 or [email protected]
OK, I can understand that we don't deserve to be considered among the favorites for the NC, but this guy makes it sound like we will be lucky to just finish about .500. I got quite the chuckle out of this guys ignorance. I am sure this doesn't quite measure up to the Miami reporters that were all but calling for the BCS people to euthanize tOSU and just call the Fiesta Bowl before it ever happened, but this guy really seems to be living in a dream world. Correct me if I am wrong, but the Buckeyes are favored to win this game right? Not by much but we are still favored. I truely hope the Buckeyes break open the BIGGEST can of WHOOP-ASS ever and just cruch this team. If (big if I know) that happens, I am just going to email this guy a copy of this article and the copy of the box score.
Stay in the stands
Posted: 09.16.2004
Austin Johnson
I can see it now.
N.C. State's Jay Davis takes a knee, and fans rush out onto the field to celebrate an upset victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes.
But wait -- time hasn't expired yet. That doesn't stop the elated throng of fans from trying to rip down the goalpost (it's collapsible now, though).
Buckeye Coach Jim Tressell eventually agrees to call the game -- it was over anyway; State had the win sealed. Sportscenter kicks off its broadcast with the upset and is sure to include the mistake of hundreds of Wolfpack fans rushing the field early -- clamoring for their chance to take Pepper Spray to the eye.
That vision should be reason enough to realize that if on Saturday your beloved Pack manages to squeeze out a victory over Ohio State, maybe you should refrain from jumping the wall.
I can't remember a single instance in which a commentator has said, "And the fans rush the field in ecstasy, showing love for their team in a way that only rioting can really illustrate."
Are there times when rushing the field/court is defensible? I'd say yes, take last year's win over Duke in basketball. Duke was No. 1 at the time, and we kicked them out of their post. Or in 1998, when State took down the impenetrable force that was Florida State football. They were only the second ACC team to beat the Seminoles since FSU joined the league in 1993.
But this weekend, against this opponent, isn't the time. For one thing, and I can't stress this enough -- it's the second game of the season. The second game. State could go on to lose nine straight, as unlikely as that is, and miss out on a bowl game completely.
It's also not a conference game. While the win will surely pull the Pack into the top-25 nationally, it brings them no closer to a league title that has eluded them for 25 years.
In reality, it's much more important that State beats Wake Forest or Georgia Tech than beating the Buckeyes. The bragging rights might not be there; those are victories that count in the ACC standings.
Ohio State isn't a defending champion -- not this year. In fact, if their first two games are any indication, they might not even be that good of a team this year. Would it really be worth it to rush the field for beating a team that finishes 8-5?
I know that it can seem like the greatest moment in State football history when you're in the stands watching a big win unfold. But try to step back, think in context and realize maybe the win isn't as big as it seems.
Save your celebration for later in the season, when a game really matters. Like if State defeats Florida State to win a conference title. Hey, it might even be worth taking some Pepper Spray in the eye.
Austin can be reached at 515-2411 or [email protected]
OK, I can understand that we don't deserve to be considered among the favorites for the NC, but this guy makes it sound like we will be lucky to just finish about .500. I got quite the chuckle out of this guys ignorance. I am sure this doesn't quite measure up to the Miami reporters that were all but calling for the BCS people to euthanize tOSU and just call the Fiesta Bowl before it ever happened, but this guy really seems to be living in a dream world. Correct me if I am wrong, but the Buckeyes are favored to win this game right? Not by much but we are still favored. I truely hope the Buckeyes break open the BIGGEST can of WHOOP-ASS ever and just cruch this team. If (big if I know) that happens, I am just going to email this guy a copy of this article and the copy of the box score.
