Epic end-of-game failure

[LDopaPDX]

Ouch.

1. Why bench Forte at the end of the last drive when he was churning out first downs?
2. Why not take a shot at a FG to ice the game, in a dome, at high altitude, with no wind?
3. Why let your QB take a shot on fourth down when he'd been really struggling all game long?
4. How the hell does a WR get 10 yards behind your safety with 30 seconds left in the game and the whole field to go?
5. How the hell does the same safety let another receiver get past him on the very next play?

Wow, that was a complete wheels-falling-off adventure. Our coaches do a great job, but that was mismanagement at its worst to end the game. I'm sure they'd love to have those decision over again.

One thing to note, we aren't a top team without Vernon in. And now we have no games left to give and still play at home in the playoffs. The Big Sky title is now out of our control, which totally sucks. Hopefully this gets the team ready to close out the year with a winning attitude, because today was an example of what happens when you let an inferior team hang around by playing mediocre football.

 

[Obzerver]

Well at least Baldwin owned it...

 

[EWURanger]

Ouch.

1. Why bench Forte at the end of the last drive when he was churning out first downs?
2. Why not take a shot at a FG to ice the game, in a dome, at high altitude, with no wind?
3. Why let your QB take a shot on fourth down when he'd been really struggling all game long?
4. How the hell does a WR get 10 yards behind your safety with 30 seconds left in the game and the whole field to go?
5. How the hell does the same safety let another receiver get past him on the very next play?

Wow, that was a complete wheels-falling-off adventure. Our coaches do a great job, but that was mismanagement at its worst to end the game. I'm sure they'd love to have those decision over again.

One thing to note, we aren't a top team without Vernon in. And now we have no games left to give and still play at home in the playoffs. The Big Sky title is now out of our control, which totally sucks. Hopefully this gets the team ready to close out the year with a winning attitude, because today was an example of what happens when you let an inferior team hang around by playing mediocre football.

Agreed on all counts. As much as I like Coach B, that call was complete barbage, but the defensive melt-down was even more puzzling. We basically have to win out to have a shot at the BSC title and hope that Montana drops a game and then beats MSU, which I think is probably pretty unlikely at this point.

 

[LDopaPDX]

We lost a lot in that one... The 14 game win streak, the 16 game streak over conference opponents, the chance to control our destiny in the conference race.

I actually thought our defense played well until the total loss of poise at the end of the game. They hung tough, but to give up a game by getting beat deep with a dime package in and the repeat on the next play is inexcusable.

 

[eaglesfootball]

We lost a lot in that one... The 14 game win streak, the 16 game streak over conference opponents, the chance to control our destiny in the conference race.

I actually thought our defense played well until the total loss of poise at the end of the game. They hung tough, but to give up a game by getting beat deep with a dime package in and the repeat on the next play is inexcusable.

we had a 14 game win streak in the bsc and 16 if you count bsc teams that weren't conference games. we didn't have a 14 game win streak, we lost to towson last year, remember?

 

[albatross]

Ouch.

1. Why bench Forte at the end of the last drive when he was churning out first downs? Thats what we do in that set
2. Why not take a shot at a FG to ice the game, in a dome, at high altitude, with no wind? We don't do that
3. Why let your QB take a shot on fourth down when he'd been really struggling all game long? Cause that's what we do
4. How the hell does a WR get 10 yards behind your safety with 30 seconds left in the game and the whole field to go? That's what we do
5. How the hell does the same safety let another receiver get past him on the very next play? That's what kids do

The only thing that's epic is the surprise here. We will make the same decisions because it works most of the time. Beau sets up his QB's for long term confidence from what I've seen...he's never situationally kicking at that moment, especially when the game is on the line. That expectation is on the QB here and always will. That's what I think anyways.

 

[clawman1]

Now we'll find out who are real fans vs fair weather fans

 

[sammamisheag]

No way to sugar coat it.

Jordan West looked like a freshman today

 

[LDopaPDX]

Ouch.

1. Why bench Forte at the end of the last drive when he was churning out first downs? Thats what we do in that set
2. Why not take a shot at a FG to ice the game, in a dome, at high altitude, with no wind? We don't do that
3. Why let your QB take a shot on fourth down when he'd been really struggling all game long? Cause that's what we do
4. How the hell does a WR get 10 yards behind your safety with 30 seconds left in the game and the whole field to go? That's what we do
5. How the hell does the same safety let another receiver get past him on the very next play? That's what kids do

The only thing that's epic is the surprise here. We will make the same decisions because it works most of the time. Beau sets up his QB's for long term confidence from what I've seen...he's never situationally kicking at that moment, especially when the game is on the line. That expectation is on the QB here and always will. That's what I think anyways.

I don't buy such reasoning. We benched Forte and stayed in a single back formation, so it wasn't some kind of set change. He was our workhorse this game and gave us everything we could have asked for, and yet we pulled the plug on him when, in truth, we needed him most.

Plus, Icing a game is never a bad decision, at the very least they would've needed a miracle comeback plus a 2 point conversion. Our philosophy is winning games, not leaving a team with a shot. Keep in mind, our kicker looked great today given the dome and altitude. A 40 yarder is barely more than a chip shot in a dome.

And, by your reasoning, what is the use of playing a dime package and prevent only to let the receiver beat you deep? That is total BS reasoning. Do you really think Coach Graham tells these guys to let a guy go deep unchecked in a prevent situation?

 

[LDopaPDX]

Now we'll find out who are real fans vs fair weather fans

I don't think one bad loss will end fair weather fans' interest. But the fact is that Eastern isn't big enough yet to turn off the casual fan. Take the casual or bandwagon fans out of the stadium and we're back to playing in front of 6 or 7,000. The Eagles need every type of fan interested and engaged.

 

[Ryan31088]

I figured we would drop one game without VA, I just didn't think it would happen like that. Hopefully the team and Coach Baldwin learn from their mistakes this weekend. I still think we roll on to Frisco.

 

[loloman]

Not sure how you let a 3rd string QB, with no time outs left, :55 seconds left and 75 yards to go, beat you...and give you the 12 seconds left over.....
I'll say it again...Prevent only prevents you from winning. A young buck at QB needs pressure to rattle his nerves, not 5-6 seconds of free time.

 

[kalm]

Prevent defense was absolutely the right call in that scenario, as pointed out earlier, our players simply got caught out of position.

On the play calling, I'm sure Beau would love to have it back. He's aggressive and it seems like he is going to ignore things like the experience level of the QB and whether or not he's having a bad game. As someone mentioned, he expects all of our players to execute and shows confidence in them.

 

[HannahO]

It was disappointing to be sure but when I contrast the state of things just a few short years ago in 2008 when Coach B took over with now, I don't have any complaints! I'll take Baldwin and his aggressive play calling over the grandpa they have in Missoula or the jerk at SHSU or any other coach at the FCS level. What's more, I'm thankful every season that he's decided to stay with Eastern. There will be successes and failures with his philosophy but there's been a hell of a lot more success than failure and it's a lot of fun to watch and be a part of.

Dopa, skull and crossbones is an appropriate graphic for your signature as you are nearly always writing from the gloom and doom perspective (and there's a place for that role). Just don't forget to factor in the positive and enjoy the success since none of it is guaranteed to last.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Dopa, skull and crossbones is an appropriate graphic for your signature as you are nearly always writing from the gloom and doom perspective (and there's a place for that role). Just don't forget to factor in the positive and enjoy the success since none of it is guaranteed to last.

Yeah, you're 100% right about that. I view from a coaches lens, where I always see the mistakes and errors and take the achievements for granted. I've never valued the fan lens of "take what comes" very highly.

It leads me to be a bit of a pessimist, but the constant critiquing is what keeps me sharp.

 

[Ryan31088]

I always hate when people compare now to X number of years ago. Sure, things are better, but with success comes higher expectations. Isn't that a good thing?

 

[HannahO]

I always hate when people compare now to X number of years ago. Sure, things are better, but with success comes higher expectations. Isn't that a good thing?

Of course it's a good thing, but it never hurts to temper those expectations with the reality that in the not too distant past things were vastly different. Therefore it makes sense to appreciate the success you are enjoying and to realize that future success isn't guaranteed. In short, it's good to have high standards but if the sole emphasis on achieving perfection prevents you from enjoying the good results along the way then you aren't having much fun in life.

 

[Ryan31088]

The two are not mutually exclusive. You can appreciate where a program has come from while holding high expectations for the future, as long as the expectations are reasonable. You specifically called out PDX. In reading what he wrote, I didn't see anything that was unreasonable.

Personally, I love how far our program has come, leading to expectations like this. We are now one of the top programs in the FCS. I'm sure Coach Baldwin and Co. feel the same way.

 

[clawman1]

Well at least Baldwin owned it...

I've often heard other coaches say "I don't block or tackle" but seldom hear a coach say "that one is one me" as Beau did.
Shows the class we all know him for.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I'm under the belief that Coach B cost us that game yesterday with not only the decision to go for it on 4th down, but to throw the ball rather than give it to "FORTEMODE".... HOWEVER, coaching was not responsible for the monumental breakdown in D on 3 plays in 47 seconds. In addition, there is no other coach I'd rather have leading this team than Coach Baldwin. This team will play inspired, fired up football these next two weeks and I think come up with TWO not so close wins over UND and UM. :thumb: