superhornet
Active member
#11 Central Arkansas took out #10 Austin Peay last night. Star QB Jeremiah Oatsvall had a rough night for the Governors, largely due to the ineptitude of the offensive line, but he was certainly game. While the game opened with a bang when Peay went 75 yards on the very first play to open scoring, they bogged down until late in the fourth quarter when Oatsvall tied the score at 17 with a one-yard run, only to watch the weary defense cave, allowing what ultimately proved to be the game-winning UCA touchdown with about 30 or so seconds left. Oatsvall didn't quit, however, as he tried to single-handedly pull the game out of the fire. His gutsy 4th and 10 quarterback draw with 8 seconds left was good for a first down, but there were only two ticks left. It was all for naught, as the tired OL immediately caved in, allowing the UCA DL to mess up Oatsvall's Hail Mary, which fell woefully short.
Given all of the problems that have come up due to COVID, it is not surprising that this game was majorly affected. Peay's OL was decidedly not in condition, and the long snapper put one over the punter's head early, leading to a UCA safety and the switch to Oatsvall as the punter; Oatsvall was generally effective in this role, but he DID shank one badly. There was also some confusion regarding rule changes (maybe), as UCA was confused late in the game when they were called for delay of game on DEFENSE for a late substitution, which they either felt was NOT late, or weren't aware of the rule. The officials also were not immune, as there were glitches with hot mikes (on Peay's opening TD run, one official was heard to mutter "GD masks!"). There were also problems with the electronic whistles replacing physical whistles due to COVID concerns.
So college football is back, although majorly affected by COVID-related cancellations and re-scheduling. Peay plans three fall games total, including two FBS games, while UCA plans a whopping NINE. Cali teams remain on the bench, though. There is lots of FBS-FCS intermixing back East, while those of us out west are sitting idle. Nebraska is apparently preparing to sue the Big Ten over their cancellation of the conference season. No fall playoffs, but the potential for limited spring playoffs, and no word on how fall games (if any) will affect selection and seeding.
This will be one crazy season, that is for sure.
Given all of the problems that have come up due to COVID, it is not surprising that this game was majorly affected. Peay's OL was decidedly not in condition, and the long snapper put one over the punter's head early, leading to a UCA safety and the switch to Oatsvall as the punter; Oatsvall was generally effective in this role, but he DID shank one badly. There was also some confusion regarding rule changes (maybe), as UCA was confused late in the game when they were called for delay of game on DEFENSE for a late substitution, which they either felt was NOT late, or weren't aware of the rule. The officials also were not immune, as there were glitches with hot mikes (on Peay's opening TD run, one official was heard to mutter "GD masks!"). There were also problems with the electronic whistles replacing physical whistles due to COVID concerns.
So college football is back, although majorly affected by COVID-related cancellations and re-scheduling. Peay plans three fall games total, including two FBS games, while UCA plans a whopping NINE. Cali teams remain on the bench, though. There is lots of FBS-FCS intermixing back East, while those of us out west are sitting idle. Nebraska is apparently preparing to sue the Big Ten over their cancellation of the conference season. No fall playoffs, but the potential for limited spring playoffs, and no word on how fall games (if any) will affect selection and seeding.
This will be one crazy season, that is for sure.
