Frustrating afternoon

The football game, the wireless access at Parsons Field, the audio streaming ... Murphy's Law prevailed for the people in purple Saturday afternoon in Boston.

Several efforts to provide blog updates went up in smoke in the second half of the Demons' loss today as the wireless signal in the press box was just too inconsistent, much like the Demons today.

The trouble even extended to the live audio streaming of the game broadcast, and our providers were unable to resolve the problem when things went awry after halftime. We apologize and are glad we have an open date to address that problem, just as I am sure Coach Scott Stoker and staff is happy to have an open date to figure out what went wrong after the first quarter today.

Senior co-captain Ray Martin, however, indicates the Demons players and coaches might not like the open date.

"I hate having an open date now. I'm ready to get back to some competition. I didn't think we brought our A-game today, not to take anything away from Northeastern. We just didn't come out with the energy and enthusiasm we need to succeed."

Today's game, while frustrating, isn't as important as what happens in the next three weeks. How this team handles the open date, then playing at Texas Tech, then resuming the Southland Conference race Oct. 6 at Nicholls State, will greatly define the season's outcome.

"Coach, remember, you're still 1-0 in conference," a wise gentleman offered to Stoker as the Demons' mentor walked off the field Saturday afternoon.

That's a thought we would all be wise to remember. I recall North Dakota State dismantling the Demons in the Fargo Dome in late October 2004.

I also recall the 2004 Demons reaching within themselves and winning the Southland Conference championship. That team, with all due respect, isn't as close as this group seems to be.

One thing I liked after the game today -- there were players huddling not only in their position groups, but in smaller groups on the field after the game, resolving to learn from this painful experience.

Northeastern played wonderfully, when it had to. In a year that started with such promise, coach Rocky Hager's team rebounded from an abysmal performance a week ago at home against Richmond with what the coach described as an intense and committed week of preparation.

The Huskies came out with a stiff bark and a lot of bite. It paid off.

I am excited about seeing how our team responds over the next 3-4 weeks. I believe the end result will be enjoyable for people in purple. Remember the aftermath of the 50-7 loss in 1997 at McNeese? That was a reasonably close game, 16-7, midway through the third quarter when the bottom fell out. After that trainwreck, the Demons didn't lose again.

I'm not predicting that kind of roll, but I do believe this team has plenty of togetherness, toughness and resolve, and they'll give us performances to enjoy and effort to appreciate in the games ahead.

With a little better wireless connection and improved audio streaming, we'll do our part to be sure you can keep up with all the action.

Doug Ireland, SID