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
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Halftime visits
Nice to see former NSU athletic department employees and now Boston residents Brian Satter and his wife, the former Jamie Matherne, at halftime. She was marketing director and he was assistant SID several years ago, and got engaged as they decided to move to Boston. Now, they have an infant daughter and they made it out to the game today to see people in purple. Of course, first to spot them was the personable Dr. Chris Maggio, and Dr. Randy Webb stepped in to greet them as well.
Heard lots of tales of Boston-area adventures from the alumni travel group, too. They've had fun.
The Demons have picked up a first down to open the third quarter, but then a holding penalty and a sack have created a third-and-25 at their own 30. Northeastern is getting pressure on Germayne Edmond unlike the first two foes. The Huskies run a 3-4 defensive front and NSU is clearly having trouble making the right calls and picking up the rushers. Marshall Burton on to punt, and it's a roller that leaves NU at the 30. A running into the punter penalty will be declined and the Purple Swarm goes out looking for the game's first turnover.
Doug Ireland, SID
Heard lots of tales of Boston-area adventures from the alumni travel group, too. They've had fun.
The Demons have picked up a first down to open the third quarter, but then a holding penalty and a sack have created a third-and-25 at their own 30. Northeastern is getting pressure on Germayne Edmond unlike the first two foes. The Huskies run a 3-4 defensive front and NSU is clearly having trouble making the right calls and picking up the rushers. Marshall Burton on to punt, and it's a roller that leaves NU at the 30. A running into the punter penalty will be declined and the Purple Swarm goes out looking for the game's first turnover.
Doug Ireland, SID
Halftime and hoping for a repeat of last week
Demons trail 21-14 at the break. The offense that rolled up 148 yards on 17 plays in the first quarter only added 30 more yards on 12 more snaps afterward. Evidently good adjustments by Northeastern and no doubt some changes for NSU are imminent.
Defensively, the Huskies hurt NSU with some play action passing early, and rolled up 145 yards in the second quarter while scoring a pair of touchdowns.
It won't rain any more, that's easy to see. Predicting what will happen after halftime is a lot tougher, but what NSU did coming out of the locker room last week is encouraging. NSU was down 21-7 at halftime to Central Arkansas, and won 31-28. Hope for a repeat performance today!
Doug Ireland, SID
Defensively, the Huskies hurt NSU with some play action passing early, and rolled up 145 yards in the second quarter while scoring a pair of touchdowns.
It won't rain any more, that's easy to see. Predicting what will happen after halftime is a lot tougher, but what NSU did coming out of the locker room last week is encouraging. NSU was down 21-7 at halftime to Central Arkansas, and won 31-28. Hope for a repeat performance today!
Doug Ireland, SID
1:31 to go, Huskies inside their own 10
Still 21-14 NU after a pair of punts after each team couldn't sustain drives. A 51-yard Marshall Burton punt puts NU at its own 8. A turnover would be NICE right now ... haven't had one yet. But expect the Huskies to be conservative here. They picked up 9 on a trap play and now are in a hurry-up offense.
We're having some problems staying online with the wireless through the City of Brookline, so apologies if updates are not as frequent as we'd like.
Doug Ireland, SID
We're having some problems staying online with the wireless through the City of Brookline, so apologies if updates are not as frequent as we'd like.
Doug Ireland, SID
Huskies bite back, up 21-14
Northeastern has rolled downfield quickly the last two possessions to surge ahead 21-14. A good kickoff return, and a bad punt snap resulting in a short punt, started the Huskies near midfield, and they've rolled in to score both times. On offense, NSU has gotten gummed up and for the first time this season, Germayne Edmond is facing some strong pressure when he goes to throw. After a 14-yard loss on a second-down sack, the Demons go 3-and-out, and despite a good snap, the punt goes only 32 yards and rolls out of bounds at the NU 35. Upcoming, a big series for the Purple Swarm. Midway through the second quarter, Demons trail by 7. A three-and-out would be huge right now as the home team has some long-awaited momentum.
There's flags for a late hit on the NU sideline, against NSU, after the Demons would have had the Huskies held up for a third-and-7. Lance Lacoste drew the late hit flag and NU is first-and-10 at the NSU 47. A reverse goes nowhere. Let's hope the Demons are angry enough now to make a badly-needed stop now.
Doug Ireland, SID
There's flags for a late hit on the NU sideline, against NSU, after the Demons would have had the Huskies held up for a third-and-7. Lance Lacoste drew the late hit flag and NU is first-and-10 at the NSU 47. A reverse goes nowhere. Let's hope the Demons are angry enough now to make a badly-needed stop now.
Doug Ireland, SID
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