Breathing In

Army's first game came all too soon - and with it the first loss of the season. (You didn't think USMA was going undefeated, did you?)

Well the season got a jump on me too, I was once again out of town for the opening weekend of college football season and I tried to stay on top of my obligations here, but I couldn't seem to hold it down. The yearbook posts will roll out on Wednesdays as if on a conveyor belt, but things I actually had to think out... the lead-ups to the season opener and my questionable blogpoll brackets suffered from inattention.

Well, I'm back now, and I'm ready to get this thing started.

Regarding the last game - Phil Steele has the most positive spin.


Northern Illinois was not as impressive as the 35-6 1H score would indicate as after an int and fmbl they drove 53 and 11 yards for TD’s to lead 28-6. They did go 82 yards for a TD with 7:29 left in the 2Q to make it 35-6 and Army went on a 14pl drive but fmbl’d at the NI5. NI led 35-6 but only had a 279-160 yd edge. NI was int’d on their first 3Q poss and went 62/4pl and 97/17pl for TD’s and led 49-6 after 3Q’s when they pulled their starters. Army went 49/4pl, 66/12pl and 83/14pl for TD’s the latter with :12 left.

That's Phil Steele's shot at making 36-6 at the half and the 49-26 final sound 'not impressive'.

Rich Ellerson's take on the NIU game was less favorable, but the most notable statements from the presser were about San Diego State.

"We have to make a choice and we have to get on it today, because we have another `Oh my goodness' outfit coming to town on Saturday. (San Diego State) had a big win in their opening week. By having Rocky (Long) there as their head coach they've kept great continuity in their program. They've been practicing against the option now for a little over nine months, going back to their bowl game against Navy and then Cal Poly and now us. They're obviously going to be as well-schooled as anybody that's ever played this offense."

You would think San Diego State was the second coming of Tom Osborne's Nebraska team circa 1994.

 Aztecs Killing Him is a decent San Diego State football blog, their 3rd 'Tec-nical Difficulties podcast will catch you up to how the Aztecs have been faring in the early stages of the 2011 season.
Check them out, they have a nice thing going on for themselves there.



_