Before our thrilling win today against Utah State, Temple made short shrift of Wyoming. In the days leading up to these games, some sports sites gleefully stated that Utah State and Wyoming were two Western programs on the rise, compared to Ohio & Temple who were called "old school Rust Belt" survivors whose glory was deep in their past. Survivors indeed who keep pushing the pile forward. Wyoming had just signed their coach to a hefty contract extension and we were told that Utah State's speed would leave us in the Idaho dust. Once again we didn't get the memo to just throw in the towel; must be the hardscrabble influence of Appalachia or the Rocky style persona of Philly. Whatever the case, here we are bloodied (as in Tyler Tettleton's case) but victorious.

These two games were very analogous to the MAC in general, while everyone dismisses us or writes our obituaries, we just keep winning, which is quite an accomplishment for both schools. A few years ago Temple was literally left for dead when they were booted out of the BCS Big East. In our case we regained our composure after the debacle at Ford Field that will forever live in Bobcat infamy. Yes, we truly are survivors who continue to win against the odds. Keep that in mind the next time you read another article referencing the latest dire prognostications in the ongoing college conference realignment contagion that seems to suggest the MAC is all but dead.

Thanks for the kind words Ohio Cat Fan. I was getting a little sentimental thinking about how historic this day is for not only the football team, but the basketball team's start as well. Some fans of big time programs might lament and say something like, "Can you believe it has been five years since our last bowl win? Oh the agony!" Yet for the Cat Fans (I have been attending games for 30 years,) we take special joy in days like this because we can describe in excruciating detail the majority of games and experiences that didn't end the way would have liked. Yet, here we are loyal and true as before marching on, extorting our team and believing in tomorrow. For those who were born in Appalachia (or those of us who are immediate descenedants of those who were,) the tough love aspect of the region does propel one to be their best, since anything you do, whether it be a simple athletic competition or something more serious like your job, or your family and religious commitments is a reflection of you.

What great seniors we have when one thinks about the utter heartbreak of the debacle that was two weeks ago. They soldiered on and the joy one could see in their expressions, including drenching Coach Solich with a victory bath immediately after his victorious ESPN interview, had to help in putting a smile on the most negative of critics. What a great day, I couldn't help but march around the house, past amused family members, singing the words to Stand Up and Cheer!

Great post about the seniors Cbus Cat Fan !!!!    What a great bounce back from the disapointment in Detroit!  How about Noah Keller ??  Not sure how many tackles he got credit for...but had to be a big number !   We were going nuts at a football watching party here in Athens!  Lots of jumping around and screams of joy from Bobcat loyalists!!     O.U.-------OH Yeah !!