Last night sucked.  I was in shock at the end of the game.  Stunned was how my wife described it. 

Today, I've thought about the loss a couple of times.  Still bothered by it a bit.  Tomorrow, there may be a few more fleeting thoughts about it.  A week from now, it'll be a memory, little else.

Yet my high school baseball state title game still sticks with me.  We lost, and I grounded out in the last inning.  That at-bat has replayed in my mind more times than any successful ones I ever had; it's not even close.  That was a lifetime ago, and I can still picture myself right there in the batter's box, still see myself grounding out.  Still feel the disappointment.  

The point is, this game sucks for fans for a time.  Sure, we'll remember the game and some details.  The players, however, likely replay every down of the second half for a lifetime (or at least until they hoist the MAC Trophy).  They're the ones I feel for.  Keller will likely replay the missed tackle that would've stopped the receiver short on 3rd and 7, forcing NIU to punt.  Brazill will relive that dropped touchdown more than probably any other play in his outstanding Bobcat career.  Tyler will most certainly remember that final interception or that missed snap much more than his rushing touchdown or any of his other scores from the year.  Those plays will keep the players up late at night.  I'd be surprised if many of them have slept since last night.  

As a coach, I know that I experienced similar feelings.  That feeling of letting down those who have been entrusted to you.  Solich will not soon forget that second half.  It is probably eating at him right now as well, and he's trying to figure out how to fix things.

I feel terrible for these guys.  Sure, I selfishly wanted a win.  Yet, had we won it, I would've purchased a T-shirt, thought about it a couple of times a year, loved it next year knowing we were the reigning champs.  For the players, that would've been something they would've carried with them every day.  I know this.  My brother won an ACC Championship, played in the Orange Bowl.  He thinks more about that loss in the Orange Bowl than any victory he had.  It's not an optimistic/pessimestic thing, it's a competitive thing.  This probably carries little to no weight, but I hope the players know that, for one fan, they gave a fun run.  I wish it'd ended differently, but, hey, maybe next year.  I hope they remain proud Bobcats and are able to someday get over the crushing loss of last night.  

Thank you, finnOhio for a great post.  I will share my take on things from the parent of a player point of view. I can assure you, no Bobcat fan feels the pain of this loss nearly as much as these players and coaches.  The more you put into something, the more it hurts when things don't go your way.  Believe me, they hurt.  Will they quit, never. They will rest the next couple of days, reflect and then put this game behind them.  They will give it their all to prepare for the next game.  They will put that jersey on one more time this season with great pride.  As for these coaches....I can only applaud them.  Football is their life at the expense of far too little time spent with their own families.  I thank them for the time and effort they have put forth for this program.  Yes, I too, would love to have gone undefeated this season. Who wouldn't? But, I will never point a finger at a particular coach or player. I believe in these players, coaches and what Coach Solich is building.  I will proudly pack my Bobcat gear and attend a bowl game no matter where it may be.  I will be there because I feel this team deserves to be supported.  I am experiencing firsthand how fortunate we are to be a part of this program. My son has been asked many times if he would still choose Ohio if he had it all to do over. Without hesitation, he says, "I wouldn't change a thing." That's says it all for me.  I will always proudly be a Bobcat.

I'll play devil's advocate here paraphrasing the coach of a local high school a few years back.

In a sense, I WANT this team to hang their heads about this loss.  (I know, insane statement when you are trying to think positive.)

But hanging your head about a loss proves something:  you EXPECT to win these games.  It's not about just getting there or competing, it's about winning.  It's about the players believing that this program has arrived and now is our time to shine.  How long has it been since winning was the expectation at this level?