Some thoughts from NMSU:


1.  We arrived in town at about 3 p.m. and is was just BRUTALLY hot. It hurt to even stand outside so I was very concerned about our ability to withstand the heat.  Then, miraculously, between 4 and 5 the temperature dropped a good 20 degrees and the wind picked up quite a bit.  Heat was absolutely not a factor - it was very comfortable in the stadium and it was almost cool during the second half.

2.  We seemed to be well prepared for the heat, nonetheless.  The team warmed up without shoulder pads and in short-sleeve shirts.  Then, with about 13 minutes before kick-off, went back into the locker room and dressed.  We also had 6 large fans on our sideline spraying water vapor all night.  No extra equipment used on the NMSU side.

3.  Long walk from the field to our locker room.  The team had to exit the stadium and walk around to a tent area adjacent to the front gate.  Players had to walk through the opposing fans before and after the game.  No issues though.

4.  Stadium was pretty worn looking.  Several sections didn't have seats - just the concrete risers.  Poor crowd overall but VERY nice people.  Many NMSU fans approached us before and after the game and were very welcoming.  They wanted to give us tips on things to do during our visit.

5.  Awesome Mexican food, both in Albuquerque and then three hours south in Las Cruces.  Beautiful state - I strongly encourage other Bobcatattackers to visit sometime.  But wear a hat.

6.  Was pleased to meet Matt Weller's parents at our hotel, which, incidentally, is where the Aggies lodged the night before the game.

7.  Some nice Bobcat alums from West Coast, Colorado, several from Ohio...and for J-school alums, I met Rex Scott, son of former professor (and my advisor) Byron Scott.

8.  Not convinced the no-huddle made a difference.  We were so slow in calling plays that the Aggies had plenty of time to substitute players. We certainly didn't get any mismatches.  Also had 2-3 cases where we either had a delay of game or were forced to call timeout.

9.  NMSU has a massive O-line.  I was a little concerned after watching them in warmups.  Their center is 350 lbs.  But they were very ineffective.

10. Our secondary looked terrible.  Gerald Moore was badly burned for NMSU's first TD.  We have a lot of work to do before facing Marshall.

11. Overall, a great trip.  Wonderful people, incredible sights.


 

Right, once the huddle is broken the D cannot make substitutions. However, by taking too long to get the snap off, it DOES allow them to make adjustments using the personnel already on the field. So there is certainly an advantage to getting the snap off earlier.

Well, I need to start asking guys if they are on Bobcatattack more often at games.  I was in that group with SBH.  Some really nice fans there. The first Bobcat fan I met outside the stadium was Mickey Tettleton-a very nice guy. There were about 200 OU fans there according to a OU staffer.

Random thoughts: I was surprised that we stopped the rush like we did and was surprised we ran so well especially when I saw they started 8 seniors on defense.  All the runners did well-we're OK there.  

The cloud cover and breeze that came in before the game was literally a game changer.  It felt like fall instead of summer considering it was 99 degrees 2 hours earlier. 

Their band was good IMO , but "most dangerous band in the land"? I don't get it.
They gave out free programs to everybody and cowbells as well. Also free parking 100 yards from the stadium.
Their new tradition with the rider/ horse  needs some work-it messed up the endzone with deep tracks.
Instead of showing 3rd down plays on the jumbotron, they showed cowbells-I missed some plays near the other endzone. 
You can tell that NMSU is really working at building fan support, but it is a tough go unless they win. The radio guys after the game said they were pleased with the attendence(14,700+/-) considering it was a holiday weekend.

 Something everybody probably already knows, but it was nice to hear players' parents comment about how Coach Solich and the other coaches make their sons feel like part of a family and how supportive they are.

It was death march on Saturday (4am to 11:45pm), but well worth it. 

Good golly I love our program!

12/16/2004 was a very very good day in Athens...

+100!

Yes,yes it was!

-john