Posted By: Great Basin Ute
Date: Monday, 10 September 2001, at 12:55 p.m.
... I know we've all been through alot.
Still, I think the glass really is half full, and here is why:
We essentially played Oregon straight-up.
Rice looked a helluva lot better, the Oregon radio guys said "this sophomore is playing like an experienced veteran." They expected Rice & the Utes to fold in the noise of Autzen Stadium and the Oregon defense. It didn't happen.
Since nobody respects the Utes, the Ducks were fumbling for excuses on why they didn't blow us out. Mike Belotti said "we weren't flat, we just didn't play well, and there is a difference." There really wasn't too much in the way of Kudos given to the Utes, mostly because we're given very little respect.
One of the reasons we don't get much respect is that Ute fans don't have alot of respect for our own team.
A Perfect Example: Oregon had not one, but TWO bonehead penalties on Ute 4th downs, resulting in 1st downs for the opposition. If these boneheads had been performed by the Utes in RES, the fans would have been ALL OVER Mac & the coaches.
Another example: Joey "Heisman" threw the ball into the ground several times. Was there agonizing over his not being sharp? Not at all. Was there agonizing about his not getting 300-400 yards against us? Not really.
The consistent reaction by Duck fans? "Oh well, Go Ducks!" The refs got booed, the Utes got booed, the Ducks didn't.
There wasn't any griping about "How are we going to win a National Championship if we make stupid plays like that?"
It was more like "we still have things to work on, but we're 2-0."
Now is the time for Ute fans to leave the second guessing, the critical analysis for after the game, and let's get behind this team in RES.
Certainly compared to Oregon, Utah has essentially no homefield advantage. None whatsoever...
Let's
get supportive and get loud at RES. We can make a difference.
Yes, we have been through a lot. It's still early in the season and we DID hold our own to Oregon, in the 1st half. Being amongst a few Ute fans and over-crowded by Ducks, the Duck fans were EXPECTING to blow us out of the water. The score doesn't show how well our boys did do, both offensively and defensively.
I think in the end, there are quite a few fair-weathered fans (not just at the U, but in the state itself). What I loved about Oregon was that even though their other athletic teams do not get the recognition that their football team does, they LIVE AND BREATHE Oregon Ducks and they love them just as much. I think the fans here in the state of Utah could learn to love the team, especially when they are down and out. Who else is going to keep them going through the rough times, THE FANS.
GO UTES!!
KauaiUte
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