I didn’t go to the Howard Homecoming game against Morgan State, because the last few Howard-Morgan games I’ve attended always require a visit to the cardiologist on Sunday morning. No matter what the records are, who’s coaching, or what house the game is being played at, Bears-Bison is always going to be mistake-laden football that comes down to the wire.
And so it was this afternoon.
Here’s a few thoughts on the 31-30 double-overtime thriller.
-On 4th and 7 for the Bears with about 42 seconds remaining, Bears head coach Donald Hill-Eley elected to punt with the score 17-14 and the ball on the Morgan 14 yard line. The sentiment was that the punter, stationed in his end zone, would take a safety, thus positioning the Bears to punt to the Bison without any timeouts to mount a drive.
Inexplicably, Jonathan Skeete attempted to run out of the end zone and was dropped short of the first down. This play enabled Howard to complete a pass, draw a penalty, and kick the field goal that sent the contest into overtime.
Why are black college special teams always on the tail end of a ridiculous play? Field goals are adventures and punts can be a comedy of errors. When a kicker thinks he has the speed to go more than 10 yards from his end zone, you know there’s a coaching lapse with the unit.
- Howard does not have a bad offense. Floyd Haigler can make good decisions when he has time. Unfortunately, the Bison offensive line is young and prone to pressure, which went in the Bears favor today.
- What didn’t go in the Bears’ favor is the simple prospect of hiking the football. On one series, the Bears had three consecutive botched snaps or jumbled hand-offs. This started a couple of weeks back against Rutgers and hasn’t stopped yet. This is still Division I football, and the center-quarterback exchange still is the most important play in all of football. The Bears better get it right if they hope to have a shot at the MEAC championship this year.
- During the broadcast, Terrence Howard mentioned that he had never been to an HBCU until he was named Grand Marshal of the homecoming parade. I know he’s a good actor and all, but the least Howard can do is get someone who knows a little something about black college sports. Steve Harvey maybe?
- Why do Homecomings always have to be razor-thin close, or complete blowouts? We can’t ever get a relaxing 23-14 score? They always have to be 35-34, or 44-3. Too many old people out there for that kind of excitement or letdown.
- This game had to take a lot out of the Bears. Running back Devan James ran more than 35 times for more than 200 yards on the day. If the Bears’ don’t have any kind of rushing attack at their homecoming next week against Delaware State, you’ll know why.
- Any folks who attended the game, visit the forums and let me know your impression about the crowds, the bands, and the game itself. I watched the game on a streaming Internet broadcast, which I’m glad many HBCUs are implementing for fans around the world.
LJ 7:49 am on October 19, 2008 Permalink
JC, your analysis of this type of game is on point. I have attended the past 6 or more Howard/Morgan games (including yesterday’s game) and wondered why Morgan (after getting a delay of game call, tacking on a 5 yard penalty before punter Jonathan Skeete decided to run the ball out on the endzone to set up Howard’s tying field goal) left fans from both sides scratching their heads trying to figure out what in the world just happened? I’ve NEVER seen such a bone-headed play in college football. Plain and simple, Morgan was giving Howard this game. Coaching seems to be a problem with Morgan year-in and year-out. There was one instance in the 2nd half where Morgan got a delay of game penalty because 1 of the 3 quarterbacks who played didn’t realize time expired from the play clock. Why did Coach Hill decided to play three quarterbacks is a mystery to me. On paper, Morgan appeared to be the superior team but Coaching and miscue easily showed their flaws. Morgan has yet to play Hampton, South Carolina State and Norfolk — three teams who have defeated the Bears in past years. If they play like they played yesterday Morgan can forget about winning any of those games, including homecoming against Delaware State next week.
In terms of bands, both bands were okay. Terrance Howard seemed out of place at this game. He sang a song from his new album backed by Howard’s band and one can see that he was out of place and not a good singer. He was only at this game for namesake.
There was a good crowd at the game, however most Howard fans left before the bizarre turn of events at the end of the fourth quarter. I guess they did not want to deal with the cardiac football game-ending that the past three seasons have provided in this football series.
JC 7:55 am on October 19, 2008 Permalink
I really had hope for the Bears this year. We knew they would have a good defense with all of the transfers, and that Hill calling the plays would give some energy back to the offense.
We’ve been able to take heart in the Bears beating all the teams they are supposed to beat, but that doesn’t get you a conference championship. Perhaps the new president will take a serious look at what needs to be done to take football to the next level.