Postby Cane from the Bend » Mon Dec 30, 2024 2:02 am
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Or the thing most are overlooking ...
Particular statistics.
Entering the "Pop Tarts Bowl" Cam Ward was 1 Touchdown Pass away from setting the NCAA D-I (FBS & FCS) all time record.
He was tied with the record Case Keenum set at Houston, from 2007 to 2011, which was 155 TD passes.
With 4:12 left in the first quarter, Cam broke the record on a 4-yard score to Jacolby George. He then threw for 2 more, one to Joshisa Trader and the last to Elijah Arroyo, marking the new D-1 Touchdown Pass Record: 158.
Then he opted out of the second half.
Makes me think, that if he hadn't gotten a TD Pass in the first half, that he would have played the the 3rd quarter, and upon completing one, likely would have opted out of the 4th.
I have two thoughts on this.
On one hand, where it looks selfish, and it is; This was the game plan going in. Meaning the coaching staff was aware of this decision, and was on board with it. They felt comfortable enough developing a package for the second half without him. {more on that in below}
On the other hand, not offering to go back in to help his team finish the game on either of the last two possessions where Miami could have sealed it proves his involvement was purely for personal glory. {after all, they lost without him not in the field of play}
Okay, now here's what I took from the second half, that is being glossed over, because of how much scoring took place in the first half.
Both defenses adjusted {though Iowa State had less to account for without Ward} playing rather well after the break.
The Score as the 2cnd Quarter hit 0:00, Miami 31 - Iowa State 28
As a matter of fact, although Not Ideal, Miami gave up 7 points in each of the final 3 quarters. Whatever adjustments they made after the 1rst, seemed to work. And with the offense having the turnovers they did in Plus Territory for Iowa State, to be leading by 3 points at the half was almost implausible.
The total score in the second half was 24 points combined between both teams. Which is less points given up by either team in the first half, alone.
As bad as the defenses were playing, they plugged the gaping hole in the dam, leaving a trickle the rest of the way.
Again, for ISU, how much of that had to do with Cam Ward not finishing the game is up for debate. What can be said, is they did enough to win it in the end.
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Cane... [__]
"It is only impossible until it has been accomplished." ... then it becomes standardized ...
Success is measured by results; whereas Character is measured through the means by which one achieves those results . . .
It seems the Rapture did come for two worthy souls:
In Memory of Grandpa Howdy
In Memory of Donovan Davisson