zipsmom

I was at the game, where were you?Look Mr. All-bold, I said "the kid played his ass off." I didn't say "The kid dominated," nor did I say "Boy, we didn't miss Bain or Lively." Stewart worked his ass off in a pretty impossible situation. He is a redshirt freshman walk on, playing in his first collegiate game, facing a top-notch Big Ten offensive line. He played a lot of minutes. From your air conditioned couch, I'm sure it didn't appear like the kid put in all that much work. From my seat, at the game, it was f*cking H-O-T. Easily 100 degrees on the field. You lug your 310 lbs around the field in 100 degree weather in full pads and push on 315 lb Big 10 linemen all day and tell me if you "look tired when you walk off the field." Pendleton is a walk on that apparently couldn't beat out Stewart for the #2 nose guard job. If you're thinking he's going to be the savior of the 3-3-5, you're nuts. By his lack of PT Saturday, and the past 2 seasons, he ain't going to be a factor.Harvey got shoved around just like everyone else. Hazime was the only one I saw that came close to holding his own.

Both sides of this thread have made some valid points. What I think is important to remember is that all competitors, whether members of the baseball team, football team, band etc. put in incredible time in practicing to become the best that they can be. The members of this football team are no different in that respect. Having attended several of the games--both home and away-- what I have not seen are individual players stepping up into leadership roles. Strong player leadership is needed on both sides of the ball. Peers can often motivate better than coaches. It appears from the roster that there are any number of large D-lineman listed which could be an incentive to get away from the 3-3-5.Bottom line--true fans are loyal through thick and thin. We have seen some thick and thin this season, but lets keep up the spirit that is so alive on this site. Our enthusiasm is vital to the success of sports at UA.On a different note--if we want to compete with the big guys we need to act like them. I can not understand why the band and cheerleaders and Zippy weren't at the U Conn game. If Zippy is in contention for Mascot of the Year, wasn't it odd that he was absent from a game which was televised on ESPN?

Well said, Captain.