Imagine losing a bowl game

[Rekdiver]

The only luck we had was Evans fumble pick up for score. Fumble return and two Hennigan scores were great playing.

[bigdaddyg]

Never been a believer in luck. I lean toward chance and statistical probability. The ball bounces funny and sometimes you make your own “luck”. We were fortunate on some occasions obviously. The leaping penalty was odd. I recall a Panthers game a few weeks ago where they were rushing a kick. The back official warned Luke and another guy over center not to do a certain thing or they would get flagged. It happened and the flag came out. We were unbelievably fortunate on the ripped off helmet play. How on earth was that missed?

As far as losing a bowl game goes. If the tie ins don’t change and we keep up with our level of success we may never lose one. If we play a crappy MAC or CUSA team every year it could be a few more years at least.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

I think the game plan defensively was to maintain the UAB run. That can be the only explanation for our safety being so close to the line. After that second drive and the game plan was adjusted we only allowed three points, and scored on a strip sack fumble and forced two other turnovers. Offensively I was worried for sure. If Coach Clark is true to his word of staying long term and the players don't have to adjust to a new HC every bowl game, I could definitely see us putting together a nice streak.

[ah59396]

UAB deleted tweets from salty players are the best

[appdaze]

I don't want us to get this kind of arrogance going. Karma will bite our asses off if we parade around about 5-0. I will celebrate tonight again but this type of thread is asking karma for a loss.

[ericsaid]

It's not hard to imagine after tonight. We were luckier than we were good.

They scored 3 points the final 55 minutes of the game. UAB's game plan the last half of the season has been run heavy, so we brought Josh down into the box. They nabbed us when he did that and got good field position. Then they did it again on a go route resulting in a catch that should've been reviewed.

Then on the other crossing touchdown the slot receiver was blocking Thomas while the ball was in the air which would be offensive pass interference that wasn't called.

However, outside of those two drives, UAB averaged 3.1 yards per play, turned the ball over three times, App scored a defensive touchdown and had 6 sacks.

The final score doesn't look great but the reality is that you should look at it more as a 31-3/10 type game than purely 31-17.

[AppStFan1]

It's not hard to imagine after tonight. We were luckier than we were good.

They scored 3 points the final 55 minutes of the game. UAB's game plan the last half of the season has been run heavy, so we brought Josh down into the box. They nabbed us when he did that and got good field position. Then they did it again on a go route resulting in a catch that should've been reviewed.

Then on the other crossing touchdown the slot receiver was blocking Thomas while the ball was in the air which would be offensive pass interference that wasn't called.

However, outside of those two drives, UAB averaged 3.1 yards per play, turned the ball over three times, App scored a defensive touchdown and had 6 sacks.

The final score doesn't look great but the reality is that you should look at it more as a 31-3/10 type game than purely 31-17.

I don't think we played our A game at all though. This could have been a 30 point game easily if we had played better. For a UAB player to say we are sorry is very comical because I don't think anyone from CUSA other than FAU has looked any good.

If we had actually played a top 35 team last night and we played like we did we would have lost. UAB has some very good players but overall as a team they would probably be the 4th bes team in the SBC.

[ah59396]

It's not hard to imagine after tonight. We were luckier than we were good.

They scored 3 points the final 55 minutes of the game. UAB's game plan the last half of the season has been run heavy, so we brought Josh down into the box. They nabbed us when he did that and got good field position. Then they did it again on a go route resulting in a catch that should've been reviewed.

Then on the other crossing touchdown the slot receiver was blocking Thomas while the ball was in the air which would be offensive pass interference that wasn't called.

However, outside of those two drives, UAB averaged 3.1 yards per play, turned the ball over three times, App scored a defensive touchdown and had 6 sacks.

The final score doesn't look great but the reality is that you should look at it more as a 31-3/10 type game than purely 31-17.

I don't think we played our A game at all though. This could have been a 30 point game easily if we had played better. For a UAB player to say we are sorry is very comical because I don't think anyone from CUSA other than FAU has looked any good.

If we had actually played a top 35 team last night and we played like we did we would have lost. UAB has some very good players but overall as a team they would probably be the 4th bes team in the SBC.

We’ve played at the level of our competition all season. Not sure why anyone expected the bowl game to be different.

We win ball games. A lot of them. Had we played a top 35 team, we would have played our A game and found a way to win. We almost always do.

[AppStFan1]

It's not hard to imagine after tonight. We were luckier than we were good.

They scored 3 points the final 55 minutes of the game. UAB's game plan the last half of the season has been run heavy, so we brought Josh down into the box. They nabbed us when he did that and got good field position. Then they did it again on a go route resulting in a catch that should've been reviewed.

Then on the other crossing touchdown the slot receiver was blocking Thomas while the ball was in the air which would be offensive pass interference that wasn't called.

However, outside of those two drives, UAB averaged 3.1 yards per play, turned the ball over three times, App scored a defensive touchdown and had 6 sacks.

The final score doesn't look great but the reality is that you should look at it more as a 31-3/10 type game than purely 31-17.

I don't think we played our A game at all though. This could have been a 30 point game easily if we had played better. For a UAB player to say we are sorry is very comical because I don't think anyone from CUSA other than FAU has looked any good.

If we had actually played a top 35 team last night and we played like we did we would have lost. UAB has some very good players but overall as a team they would probably be the 4th bes team in the SBC.

We’ve played at the level of our competition all season. Not sure why anyone expected the bowl game to be different.

We win ball games. A lot of them. Had we played a top 35 team, we would have played our A game and found a way to win. We almost always do.

I would have expected that we would but I'm just saying if we did play the same as we did last night we would lose.

I really wish we would have played FAU or gotten a top 3 AAC team or P5 team but I always say whoever they give us let's go play and beat them. I'm just glad to get a bowl win and hopefully we can make it 1-0 each week next year and then finish 6-0 in bowls.

This team better be real hungry because they could accomplish one of the greatest seasons in G5 history next year. Spring ball can't get here fast enough.

[ah59396]

It's not hard to imagine after tonight. We were luckier than we were good.

They scored 3 points the final 55 minutes of the game. UAB's game plan the last half of the season has been run heavy, so we brought Josh down into the box. They nabbed us when he did that and got good field position. Then they did it again on a go route resulting in a catch that should've been reviewed.

Then on the other crossing touchdown the slot receiver was blocking Thomas while the ball was in the air which would be offensive pass interference that wasn't called.

However, outside of those two drives, UAB averaged 3.1 yards per play, turned the ball over three times, App scored a defensive touchdown and had 6 sacks.

The final score doesn't look great but the reality is that you should look at it more as a 31-3/10 type game than purely 31-17.

I don't think we played our A game at all though. This could have been a 30 point game easily if we had played better. For a UAB player to say we are sorry is very comical because I don't think anyone from CUSA other than FAU has looked any good.

If we had actually played a top 35 team last night and we played like we did we would have lost. UAB has some very good players but overall as a team they would probably be the 4th bes team in the SBC.

We’ve played at the level of our competition all season. Not sure why anyone expected the bowl game to be different.

We win ball games. A lot of them. Had we played a top 35 team, we would have played our A game and found a way to win. We almost always do.

I would have expected that we would but I'm just saying if we did play the same as we did last night we would lose.

I really wish we would have played FAU or gotten a top 3 AAC team or P5 team but I always say whoever they give us let's go play and beat them. I'm just glad to get a bowl win and hopefully we can make it 1-0 each week next year and then finish 6-0 in bowls.

This team better be real hungry because they could accomplish one of the greatest seasons in G5 history next year. Spring ball can't get here fast enough.

We are about 24 more hours away from no one remembering our score or who we played.

They will just know we won (again), have never lost a bowl game, are ranked in the top 20 and one of the premier G5 programs in the country.

All less than a decade in.

We are very much so a part of the Boise State/ UCF conversation. A Cotton bowl appearance in the next 5 years will certainly bolster that.

Can’t wait to see how we look in Madison week 3. If we beat Wake week 2, we may absolutely be looking a top 20 matchup.

[AppStFan1]

They scored 3 points the final 55 minutes of the game. UAB's game plan the last half of the season has been run heavy, so we brought Josh down into the box. They nabbed us when he did that and got good field position. Then they did it again on a go route resulting in a catch that should've been reviewed.

Then on the other crossing touchdown the slot receiver was blocking Thomas while the ball was in the air which would be offensive pass interference that wasn't called.

However, outside of those two drives, UAB averaged 3.1 yards per play, turned the ball over three times, App scored a defensive touchdown and had 6 sacks.

The final score doesn't look great but the reality is that you should look at it more as a 31-3/10 type game than purely 31-17.

I don't think we played our A game at all though. This could have been a 30 point game easily if we had played better. For a UAB player to say we are sorry is very comical because I don't think anyone from CUSA other than FAU has looked any good.

If we had actually played a top 35 team last night and we played like we did we would have lost. UAB has some very good players but overall as a team they would probably be the 4th bes team in the SBC.

We’ve played at the level of our competition all season. Not sure why anyone expected the bowl game to be different.

We win ball games. A lot of them. Had we played a top 35 team, we would have played our A game and found a way to win. We almost always do.

I would have expected that we would but I'm just saying if we did play the same as we did last night we would lose.

I really wish we would have played FAU or gotten a top 3 AAC team or P5 team but I always say whoever they give us let's go play and beat them. I'm just glad to get a bowl win and hopefully we can make it 1-0 each week next year and then finish 6-0 in bowls.

This team better be real hungry because they could accomplish one of the greatest seasons in G5 history next year. Spring ball can't get here fast enough.

We are about 24 more hours away from no one remembering our score or who we played.

They will just know we won (again), have never lost a bowl game, are ranked in the top 20 and one of the premier G5 programs in the country.

All less than a decade in.

We are very much so a part of the Boise State/ UCF conversation. A Cotton bowl appearance in the next 5 years will certainly bolster that.

Can’t wait to see how we look in Madison week 3. If we beat Wake week 2, we may absolutely be looking a top 20 matchup.

Agreed but before that we got to hammer Morgan State. I want to beat them by 60 and then we must get a W against Wake Forest. That truly could be a top 20 matchup for sure.

Here is the good news if we did lose to Wisconsin as a 13 vs say 19-20 matchup. If we lose by 3-7 points we may not fall out of the top 25. It would actually be a loss to a good team. If we were to lose by 3 to any SBC team we would plummet out and possibly lose all of our votes. I don't want to find out though. I think we can go up there and beat them.

[NashvilleNeer]

Here’s a question about the fumbled snap on 4th down picked up by Evans for the TD. I’m pretty sure that a fumble on fourth down cannot be progressed unless picked up by the person who fumbled it. Correct me if I’m wrong and I will take it but that TD shouldn’t have counted.

i'm going to say no, you're incorrect on this.

[Rick83]

I was in a noisy room with people watching the game and haven't had a chance to watch the game again on replay, but shouldn't that first touchdown by UAB been reviewed? Seems like he wasn't in control of the ball when he hit the ground...

[spacemonkey]

I’m not sure tonight was just “luck”. We got off to a slow start but after the first 5 minutes of the game we out scored them 31-3. I’m all for criticism and working on mistakes even with a win but we dominated them tonight from halfway through the first quarter until the end.

I would argue the luck was with UAB. The first touchdown was not a catch. The second touchdown (watch the replay) was a blatant pick that was not even close. The other UAB pass route was a block on our defensive back that was covering their receiver way before the throw happened. very bad call.

There were lots of bad calls. UAB got their share and we got ours.

[citroknight]

They scored 3 points the final 55 minutes of the game. UAB's game plan the last half of the season has been run heavy, so we brought Josh down into the box. They nabbed us when he did that and got good field position. Then they did it again on a go route resulting in a catch that should've been reviewed.

Then on the other crossing touchdown the slot receiver was blocking Thomas while the ball was in the air which would be offensive pass interference that wasn't called.

However, outside of those two drives, UAB averaged 3.1 yards per play, turned the ball over three times, App scored a defensive touchdown and had 6 sacks.

The final score doesn't look great but the reality is that you should look at it more as a 31-3/10 type game than purely 31-17.

I don't think we played our A game at all though. This could have been a 30 point game easily if we had played better. For a UAB player to say we are sorry is very comical because I don't think anyone from CUSA other than FAU has looked any good.

If we had actually played a top 35 team last night and we played like we did we would have lost. UAB has some very good players but overall as a team they would probably be the 4th bes team in the SBC.

We’ve played at the level of our competition all season. Not sure why anyone expected the bowl game to be different.

We win ball games. A lot of them. Had we played a top 35 team, we would have played our A game and found a way to win. We almost always do.

I would have expected that we would but I'm just saying if we did play the same as we did last night we would lose.

I really wish we would have played FAU or gotten a top 3 AAC team or P5 team but I always say whoever they give us let's go play and beat them. I'm just glad to get a bowl win and hopefully we can make it 1-0 each week next year and then finish 6-0 in bowls.

This team better be real hungry because they could accomplish one of the greatest seasons in G5 history next year. Spring ball can't get here fast enough.

We are about 24 more hours away from no one remembering our score or who we played.

They will just know we won (again), have never lost a bowl game, are ranked in the top 20 and one of the premier G5 programs in the country.

All less than a decade in.

We are very much so a part of the Boise State/ UCF conversation. A Cotton bowl appearance in the next 5 years will certainly bolster that.

Can’t wait to see how we look in Madison week 3. If we beat Wake week 2, we may absolutely be looking a top 20 matchup.

I think App is just about ready to kick the door down.

But to really be a part of that conversation, you'll likely need to get to a major bowl first. Boise having 3 appearances and a 3-0 record and UCF with also 3 appearances and a 2-1 record.

There's little doubt at this point that App State is among the top G5 programs but you need that big win to cement your place and do better than NIU, Hawaii, and WMU.

[postalapp90]

Here’s a question about the fumbled snap on 4th down picked up by Evans for the TD. I’m pretty sure that a fumble on fourth down cannot be progressed unless picked up by the person who fumbled it. Correct me if I’m wrong and I will take it but that TD shouldn’t have counted.

i'm going to say no, you're incorrect on this.

Mountaineerman is right. Only the fumbler can advance the fumble on 4th down. Ball should have been spotted where Evans recovered it and possession to UAB.

[HighPointApp]

After further review and a quick Google search, mountaineerman is correct.

[mountaineerman]

Here’s a question about the fumbled snap on 4th down picked up by Evans for the TD. I’m pretty sure that a fumble on fourth down cannot be progressed unless picked up by the person who fumbled it. Correct me if I’m wrong and I will take it but that TD shouldn’t have counted.

i'm going to say no, you're incorrect on this.

Mountaineerman is right. Only the fumbler can advance the fumble on 4th down. Ball should have been spotted where Evans recovered it and possession to UAB.

Lol I’m never right . Thanks for the encouragement .

[hapapp]

Was it a fumble or a muffed snap? Does it matter? Does one have to have possession for it to be a fumble?

[NavyApp]

Was it a fumble or a muffed snap? Does it matter? Does one have to have possession for it to be a fumble?

I just researched that play again. Zac never had "possession" of the ball this he couldn't fumble it. That was a muff.

I found this clarification on the two on sportfanfocus.com:

So when comparing muff vs fumble, the difference is for a fumble to occur there has to be possession at the time the ball is jarred loose, while a muff in football occurs when a player attempts to gain possession, fails, but still makes contact with the ball.