Reflections

It is said that time heals all wounds when it comes to anything that hurts to the core of your very being. For Colorado State University-Pueblo football spring practice can't come soon enough. As the players turn their focus to passing finals this week instead of discecting Wayne State it will surely benefit them that for the most part they all go their separate ways for a month as they return to their homes. For those 15 seniors who put on the uniform for the last time even that might not be good enough to shake the sting of defeat. I have been asked by many people the past 24 hours my feelings about it all. Whether I was sad, angry, bitter or dumbfounded. To tell you the truth I really dont feel anything at all except just a little frustration knowing the opportunity was there yet it just slipped away. When Minnesota-Duluth took the field for warmups it was obvious this was one big physical football team. But the other thing that was clearly evident was Bulldog quarterback Chase Vogler was the right handed version of Tim Tebow. Watching him throw the football was borderline comical. The other thing I noticed was the long flowing locks of wide receiver Joe Reichert. Little did anybody know just how important the play of these two individuals would be in UMD's eventual win. Vogler would complete only eight passes on the day and was picked off once. But it should have been at least two and perhaps three that should have been intercepted which would have dramatically changed the outcome of this game. To top that off his lone touchdown pass was a pinball wizard special thrown behind the intended receiver in Tebowesque fashion that was deflected into Reichert's waiting arms laying on the goal line. Now we all know most of the time when a ball is deflected it comes down in the arms of the defense but this time it was the surfer dude who put the Bulldogs ahead on the first play of the second quarter. Despite Vogler's lack of throwing ability he proved why as the game went on just why he is now 7-1 in his illustrious career in NCAA playoff games. The guy can flat run the football and is fearless. Time after time it seemed the Pack had what they wanted only to see Vogler break contain for timely first down runs to keep scoring drives alive. Early in the fourth quarter he lauched an ill fated pass that Stephan Dickens picked off in the back of the endzone. Normally this would have been all the fuel CSU-P would need to lauch a game clinching drive with the wind. But like a call from the governor would do the Pack offense provided the stay of execution by dropping two passes and then allowing a huge crowd quieting sack. On the ensuing possession Vogler took off on a game defining dash around right end gaining 31 yards before seeing the season again flash before their very eyes as Damon Schiele punched the ball out. But in stepped the golden locked Reichert to pounce on the fumble at the nine yard line to keep hope alive. Vogler was hurt on the play but it didnt matter as three plays later UMD would score to take the lead. Vogler like Tebow proved a quarterback can impose his will with his legs despite having a suspect throwing arm. And Reichert proved it is not wise to judge a player by how much shampoo he must waste keeping that hair looking so good.
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----------DROPSIES-----The one most glaring thing about CSU-P's offensive performance was the half dozen or so dropped passes. Now it cant be discounted how tough a day it was to catch that brick of a football whistling through 30 mph winds. Add this to the mix. Earlier in the week on the John Wristen Show presented by Miller Lite the head coach was lamenting the fact new footballs from a different manufacturer would be used in the game. The RMAC has a ball contract with Rawlings. But the NCAA has a deal with Wilson. And to further compound matters the balls were late in arriving showing up last Monday. Now anybody that has picked up a brand spanking new football knows just how hard and slick they are. It takes time to break them in. Perhaps this played a factor but one thing is for sure. Josh Sandoval doesn't care what you throw his way or just how slick that ball is he is gonna catch it.
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----------RIGHT FORMULA-----When John Wristen popped the tape in to watch UMD it became quickly apparent they were a mirror image of the program he and his staff have built here in Pueblo. First you must be able to stop the run. Second you must play fast at all times and not take plays off. Third you must be able to run the football not only early in the game but most importantly late when the game is on the line. For the most all season long the Pack adhered to this ultimate winning formula. There is no shame in losing to a program that is the defending champion and winners of two of the last three crowns. Now we all know how good the Thunderwolves offensive line has become these first four years. But if it ultimately to win playoff games it appears to me they still need to get just a little bit bigger and meaner on the O-line. Coach Chris Symington is to be commended for molding the talent he has into the cohesive polished unit they are. One can only imagine just how good it could be with 280-300 pounders instead of 230 to 250 up front. The good news is this years unit will all be back and with hard work and dedication they will continue to bridge the "beef" gap.
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---------NCAA STUPIDITY AND GREED-----In the 2011-2012 budged revenue pie chart available on their website it calls for a total of 777,000,000 dollars to be collected. Thats 777 million dollars if you aren't good with zeros! The vast majority of this comes from their huge March Madness contract with CBS as well as all the mega million dollar deals with each network to broadcast Division One football. With that said I find it totally misguided and mind numbing to think they feel they must charge institutions such as CSU-P a measly 200 bucks to put on a live webcast of yesterday's game without any commercials. That's right 200 bucks to an organization that takes in 777 million. Of course CSU-P ponied up. I have no problems with them charging commercial outlets such as Clear Channel for radio rights although it is just a mere drop in the ocean compared to what they take in. The Center for New Media had entertained televising yesterday as well but the NCAA wanted 1500 bucks for a commercial free tape delay broadcast. Expenses alone for a typical CNM production are two grand. Couple that with the ludicrous rights fee and its hard to find anybody willing to pony up 35oo bucks for no return. Not even a thank you. Of course you could pay the 5000 to run a commercial based broadcast. But you couple that with the production costs and you can now understand why the game wasn't televised on a tape delayed basis.
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----------BIG MAC ATTACK-----Must we continue to feel this way each and every week following another Bronco victory? Do we continue to point out all the comical throws? Do we continue to point out the collective winning percentage of the teams he is beating? Those that continue to doubt Tebowmania really have it easy in my humble opinion. They cant lose. If he wins they point all this out. If he eventually loses they will continue to say hey I told you so. Next week the same scenario will be in play as the Broncos travel to 2-9 Minnesota. Expect another tough low scoring game. And if the Broncos win the critics will be quick to point out the Vikings playing without superstar running back Adrian Peterson as well as being directed by rookie quarterback Christian Ponder.
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----------RMAC HOOPS BEGIN ANEW-----With the Thunderwolves losing yesterday my focus turns solely to basketball now in my broadcast duties for Homer1350. This weekend the Pack men's team quietly went on the road and came away with two impressive wins in Grand Junction to run their record to 3-1 on the young season. The 22-game conference grind starts this weekend on the road Friday night in Alamosa against Adams State. Most so called experts believe the Pack men will be hard pressed to make the postseason tournament. But count me in the quietly optimistic camp from what I saw last weekend and from what I have been able to learn about the GJ trip. The team has a certain grit to it. Head coach Ralph Turner has a very impressive resume and is adamant about this squad being better and better as the year goes on. The early schedule is tough however with four of six RMAC games on the road against playoff teams from a year ago. Couple that with home games against teams that beat the Pack here at Massari and you get the idea just how tough it could get real quick and early. If they can somehow survive by going 3-3 in the early going look for a realistic shot at the post season. Anything less and the prognosticators most likely will be on the money.
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----------REVENGE ANYONE-----Late last season the Thunderwolves women were thoroughly humiliated by Adams State in Alamosa 96-45 in a game not as close as that score might indicate. The women get a chance right away to avenge that defeat in the RMAC lidlifter Friday night in Alamosa. The Pack warmed up for the conference season by splitting two games on the road in Monterey California. This squad is noticeably tougher inside with the additions of junior transfer Laurel Kearsley and freshman Katie Nehf. Couple that with much improved play by senior winger Jenelle Branting and point guard Alex Evans it gives Kip Drown hopes for a much different outcome. The road doesn't get any easier on Saturday night as the Pack travels to Durango to face RMAC heavyweight Fort Lewis.
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----------PROGRAM REMINDERS-----The final John Wristen Show presented by Miller Lite will take place Wednesday night at Buffalo Wild Wings. We take the air at 706pm on 590KCSJ-AM and www.590kcsj.com . You can listen to the show while enjoying dinner and a cold one on BWW's in house sound system. We would love to have you come on out and join us to celebrate a most remarkable season. Friday night basketball returns as RMAC play begins in Alamosa vs Adams State. Pregame is set for 545pm on Homer1350-AM and www.homer1350.com . Tipoff for the women is set for 6pm and the men at 8pm or 20 minutes after the conclusion of the mens game. On Saturday night we move to Durango to battle Fort Lewis. Pregame is set for 515pm on Homer1350-AM and www.homer1350.com . Women tip at 530pm and men at 730pm or 20 minutes following the mens game.