As I crossed the Providence pedestrian bridge last night right behind the members of the media, I wondered what I would write about this game if I were still a sportswriter. Penalties keeping drives alive would have most definitely at least been a sidebar.
(Sorry if this has already been discussed. I don't have the stomach to read what all of you posted during and after the game. We stayed to sing the alma mater, got home at 9:30, watched the Cubs win and went to sleep.)
With 3:00 to go in the first half, Fatoney booms a punt to the MTSU 9. Oops, penalty, illegal motion on Nate Strong. Let's punt again. Fumbled snap, Fatoney falls on the ball at our 7. MTSU scores on the first play. Penalty caused a 84-yard difference in field position and 7 points. Yes, I know, the fumble is also to blame but no penalty, no fumble.
With 13:27 to go in the third quarter, MTSU has third and goal at our 8. Sack, loss of 11 to our 19. Oops, personal foul on Marcell Frazier. Instead of fourth and goal at the 19, first down on the 4. One play later, TD instead of field goal. Swing of 4 points at minimum.
With 14:14 to go in the fourth quarter, MTSU has third and 5 from their 40, incomplete pass. PF-targeting on Marcell Frazier. First Down, ejection. Six plays later, TD. You can argue whether this was targeting or not, but with this crew it would have been roughing the passer at least.
I counted 4 first downs by penalties for MTSU. (Box scores used to show FDs by rushing, passing and penalty but I can't find that now.) Holding call on Cheadle during a this-down incomplete pass with 9:37 to go in third kept a 6-minute drive along. There's another FD by penalty in their somewhere but you get the point.
As Gary would say, Missouri beat Missouri.
(Sorry if this has already been discussed. I don't have the stomach to read what all of you posted during and after the game. We stayed to sing the alma mater, got home at 9:30, watched the Cubs win and went to sleep.)
With 3:00 to go in the first half, Fatoney booms a punt to the MTSU 9. Oops, penalty, illegal motion on Nate Strong. Let's punt again. Fumbled snap, Fatoney falls on the ball at our 7. MTSU scores on the first play. Penalty caused a 84-yard difference in field position and 7 points. Yes, I know, the fumble is also to blame but no penalty, no fumble.
With 13:27 to go in the third quarter, MTSU has third and goal at our 8. Sack, loss of 11 to our 19. Oops, personal foul on Marcell Frazier. Instead of fourth and goal at the 19, first down on the 4. One play later, TD instead of field goal. Swing of 4 points at minimum.
With 14:14 to go in the fourth quarter, MTSU has third and 5 from their 40, incomplete pass. PF-targeting on Marcell Frazier. First Down, ejection. Six plays later, TD. You can argue whether this was targeting or not, but with this crew it would have been roughing the passer at least.
I counted 4 first downs by penalties for MTSU. (Box scores used to show FDs by rushing, passing and penalty but I can't find that now.) Holding call on Cheadle during a this-down incomplete pass with 9:37 to go in third kept a 6-minute drive along. There's another FD by penalty in their somewhere but you get the point.
As Gary would say, Missouri beat Missouri.
