by Eyes of Old Main on Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:27 pm
Got back from Jacksonville this afternoon. Six hours of windshield time provided ample opportunity to think about what happened, what I saw and what I see for the future.
Wofford did let this game slip away, but I think it was a case of Arkansas elevated to their peak performance level which tightened us up and as a result the Terriers had a couple offensive possessions that weren't their best. On defense, Wofford lost control of the tempo a little late and Arkansas got to speed up to their preferred pace which was to our team's detriment. My takeaway is that it was a masterful game plan that was executed brilliantly for 37-38 minutes, much like the Wisconsin game. Unlike the Wisconsin game, their was a feeling of Wofford control of much of the game, which is why this is more of a disappointment for everyone. All that being said, it was a great accounting of our program, our staff and our College; we just need to figure out how to close one of these out.
The big thing I saw was that we now have a program, not just a good team. The entire roster has bought into Coach Young's system and they are the are the right personnel to run it. I also believe I saw a transformational moment for the entire Wofford community. Our fans in attendance out-cheered and out-supported Arkansas' fans even though there were far more Razorback supporters there. It was apparent that our fans love our team and equally apparent that Arkansas' fans were there to see a win. For Wofford, part of that is having a great team, winning results and a chance to get a NCAA win. But the bigger part of that is the love we all have for Wofford. Wofford fans cheer for the Terriers because they are out team, but we also cheer because we love that little school on North Church Street. Arkansas' fans love to win games, we love our school from the top down and everything that's associated with it. I think this year has taught our fans how much the players respond to great support.
For the future, obviously we lose three great seniors and we could lose our coach, but there is a lot to be excited about. I had a chance to speak with Cam Jackson's father after the game and his comments gave me an inside look at what the guys who will be our next crop of stars are like. There will never be another Cochran, Skinner and Swinton, but we said that about Dahlman, Rundles and Diggs, too. None of those guys will suit up for us again, but there will be new stars that command the same reverence. We have that next group of guys on campus right now with more on the way. Wofford may not win 28 games or make the NCAA tournament next season, but I feel confident that we will be competitive in our league on an ongoing basis in spite of personnel losses. As for Coach Young, I think last night had to show him how much he is loved by the Wofford community and how much the program that he has built is loved. If his dream is to start over somewhere larger then he will have his chance and I hope he takes it, but I think he knows he has something pretty special in Spartanburg that's not easy to come by as well. We'll see what happens, but either way I will support Mike Young in whatever he does because he's earned that much and more in my opinion.
SoCon Champs '03, '07, '10, '12, '17
FCS Playoffs '03, '07, '08, '10, '11, '12, '16, '17
FCS Semifinals '03
D-II Playoffs '90, '91
NAIA Finals '70
SC Little 4 Champs '48, '49, '50, '51, '52, '54, '56, '57, '61, '62, '63, '64
Cigar Bowl Participant '50