As a future journalist I am aware of the ethical conduct in determining what is appropriate or inappropriate content for an editorial. We are taught not to be biased, but that is nearly impossible with our modern lifestyles. “Objectivity is completely unobtainable,” Dr. Dean Purdy once told me in my sociology class. So I am going to try and make this pessimistic rant into some inspiring optimistic message for everyone who reads it.
Upon witnessing the football game between our beloved Falcons and the RedHawks of Miami University Tuesday night, so much can be said. Most everyone associated with BGSU probably believed the deck was stacked against us. As one of my friends would say, “It was like a bad wrestling pay per view.”
Whether it was the so called “poor officiating,” the debacle of the score clock, the relaying of excessive and unnatural noise through the public address system, or whatever it was, the outcome will always be documented as a Falcon loss.
As much as I hate to say it, these fallacies cannot be solely blamed for BG’s loss, considering the fact that the Falcons played a pretty poor game. Every team has to go through this troublesome time. How about the old cliche “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Folks, I guarantee you, the football team will rebound from this experience.
To highlight more on ESPN and the MAC’s notoriety, I really do see some positive aspects of the mess on Tuesday in Oxford. Unfortunately for the Falcons, it was Miami’s turn to take the spotlight.
Now the country has seen Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Miami of Ohio and Toledo pull out major victories over top-notch teams, with the first three showcased on national television. Looking at Tuesday’s game from another perspective, which some fail to do, people saw that Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Harris are humans and do make mistakes. No one is perfect.
As for the “power surge” supposedly causing the clock mix-up and a possibly biased referee who was from Findlay (Big Ben’s hometown) —- enough is enough. We all can sit and delve into the things that frustrate us, but we as a university and community must let it go and move on just like we did after a heartbreaking loss to the defending national champions Ohio State Buckeyes.
So, the Falcons weren’t averaging that many penalties per game this season and made some mental errors. Josh Harris never could get comfortable with this atmosphere and the offense or the offensive-line’s inability to contain an under appreciated Miami defense and so on and so forth.
However, as tough as it will be, the football team will get over it and come back with a vengeance against Kent State on Nov. 15.
Please try to look past all the controversy involved with the sport and just look at the game that the players are playing for themselves, coaches, family, friends and fans. Try to gain an understanding and appreciation for everything they do.
For the fans that chose to sit in dismay and give up hope, get your butts back to the Doyt for KSU, to Muncie for Ball State and to Toledo. Stay strong and always believe.
For the diehards like myself and others, I can count on you guys to maintain your loyalty and to pass on to others your faith. I would also like to commend all the alumni and senior generations for making the trip to Oxford, our overall turnout was impressive. Meanwhile, I know some realize a possible rematch against the RedHawks for the MAC Championship game lingers, but we need to get there first —- one game at a time. Each game means something in itself.
We shall gain redemption. Helluva effort fellas. Keep working and playing tough. I’ll always be there for you.
TYLER SWORDEN
STUDENT
