Cougars vs. Flash 20-8 loss

Sunday we played the Flash. The returning French Elite Champions for four consecutive year. The Flash are a very confident team and have some really decent sized players. The lineman where pretty big boys. Definitely some +300 pounders. Which is different then the size of the cougars. There running back was an Eddie George-esce body type and had played in NFL Europe. The imports they had were a QB from western michigan (who reminded me a lot of Matt Hassleback) and a OL/DL from NC State.

I went into the game thinking they were a totally out dominant team and unsure of who the Cougars really were. I didn't know if we'd be the type of team to think the game was not possible to win or if we'd be the type of team that gave all we had at all times. After the game I've realized one thing, the Cougars are fighters....we are scrappy, we lay it on the line, and we don't fold. For me there is no better type of team. Statistically we may not "match up" with the Flash. But I'd take us any day.... An old coach used to have a saying about "fat cats" and "street cats." You see fat cats just lie around the house all day, eating what's given to them and don't know how to work. Street cats are the total opposite and have to fight for the food they eat each night. So when the time comes when the fat cats and the street cats are moved out of their elements... the street cats know how to survive.....couldn't have picked a better name for our team then Cougars!

Chasing the running back. I got to play defense. It was funny he I'd mouth
off at the line and then he would wink in the back field and I'd just smile.
Pretty much got to play the whole game... I think it's actually the most
plays I've ever had in one game.

The game started off strong. We drove the ball down the field and get into scoring position. However, Matt and I had a fumbled snap. Matt had the ball and got up when the whistle blew, however the flash player layed on the ball afterwards and they ruled it Flash ball. However on the Flash's next drive Alyou caused a fumble and Clement recovered.

We drove the ball again against the mighty flash and scored on a QB roll out to the right. The play however would be called back for a holding call on one of our recievers. Now I know as an offensive lineman I tend to gripe about holding calls. However, this game was unlike anything I had ever seen. They had to have called atleast 10 holding penalties in the first half all against us. It was completely onesided in the first half. We ended up going for it on 4th and 1 on the 4 yard line and were unable to get the much needed yard. This makes twice that we didn't score when we should have.

The next defensive possesion we held them to 3 and out. I was upset because I should have had the safety on a 2nd or 3rd down passing play. We had a stunt on and I slipped past the guard and tackle and couldn't get to the QB fast enough before he threw the ball. I did get to deliver a nice blow to the QB though causing him to land on his back. I still can't believe I didn't get that one. (There would be a couple of times on defense where I should have had tackles for no gain or a loss. I tried to reach out with my left arm and make an arm tackle...basically I forgot how to move my feet and run through a tackle....it's been a while since I played defense)

Sandino got a safety on the 4th down punt after a bad long snap. 2-0. They go on and score twice and it's 13-2 at halftime. There were a couple of interceptions that gave them good field advantage and a nice 33 yard reception for a TD on the 2nd one. The 2nd one coming as time was dwindling in the 2nd quarter. They shouldn't have scored, but they did a great job managing the clock and running a 2 minute attack. On the extra points I almost blocked the first one, and the 2nd one they missed.

Going into halftime, you start to wonder. This is the turning point of the game. How will we react? Do we come out ready to take back the game after pulling a "Plaxico Burress" or do we lay down? The Cougars showed real gumption and came out on fire ready to win. We stopped them on defense and then drove the field putting the score at 8-13. We decided to go for 2 but failed on the try. The 3rd quarter would be back and forth. Then the break hit in the 4th. We drove the ball down to the 18 yard line or so, with 7 mins down. The crowd was into, the team was excited and we were fixing to take the lead.

John-Michel had made a great third down catch on the drive to keep us moving. He ran across the middle on 3rd and 15...the ball hit his hands and a rush of excitement hit, then he juggled it up in the air and all of a sudden it was as if the wind was taken from underneath me, then he managed to pull it in for the 1st down. It was such a change of adrenaline and such a quick change in high's and lows. However on the 18, Matt and I would fumble the snap again and turnover the ball. I felt like "merde." It was as if I lost the game for our team and it sucks. I still replay that over and over.

They went on to score on the next drive. 20-8. We tried marching again, but time would be our enemy. The team NEVER quit though. Throughout the game they wouldn't give in. With the last seconds of the game winding down, we caught a ball and took it to the 1 inch yard line. I thought we actually scored, but the ref said no. I am proud of my teamates and proud to be a cougar.

I know we are better then we played. We competed against the best team in the league and had a chance to win it in the 4th quarter. We will continue to get better and work to be the best.

After the game, there players were pretty cool guys. Not jerks. Except for this one guy. Some little looking dude with an attitude. While we warmed up before the game, this little jerk stood on the 50 telling us to move. I thought it was pretty rude and immature, but thought nothing of it after 5 seconds. Then during the end of the game, this little prick starts waving at Matt and telling him "nice try Ivy league" and little inappropriate jabs/comments that were uncalled for. If I ever met a guy without any class in his body, it's this little guy. I don't know if he's a coach or what, but the guy needs to grow up a little bit.

I did get a penalty in the game...for those of you wondering....apparently you can't touch a guys facemask at all, but it's ok for them to "DEACON JONES" headslap you, or choke you.... REALLY? I don't get that one, but C'est la vie.

*I also wanted to take the time and say thank you for Emily, Jessica, Caroline, Hillarey, Mere Bear, the hockey guys and all the fans who came out to the game. It really made it awesome having you support us and I thank you for bearing it out through the weather and unfortunate outcome. Mere, thanks for the nicknames for Matt!!!

Also, thank you to Matt's parents who really showed us some quality picks of resturants in Paris. It was great getting to meet you and I hope the jet lag is not to bad today.

You can read the link here about the game from the les cougars website.

For pics click me or at another site click me