From: dmath@bluehen.wustl.edu (David Mathias)
Subject: Re: Congratulations on a great season, UNI and Delaware
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis MO
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 17:48:48 GMT

In article <1992Dec14.034002.26069@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> pdunn@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Patrick L Dunn) writes:

[UNI stuff deleted]
>
>To Delaware fans--
>
>     Just as with Kenny Shedd, I think that if Bill Vergantino had been healthy
>on Saturday, the outcome would have been different.  UD should have put the 
>game away in the first quarter with the little edge that a healthy QB would 
>have given them (BTW, for those who don't know, Vergantino had a nasty virus 
>when the game started). Even still, for most of the game, they moved the ball 
>better, and with a few breaks, could have been in Huntington next week.
>
>     UD brought an army of fans with them, which was impressive considering the
>bad weather in the N'east.  Your team gave it a heck of a shot this year when
>nobody was giving them much of a chance to go very far at all.  You have the
>best team that has visited Marshall Stadium all year--I am convinced of that.
>
>
>PDunn


First I'd like to second PDunn's congratulations to UNI and ofcourse
to my dear Fightin' Blue Hens.  My wife and I made a last minute decision
to go to the Delaware - Marshall game (drove through most of the night).
Here are some thoughts on the game:

Marshall has a top-rate facility and, more importantly, they were
great hosts.  Like most of the Delaware fans there, we were easily
identified by our hats and sweatshirts.  That was the key to some
friendly encounters in the McDonalds (across from the stadium) before
the game and with some of the people in the stands.  There was no
animosity which made for a far more enjoyable game.

IMO there were two keys to the game.  The first was, as PDunn pointed out,
that Delaware should have put far more points on the board in the
first quarter than the 7 they did.  They moved the ball at will during
the first period but a fumble (unforced as far as I could tell) and
an interception (nice read by the corner) stopped what probably would have
been scoring drives.  Delaware also had field position most of the 
first quarter because they held Marshall without a first down on their
first 4 possessions.

The second key was Marshall's offensive line; they were very impressive.
Most of the game QB Payton had all of the time he wanted to throw the
ball.  I think he was sacked three times but all three were coverage sacks
and he wisely took the sack rather than put the ball up for grabs.
I consider this all the more impressive since one of Delaware's front
defensive players is a Kodak all-american.  IMO Marshall's O-line
deserves the game ball.  BTW, once Payton started hitting some passes
Marshall's running game opened up nicely.

I don't know that I would go so far as to say that if Vergantino
hadn't had to leave the game Delaware would have won but it would have
been a different game.  Delaware's back-up QB (Dale Frye) runs the
offense well enough but he had only thrown the ball 8 times all season
coming into Saturday's game.  He tried hard (and was hit hard) but his
inexperience showed.  

Congratulations to Marshall; they are a helluva team and they played
a great game.  They made the plays when they had to and they deserved 
to win on Saturday. 

 
-- 

David Mathias    Washington University in St Louis    dmath@bluehen.wustl.edu