|
Coach Flip Naumburg's Journal
Friday, April 28, 2006
CSU 14 – UTAH 10
Weather – Sunny and beaUTAHful, not too warm. Snow covered baby purple mountains
majestically surrounded Logan, Utah
Attendance – Regular stuff. Mostly Utah fans and family.
Rating – MU – Motivated Utes – Rams in slow motion.
Record 13-3
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD
We survived today on the strength of a seven goal run in the fourth quarter. We trailed
8-7 as late as the 4th quarter. We started out behind 3-0 for the second game
in a row. We had less than great energy, luck, or anything else for that matter and
for most of the day.
We could have easily lost to this hungry group of Utah Utes. They seemed to want
the game more than we did. We won anyway. The officiating was definitely
not rigged for our success, that's for sure. We endured the painful whistles as best
as we could, and thankfully overcame many types of different situations that just wouldn't
somehow go our way today. We won anyway. I take nothing away from Utah, and with what
they have done as a body of work this season, they deserve to be in Dallas two weeks hence
without a doubt, but just the same, we couldn't get the motor humming today, and it was
only partly due to the other team's road block.
TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR BLAH BLAH!
Tonight I called for a team meeting. It took place at the hotel after the league banquet
dinner. We had many awards given to our players at the banquet, including Danny Stevens
(A #32 - 2007) being named the league offensive M.V.P.
At the meeting I basically critiqued most every individual that played today.
I started by more or less telling each one what he needs to do better or more of, or perhaps
even less of. If I didn't do that, I asked them how they did today and left it to
them to critique themselves.. Either way, I engaged them individually and we discussed
the things that need to come next, and we did it in an open team forum.
UNDERDOGS
I spent the meeting pretty much treating us as if we had lost today. I approached
many subjects, business and personal issues as well. My aim was to get everyone involved
tonight so that the whole team, bench or whatever included, would really have a stake in
what happens tomorrow because they were all part of the process of game planning tonight.
My big message was sort of like let's all go in there tomorrow as underdogs gunning for
the upset, and it's a little funny that I feel like that even though we beat tomorrow's
opponent, C.U., only 6 days ago. By the way, they are staying here in the same hotel.
I hope the continental breakfast tomorrow doesn't turn into a scene from West Side Story.
Just kidding....
TASK AT HAND
We cannot afford to come back in games after falling behind all the time. Sometimes
minutes will just disappear from the game and before you know it, it's over. We may
or may not always have the time or luxury to first get comfortable and then catch up.
We need to come out more Bonnie and Clyde style with guns blazing and no fear of the future.
We will have to fight like dogs to get the cup, eh? We need to bring enough energy.
I am sure that in spite of losing to us last Saturday, C.U. is very confident about things
based on what they saw and did today. They do not fear us.
THE ART OF THE DEAL
If we play like the team we can be, I have no worries. I know the championship challenge
will be tough either way. C.U. torched BYU today. I think it was 10-3.
The Buffs mean business, that is clear. Maybe that's part of what motivated me tonight
to call for the team 'business' meeting, but I definitely already had it in mind to get
us all on the same page as a team. and also to get each individual's personal focus tucked
in to a good and comfortable place to spend the night.
At the end of this day I feel very good about the evening's negotiating session.
Now let's see if we can all go out, do our job, play our roles, and then close the deal
and go home.
Next Entry | Previous
Entry
Flip Started Blogging Before it was Cool, Read Over 400 of His Entries Since January 2001
Jump to a Period:
2006: Jan Feb Mar
Apr May June
July Aug Sept
Oct Nov
2005: Jan Feb Mar
Apr May June
July Aug Sept
Oct Nov Dec
2004: Jan Feb Mar
Apr May June
July Aug Sept
Oct Nov Dec
2003: Jan Feb Mar
Apr May June
July Aug Sept
Oct Nov Dec
2002: Jan Feb
Mar Apr May
June July
Aug Sept
Oct Nov Dec
2001: Jan Feb
Mar Apr May
Sept Oct
Nov Dec
|
