This past weekend clarified the need for a Bomber victory over the Red Dragons this weekend. Assistant Running Back Coach, Brian Horner, said that due to the Bomber's 8-1 regular season record, the Bombers will need to win this Saturday in order to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
"If we win this weekend, we will get a spot in the playoffs," he said. "If St. John Fisher loses this weekend, we should also get a chance."
Coach Horner said that because Ithaca College lost to St. John Fisher earlier this season, if both teams come out with the same record things could get sticky.
"Because Fisher beat us head-to-head, they would get the seed if we came out with the same overall record," he said.
According to Coach Horner, the Ithaca College website's most recent post about Bomber football is incorrect.
"After this weekend we will know if we 'clinched a share' of the Empire 8 title," he said. "As of right now we have not."
Coach Horner recalls playing in the Cortaca Jug two years ago. He said it was an indescribable event, but hopes this year turns out better than the last away game at Cortland State.
"Playing in the Cortaca Jug is like nothing else," Horner said. "There is nothing else like it, but the last time we were at Cortland we lost on a ridiculous call by the ref. I hope this year's officiating doesn't cost us the game."
Cortland beat Ithaca by a field goal in overtime in 2006. According to Ithaca College fans, the Ithaca College defense snagged the ball out of a Cortland State offensive player's hands before being tackled. The defense then picked up the football and ran for a touchdown. Officials ruled that the Cortland player was down before the loss of the ball; therefore, the Red Dragons still had possession. From there, Cortland went on to kick a field goal, devastating the Bombers.
The 2008 Cortaca Jug is this Saturday, Nov. 15 at Cortland State!
5 comments:
I'd like to point out a number of inaccuracies in your post. I am surprised that a Bombers coach doesn't understand the team's playoff scenario or the workings of the Empire 8.
First: "the Bombers will need to win this Saturday in order to clinch a spot in the playoffs."
-This is not true, as you point out later in the post, if St. John Fisher loses the Bombers gain a spot in the NCAA playoffs regardless of what they do this weekend, as they will receive the automatic bid from the Empire 8.
Second: "If we win this weekend, we will get a spot in the playoffs."
-This is not necessarily true as a win does not guarantee the Bombers a spot. The committee would need to select them for an at-large bid, if they do not get the E8 bid. This being said a victory over the 7th ranked Red Dragons would all but assure they receive an at-large bid so in a sense this statement is correct, but it is phrased incorrectly...it should say: if the Bombers win, they SHOULD get a spot in the playoffs.
Third: "According to Coach Horner, the Ithaca College website's most recent post about Bomber football is incorrect.
'After this weekend we will know if we 'clinched a share' of the Empire 8 title,' he said. 'As of right now we have not.'"
-Coach Horner is incorrect. The Bombers have clinched a share of the Empire 8 title. They finished with a 5-1 record in the conference, even if Fisher wins they will have a 5-1 record in conference, the two teams would share the title, as the Cardinals did last year with Hartwick. What has not been determined yet is who will receive the conference's automatic bid to the playoffs. If the two teams finished with the same 5-1 record Fisher wins the automatic bid by tie-breaker. A trip to the Empire 8's football website, would have told you that the Bombers have, in fact, clinched a share of the conference title.
November 12, 2008 4:18 PM
Posted to Pressure Is On For Cortaca Jug!
Zach, this is the most crisp breakdown of each error in this article I could imagine. I was about to type out each of these points only to find you beat me to it by two whole days. This is why we are the greatest half-time analysts in college radio. We think on the same wavelength. Each point you made in your comment is indeed correct. Excellent work in the watchdog role.
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