I apologize if this has been posted already, but I find it useful for my sanity to stop reading the MMB for a few days following a loss.

This is a column by Ed Hardin in today's Greensboro News & Record.

http://www.greensboro.com/gnr/ed-hardin ... 30e52.html) greensboro.com/gnr/ed-hardin-…

Same here Charlie... These are growing pains. We as a football team, as a fan base learn from this. I applaud Doug Gillin for all his efforts.

This was another step in the advancement of our program. The next step is to win a conference championship, and then we need to start winning some P5 games. After watching the replay from yesterday I was glad to hear the announcers reminding people that we are just in year 3, and we have a LOT to be proud of.

Gillin's comments about future games and conference possibilities are very interesting...

Anybody think the previous administration would be working this hard? Gillen has been in The Stadium lot every game talking to fans. I'm impressed.

Gillen is great. He is spot on regarding proactive work for a regional conference. The MAC has the right model. AppState, Charlotte, ODU, GaState, GaSo, Troy, SoAl, MidTenSt, WK and Marshall should all be in the same conference. If ECU and a Fl school or two want in that is great too. Coastal and JMU come on too....

AppGrad78 wrote:I apologize if this has been posted already, but I find it useful for my sanity to stop reading the MMB for a few days following a loss.

This is a column by Ed Hardin in today's Greensboro News & Record.

http://www.greensboro.com/gnr/ed-hardin ... 30e52.html) greensboro.com/gnr/ed-hardin-…

Thanks 78 - we need a little bit of levity today --- All the idiots come out after a loss, those we never or rarely hear from the rest of the year - Those of us who have been on this journey (for some, decades) - this game was a major stepping stone, albeit, a result none of us were expecting. APP showed the college world they could host a major game - the ESPN announcers were EXTREMELY complimentary about the team, the stadium, the fans, the community, the atmosphere and were realistic in their descriptions of the game and players and coaches. I read a few of the "we suck" posts until I couldn't take it any more - and to that one "brilliant football analyst" who said all Kayaa could do was hand-off and our "lousy" defense had no clue how to stop the run and our OL couldn't block - well just a quick check of the box score (that's the summary which gives actual factual information about the game) would tell you that if you take away the 80 yard run (which we can't) Miami had 84 yards rushing on 30 attempts, less than 3 yards per - And if Cox's run/TD would have counted (which it didn't) he would have had 120 yards on 8 carries just in the 1st Q - Wow, some people !!!

When the big 12 expands in the middle off of October will be interesting to see if Gillin's regional conference idea takes hold. How about ASU, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Ga Southern, Ga State, So. Alabama, Troy, ODU,JMU, W. Kentucky, Marshall, Mid. Tenn. Heck, throw in FAU to go to Boca Raton and FIU to go to Miami every four years.

JTApps1 wrote:This was another step in the advancement of our program. The next step is to win a conference championship, and then we need to start winning some P5 games. After watching the replay from yesterday I was glad to hear the announcers reminding people that we are just in year 3, and we have a LOT to be proud of.

Gillin's comments about future games and conference possibilities are very interesting...

This is the right attitude. Of course it would have been nice to show better yesterday, but our season is by no means lost. We still have a chance at a conference championship and need to win next week to have two OOC G5 wins. We showed well at Tennessee and although it unraveled quick yesterday there were bright spots- our run D is stout, more good use of Burns, we can move the ball on the ground against top tier D's and we had some guys get open against some good DB's. A tip of the hat to the gloom and doom crowd, we certainly have a lot to work on as well but let's be real, we just did not match up well against Miami, they were strong where we need some work and we made forced and unforced mistakes at bad times.

Very impressed with Gillin and I'd say he's the most important figure in the athletic dept that we need to keep in Boone for the long term. Love the pro-activeness he's taking with other schools to talk about regional conference realignment. It makes a ton of sense in my opinion for the G5 schools. I'm hoping we can lock up a long term series with ECU but make it a night game only when in Greenville!

Growing pains is a good way of putting it. Miami jumping 10 spots to #15 shows some respect for App and The Rock, I think.

MtnDevil95 wrote:Growing pains is a good way of putting it. Miami jumping 10 spots to #15 shows some respect for App and The Rock, I think.

yep, if Miami pounded SC State I doubt they move 10 spots in the polls. Your welcome 'canes.

I like the attitude that Gillin has. Our previous administration took important steps (Peacock and yes...even Cobb) that put us in the FBS. Gillin is just trying to duplicate what has been done. He is taking the hand-off and looking for the NEXT steps. I'm sure there will be mistakes (white-out football games haha!) but we need to remember this as we move forward.

I couldn't help but pick up on the below quote. Is it just me or does this sound like the author of this article might have read a few too many message boards?

"Gillin was asked that when it was time to go, when the temporary membership in the Sun Belt runs its course, if there is a list of schools ready to go with them."