A PERSPECTIVE - GA STATE GAME

[WVAPPeer]

A perspective --- I haven’t been able to attend an APP game at The Rock for about 3 years after not missing a game for close to 15 years (probably missed 1 or 2) so I thought I would post my impressions on the game day, fans, bands, teams, coaches, etc. --- I had 4 of my OLD high school friends meet in Boone and we spent the weekend – only one had ever been to Boone and none to an APP football game. ---
1. Thanks to Daphne for welcoming us to her tailgate – the food was wonderful and her graciousness was just as you would expect, superior – Also thanks to AppGrad78 for his hospitality and all the new friends I met !!!
2. The Game Day Tailgate experience was even better than I remembered – the enthusiasm and excitement was everywhere – At least 3 of my buddies said it was the best they had ever seen and they have been to some “big time” football games. It was a gorgeous day and that is always a big plus for tailgating – All the Black and Gold everywhere was beautiful and inspiring ---
3. Kidd Brewer looked great – the larger endzone bleachers really add to the big stadium feel – All my guys were impressed by the stadium and surrounding areas – They just kept saying, “Man, this a beautiful setting”
4. Fans – I have read where the fans Saturday were not cheering, not into it, unenthusiastic, etc. – I have been at KBS when it was rocking and I have been there with about 4,000 other fans for a playoff game against Maine. It wasn’t rocking against GA State but I found the crowd larger than I expected and felt the crowd was with the team – no problem from my viewpoint ---
5. Bands – I remember the days when the NC Band of Distinction really rocked The Rock – I felt the band was better than what I saw about 3+ years ago and they did play while in the stands – I don’t know how much having the GA State band there also affected how much they played as they clearly gave GSU time to play as well – the GSU band there was smaller but I felt they were very good. Generally the canned music was annoying ---
6. I read just a few of the mostly negative comments about our kicker, our offense, our play calling etc., You play to win the game!!! – situations and opponents dictate much of what happens – Anyone there could tell that GSU wasn’t going to drive the ball down the field on us and score, only a fluke score or a long bomb, etc., was going to beat us. It was a defensive battle and our coaches played to our strengths. You don’t have to always be “exciting” to be a winner. Lay off Rubino!!! – he is a freshman who has played 5 games – Did any of you guys watch other college games on Saturday??? – many missed FGs from the “big boys” and one had 3 XPs blocked – Come On !!!
7. I told my buddies when we took over with about 8 minutes left that we would find out if this was the team Coach Satterfield felt he had – if so, we would drive all the way down the field, eat up the clock and put points on the board – 6 minutes later – CHECK, CHECK and CHECK!!!
8. Finally, my guys were really impressed with all facets of our day – they want to come back next year!!! – We now have 4 new APP STATE MOUNTAINEER FANS ---

[AppGrad78]

To add to WVAPPeer's post, the aunt and uncle of one of our players made their first-ever visit to Boone on Saturday and joined our tailgate. They were simply amazed by the atmosphere. Sometimes we lose perspective at what a unique and wonderful game-day experience we have.

[bigdaddyg]

Key word is perspective. If you have not been to a game in a while or ever it might seem great. If you don't ever miss a game you notice drop offs or things to improve

[Appftw]

It was a picture perfect day and I had a great time. That being said I felt like that overall atmosphere and level of excitement inside the stadium was very lacking and the worst I've seen in years. Maybe it's just me, but I'm in section 203 and there were maybe 10 people in the whole section that ever made any noise on 3rd down and I felt very conspicuous yelling like an idiot (still did tho). Even the students seemed a bit lackadaisical.

Did anyone else feel like this? Or was it all in my head?

[boonetown1]

It was a picture perfect day and I had a great time. That being said I felt like that overall atmosphere and level of excitement inside the stadium was very lacking and the worst I've seen in years. Maybe it's just me, but I'm in section 203 and there were maybe 10 people in the whole section that ever made any noise on 3rd down and I felt very conspicuous yelling like an idiot (still did tho). Even the students seemed a bit lackadaisical.

Did anyone else feel like this? Or was it all in my head?

I sat on the west side and felt the same way. As a matter of fact, 90% of the time I sit on the west side I feel like that. The lower east side is usually more fun IMO. I wish the PA announcer would call out fans sometimes.....

[AppinATL]

It was a picture perfect day and I had a great time. That being said I felt like that overall atmosphere and level of excitement inside the stadium was very lacking and the worst I've seen in years. Maybe it's just me, but I'm in section 203 and there were maybe 10 people in the whole section that ever made any noise on 3rd down and I felt very conspicuous yelling like an idiot (still did tho). Even the students seemed a bit lackadaisical.

Did anyone else feel like this? Or was it all in my head?

It was definitely a less raucous crowd, but that Miami game was a tough act to follow. From the east side I could see that the student section was not as packed as usual and bless them, they tried, but the reality of it is, that was a pretty boring game! I don't care how big a fan, its hard to be cheering like a fool all day when nothing much is going on on the field. It picked up a bit in the second half when we finally got a little something going.

And can we just stop with the canned music? Can we all get together and make it known to the powers that be, that we are sick of it in its current form? They've listened to us in the past about certain issues, let's let them know how we feel about this. I'm not saying cut it out altogether, but what we're doing now is just plain bas and its embarrassing. Play it before the game, some during timeouts if you have to and when the band is getting back to their seats. We should never play it between plays, EVER , no matter who has the ball. Half the time, they wait till the last minute and end up playing 2-3 second of something before they have to cut it off. What's the point of THAT? The band used to keep things going in there playing snippets of Ironman or whatever between plays and it was great. They knew how to time it. Let's get back to that. Let's make it sound like college football in there again instead of an NHL game.

[AppinVA]

Oh. Forgot to post this Saturday.

Take that, orange sweater boy!

[Appftw]

I really miss "Bugler's Dream". You can't even hear the kickoff chant anymore because of how loud the music is. Very much agree about the canned music.

[HighlandsApp]

A perspective --- I haven’t been able to attend an APP game at The Rock for about 3 years after not missing a game for close to 15 years (probably missed 1 or 2) so I thought I would post my impressions on the game day, fans, bands, teams, coaches, etc. --- I had 4 of my OLD high school friends meet in Boone and we spent the weekend – only one had ever been to Boone and none to an APP football game. ---
1. Thanks to Daphne for welcoming us to her tailgate – the food was wonderful and her graciousness was just as you would expect, superior – Also thanks to AppGrad78 for his hospitality and all the new friends I met !!!
2. The Game Day Tailgate experience was even better than I remembered – the enthusiasm and excitement was everywhere – At least 3 of my buddies said it was the best they had ever seen and they have been to some “big time” football games. It was a gorgeous day and that is always a big plus for tailgating – All the Black and Gold everywhere was beautiful and inspiring ---
3. Kidd Brewer looked great – the larger endzone bleachers really add to the big stadium feel – All my guys were impressed by the stadium and surrounding areas – They just kept saying, “Man, this a beautiful setting”
4. Fans – I have read where the fans Saturday were not cheering, not into it, unenthusiastic, etc. – I have been at KBS when it was rocking and I have been there with about 4,000 other fans for a playoff game against Maine. It wasn’t rocking against GA State but I found the crowd larger than I expected and felt the crowd was with the team – no problem from my viewpoint ---
5. Bands – I remember the days when the NC Band of Distinction really rocked The Rock – I felt the band was better than what I saw about 3+ years ago and they did play while in the stands – I don’t know how much having the GA State band there also affected how much they played as they clearly gave GSU time to play as well – the GSU band there was smaller but I felt they were very good. Generally the canned music was annoying ---
6. I read just a few of the mostly negative comments about our kicker, our offense, our play calling etc., You play to win the game!!! – situations and opponents dictate much of what happens – Anyone there could tell that GSU wasn’t going to drive the ball down the field on us and score, only a fluke score or a long bomb, etc., was going to beat us. It was a defensive battle and our coaches played to our strengths. You don’t have to always be “exciting” to be a winner. Lay off Rubino!!! – he is a freshman who has played 5 games – Did any of you guys watch other college games on Saturday??? – many missed FGs from the “big boys” and one had 3 XPs blocked – Come On !!!
7. I told my buddies when we took over with about 8 minutes left that we would find out if this was the team Coach Satterfield felt he had – if so, we would drive all the way down the field, eat up the clock and put points on the board – 6 minutes later – CHECK, CHECK and CHECK!!!
8. Finally, my guys were really impressed with all facets of our day – they want to come back next year!!! – We now have 4 new APP STATE MOUNTAINEER FANS ---

Great post. There is no better place to be where it is on a Thursday night, Saturday at noon or Saturday at 3:30. I always say; "A bad day in Boone is better than a good day anyplace else".

[SpeedkingATL]

It was a perfect day for football and a nice crowd with an 0-3 GaSt team on the menu. Crowd wasn't as loud as it could have been but there were so few explosive plays, especially in the first half to get the crowd going. The App crowd did react with a roar to Duck's de-cleater on Hart which was pretty explosive! I will never complain about a 17-3 conference win but it was certainly a workman like effort with much credit going to the defense for this one. My drive back to ATL was a happy one; hopefully there will be many others.

Just win, Baby!

[eggers76]

I got to briefly meet you and your three friends WVAPPeer, so it was good to put a face to your posts. I'm glad you and your friends all had a great day.

[Gnomeneer]

Twas nice to meet The Coach with the rest of his WV crowd. I truly appreciate your point on view of the day.

As far as our kicker, just ask Julian how his freshman year was at ECU. He did quite well his senior year......

[appbio91]

I agree with the poster who pointed out sometimes th crowd is taken out by the style of play or the game. Grind it out play gets it done but people don't stand up and scream for 4 or 5 yard runs. Sometimes that is what you have to do (or get to do) to win and we do a lot of that.

[ASU-FTW]

I really miss "Bugler's Dream". You can't even hear the kickoff chant anymore because of how loud the music is. Very much agree about the canned music.

And when you say kickoff chant I assume you mean the "you suck, asshole"?

[WVAPPeer]

Twas nice to meet The Coach with the rest of his WV crowd. I truly appreciate your point on view of the day.

As far as our kicker, just ask Julian how his freshman year was at ECU. He did quite well his senior year......

Thank you ---

[WVAPPeer]

I got to briefly meet you and your three friends WVAPPeer, so it was good to put a face to your posts. I'm glad you and your friends all had a great day.

Thank you ---

[WVAPPeer]

An addendum to my original post - We were sitting on the STATE side - lower level ---

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I was down in the student section on the west side with my daughter and some of her friends. It was not packed in but crowded. The students stood the entire time and always yelled on 3 and 4th down and when asked by the video board. They were in to the game as much as could be expected.

I also noticed that the canned music seemed to take the students out of the game a bit. JM is the one that started this and if memory serves it was because the students liked it at the time. Those students are now mostly gone and the novelty of the canned music is gone as well it seems. Maybe it is time to get rid of it for at least a few years. I personally don't care for it, but can put up with it if the students loved it. It seems they don't at a level to have it on as much as is happening between plays. They do enjoy a few songs to sing with. My suggestion would be to scale it back to long TV timeouts when there is no PR piece on the field or the dance team or cheerleaders don't have a routine to show. That would be acceptable to me.

[appsfan]

It was a picture perfect day and I had a great time. That being said I felt like that overall atmosphere and level of excitement inside the stadium was very lacking and the worst I've seen in years. Maybe it's just me, but I'm in section 203 and there were maybe 10 people in the whole section that ever made any noise on 3rd down and I felt very conspicuous yelling like an idiot (still did tho). Even the students seemed a bit lackadaisical.

Did anyone else feel like this? Or was it all in my head?

I am in 203 too. I don't think it was quite as bad as you thought it was, but I am one who yells during each down when we are on defense too. I am down in the handicap seats, which puts me right behind the students and I may hear more cheering/crowd noise since the section is somewhat behind me. Also, there was plenty of grumbling around us due to the closeness of the game...

[appsfan]

Since WVAPPeer touched on it, I will address some concerns here- what is going on with the Band and Cheerleaders? We play FBS football and I expect an FBS environment, not a high school one. The band gets outplayed by a band half their size on Saturday. We don't play Bugler's Dream when we have the opportunity (well, one time piped in music drowned it out.) We score in the first series after halftime and where are the cheerleaders? The band also can't play Hi Hi Yikas then, since the drum line is in the corner of the stadium (I haven't hear the drum line do anything the last two games) so bring in the piped in fight song. We score late in the game and the A P P flags run across one end zone, wait, wait and now comes the S T A T E flags, make that the S T A flags. The dependence on piped in music has become annoying. Maybe they had a bad day? Maybe not? Come on we can be better that this.