What's your team's best playoff run?

[bandl]

But we won, right? You can't sit there and act like your big win was over a powerhouse and then belittle a close win the very next year. Weren't they at least mildly competitive the next year? Or did the defeat at the hands of the mighty Blue Hens completely deflate the entire conference?? That must be it. All hail UD!! The App. State of the north.

I'm confused. Are you saying that the Patriot League was good or bad in 2003/4? You seem to be all over the place.

Bad in 2003, disregarding the fact that Colgate made it to the final. Doesn't matter, the conference was bad.
Good in 2004, disregarding the fact that Lehigh is a different team altogether. Doesn't matter, the conference was good.

I don't see what is so hard about this. It's like night and day.

[93henfan]

I'm confused. Are you saying that the Patriot League was good or bad in 2003/4? You seem to be all over the place.

Bad in 2003, disregarding the fact that Colgate made it to the final. Doesn't matter, the conference was bad.
Good in 2004, disregarding the fact that Lehigh is a different team altogether. Doesn't matter, the conference was good.

I don't see what is so hard about this. It's like night and day.

Whatever suits the JMU argument.

Getting back to topic though, our championship run was way more dominating than yours.

[bandl]

Bad in 2003, disregarding the fact that Colgate made it to the final. Doesn't matter, the conference was bad.
Good in 2004, disregarding the fact that Lehigh is a different team altogether. Doesn't matter, the conference was good.

I don't see what is so hard about this. It's like night and day.

Whatever suits the JMU argument.

Getting back to topic though, our championship run was way more dominating than yours.

I agree.

But at least we got to beat up on Montana.

So it's a win-win all around here. For the CAA. No one else.

[Col Hogan]

Best run for UMass has to be 1998 when the Minutemen won the NC...

Score totals - 144 - 114

Beat Mcneese St., Lehigh, Northwestern St. and Georgia Southern...

[andy7171]

Has to be 1991:

Defeated Villanova in the 1st round on the 4th and 10 hail mary to Herb Williams to set-up Jeff Wilkins game winning kick 17-16.

Defeated Nevada on the road in the 2nd round 30-28. Their left footed kicker missed a chip shot wide left from the right hash to win it in Reno.

Defeated Samford at home 10-0.

Defeated Marshall 25-17, after trailing to the Herd 17-6 at one point.

Last game of my sophomore year. You guys must have been resting your starters, you only beat us by 10, 17-27. We were BAD that year 1-10.

[Grizalltheway]

Whatever suits the JMU argument.

Getting back to topic though, our championship run was way more dominating than yours.

I agree.

But at least we got to beat up on Montana.

So it's a win-win all around here. For the CAA. No one else.

God hates you...just so you know.

[GannonFan]

So says the guy of the team that struggled just the following year to win in the first round against a team from the now unmentioned conference.

But we won, right? You can't sit there and act like your big win was over a powerhouse and then belittle a close win the very next year. Weren't they at least mildly competitive the next year? Or did the defeat at the hands of the mighty Blue Hens completely deflate the entire conference?? That must be it. All hail UD!! The App. State of the north.

93's right here, mcveyrl, I think you're a bit erratic in thinking here. I made a point that the Patriot League used to be good back in the '03, '04 timeframe. It's of late (say the last 3 or 4 years) when they've really come crashing down in terms of national competitiveness. That's why I said they were good in '03 and '04. You were the one who felt that even back in '03 they weren't any good (and I would assume '04 as well, hence my dig that you guys then struggled with what you seem to think wasn't a very good team).

Your anti-UD, anti-App St feelings are getting in the way here. Be careful, you don't want to end up like that umassfan guy who couldn't form a coherent thought whenever the topic included Delaware.

[mcveyrl]

But we won, right? You can't sit there and act like your big win was over a powerhouse and then belittle a close win the very next year. Weren't they at least mildly competitive the next year? Or did the defeat at the hands of the mighty Blue Hens completely deflate the entire conference?? That must be it. All hail UD!! The App. State of the north.

I'm confused. Are you saying that the Patriot League was good or bad in 2003/4? You seem to be all over the place.

I don't think the Patriot League was ever great. I really wasn't arguing either way. They were probably good both years.

My point was that GF talked about how it was really something to beat them by 40 points...one of the greatest runs in FCS playoff history. And then, when I made a PL joke, he acts like we struggled to beat the JV squad and it was an embarrassment. You can't say that beating them topped off one of the greatest playoff runs in history in '03 and then that we should somehow be ashamed we beat them in '04. To me, GF was all over the place.

[mcveyrl]

93's right here, mcveyrl, I think you're a bit erratic in thinking here. I made a point that the Patriot League used to be good back in the '03, '04 timeframe. It's of late (say the last 3 or 4 years) when they've really come crashing down in terms of national competitiveness. That's why I said they were good in '03 and '04. You were the one who felt that even back in '03 they weren't any good (and I would assume '04 as well, hence my dig that you guys then struggled with what you seem to think wasn't a very good team).

Your anti-UD, anti-App St feelings are getting in the way here. Be careful, you don't want to end up like that umassfan guy who couldn't form a coherent thought whenever the topic included Delaware.

I never said they weren't any good, I was confused by your blasting our win in '04 and heralding your win in '03. See above.

And I don't have any anti-UD or even anti-App St. feelings. I've made it known that I'm closer to App. St. than any other FCS school and usually pull for them otherwise (although I keep promising to go to a game after generous offers from board members and keep not making the trip... ). And I probably like UD out of most of the rest of the CAA, except maybe W&M, but I've got close friends as alumni. And if I ever end up like umassfan, I will give you my address. Please. Come to my house...and shoot me.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Your anti-UD, anti-App St feelings are getting in the way here. Be careful, you don't want to end up like that umassfan guy who couldn't form a coherent thought whenever the topic included Delaware.

What the hell are you talking about? I've never seen assfan post a single coherent thought.

You have got to be referring to the level of doltism being greater regarding UD or something.

[GannonFan]

Your anti-UD, anti-App St feelings are getting in the way here. Be careful, you don't want to end up like that umassfan guy who couldn't form a coherent thought whenever the topic included Delaware.

What the hell are you talking about? I've never seen assfan post a single coherent thought.

You have got to be referring to the level of doltism being greater regarding UD or something.

I was being magnaminous towards lesser posters like that individual.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

What the hell are you talking about? I've never seen assfan post a single coherent thought.

You have got to be referring to the level of doltism being greater regarding UD or something.

I was being magnaminous towards lesser posters like that individual.

My apologies for missing the subtlety.

I thought I may have missed my opportunity to see something that could at least be considered mediocre.

[blueballs]

Best run for UMass has to be 1998 when the Minutemen won the NC...

Score totals - 144 - 114

Beat Mcneese St., Lehigh, Northwestern St. and Georgia Southern...

I was having a good day and then you had to go and bring that up...

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Best run for UMass has to be 1998 when the Minutemen won the NC...

Score totals - 144 - 114

Beat Mcneese St., Lehigh, Northwestern St. and Georgia Southern...

I was having a good day and then you had to go and bring that up...

I've never seen a team come apart like GSU did in that game. I kept thinking to myself that there was no way that they could fumble again and that they had met their quota. I started saying that about fumble No. 4. I said it several more times. Slippery conditions and some good hitting like UMass was doing will contribute to that sort of thing I suppose.

[blueballs]

For the old time GSU fans 1985 without a doubt...

The Eagles snuck into the playoffs as an at large and defeated Jackson State in the first round at Paulson.

Then it was on to MTSU to face the #1 rank team who had MOL destroyed GSU at Paulson early in the year. To say that MTSU looked past GSU would not be an understatement in the least. GSU knocked MTSU off its high horse 28-21 then went on to Cedar Falls to face Cap'n Cat, D1B, and mighty Northern Iowa. In a game for the ages where the outcome was MOL who had the ball last GSU prevailed 40-33.

In the championship game GSU overcame a 22 point third quarter deficit behind Tracy Ham to win on a TD with 10 seconds left on a play known simply as "The Catch" to win 44-42.

[youtube][/youtube]

It was a magical run engineered by the great Erk Russell and so many traditions were born then, from "runts try harder," GATA, to the sprinkling of Beautiful Eagle Creek water in the endzones on the road. Literally rags to riches...

Honorable mention has to go to the 1990 team, the "Last of the Hard," who suffered heavy graduation losses (and Erk's retirement) from the 1989 undefeated team, started 1-3 then, after surviving a 28-27 scare from Idaho in the round of 8, steamrolled UCF and Nevada by a combined score of 80-20 to win GSU's fourth title in five years. That senior class, led by Raymond Gross and Giff Smith, was tremendous.

[OL FU]

For the old time GSU fans 1985 without a doubt...

The Eagles snuck into the playoffs as an at large and defeated Jackson State in the first round at Paulson.

Then it was on to MTSU to face the #1 rank team who had MOL destroyed GSU at Paulson early in the year. To say that MTSU looked past GSU would not be an understatement in the least. GSU knocked MTSU off its high horse 28-21 then went on to Cedar Falls to face Cap'n Cat, D1B, and mighty Northern Iowa. In a game for the ages where the outcome was MOL who had the ball last GSU prevailed 40-33.

In the championship game GSU overcame a 22 point third quarter deficit behind Tracy Ham to win on a TD with 10 seconds left on a play known simply as "The Catch" to win 44-42.

[youtube][/youtube]

It was a magical run engineered by the great Erk Russell and so many traditions were born then, from "runts try harder," GATA, to the sprinkling of Beautiful Eagle Creek water in the endzones on the road. Literally rags to riches...

Honorable mention has to go to the 1990 team, the "Last of the Hard," who suffered heavy graduation losses (and Erk's retirement) from the 1989 undefeated team, started 1-3 then, after surviving a 28-27 scare from Idaho in the round of 8, steamrolled UCF and Nevada by a combined score of 80-20 to win GSU's fourth title in five years. That senior class, led by Raymond Gross and Giff Smith, was tremendous.

I was having a good day until you brought that up

[blueballs]

For the old time GSU fans 1985 without a doubt...

The Eagles snuck into the playoffs as an at large and defeated Jackson State in the first round at Paulson.

Then it was on to MTSU to face the #1 rank team who had MOL destroyed GSU at Paulson early in the year. To say that MTSU looked past GSU would not be an understatement in the least. GSU knocked MTSU off its high horse 28-21 then went on to Cedar Falls to face Cap'n Cat, D1B, and mighty Northern Iowa. In a game for the ages where the outcome was MOL who had the ball last GSU prevailed 40-33.

In the championship game GSU overcame a 22 point third quarter deficit behind Tracy Ham to win on a TD with 10 seconds left on a play known simply as "The Catch" to win 44-42.

[youtube][/youtube]

It was a magical run engineered by the great Erk Russell and so many traditions were born then, from "runts try harder," GATA, to the sprinkling of Beautiful Eagle Creek water in the endzones on the road. Literally rags to riches...

Honorable mention has to go to the 1990 team, the "Last of the Hard," who suffered heavy graduation losses (and Erk's retirement) from the 1989 undefeated team, started 1-3 then, after surviving a 28-27 scare from Idaho in the round of 8, steamrolled UCF and Nevada by a combined score of 80-20 to win GSU's fourth title in five years. That senior class, led by Raymond Gross and Giff Smith, was tremendous.

I was having a good day until you brought that up

I know, I know... but at least you paid us back in 1988 when Gross fumbled in the Furman redzone with about a minute left. That loss was probably as heartbreaking for GSU as Furman's loss in 1985 was.

Here's a question for you OL FU, which team IYO was better? Your 1985 team or your 1988 team?

[Pwns]

Agreed with blueballs...GSC 1985 was probably the most unlikely NC run ever, and there was the turnaround in 1990...I myself am partial to the years when we won all four games by double digits. GSU has two of the six teams that have accomplished that since the IAA playoffs went to the 16-team format.

1999
72-29 over Northern Arizona
38-21 over UMass
28-17 over Illinois State
59-24 over Youngstown State
average marigin of victory 26.5

1986
52-21 over NCA&T
55-31 over Nicholls State
48-38 over Nevada
48-21 over Arkansas State
average marigin of victory: 23

I know, I know... but at least you paid us back in 1988 when Gross fumbled in the Furman redzone with about a minute left. That loss was probably as heartbreaking for GSU as Furman's loss in 1985 was.

Here's a question for you OL FU, which team IYO was better? Your 1985 team or your 1988 team?

I've heard some Furman fans say the 1989 team was the best they ever had, and 1988 was number 2.

[CatMom]

I've never seen a team come apart like GSU did in that game. I kept thinking to myself that there was no way that they could fumble again and that they had met their quota. I started saying that about fumble No. 4. I said it several more times. Slippery conditions and some good hitting like UMass was doing will contribute to that sort of thing I suppose.

Oh, I don't know...look at the 2005 opening round game at TXST.
(and it was good weather)

GSU was up 35-16 with 4 minutes left in the 3rd. We scored 34 unanswered points and won 50-35

[CatMom]

TXST/SWT is probably the back to back DII championships but I wasn't around for those. Ok, so we moved to TX is 1982 but my kids were 3 & 5 and I wasn't much into college football at the time. Fact, that first year we were here I hardly had time for any sports just trying to get acclimated and settled.

While '05 was good, it wasn't great and I'll never forgive Bailiff for that knee. UNI didn't win so much as the coach gave it to them. And no, I don't hold anything against UNI. You're given that opp (gift, chance, whatever) you go for it.

[BearIt]

One of my personal runs was in 2004. We started early in the season going down to SHSU and getting our asses handed to us. We couldn't handle the heat and humidity.

We started the playoffs hosting Northwestern that was supposed to have an amazing run defense and everyone said we couldn't keep up with the SLC team speed. Especially after seeing the early season drubbing we took. We beat the Demons 56-7 and racked up over 250 yards rushing.

Next week UNH Wildcats with Ball out with an injury. UNH was still the favorite. Montana wins 47-17

Next up, rematch with SHSU. The stadium was packed and was one of the most energized crowds ever at WGS. Montana was able to return the favor with a 34-13 victory. Which many SHSU fans to this day believe we only won because we were shooting a cannon after every score.

Here's where the fun stops. We ended the run with the infamous "Turf battle" against JMU in Chattanooga. Much like this year's Championship, we pretty much owned the first half only to get the rock pounded down our throats the second half. I still have nightmares of the JMU's running back peeling off 7 and 8 yard runs at will.

[OL FU]

I was having a good day until you brought that up

I know, I know... but at least you paid us back in 1988 when Gross fumbled in the Furman redzone with about a minute left. That loss was probably as heartbreaking for GSU as Furman's loss in 1985 was.

Here's a question for you OL FU, which team IYO was better? Your 1985 team or your 1988 team?

1988 had the best defense, maybe our best ever, but the offense was sluggish. 1985 team had it all except for the ability to tackle Tracy Hamm I would pick 85 over 88. However, I would say our '89 team may very well have been our all time best. Lost to Clemson ( I think it was Clemson) and pretty much rolled over everyone until SFA beat us in the semi's. Our starting QB DeBusk was hurt and didn't play. IT snowed 6 inches (and only at Furman, no snow in Greenville or north of TR) and we spotted SFA a couple of easy touchdowns on fumbles before falling short missing a two point conversion in the final minutes. A GSU/FU rematch of arguably two of the best teams the programs have had would have been an awesome event.

[OL FU]

Agreed with blueballs...GSC 1985 was probably the most unlikely NC run ever, and there was the turnaround in 1990...I myself am partial to the years when we won all four games by double digits. GSU has two of the six teams that have accomplished that since the IAA playoffs went to the 16-team format.

1999
72-29 over Northern Arizona
38-21 over UMass
28-17 over Illinois State
59-24 over Youngstown State
average marigin of victory 26.5

1986
52-21 over NCA&T
55-31 over Nicholls State
48-38 over Nevada
48-21 over Arkansas State
average marigin of victory: 23

I know, I know... but at least you paid us back in 1988 when Gross fumbled in the Furman redzone with about a minute left. That loss was probably as heartbreaking for GSU as Furman's loss in 1985 was.

Here's a question for you OL FU, which team IYO was better? Your 1985 team or your 1988 team?

I've heard some Furman fans say the 1989 team was the best they ever had, and 1988 was number 2.

I confirm, except that I think 85 was better than 88. Of course it is hard to say that since 88 won it all.

But you know sometimes competition is important also. In '05 we lost in the semis. In 04 we lost in the quarters. But our 04 team was better than 05. In 05 we had no defense. Sometimes the division is better than others. The 04 playoff field was much much stronger than the 05 field.

[OL FU]

and to answer the thread question, 1988, obviously

[SpeedkingATL]

Best playoff run was 2005 thru 2007 with 12 straight playoff wins. (not counting the 2008 playoffs as the run ended).