COLUMN: A John Bonamego team ‘don’t quit’
One of the most smirk-worthy moments in sports is when visiting fans’ chants can be heard amidst the silence of disgruntled home fans.
That’s what happened Saturday, as the 50 or so Chippewa fans in the corner of The Carrier Dome could be heard proclaiming “Go, fire up Chips!” after junior quarterback Cooper Rush completed another blood pressure-boosting, last minute touchdown drive.
With seven seconds left, Rush hit senior tight end Ben McCord for the 10th time to tie it 24-24.
Orange fans were even more deflated when CMU drove to the Orange 1-yard line on second-and-goal in overtime. Things went south from there, with the Chippewas settling for a field goal and the Orange offense waking up.
Just like when fans questioned Dan Enos’ risky decision to go for the two-point conversion in the Bahamas Bowl, we could second-guess Bonamego’s choice to play it safe in the overtime period.
“The way your defense is playing, particularly in the second half, I thought we could get a stop at least and trade field goals,” Bonamego said. “If you don’t get it, then you turn the ball over to them and they’re already in field-goal range.”
That’s no fluff statement. Saturday’s stats back up Bono’s plan.
After Syracuse’s second-string quarterback Eric Dungey went out with an injury in the first half on an illegal hit from sophomore defensive tackle Mitch Stanitzek, the Chippewa defense peeled away all facets of the Orange offense.
Syracuse had 16 total yards, zero first downs and three points in the entire second half. Who could have guessed the Orange would grab their first third-down conversion of the whole game in overtime and go the 25 yards to win it?
Yes, they lost. Chippewa players and fans shouldn’t be celebrating in the streets.
But just like in the opener against Oklahoma State, the Chippewas showed some fight. They held the lead late in the game over a Power Five conference team.
And just like the maroon-and-gold fans buried in the sea of orange cheering on their Chips, the CMU football team made its voice heard on Saturday.
