I'm actually a big proponent of rushing the field or court by students after big wins. I find those sports writers who get all sanctimonious about it -- decrying it as potentially dangerous or stupid -- as killjoys who have long ago lost any sense of joy in sports. Now having said that, Virginia winning 16-13 in overtime over North Carolina hardly constitutes a rushing the field moment. Yes, North Carolina was ranked in the top-25 before the game, but they were not even in the top-ten. Plus, the Tar Heels losing to the Hoos is not exactly something new. Virginia has now won nine of the last eleven meetings. In Charlottesville, North Carolina has now dropped fourteen straight. The last time UNC won there was 1981.
What exactly about any of that says, "Yes, we must rush the field to celebrate winning -- again -- over a team we have owned."? Well, other than to suggest a fear that the good times are coming to an end.
It was confusing to me when it happened, and apparently even the students felt rather silly about it after the fact. As soon as the PA announcer asked them to clear the field, they quickly complied.
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You have no idea you weren't there. We rushed the field because this season we have sucked, and nobody could have predicted that we would be beating ranked teams after getting distroyed by USC, Uconn, and Duke. DUKE! WE rushed the field because this felt like it legitimized our hope that our season has turned around, and we are actually a team to contend with now. Also, the game was really, really close, and we only won it with a final 80 yard drive where we completed like 6 passes in a row, a half blocked free point that limped in, and a close overtime score.
Also, we didn't feel silly, we just got off the field because we are good students.
I think it was more the WAY U.Va. won rather than the fact that they won.
Beating a ranked team in come from behind, overtime fashion after starting the season in the most abysmal way possible? That sounds like a decent reason to celebrate.
You are a proponent of rushing the field? You know what I hate? Someone who starts their argument by saying they are a "big proponent" of whatever weak subject they have chosen as a subject to blog about. If you were a UVA fan and at the game you would have rushed the field too... provided that you are actually a "proponent" of doing so.
We were shut out all game and in a matter of 15 minutes of real time we saw an 82 yard drive to get within one point. Then a blocked extra point crept over the crossbar by the hair of our chiny chin chin's to send the game in overtime. Then we held UNC to a field goal followed closely behind a game winning TD to end the game. I thought myself maybe this isn't an occasion to rush the field since the only other 4 times we have done it in school history was 1990-Clemson, 1995-FSU, 2002-VT and again in 2005 against FSU. Then again I'm not sure that I have seen UVA win a game against anybody in that fashion in 25 years of going to games in that Stadium.
Honestly, I am normally a "big proponent" of blogging, but in this case I think I will dismiss your "analysis" and just be happy that my son and I were jumping up and down in the end zone, slapping helmets and shoulder pads with the guys who made the memory happen for us.
Maybe the real journalists and members of the mainstream media are right about bloggers. Anybody with access to a computer can make stupid comments about subjects that they have little knowledge of since you guys are so busy at your computers and not taking part in real life. Maybe next time I look you up(like I ever will) you will be a "big proponent" of people who reply to bloggers at 2:46 am.
I beg to differ. I'm a U.Va grad and it's true we have owned UNC at Scott Stadium, but this was still a huge win for us. It was a comeback win for the ages, at least for those of us who follow and love dear old U.Va.
The first 1/3 of the season was a disaster, and the "pundits" were telling us we would have a horrific season. The coach and kids have turned it around, at least for now. This win was a dramatic symbol of the "never-say-die" attitude of this team and program.
UNC is a fine school with good students, but this win was sweet for us. If the kids stormed the field, it was not because they are sore winners who wanted to "rub it in." The kids stormed the field because they were HAPPY and wanted to celebrate. How many times in life do we really feel so motivated and uninhibited to show such joy? In an era of economic uncertainty, terrorism, etc, we all want moments when we can come alive. Should the kids shouldn't fell "silly?" ABSOLUTELY NOT!