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Years ago I discovered this poem while doing research on the reporting of 19th Century football. I later placed it on Ohio�s football Wikipedia page. I thought it appropriate to reproduce it here the week of another Mountaineer trip to Athens. Hopefully, in 2025 the Bobcats will put up another effort worthy of such a literary accolade: And they came and they were conquer'd With swift dispatch and ease, And they felt that twinging sorrow which In vain they could appease Thought not that woe awaited them Across Ohio's stream. And like the poet found that things Aren't ever what they seem. And they came from fair Virginia The place of Morgantown. Where swift Monogahela flows Past mountains looking down: Proud and boasting came they hither To wrestle for the goals Which they found almost as quickly As disembodied souls. Badly battered left they homeward In vain could they conceal The awful havoc of their bucks 'Gainst O.U.'s pointed steel: And they left here sad but wiser Of many manly tricks, For the gridiron here is hot As Athens politics. The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,848 Status: Offline     RE: OHIO�fS legendary 1897 victory over WVU    Posted: 9/6/2025 8:52:58 PM  Now it's time for one of our BA creative poets to write a poem about OHIO's third home victory against WVU. Also, I'll have to say that the Chrysanthemums looking down from Heaven are proud today! What am I talking about? Well, in reading accounts of the 1897 games there was one story that referred to OHIO as the Chrysanthemums. I was never quite sure if this was a name adopted by the team, or if the reporter just invented it. Regardless, I've always thought of these early OHIO teams by that name. The official Bobcat mascot was not adopted until years later. So, Notre Dame wins one for the Gipper. Ohio wins one for the Chrysanthemums! EDIT: To correct the number of OHIO home victories over WVU. It's now three, and not two. We also beat them 17-7 in 1949. They never won in Athens. Are now 0-3 in Athens. Last Edited: 9/7/2025 3:13:18 PM by OhioCatFan The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top BryanHall General User Member Since: 9/11/2010 Post Count: 559 Status: Offline     RE: OHIOfS legendary 1897 victory over WVU    Posted: 9/7/2025 8:25:48 PM  OhioCatFan wrote: Now it's time for one of our BA creative poets to write a poem about OHIO's third home victory against WVU. Also, I'll have to say that the Chrysanthemums looking down from Heaven are proud today! What am I talking about? Well, in reading accounts of the 1897 games there was one story that referred to OHIO as the Chrysanthemums. I was never quite sure if this was a name adopted by the team, or if the reporter just invented it. Regardless, I've always thought of these early OHIO teams by that name. The official Bobcat mascot was not adopted until years later. So, Notre Dame wins one for the Gipper. Ohio wins one for the Chrysanthemums! EDIT: To correct the number of OHIO home victories over WVU. It's now three, and not two. We also beat them 17-7 in 1949. They never won in Athens. Are now 0-3 in Athens. There once was a girl from Morgantown, Who cried as her Mountaineers crumbled down. At the Frank Bobcats play, Victorious that day, While the hillbilly crowd wore a frown. Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,848 Status: Offline     RE: OHIOfS legendary 1897 victory over WVU    Posted: 9/8/2025 8:18:40 PM  BryanHall wrote: OhioCatFan wrote: Now it's time for one of our BA creative poets to write a poem about OHIO's third home victory against WVU. Also, I'll have to say that the Chrysanthemums looking down from Heaven are proud today! What am I talking about? Well, in reading accounts of the 1897 games there was one story that referred to OHIO as the Chrysanthemums. I was never quite sure if this was a name adopted by the team, or if the reporter just invented it. Regardless, I've always thought of these early OHIO teams by that name. The official Bobcat mascot was not adopted until years later. So, Notre Dame wins one for the Gipper. Ohio wins one for the Chrysanthemums! EDIT: To correct the number of OHIO home victories over WVU. It's now three, and not two. We also beat them 17-7 in 1949. They never won in Athens. Are now 0-3 in Athens. There once was a girl from Morgantown, Who cried as her Mountaineers crumbled down. At the Frank Bobcats play, Victorious that day, While the hillbilly crowd wore a frown. Not bad! Anyone else care to try their hand at this? Perhaps, the original poem and all the sequels should find their way to WVU board. The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top Victory General User Member Since: 3/10/2012 Post Count: 2,361 Status: Online     RE: OHIOfS legendary 1897 victory over WVU    Posted: 9/8/2025 8:51:27 PM  I cheated here. I didn't write this. Here in Athens, Ohio, on Frank Solich's green field, The Mountaineers of West Virginia, their fate concealed. They came from Morgantown, their hopes held so high, To challenge the Bobcats beneath the autumn sky. But the Bobcat defense, with strength and with might, Held fast against the rushing game, and bravely did fight. Though White broke free for an early score, Ohio responded, wanting victory more. Navarro's arm, though at times it did stray, Led his offense forward, gaining yards along the way. With Bangura's strong run and Hendricks' swift stride, The Bobcats found the end zone, and the lead they did ride. From the Big 12 they journeyed, a Power Four foe, But Ohio's determination, they truly did show. In a stadium packed, a record-setting throng, The Bobcats stood tall, where they rightfully belong. West Virginia's hopes were dashed, their offense subdued, As Michael Molnar's defense, relentless and shrewd. With sacks and tackles, he led the brave charge, Protecting the victory, standing ever so large. So cheer for the Bobcats, their spirit so grand, A 17-10 triumph across the Ohio land. Against a Big 12 opponent, they proved their true might, A glorious win, bathed in the evening's bright light. Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,848 Status: Offline     RE: OHIOfS legendary 1897 victory over WVU    Posted: 9/8/2025 11:51:15 PM  Victory wrote: I cheated here. I didn't write this. Here in Athens, Ohio, on Frank Solich's green field, The Mountaineers of West Virginia, their fate concealed. They came from Morgantown, their hopes held so high, To challenge the Bobcats beneath the autumn sky. But the Bobcat defense, with strength and with might, Held fast against the rushing game, and bravely did fight. Though White broke free for an early score, Ohio responded, wanting victory more. Navarro's arm, though at times it did stray, Led his offense forward, gaining yards along the way. With Bangura's strong run and Hendricks' swift stride, The Bobcats found the end zone, and the lead they did ride. From the Big 12 they journeyed, a Power Four foe, But Ohio's determination, they truly did show. In a stadium packed, a record-setting throng, The Bobcats stood tall, where they rightfully belong. West Virginia's hopes were dashed, their offense subdued, As Michael Molnar's defense, relentless and shrewd. With sacks and tackles, he led the brave charge, Protecting the victory, standing ever so large. So cheer for the Bobcats, their spirit so grand, A 17-10 triumph across the Ohio land. Against a Big 12 opponent, they proved their true might, A glorious win, bathed in the evening's bright light. Very good. Can you reveal the actual author? Inquiring minds want to know. The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top Victory General User Member Since: 3/10/2012 Post Count: 2,361 Status: Online     RE: OHIOfS legendary 1897 victory over WVU    Posted: 9/9/2025 8:20:01 AM  I googled something like "What was the newspaper poem from when Ohio defeated West Virginia in 1897" in AI Mode. When it showed me the poem I asked something like, "Can you write a similar poem about Ohio's recent win over West Virginia?" and it returned this. So there is no human author. Back to Top OhioCatFan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 14,848 Status: Offline     RE: OHIOfS legendary 1897 victory over WVU    Posted: 9/9/2025 10:33:06 AM  Victory wrote: I googled something like "What was the newspaper poem from when Ohio defeated West Virginia in 1897" in AI Mode. When it showed me the poem I asked something like, "Can you write a similar poem about Ohio's recent win over West Virginia?" and it returned this. So there is no human author. AI poetry. A new first for BA. I don't know who wrote the 1897 poem either, but I'm fairly certain it was a human! The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA "It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right." Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org Back to Top Showing Replies:   1 - 8  of 8 Posts Jump to Page:   1 View Other 'Ohio Football' Topics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               WHO'S ONLINE There are 488 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com 482 Guests 6 Registered Users:   GoCats105, NashvilleKat, Big Willy, Victory, spongeBOB CATpants, Bobcat110 There are no other users looking at this page.

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