So far, a lot of good, some bad, and a lot in between. Happy that NIU is 4-0 and happy with the performance this week. They looked much better than the previous two weeks. Now it's on to conference play. 3 of the next 5 are on the road, which should be a task.

The Good
-Jordan Lynch. Even when he looked hurt yesterday, he lit it up. Is he possibly one of the best to ever play in the MAC?
-Jimmie Ward and Dechane Durante. Say what you want of the bad throw at Iowa or whatnot, but all of Jimmie's last three picks have been jumping the out route. Durante, man that kid has talent. As bad as the corners have played, these two have been consistent
- O-Line play. These guys are getting the job done week in and week out.
-Special Teams. Does NIU have the best special teams unit in the MAC? I'd say yes.
-Coaching. Second half adjustments have been there. The play callling has started to progress, and penalties are starting to drop.
-Being undefeated. Going into MAC play undefeated brings confidence and a swagger. They need to keep that.
-Fan support. I've seen good crowds at Iowa and Purdue, it was a great showing at HS as well.
-Turnovers. I know many said you can't count on 5 turnovers forced, which is true. But 1/3 through the season, NIU has won the turnover battle each week. These guys are going to continue to create them. Not saying rely on it, but they will have a good turnover margin.

The Bad
-Pass defense. From what I've seen, it's been the corners and linebackers getting beat on this. I don't think Sean Evans has played well, and Marlon Moore has made some mistakes. I'm not sure Santa is as good at pass defending as some have said.
-Run Defense. Bad tackling has really hurt this team. A lot of MAC teams don't have a potent run game though, so that should shore up. Kent and Toledo are good there though, so just have to be safe.
-Slow starts have been the problem in two of the games. Just something they need to focus on is playing all 4 quarters.
-Penalties. They were improved yesterday, but still need to get better in that department.

What to look for moving forward
-This offense is probably going to average 40 ppg in MAC play
-Look for defensive improvements these next few games to gain confidence
-Continue to be road warriors. They still have 4 more road games, one in Toledo
-These guys are on a mission and you can tell by the way they are handling themselves, staying focused, and never getting down on each other.

Roethlisberger is probably the best to come out of the MAC but JL certainly deserves to be in the conversation along with the Burner and Wolfe. This is shaping up to be everything we have hoped for so let's just enjoy the ride. I'm loving every minute of it.

Everything points to NIU being able to score 40+ each game for MAC play. I believe our defense will improve. Toughest test is Ball St., thankfully we get to play them in HS.

Great review!

I would say Randy Moss is the best MAC player ever (I think they were in the MAC back then) Jason Taylor, Antonio Gates, are in the running along with Ben.

I thought Moss was gone before Marshall joined MAC but I've been wrong before.

(09-29-2013 01:45 PM)RedShark27 Wrote:  Great review!

I would say Randy Moss is the best MAC player ever (I think they were in the MAC back then) Jason Taylor, Antonio Gates, are in the running along with Ben.

Gates played basketball. We are talking football.

Moss is definitely up there, Marshall was in the MAC then.

Then Marshall was a MAC team and we weren't. Funny.

Leftwich had 89 TD throws and Travis Prentice of Miami ran for over 5,500 yards during their MAC careers

(09-29-2013 01:11 PM)HuskieJWN Wrote:  So far, a lot of good, some bad, and a lot in between. Happy that NIU is 4-0 and happy with the performance this week. They looked much better than the previous two weeks. Now it's on to conference play. 3 of the next 5 are on the road, which should be a task.

The Good
-Jordan Lynch. Even when he looked hurt yesterday, he lit it up. Is he possibly one of the best to ever play in the MAC?
-Jimmie Ward and Dechane Durante. Say what you want of the bad throw at Iowa or whatnot, but all of Jimmie's last three picks have been jumping the out route. Durante, man that kid has talent. As bad as the corners have played, these two have been consistent
- O-Line play. These guys are getting the job done week in and week out.
-Special Teams. Does NIU have the best special teams unit in the MAC? I'd say yes.
-Coaching. Second half adjustments have been there. The play callling has started to progress, and penalties are starting to drop.
-Being undefeated. Going into MAC play undefeated brings confidence and a swagger. They need to keep that.
-Fan support. I've seen good crowds at Iowa and Purdue, it was a great showing at HS as well.
-Turnovers. I know many said you can't count on 5 turnovers forced, which is true. But 1/3 through the season, NIU has won the turnover battle each week. These guys are going to continue to create them. Not saying rely on it, but they will have a good turnover margin.

The Bad
-Pass defense. From what I've seen, it's been the corners and linebackers getting beat on this. I don't think Sean Evans has played well, and Marlon Moore has made some mistakes. I'm not sure Santa is as good at pass defending as some have said.
-Run Defense. Bad tackling has really hurt this team. A lot of MAC teams don't have a potent run game though, so that should shore up. Kent and Toledo are good there though, so just have to be safe.
-Slow starts have been the problem in two of the games. Just something they need to focus on is playing all 4 quarters.
-Penalties. They were improved yesterday, but still need to get better in that department.

What to look for moving forward
-This offense is probably going to average 40 ppg in MAC play
-Look for defensive improvements these next few games to gain confidence
-Continue to be road warriors. They still have 4 more road games, one in Toledo
-These guys are on a mission and you can tell by the way they are handling themselves, staying focused, and never getting down on each other.

Good summary and synopsis. I am just going to enjoy the ride as NIU shows what MACtion means over the next few weeks. Road warriors or not, we will win these game on the shoulders of the offend in spit of our defense. Just like you I hope they improve week over week, because we will need a competent D at the end of the season and post end if the season...


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I was telling a friend at halftime that Lewis hadn't done much with kickoffs so far, and that they needed to create some room up the middle so he could run straight up the gut before the defense could react - you run toward the sidelines and it's too easy to bottle things up. I was still walking down the stairs back to my seat after waiting in line at the concession stands when Lewis ran back the kick.

hahahaha somebody said Antonio Gates was the best player to ever play in the MAC when he didn't even play football. Go watch the NFL.

(09-29-2013 01:45 PM)RedShark27 Wrote:  Great review!

I would say Randy Moss is the best MAC player ever (I think they were in the MAC back then) Jason Taylor, Antonio Gates, are in the running along with Ben.

No on Gates. Taylor, was he even at Akron when they were in te Mac? I think they may have been FCS still? Somebody fact check.

I'm not real old son my timeline is limited, but a few names:

Leftwich
Pennington
Moss
Culpepper
Prentice
Lefevour
Rapelessburger
Wolfe
Turner
Harnish
Lynch
Gradkowski
Frye
Nate Davis
Josh Harris
Jennings
Moore

All based on college accomplishment

James Harrison. Ha.


Sent from my iPhone.

He was a fuckn Rocket, but may be the best college player of the bunch Chuck Ealey

I would add Antonio Brown to the all-time MAC list. And how about Larry English, league MVP on a 2-10 team? Now that's respect.

(09-29-2013 10:53 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  I would add Antonio Brown to the all-time MAC list. And how about Larry English, league MVP on a 2-10 team? Now that's respect.

Its too bad his college talent hasn't been able to transfer well to the pros.

(09-29-2013 07:50 PM)7 Wrote:  hahahaha somebody said Antonio Gates was the best player to ever play in the MAC when he didn't even play football. Go watch the NFL.

I googled a website for best MAC football players and the listed him. Get a life 7 you dope.

(09-29-2013 11:41 PM)RedShark27 Wrote:  

(09-29-2013 07:50 PM)7 Wrote:  hahahaha somebody said Antonio Gates was the best player to ever play in the MAC when he didn't even play football. Go watch the NFL.

I googled a website for best MAC football players and the listed him. Get a life 7 you dope.

BURN

(09-29-2013 10:24 PM)sarasotahuskie Wrote:  He was a fuckn Rocket, but may be the best college player of the bunch Chuck Ealey

Agree on Ealey, also didn't Jack Lambert play in the MAC for Kent State. He should be on the list.