At this point, I don't think there's any doubt NIU is having a down year. This is obviously the worst team we've had since Harnish's sophomore year. I don't think we're going to necessarily find a stride and start blitzing people like we have the last couple years. It's a very young team, with some key injuries (Tommy, Bass), and iffy QB play. They're up and down every week.

With that being said, they're 6-2. You know how many teams would want to be 6-2 and in control of their own destiny right now? We're in the same mode we are Doeren's first year now...survive and advance. It may not be pretty (it probably won't be pretty) and I don't expect us to win out, but I'll take 4 more like today.

The offensive line deserves a ton of credit today. Probably the main reason why NIU won. It didn't feel like NIU played particularly well anywhere else, but when you're ripping off 7.5 yards a carry the offensive line is playing well. We all were rough on the offensive line after the Arkansas/Kent/CMU stretch, but they've stepped up their game in a big way the last couple weeks and led the way to victories. We need them to be on their game the next 4 games if we want any shot of getting back to Detroit.

I know ACRB had his haters early in the year, but other than the offensive line he was the MVP today. He's just really solid at everything he does. Not flashy, but he's got decent speed, isn't small, blocks well, and catches the ball out of the backfield. Even after losing Akeem and Cam this year, I think Huff and ACRB are going to make a great duo for years to come.

The defensive line was coming today. Another group that's been ripped on lately (and rightfully so), but they were getting consisted pressure on Admiral Bell pretty much all day. Their big plays came either with Ball scrambling or in the run game. Meehan especially stood out.

The pass defense in general was pretty decent today too. Granted, I don't think Captain Bell is much of a thrower, but they only had 124 yards passing and completed less than 50% of their throws, so you can't complain. Olootu should have had a pick six. Great break on the ball by him, but you have to finish the play.

Overall, the defense played fairly decent when you consider there was a good stretch of the 2nd/3rd quarter where the offense (Hare) was hanging them out to dry.

Now to the negatives:
We were running the ball at will and Hare had 44 yards passing. They can't stop the run, and NIU still can't throw the ball. It's mind boggling to me. If you ever need an example of stats lying, it's Hare's numbers this year. He's not awful, he makes good decisions, but he's not any good.

I thought the coaching staff did a nice job sprinkling Maddie in today though. When they needed a spark in the second half, they didn't die with Hare. Maddie provided a spark and moved them into FG range despite getting Wedel'd. I believe that happened twice on Maddie drives today. Then you kind of had to go back to Hare when EMU took the lead. Great job by the offense responding there as well.

I'm not sure I've ever disliked two NIU players more than I do Moore and Logan, especially Moore. They really need to bench him and start Mayes. He's not any good, and then when he actually hits a guy (9 yards downfield) he takes a terrible penalty when you just want to clock to be running. And Logan did the same thing today he did about 17 times in the CMU game, where he crashed inside on a run and lost outside leverage and let their RB break a big run, bad.

The run defense in general, I'm not sure what happened. If NIU doesn't get that figured out, Toledo and that kid on WMU will do the same thing Rawls did. The run defense was so impressive the first half of the season, I'm not sure what is going on. Hopefully that's fixable.

Yeah, Wedel sucks.

Saffold and Turner have both been big time disappointments. Hare had a 78 yard TD run, but twice Saffold couldn't out run guys to the corner. The only time Turner did anything today was drop a pass that nearly cost NIU the game if it was a yard further backwards. We keep hearing about all this depth NIU has at WR, which is a massive myth. They have Brown. Canada is too slow to get consistently open, I think Beebe is a good player (who Hare missed when he was wide open today), and then there's just nothing.

Take the W. Be happy about 6-2. We're not Florida State. We aren't going to outclass people every week on the field. Win games. Onto Ball State.

The D really needs to work on contain. So many scores on cutbacks/misdirection this year. You give some credit for play design and individuals making a play but it's happened too often.

I can't wait until NIU can kick field goals again. Those will be good times.

Nice response by the offense right after giving up the lead.

NIU is going to continue to struggle to score if they can't complete passes. Third down and anything over 3 will continue to be third and punt. And if NIU can't throw the ball with any consistency, I'd like NIU to run the ball most of the time (especially power runs) and use play action. I know that's not what they do and they won't do it....we're just going to have to hope Hare breaks the occasional big run until he can complete some passes. It's like early Lynch.

NIU keeps finding ways to win even though they aren't a ton better than the teams they play. It's gut and bowel destroying but admirable in it's way.

ALSO, Bowl eligible for the 7th straight year. That's nothing to sneeze at. REMEMBER THE 90'S!!!

Toledo is tied with UMASS right now.

It's a long shot, but if Toledo loses this one and CMU drops another game, NIU could still afford another loss against Ball State or Ohio.

Likely doesn't matter, but hey it couldn't hurt lol.

(10-25-2014 03:54 PM)7 Wrote:  Toledo is tied with UMASS right now.

It's a long shot, but if Toledo loses this one and CMU drops another game, NIU could still afford another loss against Ball State or Ohio.

Likely doesn't matter, but he it couldn't hurt lol.

Weird year in the MAC. The bottom teams are up (a bit) and the top teams are down a bit. It's all one huge blob.

(10-25-2014 03:54 PM)7 Wrote:  Toledo is tied with UMASS right now.

It's a long shot, but if Toledo loses this one and CMU drops another game, NIU could still afford another loss against Ball State or Ohio.

Likely doesn't matter, but he it couldn't hurt lol.

Toledo deep in Umass territory in Q4

Toledo wins.

CMU is likely done. I believe Rawls was injured today against Buffalo. The CMU board says he's out for the year. Toledo and us control our destinies. WMU needs a little help.

Huff and Beebe have done nothing to make anyone think they are any good! Canada is the second best wr right know. Throw the ball to him even if he is covered. He is big and will go get it. The team has no kick return or punt return and that's a huge problem. It was a ugly win but still counts as a win. NIU may need too win 8 games to actually make a bowl. 7 may do it but 8 should be a for sure thing. Also, Hare is a better runner than Maddie. Maddie cannot make anyone miss.

(10-25-2014 04:48 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Huff and Beebe have done nothing to make anyone think they are any good! Canada is the second best wr right know. Throw the ball to him even if he is covered. He is big and will go get it. The team has no kick return or punt return and that's a huge problem. It was a ugly win but still counts as a win. NIU may need too win 8 games to actually make a bowl. 7 may do it but 8 should be a for sure thing. Also, Hare is a better runner than Maddie. Maddie cannot make anyone miss.

Huff really hasn't been given many carries. Perhaps he is not a good blocker. He has run well when given the opportunity.

He's not getting carries because ACRB and Cam are running effectively.

Hare might be bad, but he is far far far and away the best option to win right now. I really would like to see how Hare operates with a well called game from a play calling perspective. There is no doubt Hare has not been put in position to succeed this year, yet even so, he has still provided ways to win.

I like Hare, good stuff.

(10-25-2014 04:59 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Hare might be bad, but he is far far far and away the best option to win right now.

Who here has said Hare shouldn't be starting? I complimented the coaches on how they used both QBs today. I know you have some weird dislike for Maddie, but nobody has said Hare shouldn't be starting.

(10-25-2014 05:01 PM)7 Wrote:  

(10-25-2014 04:59 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Hare might be bad, but he is far far far and away the best option to win right now.

Who here has said Hare shouldn't be starting? I complimented the coaches on how they used both QBs today. I know you have some weird dislike for Maddie, but nobody has said Hare shouldn't be starting.

Weird dislike for Maddie no, I would argue you have a fascination with Maddie that is so not justified by on the field play. His name sounds cooler, he doesn't have a "fat face" as you termed it, but those peripherals don't make him better than Hare, Im sorry but it doesn't.

You don't even read what people say before you respond, do you?

(10-25-2014 05:05 PM)7 Wrote:  You don't even read what people say before you respond, do you?

I just don't get the obsession with Maddie, its so so so out of proportion to what he has done on the field.

I believe if Maddie were given Hares reps he would be doing the same as Hare. They are not good. There are so many better qb's then these two in the MAC. The only chance NIU has is to run the qb and complete a few passes to Brown. Stingley also is getting stronger as the season goes on. The MAC is bad and because of that the Huskies have a shot to win it.

(10-25-2014 04:56 PM)7 Wrote:  He's not getting carries because ACRB and Cam are running effectively.

Fair enough but he has shown enough that I would give him a full drive on occasion to see what he has to offer.

Good thoughts. Here are some of my comments pertaining to the game and the other comments.

1.hare is awkward and is definitely a worse thrower than was let on, but he's effective.
2. Play callin outisde of the first drive in each game has been bad. See all the Saffold sweeps when he was doing nothing.
3. Why is brooks getting more reps than Smalls or Olootu? Those two might be the best DBs niu has right now. Olootu missed a pick 6 but was good in coverage and almost forced a scoop and score.
4. Linebackers were atrocious today, needs to get better.

Also, I like the Maddie reps. Yes, hare is getting some results but when was the last drive Maddie had where the offense didn't look good or get in FG range. Not his fault Wedel and special teams suck. So Maddie has earned any reps he gets, niu has been scoring when he sees the field.

I want to start seeing malik Mitchell and Christian Blake play more. Brown is far and away the best receiver and I legit think he'd have at least 2 more TDs if niu had other weapons. He wouldn't be focused on more and could get some freedom.

NIU is going bowling and that is a good thing. I think niu can win all the next games, they won't but they certainly could. It could also be tough sledding since WMU is better than they've been in quite some time, Toledo is Toledo, ball state hates NIU and niu will probably play down to Ohios level.

Let's hope they can take care of business and get back to Detroit.

Its time to give Carey and the coaches some credit. Its very obvious this is not a very talented NIU team. They are 6-2 and go into November with a chance to win conference and a shot at a bowl game!