(11-12-2014 12:07 AM)7 Wrote: Remember when NIU couldn't beat Toledo? Heh.
I think I have to start with our QB. He was by no means great and he left some plays on the field (as he always does), but I thought he did a great job managing the game tonight. 14/22, 190 yards and 16 carries for 66 yards. Nothing about that line is remotely sexy, but he was rock solid tonight in the biggest game of the year. Other than the Northwestern half, that was as impressed I have been with him. In bad weather, in the biggest game of his career, he never flinched. The biggest play of the game was the 4th down strike to Turner. Still not sure if he's the guy next year, but he deserves all the credit in the world.
How huge has Ducee Turner been the last few weeks? If he cut his hair and you put a 10 jersey on him you wouldn't have known it wasn't Tommy out there. Other than Cam, he's been the best player on the offense the last two weeks when it was needed most. Hopefully his improvement continues.
Toledo was absolutely cramming everyone inside tonight, thus the jet sweep was open. Once Brown broke free for the long TD, you could tell it loosened things up in the middle (hey hey) a little. The offensive line certainly didn't play it's best game, but 46 carries for 226 yards isn't exactly a terrible night at the office.
Da'Ron Brown. Dude is always open and always making plays. If Maxwell (not his best game) doesn't set that pick, we're here talking about how huge of a game Brown had. Still, 141 total yards and a TD is nothing to sneeze at.
Canada only had 17 yards receiving, but he had the block of the game on Brown's long run. He took out two guys and really was the one who made that play.
I'll say it again: Chad Beebe is a player. If Tommy gets a medical redshirt this year, we're gonna have a heck of a trio of might mite WRs next year.
The defense is kinda hard to talk about. That was such a weird situation to be in. Macon does have QB skills and obviously there was no tape or anything on him. You obviously would hope they could do a little better, but to their credit before the last TD drive where they were obviously playing soft, I think Toledo had less than 100 yards in the 2nd half.
Another guy who has been often ripped on here (and by me) was Paris Logan. Obviously the 4th down stop stands out, but I thought he had an overall solid game as well.
The defensive line had 3 sacks against a team that had only allowed 7 sacks all year.
Rock Lemon is/is going to be really good.
How about the kid Hagan? 3/3 on XPs and his first two career FGs in miserable weather against Toledo. I think the question becomes why wasn't he kicking all year?
Fantastic win. 8-2 and 5 straight years over Toledo. I'll sleep like a baby.
I'll just leave this here:
RT @DavidFox615 Long says Marshall, Colorado State, Boise State, Northern Illinois and "a little discussion about" East Carolina.
Agreed, the main thing is NIU is 8-2 and tied for 1st place again. Considering the QB position was (some may argue still is) a major question mark and we lost (maybe) the best defensive player in school history this is huge. When you consider the injuries to TLL and Bass I think this is really impressive. I'm not saying I agree with everything Carey does, but you have to give him credit for the overall results.
I had to watch the game on DVR again (damn job), wish I could have commented in the game thread but my thoughts as I watched the game:
I really hope that 1Q miss of Brown was due to the wind. If not, I don't trust Hare to hit an open man.
Holy Sh$t a FG, what is that? Hagan may not have a huge leg but he appears to at least be somewhat accurate.
Not sure I agree with how Carey used all the TOs, but I agree the clock management to end the first half was solid. The 2nd half is questionable, even though it worked out.
Duece is turning into a "Go To" player. He has made some big plays the last two weeks.
Hare is fearless and a tough SOB. He runs up the middle, takes some big shots, and gets up as if nothing happened. Every game I think he is bound to wind up concussed, but he keeps getting up and performing. Sure, he is not Harnish or Lynch (at least not yet) but his efficiency rating is pretty damn good. Just think if he hit a few more of those wide open receivers.
Straight Outta Compton! That guy has come up with some big plays in key moments the last two games.
I saw a comment about Ohio being a trap game. I would tend to agree, but of all the things to complain about Carey looking past a team is not one of them. Anyone who has listened to his press conferences will know if there is one thing that dude does it is stay focused on the task at hand. He is not capable of thinking past today. I think he drills that into the players too. I really think that helps him/them overcome some other problems. They focus on each action, each drill, each game.