(09-17-2017 10:21 AM)NIU17 Wrote: (09-17-2017 09:53 AM)badmoonrising13 Wrote: (09-17-2017 09:50 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: (09-17-2017 09:42 AM)DogPoundNorth Wrote: (09-17-2017 09:37 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: That may be true, but I can guarantee you if NIU approaches the SDSU and Toledo games the same way as the Nebraska game from offensive standpoint, those games will not even be close. You can't be content with wasting possessions against SDSU or Toledo, you almost have to approach every possession as if scoring points is the goal.
Good god....
I can't even imagine what goes through your head
You think 200 yards of offense will be enough to beat Toledo and SDSU?
Obviously he and Carey think we can do with less since he wants to see Graham and Jones instead of Santa and Huff !
I think it will be different going forward. This was a big game in front of 90k and all players were probably nervous, especially QB. Santa was looking downfield plenty of times before he threw it to the safety valve. Either the receivers weren't open or he didn't trust himself to make the throw and risk a turnover, so he went to easy throw.
I don't know why Carey didn't play Santa or Huff more in 1st 2 games. He is a conservative coach. If he changes either going forward for SDSU, then you have a definite complaint. But our oline and Huff proved we can play power football with big teams. As Santa gets more confidence in himself and receivers, OC will open up the offense and Santa will probably take more chances. He did have a couple of interceptions dropped in the EIU game, so I'm sure coaches put it in his head not to take chances. Our D was winning this game, so no need to take chances. Any win at Nebraska is a good win. We had minimal penalties and only 1 TO from special teams. We beat the BIG RED at their place!!!!!! I hate bye week now, but Santa has 2 more weeks to ptactice with #1 offense.
Great post!
I also agree about Carey and the players. Whatever it was in the past when it was clear Carey had lost the players got fixed. Is it different players or Carey changing? Likely a combination of these and other factors, as with most things. Carey and the players are definitely on the same page now, and it shows on the field.
I thought our D would be good, but never thought they would be this good! Nebraska’s O was completely intimidated during the first half, and that only changed when our D was getting gassed. NIU’s defense intimidating a BIG offense; that is amazing. Our D will give keep us in all games, and IMO will feast on MAC offenses!
Carey and the other coaches know we will need more O going forward. The D is not going to score 14 points in games on a regular basis and can’t be on the field that long in every game. The Santa/Huff combo must remain, and I would be shocked at any other choice. Santa is young and inexperienced and he did look like it in the beginning of the game. However, completing that long pass to Blake and then the second one in the red zone when the game was on the line spoke volumes about Santa. I questioned offering Santa as a QB coming out of HS; he sure proved me wrong, and proves the point that some players excel when they get to the college level, and I see nothing but him getting better and better as he gains experience. Anything other than Huff being the feature back would just be stupid. Carey is conservative and stubborn about personnel, but he is not stupid – it sure hope I don’t have to eat those words! haha
I don’t know what to do about Hagan. We have a freshman kicker on the roster, but I know nothing about him. The problem with evaluating players in practice versus in game situations seems most significant with kickers; some much of kicking is mental. Hagan sure looks like he has lost his confidence. Can Hagan pull himself out of his funk? I don’t know, but I am sure the coaches do recognize the issues and will do something. I am sure the coaches will address the punt return situation. From last reports, it sounds like Beebe will be back to start MAC play. Yes, he did muff a punt against EIU, but he is too experienced and football savvy to make that mistake again.
A great win; the players played their guts out and the coaches deserve big-time credit for getting them physically and mentally ready!