(08-29-2023 08:34 PM)Big Redd Wrote:  

(08-29-2023 06:36 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(08-29-2023 06:11 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(08-29-2023 05:41 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  I went through BCs game notes and they are BIG across the OLine and have a combined 110+starts, with a pre-season AA right guard.

Wonder where NIU media got their info from then because we have the following in our game notes:

Quote:PAVING THE WAY: NIU returns six offensive linemen who started at least seven games a year ago and the group boasts 118 career starts which ranks first among all FBS starting offensive lines.

Starts on Offensive Line by 2022 Returning Starters
    1.    NIU    118
    2.    Kansas State    116
    3.    West Virginia    111
    4.    Clemson    95
        Duke    95

Their starters missed 55% of game starts in 2022.

I believe they also got a stud OL transfer whose starts count. This stat says “returners” only.

The “stud” is from ND state. Legit a terrible O line last season they are banking on magically getting better.

Reading their previews is insane. They believe that their team is going to be good to very good because everyone is some how getting better. Their O-Line was shot last season. Their QB is average. I don’t know how they think they are going to excellent losing zay flowers … but whatever works for them.

(08-29-2023 02:05 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  The presser is out on YouTube under NIU Athletics. Typical stuff: had a great camp, excited to play someone else, etc.

Here's the two deep from Eddie Carifio's tweet:

QB Rocky Lombardi
Ethan Hampton

RB Antario Brown
Gavin Williams

FB Brock Lampe
Christian Nash

TE Chris Carter
Tristen Tewes

WR Davis Patterson
Keyshaun Pipkin

WR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Grayson Barnes

WR Trayvon Rudolph
Jalen Johnson

LT Evan Buss
Drew Hoth

LG JJ Lippe
Seth Thompson

C Pete Nygra
Matt Schooley

RG John Champe
Tyler Pitcel

RT Nolan Potter
Evan Malcore

DE Ray Thomas
George Gumbs

DT Devonte O'Malley
Skylar Gill-Howard OR Demond Taylor

DT James Ester
Cade Haberman

DE Roy Williams
Pierce Oppong

LB DaRon Gilbert
Devin Lafayette

LB Jaden Dolphin
Tyler Jackson

H Jashon Prophete
Ty Myles

CB JaVaughn Byrd
Shaad Dabney

S CJ Brown
Santana Banner OR Jordan Hansen

S Nate Valcarcel
Cyrus McGarrell OR Muhammad Jammeh

CB Jacob Finley
Amariyun Knighten

P Tom Foley
K Jake Seibert
LS Isaac Hatfield

KR Trayvon Rudolph
Kacper Rutkiewicz

PR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Trayvon Rudolph OR Dane Pardridge

Going to be interested to see rotations, especially on defense. Dabney and Lafeyette both listed as backups, but I expect them both to see plenty of snaps. Maybe Gilbert on run downs and Lafayette in more passing situations? Obviously we’ll play three corners plenty too. I wasn’t overly impressed with Patterson in the one scrimmage I saw, so curious to see how much guys like Pipkin and Johnson (two guys I’m high on) play.

Our interior defensive line is as good as it gets, but we have to generate more pass rush from our ends this year.

I get the concern about Rudolph’s knee, but he’s as good of a kick returner as there is in the country. If he’s healthy, I think you just have to let him get out there and do it. Depth at WR might be my biggest concern on the team though, so again I do get the concern.

There’s no reason for the run game to not be really good this year with the backs and offensive line we have, combined with having a threatening passing game unlike last year.

(08-30-2023 09:45 AM)7 Wrote:  

(08-29-2023 02:05 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  The presser is out on YouTube under NIU Athletics. Typical stuff: had a great camp, excited to play someone else, etc.

Here's the two deep from Eddie Carifio's tweet:

QB Rocky Lombardi
Ethan Hampton

RB Antario Brown
Gavin Williams

FB Brock Lampe
Christian Nash

TE Chris Carter
Tristen Tewes

WR Davis Patterson
Keyshaun Pipkin

WR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Grayson Barnes

WR Trayvon Rudolph
Jalen Johnson

LT Evan Buss
Drew Hoth

LG JJ Lippe
Seth Thompson

C Pete Nygra
Matt Schooley

RG John Champe
Tyler Pitcel

RT Nolan Potter
Evan Malcore

DE Ray Thomas
George Gumbs

DT Devonte O'Malley
Skylar Gill-Howard OR Demond Taylor

DT James Ester
Cade Haberman

DE Roy Williams
Pierce Oppong

LB DaRon Gilbert
Devin Lafayette

LB Jaden Dolphin
Tyler Jackson

H Jashon Prophete
Ty Myles

CB JaVaughn Byrd
Shaad Dabney

S CJ Brown
Santana Banner OR Jordan Hansen

S Nate Valcarcel
Cyrus McGarrell OR Muhammad Jammeh

CB Jacob Finley
Amariyun Knighten

P Tom Foley
K Jake Seibert
LS Isaac Hatfield

KR Trayvon Rudolph
Kacper Rutkiewicz

PR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Trayvon Rudolph OR Dane Pardridge

Going to be interested to see rotations, especially on defense. Dabney and Lafeyette both listed as backups, but I expect them both to see plenty of snaps. Maybe Gilbert on run downs and Lafayette in more passing situations? Obviously we’ll play three corners plenty too. I wasn’t overly impressed with Patterson in the one scrimmage I saw, so curious to see how much guys like Pipkin and Johnson (two guys I’m high on) play.

Our interior defensive line is as good as it gets, but we have to generate more pass rush from our ends this year.

I get the concern about Rudolph’s knee, but he’s as good of a kick returner as there is in the country. If he’s healthy, I think you just have to let him get out there and do it. Depth at WR might be my biggest concern on the team though, so again I do get the concern.

There’s no reason for the run game to not be really good this year with the backs and offensive line we have, combined with having a threatening passing game unlike last year.

Really thought Dabney would be the starter.

I think they need to pick and choose when using Rudolph on Kickoffs. They did that somewhat with TLL. A game like SIU, he should not be doing any kickoffs IMO.

I’d be shocked if Rudolph even gets a chance to return. Yes. Put him back there so they kick it out of the end zone. My guess he will FC anything that he comes close to


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(08-30-2023 09:45 AM)7 Wrote:  

(08-29-2023 02:05 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  The presser is out on YouTube under NIU Athletics. Typical stuff: had a great camp, excited to play someone else, etc.

Here's the two deep from Eddie Carifio's tweet:

QB Rocky Lombardi
Ethan Hampton

RB Antario Brown
Gavin Williams

FB Brock Lampe
Christian Nash

TE Chris Carter
Tristen Tewes

WR Davis Patterson
Keyshaun Pipkin

WR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Grayson Barnes

WR Trayvon Rudolph
Jalen Johnson

LT Evan Buss
Drew Hoth

LG JJ Lippe
Seth Thompson

C Pete Nygra
Matt Schooley

RG John Champe
Tyler Pitcel

RT Nolan Potter
Evan Malcore

DE Ray Thomas
George Gumbs

DT Devonte O'Malley
Skylar Gill-Howard OR Demond Taylor

DT James Ester
Cade Haberman

DE Roy Williams
Pierce Oppong

LB DaRon Gilbert
Devin Lafayette

LB Jaden Dolphin
Tyler Jackson

H Jashon Prophete
Ty Myles

CB JaVaughn Byrd
Shaad Dabney

S CJ Brown
Santana Banner OR Jordan Hansen

S Nate Valcarcel
Cyrus McGarrell OR Muhammad Jammeh

CB Jacob Finley
Amariyun Knighten

P Tom Foley
K Jake Seibert
LS Isaac Hatfield

KR Trayvon Rudolph
Kacper Rutkiewicz

PR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Trayvon Rudolph OR Dane Pardridge

Going to be interested to see rotations, especially on defense. Dabney and Lafeyette both listed as backups, but I expect them both to see plenty of snaps. Maybe Gilbert on run downs and Lafayette in more passing situations? Obviously we’ll play three corners plenty too. I wasn’t overly impressed with Patterson in the one scrimmage I saw, so curious to see how much guys like Pipkin and Johnson (two guys I’m high on) play.

Our interior defensive line is as good as it gets, but we have to generate more pass rush from our ends this year.

I get the concern about Rudolph’s knee, but he’s as good of a kick returner as there is in the country. If he’s healthy, I think you just have to let him get out there and do it. Depth at WR might be my biggest concern on the team though, so again I do get the concern.

There’s no reason for the run game to not be really good this year with the backs and offensive line we have, combined with having a threatening passing game unlike last year.

You are probably right. At 195 lbs Lafayette starting and playing the whole game at LB is a big ask.

As for Rudolph- you have to let him return kicks. He’s a weapon back there.

I think kickoff returns at this level are safer than punt returns.

Where is big Z on the O line? He has to be hurt still. No way he went from a. Starting , all MAC lineman to not even making the 2 deep.

Other than that no real surprises. Glad to see some guys emerge on the back end of the defense

I’m trying to recall a bigger starting defensive line in our history…and I really can’t come up with one. DE’s are 6’6” and 6’4…that’s legit size.

No 220lb scrappy ends. No 5’10 but full on motor DTs. It’s a legit size team. They have to produce this season.

It’s going to be exciting to watch improvements game 1. The defensive system seems to be an improvement already, 3 corners and no weird slow safety? Love it.

(08-30-2023 07:00 PM)BigChilla Wrote:  I’m trying to recall a bigger starting defensive line in our history…and I really can’t come up with one. DE’s are 6’6” and 6’4…that’s legit size.

No 220lb scrappy ends. No 5’10 but full on motor DTs. It’s a legit size team. They have to produce this season.

It’s going to be exciting to watch improvements game 1. The defensive system seems to be an improvement already, 3 corners and no weird slow safety? Love it.

We haven’t been big on the D-line since the Orange bowl year.

(08-29-2023 02:05 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  The presser is out on YouTube under NIU Athletics. Typical stuff: had a great camp, excited to play someone else, etc.

Here's the two deep from Eddie Carifio's tweet:

QB Rocky Lombardi
Ethan Hampton

RB Antario Brown
Gavin Williams

FB Brock Lampe
Christian Nash

TE Chris Carter
Tristen Tewes

WR Davis Patterson
Keyshaun Pipkin

WR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Grayson Barnes

WR Trayvon Rudolph
Jalen Johnson

LT Evan Buss
Drew Hoth

LG JJ Lippe
Seth Thompson

C Pete Nygra
Matt Schooley

RG John Champe
Tyler Pitcel

RT Nolan Potter
Evan Malcore

DE Ray Thomas
George Gumbs

DT Devonte O'Malley
Skylar Gill-Howard OR Demond Taylor

DT James Ester
Cade Haberman

DE Roy Williams
Pierce Oppong

LB DaRon Gilbert
Devin Lafayette

LB Jaden Dolphin
Tyler Jackson

H Jashon Prophete
Ty Myles

CB JaVaughn Byrd
Shaad Dabney

S CJ Brown
Santana Banner OR Jordan Hansen

S Nate Valcarcel
Cyrus McGarrell OR Muhammad Jammeh

CB Jacob Finley
Amariyun Knighten

P Tom Foley
K Jake Seibert
LS Isaac Hatfield

KR Trayvon Rudolph
Kacper Rutkiewicz

PR Kacper Rutkiewicz
Trayvon Rudolph OR Dane Pardridge

I see a lot of people saying we shouldn’t let Rudolph return Kicks??? I disagree. I think if NIU will be successful this season, we need our home run hitters hitting home runs. Special teams will be our strength this season. An Ohio State transfer at Kicker and a Minnesota transfer at Punter? An elite returner? We’ve never had this type of talent at once on special teams before. Bone yard victories incoming…..

(08-30-2023 07:40 PM)BDB5yp Wrote:  

(08-30-2023 07:00 PM)BigChilla Wrote:  I’m trying to recall a bigger starting defensive line in our history…and I really can’t come up with one. DE’s are 6’6” and 6’4…that’s legit size.

No 220lb scrappy ends. No 5’10 but full on motor DTs. It’s a legit size team. They have to produce this season.

It’s going to be exciting to watch improvements game 1. The defensive system seems to be an improvement already, 3 corners and no weird slow safety? Love it.

We haven’t been big on the D-line since the Orange bowl year.

We've never been this big at D-end. 290-300 DT's aren't that uncommon. 260+ LB DE's is crazy for a G5. I pray that Williams can move. Thomas is a solid end and I don't mind him out there but I want an actual rush from the blind side.

(08-30-2023 01:46 PM)Red Dog Wrote:  Where is big Z on the O line? He has to be hurt still. No way he went from a. Starting , all MAC lineman to not even making the 2 deep.

Makes me think it's not a minor injury if he's not even on the two deep. In the past, if someone had a small injury and might play or be back soon they'd at least be on the two deep. I'm thinking it might be a situation where they don't expect him back for a while or season ending injury.

I like George Gumbs as backup. Kid has athleticism. Hoping he shines.

I'd much rather see someone else return kicks but I'm sure that's Tray's decision. If he leads the nation in kickoff returns his draft status will go up. However, if he led the nation in average per catch he'll move up just as much. But it is football and he's a baller so that's that. He can quickly change a game, too. But we fair catch most of them anyways.

(08-31-2023 08:35 AM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  I'd much rather see someone else return kicks but I'm sure that's Tray's decision. If he leads the nation in kickoff returns his draft status will go up. However, if he led the nation in average per catch he'll move up just as much. But it is football and he's a baller so that's that. He can quickly change a game, too. But we fair catch most of them anyways.

He's not there to fair catch.

No surprise but the two-deep this week is exactly the same as week 1

(09-06-2023 01:04 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  No surprise but the two-deep this week is exactly the same as week 1

That is great! That also means no injuries.

(09-06-2023 01:30 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(09-06-2023 01:04 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  No surprise but the two-deep this week is exactly the same as week 1

That is great! That also means no injuries.

True! After last season we really need to appreciate how big avoiding injuries is.

With it being a home game and no travel, when does the official eligible list have to be made. You could hide an injury till day of game?

(09-06-2023 01:30 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(09-06-2023 01:04 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  No surprise but the two-deep this week is exactly the same as week 1

That is great! That also means no injuries.

Either no injuries or the list hasn't been updated.

If the list is the same as for BC, Ethan Hampton did not play vs BC and Justin Lynch did (but not on list). Just a note.