anti-zip
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
I gotta wonder how serious the QB battle was now. Barrett looks real legit.
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09-01-2018 02:56 PM |
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ilovegymnast
All American
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
Defense has a lot to work on over the next two weeks before the PSU game. They didn't seem prepared for Illinois to be running an up tempo offense.
The offense started off pretty slow with a few dropped passes. Once they settled in and got into a rhythm they looked good. A lot of open receivers all of the field which is a huge change from last year. Rankin looked really good in the backfield and seemed to compliment Barrett. The OLine did a really good with how banged up they are and lack of time together.
Key play of the game was Barrett's first interception. Illinois seemed to settle in for a loss until that play and their whole attitude changed.
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09-01-2018 03:08 PM |
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shakermaker05
Special Teams
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-01-2018 03:08 PM)ilovegymnast Wrote: Defense has a lot to work on over the next two weeks before the PSU game. They didn't seem prepared for Illinois to be running an up tempo offense.
The offense started off pretty slow with a few dropped passes. Once they settled in and got into a rhythm they looked good. A lot of open receivers all of the field which is a huge change from last year. Rankin looked really good in the backfield and seemed to compliment Barrett. The OLine did a really good with how banged up they are and lack of time together.
Key play of the game was Barrett's first interception. Illinois seemed to settle in for a loss until that play and their whole attitude changed.
Defense definitely got exposed in 2nd half, but I think it was partly due to wearing down against a bigger, stronger & faster opponent. There were some blown coverages and other mishaps that needs cleaned up so I’m not using that as an excuse for everything. I was thrilled with the performance out of the gate though- 3 points in first half!
(This post was last modified: 09-01-2018 03:38 PM by shakermaker05.)
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09-01-2018 03:35 PM |
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dannyb73
MAC CHAMPS
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
Let's all just be thrilled for fielding a competent football team. If what we saw today is who we are, I see no reason why we can't compete for a MAC title. I know Illinois is crap, but we were slinging the ball all over the field and the D should keep us in MAC games.
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09-01-2018 03:48 PM |
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GFlash68
All American
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
After watching this game, it makes me wonder how and why we put up with the past coaching staff. This team looks competent and that is new for us. I am proud of the effort and this team is worthy of support.
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09-01-2018 03:55 PM |
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shakermaker05
Special Teams
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-01-2018 03:48 PM)dannyb73 Wrote: Let's all just be thrilled for fielding a competent football team. If what we saw today is who we are, I see no reason why we can't compete for a MAC title. I know Illinois is crap, but we were slinging the ball all over the field and the D should keep us in MAC games.
I agree, the MAC east is wide open... As for being happy- you would’ve thought we won the game as much as I’m grinning tonite! My wife doesn’t have to lock the windows for fear of me jumping out like she did after Haynes era games lol...
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09-01-2018 03:56 PM |
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Muskrat
1st String
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
Granted, the team looks so much better it isn't even funny. But still, when will they ever again have a better opportunity to beat a Big Ten team? Illinois is awful, and they were missing five or six starters for various reasons. How many other programs in the MAC have never beaten a Big Ten team? I'm curious. Such a great opportunity missed!
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09-01-2018 04:47 PM |
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anti-zip
All American
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
Barrett looks like a much better passer than I expected. I was surprised that Shaw didn't get in the game. Anyone know if he's hurt? Otherwise they might be planning on holding him to 4 games (likely in conference) to take advantage of the new redshirt rule since the jr class is crowded in the backfield.
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09-01-2018 06:24 PM |
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Muskrat
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
To answer my own question above, it looks like only Kent State, Akron and Buffalo have never beaten a Big Ten opponent in football. And only Kent State among schools that have been in the conference since the beginning, Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the improvement. They played even better than I anticipated. But it may be a long time before they get such a golden opportunity again to beat a weak Big Ten team.
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09-01-2018 06:34 PM |
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cleveland
1st String
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-01-2018 06:34 PM)Muskrat Wrote: To answer my own question above, it looks like only Kent State, Akron and Buffalo have never beaten a Big Ten opponent in football. And only Kent State among schools that have been in the conference since the beginning, Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the improvement. They played even better than I anticipated. But it may be a long time before they get such a golden opportunity again to beat a weak Big Ten team.
Looking back ... it's clear the pace of play gives KSU a bit of an edge against some teams ... BUT THESE DAYS EVERYBODY IN THE MAC PLAYS LIKE THIS ...
while the defense remains solid the offense/special teams still put the D at midfield just about the entire second half ... and it cost Kent the game. Not much has changed there ...
While Barrett looks better than any KENT QB since maybe Edleman throwing the ball ... Like Edelman, he still looks to be a better runner than thrower ... in fact, while the offense was way, way, way more efficient, to me, it really didn't look that much DIFFERENT from the last few seasons.
Improvement made, improvement needed.
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09-01-2018 07:01 PM |
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dannyb73
MAC CHAMPS
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-01-2018 07:01 PM)cleveland Wrote: (09-01-2018 06:34 PM)Muskrat Wrote: To answer my own question above, it looks like only Kent State, Akron and Buffalo have never beaten a Big Ten opponent in football. And only Kent State among schools that have been in the conference since the beginning, Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the improvement. They played even better than I anticipated. But it may be a long time before they get such a golden opportunity again to beat a weak Big Ten team.
Looking back ... it's clear the pace of play gives KSU a bit of an edge against some teams ... BUT THESE DAYS EVERYBODY IN THE MAC PLAYS LIKE THIS ...
while the defense remains solid the offense/special teams still put the D at midfield just about the entire second half ... and it cost Kent the game. Not much has changed there ...
While Barrett looks better than any KENT QB since maybe Edleman throwing the ball ... Like Edelman, he still looks to be a better runner than thrower ... in fact, while the offense was way, way, way more efficient, to me, it really didn't look that much DIFFERENT from the last few seasons.
Improvement made, improvement needed.
I couldn't disagree more with the bolded portion of your post. Barrett was a very effective runner, but he was slinging the ball all over the field (28/41), including downfield. In recent years we couldn't even attempt to throw the ball downfield. The offense had over 450 yards today. That is way different.
(This post was last modified: 09-01-2018 08:34 PM by dannyb73.)
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09-01-2018 08:32 PM |
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shakermaker05
Special Teams
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-01-2018 08:32 PM)dannyb73 Wrote: (09-01-2018 07:01 PM)cleveland Wrote: (09-01-2018 06:34 PM)Muskrat Wrote: To answer my own question above, it looks like only Kent State, Akron and Buffalo have never beaten a Big Ten opponent in football. And only Kent State among schools that have been in the conference since the beginning, Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the improvement. They played even better than I anticipated. But it may be a long time before they get such a golden opportunity again to beat a weak Big Ten team.
Looking back ... it's clear the pace of play gives KSU a bit of an edge against some teams ... BUT THESE DAYS EVERYBODY IN THE MAC PLAYS LIKE THIS ...
while the defense remains solid the offense/special teams still put the D at midfield just about the entire second half ... and it cost Kent the game. Not much has changed there ...
While Barrett looks better than any KENT QB since maybe Edleman throwing the ball ... Like Edelman, he still looks to be a better runner than thrower ... in fact, while the offense was way, way, way more efficient, to me, it really didn't look that much DIFFERENT from the last few seasons.
Improvement made, improvement needed.
I couldn't disagree more with the bolded portion of your post. Barrett was a very effective runner, but he was slinging the ball all over the field (28/41), including downfield. In recent years we couldn't even attempt to throw the ball downfield. The offense had over 450 yards today. That is way different.
I was worried he 'd be a run first guy, but I didn't get that impression from him today. I think he did a nice job looking down field and making his reads and finding the best option. I was also impressed he threw a couple away instead of forcing something in. He is way more refined then I ever would have imagined. I just pray he doesn't get injured against Old Miss or PSU! He's capable of putting up some big numbers in conference play if he can get there healthy!!
(This post was last modified: 09-01-2018 09:01 PM by shakermaker05.)
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09-01-2018 08:59 PM |
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ilovegymnast
All American
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
Last year they averaged 275 yards, 19.5 pass attempts, 43 rush attempts, 12.75 ppg.
Best game from last year and only game with more offense was against CMU
494 yards, 30 pass attempts, 47 rush attempts, 23 points
Today they had 453 yards, 41 pass attempts, 43 rush attempts, and 24 points.
It would rank as the 2nd in rushing yards and 3rd in passing yards compared to last years stats.
Also let's not forget that they threw the ball 5 total times in 2 different games last year. I will say that again there were 2 games that Kent attempted 5 total passes. That wasn't 5 passes in one half or one quarter or one drive that was the whole game. This offense is no where near lasts years team and that is a blessing.
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09-01-2018 09:21 PM |
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goldenflash99
Special Teams
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
I stated in another thread that we will go as far as our O-Line takes us. Today they allowed 1 sack and helped protect WB enough to help him complete 68% of his passes. Duplicate those numbers against MAC teams and we'll win some games.
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09-01-2018 10:46 PM |
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bearcat29
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
This team looks so much better than the team last year. The team last year was slow, apathetic and most players seemed to be carrying 15lbs too much.
This year, they play faster with much better effort. The QB overthrew a few guys, but he put a lot of tough throws in small windows. If he keeps progressing this year, he will be tough to recon with in the MAC. I was impressed seeing them in the opener.
If they keep playing like this, I would more worry about losing the coach in 2 years.
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09-02-2018 12:00 AM |
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JimJoyce
1st String
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-01-2018 04:47 PM)Muskrat Wrote: But still, when will they ever again have a better opportunity to beat a Big Ten team?
You give this coaching staff some time, patience and recruiting classes and they’ll be beating a Big Ten team a lot more prestigious than Illinois.
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09-02-2018 09:34 AM |
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OLNWFLSH
Special Teams
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-01-2018 07:01 PM)cleveland Wrote: (09-01-2018 06:34 PM)Muskrat Wrote: To answer my own question above, it looks like only Kent State, Akron and Buffalo have never beaten a Big Ten opponent in football. And only Kent State among schools that have been in the conference since the beginning, Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the improvement. They played even better than I anticipated. But it may be a long time before they get such a golden opportunity again to beat a weak Big Ten team.
Looking back ... it's clear the pace of play gives KSU a bit of an edge against some teams ... BUT THESE DAYS EVERYBODY IN THE MAC PLAYS LIKE THIS ...
while the defense remains solid the offense/special teams still put the D at midfield just about the entire second half ... and it cost Kent the game. Not much has changed there ...
While Barrett looks better than any KENT QB since maybe Edleman throwing the ball ... Like Edelman, he still looks to be a better runner than thrower ... in fact, while the offense was way, way, way more efficient, to me, it really didn't look that much DIFFERENT from the last few seasons.
Improvement made, improvement needed.
Agree - I was disappointed we didn't pull it out - but like many MAC teams - we seemed to wear down in the second half against the deeper Power 5 teams. But what a change from the tired old offense of the last five years and from that game played early in the PH era at Illinois after the weather washed it out. We're going to need plenty of offense judging by the way MAC teams scored the past couple of days. Let's just hope we can stay healthy through the upcoming schedule. Very disappointed to see what we face in 2020 - sure the money is great but why not schedule more beatable teams as do Toledo and others - let's play more teams like Pitt, Rutgers, Kansas or Kansas State (beat South Dakota by a field goal).
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09-02-2018 10:04 AM |
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goldenflash99
Special Teams
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
(09-02-2018 12:00 AM)bearcat29 Wrote: This team looks so much better than the team last year. The team last year was slow, apathetic and most players seemed to be carrying 15lbs too much.
This year, they play faster with much better effort. The QB overthrew a few guys, but he put a lot of tough throws in small windows. If he keeps progressing this year, he will be tough to recon with in the MAC. I was impressed seeing them in the opener.
If they keep playing like this, I would more worry about losing the coach in 2 years.
If he's gone in 2 years I think we'll all be pleased with the reason he leaves.
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09-02-2018 10:16 AM |
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shakermaker05
Special Teams
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RE: KSU vs. Illinois
This is the most optimistic I’ve been about our program since 2012-13... the Haynes era just seemed like it lasted about 20 years for me. Writing is on the wall- Lewis is gonna be a rock star!!
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09-02-2018 02:49 PM |
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