With the way this team is, at some point coach has to admit we can’t run the ball. If you like short passes, go ahead, but we can’t do that after going for -2 running on 1st down.

Banging your head against a wall doesn’t always break the wall...sometime you get brain damage.

(11-11-2020 10:31 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 10:28 PM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 10:23 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 10:20 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 10:19 PM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  CMU coach isn't making great calls either. 2 field goals not called.

More idiotic analytics.

It’s called they beat NIU by 38 last season and NIU has shown nothing tonight to suggest they can come back and win this game. He is playing with house money. He was a winner in both the Mountain West and SEC so he knows how to coach.

He was a dumpster fire at Florida...

SEC coach of the year in 2015 and made two SEC title games in three years but yeah total dumpster...

I'm a Florida fan, I watch every game. Coach of the year was a joke. Their last 4 games were a 9-7 win over Vandy and then blowouts to Florida State, Alabama and Michigan. I could go into many, many details about what took place while he was there and how they got worse every year...but this in an NIU page.

What a choke by Toledo. LOL

(11-12-2020 12:01 AM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  What a choke by Toledo. LOL

Was just gonna post...

For those that didn’t see it...you must check it out. #maction

(11-12-2020 12:03 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:01 AM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  What a choke by Toledo. LOL

Was just gonna post...

For those that didn’t see it...you must check it out. #maction

Meltdown on the UT board in 3...2...1....

They deserved it. That wasn't a first down on their last drive.

(11-11-2020 11:13 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Jalen McKie would be nice right now. So would Matt Lorbeck sealing the edge. Perez adding some stability to the O line? Heflin in the middle clogging the running lanes. Harbs getting a steady amount of yards. Brinkman adding in a solid 3rd down option.

You're lying if you don't think any one of these dudes would have been useful.

Jalen Mckie got burned like he was firewood every single game. Other than the one big TD on the first drive the CB's have been good in coverage. I would like to see them be more involved in stopping the run, though. Lorbeck was a complete non-factor in his NIU career. Harbinson wouldn't be any more productive behind this line than Collins, though I don't recall Harbs fumbling much. Would definitely like to have Perez, Heflin and Brinkman but Perez would just be injured like always and Heflin and Brinkman were gone no matter who was coaching, what the team was like, etc b/c they thought they could make significant improvements on their draft stock at bigger programs. So it is what it is.

Agreed. While these losses and the fashion in which we're losing is frustrating, I keep telling myself to be patience and trust the process. Hammock inherited a crap roster and he gutted it completely. He has been recruiting his guys and we are YOUNG. probably not the worst thing to have a shortened season in a growing year. Hell, even next season might be a growing year. We do need to see some improvement next season .Who is taking over at QB? We need to trust the process. this will take some time.

Go nIU the HARD WAY!!!

Really impressed with the defense. They simply wore down tonight, and who can blame them?

Offense is another story. Last week I felt like there was a good flow to the play calling and they did a good job of using the entire field to keep the defense from zeroing in on what they were doing. If not for the turnovers, it was a very good looking game for them. Tonight, it was like they cut the playbook by about 90%. Barely even changed formations, let alone do anything the slightest bit creative. The defensive front 7 didnt have to do anything but worry about run up the middle and the secondary had to defend hitches, quick outs, and go routes. That is all. No double moves, no switch routes, no rub routes, no floods, no clear outs, etc, etc... The defense all night could just read their keys and shoot their guns. It is very easy to play fast, aggressive defense when you don't have to think for even a milisecond that what you are seeing isn't 100% for sure. Hell even just a reverse or a counter or ANYTHING to slow them down would have been nice. That performance was 100% on the coaching staff. They did not set the players up to succeed tonight. I am extremely curious what when on during the week that precipitated such a drastically simplified game plan.
As far as players go, Collins needs to be moved to 3rd or 4th string for a week and have a football in his hands for every single second of every day. McCray needs more PT. Less Tucker. I think Kennedy earned himself much more PT and even a start at DE over either of the freshmen. Ester keeps the starting job at DT. Would like to see some more of Mcgee and March at CB, the TD against Thomas was awful technique and neither he or Gandy have done squat to help vs the run even knowing these first 2 games were against extremely run heavy teams. Would be nice to keep a rotation there so that they can all learn/grow/develop from each other. The safeties, I'm sure everyone is thinking about missed tackles and bad pursuit angles. Truthfully their biggest issue is they are true freshmen. They are so busy thinking about if they are in the right places and doing the right things that they aren't capable of playing fast, aggressive and confident football yet. When they start trusting their eyes then they will be coming downhill to initiate contact instead of catching guys.

Defensive Coaches: B+
Defensive Players: A
Offensive Players: B
Offensive Coaches: F-

(11-12-2020 12:03 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:01 AM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  What a choke by Toledo. LOL

Was just gonna post...

For those that didn’t see it...you must check it out. #maction

Yup.

If he doesn't #MACtion that extra point, WMU most likely tries for the tie and not the go ahead TD.

(11-12-2020 12:36 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:03 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:01 AM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  What a choke by Toledo. LOL

Was just gonna post...

For those that didn’t see it...you must check it out. #maction

Yup.

If he doesn't #MACtion that extra point, WMU most likely tries for the tie and not the go ahead TD.

Can you just what these teams will score against the Huskies? I can’t count that high. There may be NCAA records set.

(11-11-2020 10:23 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 10:20 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 10:19 PM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  CMU coach isn't making great calls either. 2 field goals not called.

More idiotic analytics.

It’s called they beat NIU by 38 last season and NIU has shown nothing tonight to suggest they can come back and win this game. He is playing with house money. He was a winner in both the Mountain West and SEC so he knows how to coach.

Said it the day he was hired — McElwain is the best coach in the MAC.

(11-12-2020 12:12 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 11:13 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Jalen McKie would be nice right now. So would Matt Lorbeck sealing the edge. Perez adding some stability to the O line? Heflin in the middle clogging the running lanes. Harbs getting a steady amount of yards. Brinkman adding in a solid 3rd down option.

You're lying if you don't think any one of these dudes would have been useful.

Jalen Mckie got burned like he was firewood every single game. Other than the one big TD on the first drive the CB's have been good in coverage. I would like to see them be more involved in stopping the run, though. Lorbeck was a complete non-factor in his NIU career. Harbinson wouldn't be any more productive behind this line than Collins, though I don't recall Harbs fumbling much. Would definitely like to have Perez, Heflin and Brinkman but Perez would just be injured like always and Heflin and Brinkman were gone no matter who was coaching, what the team was like, etc b/c they thought they could make significant improvements on their draft stock at bigger programs. So it is what it is.

Lorbeck was the second highest rated player on defense per PFF. Only Heflin scores higher.

(11-11-2020 10:37 PM)Dtownboys Wrote:  That should have been a first. We look very bad. 7 looks lost on defense and hasn’t taken one good angle. Looking at the schedule and not sure where we get a win. Looked much better last week. Next season schedule starts at Georgia Tech and we have Michigan too. Looking forward to fresh start after this 2020 nightmare.

I think safety is one of if not the most important position on the field--- certainly on the defense. A good one keeps positive offensive plays from being touchdowns, and that's not insignificant. Putting a freshman at that position is ..... asking for trouble. The kids may have some physical skills, but with no experience at this level .... I want to say suicidal.

If we have no experienced safety on the team--- even less physically talented but more experienced --- then we have made a huge mistake. I would convert a linebacker then. Shrug.

(11-12-2020 08:56 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:12 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 11:13 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Jalen McKie would be nice right now. So would Matt Lorbeck sealing the edge. Perez adding some stability to the O line? Heflin in the middle clogging the running lanes. Harbs getting a steady amount of yards. Brinkman adding in a solid 3rd down option.

You're lying if you don't think any one of these dudes would have been useful.

Jalen Mckie got burned like he was firewood every single game. Other than the one big TD on the first drive the CB's have been good in coverage. I would like to see them be more involved in stopping the run, though. Lorbeck was a complete non-factor in his NIU career. Harbinson wouldn't be any more productive behind this line than Collins, though I don't recall Harbs fumbling much. Would definitely like to have Perez, Heflin and Brinkman but Perez would just be injured like always and Heflin and Brinkman were gone no matter who was coaching, what the team was like, etc b/c they thought they could make significant improvements on their draft stock at bigger programs. So it is what it is.

Lorbeck was the second highest rated player on defense per PFF. Only Heflin scores higher.

Ohh PFF - does some weird stuff with their rankings sometimes. I don’t really think using them is 100% what you want to do.

Total rebuild now. I do worry about game day coaching. I am fine with the talent level. You can see it, but you can also see how confused they seem at times.

I don’t mind getting the lumps now. This is all about learning. What QB do we turn to next season? He should start getting snaps soon.

The freshman safeties aren’t *that* bad. They are learning and I am ok with that. All the DBs are making mistakes, but getting mistakes on film is how you learn. The question is can Hammocks staff coach? They are great recruiters, but at some point we have to see someone improve on the field.

I like hammock, but can we point to anyone who has actually improved from last season? Maybe the DTs? That’s it. I can’t say anyone looks better (the OLine coach needs to be looked at...his job can’t feel that safe)

I love Hammock but he better get the turnovers and penalties straightened out YESTERDAY...

(11-12-2020 08:56 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:12 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 11:13 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Jalen McKie would be nice right now. So would Matt Lorbeck sealing the edge. Perez adding some stability to the O line? Heflin in the middle clogging the running lanes. Harbs getting a steady amount of yards. Brinkman adding in a solid 3rd down option.

You're lying if you don't think any one of these dudes would have been useful.

Jalen Mckie got burned like he was firewood every single game. Other than the one big TD on the first drive the CB's have been good in coverage. I would like to see them be more involved in stopping the run, though. Lorbeck was a complete non-factor in his NIU career. Harbinson wouldn't be any more productive behind this line than Collins, though I don't recall Harbs fumbling much. Would definitely like to have Perez, Heflin and Brinkman but Perez would just be injured like always and Heflin and Brinkman were gone no matter who was coaching, what the team was like, etc b/c they thought they could make significant improvements on their draft stock at bigger programs. So it is what it is.

Lorbeck was the second highest rated player on defense per PFF. Only Heflin scores higher.

Have you ever read PFF's "rating guide"?? It's a very, very long explanation of how they have guys watch and give their opinion via a point system. It's not factual at at all. What is factual are stats. In 2019 as a full time starter Lorbeck had 15 tackles, 19 assists, 5.5 TFLs, 2 Sacks & 1 QB hit. That's basically 3 total tackles per game with a TFL every other game and a sack every 6 games for a guy who was NEVER double teamed, NEVER shifted towards and NEVER chipped with a TE or RB because he was at best the 3rd highest priority for the offense along the front. Quintin Wynne had essentially the same stats last year, do you hear anyone crying out for "if only Wynne was back this year we would be better."

Nothing personal against Lorbeck, I'm sure he is a great dude, but to act like him leaving is hurting NIU.....Kennedy vs CMU had the same sack/QB hit production in one game that Lorbeck had all of last year.

(11-13-2020 11:11 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 08:56 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:12 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 11:13 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Jalen McKie would be nice right now. So would Matt Lorbeck sealing the edge. Perez adding some stability to the O line? Heflin in the middle clogging the running lanes. Harbs getting a steady amount of yards. Brinkman adding in a solid 3rd down option.

You're lying if you don't think any one of these dudes would have been useful.

Jalen Mckie got burned like he was firewood every single game. Other than the one big TD on the first drive the CB's have been good in coverage. I would like to see them be more involved in stopping the run, though. Lorbeck was a complete non-factor in his NIU career. Harbinson wouldn't be any more productive behind this line than Collins, though I don't recall Harbs fumbling much. Would definitely like to have Perez, Heflin and Brinkman but Perez would just be injured like always and Heflin and Brinkman were gone no matter who was coaching, what the team was like, etc b/c they thought they could make significant improvements on their draft stock at bigger programs. So it is what it is.

Lorbeck was the second highest rated player on defense per PFF. Only Heflin scores higher.

Have you ever read PFF's "rating guide"?? It's a very, very long explanation of how they have guys watch and give their opinion via a point system. It's not factual at at all. What is factual are stats. In 2019 as a full time starter Lorbeck had 15 tackles, 19 assists, 5.5 TFLs, 2 Sacks & 1 QB hit. That's basically 3 total tackles per game with a TFL every other game and a sack every 6 games for a guy who was NEVER double teamed, NEVER shifted towards and NEVER chipped with a TE or RB because he was at best the 3rd highest priority for the offense along the front. Quintin Wynne had essentially the same stats last year, do you hear anyone crying out for "if only Wynne was back this year we would be better."

Nothing personal against Lorbeck, I'm sure he is a great dude, but to act like him leaving is hurting NIU.....Kennedy vs CMU had the same sack/QB hit production in one game that Lorbeck had all of last year.

So your opinion > PFF and Iowa’s recruiting staff. I mean, maybe you know more. I don’t know your background. But I’m going to side with people who do it for their living.

(11-13-2020 11:26 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-13-2020 11:11 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 08:56 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:12 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-11-2020 11:13 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Jalen McKie would be nice right now. So would Matt Lorbeck sealing the edge. Perez adding some stability to the O line? Heflin in the middle clogging the running lanes. Harbs getting a steady amount of yards. Brinkman adding in a solid 3rd down option.

You're lying if you don't think any one of these dudes would have been useful.

Jalen Mckie got burned like he was firewood every single game. Other than the one big TD on the first drive the CB's have been good in coverage. I would like to see them be more involved in stopping the run, though. Lorbeck was a complete non-factor in his NIU career. Harbinson wouldn't be any more productive behind this line than Collins, though I don't recall Harbs fumbling much. Would definitely like to have Perez, Heflin and Brinkman but Perez would just be injured like always and Heflin and Brinkman were gone no matter who was coaching, what the team was like, etc b/c they thought they could make significant improvements on their draft stock at bigger programs. So it is what it is.

Lorbeck was the second highest rated player on defense per PFF. Only Heflin scores higher.

Have you ever read PFF's "rating guide"?? It's a very, very long explanation of how they have guys watch and give their opinion via a point system. It's not factual at at all. What is factual are stats. In 2019 as a full time starter Lorbeck had 15 tackles, 19 assists, 5.5 TFLs, 2 Sacks & 1 QB hit. That's basically 3 total tackles per game with a TFL every other game and a sack every 6 games for a guy who was NEVER double teamed, NEVER shifted towards and NEVER chipped with a TE or RB because he was at best the 3rd highest priority for the offense along the front. Quintin Wynne had essentially the same stats last year, do you hear anyone crying out for "if only Wynne was back this year we would be better."

Nothing personal against Lorbeck, I'm sure he is a great dude, but to act like him leaving is hurting NIU.....Kennedy vs CMU had the same sack/QB hit production in one game that Lorbeck had all of last year.

So your opinion > PFF and Iowa’s recruiting staff. I mean, maybe you know more. I don’t know your background. But I’m going to side with people who do it for their living.

Amen.

(11-13-2020 11:30 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(11-13-2020 11:26 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-13-2020 11:11 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 08:56 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-12-2020 12:12 AM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  Jalen Mckie got burned like he was firewood every single game. Other than the one big TD on the first drive the CB's have been good in coverage. I would like to see them be more involved in stopping the run, though. Lorbeck was a complete non-factor in his NIU career. Harbinson wouldn't be any more productive behind this line than Collins, though I don't recall Harbs fumbling much. Would definitely like to have Perez, Heflin and Brinkman but Perez would just be injured like always and Heflin and Brinkman were gone no matter who was coaching, what the team was like, etc b/c they thought they could make significant improvements on their draft stock at bigger programs. So it is what it is.

Lorbeck was the second highest rated player on defense per PFF. Only Heflin scores higher.

Have you ever read PFF's "rating guide"?? It's a very, very long explanation of how they have guys watch and give their opinion via a point system. It's not factual at at all. What is factual are stats. In 2019 as a full time starter Lorbeck had 15 tackles, 19 assists, 5.5 TFLs, 2 Sacks & 1 QB hit. That's basically 3 total tackles per game with a TFL every other game and a sack every 6 games for a guy who was NEVER double teamed, NEVER shifted towards and NEVER chipped with a TE or RB because he was at best the 3rd highest priority for the offense along the front. Quintin Wynne had essentially the same stats last year, do you hear anyone crying out for "if only Wynne was back this year we would be better."

Nothing personal against Lorbeck, I'm sure he is a great dude, but to act like him leaving is hurting NIU.....Kennedy vs CMU had the same sack/QB hit production in one game that Lorbeck had all of last year.

So your opinion > PFF and Iowa’s recruiting staff. I mean, maybe you know more. I don’t know your background. But I’m going to side with people who do it for their living.

Amen.

The only opinion I gave was that Lorbeck is probably a great guy. I listed stats. And Iowa's recruiting staff has nothing to do with Lorbeck being there. He wanted to go there and they said "long as you don't want anything from us we won't stop you." He isn't on scholarship and he will never see the field for Iowa. (Yes, that last part is an opinion. He has 8 guys who rated higher than him out of HS than he did as a grad transfer, and they have 3 more coming in next year including a ESPN 300 4 star, doesn't seem conducive to him getting PT)