Well, if NIU moves to the SEC anytime soon they'll be in trouble. Kudos to Arkansas, they're obviously a much improved team. Bert is a good coach and has them going in the right direction. Arkansas outclassed NIU this evening.

Any chance NIU had of winning the game probably went out the window with the two non-offensive TDs early on by Arkansas. That was going to take a really good effort by NIU, and that created an uphill battle NIU just couldn't overcome.

It's a shame to because that wasn't Florida State. There were play on the outside for NIU to make, which probably would have opened up the run a little bit, but they just weren't made for a combination of reasons.

Arkansas put 52 on the board, but I was actually really impressed with how the defense battled, particularly against the run. Arkansas only averaged 4.7 YPC, which is well below their season average of 7.9. I'll give the Arkansas offensive line credit though, because I said I wanted to see if those trees could pass block and they did a really nice job shutting down NIU's pass rush. It's unfortunate because I think if the offense/special teams would have played better the defense could have made enough stops to win that game.

Very disappointed in the offensive line. They're a really good MAC offensive line, but sadly when they had their chances to be more against Florida State, Arkansas, and even to a lesser extent Utah State who had a strong defense, they just didn't do it. They'll go back to steamrolling people in conference play, but as I said before the game this was going to come down on who could run the ball better, and Arkansas won that battle hands down.

Drew Hare. His numbers looked decent (18/29, 180, 2 TD) and he didn't get any help from the run game, but just color me completely unimpressed and skeptical of him. He's extremely slow and indecisive in everything he does. He's also not a very accurate passer. There's just not one thing you look at that blows you away. He's not a bad QB and he still hasn't thrown a pick which is huge, but I think it's just a matter of time before his hold, hold, stare, hitch, and throw gets him in trouble. I really would like to see them give Maddie a chance to actually run the offense. The one time they did that (the Northwestern game), he looked very impressive. I have no idea if he can throw (and before anyone says he can't neither do you), but I do know he has a dynamic skill with his feet, and that's one more dynamic skill than Hare has. Unfortunately we're 4 games in, and he still really hasn't gotten a chance yet. Maybe that's because the coaches don't think he can throw, but the reason NIU has been so good the last 4 years is dynamic QB play, and I have my doubts Drew Hare will ever be a dynamic player.

I think ACRB and Jordan Huff are going to make a dynamic backfield even after Cam and Akeem graduate. Was impressed by both of them tonight. Huff appears to be a bigger dude that has some speed as well.

With all that being said, I don't think you could have asked for much better than 3-1 out of conference. There's no reason to think this team can't or shouldn't go win conference. Enjoy the week off, and go beat Kent State.

Mmmmm......better team won, and won convincingly. On to next game.

I think Hare is clearly better than Maddie and will look better with more experience, but I understand your frustration with him.

Hare is the guy. Maddie can't throw a pass, and doesn't run north and south like Hare does.

"Arkansas only averaged 4.7 YPC, which is well below their season average of 7.9"

and it was 4.2 when the starters were still in...heck of a job by our D-line hanging in there up front, they didn't "win" many battles, but they didn't get destroyed. And...unlike Florida State, we didn't give up big runs, that was nice to see.

I am worried that this offense is going to get stopped by a few good MAC D's...we really need all of our skill players back, wouldn't have made a difference tonight, but have to have it for MAC play.

Can Wedel go back to taking kick-offs and knocking them into the end zone?

Still concerned overall about the secondary, don't think that's going to change, but we can win with them.

(09-20-2014 09:36 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I think Hare is clearly better than Maddie and will look better with more experience, but I understand your frustration with him.

I'm not sure if it's an experience thing. It's not like you watch him and you see him do something and you're like, that's an inexperience thing he'll improve with. I'm really not sure how much room he has to grow. He'll hopefully get better at looking off receivers, but that delivery is always going to be painfully slow and he's likely always going to look awkward.

(09-20-2014 09:38 PM)7 Wrote:  

(09-20-2014 09:36 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I think Hare is clearly better than Maddie and will look better with more experience, but I understand your frustration with him.

I'm not sure if it's an experience thing. It's not like you watch him and you see him do something and you're like, that's an inexperience thing he'll improve with. I'm really not sure how much room he has to grow. He'll hopefully get better at looking off receivers, but that delivery is always going to be painfully slow and he's likely always going to look awkward.

See, I think the slowness has been more of decision thing and not a motion thing. He's also been shaky on the mesh and read option.

Even though Maddie isn't as good (I think, I can't say I know), he certainly seems a little more confident and decisive. I can see why he's appealing.

I think Hare is the better QB, but for the love of sweet baby Jesus, its time to go with 1 QB for Kent State, NO MORE COMPETITION

(09-20-2014 09:40 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(09-20-2014 09:38 PM)7 Wrote:  

(09-20-2014 09:36 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I think Hare is clearly better than Maddie and will look better with more experience, but I understand your frustration with him.

I'm not sure if it's an experience thing. It's not like you watch him and you see him do something and you're like, that's an inexperience thing he'll improve with. I'm really not sure how much room he has to grow. He'll hopefully get better at looking off receivers, but that delivery is always going to be painfully slow and he's likely always going to look awkward.

See, I think the slowness has been more of decision thing and not a motion thing. He's also been shaky on the mesh and read option.

Even though Maddie isn't as good (I think, I can't say I know), he certainly seems a little more confident and decisive. I can see why he's appealing.

agree

(09-20-2014 09:38 PM)7 Wrote:  

(09-20-2014 09:36 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I think Hare is clearly better than Maddie and will look better with more experience, but I understand your frustration with him.

I'm not sure if it's an experience thing. It's not like you watch him and you see him do something and you're like, that's an inexperience thing he'll improve with. I'm really not sure how much room he has to grow. He'll hopefully get better at looking off receivers, but that delivery is always going to be painfully slow and he's likely always going to look awkward.

Thinking about it a little bit more...it seems Hare, moreso than most players, really goes with momentum...so when things go bad (rough start to the game), he's all over the place....and when he gets in a groove....he can be awesome.

But man...when he's going bad, it's not pretty.

Hare is frustrating. He's supposed to be the best passer of the bunch. If he can't be more accurate, you might as well put Maddie in.

(09-20-2014 09:49 PM)HuskieRak Wrote:  Hare is frustrating. He's supposed to be the best passer of the bunch. If he can't be more accurate, you might as well put Maddie in.

I think that's what I've been most disappointed in. Really strong arm, but he's just not very accurate.

first it was an sec team. they have a lot of studs. second, their first two tds were not from their offense. yes arkansas was better team but the score was worse than the actual play

3 and 1 is a good start and Arkansas is much improved and we were without Akeem and Tommylee. BUT that was still a homely game for our boys. Way too many penalties and mistakes. We started the game with a TD return and the second half with a busted play and a penalty. That stuff can't happen. Our D played pretty well but spotting them two scores allowed them to do what they do best, run downhill. Most times after a game like that you say throw the tape away but I think our team can learn a lot from it. They should be in the hunt for a conference championship if they do.

(09-20-2014 09:49 PM)HuskieRak Wrote:  Hare is frustrating. He's supposed to be the best passer of the bunch. If he can't be more accurate, you might as well put Maddie in.

An understandable position. But I think I'd like to see how he looks against a couple MAC teams first.

Now watch the huge game coverage we get in the Slum-Times tomorrow.

(09-20-2014 10:06 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Now watch the huge game coverage we get in the Slum-Times tomorrow.

Oh, you've already made up your mind about them. Why worry?

(09-20-2014 10:07 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(09-20-2014 10:06 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Now watch the huge game coverage we get in the Slum-Times tomorrow.

Oh, you've already made up your mind about them. Why worry?

I didn't and couldn't see the game. But just looking at the numbers from Arkansas and their past opponents, our defense didn't get completely dominated like Texas Tech (6.4 ypc and 438 yards rushing) and even against Auburn they still averaged 5.3 ypc.

From my understanding we gave up 14 easy points because of special teams errors and a fumble return for TD.

I don't see anyone else in the MAC holding us to 3.8 ypc unless for some reason we get away from our run game and turn into Texas Tech and just throw the ball the entire game. Speaking of which, Texas Tech only had 252 yards and 3 TDs passing on 45 passing attempts against Arkansas despite being running a pass heavy offense.

Note to Carey: Hare is your QB, make a decision!
As stated in earlier post, we are not an SEC team. We regroup and get ready for MAC play
Congrats to the Hogs, they did it with passing, run game and special teams