RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-07-2019 03:02 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote: Overall pretty good representation. Not real happy about second half coaching. But both sides of the ball had really good moments
I thought that the coaching was fine and NIU hung in there against a much bigger team that is likely a legit top 20 squad. Sometimes you are over matched (as we were today) but the team fought hard well into Q4.
I liked Hammock's post game comments on the radio broadcast, he is a competitor and a leader that will likely get the best out of his players all season.
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-07-2019 06:19 PM)Max Power Wrote: My post about the MAC refs was a joke. The joke is, we'd be screwed either way. Ask Corcoran.
I agree, I have always felt since NIU got screwed by the B1G refs against Wisconsin and the Illness, that OOC games should be ref'd by not MAC or the other conference refs, but 3rd party ones. I.E. NIU/Utah anyone but Pac12 or MAC refs, or by a split squad (which would never happen).
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-07-2019 05:08 PM)bikechuck Wrote:
(09-07-2019 03:02 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote: Overall pretty good representation. Not real happy about second half coaching. But both sides of the ball had really good moments
I thought that the coaching was fine and NIU hung in there against a much bigger team that is likely a legit top 20 squad. Sometimes you are over matched (as we were today) but the team fought hard well into Q4.
I liked Hammock's post game comments on the radio broadcast, he is a competitor and a leader that will likely get the best out of his players all season.
It's probably more to do with Utah just winning battles, but I thought the offense was less creative in the second half. Maybe there was nothing better they could do? But I'm positive it was a bad call to leave Starr out there alone on Anae.
As far as the defense, I know they probably had to sell out at times, but how did some Utah receivers get so open that no defender is even on the tv screen when he catches the pass?
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-07-2019 06:29 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: Is it just me, or does Bowers play like Aaron Rogers minus the arm strength?
I am a Packers fan...I agree, also when Aaron first came to the NFL, one of the complaints was his lack of arm strength. Now they were naturally comparing him to Favre. But his arm strength improved dramatically his first few years behind Favre.
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-07-2019 07:44 PM)cosine4 Wrote:
(09-07-2019 06:29 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: Is it just me, or does Bowers play like Aaron Rogers minus the arm strength?
I am a Packers fan...I agree, also when Aaron first came to the NFL, one of the complaints was his lack of arm strength. Now they were naturally comparing him to Favre. But his arm strength improved dramatically his first few years behind Favre.
I did notice Bowers can improvise and throw well off balance, and against his momentum sometimes. That ability will serve us well.
He forces some throws, he hit defenders in the hands a few times, that is going to happen with a bigger play QB. We'll see him have 2 and 3 INT games, but there's a big upside to his game too.
It's part Bowers and part new coaching, but the last 2 games have been 'better' or 'more watchable' football than we've seen for quite awhile.
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-07-2019 08:11 PM)NIU84 Wrote:
(09-07-2019 07:44 PM)cosine4 Wrote:
(09-07-2019 06:29 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: Is it just me, or does Bowers play like Aaron Rogers minus the arm strength?
I am a Packers fan...I agree, also when Aaron first came to the NFL, one of the complaints was his lack of arm strength. Now they were naturally comparing him to Favre. But his arm strength improved dramatically his first few years behind Favre.
I did notice Bowers can improvise and throw well off balance, and against his momentum sometimes. That ability will serve us well.
He forces some throws, he hit defenders in the hands a few times, that is going to happen with a bigger play QB. We'll see him have 2 and 3 INT games, but there's a big upside to his game too.
It's part Bowers and part new coaching, but the last 2 games have been 'better' or 'more watchable' football than we've seen for quite awhile.
I don't know if we will have 2-3 INT games out of him. This is easily the best D he will face all year. The All Samoan Squad.
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
Great game NIU fans. You have a real good QB who beat Jaylon Johnson, projected 1st or 2nd round corner and beat Julian Blackmon 3rd highest rated FS by NFL scouts, and did it multiple times.
The best part of the game for me was when the Utah radio guy commented that NIU players are much better athletes than last week (BYU). That sent BYU fans into a tizzy and they began complaining about it on social media. But what was even better was when BYU complainer had to be reminded that BYU lost to NIU last year. AT HOME! So great! Hah!
That targeting play is a tough call. The intent of the dB was to make a textbook low tackle and the receiver ducked causing some helmet to face mask contact, which is unfortunate and a devastating call against a defense when they just got a turnover. I feel like the targeting should have a stipulation if the offensive player is dipping into the area already occupied by the defender, then there is leniency on the defender, right?
Utah was missing it’s arguably best player on Defense in Leki Fotu, DT, but it was nice to see Bradlee Anae step up. And we appreciate the love given to Bradlee Anae by your left tackle.
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-08-2019 10:09 AM)UteDad Wrote: Great game NIU fans. You have a real good QB who beat Jaylon Johnson, projected 1st or 2nd round corner and beat Julian Blackmon 3rd highest rated FS by NFL scouts, and did it multiple times.
The best part of the game for me was when the Utah radio guy commented that NIU players are much better athletes than last week (BYU). That sent BYU fans into a tizzy and they began complaining about it on social media. But what was even better was when BYU complainer had to be reminded that BYU lost to NIU last year. AT HOME! So great! Hah!
That targeting play is a tough call. The intent of the dB was to make a textbook low tackle and the receiver ducked causing some helmet to face mask contact, which is unfortunate and a devastating call against a defense when they just got a turnover. I feel like the targeting should have a stipulation if the offensive player is dipping into the area already occupied by the defender, then there is leniency on the defender, right?
Utah was missing it’s arguably best player on Defense in Leki Fotu, DT, but it was nice to see Bradlee Anae step up. And we appreciate the love given to Bradlee Anae by your left tackle.
That pics hilarious. He certainly had his hands full all game. Not surprised the refs didn't call anything....they held onto those flags pretty tight.
I think we got what we realistically wanted from that game. Hang with a top program until depth wore us out. But Huskie fans are elated that Bowers is the real deal. I think NIU fans will be checking in to see how Utah does the rest of the way. Definitely a great team. That D with Moss....that QB just has to be solid and make a big play here and there and you'll be tough to beat.
RE: ***OFFICIAL 2019 FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER GAME THREAD*** (@ Utah Utes, Sat. 9/7)
(09-08-2019 06:22 PM)BDB5yp Wrote: Some of these Ute fans are really butthurt about Spencer Tears’ upside down U. Kind of funny and pathetic at the same time....