TheWoodenNickle
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RE: Bye Week:
(09-23-2019 12:50 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote: I've taken some time to mentally reset and collect my thoughts after this game. I more or less share the thoughts most of you have said here. I wrote down some of the reasons why I thought the game ended up the way it did. These aren't excuses, as it really doesn't matter (results matter). But just my guesses as to why Saturday unfolded that way.
1. Injuries: I think we're really underestimating how banged up some of our key players are. Kevin McGill - DNP. Clay Holford - DNP. Shaq Vann - DNP. Ty Eddington - DNP (Hasn't played all season). I'm sure other guys were banged up that may have played hurt or left during the game.
That really adds up. Especially on defense. We all saw a lack of pass rush and poor coverage from the DBs. Well, we were missing two starters at those units. Hopefully they can get healthy again soon. McGill and Holford were keys to our defense in the first 3 games (2 games for McGill). McGill is especially important and we were already thin behind Holford.
2. Poor game plan: I think the entire offensive coaching staff thought we could roll into this game with a vanilla, "show nothing" game plan and walk away with an easy win. Obviously that wasn't the case. It's hard to find a way mid-game to throw in all the wrinkles, especially when you haven't practiced them or charted them out prior to the game. We were stuck with a ****** offensive game plan and our backs against the wall.
3. Hangover from Illinois: As much as I thought Creighton and co. would have the guys ready to play at 100%, that was clearly not the case. I think we have to remember that these are college-aged men out there who are hearing all the hype/media attention. It's not impossible for the Illinois win and the hype to seep into their heads and mess with their preparation. They also hear/see all the media attention and expectations that we do.
4. Weather delay: We've all heard it said - "Weather delays help the less talented team. We had all the momentum going into the weather delay. Scoring to go up 2 TDs immediately before the break. Their defense was tired. The weather delay allowed CCSU to get a second chance at adjustment and to rest their defense.
It also sucked all the energy out of the stadium on our side. Players just did not look the same after the break, and the crowd was just not as into it.
5. Distractions from new SAPC facility/Road travel caught up to us: Maybe this is a stretch, but the 3 straight weeks of long travel could have played a factor. Those weren't short trips. Plus, a new routine and all the related distractions connected to the SAPC.
6. CCSU played and coached the best game of their lives: Plain and simple. Their QB is an FBS transfer from Georgia State, and looked like it on Saturday. We weren't prepared for that kind of challenge. The CCSU QB was primarily a run-heavy QB coming into the week, but he probably had his best passing performance ever against us. I know I didn't see that coming.
This bye week is desperately needed. Creighton and the team KNOW that they have to have serious improvement to have the kind of MAC season that they want. In the press conference, Creighton explicitly said the offensive and defensive lines are where we "need to improve the most over the course of the year." He is well aware of the issues. Can he, Keen, and Neathery fix them? I'm sure getting back the injured players is a start.
EDIT: By the way, new FCS Top 25 polls came out. CCSU is now receiving votes. I'm willing to bet they win their conference and finish the season ranked.
Excellent post, Frank. I did see some of the backup DEs on the field that I had not seen play previously. Not sure if it was planned that way or if it was because of the Holford injury.
This team needs to get healthy. The central game promises to be a battle. I see the start time has been posted for 3 pm. Might have to make a road trip to that one.
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09-23-2019 03:56 PM |
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emu steve
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RE: Bye Week:
Yep. A 3:00 p.m. start. Those decisions are made by ESPN 12 days before the game for TV purposes. I believe homecoming is the exception.
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09-23-2019 04:42 PM |
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Huron Boy
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RE: Bye Week:
(09-23-2019 12:50 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote: I've taken some time to mentally reset and collect my thoughts after this game. I more or less share the thoughts most of you have said here. I wrote down some of the reasons why I thought the game ended up the way it did. These aren't excuses, as it really doesn't matter (results matter). But just my guesses as to why Saturday unfolded that way.
1. Injuries: I think we're really underestimating how banged up some of our key players are. Kevin McGill - DNP. Clay Holford - DNP. Shaq Vann - DNP. Ty Eddington - DNP (Hasn't played all season). I'm sure other guys were banged up that may have played hurt or left during the game.
That really adds up. Especially on defense. We all saw a lack of pass rush and poor coverage from the DBs. Well, we were missing two starters at those units. Hopefully they can get healthy again soon. McGill and Holford were keys to our defense in the first 3 games (2 games for McGill). McGill is especially important and we were already thin behind Holford.
2. Poor game plan: I think the entire offensive coaching staff thought we could roll into this game with a vanilla, "show nothing" game plan and walk away with an easy win. Obviously that wasn't the case. It's hard to find a way mid-game to throw in all the wrinkles, especially when you haven't practiced them or charted them out prior to the game. We were stuck with a ****** offensive game plan and our backs against the wall.
3. Hangover from Illinois: As much as I thought Creighton and co. would have the guys ready to play at 100%, that was clearly not the case. I think we have to remember that these are college-aged men out there who are hearing all the hype/media attention. It's not impossible for the Illinois win and the hype to seep into their heads and mess with their preparation. They also hear/see all the media attention and expectations that we do.
4. Weather delay: We've all heard it said - "Weather delays help the less talented team. We had all the momentum going into the weather delay. Scoring to go up 2 TDs immediately before the break. Their defense was tired. The weather delay allowed CCSU to get a second chance at adjustment and to rest their defense.
It also sucked all the energy out of the stadium on our side. Players just did not look the same after the break, and the crowd was just not as into it.
5. Distractions from new SAPC facility/Road travel caught up to us: Maybe this is a stretch, but the 3 straight weeks of long travel could have played a factor. Those weren't short trips. Plus, a new routine and all the related distractions connected to the SAPC.
6. CCSU played and coached the best game of their lives: Plain and simple. Their QB is an FBS transfer from Georgia State, and looked like it on Saturday. We weren't prepared for that kind of challenge. The CCSU QB was primarily a run-heavy QB coming into the week, but he probably had his best passing performance ever against us. I know I didn't see that coming.
This bye week is desperately needed. Creighton and the team KNOW that they have to have serious improvement to have the kind of MAC season that they want. In the press conference, Creighton explicitly said the offensive and defensive lines are where we "need to improve the most over the course of the year." He is well aware of the issues. Can he, Keen, and Neathery fix them? I'm sure getting back the injured players is a start.
EDIT: By the way, new FCS Top 25 polls came out. CCSU is now receiving votes. I'm willing to bet they win their conference and finish the season ranked.
Nice summary Frank - I think our injuries are problematic, and maybe we are not as deep in some spots as we'd think.
CCSU came to play, and they looked the part of spoiler. Thank the stars for Matt Sexton....
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09-23-2019 07:22 PM |
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emu79
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RE: Bye Week:
(09-23-2019 07:06 AM)dansplaining Wrote: I thought the running game looked ok but only ok. CC doesn't have the killer instinct. He doesnt go for the kill when he has the chance. he coaches like theyre up by 30 when theyre up by 6. neathery spoils him by saving his bacon so often.
I left before the punt block and shouted a bunch of obscenities in the concourse and i dont take them back. it was better when we went 0-12 under ron english than that game. we let them off the hook and gagged like dogs. if emu wants to carry themselves like a real team then they have to start winning real games and start finishing teams and that comes from the top. i want to see us run up the score a couple times a year.
hopefully this is rock bottom and we rebound and hang 40 on CMU in two weeks.
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09-24-2019 06:59 AM |
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dansplaining
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RE: Bye Week:
Is it just me or did glass look hurt in the second half? he was missing guys by a mile.
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09-24-2019 10:53 AM |
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emu steve
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RE: Bye Week:
(09-24-2019 10:53 AM)dansplaining Wrote: Is it just me or did glass look hurt in the second half? he was missing guys by a mile.
I noticed after the delay his accuracy didn't seem there.
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09-24-2019 11:30 AM |
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FrankAnderson
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RE: Bye Week:
That's what I was talking about during and after the game. Glass finished with a good completion percentage, but in the 4th was consistently SAILING the ball on passes to open receivers. He looked like an entirely different quarterback. He had Bryson Cannon for a big 1st down on our final drive, but missed by a mile. The last INT he threw? Over-throw.
He did get a nasty face-mask committed on him earlier in the game. Was that a factor? Bad week of preparation? I don't know. But he just didn't look the same out there. I do have faith that he will rebound and perform up to his standards, though.
(This post was last modified: 09-24-2019 11:37 AM by FrankAnderson.)
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09-24-2019 11:36 AM |
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FrankAnderson
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RE: Bye Week:
Just listened to some of radio broadcast from Saturday. Rob Rubick gave an update on McGill and Vann's injuries:
McGill fully expected to be ready to go for CMU. That's awesome news.
Vann is a fluid situation. They are waiting to see on how long before he can come back.
(This post was last modified: 09-25-2019 02:15 PM by FrankAnderson.)
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09-25-2019 01:37 PM |
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EagleTough
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RE: Bye Week:
(09-24-2019 11:36 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote: That's what I was talking about during and after the game. Glass finished with a good completion percentage, but in the 4th was consistently SAILING the ball on passes to open receivers. He looked like an entirely different quarterback. He had Bryson Cannon for a big 1st down on our final drive, but missed by a mile. The last INT he threw? Over-throw.
He did get a nasty face-mask committed on him earlier in the game. Was that a factor? Bad week of preparation? I don't know. But he just didn't look the same out there. I do have faith that he will rebound and perform up to his standards, though.
Cannon seems to be a good pick up. Playing a lot, good receiving TE.
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09-25-2019 03:55 PM |
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FrankAnderson
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09-27-2019 12:43 PM |
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emu steve
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
Today is the "Bye Week: No game Day." That doesn't mean the season is over, but maybe time to do some channel flipping to watch the noon selection of games including CMU @ WMU.
Other good games: BYU @ TOL and NIU @ Vandy.
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09-28-2019 05:43 AM |
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TheWoodenNickle
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
(09-28-2019 05:43 AM)emu steve Wrote: Today is the "Bye Week: No game Day." That doesn't mean the season is over, but maybe time to do some channel flipping to watch the noon selection of games including CMU @ WMU.
Other good games: BYU @ TOL and NIU @ Vandy.
Not sure if I want the WMU Broncos or the CMU Abstainers to win today. If Central wins it may help us next week.
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09-28-2019 06:23 AM |
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alum93
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
(09-28-2019 06:23 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote: (09-28-2019 05:43 AM)emu steve Wrote: Today is the "Bye Week: No game Day." That doesn't mean the season is over, but maybe time to do some channel flipping to watch the noon selection of games including CMU @ WMU.
Other good games: BYU @ TOL and NIU @ Vandy.
Not sure if I want the WMU Broncos or the CMU Abstainers to win today. If Central winds it may help us next week.
Looks like WMU is 16-17 point favorites.
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09-28-2019 09:35 AM |
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EMUGLORYDAYSthe90's
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
W Mich crushing C Mich, Toledo playing a really good BYU team tough, N Illinois doing okay against Vanderbilt! I think the MAC west goes through Toledo from what I've seen so far!!!!
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09-28-2019 01:32 PM |
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emu steve
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
(09-28-2019 01:32 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote: W Mich crushing C Mich, Toledo playing a really good BYU team tough, N Illinois doing okay against Vanderbilt! I think the MAC west goes through Toledo from what I've seen so far!!!!
Agree. TOL beat BYU.
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09-28-2019 02:54 PM |
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EMUGLORYDAYSthe90's
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
Toledo has beaten 2 P5 schools in the past 2 weeks!!!!! We've to come out focused next week in Mt P against C Mich!!!!! They got their butts kicked today!!!!!!
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09-28-2019 03:20 PM |
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ljmhurons
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
(09-28-2019 03:20 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote: Toledo has beaten 2 P5 schools in the past 2 weeks!!!!! We've to come out focused next week in Mt P against C Mich!!!!! They got their butts kicked today!!!!!!
CO state and BYU are not P5 schools. Nice wins anyway.
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09-28-2019 03:38 PM |
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TheWoodenNickle
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Bye Week/No Game Day
Miami beat Buffalo by 2 TDs and Akron is very bad. Our MAC east opponents are very beatable.
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09-28-2019 03:51 PM |
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emu steve
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
(09-28-2019 03:38 PM)ljmhurons Wrote: (09-28-2019 03:20 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote: Toledo has beaten 2 P5 schools in the past 2 weeks!!!!! We've to come out focused next week in Mt P against C Mich!!!!! They got their butts kicked today!!!!!!
CO state and BYU are not P5 schools. Nice wins anyway.
You are certainly correct. BYU is an independent.
That said, TOL gets to fly the MAC Jolly Roger for beating BYU, which is a P5-caliber team.
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09-28-2019 04:29 PM |
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EMUGLORYDAYSthe90's
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RE: Bye Week/No Game Day
I stand corrected about my P5 comment! But, regardless still 2 nice wins!
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09-28-2019 05:14 PM |
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