3-3 is now my guess, I think we're a 4-2 team, but hard to bet on that with one of the 2 losses spent opening week. Excited for the next 5 years regardless, hope something magical happens with some of the planned stadium upgrades. Facebook, your table is waiting.

I appreciated the resiliency last night. They got punched right in the mouth at the start, but calmed down, put together 2 strong quarters before the turnovers made everything fall apart. With the roster going in, I'm not sure I've felt batter after a MAC blowout loss. Season opener wise, reminds me a bit of 2007 vs. the Gophers (extremely different game script), but NIU took the L, we still felt good about it, season was awful, but you saw some glimpse of the talent on that team that would turn into a champion.

I think Buffalo played it safe, so even without turnovers, they probably pull away late. But this team has some playmakers on it.

Sigh. Losing sucks.

But if y'all see the silver linings, I do too. Lots of freshman, and it shows.

(11-05-2020 05:02 PM)17Huskies Wrote:  I appreciated the resiliency last night. They got punched right in the mouth at the start, but calmed down, put together 2 strong quarters before the turnovers made everything fall apart. With the roster going in, I'm not sure I've felt batter after a MAC blowout loss. Season opener wise, reminds me a bit of 2007 vs. the Gophers (extremely different game script), but NIU took the L, we still felt good about it, season was awful, but you saw some glimpse of the talent on that team that would turn into a champion.

I think Buffalo played it safe, so even without turnovers, they probably pull away late. But this team has some playmakers on it.

Novak retired that year. He didn't play a lot of future "stars" so they'd keep their redshirt despite pressure to play them. One of those players was Chandler Harnish.
Coach Novak basically sacrificed that year to build the team up for a great 10 year run.
If we have to "sacrifice" a year let it be this one. 6 games in the middle of a pandemic, there will always be an asterisk by 2020.

(11-05-2020 03:09 PM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  So to build a successful program you basically need 4 things:

1) Talent
2) Ability to develop that talent
3) Game Planning and In Game Coaching
4) Culture

After re-watching the game with these things in mind and how I would compare them from last year to this year to how things project to the future, here are my thoughts.

1) This staff can flat out recruit. There was not a significant talent gap between the two teams on the field last night even though NIU was exponentially younger and less experienced. Outlook for the future: A+
2) Honestly, I'm up in the air on this one still. Some of the freshman seemed very well prepared and coached for being in their first ever games, but it's hard to know how much of that is from this staff and how much from their HS coaching. The thing that worries me is it is hard to point out one veteran, experienced player that jumped off the screen as being definitely improved vs last season. Outlook for the future: C
3) There were not any noticeable "we were out-schemed" moments and when the ball wasn't being turned over there was a very nice balance and flow to the offensive play calling, with a good plan of methodical, time consuming drives to keep Buffalo's run game off the field. The 2 minute drill at the end of the half was picture perfect clock management and execution. The defense did get caught in a bad play call on the long TD run, but that was really the only bad call, and it was out of trying to be aggressive vs what play they thought was going to be coming. There were some really nice play designs by the offense, especially the TD to Tucker. Outlook for the future: B
4) Would definitely like to see a little bit more mental toughness in terms of after the first turnover not letting it snowball like it did. However, after the deluge of turnovers and with the game decided, they did settle back down, compete hard, score 2 more TD's and get multiple stops on defense. With zero crowd behind them to provide some energy, to re-focus and keep playing hard in that circumstance showed a lot. Same as the amount of enthusiasm at the end of the game i.e. the forced turnover and celebration. That was clearly a team that was still in a positive frame of mind despite the very tough night. Outlook for the future: A

Thank you for mentioning the clock management and two minute drill. It was as perfect management in the last two minutes that I can remember in the last 15 years. I was astonished with the announcers basically ripping NIU for taking time, not calling timeouts as the clock ran down. Buffalo still got the ball with close to 30 seconds left but we also threw out a fake two point conversion formation to force Buffalo into wasting a timeout of their own.

Never thought I would see a team give up 50 and be able to find multiple good points a day later.

(11-05-2020 05:52 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(11-05-2020 03:09 PM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  So to build a successful program you basically need 4 things:

1) Talent
2) Ability to develop that talent
3) Game Planning and In Game Coaching
4) Culture

After re-watching the game with these things in mind and how I would compare them from last year to this year to how things project to the future, here are my thoughts.

1) This staff can flat out recruit. There was not a significant talent gap between the two teams on the field last night even though NIU was exponentially younger and less experienced. Outlook for the future: A+
2) Honestly, I'm up in the air on this one still. Some of the freshman seemed very well prepared and coached for being in their first ever games, but it's hard to know how much of that is from this staff and how much from their HS coaching. The thing that worries me is it is hard to point out one veteran, experienced player that jumped off the screen as being definitely improved vs last season. Outlook for the future: C
3) There were not any noticeable "we were out-schemed" moments and when the ball wasn't being turned over there was a very nice balance and flow to the offensive play calling, with a good plan of methodical, time consuming drives to keep Buffalo's run game off the field. The 2 minute drill at the end of the half was picture perfect clock management and execution. The defense did get caught in a bad play call on the long TD run, but that was really the only bad call, and it was out of trying to be aggressive vs what play they thought was going to be coming. There were some really nice play designs by the offense, especially the TD to Tucker. Outlook for the future: B
4) Would definitely like to see a little bit more mental toughness in terms of after the first turnover not letting it snowball like it did. However, after the deluge of turnovers and with the game decided, they did settle back down, compete hard, score 2 more TD's and get multiple stops on defense. With zero crowd behind them to provide some energy, to re-focus and keep playing hard in that circumstance showed a lot. Same as the amount of enthusiasm at the end of the game i.e. the forced turnover and celebration. That was clearly a team that was still in a positive frame of mind despite the very tough night. Outlook for the future: A

Thank you for mentioning the clock management and two minute drill. It was as perfect management in the last two minutes that I can remember in the last 15 years. I was astonished with the announcers basically ripping NIU for taking time, not calling timeouts as the clock ran down. Buffalo still got the ball with close to 30 seconds left but we also threw out a fake two point conversion formation to force Buffalo into wasting a timeout of their own.

Never thought I would see a team give up 50 and be able to find multiple good points a day later.

The onside kick early in the game was odd. Didn't seem like a time to use it.

I like the raw talent. I look at this season as extra practice and let's rev it up for 2021.

I didn't mind the onside kick. Coach Hammock is trying to instill an aggressive, competitive culture and this short season is a great time to do it. I hope they onside kick, fake punt, go for two, go for it on fourth down, etc. for this whole YOLO season.

Sorry but do not share in the optimism.

(11-05-2020 07:22 PM)leguptopee Wrote:  Sorry but do not share in the optimism.

Don’t think anyone here needs you to share in the optimism....plenty has already been said about the erratic line play, the youth, the turnovers, poor tackling, etc.

NIU played the team that is by far the best in the conference and the announcers who we all know don’t know nor care about MAC football and continually through the game, they said, as impartial watchers that they were impressed with how NIU wasn’t grossly overmatched and the talent gap was not as great as they thought it was going to be.

Yes, yes, yes NIU can lay an egg next week and the ripsters will come out of the woodwork on Thursday. Take it for what it is really worth—-we had the opportunity to watch football during these crappy times...that should be reason for optimism in itself.

I don't think Buffalo is going to be by far the best team, or even the best team at all.

I see some talent there, just hope they can be more consistently productive.

Just beat Toledo to salvage the season. If we do go 1-5, let the 1 be Toledo.

(11-05-2020 07:38 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(11-05-2020 07:22 PM)leguptopee Wrote:  Sorry but do not share in the optimism.

Don’t think anyone here needs you to share in the optimism....plenty has already been said about the erratic line play, the youth, the turnovers, poor tackling, etc.

NIU played the team that is by far the best in the conference and the announcers who we all know don’t know nor care about MAC football and continually through the game, they said, as impartial watchers that they were impressed with how NIU wasn’t grossly overmatched and the talent gap was not as great as they thought it was going to be.

Yes, yes, yes NIU can lay an egg next week and the ripsters will come out of the woodwork on Thursday. Take it for what it is really worth—-we had the opportunity to watch football during these crappy times...that should be reason for optimism in itself.

Oh well then I didn't know watching crappy football during these crappy times was a reason for optimism. Then I'm optimistic as hell

(11-05-2020 05:33 PM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  

(11-05-2020 05:02 PM)17Huskies Wrote:  I appreciated the resiliency last night. They got punched right in the mouth at the start, but calmed down, put together 2 strong quarters before the turnovers made everything fall apart. With the roster going in, I'm not sure I've felt batter after a MAC blowout loss. Season opener wise, reminds me a bit of 2007 vs. the Gophers (extremely different game script), but NIU took the L, we still felt good about it, season was awful, but you saw some glimpse of the talent on that team that would turn into a champion.

I think Buffalo played it safe, so even without turnovers, they probably pull away late. But this team has some playmakers on it.

Novak retired that year. He didn't play a lot of future "stars" so they'd keep their redshirt despite pressure to play them. One of those players was Chandler Harnish.
Coach Novak basically sacrificed that year to build the team up for a great 10 year run.
If we have to "sacrifice" a year let it be this one. 6 games in the middle of a pandemic, there will always be an asterisk by 2020.

Do you remember when Kill started DeMarcus Grady over Chandler Harnish?

Pepperidge Farms remembers.

Overall talent is better. If our Offensive line can jell, running game should be good. Bowers has targets. Richie, Rudolph, Tucker and Crawford are good targets. Hope one more TE will blossom. Defensive line has some work to do. Linebackers strength of defense. Secondary iffy. Hansen makes a pick then blows a tackle. He will learn. Overall, heartbreaking the defensive touchdowns cost this game. Next

Hansen missed that tackle that is what you get with FR bouncing a HS running back Is a lot different than trying to knock a NFL type back. I saw some very good young talent Rayner will be a beast, Hansen showed,the WE Rudolph me of those Kill Wrs that were so good. #76 showed potential on OL as a Tr Fr Champee. , Z Is a beast.

UB just outclassed us , that is a good football team. If we aged them a 100 times we would not win. Bowers played horrible as did Collins. The OLine out performed them.. Don't drop the ball unless you want to stand on the sidelines next to coach.

(11-05-2020 11:41 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  My son just sent me his thoughts on the game which I thought were pretty good, see below:


QB- Other than the fumble and pick 6 (which was a bad play call), I thought Bowers looked great. When he was given time in the pocket, he was extremely effective. Both dropped TD’s by Crawford and Rudolph were incredible touch passes he squeezed in there. They both catch the ball and he doesn’t fumble, his stat line looks incredible. Thought Haidet looked relatively competent in his back up roll for the 1 or 2 series he was in there. Nice to see Thompson as well, if anything gives us an idea of where the depth chart stands in the minds of the coaches heading into next year.



RB- Two words, HARRISON….WAYLEE. Thought he looked great other than his fumble, consistently bottled up at the line and had enough burst to consistently get positive yards. Similar to Waylee, I think Gregory looked solid as well. Everyone knows that Collins can play, but after one game I am questioning his burst. Worst case he’s the big back, but was getting some Harbison vibes from him with regards to big play potential. Think we will see a lot of Waylee next week against CMU.



WR- Let’s start with the positives, Bowers and Richie finally looking like a couple of seasoned upperclassman. Richie going up and making catches in traffic, very happy with him. Aside from the dropped TD, the Rudolph hype is real. This kid clearly has that “it” factor and could be a great down field threat. As far as everyone else, I won’t even get into it….the drops are unacceptable—and it wasn’t one guy it was everyone.



TE/FB- Not much to detail here—Crawford looked good other than the drop, Soraghan and Bostad did their thing in the blocking game.



OL- Might be an unpopular opinion, but thought the o-line as a whole did a pretty decent job. Cox (although got beat a few times), Patton and Z are never going to come out of the game. Was skeptical about Potter but thought he played very well, and apparently the coaches did as well considering he basically played the whole game until the end when Buss came in. The other large positive was Champe at guard. He got in the game early and ended up logging as many snaps, if not more, than Olson. Buffalo has arguably the best d-line in the conference and was also stacking the box, thought this young line held their own for the most part. Key to this season will be giving Bowers enough time in the pass game and let WRs get downfield into their routes.



DL- Thought the interior held their own for the most part. Kramer, Taylor, Ester and Griffin will get most of the playing time this season. DE is a different story, looked like we had 2 true freshman starting their first collegiate game….because we did. Buffalo beat us on the edge all night. Based on the lack of seniority at this position, these young guys are just going to be forced to learn on the fly. Someone, anyone, needs to get some presser on the QB on 3rd down though. I don’t care if it’s Jordan Cole standing up on the edge, we can’t let QBs stand back there for 5 seconds all season.



LB- Rattin, Pugh and Deveaux are all dudes. Speaking of Jordan Cole, was very interested to see that he didn’t play at all—will be interesting to see if that continues. Only other LB that logged any time was true freshman Daveren Rayner, who I thought looked great in his first game. Track guy in high school who can really run, and looks like he will easily put on a lot more weight. In conclusion, not even a little worried about the LBs.



DB- A lot to talk about here, let’s start with safety. Coaches are obviously very high on Hansen who had a great INT in the first half. That being said, missed a bunch of tackles and doesn’t look like much of a thumper. Considering 98% of his focus in high school was on playing QB, I think it is going to take him a minute to adjust to the physicality of playing safety at the FBS level. Lafayette played better in the box, missed a few tackles in space early but got better as the game went on. CJ Brown played a few series as well, and looked fine. Coaches have been extremely high on him since day 1.



As for CB, we saw a lot of guys get playing time. Buffalo picked on Gandy all night with their larger WRs, which I could see being a trend this year. Thought it was interesting the Dillion Thomas barely played in the second half. The TD he gave up in the first half could not have been better coverage, unfortunately there’s not defense for a perfect pass. Myles McGee played a lot, especially in the second half. He gave up one big play, but seems like a gamer—thought he held his own for his first collegiate game. Other thing to note is that I didn’t even see Mark Aitken dressed. He started last year on opening day and this staff is very high on him—something must be going on with him off the field.



K/P- Ference and Richardson are two of the best players on the team. Such a relief compared to years past when you have two experienced guys who are consistent.

Good stuff; who is your son?

(11-05-2020 05:33 PM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  

(11-05-2020 05:02 PM)17Huskies Wrote:  I appreciated the resiliency last night. They got punched right in the mouth at the start, but calmed down, put together 2 strong quarters before the turnovers made everything fall apart. With the roster going in, I'm not sure I've felt batter after a MAC blowout loss. Season opener wise, reminds me a bit of 2007 vs. the Gophers (extremely different game script), but NIU took the L, we still felt good about it, season was awful, but you saw some glimpse of the talent on that team that would turn into a champion.

I think Buffalo played it safe, so even without turnovers, they probably pull away late. But this team has some playmakers on it.

Novak retired that year. He didn't play a lot of future "stars" so they'd keep their redshirt despite pressure to play them. One of those players was Chandler Harnish.
Coach Novak basically sacrificed that year to build the team up for a great 10 year run.
If we have to "sacrifice" a year let it be this one. 6 games in the middle of a pandemic, there will always be an asterisk by 2020.

Great post. Novak repeatedly did what was best for the program rather than what was best for him. That's the reason why so many of us revere him despite his deceptively mediocere W/L record.

Good stuff; who is your son?
[/quote]

Haha, just a hardcore Huskie fan like the old man. He did not attend NIU due to playing baseball elsewhere, but has been attending football games with me since he was a little kid and still does in his late 20's. We usually take a Huskie football road trip and were planning to go to Maryland this year before that got derailed. Went to Utah last year and had an awesome time, got some hiking in after the game. He went to the Orange Bowl with me and we were just talking about what an awesome experience that was.

(11-05-2020 09:12 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  Hansen missed that tackle that is what you get with FR bouncing a HS running back Is a lot different than trying to knock a NFL type back. I saw some very good young talent Rayner will be a beast, Hansen showed,the WE Rudolph me of those Kill Wrs that were so good. #76 showed potential on OL as a Tr Fr Champee. , Z Is a beast.

UB just outclassed us , that is a good football team. If we aged them a 100 times we would not win. Bowers played horrible as did Collins. The OLine out performed them.. Don't drop the ball unless you want to stand on the sidelines next to coach.

I guess we saw different games. If we played UB 100x, we'd win the majority of them...even with this young team.