(10-09-2021 07:08 PM)BDB5yp Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 07:02 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 05:28 PM)mgm86huskiefn Wrote:  Have to ride with Rocky the whole way. It will be the hard way with the ups and downs but he seems to come thru at the end

They do need to give whoever is the back-up some reps as they are just one play away from being needed.

We need to blow somebody out for him to get an opportunity.

I think it's fairly obvious their plan is to not play Hampton unless they absolutely have to so they can redshirt him.

As we get to the back end of the season you may see him, but I doubt you'll see him in mop up time before November because of it.

(10-10-2021 06:42 PM)7 Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 07:08 PM)BDB5yp Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 07:02 PM)bikechuck Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 05:28 PM)mgm86huskiefn Wrote:  Have to ride with Rocky the whole way. It will be the hard way with the ups and downs but he seems to come thru at the end

They do need to give whoever is the back-up some reps as they are just one play away from being needed.

We need to blow somebody out for him to get an opportunity.

I think it's fairly obvious their plan is to not play Hampton unless they absolutely have to so they can redshirt him.

As we get to the back end of the season you may see him, but I doubt you'll see him in mop up time before November because of it.

Agreed. Fletcher can still get a shirt too.

So whomever the backup is I would like to see them get snaps, but…I have to double check…I think all of the backups have a redshirt they can use this season.

Lomax , Yost, Fletcher, and Hampton all appear to have a redshirt. Yost gets a little cloudy with his transfer. He was at Wagner 2 seasons…but one was 2020 and it didn’t count. So I think he has a redshirt.

If Hammock had his choice none of these guys would get snaps earlier than need be. In a few games they can get out there.

Those guys are your QB room for the next 4 or 5 years.

Late to the party here, was out of town. Listened to the first three quarters driving to Michigan, then relied on texts from my son for updates. It's always great to beat Toledo!

Everyone above has made most of the same observations I would have. I would like to throw some props to coach Agpalsa. The offensive line is hugely improved from the past few years. Keeping the ball for 40 minutes is a beautiful thing. The defense is improving too, especially the D line in my opinion. Would like to see the D shore up the receivers running completely uncovered thing, but baby steps.

Also, think about this. The team played without Waylee, Joiner, Tucker, Griffin, Rayner, Lafayette and Rogers. Coach Hammock always talks about building depth. Well, they're certainly building it now.

With the status of Rocky being unknown for the Ball St. game, it seemed like a good time to update this thread.

I would start with what how impressed I have been with Rocky’s progress in the passing game. I sort of figured that with him being a JR what we saw is what we’d get the rest of the year (and next year). However, with about 880 yards and about a 69% completion percentage in the last 2 games he took huge steps. I liked Rocky before for his toughness, leadership and other intangibles, but now we have a QB that can hurt other teams in the passing game (big time), especially when they stack the box against our rushing attack! Under coach Ham we will always be a run first team, but now we have a passing attack also!

While Rocky looked wobbly/groggy being helped off the field he didn’t look wobbly/groggy and seemed to be conversing normally on the sidelines. We don’t know what the results of the testing were to determine if Rocky is in the concussion protocol. Of course, we know someone will ask and coach Ham won’t say if Rocky is or isn’t playing. If he plays there isn’t much to update (other than hoping the D scheme will at least slow down the Ball St. O).

If Rocky can’t go, then who starts at QB? With Fletcher’s HS stats (he sounded like a true dual-threat QB) I was excited when Fletcher signed, However, it sure seems like the coaches don’t trust him passing. Since Kent St. laid out the blue print how to slow down the Huskies rushing attack, I’m sure Ball St. (and others) will try a similar scheme. So, I see that we will need a passing attack and I don’t see Fletcher starting. Maybe some series/plays, but not the main guy.

Therefore, it looks like Hampton will start and get most of the snaps (if Rocky is in concussion protocol and can’t go). I like the hype and what the coaches have said about Hampton. However, I still get concerned about a true FR at QB. With our D I figure we will need to score at least in the 30’s to beat Ball St. I have my concerns that Hampton can lead the O to put up that many points.

If Rocky can go against Ball St. I think we squeak out a win (sort of usual for our cardiac-Huskies). If not, and Hampton doesn’t live up to the hype (presuming the coaches open up the play book for him) I don’t think we can score enough points to beat Ball St. Hopefully, Rocky can go against Buffalo and WMU if he can’t against Ball St.

One other thing; Rocky is 220 and Hampton is 180 pounds (although on the NIU website they have him listed at 194). If we are forced to go with Hampton, they better be careful with him running (since I’m not sure there is any other QB on the roster that could mount an effective passing attack).

GO HUSKIES – beat Ball St. (and then Buffalo and WMU)!