It's offense as well as defense. In both the Tulsa and BSU games our offense had the ball late with the lead and only needed a first down or two to finish the game. Both times they failed. Those need to be W's regardless of what the D did.
Also, maybe our guys don't get outscored 31-14 in the second half yesterday if the offense does more than this:
3 plays, INT, returned to NIU 4 yard line, Time of Possession 1:21
9 plays, 75 yards, TD, TOP 3:37
5 plays, 20 yards, punt, TOP 3:21
11 plays, 24 yards, punt, TOP 5:25
3 plays, 75 yards, TD, TOP1:26
3 plays, 5 yards, punt, TOP 1:27 (this is when they could have ended the game)
6 plays, 25 yards, end of regulation, TOP .30
(This post was last modified: 10-02-2022 10:04 AM by NIU1981.)
(10-02-2022 09:59 AM)NIU1981 Wrote: It's offense as well as defense. In both the Tulsa and BSU games our offense had the ball late with the lead and only needed a first down or two to finish the game. Both times they failed. Those need to be W's regardless of what the D did.
Also, maybe our guys don't get outscored 31-14 in the second half yesterday if the offense does more than this:
3 plays, INT, returned to NIU 4 yard line, Time of Possession 1:21
9 plays, 75 yards, TD, TOP 3:37
5 plays, 20 yards, punt, TOP 3:21
11 plays, 24 yards, punt, TOP 5:25
3 plays, 75 yards, TD, TOP1:26
3 plays, 5 yards, punt, TOP 1:27 (this is when they could have ended the game)
6 plays, 25 yards, end of regulation, TOP .30
38 points should win at any level. Especially with a potpourri of backups.
But once again failure to get one last 1st down to kill clock combined with defense's inability to make a stop in last 2 minutes means 1-4 and not 3-2 or better. And play calling definitely comes into question.
I think Lynch was 11/90 at one point. Finished 15/89 with ZERO pass attempts. He plays again, that will not occur.
(This post was last modified: 10-02-2022 10:46 AM by randyfensfanclub1.)
If Rocky's back its a moot point, but they should let Lynch run the actual option rather than the faux option. Meaning, let him pitch it once in a while. The defense was paying zero attention to the pitch man because they knew Lynch was keeping.
(10-02-2022 11:19 AM)NIU1981 Wrote: If Rocky's back its a moot point, but they should let Lynch run the actual option rather than the faux option. Meaning, let him pitch it once in a while. The defense was paying zero attention to the pitch man because they knew Lynch was keeping.
If Lynch was allowed to pass just a couple times it would have only helped his running.
(10-01-2022 10:22 PM)Rawdog10 Wrote: I’m as disappointed as all of you but we’ve been in all of these games. So we are going to do just fine in Mac play. Don’t say crap like we’re only going to beat Akron. You know that’s not true. With that said, we don’t have a defense and Hampton isn’t the guy. Reminds of the qbs we had in the bad Carey years. So why aren’t they playing the guy who started 11 games in a better league just last year (Lynch)? It’s going to be tough to win without Rocky.
(10-01-2022 10:22 PM)Rawdog10 Wrote: I’m as disappointed as all of you but we’ve been in all of these games. So we are going to do just fine in Mac play. Don’t say crap like we’re only going to beat Akron. You know that’s not true. With that said, we don’t have a defense and Hampton isn’t the guy. Reminds of the qbs we had in the bad Carey years. So why aren’t they playing the guy who started 11 games in a better league just last year (Lynch)? It’s going to be tough to win without Rocky.
You’re still going to crush EMU in 2 weeks.
Ha! If EMU can pass or run, they will win. If they can’t do either, we have a chance.
(10-02-2022 09:59 AM)NIU1981 Wrote: It's offense as well as defense. In both the Tulsa and BSU games our offense had the ball late with the lead and only needed a first down or two to finish the game. Both times they failed. Those need to be W's regardless of what the D did.
Also, maybe our guys don't get outscored 31-14 in the second half yesterday if the offense does more than this:
3 plays, INT, returned to NIU 4 yard line, Time of Possession 1:21
9 plays, 75 yards, TD, TOP 3:37
5 plays, 20 yards, punt, TOP 3:21
11 plays, 24 yards, punt, TOP 5:25
3 plays, 75 yards, TD, TOP1:26
3 plays, 5 yards, punt, TOP 1:27 (this is when they could have ended the game)
6 plays, 25 yards, end of regulation, TOP .30
Well, the defense did absolutely nothing. So, sure. Gotta pin it on the offense for not being perfect.
73 points scored in 2 games and 0 wins.
Yup. This offense needs to look itself in the mirror.
(10-01-2022 10:22 PM)Rawdog10 Wrote: I’m as disappointed as all of you but we’ve been in all of these games. So we are going to do just fine in Mac play. Don’t say crap like we’re only going to beat Akron. You know that’s not true. With that said, we don’t have a defense and Hampton isn’t the guy. Reminds of the qbs we had in the bad Carey years. So why aren’t they playing the guy who started 11 games in a better league just last year (Lynch)? It’s going to be tough to win without Rocky.
Jeez. John Harbaugh and his protege Thomas Hammock are having the same issues this season. Multiple leads blown, leading to losses. And player meltdowns...
(10-02-2022 08:47 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: Jeez. John Harbaugh and his protege Thomas Hammock are having the same issues this season. Multiple leads blown, leading to losses. And player meltdowns...
(10-02-2022 08:47 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote: Jeez. John Harbaugh and his protege Thomas Hammock are having the same issues this season. Multiple leads blown, leading to losses. And player meltdowns...
Is it fair to say this team and staff just did not know how to handle success? Outside of a couple very veteran players, Rocky, Tucker, Rut, Pugh, Ester, everyone seems off their game. Not mentally up for the challenge. I don’t think our inexperienced head coach got this very young team mentally ready for the really difficult task of a repeat. Getting to the top is hard. Staying on top is harder.
(10-03-2022 09:30 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote: Is it fair to say this team and staff just did not know how to handle success? Outside of a couple very veteran players, Rocky, Tucker, Rut, Pugh, Ester, everyone seems off their game. Not mentally up for the challenge. I don’t think our inexperienced head coach got this very young team mentally ready for the really difficult task of a repeat. Getting to the top is hard. Staying on top is harder.
Yes, I don't think they were quite mentally ready. I also think that the talent some people thought was there is not really there. This is a team that may just be playing up to their abilities. The QBs are okay, but the O-line has been meh, the receivers have been playing dropsy, and the D is nonexistent.
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Shattered Expectations!
