StLRedbird
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- Jul 26, 2017
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Thank you for doing these spring training reports. It's a lifeline for us out-of-towners.Agreed. It looks like a good unit on paper but injuries have a way of shredding the sheets.
Thank you for doing these spring training reports. It's a lifeline for us out-of-towners.Agreed. It looks like a good unit on paper but injuries have a way of shredding the sheets.
From what I heard from pretty good source back in 2014, Blake Winkler and Tre Roberson shared reps 50/50 in August fall camp most of the camp. Decision to go with Roberson was made late in process. This despite the anemic offense during 2013 .. though that may have been ore on the OL Coach turned OC Barnett. To my understanding, he had very specific personnel groups for certain play packages, and was ultra conservative ... so opposing teams were able to figure us out very easily.Interesting about Rittenhouse. I think he's earned that nod on the depth chart. Sends a good message to the team, but I doubt that's part of it.
The OL seems to be the biggest concern. They struggled last year against the better teams in the league, and their depth was tested by injuries. Looks like a shake-and-bake unit in '24. If they gel quickly, I think that'd mean really good things for the Redbirds.
And Hey, Rittenhouse is a Spack HS recruit!!!From what I heard from pretty good source back in 2014, Blake Winkler and Tre Roberson shared reps 50/50 in August fall camp most of the camp. Decision to go with Roberson was made late in process. This despite the anemic offense during 2013 .. though that may have been ore on the OL Coach turned OC Barnett. To my understanding, he had very specific personnel groups for certain play packages, and was ultra conservative ... so opposing teams were able to figure us out very easily.
But Spack gave Winkler and Roberson equal opportunities that summer with an unproven Beathard now at the helm. My guess is Winkler made the most of his opportunity, but Roberson dual threat and deep ball won out. I assume Rittenhouse will rise further to this challenge, and so will Rubley. And with Rubley's size, arm, and surprising mobility (per Spack), this will be a dogfight that will only help both players be better. Just need to keep the locker room together.
Good to see Spack/Peterson have given Rittenhouse the incumbent status ... he earned it stepping in the way he did the last 2 games.
p.s. fourth is happy once again ... it looks like we once again will have 2 QBs capable of starting and using the entire playbook.
That makes sense about the '13 team and explains some of your comments about how not all 5-6 seasons are complete failure - that that one set up '14. You know, I wish that when we have this luxury (two apparently game-ready QBs) that we would give the second-stringer a series in the first half of every game. Maybe another in the second half, depending on situation. And particularly when the QBs offer contrasting styles like Roberson/Winkler and apparently Rittenhouse/Rubley. Gives more for opposing Ds to prepare for.From what I heard from pretty good source back in 2014, Blake Winkler and Tre Roberson shared reps 50/50 in August fall camp most of the camp. Decision to go with Roberson was made late in process. This despite the anemic offense during 2013 .. though that may have been ore on the OL Coach turned OC Barnett. To my understanding, he had very specific personnel groups for certain play packages, and was ultra conservative ... so opposing teams were able to figure us out very easily.
But Spack gave Winkler and Roberson equal opportunities that summer with an unproven Beathard now at the helm. My guess is Winkler made the most of his opportunity, but Roberson dual threat and deep ball won out. I assume Rittenhouse will rise further to this challenge, and so will Rubley. And with Rubley's size, arm, and surprising mobility (per Spack), this will be a dogfight that will only help both players be better. Just need to keep the locker room together.
Good to see Spack/Peterson have given Rittenhouse the incumbent status ... he earned it stepping in the way he did the last 2 games.
p.s. fourth is happy once again ... it looks like we once again will have 2 QBs capable of starting and using the entire playbook.
that was pointed out last fall, but yes fourth very much approves !!!And Hey, Rittenhouse is a Spack HS recruit!!!
agree, it would be nice to get quality reps for both QBs come fall, especially given TR's quip about Redbird QBs getting injured late in season lately.That makes sense about the '13 team and explains some of your comments about how not all 5-6 seasons are complete failure - that that one set up '14. You know, I wish that when we have this luxury (two apparently game-ready QBs) that we would give the second-stringer a series in the first half of every game. Maybe another in the second half, depending on situation. And particularly when the QBs offer contrasting styles like Roberson/Winkler and apparently Rittenhouse/Rubley. Gives more for opposing Ds to prepare for.
I also think that the QBs that drop to FCS sometimes only lack FBS bodies. I'm thinking about Nick Baker and doing some projecting onto Rittenhouse here. Definitely a good problem to have.
I think you are thinking of Bryce Young, who is smidge over 5'10" and has struggled in NFL for sure. I always liked CJ Stroud better at NFL level for reasons you said .. he's 6'3" and has very similar skill set as Young.To short to win the MVFC no less a FCS championship. Needs to be able to see the receivers over the huge o-line...Tua has the same problem with the Fins.
Player | Cmp | Att. | Yds. | TD | INT | Long | Sack |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rittenhouse,Tommy | 21 | 33 | 241 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
Totals | 21 | 33 | 241 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
Player | Cmp | Att. | Yds. | TD | Int. | Long | Sack |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schuster,Tommy | 14 | 22 | 169 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 0 |
Totals | 14 | 22 | 169 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 0 |
Player | Att. | Gain | Loss | Net | TD | Lg. | Avg. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blakemore,Mason | 22 | 103 | 2 | 101 | 2 | 18 | 4.6 |
Rittenhouse,Tommy | 9 | 66 | 0 | 66 | 0 | 20 | 7.3 |
Mueller,Cole | 11 | 48 | 4 | 44 | 0 | 12 | 4.0 |
Wright,Wenkers | 4 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 3.5 |
Totals | 46 | 231 | 6 | 225 | 2 | 20 | 4.9 |
Player | Att. | Gain | Loss | Net | TD | Lg. | Avg. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ziebarth,Gaven | 16 | 78 | 4 | 74 | 2 | 21 | 4.6 |
Smith,Isaiah | 12 | 47 | 2 | 45 | 0 | 13 | 3.8 |
Skokna,Luke | 4 | 26 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 9 | 6.5 |
Schuster,Tommy | 3 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 7.3 |
Vaughn,Quincy | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2.0 |
Totals | 36 | 175 | 6 | 169 | 2 | 21 | 4.7 |
169 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 0 |
Game Stats | ISU | UND |
---|---|---|
Total Yards | 466 | 338 |
Pass Yards | 241 | 169 |
Rushing Yards | 225 | 169 |
Penalty Yards | 9-60 | 2-11 |
1st Downs | 26 | 20 |
3rd Downs | 10-18 | 1-9 |
4th Downs | 2-4 | 2-2 |
TOP | 31:13 | 28:47 |
One of the things that has stuck out to me about Rittenhouse is that I think he sees the field well and that's hard to teach. In '22 he quickly got happy feet in the pocket and just relied on making things happen with his legs. Definite improvement in '23. If we see anything like that jump in '24, look out.agree, it would be nice to get quality reps for both QBs come fall, especially given TR's quip about Redbird QBs getting injured late in season lately.
Btw .. I made same comparison of Rittenhouse skill set to SIU's Nic Baker ... very very similar. Except Rittenhouse is bigger by several inches, and looks like he has better upside IMO.
I saw Baker against Idaho in playoffs and against us in 2022 ... he wasn't as agile as I thought he was, he's mainly slippery in the pocket to buy time.One of the things that has stuck out to me about Rittenhouse is that I think he sees the field well and that's hard to teach. In '22 he quickly got happy feet in the pocket and just relied on making things happen with his legs. Definite improvement in '23. If we see anything like that jump in '24, look out.
Interesting you think he's a better runner than Baker. I'll have to chew on that some more, but I'm buyin' what yer sellin'. Rittenhouse probably stays with a run longer - willing to accept more contact. Both are dangerous.
Some people carry on and on about their favorite sounds of nature ... rivers, wind, trees, birds, etcSPRING CAMP REPORT 3: The Grind Continues - Illinois State University Athletics
In what has become a regular occurrence this spring, the Illinois State football team was met with rainy and cold weather Tuesday morning, which forced the Redbirdsgoredbirds.com
This might be as good a place for this as any, didn't think it deserved a thread. Here's the Spack resume at ISU. Clearly the best performance of anyone to hold the job, but the trend ain't our friend, so to speak.
Year Record Sagarin(FCS) Sagarin(D1) 2023 6-5 12 123 2022 6-5 31 158 2021 4-7 34 158 2020 1-3 32 158 2019 10-5 12 122 2018 6-5 6 95 2017 6-5 12 106 2016 6-6 16 110 2015 10-3 2 76
Year Record Sagarin(FCS) Sagarin(D1) 2014 13-2 2 41 2013 5-6 23 124 2012 9-4 14 105 2011 7-4 9 108 2010 6-5 51 158 2009 6-5 35 149
'24 is a huge year. 15th season at the helm for Spack. His resume puts him head and shoulders over those that came before him, but has not been good enough lately. Two years left on his contract, I think '24 determines whether we buy out his last year or extend him.
Going to attend my first spring game this year and will be focusing on the OL.
Some of us talk like going 6-5 in the MVFC is a failure. The goal is playoffs every year, year in and year out. But 6-5 in the Valley is a record the vast majority of FCS football programs envy.
Over the years, fourth has documented how it is equivalent to 7-4, usually 8-3, in lesser conferences (all of them). He's documented how the conference routinely gets screwed by the FCS selection committee.
But it's time for the 'birds to get back to competing for Valley championships, and therefore nat'l championships. '24 can't get here soon enough. BTW, does the spring game feature a tailgate? Getting ahead of myself...
Also glad to see we didn't blow any of our limited IPF budget on the goal posts !!!Rubley, Loyd bring passing game chemistry to Illinois State
Rubley and Loyd transferred from Kansas State.pantagraph.com
A big red X would be just as useful.Also glad to see we didn't blow any of our limited IPF budget on the goal posts !!!
Though that's got to be at least 5 rolls of yellow duct tape .. not cheap, unless you load up the 11% off Menards bag.
View attachment 1452
Some years, it is enough to get into the playoffs .. at least 3 times in last 10 years, all by MVFC teams .. and we fared well all 3 times:6-5 in the valley is definitely better than 6-5 than any other conference in FCS, but it’s not gonna get you to the playoffs and, frankly, it shouldn’t. It also hinges greatly on who those wins and losses are against.