Eastern, 3-0

[Redbird82]

Interesting that the criticism in Frisco was that Spack didn’t go to the prevent defense.

Neither team really stopped the other that game. Sadly no matter what defense we played they probably score. Unlike this game EIU had done nothing the whole second half. So you change what has worked, most coaches do it, but it loses so many games

 

[cpacmel]

Just bad. Spack said they worked a ton on special teams this week including place kicking. It didn't show. We left quite a few points out there. Offense needed one more first down and defense needed to get one more stop. Very discouraging the way everything went down.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

The offense has been embarrassing. Plenty of football left to play though.

You have to go back to Roberson and Coprich to say our offense hasn’t completely sucked.

 

[redbirds2000]

You have to go back to Roberson and Coprich to say our offense hasn’t completely sucked.

Lightning in a bottle. Unlikely to ever see a combo that talented at those positions ever again at ISU.

 

[StLRedbird]

I remember Redbird football before Todd Berry. Also remember it before Brock Spack. I think it's worth remembering that SDSU fans had given up on Stiegelmeier before he put it together.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Interesting that the criticism in Frisco was that Spack didn’t go to the prevent defense.

The prevent is playing not to lose, it is not playing to win. Give EIU credit, they made the plays when they needed to. ISU did not. I posted earlier to day I could see this team going 7-4. If they cant get the offense going better than it did today that will be hard to get there.

 

[Total Red]

In Jan of 22 under 2022 recruiting class someone post about Tye Niekamp Speed. Well I post Football IQ makes up for Speed at some positions. I knew back then with his father being a coach and played the position Tye Football IQ is High ! Boy this kid is special. He is making plays everywhere. No one can say Daddy Ball with this kid. LOL maybe his dad can let a few other kids on the team stay with them and elevate some more football IQ !

Don't try claiming the finders fee on Tye Niekamp lol. I posted before you in Jan '22 that Tye was severely under recruited. We were both right.

I've heard it said that his younger brother will be even better, but I've seen Dexter a few times now. I'm very glad he's coming to Illinois State but Tye is the better Niekamp.

 

[cubird]

And the Mizzou kicker hit a 61 yarder for the upset. Left 7 points on the field. Hell couldn't keep the receivers from running out of bounds on their last drive. This was a total team loss.

 

[Total Red]

If we lose the special team's phase and lose the turnover battle again, then we're fighting for our lives in the 4th Q.

That wasn't meant to be a prediction, it just worked out that way. I'm disappointed in the passing game but I like how Sobkowicz works for yardage after the catch and I haven't given up on Annexstad. Zack is good at the short passing game. When we combined that with the rushing attack we moved the ball. We got into trouble by not being conservative. Zack threw his first Int on a long 1st down pass. Later Sobkowicz attempted a lengthy WR pass but he underthrew the ball. I'm not saying that we shouldn't attempt long passes but it's obviously not our strength. Handle with care. The defense played well for most of the game but like many of you I would have liked to have seen more of a pass rush on what turned out to be EIU's game winning drive.

Sucks, but if we beat Lindenwood we'll feel better. 3-1 isn't a bad place to be after 4 games. Of course we have to beat them to feel better.

 

[Total Red]

Before the season there was some talk that the improved offense would have to carry the young defense in the early part of the season. We can put that one to rest. The defense pulled the offense's ass out of the fire a few times today but then finally caved in. The offense has to come ready to play in the 1st Q.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I remember Redbird football before Todd Berry. Also remember it before Brock Spack. I think it's worth remembering that SDSU fans had given up on Stiegelmeier before he put it together.

You are right ISU football was absolutely horrific long ago. Why let that be a feel good reference? We have more football resources now and fcs competition is shell of the past. Reality is that we are basically the same competitive level of EIU and WIU. Those two schools are struggling to survive and have far fewer resources be it fan support, facilities, budget, campus…etc. what EIU/WIU do have over ISU appears to better coaching/strategy/preparation. I get that upsets happen but from what a see I truly do not believe these close wins or loses have anything to do with near upsets or upsets. Given ISU’s athletic and academic status/resources compared to most fcs schools coupled with the level of Fcs competition I believe it is realistic to expect ISU to annually be a top 25 fcs program and routinely (2 out of 3 years?) in the playoffs. Let’s look at what the redbird football program should be vs reflecting long ago on where it has been. I would be interested to hear others perspective as to expectations regarding top 25 ranking and playoff participation on an annual basis.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

You are right ISU football was absolutely horrific long ago. Why let that be a feel good reference? We have more football resources now and fcs competition is shell of the past. Reality is that we are basically the same competitive level of EIU and WIU. Those two schools are struggling to survive and have far fewer resources be it fan support, facilities, budget, campus…etc. what EIU/WIU do have over ISU appears to better coaching/strategy/preparation. I get that upsets happen but from what a see I truly do not believe these close wins or loses have anything to do with near upsets or upsets. Given ISU’s athletic and academic status/resources compared to most fcs schools coupled with the level of Fcs competition I believe it is realistic to expect ISU to annually be a top 25 fcs program and routinely (2 out of 3 years?) in the playoffs. Let’s look at what the redbird football program should be vs reflecting long ago on where it has been. I would be interested to hear others perspective as to expectations regarding top 25 ranking and playoff participation on an annual basis.

It is just my perspective but to me saying the ISU football program was bad prior to Brock and Berry is like playing the prevent defense. You are on your heels desperately attempting to not lose. I thought yesterday was a coaching failure. The offense looked flat to me and unprepared. They did not look confident either. Those are just my own feelings watching the game unfold. Again, just my perspective, but Brock Spack teams have never had the killer instinct. When they get a team on the ropes they don't step on their throat and crush their windpipe, they back off and hope the opponent does not come to consciousness. I posted yesterday that I had watched EIU against Bowling Green and I thought they were going to give the Redbirds a game. Yesterday's game I was not impressed with either team. That was one of the most uninteresting football games I have ever watched. Still, the Birds took a late lead and then looked to me desperate to hang on. All they needed was a couple first downs or one stop on defense. In the end it was obvious both sides of the ball for the Redbirds were on their heels hoping to hang on for a win. That is on the coaches who call the plays, set the tone and let it filter down to their players. If Spack cant do better than this, then maybe it is time to look for a new head coach who can. There is always the risk it will not go well but it may also get Redbird football over the hump. I would rather lose fighting like hell to win than sit back and willingly let the opponent take it from me. The Redbirds and Bears are like Amber Heard right now ... shitting on the bed!

 

[Chi-bird]

You are right ISU football was absolutely horrific long ago. Why let that be a feel good reference? We have more football resources now and fcs competition is shell of the past. Reality is that we are basically the same competitive level of EIU and WIU. Those two schools are struggling to survive and have far fewer resources be it fan support, facilities, budget, campus…etc. what EIU/WIU do have over ISU appears to better coaching/strategy/preparation. I get that upsets happen but from what a see I truly do not believe these close wins or loses have anything to do with near upsets or upsets. Given ISU’s athletic and academic status/resources compared to most fcs schools coupled with the level of Fcs competition I believe it is realistic to expect ISU to annually be a top 25 fcs program and routinely (2 out of 3 years?) in the playoffs. Let’s look at what the redbird football program should be vs reflecting long ago on where it has been. I would be interested to hear others perspective as to expectations regarding top 25 ranking and playoff participation on an annual basis.

I agree that it is acceptable to expect an annually be a top 25 team and routinely in the playoffs. Those expectations came from the success under Spack. I don’t think we’re basically the same as EIU or WIU…not even close.

I do think that the school has taken a step back in its promotion of football. The media, social media, etc. efforts have fallen short compared to years past,

I still believe that the pandemic years, emergence of the transfer portal, and NIL set back this program which has been based on roster stability and physicality. I think Spack is adjusting and believe he is the right person. He’s too good at what he does and is adjusting. This is a disappointment loss, no doubt but at this phase of what I’m calling a rebuild, I’m not going to let one overshadow the body of work. If it becomes a trend, that’s a different story.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

The coaching staff did not put this team in a position to win. Why we are in such a hurry when driving down the field to take the lead to snap the ball? That left EIU with all the time they needed against a prevent defense to score.

To go to a prevent defense was incredibly costly when our regular defense had been effective to limiting them to 7 points up until the final minute. Perhaps when they started marching down the field with ease, we should have switched back.

Special teams was incredibly costly, there were 10 points left on the field: the missed FGs, the passed-up chip shot FG (which we can’t assume we make), and an XP. The place kicking competition should be wide-open, even for walk-ons.

To have a good shot at the playoffs, we needed to start 4-0. The playoffs is still possible, but this team is going to need to show a lot of improvement. Having Blakemore out for a big chunk of the game certainly hurt. Hopefully, he is able to heal quickly.

This season isn’t over, but the team put itself in a hole that they’re going to have to climb out of.

 

[TIMMY]

My high school coach was a smart guy. He's also in Illinois FB coaches HOF. After ISU I went back and coached for him. (I know, who gives a shit) He had the offense after a few years I had the defense. He told me he had a year to prepare and I had a week. Keep it simple and play fast.

I watched Georgia a little yesterday. Multiple formations Under center. In the gun. 10,11, 12, 21, 22 personnel. WE ONLY run 10 and 11 personnel out of the gun, That's it. Does the year have more days in Georgia? And then with a small lead, we run our prevent offense. We are a DC's wet dream! We don't set running plays up. It's like we pay no attention to what hash we're on. Outside zone to the short side? Stuff like that.

What did we do for the last year? Are we trying not to show stuff? Are we somehow going to become multiple when we get to conference? That loss to a crap team put us in a terrible position. Bah humbug.

I tell you this. I'm going back to Sunday morning ISU football. I'm not trashing another Saturday afternoon.

 

[Bird Friend]

Relax, everybody, This will all change when the IPF is fully operational. <sarcasm font>

 

[CaliRdBrd]

That wasn't meant to be a prediction, it just worked out that way. I'm disappointed in the passing game but I like how Sobkowicz works for yardage after the catch and I haven't given up on Annexstad. Zack is good at the short passing game. When we combined that with the rushing attack we moved the ball. We got into trouble by not being conservative. Zack threw his first Int on a long 1st down pass. Later Sobkowicz attempted a lengthy WR pass but he underthrew the ball. I'm not saying that we shouldn't attempt long passes but it's obviously not our strength. Handle with care. The defense played well for most of the game but like many of you I would have liked to have seen more of a pass rush on what turned out to be EIU's game winning drive.

Sucks, but if we beat Lindenwood we'll feel better. 3-1 isn't a bad place to be after 4 games. Of course we have to beat them to feel better.

Sorry. 3-1, with a win over Linden-whoever, is kissing your sister.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

It is just my perspective but to me saying the ISU football program was bad prior to Brock and Berry is like playing the prevent defense. You are on your heels desperately attempting to not lose. I thought yesterday was a coaching failure. The offense looked flat to me and unprepared. They did not look confident either. Those are just my own feelings watching the game unfold. Again, just my perspective, but Brock Spack teams have never had the killer instinct. When they get a team on the ropes they don't step on their throat and crush their windpipe, they back off and hope the opponent does not come to consciousness. I posted yesterday that I had watched EIU against Bowling Green and I thought they were going to give the Redbirds a game. Yesterday's game I was not impressed with either team. That was one of the most uninteresting football games I have ever watched. Still, the Birds took a late lead and then looked to me desperate to hang on. All they needed was a couple first downs or one stop on defense. In the end it was obvious both sides of the ball for the Redbirds were on their heels hoping to hang on for a win. That is on the coaches who call the plays, set the tone and let it filter down to their players. If Spack cant do better than this, then maybe it is time to look for a new head coach who can. There is always the risk it will not go well but it may also get Redbird football over the hump. I would rather lose fighting like hell to win than sit back and willingly let the opponent take it from me. The Redbirds and Bears are like Amber Heard right now ... shitting on the bed!

Agree.
Serious question…”When was the last time Spack coached a good game?”

 

[Redbird82]

I remember Redbird football before Todd Berry. Also remember it before Brock Spack. I think it's worth remembering that SDSU fans had given up on Stiegelmeier before he put it together.

I also remember as a 45+ year ISU fan. And I have defended Spack on here and with friends because of it, he is the most successful coach we have ever had. But at some point you have lost Previous goodwill, not that you won’t be remembered as a very good coach, but moving forward. The last several years have been mediocre/bad, even the last quarterfinal team if they had an average passing attack might have won it all. People were excited about the rhythm offense and moving into the 21 century. But it’s just the same vanilla offense without huddling. Yesterday was like too many games the last few years, poor coaching decisions kept you from winning. Somebody brought up SD st coach, the problem is Spack has been here a long time and was good, then not good, usually doesn’t turn back around again.i hope it does…

 

[Total Red]

Sorry. 3-1, with a win over Linden-whoever, is kissing your sister.

I agree. I said 3-1 wasn't bad. I didn't say it was good. We had a huge talent edge over Dayton. We could beat them on a bad day. That didn't apply to WIU, EIU and it won't apply to Lindenwood. Those are 3 consecutive games where we have the better team, but we can lose if we don't play well. That's already played out. A 3-1 start isn't good when you have a 4-0 potential schedule, but 3-1 won't make or break your season. There are lots of games ahead and plenty of chances to play our way into or out of the playoffs.