EIU Mid-America Classic

Bird Friend

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In other news, Liberty University started playing football in 1973, transitioned to FBS in 2017 and was ranked in the top 25 in 2020, yet here we are…
And in related news, Liberty University has an endowment of more than $1.7 billion and ISU has $200 million. Liberty has more than enough money to make the transition. ISU . . . not so much.
 

CaliRdBrd

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And in related news, Liberty University has an endowment of more than $1.7 billion and ISU has $200 million. Liberty has more than enough money to make the transition. ISU . . . not so much.
They do have a lot of money. Seems like they also have a fierce need to be relevant.

That said, with all the bs going on in FBS, in the long run, FCS may actually prove to be the better bet:)
 

ISUBird

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Three games in and Annexstad still seems a little shaky. Is he unable to run? -27 yards this season and -116 for his career.
 

redbirds2000

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Three games in and Annexstad still seems a little shaky. Is he unable to run? -27 yards this season and -116 for his career.
He tries to fit some passes into some tight spots too. Against EIU he was OK. In two weeks and moving forward, not so much. Then again, after the past 3 years of watching essentially zero passing game. I'll take this,
 

gobirds85

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Eiu played liked pussies down the stretch. Play for some pride as opposed to having the clock run out.
 

Bird Friend

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They have all that southern evangelical “Christian” $$$$. We all know the Lord loves his football.
As Don Henley wrote for Eagles in "Frail Grasp of the Big Picture"

And we pray to our Lord
Who, we know, is American
He reigns from on high
He speaks to us through middlemen

And he shepherds his flock
We sing out and we praise His name
He supports us in war
He presides over football games
 

ISUBird

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He tries to fit some passes into some tight spots too. Against EIU he was OK. In two weeks and moving forward, not so much. Then again, after the past 3 years of watching essentially zero passing game. I'll take this,
I guess I'll take it too, but I don't expect us to be very good with him playing like this.
 

Dmills

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Nice win, but Eastern did everything they could to hand it to us. We had 2 pick sixes and they botched several snaps, resulting in 7 total "fumbles".

Annexstad played really well minus the interceptions. He makes a lot of really good throws and decisions then makes a couple bad ones. Annexstad did a better job of avoiding the rush this week but he took more hits than their qb did. I recall one play in particular when he was under pressure from one side and turned around and ran for a solid gain which was a nice improvement. We will have to wait to see how we can handle pressure against the stronger defenses of the MVFC. He did do a good job of getting rid of it on a couple of occasions.

The bigger concern for me with the offense is if we can get the running game going. We weren't really able to open anything up for Brown, White, or Wright. Late in the game we had some nice runs with Lampkin but it was obviously a different situation at that point.

I really like what I have seen from Sobkiwicz. Started out as a walk on and earned a scholarship and now a starting spot as a redshirt freshman. He has been running some nice routes and making nice plays and good catches every week. I'm very excited to watch him continue to develop. Jerome Buckner also looked good when he got the ball in his hands. Was nice to see him get involved today.

It sounds like we *might* have Wright back for the Southern game. Jasek should also be back to take over kicking duties. It will be a tough game, but I'm optimistic we will come away with the big win coming off the bye!
 

Virginia Redbird

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Nice win, but Eastern did everything they could to hand it to us. We had 2 pick sixes and they botched several snaps, resulting in 7 total "fumbles".

Annexstad played really well minus the interceptions. He makes a lot of really good throws and decisions then makes a couple bad ones. Annexstad did a better job of avoiding the rush this week but he took more hits than their qb did. I recall one play in particular when he was under pressure from one side and turned around and ran for a solid gain which was a nice improvement. We will have to wait to see how we can handle pressure against the stronger defenses of the MVFC. He did do a good job of getting rid of it on a couple of occasions.

The bigger concern for me with the offense is if we can get the running game going. We weren't really able to open anything up for Brown, White, or Wright. Late in the game we had some nice runs with Lampkin but it was obviously a different situation at that point.

I really like what I have seen from Sobkiwicz. Started out as a walk on and earned a scholarship and now a starting spot as a redshirt freshman. He has been running some nice routes and making nice plays and good catches every week. I'm very excited to watch him continue to develop. Jerome Buckner also looked good when he got the ball in his hands. Was nice to see him get involved today.

It sounds like we *might* have Wright back for the Southern game. Jasek should also be back to take over kicking duties. It will be a tough game, but I'm optimistic we will come away with the big win coming off the bye!I
I had much the same thoughts coming out of the game. The defense played very well but EIU self-destructed with those bad shotgun snaps. The D shut down EIU's running game and made them one-dimensional. Some stupid penalties that did not hurt them overall but in a different game could very well have. Jordan had a few bad penalties which show a lack of discipline maybe. Coaches need to get that in check. Knocking the ball out of the hands of an O-lineman after a good play and getting a 15-yard penalty is not tough, it is stupid. Annexstad played well overall I thought but throwing the ball while he was under pressure and backing up was again a very bad decision. After the past couple of seasons, it is encouraging to see the ball successfully moved through the air but it is still a work in progress. The running game I am not sold on yet. Losing Mueller was a big loss but injuries happen. Losing Wright hurts too. I hope he is not injured badly. I was not impressed with the other running backs at all except for Lampkin but as was said, he came in when they made a lot of substitutions. Yes, good game for Sobkiwicz. Nice story, walk on to scholarship player. Enjoy the W. a big game is around the corner next weekend.
 

Brick

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Annexstad was 19/33. Two TD passes one TD running. Admittedly not a football expert but I thought he had a pretty damn good game. While everyone can improve I fail to see all the negative results that some are saying. Jeez!
 

Total Red

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Against Valpo we had to win when we didn't play well. Against Eastern we had to win when they didn't play well. That proved to be the easier task. The Birds did create some of their own good fortune. Some really crisp passing from Annexstad with new receivers emerging - Sobkowicz, Carter. Vandenburgh led the harassing D that created turnovers. I see some James Robinson in RB Lampkin. He runs low and hard and he can change direction unexpectedly. RB Wright got hurt. You cannot have too many RBs
 
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