Indiana State

fourthandshort

fourthandshort

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Aside from kicking game and 14pts off TOs, we played a great game. This team gave NDSU, UNI, and YSU fits. At one point, first downs were 25 to 8 .. this is how this game played. TOs and kicking game is reason this wasn't a blow out. Then we went prevent to barely hang on.

This was a very well played game for most part. Some questionable play calling and clock management down the stretch for sure, also made this much more difficult game to close out. But we were looking for more offense and we got it.

This is a very good win, even with it's obvious flaws. Offense was clicking. Defensive was clicking. We let them back in game, but it doesnt change how wekk we played for most part.

Big Redbird win ... the much better team today won a tough road game.
 
Virginia Redbird

Virginia Redbird

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fourthandshort said:
Aside from kicking game and 14pts off TOs, we played a great game. This team gave NDSU, UNI, and YSU fits. At one point, first downs were 25 to 8 .. this is how this game played. TOs and kicking game is reason this wasn't a blow out. Then we went prevent to barely hang on.

This was a very well played game for most part. Some questionable play calling and clock management down the stretch for sure, also made this much more difficult game to close out. But we were looking for more offense and we got it.

This is a very good win, even with it's obvious flaws. Offense was clicking. Defensive was clicking. We let them back in game, but it doesnt change how wekk we played for most part.

Big Redbird win ... the much better team today won a tough road game.
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I can't say I am quite as enthusiastic. Absolutely great 1st Quarter. The defense played pretty well but let's be honest the tackling in the second half could have been better. The turnovers and kicking game were bad. It is a W but it gets awfully tiresome watching the team go into its shell and go so conservative. The offense did not do much to take time off the clock in the 4th quarter which if you are going to go conservative you need to do. They made them use their timeouts but they still got the ball back with I think over two minutes left. 4 & 20 and you give up the first down to keep them in the game. The interception ended the game but that was a bad throw and not so much great defense. Maybe it was just me but I watched the fourth quarter thinking to myself that they are playing like crap and going to lose this game. Okay, a win is a win but going to Fargo next week I have little faith.
 
Virginia Redbird

Virginia Redbird

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The kicking game is going to get a lot of heartburn this week, justifiably so. Two of the field goal attempts were not on the kicker. The holder was looking back at the kicker when the ball was snapped on one attempt. Miscommunication between the snapper and holder for sure. On another one, the snap looked to be high and to the right. The holder got it down but all looked out of synch and the ball went wide left. Of the two that were blocked both looked to be kicked low to me. Maybe not but from the TV angle, those kicks looked low. It looked to me to be a group effort in futility but not all were the kicker's fault from what I saw.
I still have to wonder if the kicker was rushed back from injury too soon since he was replaced later in the game. Did anybody else notice the kickoffs were very short as well?
 
C

cubird

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Radio guys said the kicking game in practice this week was bad. At the end of the game we were down to the 4th back who is the slowest. Think 3 defensive starters were out. In spite of these excuses, they spoil another Homecoming on the road.
 
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Redbird15

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Redbirdfan76 said:
Flat out embarrassing kicking game. Agree with Redbird Fanatic…. There has to be one person on campus who can kick. Let’s advertise an open tryout!!
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Quit Crying ! The Snap/Holder also applies. Hate seeing post like this although 1 was on the kicker... No one complain when he made the long kick last week !
 
fourthandshort

fourthandshort

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Virginia Redbird said:
I can't say I am quite as enthusiastic. Absolutely great 1st Quarter. The defense played pretty well but let's be honest the tackling in the second half could have been better. The turnovers and kicking game were bad. It is a W but it gets awfully tiresome watching the team go into its shell and go so conservative. The offense did not do much to take time off the clock in the 4th quarter which if you are going to go conservative you need to do. They made them use their timeouts but they still got the ball back with I think over two minutes left. 4 & 20 and you give up the first down to keep them in the game. The interception ended the game but that was a bad throw and not so much great defense. Maybe it was just me but I watched the fourth quarter thinking to myself that they are playing like crap and going to lose this game. Okay, a win is a win but going to Fargo next week I have little faith.
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I thought It was a great first half for both the offense and defense .. first downs were 20 to 4. total yards were 300 to 88. Score should have been 24-7, but was 20-7. We dominated both sides of the ball with their only score coming on shorter field after the pick, and we punted just once all half.

Then 3rd qtr was ok with almost 100 yards more to their 68. We still only punted once thru 3 qtrs. Problem was and we agree here ... we took the air out of the game and lost all momentum. We started playing not to lose from the very first drive in 2nd half.

Then after a nice TD drive sparked by 48 yd Wright run to the 4, it was the 4th qtr we folded our tent .. 16 plays for 26 yards and 4 punts, excluding the 7 play TD drive that ended with TD early in Q4. And some very questionable play calling and clock management down the stretch.

Coaches need to watch that 4th qtr and have an honest heart to heart about what they as coaches should have done different ... for the next time were in that situation. They also need to assess the wisdom in starting the 2nd half thinking we should play not to lose on offense up just 13.

Oh as other poster pointed out .. when you go up 26-14 and it is getting later in game .. you have to know 1 pt is pretty much useless at that point. Even if they score twice to go up 28-26 (failed 2 pt conversion) .. we can still win with a FG ... well .... you get the point. Either way, 1 pt does us no good at all .. go for 2. I missed it .. but coaches shouldn't.

Bottom line for me ... the team was ready to play and dominate - kudos to coaches and players for that. It was a great first half, solid 3rd qtr, awful 4th quarter ... coaches and kicking game has to do better.

We got Bison in Fargo ... today was progress everywhere, except kicking game ... that and clock management and play calling with a lead. Plying not to lose so early in 2nd half was a mistake ... it affects the players mindsets.
 
B

Birdswin

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fourthandshort said:
I thought It was a great first half for both the offense and defense .. first downs were 20 to 4. total yards were 300 to 88. Score should have been 24-7, but was 20-7. We dominated both sides of the ball with their only score coming on shorter field after the pick, and we punted just once all half.

Then 3rd qtr was ok with almost 100 yards more to their 68. We still only punted once thru 3 qtrs. Problem was and we agree here ... we took the air out of the game and lost all momentum. We started playing not to lose from the very first drive in 2nd half.

Then after a nice TD drive sparked by 48 yd Wright run to the 4, it was the 4th qtr we folded our tent .. 16 plays for 26 yards and 4 punts, excluding the 7 play TD drive that ended with TD early in Q4. And some very questionable play calling and clock management down the stretch.

Coaches need to watch that 4th qtr and have an honest heart to heart about what they as coaches should have done different ... for the next time were in that situation. They also need to assess the wisdom in starting the 2nd half thinking we should play not to lose on offense up just 13.

Oh as other poster pointed out .. when you go up 26-14 and it is getting later in game .. you have to know 1 pt is pretty much useless at that point. Even if they score twice to go up 28-26 (failed 2 pt conversion) .. we can still win with a FG ... well .... you get the point. Either way, 1 pt does us no good at all .. go for 2. I missed it .. but coaches shouldn't.

Bottom line for me ... the team was ready to play and dominate - kudos to coaches and players for that. It was a great first half, solid 3rd qtr, awful 4th quarter ... coaches and kicking game has to do better.

We got Bison in Fargo ... today was progress everywhere, except kicking game ... that and clock management and play calling with a lead. Plying not to lose so early in 2nd half was a mistake ... it affects the players mindsets.
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I agree with everything, except the going to two points. Kick, kick, kick unless it is like under 3 minutes in the 4th quarter to tie the game. Otherwise, always kick the extra point. I have seen waaaay to many games where teams try to go for two in the third and early fourth quarters - only for it to come and bite them - plus, when it fails, which it does often - it puts a damper on the TD. Kick the extra point and keep moving.
 
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Birdswin

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I do not like how we went away from our regular defense on that last drive. Our defense had been playing very good - why make it easier for the offense and give them confidence??? On the one long TD pass and catch we gave up - on the replay, #21 came in trying to take the ball away from the receiver, instead of either trying to tackle or the easiest thing for him, because of the angle - knock him out of bounds. Similar to the last TD we gave up to Indy State - players trying to take the ball out, instead of tackling. We were ahead in both instances - tackle, tackle, tackle.
 
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