ISUb @ ISUr

[Hamdonger]

1 for 14 on Third Down.
1.6 yd/run avg.
0 for 3 in the Red Zone
3 fumbles (2 lost)
1 interception

That’s a bad day for the offense. Lots to work on before a long trip to Flagstaff.

Wow. You see 1 for 14 on 3rd down and you'd think there's no way we win any ballgame. I'll take the win, baby.

 

[MadBird]

It was a funny game, from a lot of standpoints.

Sitting there, I felt like I wanted to criticize Kolbe for being at least inconsistent. Some throws, right on the dime with a bullet. Other times, was hard to see what he saw. As has been pointed out, there apparently were some wrong patterns run, and a couple bad drops in the second half (Gillum was one, the other on the west side of the field I forget who was the receiver). So, the guy ends up 18-30, 60% completion, with 345 yards and 2 TD's - and yet, I want to gripe?? The two drops I mention above get caught, and he's at almost 70% completion, and nearing 400 yards gained.

Petkovich was a bright spot. He's a keeper.

The run game was disappointing in terms of results. At times, I sit there and say, for God's sake block someone. But at a certain point, you say, who called that play, it's obvious we can't run the middle tonight, get it off tackle or on the edge. So, I don't know. Again, there was some rotating/subbing going on in the OL - Himmelman never played I don't think, Helt wasn't in there much. Not sure how much difference it all made in the end, other than Helt they're all young. One thing for sure, we all knew the OL was gonna be a work in progress early, and it sure was last night. Kolbe was sacked 3 times, not sure that was really bad, and not sure how much of that gets blamed on the OL vs. Kolbe just not "sensing" the rush. And, you know, the 310 pound "man in the middle" for InSU was no bum - he's a load.

There's been some, let's' call it discussion, about our play calling. As I mentioned above, sometimes it's hard to know from the expert's seat in Section 103 whether the team isn't executing, or the play called was "dumb". InSU on offense seemed to catch us with our pants down a few times on screens or draws, etc. I didn't really see that much from us - we made some plays, but I don't remember the deception, misdirection, etc. etc. Maybe that's just not our style. Maybe I'm not remembering it.

Hard to find much fault with our D. What a bunch. Tough line, Keene and McCown, Conley, Harris, Tuvone Clark had a great game last night. Holm, Kelly-Martin, Horton. All the secondary. Etc. Etc. Harris' 4th quarter pick was right in front of us and it was a beautiful athletic move. Great play.

So, you know, every game won't be a blow out. It's not gonna fire on all cylinders every night. The D is gonna keep us in a lot of games. Still looking for more consistency on O, all the way around - play calling, run game/OL, receiving, QB play especially avoiding the sack.

The turf looks like crap, as has been mentioned. What up with that?? Come on, that ain't good. And I think the uni's look "washed out". I know it just the specific color that was chosen, but it looks like we're wearing washed out stuff from 10 years ago!! Who cares if they win, right?

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Ok, I was wrong about the Redbird D pitching a shutout. However, what I didn't count on was that our D had to battle both the tree's offense AND the Redbird offense. If we didn't have so many Redbird turnovers (with good field positions for ISUb) the D could have totally stopped them.

Bird offense gets a C- on this test.

Special teams gets an A for the first half and a C+ for the second half.

I agree on special teams. There was one low laser punt right to INSU return man that netted us only maybe 20 yards - and had the potential to be much worse. Trees also broke off a solid sideline return on another second half punt. On Reggie Redbird's clock management rant, our coverage team downed a rolling punt at the end when we were trying to burn seconds and end the game. A small thing, but situational awareness is something that you always want to have so it's there in a critical situation.

But like you said, no big mistakes that cost us - and special teams' first half was pretty. Going up against another vaunted return man, that's not bad.

 

[fourthandshort]

Ok, I was wrong about the Redbird D pitching a shutout. However, what I didn't count on was that our D had to battle both the tree's offense AND the Redbird offense. If we didn't have so many Redbird turnovers (with good field positions for ISUb) the D could have totally stopped them.

Bird offense gets a C- on this test.

Special teams gets an A for the first half and a C+ for the second half.

I agree on special teams. There was one low laser punt right to INSU return man that netted us only maybe 20 yards - and had the potential to be much worse. Trees also broke off a solid sideline return on another second half punt. On Reggie Redbird's clock management rant, our coverage team downed a rolling punt at the end when we were trying to burn seconds and end the game. A small thing, but situational awareness is something that you always want to have so it's there in a critical situation.

But like you said, no big mistakes that cost us - and special teams' first half was pretty. Going up against another vaunted return man, that's not bad.

we demoralized their KR team completely

 

[RBFANTOO]

It was a funny game, from a lot of standpoints.


The run game was disappointing in terms of results. At times, I sit there and say, for God's sake block someone. But at a certain point, you say, who called that play, it's obvious we can't run the middle tonight, get it off tackle or on the edge.

There's been some, let's' call it discussion, about our play calling.

The running game looked like a vintage Woody Hayes game without the OSU blocking.
If you run every stinking play up the middle and don't get much yardage maybe you should try something else.

 

[Redbird28]

Just one quick thought about the bottled up running game: Not enough Artiss imo. When they are stuffing the middle and we need to hit the edge, we need to toss Artiss out there and try to get him in space. Just once I want to see him on the wheel route. There's no way a LB is going to hang with him in that scenario.

Overall, great to be 4-0. Now let's go get a couple of W's on the road.

 

[Chi-bird]

Great turnout. Not the best performance, but we still doubled up the Sycs, yardage-wise and won the game.

Side note:
How does one attach an image (not off the web, but a file) to a post?

 

[MadBird]

I forgot to mention a couple - and even a couple seem like way to many in any one game - a couple of times that the Birds had to call time outs because they didn't have the right guys on the field and/or didn't have the play called or something? Not sure either one made a difference, but it sure makes you look disorganized.

 

[Sanantoniobird]

I forgot to mention a couple - and even a couple seem like way to many in any one game - a couple of times that the Birds had to call time outs because they didn't have the right guys on the field and/or didn't have the play called or something? Not sure either one made a difference, but it sure makes you look disorganized.

Football is a game of deception [emoji41]

 

[Virginia Redbird]

One thing to consider that I don't believe I have seen talked about is that ISUblues were coming off their bye week and had two weeks to prepare for the Redbirds. That is a lot of time and their players should have been fully rested. Maybe that plays into how they stopped the running game so well. Also the injuries on the O-Line were a factor I think. A W is still a W no matter!

 

[SteveO]

My biggest concern is the lack of mobility by our QB. He appears slow and/or tentative as he did last year. The dual threat QB is so effective in the FCS. The back-up at EIU and the MSU QB showed some flair. Just wait until we see the YSU QB. I noticed that once ISU put LB Horton as a shadow to the MSU QB, he was shut down.

 

[fourthandshort]

My biggest concern is the lack of mobility by our QB. He appears slow and/or tentative as he did last year. The dual threat QB is so effective in the FCS. The back-up at EIU and the MSU QB showed some flair. Just wait until we see the YSU QB. I noticed that once ISU put LB Horton as a shadow to the MSU QB, he was shut down.

disagree .. Kolbe looks much more comfortable in the pocket this year. And I would take Kolbe without so much as even a thought over any QBs on EIU and MoST. "Flair" doesn't get it done in MVFC .. "flair" gets crap beat out of it regularly. MoST QB has 4 TDs 7 Picks, lowest QBR in MVFC and averages 2.2 yards per carry.

You trolling ?

 

[crazzymark]

My biggest concern is the lack of mobility by our QB. He appears slow and/or tentative as he did last year. The dual threat QB is so effective in the FCS. The back-up at EIU and the MSU QB showed some flair. Just wait until we see the YSU QB. I noticed that once ISU put LB Horton as a shadow to the MSU QB, he was shut down.

disagree .. Kolbe looks much more comfortable in the pocket this year. And I would take Kolbe without so much as even a thought over any QBs on EIU and MoST. "Flair" doesn't get it done in MVFC .. "flair" gets crap beat out of it regularly. MoST QB has 4 TDs 7 Picks, lowest QBR in MVFC and averages 2.2 yards per carry.

You trolling ?

here we go.......Say something against Kolbe and you're a troll, was just SteveO observations...Kolbe looks 1000% better this season but he still locks into his receivers on roll outs..but the long game, he is spot on. Nothing wrong with Broadnex coming in and keeping the defence honest. Hope you are doing well Fourthandshort.

 

[TreRoberson4Heisman]

Maybe Kolbe is saving it for the gauntlet - but he does have some breakaway speed. IMO, I'd like to see him keep the ball on read options a little more.

 

[fourthandshort]

My biggest concern is the lack of mobility by our QB. He appears slow and/or tentative as he did last year. The dual threat QB is so effective in the FCS. The back-up at EIU and the MSU QB showed some flair. Just wait until we see the YSU QB. I noticed that once ISU put LB Horton as a shadow to the MSU QB, he was shut down.

disagree .. Kolbe looks much more comfortable in the pocket this year. And I would take Kolbe without so much as even a thought over any QBs on EIU and MoST. "Flair" doesn't get it done in MVFC .. "flair" gets crap beat out of it regularly. MoST QB has 4 TDs 7 Picks, lowest QBR in MVFC and averages 2.2 yards per carry.

You trolling ?

here we go.......Say something against Kolbe and you're a troll, was just SteveO observations...Kolbe looks 1000% better this season but he still locks into his receivers on roll outs..but the long game, he is spot on. Nothing wrong with Broadnex coming in and keeping the defence honest. Hope you are doing well Fourthandshort.

not true.

First. i noted specifically where I disagreed with him .. and 90% or more of ISU fans would agree with me.

Second, he said something that made no sense (envious of 2 QBs "flair" even though they suck) and then even contradicted his own point about the MoST QB noting how we shut him down.

If you're going to have an opinion that is counter to what most people think, at least support it with something logical or remotely debatable. Hence, my troll comment.

Kolbe is playing well this year, despite playing behind 4.5 new OL .. not to mention, we have 2 new starters this year who are already injured and missing time. Yet we rank 16th in FCS in total yards per game and 13th is yards per play .. and sit 4-0 having played well enough to blow out all 4 teams .. InSU was a blowout type game that slipped away ... 3 times inside their 8 for zero points, or we would have been up 40 points at half. Then we put game on ice in Q4 after some Q3 issues.

Lest we forget, we're 4-0 and we've easily beaten 2 teams we lost to a year ago .. and with 4.5 new OL and 2 injured OL. Here's another state line for the last 2 games .. our RBs are averaging just 3.5 yards per carry the last 2 games. And Kolbe had his 2 best passing days throwing for 650 yards and about 170% QBR, despite a struggling run game these past 2 days.

Kolbe is doing quite well if you ask me.

 

[SteveO]

Time will tell in the last four games of the season against top 10 competition. I fully support the coaching staff on what they feel is best in deciding who is on the field. Take a look at some footage of the YSU QB and maybe you will have a better understanding of where I am coming from.

 

[jbird]

Illinois State - 16.0

Over / under 49.5

Where do these point spread lines come from? I'm trying to negotiate a bet with a Salukis booster for our game there on Oct. 14th, and he wants me to give him a ridiculous amount of points. If I could find an objective point spread line, it would help my cause.

 

[Total Red]

I've enjoyed watching the replays of the Adam Conley fumble recovery TD. The play starts with James Graham getting to the QB. Someone poster earlier that even though Graham is an undersized DE he can push an offensive tackle backwards. He can with some help. Watch the replay and you can see the key to the whole thing is what the OT does to himself. He knows Graham is fast and he doesn't want him to loop around or find an angle to the QB. To deny Graham an angle he drops back. The beautiful part about that (for us) is that the moment he steps back he neutralizes his own size advantage (about 100 lb. advantage!) Graham can't overpower a 300+ O-lineman if he's leaning forward or has his heels dug in but once he starts backwards Graham is able to drive him straight back to the QB.

Graham pushes him back, back, back. He's on the QB. THE BALL IS LOOSE! Conley scoops it up for a Redbird TD! Conley has scored but none of his teammates have noticed.
"Hey guys quit working up a sweat getting that QB on ground." "Play's done, I'm standing over here with the ball!"

 

[fourthandshort]

I've enjoyed watching the replays of the Adam Conley fumble recovery TD. The play starts with James Graham getting to the QB. Someone poster earlier that even though Graham is an undersized DE he can push an offensive tackle backwards. He can with some help. Watch the replay and you can see the key to the whole thing is what the OT does to himself. He knows Graham is fast and he doesn't want him to loop around or find an angle to the QB. To deny Graham an angle he drops back. The beautiful part about that (for us) is that the moment he steps back he neutralizes his own size advantage (about 100 lb. advantage!) Graham can't overpower a 300+ O-lineman if he's leaning forward or has his heels dug in but once he starts backwards Graham is able to drive him straight back to the QB.

Graham pushes him back, back, back. He's on the QB. THE BALL IS LOOSE! Conley scoops it up for a Redbird TD! Conley has scored but none of his teammates have noticed.
"Hey guys quit working up a sweat getting that QB on ground." "Play's done, I'm standing over here with the ball!"

I noticed that as well .. they kept singing Conley's praises .. but that play was all James Graham !!

 

[StLRedbird]

Time will tell in the last four games of the season against top 10 competition. I fully support the coaching staff on what they feel is best in deciding who is on the field. Take a look at some footage of the YSU QB and maybe you will have a better understanding of where I am coming from.

So, you're saying that the fan base that watched Tre Roberson take them to the championship game doesn't understand what a dual-threat QB could bring to the game?