Lindenwood Lions noon Saturday

[Virginia Redbird]

I was not able to watch the game yesterday. A nice win to be sure and something they needed after the previous game. A little perspective though may be good. Lindenwood is 2-2 right now. They beat University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 77-9 on opening day. UWSP has been a powerhouse in Division 3 for years but seems to be struggling this season, at 1-2 right now. Also, yes that is right, DIVISION III. Lindenwood lost to SE Missouri State 45-7. SEMS is 1-3 right now with an opening day butt kicking from Kansas State (not unexpected) and two close losses to Southern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky. Lindenwood beat Western Illinois 43-40 but I think we all know that WIU is not a very good football team (0-4). Then Lindenwood get shellacked by the Redbirds yesterday.

Nice win but when the Jackbunnies come to town it will be a whole different ball game. They have a couple weeks to prepare. It is Blackout weekend that game. The Blackout did not work so well last season but I am not the superstitious type. The problem for the Redbirds will not be choice of uniform color but a good football team across the field. Don't get me wrong, a win is a win and this appears to have been an impressive performance. Still...keep some perspective. One interesting note on the SDSU game. I looked at their website and this will be the Jackbunnies first road game of the season. They played a neutral site and three home games before travelling to Normal. I don't know if that will mean much but it cant hurt either!

 

[Total Red]

We have high expectations for Zack as our QB and he really responded yesterday. As a result our offense has come into view. This is a team that can aggravate defenses with short passes and runs before taking a shot downfield when no longer expected. Zack was very consistent as he completed 26 of 33 (79%). I think he was throwing angry as he rifled the ball in there on some slant patterns. Zack had a chance to go deep because the free safety wasn't coming over the top this time, so he led Sobkowicz nicely and the result was a quick six. Dink, Dink, Dink - BOOM (if it's there). That's the offense. Will it work as well against South Dakota St? No, of course not. They didn't get where they are by giving up anything easy. But you don't try to change who you are when you play a really good team. You try to do what you do best as well as you can.

Defense - Their QB was slippery as advertised but the 'Birds did sack him a couple of times and other times they forced him to throw the ball away. You need a couple of sturdy lads on the line, but more and more modern football is played in space. You need guys that can run and tackle. Abdullah, Gaines, Niekamp, Jackson, Gearhart - we have players that can do that.

Special teams - At some point we're going to have to field punts. I admit that yesterday might not have been the right day as their punter kicked some end over end balls away from the punt receiver that were hard to field. With the roll, Lindenwood was able to flip the field.
Eddie Kasper has good hands and some wicked moves. We may need to trust him against SDSU. You can't concede the field position battle to a team like the Jacks and expect to win.

 

[Total Red]

Injuries. As the season rolls along they change the course of action, and we are getting our share. RB - Mason Blakemore was in street clothes on the sideline with his arm in a sling. He may be protecting his shoulder more than his arm. Wenkers Wright limped off the field after catching a short pass (2nd Q?) and never returned. That left us with RB's #3 Mueller and #4 freshman Josh Robinson. #5 Cal Martine hit the field late in the game. The good news is that we have depth at RB. Robinson and Martine looked really good except for a fumble by Robinson.

Injuries at LB'er haven't really hurt us, and in fact they may have helped. It got Tye Niekamp on the field sooner and it turns out that he was more than ready.

I definitely want Blakemore and Wright back for SDSU but the injury that concerns me the most is TE Cam Grandy. He was helped off the field after making a catch and an "I own this field" run. He was taken off without putting weight on one leg, so I feared it was serious at the time but it may not be. We have Charles and Ziebarth at TE, and they're good, but they don't quite bring me to the confidence level that Cam does. Zack will have less time to throw in the next game and Cam makes himself a really good target with great hands. We need Cam as close to 100% as possible for SDSU. It would be nice to get Presson back too.

 

[MadBird]

Good summaries by Total Red. A couple thoughts -

I also thought Robinson looked very good at RB, and to me he has that little "hop" or "skip" that neither Wright or Mueller offer (IMHO) - able to change direction by just stopping on a dime and "hopping" over to a clear lane. I commented to Mrs. MadBird at the game that his fumble came as he was trying to lay a hit on the defender, power through a tackle, and it wasn't quite like high school with a 180 pound LB or 160 pound safety, he knocked heads with someone with carrying a couple hundred pounds plus behind it.

Say what you want about Lindenwood, and where they've been - DII and NAIA - but they are now FCS, and I thought they had some very decent players, especially at WR and DL. The QB was pretty solid, and I'm gonna say could play in the MVFC, maybe not be a star, but could be legit. We surely can't get too puffed up about hosing them, but still it was a good win, especially with previous injuries and the ones in the game depleting our two-deep.

First time I noticed Duke transfer Ron Carr get some PT and he looked like he belonged.

 

[Total Red]

Injuries. As the season rolls along they change the course of action, and we are getting our share. RB - Mason Blakemore was in street clothes on the sideline with his arm in a sling. He may be protecting his shoulder more than his arm. Wenkers Wright limped off the field after catching a short pass (2nd Q?) and never returned. That left us with RB's #3 Mueller and #4 freshman Josh Robinson. #5 Cal Martine hit the field late in the game. The good news is that we have depth at RB. Robinson and Martine looked really good except for a fumble by Robinson.

Injuries at LB'er haven't really hurt us, and in fact they may have helped. It got Tye Niekamp on the field sooner and it turns out that he was more than ready.

I definitely want Blakemore and Wright back for SDSU but the injury that concerns me the most is TE Cam Grandy. He was helped off the field after making a catch and an "I own this field" run. He was taken off without putting weight on one leg, so I feared it was serious at the time but it may not be. We have Charles and Ziebarth at TE, and they're good, but they don't quite bring me to the confidence level that Cam does. Zack will have less time to throw in the next game and Cam makes himself a really good target with great hands. We need Cam as close to 100% as possible for SDSU. It would be nice to get Presson back too.

As usual The Pantagraph is all over the injury report -

Robinson, Mueller put fumbles behind in Illinois State victory

ISU moved to 3-1 by topping Lindenwood.

pantagraph.com

 

[Total Red]

We surely can't get too puffed up about hosing them, but still it was a good win,

Nonsense. I always get puffed up after a good hosing.

 

[Redbird15]

We have high expectations for Zack as our QB and he really responded yesterday. As a result our offense has come into view. This is a team that can aggravate defenses with short passes and runs before taking a shot downfield when no longer expected. Zack was very consistent as he completed 26 of 33 (79%). I think he was throwing angry as he rifled the ball in there on some slant patterns. Zack had a chance to go deep because the free safety wasn't coming over the top this time, so he led Sobkowicz nicely and the result was a quick six. Dink, Dink, Dink - BOOM (if it's there). That's the offense. Will it work as well against South Dakota St? No, of course not. They didn't get where they are by giving up anything easy. But you don't try to change who you are when you play a really good team. You try to do what you do best as well as you can.

Defense - Their QB was slippery as advertised but the 'Birds did sack him a couple of times and other times they forced him to throw the ball away. You need a couple of sturdy lads on the line, but more and more modern football is played in space. You need guys that can run and tackle. Abdullah, Gaines, Niekamp, Jackson, Gearhart - we have players that can do that.

Special teams - At some point we're going to have to field punts. I admit that yesterday might not have been the right day as their punter kicked some end over end balls away from the punt receiver that were hard to field. With the roll, Lindenwood was able to flip the field.
Eddie Kasper has good hands and some wicked moves. We may need to trust him against SDSU. You can't concede the field position battle to a team like the Jacks and expect to win.

We have high expectations for Zack as our QB and he really responded yesterday. As a result our offense has come into view. This is a team that can aggravate defenses with short passes and runs before taking a shot downfield when no longer expected. Zack was very consistent as he completed 26 of 33 (79%). I think he was throwing angry as he rifled the ball in there on some slant patterns. Zack had a chance to go deep because the free safety wasn't coming over the top this time, so he led Sobkowicz nicely and the result was a quick six. Dink, Dink, Dink - BOOM (if it's there). That's the offense. Will it work as well against South Dakota St? No, of course not. They didn't get where they are by giving up anything easy. But you don't try to change who you are when you play a really good team. You try to do what you do best as well as you can.

Defense - Their QB was slippery as advertised but the 'Birds did sack him a couple of times and other times they forced him to throw the ball away. You need a couple of sturdy lads on the line, but more and more modern football is played in space. You need guys that can run and tackle. Abdullah, Gaines, Niekamp, Jackson, Gearhart - we have players that can do that.

Special teams - At some point we're going to have to field punts. I admit that yesterday might not have been the right day as their punter kicked some end over end balls away from the punt receiver that were hard to field. With the roll, Lindenwood was able to flip the field.
Eddie Kasper has good hands and some wicked moves. We may need to trust him against SDSU. You can't concede the field position battle to a team like the Jacks and expect to win.

Great win and timely bye week for some to recover from injuries. SDSU is no Lindenwood or any of the previous teams we have played. Special teams in all aspects can not make any eras. Dink and dunk will not work against SDSU. ISU needs to have dink dunk and be able get get a few 20+ yard pass to help loosen up SDSU so stun game can be established. Good to see Robinson get some good runs especially if Wright/Blakemore can’t go. Muller hopefully is on an upswing. He is a north south runner.. The shuffle/toss pass is a waste play removed that from his weaponry playbook. Injuries to WR’s is big. Camo Nelson and Preston. Stewart goes out with injury did not return. Although Carr had a few good catch/run he may not be completely back from hamstring injury. ISU will need Stewart/Carr speed to create some separation against SDSU DB’s. Some may know former Redbird coach/player Michael Banks is DB coach at SDSU. He will know a few of our DB’s and Wr’s tendencies as well as a few of Redbirds defensive and offensive coaches habits. Zack is going to have to be on his A game as well as OL giving him time to throw. Last years game against the rabbits we played with a running QB and no run game. So the hurry up offense play calling got to be 100% on point. Defense is going to have to get some sacks and stop run game.

 

[BJJ guy]

Was shocked to see Cam Grandy back out there and playing after his injury. From the way he was writhing in pain I thought it was a season ender

 

[Total Red]

 

[MadBird]

View attachment 1162

Wow - no FG's and a blocked XP and you still get player of the week? Good for him, a little come back from his problems of a couple weeks ago. He was booming the KO's.

 

[Birdswin]

The one caveat for the players of the week - there were only three teams playing. Mo State vs Utah Tech and WIU getting beat at Southern Utah. Yes, Wagner did a good job with kickoffs - none out of bounds, good job with punts, and was 6 of 7 on extra points. Good for Wagner - needs to trust himself, along with mentally focus and concentrate on each kick. Kicking is sort of like golf - if you have the physical ability, it is mental. Focus and concentration. You have to practice that way as well. Just kicking to be kicking in practice or warmups, does not prepare you for game situations, near as well.

I did find it a little ironic that Spack was quoted in the Pantagraph thinking about the EIU game towards the end of the Lindenwood game. Yes, the place-kicking game was not good - but Wagner was not in on either field goal attempt. Yes, he doinked the extra point - once again. Focus and Concentration. Water under the bridge now - it is the next kick that is the most important.

 

[fourthandshort]

We have high expectations for Zack as our QB and he really responded yesterday. As a result our offense has come into view. This is a team that can aggravate defenses with short passes and runs before taking a shot downfield when no longer expected. Zack was very consistent as he completed 26 of 33 (79%). I think he was throwing angry as he rifled the ball in there on some slant patterns. Zack had a chance to go deep because the free safety wasn't coming over the top this time, so he led Sobkowicz nicely and the result was a quick six. Dink, Dink, Dink - BOOM (if it's there). That's the offense. Will it work as well against South Dakota St? No, of course not. They didn't get where they are by giving up anything easy. But you don't try to change who you are when you play a really good team. You try to do what you do best as well as you can.

Defense - Their QB was slippery as advertised but the 'Birds did sack him a couple of times and other times they forced him to throw the ball away. You need a couple of sturdy lads on the line, but more and more modern football is played in space. You need guys that can run and tackle. Abdullah, Gaines, Niekamp, Jackson, Gearhart - we have players that can do that.

Special teams - At some point we're going to have to field punts. I admit that yesterday might not have been the right day as their punter kicked some end over end balls away from the punt receiver that were hard to field. With the roll, Lindenwood was able to flip the field.
Eddie Kasper has good hands and some wicked moves. We may need to trust him against SDSU. You can't concede the field position battle to a team like the Jacks and expect to win.

We've rarely had good punt returners, or allowed our punt returners to make plays. This is another Spack thing IMO .. he doesn't want punt returners to fumble is what I can only assume. Do I know this specifically for sure ... no, but .... we have had so few punt returners do much in this phase of game consistently over Spack's tenure. And he is the only common denominator. Anthony Warrum was given some leash. Spencer Schnell a little bit of leash. But I believe they are coached to error on side of fair catches, and staying away from bouncing balls no matter what.

No hard evidence, but again ... Spack's teams almost never have PRs getting yards. Now KR we seem to do pretty well consistently, bit almost never PR.

 

[Redbird15]

We've rarely had good punt returners, or allowed our punt returners to make plays. This is another Spack thing IMO .. he doesn't want punt returners to fumble is what I can only assume. Do I know this specifically for sure ... no, but .... we have had so few punt returners do much in this phase of game consistently over Spack's tenure. And he is the only common denominator. Anthony Warrum was given some leash. Spencer Schnell a little bit of leash. But I believe they are coached to error on side of fair catches, and staying away from bouncing balls no matter what.

No hard evidence, but again ... Spack's teams almost never have PRs getting yards. Now KR we seem to do pretty well consistently, bit almost never PR.

It’s not Spack. You got to have a KR who has Good Hands with speed and confidence. Even with KR it always was puzzling to see guys catch ball on 5 yd line and not attempt a return prior to last year since Spencer Snell left. That’s because of speed factor Carr has that type of speed and average about 26yards a KR which you take your chances with speed guys at any given moment can go the distance. A decent KR with decent blocking will get 20 so the ball will still be on 25. Yes ISU has guys with decent speed but the have got to be elusive/hands and can get to top speed in a split second. PR in the last 3/4 years we had kasper R/ F West/B annexstad and now Eddie C. For the most part good hands but do they have top speed in 3/4 steps. So I will take the sure hands on PR with no return just field the ball instead of not catching it.

 

[Total Red]

Twice! This guy must be good.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Twice! This guy must be good.

View attachment 1163

To reach full Zambrano status he needs to take a bat to a Gatorade cooler.

 

[Dmills]

What I'd like to see from our punt return man:
1. Catch the ball whenever possible
2. Fair catch the ball if you aren't confident in returning it (AKA you're going to get blown up or worried that you might).
3. Return the ball when you are confident, but be prepared for a hit.
4. Don't pick up the ball on a bounce, especially in traffic.

I will add that the majority of punts aren't returnable, and I also hate it when we pick up the ball off the bounce to gain a yard. Spack usually has our punt returner on a short leash, so a lot of what we have seen the last couple of years has been because the PR has been limited.

However, as far as specials goes, I am much more concerned about our kicking game then any return game. I shouldn't be having a heart attack on every extra point or field goal. I think Wagner has proven himself as a good kicker, even an accurate one you could argue. I believe the problem in our kicking game comes down to the snap, the hold, and the blocking more than anything. Sometimes Wagner doesn't give the ball enough lift when he should which makes it harder on the guys blocking, but the blocked PAT last game was no fault of his.

 

[BJJ guy]

Well, I just looked at last year and we had 10 returns for a total of 16 yards on the season. Our opponents had 11 returns for a total of 5 yards all season. Maybe the punters at this level don’t give many opportunities to get under the ball and return it?

 

[fourthandshort]

It’s not Spack. You got to have a KR who has Good Hands with speed and confidence. Even with KR it always was puzzling to see guys catch ball on 5 yd line and not attempt a return prior to last year since Spencer Snell left. That’s because of speed factor Carr has that type of speed and average about 26yards a KR which you take your chances with speed guys at any given moment can go the distance. A decent KR with decent blocking will get 20 so the ball will still be on 25. Yes ISU has guys with decent speed but the have got to be elusive/hands and can get to top speed in a split second. PR in the last 3/4 years we had kasper R/ F West/B annexstad and now Eddie C. For the most part good hands but do they have top speed in 3/4 steps. So I will take the sure hands on PR with no return just field the ball instead of not catching it.

I think you missed distinction I was making ... I do think we usually hold our own or do well in KR game. Though rule changes have certainly changed KR strategies to where you have to consider rules intended to protect players, which I mostly like, in how you coach your KRs to make decisions depending on where/how the opponent kicks to you.

But I was only referring to PR, where we definitely lag the rest of MVFC in most seasons. And I think this reflects on Spack's conservative nature. Certainly PR is very different than KR ... where you literally have to wait for ball with head straight up while 3 or 4 PR cover guys are running full speed looking to take you head off and make you fumble. So I get the distinction there ... but it's all relative and I believe over the Spack era, we are consistently in lower half or even third of MVFC in both PR yards, yards/att, and PR attempts.

 

[Total Red]

Well, I just looked at last year and we had 10 returns for a total of 16 yards on the season. Our opponents had 11 returns for a total of 5 yards all season. Maybe the punters at this level don’t give many opportunities to get under the ball and return it?

If we don't have opportunities to return punts I can live with that. It's watching the ball roll 20 yards that's frustrating. I'm hoping that can improve.

 

[Redbird15]

If we don't have opportunities to return punts I can live with that. It's watching the ball roll 20 yards that's frustrating. I'm hoping that can improve.

Agree just fair catch it