@ NAU Gamethread

[Chi-bird]

Bravo to NAU and the streaming of this game. Zero glitches. Very entertaining announcers that were the furthest from being homers. I enjoyed them reading the emails and tweets from ISU fans and having some fun. Seemed to know our team fairly well. Called us Western Illinois one time, but I would take that as a compliment tonight!

Great points. Their broadcast was big time.

 

[saxman210]

I sent them an email asking for a cindygate shoutout but I turned off the game before they said it, if they ever did.

 

[Birgs]

Officiating continues to be an embarrassment.

The NAU feed broached one of the most homer/rah-rah broadcasts to which I have ever listened.

Offensive line play has not evolved.

Offensive play calling is suspect.

Defensive superiority ( like all-time best ) is being wasted.

The preseason poll sure seems accurate.

Jake is a great kid. And I don't wanna be like one of the mouth-breather Bear guys saying, "Put in Trabiscuit", yet there may be some packages to entertain with Malachi the gun....

...which also leads to the question why there isn't more PA partner patterns to Petko and Bair.

...motion Markel out of the slot and every-down Robinson.

Schnell ( no insult, just misused) is not Warrum.

Gibbs can be L-Rob.

Dalton Keene is the best football player I have observed in my 23 years associated with anything ISU.

Deontae needs to hit the reset button.

This is an awesome program. There are reloading years. This schedule sucks, but the continuity is bright.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Bravo to NAU and the streaming of this game. Zero glitches. Very entertaining announcers that were the furthest from being homers. I enjoyed them reading the emails and tweets from ISU fans and having some fun. Seemed to know our team fairly well. Called us Western Illinois one time, but I would take that as a compliment tonight!

I totally agree. The announcers were fun to listen to and they highlighted good play on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Really refreshing from most of the homer announcing teams where it is apparent they know nothing about the opposing team and only talk about their own team. Good broadcast and nice touches with the ISU emails, etc. The game absolutely sucked to watch but it was the best on the road broadcast I have watched. :clap:

 

[chuckie1980]

Was the final score....37-16?

I was very impressed with the livestream. The livestream timed out on my puter for some reason. It restarted and came back to the game but with the Lumberjacks scoring...I was pulled away from viewing the game....then could not determine if the Vidette reported the score wrong...or...?

 

[BallwinBird2012]

I guess I was the only one having issues with the feed...I only caught bits and pieces of the first half, but it sounds like I didn't miss much. What I did manage to see was pretty brutal.

Based solely on reading this thread, this game sounds like it was exactly what I was afraid of for this team. Offense takes way too long to get going (if they ever really get going at all). Defense plays tough, but offense puts them in too many tough situations to get out of. I just didn't think we'd get exposed until a little later on in our schedule.

Could be tough sledding the rest of the way. There is nothing about our offense, the play calling especially, that is going to keep D-Coordinators up at night....Unless they are awake because they are that excited to be playing us...

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I guess I was the only one having issues with the feed...I only caught bits and pieces of the first half, but it sounds like I didn't miss much. What I did manage to see was pretty brutal.

Based solely on reading this thread, this game sounds like it was exactly what I was afraid of for this team. Offense takes way too long to get going (if they ever really get going at all). Defense plays tough, but offense puts them in too many tough situations to get out of. I just didn't think we'd get exposed until a little later on in our schedule.

Could be tough sledding the rest of the way. There is nothing about our offense, the play calling especially, that is going to keep D-Coordinators up at night....Unless they are awake because they are that excited to be playing us...

The offense never got going last night. They won last week but the offense relied on a couple big passing plays to score. The run game last week was hot and cold. I think teams are seeing that with this Redbird team you stop the run and commit to that and make them pass. NOBODY is scared of Kolbe throwing the ball. NOBODY.

 

[DaveBird10]

I guess I was the only one having issues with the feed...I only caught bits and pieces of the first half, but it sounds like I didn't miss much. What I did manage to see was pretty brutal.

Based solely on reading this thread, this game sounds like it was exactly what I was afraid of for this team. Offense takes way too long to get going (if they ever really get going at all). Defense plays tough, but offense puts them in too many tough situations to get out of. I just didn't think we'd get exposed until a little later on in our schedule.

Could be tough sledding the rest of the way. There is nothing about our offense, the play calling especially, that is going to keep D-Coordinators up at night....Unless they are awake because they are that excited to be playing us...

The offense never got going last night. They won last week but the offense relied on a couple big passing plays to score. The run game last week was hot and cold. I think teams are seeing that with this Redbird team you stop the run and commit to that and make them pass. NOBODY is scared of Kolbe throwing the ball. NOBODY.

Nobody is afraid of Kolbe throwing the ball I agree there but after Gibbs got hurt and didn't come back last night who are you afraid at reciever? Spencer Schell at 5'9 is our best reciever. Fowler is idk and I can tell everyone that after being at the game yesterday that there were times that KOLBE HAD NOBODY TO THROW TO BC THE RECIEVERS CAN'T GET OPEN.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[dpdoughbird06]

How did Himmelman look in his first game back? Guessing not great, given how the entire line got pushed backwards all night. Did he look tentative or just rusty?

 

[DannyCooksey]

Bad game

I feel sorry for the guys.

Gotta rebound next week. I still think this is a good team. Just a bad day at the office.

 

[BallwinBird2012]

I guess I was the only one having issues with the feed...I only caught bits and pieces of the first half, but it sounds like I didn't miss much. What I did manage to see was pretty brutal.

Based solely on reading this thread, this game sounds like it was exactly what I was afraid of for this team. Offense takes way too long to get going (if they ever really get going at all). Defense plays tough, but offense puts them in too many tough situations to get out of. I just didn't think we'd get exposed until a little later on in our schedule.

Could be tough sledding the rest of the way. There is nothing about our offense, the play calling especially, that is going to keep D-Coordinators up at night....Unless they are awake because they are that excited to be playing us...

The offense never got going last night. They won last week but the offense relied on a couple big passing plays to score. The run game last week was hot and cold. I think teams are seeing that with this Redbird team you stop the run and commit to that and make them pass. NOBODY is scared of Kolbe throwing the ball. NOBODY.

Nobody is afraid of Kolbe throwing the ball I agree there but after Gibbs got hurt and didn't come back last night who are you afraid at reciever? Spencer Schell at 5'9 is our best reciever. Fowler is idk and I can tell everyone that after being at the game yesterday that there were times that KOLBE HAD NOBODY TO THROW TO BC THE RECIEVERS CAN'T GET OPEN.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

From your perspective, do you think the receivers not getting open is more of a receiver problem, or a scheme problem?

 

[DaveBird10]

The offense never got going last night. They won last week but the offense relied on a couple big passing plays to score. The run game last week was hot and cold. I think teams are seeing that with this Redbird team you stop the run and commit to that and make them pass. NOBODY is scared of Kolbe throwing the ball. NOBODY.

Nobody is afraid of Kolbe throwing the ball I agree there but after Gibbs got hurt and didn't come back last night who are you afraid at reciever? Spencer Schell at 5'9 is our best reciever. Fowler is idk and I can tell everyone that after being at the game yesterday that there were times that KOLBE HAD NOBODY TO THROW TO BC THE RECIEVERS CAN'T GET OPEN.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

From your perspective, do you think the receivers not getting open is more of a receiver problem, or a scheme problem?

From my perspective idk if the birds have as much talent at reciever then past few years. Don't have Warrum, Meredith or anyone else. Does Schell worry you if your d-coordinator ? We had guys running routes yesterday that haven't seen before.

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[SoCalRedbird]

Lousy game, but a fun opportunity nonetheless for us left coasters to see the 'Birds and hang out with other ISU grads.

Pros: Alumni association tailgate. ISU fan contingent. NAU family weekend / tailgating. Flagstaff. Free parking lot. ISU golf team alumni (Thanks Will!)

Cons: CB play. QB play. Line play. Targeting call. Not using our 6'7 TE against coverage a foot shorter. Single man coverage despite NAU dropping bombs all game. Vanilla play calling in the 1st half. Nearly everything else related to the football game.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Hamdonger]

Game aside...that's a pretty cool multi-purpose arena. It's gotta be a good environment for a football game, with fans right on top of you.

 

[crazzymark]

the beginning of a great season just ended.......sorry Brock couldn't pull the string early to get the offence rolling.... .500 at best this point on if he just can't pull kolbe when needed...

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I guess I was the only one having issues with the feed...I only caught bits and pieces of the first half, but it sounds like I didn't miss much. What I did manage to see was pretty brutal.

Based solely on reading this thread, this game sounds like it was exactly what I was afraid of for this team. Offense takes way too long to get going (if they ever really get going at all). Defense plays tough, but offense puts them in too many tough situations to get out of. I just didn't think we'd get exposed until a little later on in our schedule.

Could be tough sledding the rest of the way. There is nothing about our offense, the play calling especially, that is going to keep D-Coordinators up at night....Unless they are awake because they are that excited to be playing us...

The offense never got going last night. They won last week but the offense relied on a couple big passing plays to score. The run game last week was hot and cold. I think teams are seeing that with this Redbird team you stop the run and commit to that and make them pass. NOBODY is scared of Kolbe throwing the ball. NOBODY.

Nobody is afraid of Kolbe throwing the ball I agree there but after Gibbs got hurt and didn't come back last night who are you afraid at reciever? Spencer Schell at 5'9 is our best reciever. Fowler is idk and I can tell everyone that after being at the game yesterday that there were times that KOLBE HAD NOBODY TO THROW TO BC THE RECIEVERS CAN'T GET OPEN.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

I don't disagree except for one thing...Kolbe was underthrowing receivers and quite a few balls were way behind receivers and not hitting them in stride. It happened quite a few times in the past few games too but they overcame them. The ball to Petcovich when he was all alone and Kolbe was not under pressure was an perfect example. It may have been a touchdown and at least in the red zone and Kolbe missed the wide open receiver very, very badly. It was not always a case of the receivers not being able to get open. Not all Kolbe's fault. The offensive game plan and adjustments have to be considered. The Offensive Coordinators are just not getting it done. They have had a year and a half and the offense is till mediocre at best. I am not down on Kolbe and I am not saying bring in the backup since we really don't know if he can pass very well either. It is clear though that something is not working. Hell, center and QB exchanges are still a problem. You can't use the back up center excuse either since he has played about as much as the starter. 4th down and you fumble the QB/Center exchange? Those are the things that poorly coached teams do. There is no excuse...that just can not happen. Not if you want to be a championship team anyway.

 

[fourthandshort]

Nobody is afraid of Kolbe throwing the ball I agree there but after Gibbs got hurt and didn't come back last night who are you afraid at reciever? Spencer Schell at 5'9 is our best reciever. Fowler is idk and I can tell everyone that after being at the game yesterday that there were times that KOLBE HAD NOBODY TO THROW TO BC THE RECIEVERS CAN'T GET OPEN.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

From your perspective, do you think the receivers not getting open is more of a receiver problem, or a scheme problem?

From my perspective idk if the birds have as much talent at reciever then past few years. Don't have Warrum, Meredith or anyone else. Does Schell worry you if your d-coordinator ? We had guys running routes yesterday that haven't seen before.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Spack has referenced several times about WR group ... "we need every day guys, not sometimes guys" ... Schnell is the only every day guy but he is limited. Gibbs is not far behind but sometimes he disappears. Fowler is undoubtedly who he is referring to, along with the rest of the WR group. Transfer Hadden has yet to make a catch ... not sure if he's played or been targeted. Chase Pankey and Kolzow off roster. Bryce Jefferson has not been able to live up to his promising start .. might be playing injured ?

Our WR group is way thinner than I would have guessed coming out of last year, and not just because Warrum graduated ... but we are very thin at WR. Young guys are not developing an panning out.

Need Fowler to step up ... learn to play with a chip, like you have something prove every play ,, because you do.

 

[fourthandshort]

The offense never got going last night. They won last week but the offense relied on a couple big passing plays to score. The run game last week was hot and cold. I think teams are seeing that with this Redbird team you stop the run and commit to that and make them pass. NOBODY is scared of Kolbe throwing the ball. NOBODY.

Nobody is afraid of Kolbe throwing the ball I agree there but after Gibbs got hurt and didn't come back last night who are you afraid at reciever? Spencer Schell at 5'9 is our best reciever. Fowler is idk and I can tell everyone that after being at the game yesterday that there were times that KOLBE HAD NOBODY TO THROW TO BC THE RECIEVERS CAN'T GET OPEN.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

I don't disagree except for one thing...Kolbe was underthrowing receivers and quite a few balls were way behind receivers and not hitting them in stride. It happened quite a few times in the past few games too but they overcame them. The ball to Petcovich when he was all alone and Kolbe was not under pressure was an perfect example. It may have been a touchdown and at least in the red zone and Kolbe missed the wide open receiver very, very badly. It was not always a case of the receivers not being able to get open. Not all Kolbe's fault. The offensive game plan and adjustments have to be considered. The Offensive Coordinators are just not getting it done. They have had a year and a half and the offense is till mediocre at best. I am not down on Kolbe and I am not saying bring in the backup since we really don't know if he can pass very well either. It is clear though that something is not working. Hell, center and QB exchanges are still a problem. You can't use the back up center excuse either since he has played about as much as the starter. 4th down and you fumble the QB/Center exchange? Those are the things that poorly coached teams do. There is no excuse...that just can not happen. Not if you want to be a championship team anyway.

agreed about Kolbe being off mark yesterday .. he looked flustered and like he was playing too uptight. On the one hand, NAU was in our backfield all game, and WRs probably weren't much help .. but Kolbe was not at all accurate yesterday .. his worst game by far. But entire offense had their worst game by far .. so too much wasn't working to pin yesterday on Kolbe. He has 2 career bests the prior 2 games with run game not working .. Kolbe was the reason we pulled away from MoST; and he along with the defense was the reason we beat INSU despite leaving 20+ points on field the 1st half ,, and none of the 20+ points missed were Kolbe's fault.

Plenty of blame to go around.

And maybe the elevation had something to do with it .. Spack insisted they would do nothing different to prepare for this game, nor any extra rotations .. not sure if he was just saying that for effect .. but not smart if true.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Good post fourth. I am not down on Kolbe but he was really bad yesterday. Hopefully better next week. I think the coaching staff from Coach Spack on down was completely out coached. Completely! Horrible game plan on offense and while the defense was on the field too much they kept with single coverage when they were being destroyed in the passing game. That again falls to the coaching. A bad game for all but special teams. Nice field goal and a wasted 80 yard return. The Special Teams were the only highlight from yesterdays game so kudos to them. Hopefully the Birds get their stuff together before next week or this will be a long, long, long, long, season. BTW, nobody is talking about it but the Indiana State team we barely beat was absolutely destroyed by North Dakota State. I mean ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED! The Birds need to quit leaving points on the field and get their stuff together! It is such a shame to waste such a good defense with such a mediocre offense...such a shame.