Northern Iowa

MadBird

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Annexstad was 8-15 for 87 yds in Q1, and then went 21-26 for 170 yds the last 3 qtrs. Didn't get a lot of big yards, but helped move chains as run game faded 2nd half. We got 118 rush yds the 1st half, but just 34 rush yds 2nd half. So Zack was the guy who slowed UNI enough, to give our defense a chance to help us hold on late. Time of possession was 35 to 25 ... kudos to offense and defense.

Hope Wright is ok - he looked so strong early - oh to have had Mueller and Wright wearing down defenses. Nigel had a nice game (16 for 69 yds) but hes not ready to carry a heavier load yet. Tanner Taula had a big game to .. great to see a QB (and OC) who like to use the TE !!

Nice day all the way around. We handled SIU entire 2nd half last week and were 12 yards from a win last week. Then handled UNI entire 1st half today and we're able to hand on despite being on the road against a decent UNI team.

Let's ride this momentum past South Dakota, probably the best 1-4 team in FCS.. They are tougher than their record, with #1 SOS in FCS.

Let's go Redbirds !!

Edit .. and 13-20 on 3rd down ???? Plus 2-2 on 4th down, which adjjusts the 3rd down conversion to 15-20 moving chains on 3 or 4th downs .... against UNI ??? Punted just twice despite scoring just 23 pts.
Was at a wedding tonight so was not able to watch or listen. Just found out about the outcome when we got home.

Another stat I noticed to add to 4thandshort's analysis -- Birds had 8 drives in the game, and 5 ended up with points. Didn't punt until 6 minutes left in the 3rd Q. 4 drives over 5 minutes, and one at 4:31. 4th Q drive was 7:24, 13 plays. Control the ball.

Looking forward to Homecoming Saturday, will be my first home game this year. Gotta avoid an upset from the Coyote Dogs. One game at a time.
 

Virginia Redbird

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It was a big game for Taula and Carr catching the ball. Also, what about the Bird's execution on 3rd downs? When was the last time we saw the Redbirds routinely pick up 3rd and longs? Taula in particular just killed the UNI defense. Probably the biggest thing was controlling the ball and the clock. The defense got a chance to rest for long periods while the offense just kept moving the chains. It seems the last couple of years the offense goes three and out and the defense gets worn down toward the end of the game. Last night the defense probably played their best at the end of the game. They were not exhausted. Keep it rolling into next week!
 

Total Red

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I don't like to kick a team when it's already down. I prefer to complain when we win. I didn't like the 3 straight runs on the final Redbird possession. UNI was stacking the box and the running plays didn't stand a chance. Even when tried to fool them with a QB keeper on 3rd down, Annexstad was quickly swallowed up. I wanted at least one pass attempt on either 2nd or 3rd down. The Panthers had been giving up the underneath passes while denying the deep ball all game. That didn't really work that well for them. I know the coverage would have tightened up on the final drive so I would have sent Sobkowicz up the sideline. I believe he could get behind the corner. You throw the ball higher where he has a chance of catching it (he's 6'3) and if it goes too high it goes out of bounds. As passes go it is a relatively safe pass. If he catches it, you've got a 1st down and likely the ball game.
Instead we did a quick 3 and out and put the game on our punter and our defense. I know the idea was to make UNI use their timeouts and the running plays did accomplish that, but UNI got the ball back needing only a FG to win and they were still able to run 7 offensive plays (I'm not counting the spiked ball as a play). Theo Day is a good QB and they were operating in the middle of the field after getting a 28-yard completion on the first play. After that there were 2 runs and Day had 3 incompletions before the game ending sack, so credit the defense with some outstanding play to bail us out but I don't think we made the right percentage call. We played aggressively on offense the whole game. Give them the chance to win the game with a 1st down and don't put so much on the defense. One more good pass completion by the Panthers and they were in game winning FG position.
 

Sanantoniobird

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I picked us to win this game by 4. My reasons were solely based on the 2nd half of the SIU game. I think everyone saw the potential of what can happen with our tempo off, but also you look at what AF did, you just rinse and repeat.
Another reason, THIS game IMO was huge for both teams. ISU loses they have to beat everyone left on their schedule and go 1-1 against SDSU/NDSU. I think now you can run the table, go 0-2 against the Dakotas and still be in the playoffs.
Lot of work to do but in better position. Somehow an ISU win over a (2-3) UNI is unfathomable by the talking heads, because UNI never goes out of style.
Any thoughts on QB1’s throwing hand; looks like he was favoring it a bit…maybe reason for the ton of short passes? I realize we were getting smothered downfield, but just an observation.

Also, Spack’s end of game, playing not to lose strategy drives my to drink.
 

Sanantoniobird

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I don't like to kick a team when it's already down. I prefer to complain when we win. I didn't like the 3 straight runs on the final Redbird possession. UNI was stacking the box and the running plays didn't stand a chance. Even when tried to fool them with a QB keeper on 3rd down, Annexstad was quickly swallowed up. I wanted at least one pass attempt on either 2nd or 3rd down. The Panthers had been giving up the underneath passes while denying the deep ball all game. That didn't really work that well for them. I know the coverage would have tightened up on the final drive so I would have sent Sobkowicz up the sideline. I believe he could get behind the corner. You throw the ball higher where he has a chance of catching it (he's 6'3) and if it goes too high it goes out of bounds. As passes go it is a relatively safe pass. If he catches it, you've got a 1st down and likely the ball game.
Instead we did a quick 3 and out and put the game on our punter and our defense. I know the idea was to make UNI use their timeouts and the running plays did accomplish that, but UNI got the ball back needing only a FG to win and they were still able to run 7 offensive plays (I'm not counting the spiked ball as a play). Theo Day is a good QB and they were operating in the middle of the field after getting a 28-yard completion on the first play. After that there were 2 runs and Day had 3 incompletions before the game ending sack, so credit the defense with some outstanding play to bail us out but I don't think we made the right percentage call. We played aggressively on offense the whole game. Give them the chance to win the game with a 1st down and don't put so much on the defense. One more good pass completion by the Panthers and they were in game winning FG position.
Did you watch the SFA/ACU game. It could’ve needed like that…😭😭
Go back and just watch the last minutes of regulation. Quite incredible.
 

Total Red

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Random thoughts

Wright and White made an excellent tailback combo. They were quick about hitting the holes and we needed that. I've seen FB games where RB's needed to be patient and wait for a hole to open instead of charging ahead but for some reason our offense doesn't work that way. Wright and White have the burst we need.

I underestimated Annexstad as a scrambler. He's feeling the pressure and bailing the pocket at the right time and it sometimes results in a good gain rushing. It's fun to turn the tables and do that to the other team.

The scoring was slightly higher than expected but that can happen you start going for it on 4th down. It will be interesting to see if that continues.

I bragged about our LB'ers preseason. The outside backers are living up to the hype. Vandenburgh may be exceeding the hype. The inside backers are more hit and miss. We've tried rotating Campos out at Will LB'er but we're still not getting the production from that position that we need.

Please don't give up any more deep balls.

Coach Spack said that Drew Bones faced off against an All-American nose tackle at Wisconsin, but the UNI NT wasn't far behind.

Asche was back in for Pope at RT. Not sure if Pope was injured. I believe they like Pope as a pass blocker, but Asche held up against the UNI pass rush and I like his aggressiveness run blocking.

It's great to win in the UNI-Dome. Even the 2014 team that went to the National Championship game lost at N. Iowa that year.
WELL DONE REDBIRDS. If you fear no dome then we might have another one for you.
 

Virginia Redbird

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I don't like to kick a team when it's already down. I prefer to complain when we win. I didn't like the 3 straight runs on the final Redbird possession. UNI was stacking the box and the running plays didn't stand a chance. Even when tried to fool them with a QB keeper on 3rd down, Annexstad was quickly swallowed up. I wanted at least one pass attempt on either 2nd or 3rd down. The Panthers had been giving up the underneath passes while denying the deep ball all game. That didn't really work that well for them. I know the coverage would have tightened up on the final drive so I would have sent Sobkowicz up the sideline. I believe he could get behind the corner. You throw the ball higher where he has a chance of catching it (he's 6'3) and if it goes too high it goes out of bounds. As passes go it is a relatively safe pass. If he catches it, you've got a 1st down and likely the ball game.
Instead we did a quick 3 and out and put the game on our punter and our defense. I know the idea was to make UNI use their timeouts and the running plays did accomplish that, but UNI got the ball back needing only a FG to win and they were still able to run 7 offensive plays (I'm not counting the spiked ball as a play). Theo Day is a good QB and they were operating in the middle of the field after getting a 28-yard completion on the first play. After that there were 2 runs and Day had 3 incompletions before the game ending sack, so credit the defense with some outstanding play to bail us out but I don't think we made the right percentage call. We played aggressively on offense the whole game. Give them the chance to win the game with a 1st down and don't put so much on the defense. One more good pass completion by the Panthers and they were in game winning FG position.
I don't disagree but passing in that situation is never, ever, going to happen with Spack as the coach. I read the Pantagraph story this morning where he states clearly his strategy and intent was to make UNI burn their timeouts and put the game in the hands of his defense. You can take that two ways. One, he has unshakable confidence in his defense. Two, he has no confidence in his offense. Spack is a former Linebacker and defensive coordinator. In this situation, I think Spack makes this call every time. It is just the way he is.
 

MadBird

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Quick comment while watching Bears debacle (in spite of just scored TD):

FWIW, Birds' performance rated a "brief" in today's Minneapolis paper, mentioning "former Gophers QB Annexstad" yardage and TD pass. Other "briefs" for the Dakota games. Nice to see.
 

MadBird

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Watched the game this afternoon after Bears made me hunger for "real" football :)

I'll repeat lots of what has been said before.

It's hard for me to be too critical of that game. Beating UNI in the Dome - what could be sweeter? Okay, beating the Brown Cows in their Dome, but you know what I mean. You could just tell UNI was ready to win at the end, after the missed FG, they felt it was their destiny - but Noooooo, the Redbird D had something to say about it.

Not sure what's gotten into Nigel, but good for him. Was thinking back a couple years, this was what it was supposed to be like with J Rob and Jeff Proctor, but Proctor never got untracked, then got hurt, then left. A little change of pace between Wright and White, very nice.

Booyah to the OC for using the running backs in the pass game. Both looked very good in those plays.

We have a QB, and receivers, who can make hay over the middle when it counts. Yes! Thank you, football gods.

Wish I had a better feeling about the D backfield. Not all that tight, all the time.

Total Red pointed out inside LB performance - didn't we lose a guy earlier this year, dismissed? Not sure if he was an inside guy and likely to play. What about Belizzi, wasn't he looking good in pre-season?

Anyway, feeling better, but can't let down in the Valley. Next one is tough, and then the next one. Gotta keep moving forward.
 

Total Red

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Total Red pointed out inside LB performance - didn't we lose a guy earlier this year, dismissed?
I might be a little hard on the inside LB'ers. Against UNI we often played a Nickel defense with just 2 down linemen. That's good for pass defense but not for run defense. Everything is a tradeoff and it worked out in the long run but it's hard to play the inside LB'er positions when you don't have big butts in front of you. We invited UNI to run up the gut and they did. I just expected more tackles from the Will LB'er position even if they came further down the field.

I don't recall a LB'er being dismissed. Perhaps you are thinking of Bobby Babcock. He was a promising young LB'er that entered the transfer portal. Not sure where he ended up.
 

MadBird

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I might be a little hard on the inside LB'ers. Against UNI we often played a Nickel defense with just 2 down linemen. That's good for pass defense but not for run defense. Everything is a tradeoff and it worked out in the long run but it's hard to play the inside LB'er positions when you don't have big butts in front of you. We invited UNI to run up the gut and they did. I just expected more tackles from the Will LB'er position even if they came further down the field.

I don't recall a LB'er being dismissed. Perhaps you are thinking of Bobby Babcock. He was a promising young LB'er that entered the transfer portal. Not sure where he ended up.
Looked around a bit, the guy I'm thinking of is/was Damien Jackson, from Elkhart, IN. Played quite a bit last year, no longer on roster but was mentioned in pre-season outlook, etc. Can't find any news mention of his dismissal, but sort of recall seeing something. But not sure.

Edit:
Found it, from Sept. 13, 2022 Pantagraph

Jackson off team​

Linebacker Damien Jackson has been “dismissed” from the Redbird roster, according to Spack, who declined to elaborate on the reason for the dismissal.
Jackson ranked sixth on the team with 44 tackles in 2021.
 

Birdswin

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Total Red and Madbird - good summaries of the game and review of the defense. I agree with Virginia Redbird - we have seen this from Spack in late game situations multiple times - basically give up on offense, punt and hope the defense plays good enough and a ref does not start throwing flags in the secondary. I understand that philosophy when you have more than a 3-point lead - not the biggest fan of it when a FG is all that is needed. How about, at least line up the offense similar to what we have throughout the game to at least give the defense a thought we may actually run our "regular" offense. All that was needed was a first down, to run a lot of time off. Play to win with the ball in your hands. Play-action pass to the TE, on second down - no long throws to the side or in the flat.

Next item - short yardage offense is lacking. Our O-Line is not getting the surge we need. At least use multiple receivers to spread it out, so the defense is not so concentrated. Something different than what we have done.
 

DaveBird10

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Some pathetic clock management there at the end. Going to the locker room with two timeouts. Why not burn one before the third down play? Left yourself with one damn play to score after the conversion.

Good half, but that stinks.

-This was my only complaint from the game Saturday we had the ball to close out the half and didn't use the 2 timeouts, it felt like they were settling for a field goal as opposed to trying to score a TD. I get not wanting a turnover but you can't go into the half with 2 timeouts in your pocket.

- I loved how Wenkers Wright and Nigel White looked out of the backfield, I could only imagine if Coprich or Robinson had been used in the same way what that would have done to those offenses.

- My favorite statistic from the game though was Annexstad 29-41 passing and of those 29 competitions 19 completions went to tight ends and running backs. Nice job to use everyone in ways that we haven's seen in years. The o-line is good at screens and Annexstad is really good at the hurry-up offense.
 

DaveBird10

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I might be a little hard on the inside LB'ers. Against UNI we often played a Nickel defense with just 2 down linemen. That's good for pass defense but not for run defense. Everything is a tradeoff and it worked out in the long run but it's hard to play the inside LB'er positions when you don't have big butts in front of you. We invited UNI to run up the gut and they did. I just expected more tackles from the Will LB'er position even if they came further down the field.

I don't recall a LB'er being dismissed. Perhaps you are thinking of Bobby Babcock. He was a promising young LB'er that entered the transfer portal. Not sure where he ended up.
I didn't notice it during the game but afterwards Spack said on WJBC that Okolo didn't make the trip, I think the Pantagraph mentioned that Okolo and Bussone were dealing with concussions. I guess being down Okolo on defense Spack thought going to a nickel defense might be best, he also said that they had 1 nose that could play and the transfer from Cinci is good but he's not ready yet.
 

Total Red

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Total Red and Madbird - good summaries of the game and review of the defense. I agree with Virginia Redbird - we have seen this from Spack in late game situations multiple times - basically give up on offense, punt and hope the defense plays good enough and a ref does not start throwing flags in the secondary. I understand that philosophy when you have more than a 3-point lead - not the biggest fan of it when a FG is all that is needed. How about, at least line up the offense similar to what we have throughout the game to at least give the defense a thought we may actually run our "regular" offense. All that was needed was a first down, to run a lot of time off. Play to win with the ball in your hands. Play-action pass to the TE, on second down - no long throws to the side or in the flat.

Next item - short yardage offense is lacking. Our O-Line is not getting the surge we need. At least use multiple receivers to spread it out, so the defense is not so concentrated. Something different than what we have done.
When our quarterbacking wasn't as good I supported the defensive approach. We played field position football and tried to keep the score down. But Annexstad was accurate and on his game Saturday. I would have given him the chance to win the game.

Agreed on the short yardage. It's old fashioned to think you need to bunch everyone together on the O-Line. You can spread the field and run the ball. I think our backs would be good at it and Annexstad could dive for a yard if needed.
 

Total Red

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I didn't notice it during the game but afterwards Spack said on WJBC that Okolo didn't make the trip, I think the Pantagraph mentioned that Okolo and Bussone were dealing with concussions. I guess being down Okolo on defense Spack thought going to a nickel defense might be best, he also said that they had 1 nose that could play and the transfer from Cinci is good but he's not ready yet.
It's interesting to follow the evolution of defensive play. Before my time college football players played both ways. During my time (late 70s to 80s) defensive linemen played the entire game. Now D-linemen get a breather to keep them fresh. Since we didn't feel comfortable with our #3 nose tackle we just took Hickcox off the field at times and didn't use one.
 

fourthandshort

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why wasnt the clock running after chains were set wuth 16 secs ????

I still dont get why the game clock never restarted after UNI got the 1st down with 16 secs, other than time needed to reset the chains, but then ref should signal to start play clock. I must be missing somethingUNI got a free timeout, unless maybe one of the chain guys had a heart attack or something.
I don't disagree but passing in that situation is never, ever, going to happen with Spack as the coach. I read the Pantagraph story this morning where he states clearly his strategy and intent was to make UNI burn their timeouts and put the game in the hands of his defense. You can take that two ways. One, he has unshakable confidence in his defense. Two, he has no confidence in his offense. Spack is a former Linebacker and defensive coordinator. In this situation, I think Spack makes this call every time. It is just the way he is.
I agree with earlier post about Spack going too conservative too early with leads. But I didn't disagree in this case, with running 3 plays in a row on that last series. I think you have to burn clock and opposition timeouts there, plus the risk of a sack or pick is also a real factor if we throw it once. My complaint is when Spack gets a 2+ score lead in Q3, he starts to go conservative way too early usually .. though we haven't had to worry as much about that for a while .. even 2019 was a struggle bus season offensively until playoffs when we got to play a couple non-MVFC teams.
 

Virginia Redbird

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I agree with earlier post about Spack going too conservative too early with leads. But I didn't disagree in this case, with running 3 plays in a row on that last series. I think you have to burn clock and opposition timeouts there, plus the risk of a sack or pick is also a real factor if we throw it once. My complaint is when Spack gets a 2+ score lead in Q3, he starts to go conservative way too early usually .. though we haven't had to worry as much about that for a while .. even 2019 was a struggle bus season offensively until playoffs when we got to play a couple non-MVFC teams.
The difference to me was that the Birds only had a two-point lead and the Panthers were supposed to have a very good kicker. Even if they only had a three-point lead and the best the Panthers could do was tie the game I would have been okay with the three runs to kill their timeouts. Also, the Panthers had shown in this very game they had the ability to beat the ISU defensive backfield with long passes. No doubt a sack or a pick would have been a disaster for the Birds. The decision clearly shows no confidence in the Bird's offense. I am not saying confidence is justified right now but the two-point lead is the fly in the ointment to me. The defense steps up but this could have easily been a crushing one-point loss.
 

cpacmel

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I still dont get why the game clock never restarted after UNI got the 1st down with 16 secs, other than time needed to reset the chains, but then ref should signal to start play clock. I must be missing somethingUNI got a free timeout, unless maybe one of the chain guys had a heart attack or something.
I think UNI spiked the ball on first down, but ESPN was showing a replay.

4th and 1 at ILS44No Huddle-Shotgun Day,Theo rush middle for 1 yard gain to the ILS43 (Illinois St.), 1ST DOWN.
1st and 10 at ILS43No Huddle-Shotgun Day,Theo pass incomplete, Spike.
 
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