Uni at Illinois State (11/2/19)

[TIMMY]

The one thing I'd like to see more of are bootlegs off of play action with 2 receiver routes. Make UNI play 3 over 2. Some crossing routes. Stick routes. Curl flat combos. Smash. Scissors. Easy peasy. Drag a TE and throw it to him. I think that could open things up a little bit. Everyone's keying JR. So use that and bootleg away from him.

It ain't brain surgery.

Pass to a TE? Is that legal? Someone, please inform our OC that it is a possibility.

Yeah I don't get it.

 

[MadBird]

The one thing I'd like to see more of are bootlegs off of play action with 2 receiver routes. Make UNI play 3 over 2. Some crossing routes. Stick routes. Curl flat combos. Smash. Scissors. Easy peasy. Drag a TE and throw it to him. I think that could open things up a little bit. Everyone's keying JR. So use that and bootleg away from him.

It ain't brain surgery.

Pass to a TE? Is that legal? Someone, please inform our OC that it is a possibility.

Who remembers -- 2 years ago, 2017, TE Robert Gillum had the longest reception of the year, 80 yd TD?? Seemed so promising way back when!!

 

[DaveBird10]

The one thing I'd like to see more of are bootlegs off of play action with 2 receiver routes. Make UNI play 3 over 2. Some crossing routes. Stick routes. Curl flat combos. Smash. Scissors. Easy peasy. Drag a TE and throw it to him. I think that could open things up a little bit. Everyone's keying JR. So use that and bootleg away from him.

It ain't brain surgery.

Pass to a TE? Is that legal? Someone, please inform our OC that it is a possibility.

Who remembers -- 2 years ago, 2017, TE Robert Gillum had the longest reception of the year, 80 yd TD?? Seemed so promising way back when!!

At Eastern Illinois I believe!!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Virginia Redbird]

It has been an interesting season. The passing game has only shown up occasionally and a good argument could be made that the only time it was really clicking was with NAU. Still, somehow, the Birds are 6-2 heading into the final four games of the season. I still believe if there was some type of a passing attack the Birds had an opportunity to beat NIU. The NDSU game was just a total butt kicking and the Bison showed the players and coaching staff for ISU are no where near the level of NDSU...not even in the same galaxy. Then again...who is on the same level as the Bison? Nobody...period. Last weekend it would have been foolish to try to air it out. The weather conditions played to ISU's strength...tough defense and run the ball. If the Birds ever get some type of an effective passing game going they will give anyone a run for their money. I can only watch the games on TV so it is not really possible to see what is going on downfield. Timmy has stated on the board that the receivers are not getting open. Brady has to hold the ball too long. When Edgar was healthy he made a difference. In the few games Grimes was healthy I thought he looked pretty good expect for his performance on punt returns. The tight end in this offense is a glorified tackle. He is only there to block for Robinson and maybe once a game they will throw to him to say he really is an end and not another tackle. Gillum has shown the ability in the past but he is not going to be used other than to block for Robinson...that is pretty clear at this point. UNI appears to have a pretty stout defense themselves. If the weather conditions Saturday are decent I think the Birds will need to do more than just run the ball to win. They need to win at least two of the remaining four games to be pretty well assured of a playoff spot. SDSU on the road is most likely a loss. MO State at home is likely a win. UNI at home and YSU on the road are the games that could go either way. The past couple of years the Redbirds have lost games they should have won. They have seemed to avoid that this year so far. They are winning and they are 6-2 and that is great. Still this team does not seem very dominant for that type of record. I have the feeling if they ever get a decent passing game going this team could be a dominant presence in the playoffs. Maybe they get Edgar back but you still need more than one player. Hoping it starts this Saturday. Go Redbirds!

 

[fourthandshort]

The one thing I'd like to see more of are bootlegs off of play action with 2 receiver routes. Make UNI play 3 over 2. Some crossing routes. Stick routes. Curl flat combos. Smash. Scissors. Easy peasy. Drag a TE and throw it to him. I think that could open things up a little bit. Everyone's keying JR. So use that and bootleg away from him.

It ain't brain surgery.

Pass to a TE? Is that legal? Someone, please inform our OC that it is a possibility.

Who remembers -- 2 years ago, 2017, TE Robert Gillum had the longest reception of the year, 80 yd TD?? Seemed so promising way back when!!

:naughty: everyone needs to settle down ... clearly throwing to TE has been outlawed or we would be doing it a lot more. I'm pretty sure the Gillum play was a tackle eligible play.

:mrgreen:

 

[DannyCooksey]

The one thing I'd like to see more of are bootlegs off of play action with 2 receiver routes. Make UNI play 3 over 2. Some crossing routes. Stick routes. Curl flat combos. Smash. Scissors. Easy peasy. Drag a TE and throw it to him. I think that could open things up a little bit. Everyone's keying JR. So use that and bootleg away from him.

It ain't brain surgery.

Pass to a TE? Is that legal? Someone, please inform our OC that it is a possibility.

Yeah I don't get it.

me too.

I am so confused that we don't utilize the TE. I don't get it. we seem to have good players and talent at TE but we never throw to them. I don't get it. Besides a good running game a good TE is the QB's best friend.

makes no sense to me.

 

[DannyCooksey]

Pass to a TE? Is that legal? Someone, please inform our OC that it is a possibility.

Who remembers -- 2 years ago, 2017, TE Robert Gillum had the longest reception of the year, 80 yd TD?? Seemed so promising way back when!!

At Eastern Illinois I believe!!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

correct. he was a runaway freight train on that play. awesome RAC. i would be throwing to that kid 3-5 times a game. i remember watching his HS hoops footage and thinking we got a steal.

 

[Phantom]

This one fixes to be a slugfest. Hard to predict many explosive plays, so controlling the clock and trying to force a turnover or two may be the difference. If we are forced to go to the air, Brady can't attempt too many needle threads. If we have a lead, open it up a little. Otherwise I'm fine with ball control and let our defense do their thing. Oughta be a good one.

Us 20
Them 16

 

[Redbirds100]

I am picking a tough game that ends in a tie, winning in OT.

Week after at SD State is going to be interesting too!!!

 

[Birdswin]

UNI playing outdoors, I think will be a Big Factor - more so for their offense. I just hope we do not make it very easy for their defensive coordinator to call defenses against our offense - which I wonder if ANY of our coaches think about?

Being Stubborn and Bull-Headed when it comes to offense - works fine against less competition - does not work worth a diddly darn against equal to stiffer competition. Same goes for getting turnovers on defense - lesser competition turns it over - better teams do not.

First team to 21 will win the game. Birds win 23-17

 

[JHBird]

UNI has been completing a lot of long passes this year. We can't let them have a big passing play. I'm hoping for bad weather and some sacks by our D. They probably won't like playing outdoors in the cold.

 

[Adunk33]

At this point of the season- if you are what your averages say you are... Redbirds 23, Cats 21 (rounded up).

*Calculated by UNI's average points scores + Illinois States average defense points given up divided by 2, and visa-versa for ISU offense and UNI defense

 

[MadBird]

UNI has been completing a lot of long passes this year. We can't let them have a big passing play. I'm hoping for bad weather and some sacks by our D. They probably won't like playing outdoors in the cold.

Yeah, well, I promised Mrs. MadBird it would be 20 degrees warmer than Madison at Hancock tomorrow, and sunny. Not sure that's gonna happen . . . still, let's not call it "cold", okay?? Was hoping for at least a sunny day.

I tend to agree with adunk33 and others, close game, not very high scoring. 23-20 is pretty good (2 td's and 2 fg's for them, 2 and 3 for us).

 

[fourthandshort]

UNI has been completing a lot of long passes this year. We can't let them have a big passing play. I'm hoping for bad weather and some sacks by our D. They probably won't like playing outdoors in the cold.

They have a serious stud at receiver, #80 Weston is listed at 6'4" 208 lbs ... their team completion % is only 55%, but they get 15 yards per catch, and QB has 14 to 2 TD to Pick ratio.

RECEIVING GP No. Yards Avg TD Long Avg/G
Weston, Isaiah 8 32 856 26.8 10 70 107.0
McShane,Deion 6 25 220 8.8 1 56 36.7
James, Jaylin 8 20 283 14.1 2 42 35.4
Graham,Aaron 8 12 155 12.9 0 34 19.4

Their run game has struggled at 3.1 ypc for season with just 46 rsuhing 1st downs and their QB McElvain likes to keep it. With 55% completion rate and tepid run game, they do struggle to move chains and get into end zone .... but yes, they get some yards passing.

RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Hoosman,Tyler 7 80 360 15 345 4.3 4 28 49.3
Allen,Trevor 8 83 325 26 299 3.6 1 24 37.4
McElvain,Will 8 75 341 140 201 2.7 1 70 25.1

 

[redbirdfan04]

Just about all of the predictions including Vegas odds are calling for a low scoring game. Watch this turn into a shootout lol. I mean i don't think that's possible but hey as long as we come out on top I wouldn't mind it.

Redbirds 28
UNI 27

 

[crazzymark]

Playoff game in the eyes of the selection committee.....win or drop out of the top 15. oh no, going to be 41, partly sunny and a 12 mph wind. So due to weather conditions, no one will be at the game. I could see that more people turned out for the NCHS game last night that will today. What a shame and shame on you BLM/NRM. ISU needs the real fans to be loud and supportive to have a chance. GO YOU DAMN REDBIRDS AND WIN THIS GAME!!

 

[fourthandshort]

Forecast looks ok other than a little chilly for this time of year ... game starts at noon, will be mostly sunny, to start game with temps 40-42 degress, winds about 13-17 mph. Their offense likes the deep ball, so wind could play a factor .

Watched some tape on their QB ... he's 5'11" 197 lbs, RS FR who is definitely a dual threat. What I saw on tape was how comfortable he is in the pocket and very good at buying time to make the throws. But I saw number of highlight throws that were off the mark .. so his 55% completion % is bit of an issue for them especially since they don't run very well .. translated, they are 10th in MVFC in 1st downs ... reminder, we're 8th in 1st downs even tough we have Robinson. Similarly, we're 7th in 3rd down coversions and their 8th. Were 9th in 4th down conversions, their 10th. But hey've played a tougher SOS. POint being, we're very similar team on offense .. though they pass better, and we run better.

But their QB seems very savy and capable in the pocket, especially for a RS FR .. maybe he gets happy feet too much. But I'm thinking he is a much more proficient version of the EIU QB in pocket ... good at buying time and avoiding pressure, but UNI guys throws much better and has a much better OL. I doubt the UNI guy is as physically able as the EIU guy, but we won't get to him as much with their OL. But the longer he is in pocket, the more I like our chances to pressure him some .. sacks, QBHs, batted balls or simply take him out of his rhythm and drop that completion % ... that is, stop them from moving chains. That is where they struggle against good defenses.

Both offenses are very good in red zone, but our defense has been much more stout in redzone .. were #1, they're #7.

All sounds familiar .. which is why we need to mix it up some early. They are NOT afraid to throw it. I believe we can win this game ... but we can't be afraid to throw it. I think it plays perfectly into their strengths if we are too conservative on offense.

 

[StLRedbird]

Agree with all of that, fourth. Just add this... Mistakes may determine the outcome. Take care of the ball and make them try to win with no help from us. I like our chances

 

[Virginia Redbird]

It seemed to me that the offensive staff was beginning to let Brady throw more. He threw the ball more than I expected last week (I finally got to watch the game). Not much success overall but the weather was terrible. I fully expected to see Robinson and Proctor all day and not hardly a single passing attempt. Hopefully, the weather will be better today. If Brady and the receivers can get a consistent passing game going this team is going to be tough to beat. I think this game is a critical test. I think they pass the test and win in a close game.

 

[ThumbsUp_BloNo]

Big litmus test game for our Birds. All games up to now they either should have won or should have lost (save maybe NAU). If the Birds are a legit top 10 team, they win this game. Losing this game won't thwart our playoff chances, but it won't help. Needing a win at SDSU or YSU is not an enviable position.

Spack has gone full 2000s Kirk Farentz the last few games (score just enough points, ride the defense, hope they get turnovers, hold on for dear life). I don't think that strategy will get it done today. The Panthers don't seem like a consistent offense, but one prone to big plays. After a lull in the middle of the season, they seem to have found their groove (albeit against lesser defenses).

Need the passing game to step up today. I doesn't need to be prolific, but just enough to keep UNI honest. We can't run over this team like we could INST & WIU. I feel like we're broken collarbone away from being a very good team right now.

Birds 24
Cats 21