Illinois State Game Day Thread

[shot_5533]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

The student section is one of the great things about college football. NDSU has the nastiest, in my opinion, in the conference. At least our students didn't spit on anyone. Too bad our students can't sit behind the opposing bench like most programs.

As for the players, if they indeed did that, I did not see it, that is inexcusable and Stig should discipline them. There is no place in a program like SDSU for those actions.

That is the student/fans job not the players. It is degrading for a team to trash talk a team as they are coming on the field. I am embarrassed for the program if this happened.

[SoDakJack]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Football, unfortunately depends upon the QB. We need TOB to play the rest of the year like he did the fourth quarter last night.

Even in the 4th quarter he didn't look that great. The offense was completely confused for most of the game. Anytime that I see our star runningback getting frustrated with our starting quarterback I get concerned.

The play in the first 3 quarters was the worst I have seen in a long, long time. The offense looked lost for most of the game and the defense looked like they would rather be back watching film in the Dykhouse.

This loss had nothing to do with a tough schedule or no game in the first week. SDSU shouldn't lose at home to ISU-Red. The Jacks were out-coached, out-hustled, and were pushed around.

I dont' buy the "we lost seniors, that is why we are struggling." If we don't have the players to replace the lost guys then the staff is not doing their job. It isn't like their leaving was a surprise.

[Nidaros]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

The student section is one of the great things about college football. NDSU has the nastiest, in my opinion, in the conference. At least our students didn't spit on anyone. Too bad our students can't sit behind the opposing bench like most programs.

As for the players, if they indeed did that, I did not see it, that is inexcusable and Stig should discipline them. There is no place in a program like SDSU for those actions.

That is the student/fans job not the players. It is degrading for a team to trash talk a team as they are coming on the field. I am embarrassed for the program if this happened.

I would agree talking trash is not helpful, TV blog this morning mentions it and also the big penalties and Coach Stig feels its a focus problem.

[Nidaros]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

I dont' buy the "we lost seniors, that is why we are struggling." If we don't have the players to replace the lost guys then the staff is not doing their job. It isn't like their leaving was a surprise.

Well this year its impact has been felt in the first two games. Without Kjerstad to lead, we just don't hav much passion on defense. With key leaders gone, it's felt, but it's not something we can not suck up and recover from.

[JackJD]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Well, I'm going to have to disagree my friend, because the majority of the posts I see are "how could our program be this bad", or "the sky is falling" and/or "the season is over, we could go 0-7" etc. I've got a slightly different take, that I'll share with those of you who care to read it...."

I feared more of a melt-down by message-board posters. I think your analysis is accurate.

People forget how Ryan Berry started out -- there was a learning/experience curve. He's now in the books as one of the best. Late in Saturday's game, TOB and his teammates showed what they are capable of doing. And how about the offensive line on a few of Minett's runs? The ILL State defensive line was solid but there were a few times our offensive line opened some big holes in it.

I'm still going to Nebraska.

[SpeedRabbit]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Even in the 4th quarter he didn't look that great. The offense was completely confused for most of the game. Anytime that I see our star runningback getting frustrated with our starting quarterback I get concerned.

The play in the first 3 quarters was the worst I have seen in a long, long time. The offense looked lost for most of the game and the defense looked like they would rather be back watching film in the Dykhouse.

This loss had nothing to do with a tough schedule or no game in the first week. SDSU shouldn't lose at home to ISU-Red. The Jacks were out-coached, out-hustled, and were pushed around.

I dont' buy the "we lost seniors, that is why we are struggling." If we don't have the players to replace the lost guys then the staff is not doing their job. It isn't like their leaving was a surprise.

Football is a pretty simple game really. Teams have to be able to run the ball-except when you're Peyton Manning, and teams have to be able to stop the run. Simply put, we do not have the personnel to do that this year which will make it a tough year.

[Theee Catrabbit]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Stick a fork in this thread it's done. The negativity has really reached new heights.
We've been 0-2 before we've dealt with it.
We've been 0-3 before we've dealt with it.
Last year was the only time in transition that we started out winning.
We will turn it around and it's going to be all right!
So get your lips off the tailpipe, untie the nooses, heads out of the oven, unload the revolver and get ready for the rest of the season.
If one conference loss puts us in the ditch then yes we are hosed. But I don't think it does. The rest of the games are all winnable(no I will not debate with you about Nebraska).

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Jon Fick has replaced Woody. Check the media guide. Fick has passed most of Woody's records. Yes this is America where everyone is free to change their minds and play/work where they want. Just don't make Woody an All American. He was easily replaced and should have stayed where his skills fit. I just feel he could have shown more loyalty to the Jacks but that is his right. Just do not make him out to be a Superstar which he is not.

I'm not getting into a back-and-forth on this subject...I've had my say and stand by it. But this comment deserves at least a reply. I never said Woody Orne was a Superstar (I said MAYBE one of our best). He got listed with all of the rest of last year's team who are no longer playing this fall. And it was certainly no knock on Jon Fick...other than to say if Orne had returned, we would have had both guys. Since I haven't seen any other post on this thread which mentions Orne, I think it was rather unfair to infer that by listing him with the other missing players was elevating him to Superstar status. I agree with your "loyalty" comment and the comment he should have stayed where his skills fit.

[RabbitObsessed]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Stick a fork in this thread it's done. The negativity has really reached new heights.
We've been 0-2 before we've dealt with it.
We've been 0-3 before we've dealt with it.
Last year was the only time in transition that we started out winning.
We will turn it around and it's going to be all right!
So get your lips off the tailpipe, untie the nooses, heads out of the oven, unload the revolver and get ready for the rest of the season.
If one conference loss puts us in the ditch then yes we are hosed. But I don't think it does. The rest of the games are all winnable(no I will not debate with you about Nebraska).

I'm not holding my breath. I haven't seen anything in the last two games that gives me much hope of a turnaround. Hope I'm wrong, though.

[SoDakJack]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Stick a fork in this thread it's done. The negativity has really reached new heights.
We've been 0-2 before we've dealt with it.
We've been 0-3 before we've dealt with it.
Last year was the only time in transition that we started out winning.

Really would be nice for the team to be prepared at the beginning of a season. I will not be apart of the "we lose early all the time, so we will be okay" mentality.

This team looked more lost than any I can remember. That isn't a good sign after getting humbled in Delaware. Would have thought they would come out ready to prove the nay-sayers wrong.

[jackdaniel]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Every game from here on out is a chance for redemption.The first 'w' of the season should calm everything down some.

[SpeedRabbit]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Really would be nice for the team to be prepared at the beginning of a season. I will not be apart of the "we lose early all the time, so we will be okay" mentality.

This team looked more lost than any I can remember. That isn't a good sign after getting humbled in Delaware. Would have thought they would come out ready to prove the nay-sayers wrong.

Our team will play hard and do the best job that they can.. We are just not as talented as last yr-especially on defense. Our offense has not CHANGED one bit and thats unfortunate considering what we lost from the offensive side of the ball-especially up front. Run some sweeps with Kool in the backfield- that would help some. Tiefenthaler is our fastest WR and has done well when he gets a shot to play. We still need to utilize Cochart more- 4 catches in 2 games is not enough for the caliber player that he is.

[Theee Catrabbit]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Really would be nice for the team to be prepared at the beginning of a season. I will not be apart of the "we lose early all the time, so we will be okay" mentality.

This team looked more lost than any I can remember. That isn't a good sign after getting humbled in Delaware. Would have thought they would come out ready to prove the nay-sayers wrong.

I get what you are saying but, I'm not throwing in the towel. We lost.You can't take it back. We aren't the coaches. We aren't the players. They need to figure it out. They make the corrections based on that.
My point is they've lost early in the season before, and then figured it out. They can do it again. Once again, I don't buy the talent isn't there, I may buy lack of experience. People are acting like we lost to an NAIA school, not a team with a dozen FBS transfers picked right behind us in the MVFC.

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Just dislocated my shoulder patting myself on the back. I was at Saturday's game. Watched the carnage. And have withheld commenting as such. Way to go CatchEm.

On to Nebraska!

[jackrabit1]

Re: Illinois State Game Day Thread

Since everyone else has put in their two-cents, I figure I can contribute as well.

Sitting in the press box Saturday night, I noticed a couple of things, good and bad..

First the bad...

1) No sense of urgency... This is the HOME OPENER... it is IMPERATIVE to come out guns a'blazin. It was only when we were down 24-0 that we seemed to gain focus and playing with a sense of urgency. TV said it best, EVERY TEAM in the MVFC has improved this year... we simply cannot be content with resting on our heels thinking the wins will come. We have big honkin' targets on our backs and EVERYONE will be bringing their "A" Game. And if these guys play like they did the first 3 quarters against the Redbirds, it's gonna be a long season.

2) Details, Details, Details... What separates the mediocre teams from the great teams? It's the little things. It's things like knowing the plays, swarming to the ball after the initial hit, making the catches, tackling low and not at the shoulder pads, keeping cool and not making stupid penalties, clock/game management, things like that.

The good

1) O'Brien has a cannon and he was starting to find holes in Illinois State's defense in the second half.

2) When State started to pay attention to those little details in the second half and play with some urgency, they looked good. Scary good. Play that way all four quarters and you're going to win a LOT of games.

We have a good football team... I don't think Stig and his coaches suddenly forgot how to recruit or coach and I don't think we have a drop-off in talent from last year. Granted we lost some key players and we're a little out-of-focus to start the season. But there's no reason why this season can't be salvaged. I think a few tweaks here and there and "locking it in" earlier, we'll have a fantastic season.