Western Illinois

[rabidrabbit]

Re: Western Illinois

From Coulson's Picks for week 3 the SportsNetwork

No. 15 Western Illinois (1-1, 1-0 MVFC) at No. 12 South Dakota State (1-1,0-0 MVFC), 7 p.m.

Two teams with aspirations for a Missouri Valley Football Conference title meet in a key game between ranked opponents.

South Dakota State enters the match up fresh off its inaugural league win, trouncing 13th-ranked Youngstown State, 40-7 last Saturday at home.

Sometimes erratic quarterback signal-caller Ryan Berry had a good day throwing the football for the Jackrabbits, particularly after tossing five interceptions in the season-opening 41-17 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones. Berry completed 13-of-19 throws for 319 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Penguins.

Perhaps most impressive was the performance of the Jackrabbits' defense, which limited the Penguins to a meager total of 205 yards offense, led by linebacker Jimmy Rogers, who contributed 13 tackles.

Western Illinois is off to a quite impressive start of its own, posting a narrow 28-24 setback to FBS and SEC member Arkansas in the opener, and drubbing Quincy 63-0 last Saturday.

Tailback Herb Donaldson is the centerpiece of Western Illinois' attack, with 285 yards and four touchdowns in the first two games of the 2008 season. Defensively, the Leathernecks have been anything but soft, with linebacker Jason Williams leading a hard-hitting unit that has given up just 535 yards.

Western Illinois 28, South Dakota State 24

[West-River_Jack]

Re: Western Illinois

OK guys, here is the stupid question of the day. I'll be sitting in the bleachers on the east side of the field for the first time ever. I'm trying to decide if I should bring my metal frame stadium seat with the back support. Can anybody tell me if it will fit or if it would be too much trouble and I should leave it at home. Those of you who believe I should stand the entire game may disregard this question.

Thanks,
WRJ

[BTownJack]

Re: Western Illinois

It looks as though Herb Donaldson, WIU's stud running back, is getting some serious NFL looks:

http://nfl-prospects.blogspot.com/

[JimmyJack]

Re: Western Illinois

No doubt WIU is a solid and storied program and this will be a great game.

But I feel confident about any game at Coughlin (where we're 18-4 since we started transition). And also, given the similarities between these two programs, I just have confidence in our guys' abilities to win straight up, one-on-one battles at the line of scrimmage. Nobody whips us at the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball. It just doesn't happen. That's a credit to the program as new players move in (Thompson, Fischer and several new offensive linemen) they continue to win those battles. I think it also says something about Stig's philosophy, which really comes down to each guy being physical and doing their job.

[rabidrabbit]

Re: Western Illinois

This game will come down to turnovers and fourth down situations. The Jacks need to get points when they are inside the 40 to have a chance for a win. If the Jacks can get points off Leathernecks turnovers, look for them to take chances at the endzone. The Leathernecks are almost guaranteed three points when they get within the 40. The Leathernecks success will come off Jackrabbit miscues. That said look for a very close game on paper and on the field as this one is a toss up.

BHM has it right, Jacks will have to do their scoring more with the Offense getting TD's. WIU has THE premier PK in FCS, who is ahead of even Parker Douglass's torid pace and abilities. THE SPECIAL TEAM ADVANTAGE IS WITH WESTERN! Just shutting the Leathernecks down in the red zone may not be enough to win. Jacks need to stop them before the red zone.

This should be a great, tough, MoValley GAME!

Re: Western Illinois

This game will come down to turnovers and fourth down situations. The Jacks need to get points when they are inside the 40 to have a chance for a win. If the Jacks can get points off Leathernecks turnovers, look for them to take chances at the endzone. The Leathernecks are almost guaranteed three points when they get within the 40. The Leathernecks success will come off Jackrabbit miscues. That said look for a very close game on paper and on the field as this one is a toss up.

[OtownJack]

Re: Western Illinois

I totally agree. You will never find a more class act guy in all of college sports than Coach Stig.

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Western Illinois

insists his ex-players give him a hug in leu of a handshake

Must just be you defensive guys because I've never gotten a hug

Truer words in general could not be spoken about Stig. He's never spoken ill of an opponent in all the years I've known him. He is a class act among coaches at all levels and in all sports.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Western Illinois

Since I am involved in the production of the Stig Show, and you're taking a shot at Coach Stiegelmeier based on what he said on his show this week, let me respond to that: Coach Stig did call your defense a gimmick defense, then he compared it to Cal Poly's defense, one of the toughest D's in FCS. He clearly meant WIU's defense is a gimmick in that almost nobody plays that kind of defense at any level of football. He also said it's a very effective defense. Finally, Stig talked about what a great coach and AD WIU has and how they served as mentors for him when SDSU discussed moving up. Generally, as he always does (Stig is a class act) he lavished praise on WIU in general and demonstrated nothing but respect for your university and its athletic program. Taken in context, there was nothing controversial or overconfident about what Stig said.

So don't come on this board and feign outrage by taking out of context what was a completely uncontroversial statement. Everybody here respects WIU. There's nothing wrong with being confident about your team or advocating for them. But you're losing my respect quickly when you play those kinds of political spin games.

You're right, JJ, that's just how Stig talks. He also refers to his O-lineman lovingly as "the fat guys" and tells his linebackers repeatedly that they are less of an athlete than the running backs they are facing (as a teaching tool when discussing the blitz game or man coverage). He also thinks true football is running the Iso play to perfection. Ask him the key to a good football team and he will tell you it starts with the ability to both successfully run and defend the Iso - so he is old school in that sense. Hence is "gimmick" quote. He also rarely utters a curse word more harsh than "poop", insists his ex-players give him a hug in leu of a handshake, and truly cares about all of his players. He is a true class act. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the business or outside the business who will tell you otherwise.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Western Illinois

Stopped up and bought my tickets yesterday. If you are looking for 50 yard tickets on the east side, you will be sitting up at the top. Hope we have another nice day/night for a State football game.

I think it is kind of dissapointing that you can still by tickets on the 50 yard line on the east side 2 days before the game starts.

The Athletic Dept. needs to rethink the whole reserved/GA section issue on the east side. I'm all for more revenue, more reserved seats, but there does need to be some ratio for the amount of GA tickets available. If people "in the know" are saying there will be 15,000 there this weekend, and there are still seats for purchase on the 50, we must have sold out all of our GA tickets. Is that possible, will they stop selling GA tickets at some point due to the lack of GA seats?

As much heat as it may have caused at the game last weekend, I can guarantee it is going to cause a ruckus this weekend. There will be a ton of people wanting/needing to find a GA seat this weekend, you can bet on that.

[Nidaros]

Re: Western Illinois

Based on the Western 101 posts and others from SDSU, I expect to see a great game. I want a win, but that does not make it so. I picked SDSU in the predictions, I think I am right, but who knows. The 4 overtime game loss last year still looms in my mind.

BTW Western101, if you had a chance to meet Coach Stig one on one, you would come away liking him. I think if I had the same opportunity with your coach, I too would come away with respect. I do hope he can come through his battle with all the vocal organs in place. I do think that will be a reason for WIU to play harder. May the best team win. Thanks for visiting the SDSUFans message board. You are very reasonable.

[bub94]

Re: Western Illinois

Stopped up and bought my tickets yesterday. If you are looking for 50 yard tickets on the east side, you will be sitting up at the top. Hope we have another nice day/night for a State football game.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Western Illinois

I am interrested to see how the Rabbits respond to the 'Necks "gimick" Defense.

I have eaten my own words before and except for the shame and hit to the Ego, they have not much taste, even so, I will be delighted to see the SDSU caoching staff eat their bitter tasting words.

Since I am involved in the production of the Stig Show, and you're taking a shot at Coach Stiegelmeier based on what he said on his show this week, let me respond to that: Coach Stig did call your defense a gimmick defense, then he compared it to Cal Poly's defense, one of the toughest D's in FCS. He clearly meant WIU's defense is a gimmick in that almost nobody plays that kind of defense at any level of football. He also said it's a very effective defense. Finally, Stig talked about what a great coach and AD WIU has and how they served as mentors for him when SDSU discussed moving up. Generally, as he always does (Stig is a class act) he lavished praise on WIU in general and demonstrated nothing but respect for your university and its athletic program. Taken in context, there was nothing controversial or overconfident about what Stig said.

So don't come on this board and feign outrage by taking out of context what was a completely uncontroversial statement. Everybody here respects WIU. There's nothing wrong with being confident about your team or advocating for them. But you're losing my respect quickly when you play those kinds of political spin games.

[WESTERN_101]

Re: Western Illinois

SDSU does not win Saturday, Sorry guys.

'Necks are looooooaded and ready to go. (YSU scored 7 point in two games, you say yeah but they played OSU, Really? OSU very nearly was beat by UO.)

I am so confdent that WIU will win that under gentlemen's agreement, If WIU does not win I will come back on your board and start a thread under my Moniker claiming SDSU to be the best team in the Missouri Valley.

[WESTERN_101]

Re: Western Illinois

I am interrested to see how the Rabbits respond to the 'Necks "gimick" Defense.

I have eaten my own words before and except for the shame and hit to the Ego, they have not much taste, even so, I will be delighted to see the SDSU caoching staff eat their bitter tasting words.