Western Illinois

[WESTERN_101]

Re: Western Illinois

Western has not been a powerhouse the last coulple of years but just a little trivia tidbit for y'all Rabbit fans is Western Illinois has the Second most Gateway Conference Championships (we all know UNI leads)

Let me restate that Nobody in the former Gateway has more Championships than Western except UNI.

Also, WIU has two of the Nation's top award candidates (Buchanan, Payton) in Donaldson and Williams. Not only that WIU, has the all time consecutive PAT kicker in Rowan.

Nobody is doubting that SDSU is good. For those that don't know tradition, Western is a football school, that had a couple of down years.

Well, everything is clicking again and I fully expect a 10 point win a Brookings.

[West-River_Jack]

Re: Western Illinois

My take for SDSU beating YSU is that you guys got a nice marquee win against a ranked traditional power MVFC power, that is a positive anyway you spin it.

Youngstown State had/has problems, comming off a gruling game against OSU, problems at QB, a new offense and a long travel to Brookings.

My take on WIU is this, we basically had a bye week last week. Our starters were out by the 2nd quarter.

WIU Dominated Arkansas almost the entire game. However with help from a little SEC "Home Cookin" UA squeeked one out with just over 100 ticks of the clock left.

Looking at the way SDSU played against ISU compared to the way we played against Arkansas, add in that WIU will be full strength with our Star leading receiver back in action as well as our Stud Starters at DE and D Nose Tackle back, Western is loaded and more powerfull than when we went in and Dominated Arkansas for over 58 minutes.

SDSU should feel very good about the victory over YSU.

This could be one of the best games in the Valley this season. I hope that a few WIU fans will be able to make it to Brookings for the game. Any way you spin it, the bottom line is the game has to be played to know who wins. This could be one of the really good ones.

[jackmd]

Re: Western Illinois

My take for SDSU beating YSU is that you guys got a nice marquee win against a ranked traditional power MVFC power, that is a positive anyway you spin it.

Youngstown State had/has problems, comming off a gruling game against OSU, problems at QB, a new offense and a long travel to Brookings.

My take on WIU is this, we basically had a bye week last week. Our starters were out by the 2nd quarter.

WIU Dominated Arkansas almost the entire game. However with help from a little SEC "Home Cookin" UA squeeked one out with just over 100 ticks of the clock left.

Looking at the way SDSU played against ISU compared to the way we played against Arkansas, add in that WIU will be full strength with our Star leading receiver back in action as well as our Stud Starters at DE and D Nose Tackle back, Western is loaded and more powerfull than when we went in and Dominated Arkansas for over 58 minutes.

SDSU should feel very good about the victory over YSU.

Thats a good spin on things. I could put plenty of spin on it in the other direction but I don't have the time or energy right now. I do know this, our guys are going to dig into the trenches and hit WIU hard every play on either side of the ball. There aren't going to be any excuses offered. 60 minutes of football at 100% regardless of your position on the depth chart. I think WIU is going to need a lot of breaks to go in their favor to win one on the road in Brookings.

Now, that being said, anyone who is taking Western Illinois lightly doesn't know what WIU is bringing to Brookings. After getting drilled by NDSU and UNI in Macomb last year WIU finished fairly strong with close games against Southern Illinois and YSU (both playoff teams) and a win over Illinois St.

So, the way I see it, we may handle them pretty easily and dominate most of the game or they might keep it close and lose in the end. WIU is pretty good at doing that. With, of course, the exception of the 4 OT game last year. Minor spin job, not my best effort.

[Jacks-02]

Re: Western Illinois

Here is the SDSU release for the upcoming game.

http://www.gojacks.com/ViewArticle.d...ATCLID=1578753

[WESTERN_101]

Re: Western Illinois

My take for SDSU beating YSU is that you guys got a nice marquee win against a ranked traditional power MVFC power, that is a positive anyway you spin it.

Youngstown State had/has problems, comming off a gruling game against OSU, problems at QB, a new offense and a long travel to Brookings.

My take on WIU is this, we basically had a bye week last week. Our starters were out by the 2nd quarter.

WIU Dominated Arkansas almost the entire game. However with help from a little SEC "Home Cookin" UA squeeked one out with just over 100 ticks of the clock left.

Looking at the way SDSU played against ISU compared to the way we played against Arkansas, add in that WIU will be full strength with our Star leading receiver back in action as well as our Stud Starters at DE and D Nose Tackle back, Western is loaded and more powerfull than when we went in and Dominated Arkansas for over 58 minutes.

SDSU should feel very good about the victory over YSU.

[JackFan96]

Re: Western Illinois

Welcome, Western. What's your take on the Penguins. Obviously, you think there are overrated, but where do you see them in the conference standings come year's end? Are the really as soft as they looked? I'm not trying to rag on them. I just thought the SDSU/YSU game would be a close battle.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: Western Illinois

So...what to the "experts" say about this game? Too early in the week to know? Is there a line? (There isn't that I can find.) I'm VERY curious.

Lines for FCS games usually come out late Thursday. I'll post it when it comes out.

[WESTERN_101]

Re: Western Illinois

SDSU, is in it to win it, no doubt.

However, the way I see it there are four other teams that want the prize too. I am sure you know who I mean.

Although it is apparent that the 'Guins were riding on their reputation and have been outed for the pretenders that they are this year.

That still leaves 5 heavyweights to battle it out. I figure you guys have as much a shot as anyone out there.

I doubt there will be many WIU fans making the trip to Brookings, but I could be mistaken.

[jackmd]

Re: Western Illinois

Hello Jackrabbit fans.

I am looking forward to seeing how these two schools match up. It should be a good one.

Western has 9 returning starters on D and 9 returning starters on O.

Western would have put triple digits up on the scoreboard if we didn't sub out our first team after one quarter. (It is a mystery to me why we schedule such a bad team)

I was at the Arkansas game and that was a real heartbreaker. We should have won that one.

The Leathernecks travel plans will have them taking a charter flight to the contest this Saturday.

Great board you got here fellow Valley football fans!

Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to hosting some Illinois players and families in South Dakota. If you make it out or know someone who is coming they are welcome to stop by the Yankton Jackrabbit Club tailgate site. We'll have the flags flying.

I, too, look for a hard fought contest. I think our balance on offense, a better than expected offensive line, and our very good defense on our home field gives us an advantage. We have to win this game and defend home field if we want to compete for a league title. I want to compete for a league title so I have to think we win this game.

Good luck to the Leathernecks.

[WESTERN_101]

Re: Western Illinois

Hello Jackrabbit fans.

I am looking forward to seeing how these two schools match up. It should be a good one.

Western has 9 returning starters on D and 9 returning starters on O.

Western would have put triple digits up on the scoreboard against Quincy if we didn't sub out our first team after one quarter. (It is a mystery to me why we schedule such a bad team)

I was at the Arkansas game and that was a real heartbreaker. We should have won that one.

The Leathernecks travel plans will have them taking a charter flight to the contest this Saturday.

Great board you got here fellow Valley football fans!

[JimmyJack]

Re: Western Illinois

Milwaukee is right, but Barr still worries me almost as much as Donaldson. He's good on his feet so we'll have to keep him penned in on those odd occasions (maybe when they fall behind) when they do pass. Jimmy, Chris, and Derek will have to be quick in pursuit when he escapes. Rowan is an outstanding kicker, so that changes the nature of the game a bit. Nothing against Pete Reifenrath, who has made great strides, but his range is really about 35 yards.

As has been mentioned here, though, I think Berry's maturity will make the difference. We've got as many or more playmakers. I have tremendous confidence in our defense. Minett is a stud, and Duffy looks pretty good to me.

WIU 17
SDSU 30

Attendance: 14,802

I can't wait.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Western Illinois

I'm not sure if their QB running is part of their gameplan because last year it was more of a result of his scrambling than set plays. Having said that, I am certain we will have a scheme in place with the D-line and possibly spy a linebacker to take care of that problem this year. I would guess we will be stunting with the line more often early in the game until it either proves fruitful and we do it more often, or it proves unneccessary because the QB run isn't going to be a factor. I have to believe Western Ill isn't hoping to rely on their QB's scrambling skills as the offensive plan coming into this game. I imagine they will be similar to us in that they hope to establish the run early and build off of that.

[Jacks-02]

Re: Western Illinois

If we play anywhere close to the game we did last week against Youngstown I think we should win this game by a couple touchdowns. We didn't play all that well last season on the road and took them to 4 overtimes.

We have the advantage playing back to back weeks at home and the coaching staff has shown through the years that we often beat regular opponents the second time we see them, especially at home.

I think Donaldson will probably break lose for a couple decent runs and maybe get 125 yards but so far this year we've held the opponents passing games in check. I don't think Western Illinois will put up more than 3 TD's on us.

I also think Minett and Duffy both have decent games and Berry has another performance to help us forget all about that Iowa St. debacle.

I'll go with a 34-21 SDSU win and a possible top 10 ranking in the polls next week.

[jackmd]

Re: Western Illinois

I surely got this thread off track...saw it spelled one way on thread, different ways in a number of posts, and just thought we all (and especially me) should get it right...because this young man is going to be a star IMHO. Somebody with insight get us back on track in regards to the Western Illinois game which is as Doc said "a more important thing in life."

I wasn't really referring to the game as more important, had more to do with my occupation. Anyhow, I listened to the entire 4 OT game last year and Western Illinois made a lot of mistakes in that game, so did the Jacks. It was a very early season game so thats not unexpected. My understanding is that they will establish the run, whether via the RB's or QB and look to throw as a secondary option. No great insight otherwise. I don't think either of their first 2 games helps us much.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Western Illinois

I surely got this thread off track...saw it spelled one way on thread, different ways in a number of posts, and just thought we all (and especially me) should get it right...because this young man is going to be a star IMHO. Somebody with insight get us back on track in regards to the Western Illinois game which is as Doc said "a more important thing in life."