Southern Illinois Game Thread

[jackmd]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

I'm still going over the McNeese loss in my head most nights. No way we should have lost that game. I'm glad I didn't see the end of the SIU game, I was listening on the radio in my truck, I consider it good luck. Didn't work for this game. All things consider I was encouraged at mass yesterday. I sit down by my family with my Jackrabbit jacket on and look to my left where I see 2 more guys wearing Jackrabbit jackets, guys I don't even know, mind you. I then look over to my right and see a young lady wearing a Jackrabbit coat. It didn't see any other teams represented, of course I was wearing Yellow and Blue glasses. This program deserves a big win, they need to go and get it. It starts this Saturday in Fargo. We gotta get this done!!

[Jack4Life]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

I'm still going over the McNeese loss in my head most nights. No way we should have lost that game. I'm glad I didn't see the end of the SIU game, I was listening on the radio in my truck, I consider it good luck. Didn't work for this game. All things consider I was encouraged at mass yesterday. I sit down by my family with my Jackrabbit jacket on and look to my left where I see 2 more guys wearing Jackrabbit jackets, guys I don't even know, mind you. I then look over to my right and see a young lady wearing a Jackrabbit coat. It didn't see any other teams represented, of course I was wearing Yellow and Blue glasses. This program deserves a big win, they need to go and get it. It starts this Saturday in Fargo. We gotta get this done!!

This isn't exactly following this thread, but on the same note as JMD, I was at the state cheer and dance championships Saturday (I know, man-card revoked!! Daughter in it) and I saw dozens of SDSU items being worn and did not see but two Udot items. Think I might have been a little bored to study this, but still think it interesting to see the statewide support for SDSU.

[Nidaros]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

I don't know what to say about this game. When listening on the radio Saturday, my fist hit my computer disk with force when Steve E. gave me the sad news that Ryan Berry's pass was a pick, that is when we were on the SIU 23 with minutes to go in the game. The fist would never been formerd nor would my desk have felt the brunt if there had not been hope of pulling out a win. I think our guys gave their best effort Saturday and thats about all I can ask. Disappointed? You bet.

I was listening to Sid Hartman's Sunday morning show and a caller had made some very snide remarks about Sid thinking of the Gopher schedule being two parts, with the first being easy and the last part being difficult with real opponents. Sid got so disgusted that he cut the guy off when he suggested that UM played the equvalent of Augsburg and St Thomas in the first half. Sid and his helper whose name escapes me, concluded this conversation with a comment that the caller was slapping the young kids in the face that play for the Gophers. I think that is true, as the Gophers wanted that Axe as bad as the Badgers, but came up short. So that made me think of the SIU-SDSU game. We dont want to be slapping faces of our own players and I dont think anyone has in this thread, but its easy to do.

There has been mention of friendship between Coach Stig and Coach Lennon, and it seems ironic, that a grad assistant who knew little of defense when he came to NSU, now owns a 5-1 record against his one time mentor. Things like that happen, and I appreciate Coach Stig's candor in that he said in the TV article that Dale Lennon was a better coach. Maybe
he is. Its kind of subjective judgement. Even if Lennon is better, I think we have a great coach in Stig.

I was hoping the season would run beyond Thanksgiving, but it looks like all that is left is the Dakota Marker and a win in Fargo.

The cheer/dance event kind of shows how SDSU is preceived in South Dakota. No worries there.

[bub94]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

There has been mention of friendship between Coach Stig and Coach Lennon,

Listening to the pregame show, it was mentioned Coach Stig is godfather to a child of Coach Lennon (I believe it was his first son).

After posting, I probably missed someone else mention this in the thread so if it was, sorry.

[Nidaros]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

Listening to the pregame show, it was mentioned Coach Stig is godfather to a child of Coach Lennon (I believe it was his first son).

After posting, I probably missed someone else mention this in the thread so if it was, sorry.

I can recall mention of the friendship came up in post game shows when we were playing UND in the NCC. I once asked Coach Stig jokingly that if he ever thought of stealing his good friend's Dale's defense play book, since they seem to have our goat when it came to defense. Stig replied and I recall vividly, that: "I don't have to do that, I already know whats in it". I think that is true. Since Swigart, formerly of UND and UM-Duluth is now at SIU, you wonder if they might come back with those same D sets that worked at UND. Possibly, they are not applicable at the FCS level but work great at the D2 level.

[Jacks99]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

I slapped the wood floor as well on the int. Man that drive was set up perfect. Marching down the field just enough time, 3 to's. I would have settled for a last second field goal at the 22. Glad to hear that Berry tried to throw it out.

I think the conference play exceeded my expectations this year. OOC did not, but as usual almost everyone we played was top notch. Just wait until our OOC schedule is not at tough, we eek out the close ones and go into the playoffs with a Seed!!! Next year?

I'm assuming we win next week, but even if we don't: great year and congrats to the Coaches and team. Steady improvement is better than a year like NDSU's after being a top 5 team 2 or 3 years in a row.

[Just in the crowd]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

From our Stats Class:

SDSU will out gain SIU 366-355 yards.

On the ground, SDSU-122, SIU-159 yards.
In the air, SDSU-244, SIU-196 yards.

Turnovers, SDSU-3, SIU-2.

Final Score: SDSU-28, SIU-30.

The actual stats:

SDSU outgained SIU 383 - 347 yards.

On the ground, SDSU-98, SIU-102 yards.
In the air, SDSU-383, SIU-347

Turnovers, SDSU-2, SIU-2.

Final Score: SDSU-35, SIU-38.

[CapnCat]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

Tough loss, Jacks. Jesus!!! Pummel their asses at home next year!!!!

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

Since nobody else has posted this (that I can find)...I WAS at the game, and Ryan Berry was trying to throw the ball out of bounds. The pass defense was collapsing all around him and he started running to his right and started to throw the ball out of bounds. But as he got his arm up to throw it, he was hit right in the back, and the ball flew up about 10 yards high and wobbled through the air. Our receiver was down the field about 10 yards from where the ball was going, and their defensive guy was about three yards from the ball and made the play. No way was it a "bad" pass that got intercepted. Call it a high, sideways fumble if you will...unfortunate and hard to cope with.

Did he hold it too long...well, maybe, but he was trying to win the game for us. The hit was hard and there was no way he was able to get anything on the ball.

Anyway, I want to just say that Ryan Berry played an absolutely AWESOME game, and the last play was extremely tough on him. He couldn't stop hitting his helmet as he walked up and down the sidelines. If anything caused the loss it was stupid penalties and poor special teams play (but give Warner his due...he's a jitterbug with lots of speed).

[BitsTD]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

Thank you for confirming what the article said. I really appreciate it.

[Nidaros]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

Since nobody else has posted this (that I can find)...I WAS at the game, and Ryan Berry was trying to throw the ball out of bounds. The pass defense was collapsing all around him and he started running to his right and started to throw the ball out of bounds. But as he got his arm up to throw it, he was hit right in the back, and the ball flew up about 10 yards high and wobbled through the air. Our receiver was down the field about 10 yards from where the ball was going, and their defensive guy was about three yards from the ball and made the play. No way was it a "bad" pass that got intercepted. Call it a high, sideways fumble if you will...unfortunate and hard to cope with.

Did he hold it too long...well, maybe, but he was trying to win the game for us. The hit was hard and there was no way he was able to get anything on the ball.

Anyway, I want to just say that Ryan Berry played an absolutely AWESOME game, and the last play was extremely tough on him. He couldn't stop hitting his helmet as he walked up and down the sidelines. If anything caused the loss it was stupid penalties and poor special teams play (but give Warner his due...he's a jitterbug with lots of speed).

Jack#1fan:
I was going only on what Steve told us over the waves, and did not have slightest vision of what happened, thanks for the explanation. I don't think there was any player on our team that did not want to win, and yep maybe we could have managed Warner better and then again he might be kind of special and a task for the entire MVC. Its been a great season.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

Since nobody else has posted this (that I can find)...I WAS at the game, and Ryan Berry was trying to throw the ball out of bounds. The pass defense was collapsing all around him and he started running to his right and started to throw the ball out of bounds. But as he got his arm up to throw it, he was hit right in the back, and the ball flew up about 10 yards high and wobbled through the air. Our receiver was down the field about 10 yards from where the ball was going, and their defensive guy was about three yards from the ball and made the play. No way was it a "bad" pass that got intercepted. Call it a high, sideways fumble if you will...unfortunate and hard to cope with.

Did he hold it too long...well, maybe, but he was trying to win the game for us. The hit was hard and there was no way he was able to get anything on the ball.

Anyway, I want to just say that Ryan Berry played an absolutely AWESOME game, and the last play was extremely tough on him. He couldn't stop hitting his helmet as he walked up and down the sidelines. If anything caused the loss it was stupid penalties and poor special teams play (but give Warner his due...he's a jitterbug with lots of speed).

Exactly my take on Berry. I thought it may have been one of his top 5 games as a Jackrabbit.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

great audible by Berry. He is playing a great game.

This is what I wrote while watching the game and after the TD to Steffen. Berry either made a check on the line of scrimmage or audibled the route to Steffen, but it was something he saw, read and turned into a great play for 6. He has had 3 straight weeks of unbelievable play. If he's not the 1st team all conf QB and possibly the League MVP, it's only because its our first year in the league and he is a relative unknown to the other teams. He is the best QB in the league and probably one of the top 10 in all of the FCS.

And I'll be the first to admit I was really wondering if he could be a starting QB for our team after last year's WIU game to start the season. I was pretty vocal about it too if anyone wanted to look back to last year's posts. He looked like a scared QB who couldn't make any throws beyond a 5 yard hitch or a screen pass. He has since developed into a QB who makes every throw on the field. Has he had bad games? Yes. Has he had way more good-great than bad. Without a doubt. This was one of his better games.

[trueblue]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

As some have already pointed out- we were in the game because of what Ryan did. Are there some times this season I wish he would have thrown it away to avoid a sack, yes. As I pointed out in the Ill St. thread he did that. That is what he was trying to do in this situation. He is still improving even in his last games as a QB.
I think it comes down to Ryan playing to his strengths- he is not a great runner- and he is giving his teammates every opportunity to get open and make a play before he gives up by throwing it away. I'll take Ryan anyday over a QB who is scared in the pocket and leaves or throws it away at the slightest hint of pressure. He has made way more good plays than bad and his name is all over the Jacks record book. Unfortuanately, Ryan may only be truly appreciated by some after he is gone. In one word, and a word I am sure Stig would use to describe Ryan, WINNER! (On and off the field)

[Just in the crowd]

Re: Southern Illinois Game Thread

Since nobody else has posted this (that I can find)...I WAS at the game, and Ryan Berry was trying to throw the ball out of bounds. The pass defense was collapsing all around him and he started running to his right and started to throw the ball out of bounds. But as he got his arm up to throw it, he was hit right in the back, and the ball flew up about 10 yards high and wobbled through the air. Our receiver was down the field about 10 yards from where the ball was going, and their defensive guy was about three yards from the ball and made the play. No way was it a "bad" pass that got intercepted. Call it a high, sideways fumble if you will...unfortunate and hard to cope with.

Did he hold it too long...well, maybe, but he was trying to win the game for us. The hit was hard and there was no way he was able to get anything on the ball.

Anyway, I want to just say that Ryan Berry played an absolutely AWESOME game, and the last play was extremely tough on him. He couldn't stop hitting his helmet as he walked up and down the sidelines. If anything caused the loss it was stupid penalties and poor special teams play (but give Warner his due...he's a jitterbug with lots of speed).

It was a fun game to be at. I couldn't believe the huge SIU inflatable outside the front gate. We need to get one of those. Jacks#1Fan, what did you think of it?