Position Analysis - CMU Game

What went wrong?
Turnovers, Penalties, Dropped balls, Bad tackling, Bad Special Teams. No red-zone offense. Fundamentals.

Crowd/Tailgating - 8/10
CMU girls aren't very attractive I would say other than their cheerleaders. The other CMU fans were pretty cool. There were more jello-shots on the ground walking around the parking lot after the game than I had ever seen in my life!

Stadium - 8/10
I really liked Kelly/Shorts Stadium. They had a really good audio system and they actually play good music at the game.

Officiating - 0/10
The CMU refs were corrupt and we got shafted on many a calls. Especially the BS late hit calls.

QBs - N/A
We don't have any QBs. We have some dude throwin INTs and balls over WRs heads. And we have no other options.

RBs - 6/10
Justin Anderson had 28 rushes for 159 yds. BUT HE FUBMLED THE BALL in the redzone. It's weird that #4 David Bryant is his backup now. Chad Spann must be in Joe's doghouse. Anderson doesn't have a huge burst and doesn't have enough to power the ball in to the redzone (blame the o-line).

WRs - Icomplete/10
We only have one good WR. He is #85 Matt Simon. 9 catches for 205 yds and a TD. He has all the tools to be a decent receiver. The other guys? Not so much. Turner is slow and awkward and nobody else can catch a ball or run a route.

O-Line - 0/10
These guys can't help push the d-line enough so we can score a TD in the redzone.

Defense - N/A
Nope, didn't see a defense out there. Doorknob needs to go. It's a good thing I was sitting right by Mark Reiter's parents...

Special Teams - 0/10
So Patrick George fumbles the ball and we put Greg Turner & Matt Simon back there on KO returns. Turner has no speed. Another TD was given up on a KO return by the other team.

Joe Novak Quotes:

“We are not a very good football team right now,” said NIU coach Joe Novak. “We've got to work and coach on a lot of things. We've got to get back on track and get better. We didn't throw the ball well and had some dropped passes. Our mistakes definitely helped out (with CMU pulling away).”

“We didn't tackle well, especially in the first quarter,” Novak said. “We looked like we were playing in mud, offensively and defensively. We looked like we had no quickness at all.”

“That kick-off return was ridiculous,” Novak said. “Then that fumble knocked us out of it.”

"Our young guys have lousy ball security," Novak said. "We just gave it away. We don't get it done when we have opportunities."

“He's a tough kid,” Novak said of Simon. “He rolled his ankle last week and rolled it again today. He's a warrior. If we have 44 guys like him, we'd be all right.”

Players chime in:

"We put 500 yards of offense on the board," Simon said. "To come away with just 10 points is pretty disheartening."

"All day we were in a good rhythm," Nicholson said. "We had a good bead on what they were doing."

Ramblings on Central Michigan Eve

So I'm going to the game tomorrow @ Mt. Pleasant. I'm leaving @ 3 AM tomorrow!

I told some of my friends I was going to the game. Their responses:

"Why? What's the point?"
"You're crazy!"
"Where the hell is Mt. Pleasant?"
"Why don't you go watch a good game like Michigan against some Big 10 team?"



Rascal Flatts' new song "Take Me There" has to be one of my most favoritest songs in the world (and I'm not a big Rascal Flatts guy). Give it a listen:

Now watch this UF student get tasered protesting at a John Kerry speech. "Don't tase me bro!!!":




And in other Chicago news...

CUBS CLINCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oops! Bye bye Demetrius

The Demetrius Jones saga is OVER! (Thank goodness)

The former Notre Dame QB and Morgan Park HS standout has officially decided to transfer to Cincinnati!

It's kind of ironic because the head Bearcat Brian Kelly coached at CMU last year, which is the team we play this weekend.

Cincinnati Post Article.
ESPN Article.

So next year right now the QB spot will be a battle against current starter Dan Nicholson and ex-Illini transfer Paul Blalock.

FYI, Nicholson is currently ranked #20 for completion % in the nation completing 67.5% of his passes, despite his 5/8 TD/INT ratio. I think he is really improving. This week will be a huge test. A lot of those INTs weren't his fault.

CMU Game Preview

Well, first let's talk about CMU's secondary. The glaring spot where we can exploit on the Chippewa D.

From CMU's game notes:

Secondary Shake Up
CMU has seen eight different players start at least one game in the secondary already this season. The Chippewas have started four different quartets in the secondary in four games in 2007. Last week against North Dakota State, three sophomores (Tommy Mama, Tim Brazzel, Kirkston Edwards) all made their first career start. South Carolina is the only other Football Bowl Subdivision program to start a different foursome in the secondary each week this season.

Youth Movement
At least 12 true or redshirt freshman have played in every game this season for CMU, while more than half of the players to see action in each game have either been freshmen or sophomores. For the season, a total of 21 players (including kicker Andrew Aguila and long snappers Chris Starkey and Jake Ekkens) have either made their first career start or made their first start at a new position.

They've had to start 8 different players in the secondary so far! Great. So we'll probably throw a TON! Good time to develop the talent of our WRs (Hello Britt Davis). I also expect to see a lot of Justin Anderson catches out of the backfield.

Next, let's talk about the mental state of CMU's football team:

LETS PLAY FIREMAN!

There were people calling for Butch Davis' head after this incident:

Since the loss the reviews for the Chippewas have been critical. One of the issues that came out of Saturday's loss involved an incident on the sidelines where strength and conditioning coach Dave Lawson was seen spraying down a CMU football player with water on the sideline.

Fans in the crowd may have interpreted the incident as disrespectful, but it is actually something that the CMU team does during practice. "That is an inside thing with the team," Jones said. "We make reference to our guys being like fire fighters and Dave is there to help put out the fire and the guys get around and get the water sprayed on them. The players were laughing today at practice about it because to them it isn't a big deal and they were surprised at all the attention it got. I didn't even know it was causing so much discussion until today and we just can't worry about those things. We just need to stay focused on improving as a team and preparing for Northern Illinois."

This would be too literal an interpretation of "Fire Up Chips!"

Here's another question:
Will the Central Michigan fans stay the whole game?



"Bison over the Chippewas!"

INFIRMARY REPORT - CMU GAME

From the game notes. It's a long one:

OUCH!: Northern Illinois has been bit by the injury bug in 2007 as nine starters (or replacement starters) are now slated to miss at least one full game due to injury this season. In addition, 16 different players listed on the depth chart at some point this year have missed at least one game due to injury, while 14 of those injuries will result in multiple games missed. Four players - NG Adam Schroeder (shoulder surgery) and TB Montell Clanton, DT Craig Rusch and DE Anthony Antonacci (all rt. knees) - have been lost for the season. In addition, LB Tim McCarthy (rt. knee) will miss significant time and possibly the season. DT Mike Krause, FS Spencer Williamson and DT Zach Holycross each have already missed three of NIU's four games.

D-LINE D-MOLISHED: The Huskies have been especially hard-hit by injuries on the defensive line. Seven players listed on the NIU depth chart at the start of the season (Rusch, Antonacci, Schroeder, Holycross, Mike Krause, Brandon Bice and Jake Coffman) are now expected to be out for at least one game. The injuries have forced Huskie coaches to make several line-up adjustments, including the move of Dan Keller from offensive to defensive line. Last week, true freshmen John Hopkins and D.J. Pirkle saw their first collegiate action and this week, Ron Newcomb appears on the two-deep. Ed Jackson, a redshirt freshmen, made his first career start at tackle at Idaho; if Krause returns this week, he could be the one making his first start on the defensive line.

From the Chronicle:

The injury bug remained a big topic of discussion surrounding NIU's football team. Wide receiver Matt Simon, right guard Jason Onyebuagu, Brandon Bice and Jake Coffman all suffered injuries at Idaho. Bice and Coffman both had leg injuries and aren't expected to play at Central Michigan. Simon and Onyebuagu will be game-time decisions.

“We got on the bus pretty banged up after Saturday's game and I think we have been hit more at specific positions than I have ever seen,” Novak said. “We are beat up, but then again so is everybody else. We will get through it.”

In other news, Alex Kube takes over Mark Reiter for the SS spot. GOOD CHOICE!!!

DE Larry English is Nagurski Player of the Week

LARRY ENGLISH EATING THE IDAHO QB FOR DINNER

Here is the complete release:

DALLAS (FWAA) – Northern Illinois end Larry English has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week for games the weekend of Sept. 22.

English, a 6-3, 254-pound junior from Aurora, Ill., had a school-record five sacks and five quarterback pressures in the Huskies' 42-35 victory at Idaho. He also caused a fumble that he recovered for a touchdown and registered a pass break up. Overall, he had 12 tackles, 10 unassisted and his sacks accounted for 34 yards in losses.

English already is on the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 3 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Each week during the 2007 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 12th season the FWAA has named a Defensive Player of the Year.

What's good Joe?

"He made a lot of big plays for us at Idaho," said head coach Joe Novak. "Sometimes you can have five sacks and they might be at garbage time, but Larry's were all big and at key times. It was an outstanding game for him."

English's performance vaulted him to the top of the MAC's sack rankings and placed him second nationally. His 19 career sacks are tied for third on NIU's all-time list.

Sam Hurd!

#17 doin what he does best:



Also had a catch for 25 yds. It just had to be against the Bears though...and where was Wolfe???

Oh and DE Larry English was named MAC West Defensive Player Of The Week as expected.



NOW CHECK OUT THIS MELVIN RICE-LARRY ENGLISH SANDWICH:



...and watch Chase Carter take it to the house

Spotlight on DE Jake Coffman

Jake Coffman is a 6'3" 240 lb 23 yr-old RS Freshman that plays on the Defensive Line.

Wait, he's 23? Yes, as the Idaho announcers liked to call him, Jake "Corporal" Coffman is an ex-Marine that served 2 tours in Iraq last year. He also played an excellent game yesterday causing a ton of pressure.

Where did he come from?

''We didn't know about him,'' defensive ends coach Mike Sabock said. ''He just showed up and wanted to play football. He was on the scout team and had no idea what he was doing. He'd just run around and hit people.''

''His motor runs,'' Sabock said. ''He's strong with his hands. He's got a chance to play some football in the future and contribute this year.''

"I was going against (current Dallas Cowboy) Doug Free all last year," said Coffman. "There were times he made me feel like a kid."

NIU running back Justin Anderson calls Coffman ''Rambo.'' Other teammates ''just make fun of me for being an old man,'' Coffman said, admitting he sometimes feels like it.

You can read more about Coffman's tremendous story in these articles:

Soldier's field (Beacon News)
Soldier of fortune (Sun-Times)

Position Analysis - Idaho Game (Pt. II)

DEFENSE



DEs (aka Larry English) - 10/10
#51 DE Larry English ate Idaho for lunch, plain and simple. He had 12 tackles (7 solo), 5 TFLs which were all sacks for a total 34 yds in losses. He also had a forced fumble, recovered it and scored a TD off that same play! He also had a pass breakup and a QB hurry. On the other side, 23-year old RS FR #54 Jake "Corporal" Coffman got 3 tackles (2 solo) and a QB hurry. He might have gotten playing time, because starter #56 Brandon Bice may have gotten injured. Rambo stopped an Idaho 4th down attempt in the 4th quarter.

DTs - 6/10
At NT/NG, 6'4" 278 RS FR #90 (#92) Ed Jackson took up a bunch of space. The other Tackle spot was taken up by both 6'2" 258 #69 Alex Krutsch & 6'1" 295 True FR #98 D.J. Pirkle. Not to mention 6'4" 300 #78 Dan Keller who switched over from the O-Line. Keller looked like crap on this early rushing TD by Idaho. Problem was starting RB for Idaho Jackson ran 20 times for 113 yds and 2 TDs with a 5.6 ypc. Backup RB Bird ran 8 times for 52 yds and a 6.5 ypc. Not very good numbers at all. But a surprisingly good performance, considering the disparaging injuries. A whole new beefy look had a good debut.

LBs - 9/10
Solid as usual. Nice pressure on the QB, great assignments. Nice pick by Tranch. #26 (#10) Cory Hanson with another solid game with 10 tackles (5 solo). Again, there were way too many rushing yds given up.



Secondary - 6/10
Secondary Coaching - 0/10
#8 SS Mark Reiter gets owned on this 3rd quarter score by Idaho. Reiter sucks in coverage as well. Nice INT return for a TD by #36 CB Chase Carter for 95 yds. Pick by #24 FS Bradley Pruitt from the pressure from a Tranch blitz. #37 SS Alex Kube (god I love this guy) had 11 tackles (8 solo) as Reiter's backup!!! #32 backup FS Jeff Fontana SUCKAGE ALERT!!! His horrible coverage strikes again and he gave up the last TD scored by Idaho. He has to be the worst player on this defense.

Now it's time to breakdown the "Huskie Prevent Defense"

The "Huskie Prevent D" is one of the worst ideas ever conjured up in the history of me following NIU Football. We're up 35-7 going in to the 2nd half and then we do a couple things. We run the ball...a lot. We also play WAY WAY WAY off of the receivers. Even the Idaho announcers were saying "This secondary is playing SOOOOO off the WRs."

It's why we lose games at the end. It's why we can't win the "big one". Whose fault is this monstrosity? HC Joe Novak? Doubt it. DC Denny "Doorknob" Doornbos? Very possibly. Secondary coach John "Doogie" Hauser? He's just implementing the system that Doorknob puts in.

Idaho QB Nathan Enderle passed for 332 of his 423 yds in the 2nd half. Our "Huskie Prevent D" lets the opposing QBs to complete 15-25 yd passes at ease.

Special Teams - 7/10
True FR #33 Patrick George dropped 2 returns and lolly-gagged on another return. He also hit a guy before he even touched the ball (HUGE HIT though). And on the last punt in the 1st half he over-pursued the ball carrier and the guy returned it for a TD. Not a good day for the True Freshman. Oh well he has the rest of this season and 3 more years. Matt Simon also blocked a punt and Fontana recovered the ball for a TD. About the only good thing Jeff Fontana has done this season.

Oh yeah, and please take Britt Davis off the hands team! Watch the botched onside kick return for a laugh.

Position Analysis - Idaho Game (Pt. I)

OFFENSE

Mostly a good Dan day (New Unis!)

QBs - 8/10
Dan Nicholson was 10 for 17 for 168 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He was very un-Dan like and made GREAT decisions when there were no WRs open. He didn't try forcing things, and I am still awaiting his explanation for the INT he threw. Great improvement by Nicholson. Only 17 attempts throwing? Big plays early and success of the running game. Ultra conservative approach by HC Joe Novak in the 2nd half. A lot of run, run and then a pass on 3rd down, run, run, run in the 4th quarter.

RBs - 9/10
Justin Anderson had 173 yds rushing and 1 TD on 35 carries. That was sure a workload for JA. He looked better than I have ever seen him play. He was gassed towards the end of the game. What confuses me is that Chad Spann only got 2 carries in the game. Is he hurt? I hope not. RS Freshman Ricky Crider made his collegiate debut in the 4th quarter and showed some power running for 20 yds on 5 carries.

WRs/TEs - 7/10
Matt Simon had a career game catching 4 balls for 115 yds and a TD. The TD was on a 59 yd strike from Dan N. Britt Davis showed nice hands and athletic ability in the back of the endzone for a TD. David Koronkiewicz was back at TE for the first time this season (elbow injury) and had a catch for 15 yds. Simon stumbled and fell on some one play that could have been another TD. WRs Could get open a little bit more. Britt needs to make more plays.

OL - 8/10
This is the hardest thing to judge. Dan only got sacked 1 time. Our rushing game was good, but there's still room for improvement I still think. Still worried about #70 LT Chris Acevedo.