*** Official ISU vs. Western Illinois Postgame Thread ***

[InCytful]

My take: Game balls to James White, Chris Young, and the whole D for an almost shutout. Helmet stickers to Steele, Nealy, Standard and Kirby for punting the guys in deep. And to whoever that was for laying the guy out on the punt late in the game that we got a 15 yd penalty on for unsportsmanship. That was a good hit even if the refs laid one on us. Young guys looked pretty good, especially at corner and running back.

Bad things: JB's play showed rust and a bad INT for him, along with some of the O-line play when he was in there (bad bad pas blocking). Run blocking on the first team O, which was ok but not great. The receivers on Steele's int...Weren't there two guys for us that came together and both touched the ball, tipping it up for an INT. Penalties. Two holding calls, leg whip all cost us big time.

Still, a good win that we controlled from the opening drive. A blowout at home...long time coming. Go State!

 

[ahaselhu]

It seems to me that we were testing different things out throughout the game instead of just trying to pile up the points, which we really could have. I wanted to see a big blowout just like everyone else, but I think Rhoads chose not to and tried to work on things we need to improve upon.

I thought this as well. Not much zone read, and it seemed like a lot of different formations and plays than we'd seen so far this year.

That being said, it really seems like we run east-west too much. A lot of opportunities to cut it up and get 4 or 5 more yards, and instead we try to make a big play and don't get anything extra.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I'm not going to get down on JB. He was rusty and did throw one really bad pass (though he really improved his tackling for since OSU- he hit that guy like he meant it).

As others have said, he didn't have a lot of time to throw, and didn't stay in long enough to warm up.

 

[UNIGuy4Cy]

I said I watched it on game cast. Kind of hard to see everything that's going on there.

still lots of things to get better at on offense, but 2 years in a row, 3-0 in non-con. A great shot at being 4-0 overall before October. The potential is there. Like Bruns said on the radio, "the next team that comes in here, will look totally different than Western Illinois".

While I somewhat agree with Bruns how do you even know what Texas Tech has? They have potentially played the worst non con schedule of any BCS school.

 

[CycoCyclone]

I was pretty disappointed after jumping out 14-0, with 6 min to play in the 1st qtr that we only barely scored again before the half. We should have been up by 28.

I think our offense misses that killer instinct. That, "we have them on the ropes, now get 'em"

 

[Rural]

While I somewhat agree with Bruns how do you even know what Texas Tech has? They have potentially played the worst non con schedule of any BCS school.

That's saying something but I'll take a one point win, right now.

 

[UNIGuy4Cy]

For those that were not able to watch and listen the whole time, did the #1's start the second half on offense and defense?

 

[Scott34]

Very solid win but obviously more work needs done. I for one am not worried about this team as they know they that they need to still get better. Love our outlook as far as what we have coming in next years talent. I do want to know why Steele has gone 3-0 but is still getting thrown under the bus for his turnovers. Yes that fumble was clearly his fault but the interception was a tip ball. That is like his 3rd int this year that is a tip or been more of a recievers fault than his but he still getting all the wrap for it. He has taken his completion percentage from in the 50's to the 70's. He is showing that he is more patient and doesn't force a ball as much. I don't like turnovers and they will obviously kill us in a big game. Its been a team issue and hopefully they get it figured out soon. Great win Clones.

 

[Cyclonepride]

For those that were not able to watch and listen the whole time, did the #1's start the second half on offense and defense?

Yes

 

[CycoCyclone]

For those that were not able to watch and listen the whole time, did the #1's start the second half on offense and defense?

yes, both were replaced about 5 minutes in though.

 

[CarolinaCy]

While I somewhat agree with Bruns how do you even know what Texas Tech has? They have potentially played the worst non con schedule of any BCS school.

Pretty sure New Mexico is a far better opponent than WIU. Doege only played 1 series into the 3rd QTR and put up 340 yards and 6TD with zero INT for a rating of 215. Tech scored TDs on 7 of their first 8 possessions, and put up 700 yards of offense, including 325 on the ground, averaging 7.2 ypc. Their top 2 running backs are both averaging over 7 yards per carry, and Doege is completing 74% of his passes with 12 TD and only 1 INT.

Defense is going to have to play very well and the offense better take care of the ball, or we're not going to win that game.

 

[UNIGuy4Cy]

Pretty sure New Mexico is a far better opponent than WIU. Doege only played 1 series into the 3rd QTR and put up 340 yards and 6TD with zero INT for a rating of 215. Tech scored TDs on 7 of their first 8 possessions, and put up 700 yards of offense, including 325 on the ground, averaging 7.2 ypc. Their top 2 running backs are both averaging over 7 yards per carry, and Doege is completing 74% of his passes with 12 TD and only 1 INT.

Defense is going to have to play very well and the offense better take care of the ball, or we're not going to win that game.

And Texas State and Northwestern State would get destroyed by Tulsa and Iowa. I agree that New Mexico is probably better than WIU but who knows, New Mexico has been on of the worst programs in America for decades. While their offense has been better than ours, even UNI questions their non conference schedule. Also We played well on offense yesterday and against Tulsa, throw out the Iowa game cause it is a heated rival and mistakes happen.

 

[clonedude]

You have to give Barnett a little bit of slack since he came into the game cold and wasn't playing with the starters... BUT... you also have to realize if you are Barnett that this could be the one chance you have to prove you should start, and so you have to be spot on, and he was FAR from that.

FootballinTexas remarked about how we can't have Jantz turning the ball over every game, but I didn't see anything from Barnett to tell me he'd be any better at not turning it over? His passes were more inaccurate than Steele's, he had a bad INT himself... AND... he did fumble once out of bounds, but I think he was down?

I think what last night showed if anything was that the coaching staff got it right when they made Steele the starter this year. Does he still make some bad mistakes, yes, but I don't see another QB on this roster that would be any better at eliminating the turnovers either.

If JB is in the game, opposing defenses are just going to put 8 or 9 guys in the box like Rutgers did in the bowl game last year, and dare us to beat them throwing the ball. Steele at least makes teams have to defend the pass too.

As Chris W. has mentioned, if not for a few bad throws, Steele would be outstanding thus far. Over 70% completion rate is amazing. He is the guy, no question. But I do feel good that if he were to go down, that JB or Richardson could do the job.

 

[4Cyclones]

Would have really liked to have blown them out in the first half that we never saw the starters in the second.

JB looked bad from where I was at. Ran the zone read great but his passing reads and accuracy were bad. Wish we could have seen Richardson throw it a couple times but I guess that late in the game and up so much, Rhoads probably is more concerned with ending the game and not running up the score. I think next year the QB battle is going to be Rohach and Richardson.

Besides that one messed up route play, Jantz threw the ball well. Missed a wide open WR in the 1st half when he was scrambling one time. WR was about 5 yards from the endzone and Steele just ran it out, he needs to find those guys when coverage breaks down. I think he missed a wide open Horne last week too.

A little nervous that we didn't have Johnson or Woody run it more. Coaches must have been quite confident that the RBs are ready to go since our 3 main guys only had 11 total rushes.

Loved what our WRs did. Especially guys like Tiller.

Defense looked stout but was bummed to see no TOs.

This play was insane. To even be able to throw the ball on the run, across your body, 40+ yds, was an incredible play. Not to mention avoiding the sack too. I think West/Horne (not sure) was even suprised by the distance Jantz was able to throw the ball from that position.

 

[CRcyclone6]

While I somewhat agree with Bruns how do you even know what Texas Tech has? They have potentially played the worst non con schedule of any BCS school.

I think he was talking about how big they might be compared to Western Ill. That they would look more like a "real" football team. He had some positives to say after the game, but seemed concerned some about the "lull" from 14-0 to halftime. Which I think are valid. Sure seems like our RB depth is out of this world and DB Richardson could turn into a monster down the road.

 

[klamath632]

Well, to be far, Barnett wasn't throwing to our best receivers, and didn't have our starting offensive line. He had to roll out of the pocket a lot and he might be really good throwing on the run someday. Bundrage needs to learn how to catch.

Bundrage was wide open on a slant pattern that would have gotten a TD if Barnett could have just delivered the ball. JB failed. JB needs to learn how to throw.

 

[klamath632]

Very solid win but obviously more work needs done. I for one am not worried about this team as they know they that they need to still get better. Love our outlook as far as what we have coming in next years talent. I do want to know why Steele has gone 3-0 but is still getting thrown under the bus for his turnovers. Yes that fumble was clearly his fault but the interception was a tip ball. That is like his 3rd int this year that is a tip or been more of a recievers fault than his but he still getting all the wrap for it. He has taken his completion percentage from in the 50's to the 70's. He is showing that he is more patient and doesn't force a ball as much. I don't like turnovers and they will obviously kill us in a big game. Its been a team issue and hopefully they get it figured out soon. Great win Clones.

Last year we excused his turnovers while he started 3-0. Then came the Texas and Missouri games. He's not getting the benefit of the doubt again.

 

[CRcyclone6]

Bundrage was wide open on a slant pattern that would have gotten a TD if Barnett could have just delivered the ball. JB failed. JB needs to learn how to throw.

That's what was said on the radio also. Easy throw to a wide open receiver and it didn't happen. Wasn't Bundrage #1 on depth chart after Spring practice? Not like he is a bad player.

 

[isuno1fan]

I don't give a **** who the QB is, but I'm tired as hell of watching them turn the ball over game after game after game. If that continues, we'll be lucky to make a bowl game. If they can get it under control, we could win 4-5 in conference.

Dumb decisions:

1.) I thought it was dumb to play Woody at all in this game. Why not give him the full 3 weeks to heal?? What was the point of him carrying the ball twice in this game? Dumb IMO.

2.) Why they did not pull Steele after his last TD pass while he was on a high note is beyond me. As soon as he came back out on the next drive I said now he'll end on an INT instead of a TD.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Steele is clearly the better QB overall. No question there