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

[FootballinTexas]

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.

I made the point about the TO's because he is our starter. That was not a JB vs Steele comment. I'm looking at our conference and we need 3 more wins. No other "starter" has TO's like our guy. That's all I was saying. If we're gonna get 3 more we can't average 2 TO's per game by our "starter".

 

[Clones21]

Everyone needs to calm down. We will get things cleaned up in the passing game. Our running game is too good and will open up some things in Big 12.

 

[Rabbuk]

in footballintexas' defense I would defend my son too.

 

[Dryburn]

I was very impressed with the defensive effort again. Obviously, it looks like this will be the strength of ISU this year, which was expected.

Sorry, but I was not impressed with SJ's play yesterday. He makes some poor decisions. He breaks out of the pocket too soon, when the pocket is still very much intact. I realize he is a dual-threat quarterback, and I think he does a great job on the called qb draws, but he has to learn to stay in the pocket and check down and find his receivers. He is still turnover prone, although hopefully not as much as last year. In the first 3 games, ISU has a total of 8 turnovers. SJ has been in on 5 of them.

Don't get me wrong. I think he has all the talent he needs to be successful. Now he has to acquire the discipline.

 

[FootballinTexas]

in footballintexas' defense I would defend my son too.

Actually, I never defended JB. He looked rusty as expected. He hadnt played in a real game since December. But you always say the same **** when I post. You would know if JB was my son. I dont have to hide behind a thread. But, accusations are getting old so move on.

 

[xboxfever]

The defense is going to keep the team in a lot of games, if not all the games. The offense however needs to improve greatly. Steele needs to get some accuracy on his deep passes or teams will start loading the box because even if a guy is open down field, Steele can't hit him accurately. Devondrick Nealy looked real good. He reminded me of Shontrelle without all the stutter stepping. He is going to be something special. Barnett looked awful. Yes, he didn't have all day to throw, but he looked really bad. I hope Sam Richardson can pass, because he was in with the 3rd unit and looked way better than JB who was with the second unit. Chris Young finally showing why he was a 4 star coming out of JUCO. Steele seems to look his way more than any receiver. I believe this team can do big things this season, but the offense has to get better in order to achieve those big wins.

 

[Doc]

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"

IMO, this attitude gets an offense in trouble. You get that attitude, and next thing you know Steele tries to do too much to keep a play alive or make a big play and then we get a TO.

 

[Doc]

Actually, I never defended JB. He looked rusty as expected. He hadnt played in a real game since December. But you always say the same **** when I post. You would know if JB was my son. I dont have to hide behind a thread. But, accusations are getting old so move on.

Steele sure looked good against Tulsa despite not playing in a game since December. I think that JB is probably one of those guys that gets better when it counts, but I still think it's on him when he looks as sloppy as he did yesterday.

 

[FootballinTexas]

Steele sure looked good against Tulsa despite not playing in a game since December. I think that JB is probably one of those guys that gets better when it counts, but I still think it's on him when he looks as sloppy as he did yesterday.

No doubt. And if I remember correctly, 80-85% of Steeles throws against Tulsa were quick screens. That's a great way to get a guy going and get confidence. Last night, no screens were called for JB to help get his feet under him. Plus, any QB would struggle with that lack of pass protection. More of a reason to call quick stuff not 3-5 step drops. That's why I said, don't be "too" critical. I didn't say not to be critical as some assumed I was defending him. Definitely the INT was on him.

 

[cyfan71]

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.

It's so easy to sit back and coach from our couches and i am speaking in regard to your comment on Bundrage. I think it's fair to say that he obviously is a talented WR based on the coaches comments on him since he set foot on campus and also the fact that HE was at the top of the depth chart spring and fall camp. Correct me if i am wrong but they came very close to burning his redshirt last season. I believe even NFL WRs drop/fumble/or are overthrown etc. lighten up he's RSF who really hasnt gotten much thrown his way but from what i have seen thrown his way hasnt been very good passes. I may be a little biased being from florida and having witnessed him play in high school, his time will come and we all know if he has a good game the fans will love him but if he has one bad game then of course all will say he sucks. Its a good thing none of the players read too much into what couch coaches have to say. It's especially good that Jantz doesnt let some of the comments about him cause him to put his tail between his legs and just give up. I'm behind the Cyclones all the way and wishing you all a very great season!