Tom
Spring Game
Don't think I've ever felt quite as short before as I did while walking through the football alumni tailgate area.
Big crowd, both in numbers and in average height
Big crowd, both in numbers and in average height
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Had to take off after the first quarter of the game, but got a couple of videos and had a couple of observations.
1. I think we might see McGuire end up playing more that I initially expected. Both him and Norvell played a couple of series in the first part of the game and honestly, McGuire looked a bit more impressive, at least at this point in the year. Hard to say how much of that was because the defense wasn't fully "gunning" for the QB (didn't look like they were allowed to tackle, at least if the QB took off running), but McGuire had a couple of throws that looked pretty good and was able to scramble well.
2. Offensively, I think we'll see a lot more out of our TEs than we have in years past. Prior to this year, we primarily used them just as extra blockers, only rarely using them as actual receivers, but the way they were being used in the first part of the game, I think we'll see them picking up significantly more yardage...especially if we don't end up with a real "dominant" RB (so we'd be using the TE's more for shorter down situations).
3. Former Leatherneck basketball player, Jalen Chapman, was suited up. I didn't see him play (although it's entirely possible he got in later in the game), but he was there, pads, helmet, and all. Could be interesting having a tall TE who we know can get up in the air a bit...having the QB being able to toss it over the pack knowing that he'd have a really good chance of going up and getting it above the defenders.
4. Saw lots of football alumni...some I recognized (Frank Winters, Rich Seubert, Jason Williams, etc.) and some I didn't. Scifres wasn't able to be there...sounds like he wanted to, but something came up back home and wasn't able to (the guy who cuts my hair knows Scifres and actually texted him while I was getting my hair cut this afternoon). Sounds like there's a lot of enthusiasm from the football alumni (something that we've been hearing for a while from LN57, but I can confirm also). Also saw Neckfansince71, LN57, LeatherCy, and a few others who regularly visit the forum (hi everyone). Karen (Craddock) Henderson (Coach Craddock's widow) was there as well as Coach Patterson and his wife. I'd never met Coach P before, but I made a point to come up and say hi and introduce myself. His wife actually recognized (and remembered) me from the band, which I thought was impressive.
Here's just a couple of quick photos (I'll post a couple of videos later):
The teams getting set up
The crowd
1. I think we might see McGuire end up playing more that I initially expected. Both him and Norvell played a couple of series in the first part of the game and honestly, McGuire looked a bit more impressive, at least at this point in the year. Hard to say how much of that was because the defense wasn't fully "gunning" for the QB (didn't look like they were allowed to tackle, at least if the QB took off running), but McGuire had a couple of throws that looked pretty good and was able to scramble well.
2. Offensively, I think we'll see a lot more out of our TEs than we have in years past. Prior to this year, we primarily used them just as extra blockers, only rarely using them as actual receivers, but the way they were being used in the first part of the game, I think we'll see them picking up significantly more yardage...especially if we don't end up with a real "dominant" RB (so we'd be using the TE's more for shorter down situations).
3. Former Leatherneck basketball player, Jalen Chapman, was suited up. I didn't see him play (although it's entirely possible he got in later in the game), but he was there, pads, helmet, and all. Could be interesting having a tall TE who we know can get up in the air a bit...having the QB being able to toss it over the pack knowing that he'd have a really good chance of going up and getting it above the defenders.
4. Saw lots of football alumni...some I recognized (Frank Winters, Rich Seubert, Jason Williams, etc.) and some I didn't. Scifres wasn't able to be there...sounds like he wanted to, but something came up back home and wasn't able to (the guy who cuts my hair knows Scifres and actually texted him while I was getting my hair cut this afternoon). Sounds like there's a lot of enthusiasm from the football alumni (something that we've been hearing for a while from LN57, but I can confirm also). Also saw Neckfansince71, LN57, LeatherCy, and a few others who regularly visit the forum (hi everyone). Karen (Craddock) Henderson (Coach Craddock's widow) was there as well as Coach Patterson and his wife. I'd never met Coach P before, but I made a point to come up and say hi and introduce myself. His wife actually recognized (and remembered) me from the band, which I thought was impressive.
Here's just a couple of quick photos (I'll post a couple of videos later):
The teams getting set up
The crowd
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
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ibleedpurpleandgold
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2015 11:16 pm
Yeah i was much more impressed with McGuire than norvell for sure even though offense won the game i was impressed by the defense i think we will be one of the top teams in the country when it comes to creating TO's
I'll be rooting for McGuire. Norvell is decent but not impressive in the "eye test".
The games McGuire played the ball seemed to have more zip and really pushed the ball down field. Stats could argue against that I dot know lol.
Norvell would force throws and lock on to one guy. No progression.
The games McGuire played the ball seemed to have more zip and really pushed the ball down field. Stats could argue against that I dot know lol.
Norvell would force throws and lock on to one guy. No progression.
#ALLIN #YOLO
Here's a few videos, I've got one more to post later...it's a bit longer and shows a series of plays.
Pregame Team/Alumni Handshake:
[youtube][/youtube]
Pregame Recognition:
[youtube][/youtube]
The first kickoff of 2016:
[youtube][/youtube]
An interception....kinda:
[youtube][/youtube]
Pregame Team/Alumni Handshake:
[youtube][/youtube]
Pregame Recognition:
[youtube][/youtube]
The first kickoff of 2016:
[youtube][/youtube]
An interception....kinda:
[youtube][/youtube]
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Just like last year's spring game, the Defense led the game until the last few minutes. Offense won the game tonight 52-47.
The Offense was trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter.
#19 Craig Slowik (QB) got the Offense close with a late TD to make the score 44-42 with the Defense still leading. The Offense then gained additional points on first downs and explosive plays on the next series of downs to take the lead.
The Offense clinched the game on the last play of the game with a Nathan Knuffman field goal. A missed field goal would have resulted in a 49-49 tie.
Coach Charlie Fisher spoke to the crowd at halftime and announced that the captains for the 2016 team will be Linebacker Brett Taylor and Quarterback Sean McGuire.
Story about Nikko Watson from WGEM Sports with Ben Marth:
http://www.wgem.com/story/31797191/2016 ... nfl-chance
Story about Western's Quarterbacks from WGEM Sports with Ben Marth:
http://www.wgem.com/story/31788644/2016 ... eat-battle
The Offense was trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter.
#19 Craig Slowik (QB) got the Offense close with a late TD to make the score 44-42 with the Defense still leading. The Offense then gained additional points on first downs and explosive plays on the next series of downs to take the lead.
The Offense clinched the game on the last play of the game with a Nathan Knuffman field goal. A missed field goal would have resulted in a 49-49 tie.
Coach Charlie Fisher spoke to the crowd at halftime and announced that the captains for the 2016 team will be Linebacker Brett Taylor and Quarterback Sean McGuire.
Story about Nikko Watson from WGEM Sports with Ben Marth:
http://www.wgem.com/story/31797191/2016 ... nfl-chance
Story about Western's Quarterbacks from WGEM Sports with Ben Marth:
http://www.wgem.com/story/31788644/2016 ... eat-battle
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Western_101
- Posts: 1230
- Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 12:09 pm
- Location: Morton, IL
Great Stuff Scott, i have a picture of Jason Williams and me that I need to find and post. I look like a garden gnome. This was from maybe 5 years ago.
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ibleedpurpleandgold
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2015 11:16 pm
Yeah I made the picture.ST_Lawson wrote:Had to take off after the first quarter of the game, but got a couple of videos and had a couple of observations.
1. I think we might see McGuire end up playing more that I initially expected. Both him and Norvell played a couple of series in the first part of the game and honestly, McGuire looked a bit more impressive, at least at this point in the year. Hard to say how much of that was because the defense wasn't fully "gunning" for the QB (didn't look like they were allowed to tackle, at least if the QB took off running), but McGuire had a couple of throws that looked pretty good and was able to scramble well.
2. Offensively, I think we'll see a lot more out of our TEs than we have in years past. Prior to this year, we primarily used them just as extra blockers, only rarely using them as actual receivers, but the way they were being used in the first part of the game, I think we'll see them picking up significantly more yardage...especially if we don't end up with a real "dominant" RB (so we'd be using the TE's more for shorter down situations).
3. Former Leatherneck basketball player, Jalen Chapman, was suited up. I didn't see him play (although it's entirely possible he got in later in the game), but he was there, pads, helmet, and all. Could be interesting having a tall TE who we know can get up in the air a bit...having the QB being able to toss it over the pack knowing that he'd have a really good chance of going up and getting it above the defenders.
4. Saw lots of football alumni...some I recognized (Frank Winters, Rich Seubert, Jason Williams, etc.) and some I didn't. Scifres wasn't able to be there...sounds like he wanted to, but something came up back home and wasn't able to (the guy who cuts my hair knows Scifres and actually texted him while I was getting my hair cut this afternoon). Sounds like there's a lot of enthusiasm from the football alumni (something that we've been hearing for a while from LN57, but I can confirm also). Also saw Neckfansince71, LN57, LeatherCy, and a few others who regularly visit the forum (hi everyone). Karen (Craddock) Henderson (Coach Craddock's widow) was there as well as Coach Patterson and his wife. I'd never met Coach P before, but I made a point to come up and say hi and introduce myself. His wife actually recognized (and remembered) me from the band, which I thought was impressive.
Here's just a couple of quick photos (I'll post a couple of videos later):
The teams getting set up
The crowd