9-6-2024 at Indiana University (Big Ten)

[ST_Lawson]

WIU at Indiana University (FBS Big Ten)

Date/Time: Friday, September 6 at 6 PM
TV: B1G Network

Starting to get back into the swing of things. I was on vacation last week, so wasn't able to put together anything about the game at NIU, although it probably would have been similar to this week's.

Indiana finished 3-9 last year, beating Indiana State 41-7, taking 4 OTs to dispach Akron 29-27, and then pulling off a 20-14 win over Wisconsin. In their first game this season, the Hoosiers beat Florida International 31-7. There's not really much to say at this point, I think. The Leathernecks showed a bit of promise last week against NIU, but Indiana (despite having a worse record last year) is, according to Massey, a better team than NIU. Speaking of Massey...he's predicting a 45-6 victory for Indiana (https://masseyratings.com/game.php?gid=940319432), but pretty much just depends on when Indiana puts their 2nd or 3rd string players in.

Hopefully we can get in there, get a bit more experience, no serious injuries, and go home with a nice $450k check.

[wiu712]

Action Network has Indiana winning by 45 points.
https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/wes ... eptember-6
 
 

[4EverPurple&Gold]

Well... don't expect the Necks to win this one. Hopefully just compete hard.... 

[sealhall74]

I doubt we could compete with our starters against their practice squad.

[wiu712]

Indiana won the game 77-3

Western had 121 Total Yards (109 Passing and 12 Rushing).

Indiana had 701 Total Yards (378 Passing and 323 Rushing).

Nathan Lamb was 13 of 25 for 109 yards.  2 Interceptions.  Longest pass was 30 yards.  Sacked 5 times for a 32 yard loss.

Attendance at Indiana = 39,082

[bignecks]

That blew. I knew we were gonna lose but I was hoping for more positive plays. It was like 7 plays went right on offense and two on defense all night. I'm petrified that the defense is going to be just as bad as last year for the rest of the season. It aggravates me that the defense is so bad because through my childhood it was like defense was automatic for western. it probably still should be. Every other team in this part of the midwest plays defense better than offense which would indicate that the recruits are stronger on that side of the ball. 

[jtrinaldi]

Guess we’re still trying to hit rock bottom as if two winless seasons hasn’t sunk us to the Mariana Trench I don’t know what will at this point 

[sealhall74]

Two straight games where we had a very good balance of run and pass attempts on offense.  When you are buillding from scratch, you have to find out what works and what does not.  As for defense, I dont think we have forced a single punt yet.  Our punt return specialist must feel like the Maytag repairman of yesteryear (loneliest guy in town) but it's not because everything is working right.
 

[rocki]

Two straight games where we had a very good balance of run and pass attempts on offense.  When you are buillding from scratch, you have to find out what works and what does not.  As for defense, I dont think we have forced a single punt yet.  Our punt return specialist must feel like the Maytag repairman of yesteryear (loneliest guy in town) but it's not because everything is working right.
 

 

Any clues as to what is going on with the defense? I see Smith played against Indiana, but still don't see anything for Delacruz. Is he hurt?

[4EverPurple&Gold]

This team is patheic... I know we only played two weeks and against FBS opponents, but there is no passion or even grit. 

Just looks like guys don't care already. 

Giving this staff time since they took over a mess from last staff, but need to look better next week vs. ISU