Western vs Illinois State - 10/18/2014

STLRedbird · Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:03 am

Leathernecks break into top 25 in the Gridiron Power Index. This puts 9 Valley teams in the top 25, breaking a record the Valley set the previous week with 8.
http://www.collegesportingnews.com/arti ... 014gpi.htm

Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:16 am

Awesome, thanks for the link STL.

sealhall74 · Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:32 am

Nice thing about ESPN3 is that you can re-watch the games at your leisure. I watched the ISU* game yesterday. As QB Tre Roberson goes, so goes the Redbirds. He certainly ranks in FCS top 5 for dual-threat QBs. Secret to beating them is to do exactly what ISUb did. Don't let him find the edge and lots of pressure on passing downs. Brian Ward will have to gamble with some corner and safety blitzes just like the Trees did. Roberson is short for QBs at only 6' yet he has a youtube video from his IU days where goes up for 2 hand dunk so he is very athletic. DL needs to maintain good "pocket sense" around him. Make him throw over and not through.

rocki · Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:02 am

sealhall74 wrote:Nice thing about ESPN3 is that you can re-watch the games at your leisure. I watched the ISU* game yesterday. As QB Tre Roberson goes, so goes the Redbirds. He certainly ranks in FCS top 5 for dual-threat QBs. Secret to beating them is to do exactly what ISUb did. Don't let him find the edge and lots of pressure on passing downs. Brian Ward will have to gamble with some corner and safety blitzes just like the Trees did. Roberson is short for QBs at only 6' yet he has a youtube video from his IU days where goes up for 2 hand dunk so he is very athletic. DL needs to maintain good "pocket sense" around him. Make him throw over and not through.

Haven't watched the ISU/InSU game, so am going on your wisdom.

I have a lot of confidence in our defense, but what is your opinion of their ability to contain the QB? Are we staying healthy on defense? (Haven't seen any injury reports, but do know the last couple of games the announcers have said we've been hampered with them).

If Norvell performs like he did last week, and the receivers are on their routes like they were, it will be a true test of wills I think.

Let's go 'Necks!!!!!!!!

DADfan · Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:14 am

- Safeties started cramping end of YSU game.....
- LB's somewhat dinged..... but that goes with the territory.....
- All others OK.....

Hoping that they stay hydrated and the adreneline is flowing, due to the ISU rivalry....... They'll be Licking their Chops......

letsgonecks · Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:50 am

Slow down their run and we have a great chance to win. Easier said than done with Coprich and a duel-threat QB, but limiting the run is what we've done. DE play to limit Roberson will be huge, so hope Eddy is back and we'll have a good rotation keeping them fresh.

Valp
103 Team Rushing - Brandon Hall 64 yds (65.3 season average)

WIS
167 (season high against) -Melvin Gordon - 38 (174.33), Corey Clement - 57 (79.33 average), Tanner McEvoy (Qb) - 55 (49.33, but only 2 attempts in the last 2 games/only running Qb we've faced)

Drake
60 - Conley Wilkins - 66 (72.7)

Northwestern
166 - Justin Jackson 92 (season high against) (83.66)

SIU
146 - Malcolm Agnew - 63 (112.7), McCall actually lead them with 68, hasn't played since our game (48.6)

NDSU
149 - John Crockett - 79 (110.5)

YSU
148 - Martin Ruiz - 80 (102.2)

ISU Average
(245.8) - Marshaun Coprich (146), Tre Roberson (53.8)

So lets keep the theme of no RB over 100.

WIU0812 · Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:14 pm

letsgonecks wrote:Slow down their run and we have a great chance to win. Easier said than done with Coprich and a duel-threat QB, but limiting the run is what we've done. DE play to limit Roberson will be huge, so hope Eddy is back and we'll have a good rotation keeping them fresh.

Valp
103 Team Rushing - Brandon Hall 64 yds (65.3 season average)

WIS
167 (season high against) -Melvin Gordon - 38 (174.33), Corey Clement - 57 (79.33 average), Tanner McEvoy (Qb) - 55 (49.33, but only 2 attempts in the last 2 games/only running Qb we've faced)

Drake
60 - Conley Wilkins - 66 (72.7)

Northwestern
166 - Justin Jackson 92 (season high against) (83.66)

SIU
146 - Malcolm Agnew - 63 (112.7), McCall actually lead them with 68, hasn't played since our game (48.6)

NDSU
149 - John Crockett - 79 (110.5)

YSU
148 - Martin Ruiz - 80 (102.2)

ISU Average
(245.8) - Marshaun Coprich (146), Tre Roberson (53.8)

So lets keep the theme of no RB over 100.

No RB over 100 except our JC baker going for 100+ and a couple of catches! Time to get excited again just about 48 hours left before kickoff! This is gonna be a great game and I am sad I will have to watch from my couch instead of from the stands... but I will yelling all the same!

rocki · Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:59 pm

DADfan wrote:- Safeties started cramping end of YSU game.....
- LB's somewhat dinged..... but that goes with the territory.....
- All others OK.....

Hoping that they stay hydrated and the adreneline is flowing, due to the ISU rivalry....... They'll be Licking their Chops......

Thanks for the information!

wiu712 · Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:11 pm

Fans looking for a place to eat before the game should consider the 22nd Annual Smokin' Hog which will take place at the Alpha Gamma Rho house (1010 North Lafayette -- across from the cemetery).

Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 18.

Fun for all! Plenty of activities for children of any age, so bring the family and join the community for a fun day of great food, games, face painting, raffles, and more! A pulled pork dinner with refreshments will be served.

Tickets can be purchased for $5 in advance or $7 at the door. This is a family event with this year's proceeds going to VIBE Organization Charities.

For ticket information, contact Kyle at (217) 414-9926.

Western_101 · Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:55 pm

ISU has always been the rivalry game for me. I think they like it to be Eastern cause they traditionally beat up on them. If one lives in Peoria, ISU and WIU are in the same coverage/circulation.

This feels like a homecoming redo.