I read the Tribune article and it basically was a "verse" about what is going wrong in Dekalb, not what is going right in Macomb. That's just the way it is! Rockford Tv station put a "Pretzel " twist on the game which was great for surrounding communities and for Mr. Mcshane!!! Great day for the Leathernecks! The wheels at NIU have basically come loose and I think "team" problems that surfaced at the bowl game last year have resurfaced this year besides the their injuries. The Necks are good but as Seal said, I think they were worn down by NIU which definitely showed up at the end of the game. Guess its the FBS depth at position surfacing its ugly head. The other thing is, if you are going to beat an FBS opponent on their home turf you are going to have to make things happen from the beginning to the end of the game. It might just be me, but it always seems like the yellow flag begins to appear as the pressure mounts in these games and not necessarily in the direction of the "upstart!" The sweeps and sideline passes worked well for NIU all day. I have no idea why they tried to go up the middle on the ground and on a jump pass at the end but I am glad they did. Their wide-outs were very good and their running back seemed to strong arm our DB's when he got loose in the secondary. I can definitely see that the WIU play calls in the late moments of the 4th quarter were designed to keep NIU off balance but their D-line charge really seemed to disrupt anything that they tried to do. Glad the clock ran out, even though the time keeper seemed to have a lazy finger, but then I always feel that way when my team is in the lead and hanging on......
The Leatherneck Club gathering on Friday night was good!!! I think we had more people in Champaign, more parents and such, but the team stayed in Lisle, just 6 minutes from my house in fact, but 45 minutes from Dekalb which I am sure had an impact on player parents participating, but still a good event with a great talk from Coach Fisher. We may be FCS but the spread at the Hilton for the players was FBS all the way. The team and coaching staff walked in with class.....dressed in their purple and grey travel sweats ready to eat. And "consume" is what they did. They just walk with a step I have not seen for awhile at WIU. Friendly, humble, and ready!! Sat with Coach Fisher and his wife for a few moments after the LC gathering and as the players and training personnel were finishing up. He is a just a personable and class act. We are so lucky to have him at the helm! (Why do I keep hearing Chicago's hit, "If she would have been faithful" playing in my head!!!! Thanks Coach N for getting it started....Coach Fisher will take it from here!!!
jc
ps. In the past I have pretty much stayed in the "alumni" tent shaking hands and meeting people. Once again I did have the chance to reconnect with LC members, my fraternity brothers, my wife's sorority sisters and former alumni council members at the tent, but for the first time we tailgated (wife, daughter and son-in-law) in the parking lot with NIU and WIU team family, fans, and friends and to tell you the truth, it was a wonderful time. I of course continued to look for Leatherneck Club members and two different people went directly on line and joined after we talked. Its not really a hard sell any longer. There are a whole lot of people once again interested in the "Purple and Gold!"
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
