WIU vs Eastern Illinois (9/3/15)

[WIU0812]

I could see that Steve McShay true freshman getting some more carries next game. He definitely looked more agile and more of a speed back than Moore. Kinda had a few small flashes of a JC Baker like back. Speed and cutting ability to find holes in the defenses. That was my only positive take away from the running game. Otherwise I thought it was pretty poor. I am pretty sure Moore averaged under 2 yards per carry. Maybe Moore will improve as he looked decent at times last year, but from the small sample so far we need to find some type of answer or any good defense is going to shut us down.

[wiu712]

I am pretty sure Moore averaged under 2 yards per carry.

Devon Moore, the starting running back, had 23 carries for 33 yards. He did score two touchdowns.

[meganeck]

I was at work when the game was going on but was able to follow the gamecast. First off congrats on the victory for Western for playing the number 25 fcs team we did really well I thought. The defense looked incredible especially against a usually high scoring opponent. The offense did ok like many others picked out but it could have done better. Honestly I thought Norvell had fairly good numbers. Yes the interception didn't help and he could have completed a few more passes but I thought he did well. To tell you the truth I thought the run game was the weaker part of the offense. I was hoping we would get the run game going better. The freshmen RB did good as well as Moore but I was hoping for a few more yards. I know Watson isn't playing for obvious reasons but what happened to Kyle Hammond? He is still on roster isn't he and he got a good chunk of the running yards last year I thought. Next week will be much tougher and I honestly don't expect us to win but if we play well I'll be happy. CCU will be another tough game and I don't think we will win it either, doesn't mean I won't stop rooting. I think with these games it will build us up for tough conference play. Congrats again to all the players and coaches. 1-0!

Hammond is now a defensive back - not sure if he played last night
Someone on twitter last night that was at the game said, they weren't impressed with running backs & need Watson back.

[Western_101]

so what's the deal with Nikko?

[ST_Lawson]

Hammonds had 1 solo and 2 assisted tackles in the game, so he did play. Not sure how long, but he did play.

RBs: My parents and I also got a very J.C. Baker-ish feel from McShane. Similar running style...almost the exact same size too (McShane is listed as 5 lbs heavier than Baker was). He didn't go into the game right away, but still came up with the most yards.
RB stats:
Steve McShane - 52 yards on 14 attempts (3.7 ypc) with a long of 14
Devon Moore - 33 yards on 23 attempts (1.4 ypc) with a long of 10 and 2 TDs
Devon Sanders - 12 yards on 3 attempts (4.0 ypc) with a long of 5

I don't know the situation with Nikko Watson. He didn't play last night, so I don't know if they're sitting him for a game or two for injury/rest reasons or something else. Anyone know more?

If I had to guess, I'd say we'll see McShane with a bit more playing time, if he continues to do fairly well.

WRs: I thought Lenoir did a pretty good job of hauling in most of the passes that were reasonably close to on-target. He got 124 yards and a TD receiving which moves him up to #8 for career receiving yards and ties him with Ron Wilson ('68-'69) at #3 for number of 100 yard receiving games (7). Terriun Crump and Reggie Gray are tied for 1st on that list with 8 games. Lenoir is now tied at #5 with Marvin Williams ('72-'73) for most receiving TDs at 15 (Senatus is #1 on that list with 21 TDs). Borsellino picked up 4 catches for 36 yards also.

[leatherface]

My wife and I attended the game, and everything was great. Very enjoyable evening.

We sat on the west side in section c. The seats were metal and all was ok. However, an older man and his wife were walking down the stairs and struggling. He turned to no one in general and said- " I can't believe there are no railings".
I believe Western is going to need to address this before someone falls.

[WIU0812]

I believe someone before said that Nielson had announced Nikko would sit first two games. Most likely a continued punishment or something similar to that. Can't imagine sitting someone for any other reason than to make a continued example. Perhaps he wants to see what else he has at running back in the non-conference before exhausting Nikko early. Crossing my fingers for McShay turning into an all star.

[ST_Lawson]

I believe someone before said that Nielson had announced Nikko would sit first two games. Most likely a continued punishment or something similar to that. Can't imagine sitting someone for any other reason than to make a continued example. Perhaps he wants to see what else he has at running back in the non-conference before exhausting Nikko early. Crossing my fingers for McShay turning into an all star.

Makes sense. I look forward to seeing what we can put on the field down at Coastal once the staff has had another game to evaluate the three likely playing RBs and then add in Nikko.

Random fact - the last time Eastern was held to less than a TD in a game was a 52-3 loss at Penn State in October 2009. The last time an FCS team held them to less than a TD was in a playoff game in November 2005 when they lost 21-6 to Southern Illinois.

[sealhall74]

I only have one thing to complain about and it's not the running game, that has already been done. I just don't get why Western fans are the slowest damn arriving fans on the planet. Does not matter, football, basketball, or tiddlywinks. There were four times as many people on the east side midway through 2nd quarter than at kickoff. I propose that a new tradition be started at Hanson Field. Twenty minutes before game time, fire up "Revelry" on the big speakers at Hanson and everyone at QLot should do the same if they any control over the music or whatever being played there.

[youtube][/youtube]

[huskie]

That's a great idea! How do we get it done?