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Post by purplestorm on Sept 20, 2015 19:54:21 GMT
Finally, it's time to move past the first three games and see how we look after having two FBS tests on the road. We've seen flashes of greatness, some good and quite a bit of bad, too. I'm not sure what to expect this coming Saturday from us or UCA as the Bears have been blown out by Samford, an FCS peer, and then they played Okie State tough the following week. One thing is for sure, it won't be easy for either team. May the best team win and both teams move forward as injury free as possible.
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UCA
Sept 21, 2015 2:01:40 GMT
Post by DallasDemon on Sept 21, 2015 2:01:40 GMT
Not sure where you are coming up with "flashes of greatness". It is time for a gut check, a very disappointing start to this season no matter how you slice it.
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UCA
Sept 21, 2015 2:23:03 GMT
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Post by purplestorm on Sept 21, 2015 2:23:03 GMT
Well, Blumenthal coming in for relief against SLU was pretty great. Had we brought him in earlier, we could have possibly won that game. Blumenthal was solid against ULL, but J.D. Almond's relief against the Cajins was pretty good. Three sustained drives against an SEC defense this past weekend, one that held LSU to 21 points, is phenomenal. The only game we should lament is possibly SLU. We just aren't suited to compete w ULL this particular year and we wouldn't have beaten Miss State w our best team in history. So, all isn't bad. Our defense isn't good, but Jay isn't hiding that fact. Our offense has a chance to be really good the rest of the year. I have accepted that this might not be a great year, all in all, but we will have 80 percent of the team back next year and our QBs will be that much better. The fact is, we lost a lot of talent off last year's team and we just aren't in a place to reload yet. We have to rebuild and Jay has done quite well w Peveto's players. In fact, better than Peveto ever did w his own players. I mean ... we couldn't hardly beat Gambling when Peve was here and we knocked off LaTech and Sam last year. All is not bad and we're going to be OK.
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UCA
Sept 21, 2015 2:58:12 GMT
Post by DallasDemon on Sept 21, 2015 2:58:12 GMT
I'm glad you are optimistic and I wish I could share your view. However, to say just because we had 3 sustained drives against an SEC team is "phenomenal", we are setting the bar really low. If we cannot go into these games with the expectations to win something is wrong. There have been too many wins by other FCS teams already this year and several near wins. Mississippi State set a school record in offensive yards (647). That is really disappointing considering all of the great Mississippi State offensive teams of the past and especially considering they played their backup QB's the whole second half. If we are going to change then we have to change our outlook - we need to demand better results of this team.
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UCA
Sept 21, 2015 3:36:48 GMT
Post by Cajundemon11 on Sept 21, 2015 3:36:48 GMT
I agree 100% Dallas. I'm just never going to be okay with a game like yesterday. And our staff, players, and fan base shouldn't be either.
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UCA
Sept 21, 2015 9:20:02 GMT
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Post by purplestorm on Sept 21, 2015 9:20:02 GMT
Mississippi State is a Top 25 team and their backups scorched our third-teamers and walk-on's. One's and two's against one's and two's was more competitive. There isn't a team in FCS that could hang with them ... on their best day EVER. Too big, too fast and too good. North Dakota State, too, would get beaten handily by them, by the way. Dak Prescott is one of the best QB's in the country. If you are speaking of Auburn, they are not a good football team and that is why Jacksonville State took them to the wire ... and why LSU embarrassed them. By the way, Miss State missed a FG or they would have beaten LSU; a similar FG our kicker made in their stadium, by the way. As for ULL, we dropped two TD passes that would have made the score look better, but still would be a loss in the end. Sure, we aren't very good right now, but I am going to accept where we are and enjoy the ride. It's much less stressful. Have a nice day.
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UCA
Sept 21, 2015 11:57:03 GMT
Post by NSU2003 on Sept 21, 2015 11:57:03 GMT
I gotta disagree. There may not be any FCS teams that can score but there are a few defenses that would have held them to half of what they scored against us.
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UCA
Sept 22, 2015 6:10:28 GMT
Post by demons06 on Sept 22, 2015 6:10:28 GMT
I don't see any FCS team in the country beating State and not many, if any at all, could keep it close till the end. They will win several games in the SEC and I see them as a top 25 team in FBS. Not good at all to hear they set a school record for total offense, but this is probably the best offense in Mississippi State history. Dak Prescott is a top 5 college quarterback and won't be shocked if they set the school record for most total yards in a season.
We looked bad on defense. We couldn't stop them and it seamed like they could almost take a big play whenever they wanted. Some of that has to do with how good their offense is, but I just don't know how we gave up big play after big play. However, I wouldn't doubt that Miss State was one of the best football teams we have ever lined up against. We will see how they finish this season, but I couldn't imagine them not being one of the 10 best teams NSU has ever played. I know LSU finished 2 or 3 a few years ago when we played them and Georgia finished top 5 or 10 when we played them in early 2000's, but State is legit.
Especially looking back at it I'm pleased with how the offense looked. That might not have been the best SEC defense, but at times we straight up pushed their D-Line around. Think about how we've moved the ball against the BCS conference opponents in years past. We damn sure never had any 15 play, 8 minute TD drives against LSU, Baylor, or Texas Tech. Just a thought.
It was a pleasure to watch Adkins move the offense the past 2 seasons, in my opinion he is the best QB to wear a Demons jersey since Craig Nall. We are so deep and talented at WR but just don't have the same type/caliber guy at QB to run the same offense. As much as these last three loses have sucked, it might have taken this long to fully figure out our identity on offense. The O-Line and RB's might end up being our strongest groups. I've even seen good down field blocking by the receivers, especially noticing Cody Jones.
Still not certain what to expect at QB or if the coaches are even sure. I agree that its difficult and almost not fair to play 4 qb's in a game, but I'm good with giving all of them one more shot before (hopefully/possibly) settling on a qb. Rivers played the 1st 2 possessions of the season and hasn't gotten back in since so I think he deserved some game time and he didn't look awful. Almond got his first action this week and looked good.
I'm sure UCA is going to show up ready to play, but I think we will too. Defense has to step it up big time. Not sure who to expect at QB but my vote is Almond. I think he's a winner and wish he could've gotten at least another series on Saturday. I'd love it if we come out and run the football on everyone this season, but we are going to have to be able to throw the football some and I think he's the guy to run the offense and get that done.
Our special teams have been solid, but Moore and Wickman have been awesome with their kicking and punting duties. Ready to see us come out ready to go Saturday and get a big conference win.
Fork'em
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UCA
Sept 22, 2015 11:57:13 GMT
Post by NSU2003 on Sept 22, 2015 11:57:13 GMT
Did anyone else notice Lamar knocked off Sam Houston? This after Sam gave Texas Tech all they wanted out in Lubbock in a score fest.
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UCA
Sept 22, 2015 14:25:48 GMT
Post by UCABEAR on Sept 22, 2015 14:25:48 GMT
Good morning Demon fans! This Bear will be at the game and was wondering where to stay and what to visit that saturday. Where is the best place to eat also. Thanks!
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UCA
Sept 22, 2015 16:30:27 GMT
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Post by purplestorm on Sept 22, 2015 16:30:27 GMT
I watched some of the Lamar/Sam game. Lamar's offense is very good!!! Our game with the Cardinals will be a challenge, no doubt.
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UCA
Sept 22, 2015 16:35:52 GMT
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Post by purplestorm on Sept 22, 2015 16:35:52 GMT
UCABear -- Any restaurant along Front Street (Riverfront/Downtown) is good -- Mama's, Papa's, Hana, Cane River Bar and Grill, Pioneer Pub, The Landing, Merci Beaucoup and Lasyone's. Mariner's on Sibley Lake is good, as well. Nicky's Mexican Restaurant and Peggy's Homemade Pizza on Hwy 6 are pretty good, too. Church Street Inn in Downtown, the plethora of B&B's near downtown or hotels out on I-49 and Hwy 6 will suffice, as well. Safe travels!
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UCA
Sept 22, 2015 18:57:08 GMT
Post by Footballfan on Sept 22, 2015 18:57:08 GMT
I've followed NSU football since Coach T was hired. I've been around Football for over 40 years in some way or another.(Player,Coach,Father of sons playing,Fan) Here's how I see it. It takes 3 to 4 years before a staff can put their own players on the field. Until then they are playing with the previous staff's players. Not trying to offend anyone, but there are players on the field that should not be out there. Coaches tend to play it safe and start the older players even though they may not be productive. Even Coach T's players that are getting playing time are young and not developed or very experienced. A big issue that I see is that the NSU players are being manhandled. They are not strong enough to hold their own. It's been researched and proven over time that a strength program cannot be a completely olympic or powerlifting program. They must be combined to develop top quality athletes. Coach Coachman's insistence on making the program an olympic lift program has left the players weaker than their opponents. He may love olympic lifting as his hobby, but what works for him may not work for a 300 pound lineman or 230 pound linebacker, etc... They are loosing at the line of scrimmage. Offensive linemen aren't making holes for the backs and not giving the QB time to go through his progressions. Their opponents are pushing them into the backfield and getting off their blocks and making tackles without much trouble. Defensive linemen are being driven back into the linebackers and are having difficulties getting off blocks. They are also jumping around blocks and not making the play. Receivers are not staying on their blocks long enough for the backs to get by. They stop blocking and start looking for the back. That allows the player that they are engaged with to get loose. Running backs are going too wide and not finding their lanes. Linebackers are floating laterally, missing tackles, and not shedding blocks. I would prefer to have a backer make 5 tackles at the line of scrimmage rather than 10 tackles 15 yards down field. Safeties are taking poor angles to the ball and are missing tackles because they are not under control when they get to the ball carrier. Corner backs are so concerned with stopping the run that they cannot focus on the receivers that they have in coverage. I won't go into the QB situation. They have been running for their lives so it's hard to know what they can do. Special teams have looked good. Coach T can say what he wants, but they have a lot more work to do than he implies. The good news is most can be corrected from week to week. The bad news is that the strength and athletic issues can't be resolved during the season. Just my two cents.
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UCA
Sept 22, 2015 23:20:25 GMT
Post by purplestorm on Sept 22, 2015 23:20:25 GMT
Everything revolves around QB, the OL and DL. Our QB issue might be iffy right now, but we have Hazlewood for one more year and Almond and Blumenthal for two more years. And the young man being redshirted, Skinner, can flat-out toss the rock, too. Our OL was blowing MSU's DL off the ball in the 3rd Quarter. It's the first time this year I've seen us truly flex our muscles in that area. Yes, it was against MSU's 2nd string DL, but those are still SEC athletes. Our DL is coming around and will be good next year. Our LB's need help and are too light in the britches in a couple places and our DB's, namely our CB's, are puppies or transfers and have a long way to go yet. I agree we are playing a few players that may be in over their head, but they're giving their all and I'm OK with that. There's no way we'd have a good enough team to win conference this year anyway. We lost a TON of talent from last year's team. As I said before, we under-performed last year by a bit. Well, we were highway robbed of a playoff appearance in the last game, but those things happen. We probably should have won at least one more game last year, too ... that being the meltdown against Missouri State. But, we didn't and we are where we are and we must accept where we are to enjoy what this kind of season can bring us. Jay has taken Peveto's players and done his best with them. Peve had some good players, no doubt, and Peve also recruited some guys that shouldn't be playing Division I football. It happens. I can guarantee you Jay Thomas will change a lot about the makeup of our team over the next couple years. If you don't believe me, look at the size of the OL and DL he's brought in as of late. Look at the size of the LB's he's had transfer in. Look at the size of our DB's and our future dynamo FB/HB. Jay knows what he's doing, but he might be in a conundrum right now that will take a season to fix. I can't speak for conditioning issues. That's beyond my fan forum pay grade. My advice is to relax and enjoy the ride. None of us -- young to old -- are guaranteed tomorrow, so to even be sitting under an AC, enjoying dinner -- be it a sandwich or a four-course meal -- typing on a fan forum discussing college football is a blessing. Have a nice evening. See y'all Saturday ... Lord willing and the creeks don't rise.
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UCA
Sept 23, 2015 2:19:46 GMT
Post by UCABEAR on Sept 23, 2015 2:19:46 GMT
Thanks for the info on the area. We've booked 2 nights there because even though we've driven through it, we've never had a chance to stay. Let's enjoy this one and may all the players go home healthy!
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