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Post by rc on Oct 8, 2021 20:15:17 GMT -6
The count down has begun. We have some injury issues, but hopefully the team is ready to go. Funny how this year seems more exciting to me than normal. I think it must be because it is the denouement and we all hope for success, the players, coaches, and fans. We are better this year, at least that is what it usually looks like to me. Now we enter the time that tests that theory. Go Wildcats (and a little less loudly, 'Horns.)
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Post by Outsider on Oct 9, 2021 7:54:14 GMT -6
Maturity will be tested tonight more than progress. Our actual progress is still in question and our maturity failed last weekend. Still, we can respond by playing a solid game with no turnovers or penalties. My only addition would be the test of conditioning. It seems that was finally catching up as well.
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Post by jaminthebody on Oct 9, 2021 8:23:31 GMT -6
This is a good test to get some respect in the FCS. It would also help with recruiting. There are a couple of Louisville kids following ACU coaches and we’ve offered one. Pierce Humpich is an interesting prospect that goes to a really good school.
Regarding the game, I am impressed that EKU has 9 interceptions this year already. I watched their press conference on Tuesday and the DBs look for opportunities to jump routes. I think that we might be able to fake throws and run good double moves, we have a good chance to score points. If we score a lot of points I like our chances. We also have to convert in the red zone. I think we are scoring 76% inside the 20, FGs and TDs. That has to get better. To me that is a bigger issue than our turnovers, we have lost a ton of points so far this year. EKU prides themselves on defense, so it will be a challenge. Their crowd is also going to be a challenge, from what I read they have one of the best game day atmospheres in the FCS. On their offense, their QB is a playmaker, he reminds me of the Nicholls QB that graduated in 2019, his name escapes me, but he always seemed to motivate his team and make a play when his team needed one. Also, EKU’s freshman running back has consecutive 100 has yard games. We have to be disciplined on Defense. One advantage we have is in special teams. EKU has at least one punt blocked this year and has some other issues with other punting situations, short punts and long returns. This could be the difference. I’m going with ACU 31 EKU 27. We will be in the RV category in the polls next week.
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Post by bogeyman on Oct 9, 2021 8:25:38 GMT -6
You can be the most well conditioned athlete in the world but if you are pressed to do more than you can do, you will get tired. You can only be at peak for so long. Our problem defensively last week was not conditioning but putting our defensive athletes in positions (2 fumbles and an interception) they had no right to be in for longer than they had a right to play. We seemed to make -0- adjustments to what UCA was doing to us and they kept doing what was working for them. They had the "perfect storm" for us, 2 athletes at WR who took away our best 2 defenders and the our depleted DL and LB could not stop the run, thus safeties had to make all the tackles (well down the field--Moffett 14 tackles and Bullock 9). If our DL and LB's can't stop the run, we'll continue to be in big time trouble. The following is my opinion only--we made a panicked move in the spring when we had few OL and moved Thielen from DT to OL. Now, I give you he may be very good on the OL (became a starter) but moving him from the DL where he was starting to shine has hurt us more than anyone will admit. We seem to have a glut now at OL and because of Titre's injury we are hurting on the DL (yes, we have numbers but our quality has been tested).
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Post by rc on Oct 9, 2021 9:30:37 GMT -6
Brannon (foot) and Titre will be missed for sure. The D will need to step up big time. There are probably other injuries by this time of year, but everyone has injuries, we just need for our other teamers to step up and surprise us with excellent play. I see Bogey's point and thought of it this way. We are in good physical condition but we got mentally down when the hard defensive work was gifted away through fumbles and an interception. We had a flat tire feeling. All work and no celebration makes for a difficult second half. It felt like if we only had taken advantage of a couple of opportunities, the whole team would have come alive far better.
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Post by catfanatic on Oct 9, 2021 9:33:05 GMT -6
Tell you what I can about our team. Last year was Coach Wells first year. Tough year to start. We were 3-6. with losses to three FBS schools, West Virginia, Marshall and Troy. Troy beat us on last minute drive. We split with Central Arkansas, both winning at home. Lost to SFA and Houston Baptist with #3 QB taking most of snaps. #1 played sparingly late with injury. Then handled Western Carolina without a lot of problems ending the season. We were hit pretty hard late in season by Covid. Really rough season for new coach. We are a different team this year. Picked up some talented transfers but still learning to play together. Lots of Freshmen, We have a 4th year Soph QB. Worked out because of Injuries to ALL QBs his Freshman he got too play in final three games without giving up redshirt. Last year was a covid year so technically he is still redshirt Soph. He went out with a shoulder in the UCA game and missed most of balance of season. Back this year and has played very well. His back up is Auburn transfer Cord Sandburg. Cord is 26 year old senior Grad. that played a few years of MLB in the Phillys org before going to Auburn. #3 is Freshman. O-line is made up of tranfers and youngers guys learning to play together. Good size and improving every week . Our Stud RB opted out out last year and did not return. We have struggled with run game with but did better last week. Maybe starting to come around Our #2 from last year is our with preseason injury DA'JOUN HEWITT , a late RS freshman transfer from Purdue is carrying most of the load. Couple talented guys behind him but all true Freshman. Very talented at WR but VERY young and have had trouble keeping them all healthy. As a whole Offense is improving every week. Just a lot of new faces trying to learn a new system under fire. Defense is without a doubt our strong point. Big talented DL. would like to be a little longer at the edges but getting there. Although we lost a really good Sam linebacker for the season against Indiana St. we are still strong there, Jr. Matthew Jackson was pre season. on All American and playing up to accolades D backs are pretty strong, quick but injuries have caused us to "mix and Match" safeties and corners but they have preformed well. I think 6 ints and three pic 6. Although we have good talent in Kickers, Special teams have hurt us this year. Two Special teams turnovers in Indiana state game and Blocked put in End Zone for TD against Austin Peay. Kicker usually kicks into end Zone and is honest threat anything inside 55 yrs. Hit a 48 yard into strong wind last week. Perfect on PATs. I realize this is pretty vague but only have so much room, be glad to answer any questions. Check us out at www.maroon-nation.com/forum/Colonel, if you these this response, curious about your take on EKU’s move to the ASUN, and what you think will become of the OVC?
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Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Oct 9, 2021 9:39:27 GMT -6
Tell you what I can about our team. Last year was Coach Wells first year. Tough year to start. We were 3-6. with losses to three FBS schools, West Virginia, Marshall and Troy. Troy beat us on last minute drive. We split with Central Arkansas, both winning at home. Lost to SFA and Houston Baptist with #3 QB taking most of snaps. #1 played sparingly late with injury. Then handled Western Carolina without a lot of problems ending the season. We were hit pretty hard late in season by Covid. Really rough season for new coach. We are a different team this year. Picked up some talented transfers but still learning to play together. Lots of Freshmen, We have a 4th year Soph QB. Worked out because of Injuries to ALL QBs his Freshman he got too play in final three games without giving up redshirt. Last year was a covid year so technically he is still redshirt Soph. He went out with a shoulder in the UCA game and missed most of balance of season. Back this year and has played very well. His back up is Auburn transfer Cord Sandburg. Cord is 26 year old senior Grad. that played a few years of MLB in the Phillys org before going to Auburn. #3 is Freshman. O-line is made up of tranfers and youngers guys learning to play together. Good size and improving every week . Our Stud RB opted out out last year and did not return. We have struggled with run game with but did better last week. Maybe starting to come around Our #2 from last year is our with preseason injury DA'JOUN HEWITT , a late RS freshman transfer from Purdue is carrying most of the load. Couple talented guys behind him but all true Freshman. Very talented at WR but VERY young and have had trouble keeping them all healthy. As a whole Offense is improving every week. Just a lot of new faces trying to learn a new system under fire. Defense is without a doubt our strong point. Big talented DL. would like to be a little longer at the edges but getting there. Although we lost a really good Sam linebacker for the season against Indiana St. we are still strong there, Jr. Matthew Jackson was pre season. on All American and playing up to accolades D backs are pretty strong, quick but injuries have caused us to "mix and Match" safeties and corners but they have preformed well. I think 6 ints and three pic 6. Although we have good talent in Kickers, Special teams have hurt us this year. Two Special teams turnovers in Indiana state game and Blocked put in End Zone for TD against Austin Peay. Kicker usually kicks into end Zone and is honest threat anything inside 55 yrs. Hit a 48 yard into strong wind last week. Perfect on PATs. I realize this is pretty vague but only have so much room, be glad to answer any questions. Check us out at www.maroon-nation.com/forum/Colonel, if you these this response, curious about your take on EKU’s move to the ASUN, and what you think will become of the OVC? Also, what are your thoughts about the ASUN potentially moving up to FBS and an ongoing scheduling alliance with the WAC?
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Post by kjmike1956 on Oct 9, 2021 13:45:19 GMT -6
I have been wavering on the outcome of this game, but I am guessing ACU over EKU 27-24.
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Post by jaminthebody on Oct 9, 2021 16:07:26 GMT -6
This uniform ruling is absolute BULLCRAP!
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Post by PurpleHaze on Oct 9, 2021 16:07:59 GMT -6
So we lose two timeouts and assessed personal foul right off the bat for wearing the wrong jerseys. Second half will begin the same way. Wow.
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Post by jaminthebody on Oct 9, 2021 16:08:48 GMT -6
So we lose two timeouts and assessed personal foul right off the bat for wearing the wrong jerseys. Second half will begin the same way. Wow. The rule is non-contrasting colors. Gray does not equal maroon.
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Post by kjmike1956 on Oct 9, 2021 16:09:16 GMT -6
So we lose two timeouts and assessed personal foul right off the bat for wearing the wrong jerseys. Second half will begin the same way. Wow. This is the craziest penalty I have ever heard of.
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Post by jaminthebody on Oct 9, 2021 16:09:43 GMT -6
So we lose two timeouts and assessed personal foul right off the bat for wearing the wrong jerseys. Second half will begin the same way. Wow. This is the craziest penalty I have ever heard of. It’s 2 penalties, both halves.
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Post by EastTexasWildcat on Oct 9, 2021 16:09:52 GMT -6
Just got in and am trying to figure this uniform thing out. So what exactly is the issue?
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Post by jaminthebody on Oct 9, 2021 16:10:21 GMT -6
And these pxp guys are homers.
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