Official Post-Game Thread - ISU vs. SDSU

[jaretac]

That's a very unfair statement. When you have 202 yards of interception returns, your offensive numbers are going to go down because your defense is moving the ball down the field for you. Especially when 4 of your 5 picks are over 35 yards.

What are you talking about? I did not say our offense was a problem, I said that outside of the interceptions, our defense was a problem. We should of not have allowed 350 yards of offense against SDSU. I'm glad we won, but I have concerns about having to face high power Big12 attack when we can't stop SDSU except by interception.

 

[BigSkyCy2]

What are you talking about? I did not say our offense was a problem, I said that outside of the interceptions, our defense was a problem. We should of not have allowed 350 yards of offense against SDSU. I'm glad we won, but I have concerns about having to face high power Big12 attack when we can't stop SDSU except by interception.

I just went back through and re-read your post. I misread it. You were talking about our defense giving up 350 yards. The way I read it the first time was that you were upset because we only had 350 yards of offense against SDSU.

No worries. I shouldn't be up right now reading this anyway. Gotta drive back to CR tomorrow and work all day.

 

[ISUclones33]

I havent read through all of these, But overall I think there were some good things tonight, One is that the guys were real fired up, we knew that was coming, they were almost too fired up- personal fouls.. that will not be good for them come next practice.

However, listening to phone calls, and reading a few things... I agree this was a good first game, But damn we are far off right now from where we can be. I think i might be the only one that is kind of dissapointed here that we didnt actually hang about 70 points on SDSU. SDSU had no business being on that field with a big 12 team. And that running back had NO business rushing for over 100 yards. That being said, I think our areas of concern right now are in the heart of our D "the middle"-- Pass coverage by the linebackers over the middle, and at Free Safety. I felt very weak watching that running back get tapped at the line of scrimmage and then roll off 5 more yards, he was rarely hit in the back field and we never had much pressure on the QB, even though he did make about 4 really bad throws.

On the flip side, the D line was playing heads up ball tonight with the INTs, Kennard Banks, from what ive heard has a broken wrist. It probably wont keep him out all year, but a big loss.

Offense looked decent, not as productive against a 1AA team as they could have been.

And I cant believe everyone is still stuck on Arnaud, Yeah he plays good back there, But every time Phil took off with the ball it was an easy 7+ yards That is a huuuge dimension he adds to the game, Not to mention he had some nice passes, only one where he got hit on the release was bad. Give him some time and he will win your hearts

Bottom line, It was good to be back in the stadium, we did see many good things, for the season and for the future, But keep everyone level headed, It was boys against men out there, SDSU was small, and pretty bad. If we make the same mistakes against Kent State, we are in for a game, in trouble. Cant wait for next Sat. :yes:

 

[BryceC]

I havent read through all of these, But overall I think there were some good things tonight, One is that the guys were real fired up, we knew that was coming, they were almost too fired up- personal fouls.. that will not be good for them come next practice.

However, listening to phone calls, and reading a few things... I agree this was a good first game, But damn we are far off right now from where we can be. I think i might be the only one that is kind of dissapointed here that we didnt actually hang about 70 points on SDSU. SDSU had no business being on that field with a big 12 team. And that running back had NO business rushing for over 100 yards. That being said, I think our areas of concern right now are in the heart of our D \"the middle\"-- Pass coverage by the linebackers over the middle, and at Free Safety. I felt very weak watching that running back get tapped at the line of scrimmage and then roll off 5 more yards, he was rarely hit in the back field and we never had much pressure on the QB, even though he did make about 4 really bad throws.

On the flip side, the D line was playing heads up ball tonight with the INTs, Kennard Banks, from what ive heard has a broken wrist. It probably wont keep him out all year, but a big loss.

Offense looked decent, not as productive against a 1AA team as they could have been.

And I cant believe everyone is still stuck on Arnaud, Yeah he plays good back there, But every time Phil took off with the ball it was an easy 7+ yards That is a huuuge dimension he adds to the game, Not to mention he had some nice passes, only one where he got hit on the release was bad. Give him some time and he will win your hearts

Bottom line, It was good to be back in the stadium, we did see many good things, for the season and for the future, But keep everyone level headed, It was boys against men out there, SDSU was small, and pretty bad. If we make the same mistakes against Kent State, we are in for a game, in trouble. Cant wait for next Sat. :yes:

Completely agree with everything here, especially the interior defense comment.

 

[Rogue52]

Hard to get a good sense of things from tonights game, but overall, I think it went well. We'll know more next week.

 

[candg4ever]

Go, Boney Mahoney! It's nice to have a dependable kicker!

Man, that guy is rock-solid. I was really impressed. :notworthy::notworthy:

 

[candg4ever]

I'll start with not 3 fumbles. And not 3 unnecessary roughness penalties. There were a lot of positives to this game, and I love walking away with a big win. But you can't beat Big XII teams with 3 fumbles and bad penalties, so I hope they learn quick.

We played a ton of freshmen in front of over 46,000. Give 'em a break. :no:

 

[candg4ever]

Don't have time to read all posts, but will say this. All-in-all, a decent opener, as somebody else said, that's why we schedule these teams. A little concerned about the fumbles, but don't think it will be a recurring problem. I think AA is our best bet at QB, but agree Bates has a huge upside. He's not going to be able to dance thru the defense in the Big 12 like he did tonight, he'll get hit from 8 directions at once, they're a lot faster to the ball.

 

[besserheimerphat]

What are you talking about? I did not say our offense was a problem, I said that outside of the interceptions, our defense was a problem. We should of not have allowed 350 yards of offense against SDSU. I'm glad we won, but I have concerns about having to face high power Big12 attack when we can't stop SDSU except by interception.

It was mentioned earlier, but you need to consider the 80 some yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the game here. They really came away with closer to 270 yards and 10 points. The way the game had been going, it is unlikely that they would have had that production by sustaining a drive.

 

[scubapohl1]

On the D-line, I did read that one of SDSU's O-lineman is a pre season 1st team All American or something like that. I know that doesn't account for everything but I'm sure that was a factor on at least one side of the ball.

 

[cyclonenum1]

To use the old Elvis motto...TCB (takin' care of business)!

I was able to listen online so it is tough to really get a read from that but a few observations after listening, reviewing the stats, and looking at some online pictures:

+The new unis look awesome!
+Clearly, SDSU is not a Big 12 caliber team but we did pretty much what we were supposed to do...beat them with little doubt that we would impose our will. Correct me if I am wrong, but it has been a number of years since we have had a "no doubt" beat down of a non-conference foe.
+Chizik is putting his stamp on the defense quickly...a quick ball hawking secondary with guys that can also stick.
+We are playing a lot of young guys...especially a lot of freshman...which bodes well for us.
+It would appear that the overall team speed is improved dramatically...we will be able to tell much more when we start lining up against Big 12 competition but indications were good last night.
+It appears that our effort and will to compete are improved.
+It looks like we have a reliable kicking game.
+It was a decent overall effort but we have some notable areas to improve on...ball security and mental mistakes (penalties). They always say the most improvement from a team is between week 1 and week 2...I say Kent State better be ready to accept their beat down next weekend!

 

[dmclone]

I really wish they would put the name on the back of the jerseys.

 

[iowast8fan]

Quick hitters from me:

Where was J.J. Bass?

Need more pressure on the QB. Only had one sack that I can remember.

Too many dumb personal foul penalties (4). Make 'em run stairs.

Bates was trying too hard to make an impact when he fumbled.

Athleticism has obviously been upgraded.

Defense look really good for the most part....but my exuberance is tempered in light of the opposition.

Should have been up about 35-0 at half. Those were some really careless turnovers.

Felt good to have a comfortable win at home for the first time since probably the Okie State game in 2005.

I thought our QB pressure was pretty good. SDSU's QB got rid of the football very fast, but mostly because he had to. We had a few really great hits on their QB just as he got rid of the ball.

The 3 fumbles early made me very nervous, but the defense fixed it all 3 times. It was amazing.

 

[cyclonenum1]

I really wish they would put the name on the back of the jerseys.

Not me...no names on the back is both classy and classic. I wish basketball would go back to not having the names on the back.

 

[iowast8fan]

My opinion is that AA took a huge lead in the QB race. Bates had a fumble early on. His hand-offs didn't look too clean to me. He also had a couple miscues, but made up for them with some great runs. He won't be able to correct himself with great runs against better opponents.

To me, AA looked like a starter out there, and Bates looked like a backup. Just my opinion.

 

[83Clone]

I agree Arnaud separated from Bates in the QB competition, he seemed more poised to me. He has a huge advantage in that it's his third year on campus, even though only second year in the system.

Mahoney was huge, remember they are kicking off from the 30 this year and he was getting it inside the 5 with regularity.

When was the last time we beat ANYBODY bad enough people could leave before the third quarter was over? Great job out of the students, they were loud, leading cheers, and they stayed the whole game.

I think the turnover problem will take care of itself-we clearly can't fumble going in for a score when the competition picks up.

Overall I see major improvement over the first game last year, so I am cautiously optimisitic

 

[isucyfan]

My opinion is that AA took a huge lead in the QB race. Bates had a fumble early on. His hand-offs didn't look too clean to me. He also had a couple miscues, but made up for them with some great runs. He won't be able to correct himself with great runs against better opponents.

To me, AA looked like a starter out there, and Bates looked like a backup. Just my opinion.

I partially agree with you, but after Bates shook off the initial butterflies, he was pretty darn good. That pass to Sed, the runs he broke off, etc. He has the ability to change a game with his legs.

I agree that AA provides more poise and better passing at this point, but there will be times this year when we don't need steadiness, we will need someone to come in and make something happen.

 

[iowast8fan]

I partially agree with you, but after Bates shook off the initial butterflies, he was pretty darn good. That pass to Sed, the runs he broke off, etc. He has the ability to change a game with his legs.

I agree that AA provides more poise and better passing at this point, but there will be times this year when we don't need steadiness, we will need someone to come in and make something happen.

While I agree Bates can make things happen with his feet, I just want to point out that even in the 4th quarter, Bates turned the wrong way for a hand-off. No one was there, so he was forced to take it himself. It led to a good run by Bates, but a better team would have stuffed him. The QB, of all people, should know the play. However, fantastic footwork by Bates.

 

[isucyfan]

While I agree Bates can make things happen with his feet, I just want to point out that even in the 4th quarter, Bates turned the wrong way for a hand-off. No one was there, so he was forced to take it himself. It led to a good run by Bates, but a better team would have stuffed him. The QB, of all people, should know the play. However, fantastic footwork by Bates.

I hear ya. He definitely looks less polished. But he really glides when he runs. I can see why the staff likes him so much.

 

[83Clone]

I agree Arnaud separated from Bates in the QB competition, he seemed more poised to me. He has a huge advantage in that it's his third year on campus, even though only second year in the system.

Mahoney was huge, remember they are kicking off from the 30 this year and he was getting it inside the 5 with regularity.

When was the last time we beat ANYBODY bad enough people could leave before the third quarter was over? Great job out of the students, they were loud, leading cheers, and they stayed the whole game.




Overall I see major improvement over the first game last year, so I am cautiously optimisitic

One more thought-no punts, so once we fixed the turnover issue in the first half, we scored on every possession