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Something that hasn't been mentioned.....

CloneFan96

CloneFan96

Member
Apr 11, 2006
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I've spent the week re-watching this incredible season. One thing that has totally stood out in both the Oklahoma and Texas game is that by the 4th quarter our defense is totally dominating on the field.

I will admit I wasn't totally sold on constantly swapping out the defensive line the entire game. At ISU we always just throw our best 3-4 out there and ride them the entire game. But rotating them like we do we end up with a defensive line that starts to dominate late in the game. They might not in the 1st quarter but by the 4th we have them gassed and start getting a ton of pressure on the QB.

Not sure if it's the adjustments we make during the game or just the fact that we are a lot more fresh by the end. Do we rotate the DB's also? The depth they have built on the defensive line has really made the different in multiple games this year.

So if we are down in the first half tomorrow just keep your head up and know we will dominate the 4th quarter and probably win the game. It has been a recipe we have used many times!!
 
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CloneFan96 said:
I've spent the week re-watching this incredible season. One thing that has totally stood out in both the Oklahoma and Texas game is that by the 4th quarter our defense is totally dominating on the field.

I will admit I wasn't totally sold on constantly swapping out the defensive line the entire game. At ISU we always just throw our best 3-4 out there and ride them the entire game. But rotating them like we do we end up with a defensive line that starts to dominate late in the game. They might not in the 1st quarter but by the 4th we have them gassed and start getting a ton of pressure on the QB.

Not sure if it's the adjustments we make during the game or just the fact that we are a lot more fresh by the end. Do we rotate the DB's also? The depth they have built on the defensive line has really made the different in multiple games this year.

So if we are down in the first half tomorrow just keep your head up and know we will dominate the 4th quarter and probably win the game. It has been a recipe we have used many times!!
Click to expand...

I have, on several occasions, found myself ******* about not having Bailey, Enyi, etc. on the field during a given drive. But you are exactly right. Those guys have been able to be successful due to our depth and having very little dropoff.

I've always thought of the need for depth to be for injuries, but defensive line is so much about effort having fresh bodies on the field is huge.
 
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CloneFan96 said:
I've spent the week re-watching this incredible season. One thing that has totally stood out in both the Oklahoma and Texas game is that by the 4th quarter our defense is totally dominating on the field.

I will admit I wasn't totally sold on constantly swapping out the defensive line the entire game. At ISU we always just throw our best 3-4 out there and ride them the entire game. But rotating them like we do we end up with a defensive line that starts to dominate late in the game. They might not in the 1st quarter but by the 4th we have them gassed and start getting a ton of pressure on the QB.

Not sure if it's the adjustments we make during the game or just the fact that we are a lot more fresh by the end. Do we rotate the DB's also? The depth they have built on the defensive line has really made the different in multiple games this year.

So if we are down in the first half tomorrow just keep your head up and know we will dominate the 4th quarter and probably win the game. It has been a recipe we have used many times!!
Click to expand...

This is also why it is huge that ISU has been able to slow the pace on offense, run the ball and control the clock because on top of the rotation it lets their defense stay super fresh. In the fourth they can just completely go after it and they aren't gassed.
 
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If JaQuan Bailey and Will McDonald both played every snap, would they still be first team All-Big 12? Maybe, maybe not. But keeping them fresh makes them so much more dangerous when they're on the field.
 
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I also love it. That's how you develop depth, give people a chance in games. You might lose a battle here in there but win the war.
 
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Campbell rotates a lot. The younger DBs have been playing effectively. I’m also happy to see that both Horne and Vaughn are fast and hitters who look like they will be good LBs for us in the future, and they also look good on special teams.
 
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I’ll also never forget Jehvon Miller?? during Campbell’s first game in which we did get beat tweeting out BS that Matt Campbell wasn’t the answer. His takes were as good as his linebacker career at ISU.
 
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CycloneVet said:
I’ll also never forget Jehvon Miller?? during Campbell’s first game in which we did get beat tweeting out BS that Matt Campbell wasn’t the answer. His takes were as good as his linebacker career at ISU.
Click to expand...
Something was going on there. That was weird stuff IIRC.
 
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The thing though with Oklahoma is to not get down too much in the first half. Depth in the second half means squat if you are down 3 or more scores...good news is that we have the Brock and Breece show to keep the offense going.
 
CycloneVet said:
I’ll also never forget Jehvon Miller?? during Campbell’s first game in which we did get beat tweeting out BS that Matt Campbell wasn’t the answer. His takes were as good as his linebacker career at ISU.
Click to expand...

I forgot all about that kid.
 
Another thing that has been consistent with the defense is that we generally only rush three guys for the first 2-3 possessions and then open the flood gates. Once we dial up the pressure opposing offenses have really struggled.
 
Last edited:
CloneFan96 said:
I've spent the week re-watching this incredible season. One thing that has totally stood out in both the Oklahoma and Texas game is that by the 4th quarter our defense is totally dominating on the field.

I will admit I wasn't totally sold on constantly swapping out the defensive line the entire game. At ISU we always just throw our best 3-4 out there and ride them the entire game. But rotating them like we do we end up with a defensive line that starts to dominate late in the game. They might not in the 1st quarter but by the 4th we have them gassed and start getting a ton of pressure on the QB.

Not sure if it's the adjustments we make during the game or just the fact that we are a lot more fresh by the end. Do we rotate the DB's also? The depth they have built on the defensive line has really made the different in multiple games this year.

So if we are down in the first half tomorrow just keep your head up and know we will dominate the 4th quarter and probably win the game. It has been a recipe we have used many times!!
Click to expand...

Great point; this season has taught me to be confident for the 2nd half. I think you're on to something and the D has made huge plays in 4th Q.
 
There are two reasons why ISU is a dominant 2nd half/4th quarter team.

One is improved depth and willingness to play non-starters in critical moments throughout the year.

The second big one is it seems Heacock likes to be conservative in the first half, try to shorten the game, give up yards and FGs, have a really good idea of what adjustment to make coming out of the lockerroom. Meanwhile, the opposing OC probably sees that they moved the ball well, and probably don't need to adjust much. So the key is usually being able to keep the game close at the half. If so, I always like ISU's chances.
 
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AuH2O said:
There are two reasons why ISU is a dominant 2nd half/4th quarter team.

One is improved depth and willingness to play non-starters in critical moments throughout the year.

The second big one is it seems Heacock likes to be conservative in the first half, try to shorten the game, give up yards and FGs, have a really good idea of what adjustment to make coming out of the lockerroom. Meanwhile, the opposing OC probably sees that they moved the ball well, and probably don't need to adjust much. So the key is usually being able to keep the game close at the half. If so, I always like ISU's chances.
Click to expand...
You are spot on. Drives me crazy how conservative we are on D in the first half but as long as our defense can bend / not break and our offense can eat up some clock it has worked extremely well. Our offense really seems to be hitting their stride right now.
 
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