UNBELIEVABLE FINISH

BelieveNBG · Post by **BelieveNBG** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:46 am

NIU choked in my opinion. They had the ball twice with the opportunity to put the game away, but Novak chose to run the ball to eat clock and give Akron the ball back. Knowing that they were only up by six, why give the ball back? Get a first down and the game is over. The biggest choke of all was calling time out and allowing Akron to set up a play and then coming out on the field with that defense. Why play your normal defense?
Why were the safeties and corners not sitting back deep protecting the goal line? They should have never lined up in a way that would allow them to make that play. They should have played hail mary type defense. It was quite obvious that Akron would throw to the endzone. They did not have any timeouts left and would have been hard pressed to get down the field and set up for another play. They had to go for it all.

ffejfalcon · Post by **ffejfalcon** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:05 am

It was fixed...Everything fell into Akrons lap this year...

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:29 am

BelieveNBG wrote:NIU choked in my opinion. They had the ball twice with the opportunity to put the game away, but Novak chose to run the ball to eat clock and give Akron the ball back. Knowing that they were only up by six, why give the ball back? Get a first down and the game is over. The biggest choke of all was calling time out and allowing Akron to set up a play and then coming out on the field with that defense. Why play your normal defense?
Why were the safeties and corners not sitting back deep protecting the goal line? They should have never lined up in a way that would allow them to make that play. They should have played hail mary type defense. It was quite obvious that Akron would throw to the endzone. They did not have any timeouts left and would have been hard pressed to get down the field and set up for another play. They had to go for it all.

They had plenty of time (17 seconds maybe?) to run 2-3 plays plus spikes to get to the goal line and maybe have one last play from the ten. The middle of the field was still open if it was beyond the first down marker. It was hardly obvious that they were going for the end zone to NIU. Plus, NIU did have the safety dropping back, Getsy just made a great pump and the safety bit on the inside route. Getsy then made a perfect throw. The play wasn't defended terribly, the execution by the offense was simply perfect.

As others have said. NIU got beat, they didn't lose or choke. Choking or losing by bad coaching is what we did in the 4th and OT against Toledo.

Falcon52 · Post by **Falcon52** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:13 am

I am really happy for Akron. I actually feel better about getting beat by them now then I did yesterday at this time.

For Akron there is something magical about their season. They have chemistry. Something I think BG lacked this year and last year. We have the talent, we just did not have the magical chemistry that is sometimes needed. I always fealt that this years team acted like they were owed, or that they would automically just win the East. I fealt there was a lack of fire and determination, or maybe it was just a sense of - lack of urgency.

Chemistry and a few plays that bounce your way make for an exciting unexpected magical year for Akron. It is going to be one that they talk about and remember for a long time. I hope they win the MCB.

Maybe we can find some of that magic over the off-season.

BelieveNBG · Post by **BelieveNBG** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:19 am

Sorry...I still say horrible defensive call. If they had caught anything short of the goal line, they would have had to get to the line, spike it, and run another successful play. I have seen several teams in that situation panic when trying to get lined up for the spike and never get off a good play. It would have taken two successful plays and no time for any screw ups. I just think it was poor defense. At miminum, they should have at least left the safeties back deep to help for the long ball.

Yes, the play was good by Akron and yes, they deserved the win, but NIU gave 'em what they wanted. Not to mention that NIU gave them the ball back with only one poor attempt at getting a first down. First down and game is over, but they got very very conservative in the end and played to not lose...sound familiar???

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:26 am

BelieveNBG wrote:Sorry...I still say horrible defensive call. If they had caught anything short of the goal line, they would have had to get to the line, spike it, and run another successful play. I have seen several teams in that situation panic when trying to get lined up for the spike and never get off a good play. It would have taken two successful plays and no time for any screw ups. I just think it was poor defense. At miminum, they should have at least left the safeties back deep to help for the long ball.

Yes, the play was good by Akron and yes, they deserved the win, but NIU gave 'em what they wanted. Not to mention that NIU gave them the ball back with only one poor attempt at getting a first down. First down and game is over, but they got very very conservative in the end and played to not lose...sound familiar???

Agreed unfortunately on the latter. I agree with you for the most part, I'm just in an argumentative mood this morning. I'm just saying it was more coaching decisions than choking. The players played their guts out.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:28 am

NIU's freshman QB totally missed Powers 15 yards downfield from where he completed that 3rd and long pass to Hurd. A first down there seals it for the Huskies

BelieveNBG · Post by **BelieveNBG** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:34 am

I was surprised they ran the ball up the middle two plays in a row. Especially when the first time it was obvious that Akron was stacking up the middle. They did the exact same thing the prior series and Akron got the ball back and successfully was moving down the field. NIU got lucky and got the ball back on the tipped pass. I thought they would've learned their lesson and reallized that they could not give Akron the ball back, but then they came in and did the exact same thing.

CapitalFalcon · Post by **CapitalFalcon** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:57 pm

ffejfalcon wrote:It was fixed...Everything fell into Akrons lap this year...

Oh you did it now...The Black Helicopters on on their way if they haven't already gotten there!!!

Germainfitch1 · Post by **Germainfitch1** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:05 pm

BelieveNBG wrote:Sorry...I still say horrible defensive call. If they had caught anything short of the goal line, they would have had to get to the line, spike it, and run another successful play. I have seen several teams in that situation panic when trying to get lined up for the spike and never get off a good play. It would have taken two successful plays and no time for any screw ups. I just think it was poor defense. At miminum, they should have at least left the safeties back deep to help for the long ball.

Yes, the play was good by Akron and yes, they deserved the win, but NIU gave 'em what they wanted. Not to mention that NIU gave them the ball back with only one poor attempt at getting a first down. First down and game is over, but they got very very conservative in the end and played to not lose...sound familiar???

Compeltely agree, The defense on that last play was horrible

orangeandbrown · Post by **orangeandbrown** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:07 pm

I was on the NIU board this morning, and they kind of feel the same way. Say what you want about the prevent defense, but as far as I could see, NIU had only one safety deep on the TD pass at the end. If they have two, he's there to cover Hixon.

When NIU had the ball, they clearly were going to run twice and throw a safe pass and punt. And you know, if the only team's starting that deep with that little time, you should win the game.

Congratulations to Akron. I do feel badly for NIU, because I think they should be in the GMAC over Toledo, but much like us, they had their chance to win the game.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:46 pm

orangeandbrown wrote:I do feel badly for NIU, because I think they should be in the GMAC over Toledo, but much like us, they had their chance to win the game.

Right, but apparently the game that mattered in the bowl picture WAS their game against UT. They won that one, on the road. We have no room because we lost to both UT and Akron at home.

BelieveNBG · Post by **BelieveNBG** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:50 pm

Right, but apparently the game that mattered in the bowl picture WAS their game against UT. They won that one, on the road. We have no room because we lost to both UT and Akron at home.

Actually, that game didn't matter at all. What they found out was "win or lose" against Toledo and guess what, the GMAC still wants UT.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:34 pm

It was a very exciting game. Congrats to the Zips. They never gave up and believed they could come back and win.

I feel badly for NIU as well. They were in control by 10 pts but couldn't put Akron away.

Great game for the MAC.

orangeandbrown · Post by **orangeandbrown** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:51 pm

TG1996 wrote:
orangeandbrown wrote:I do feel badly for NIU, because I think they should be in the GMAC over Toledo, but much like us, they had their chance to win the game.
Right, but apparently the game that mattered in the bowl picture WAS their game against UT. They won that one, on the road. We have no room because we lost to both UT and Akron at home.

I think you are missing my point. The game that mattered was against Akron--if they win that, they're in a bowl. Much like us, they had their chance.