Knapke last 2 games

[gmartin]

The last two games our starting QB, Knapke is 25-51 for 191 yards. That's less than 4 yards per attempt.

Is he hurt? Is it the cold weather? Knapke certainly has gotten worse as the season progressed. I think it's time to play Calloway in the MAC Championship game as well as the bowl game to see what you have going into next year. Let's not assume Matty J is returning.

[jpfalcon09]

James Krapke

[factman]

The coaching may be a BIGGER problem!

[Flipper]

I'm going to have to actually agree with Dr Falcon here...coach Babers has this team play worse each week. You should be seeing improvement this time of year under a first year coach. Callaway needs to start the MACC...you sure as hell aren't going to win with Knapsack in there.

[FalconTurf]

Knapke hasn't played well but other factors concern me just as much.

Greene and Coppet gained almost half the running yards on 1 play by each. After that they often fought for their lives in the backfield as the O-line was dominated.

Our kick coverage couldn't seem to stop them inside the 30 while our kick return could barely get outside the 20.

The defense gave up button hooks and 5 and outs often making them bigger plays instantly.

The defense couldn't stop the run.

Ball State had more yards today's game than any other game against DI teams according to our radio broadcast (how many teams can say that this year).

Outside the first 5 minutes it is tough to find a positive. Very disappointing.

[bgdodgeball4]

The coaching may be a BIGGER problem!

BINGO!!!

But Knapke does suck. He is NOT a division I QB.

I think he's a D1 QB; this is his first full season starting in a new system, and not all QBs are suited for up-tempo offenses. He has talent and I think over the next few seasons he'll show some improvement and be solid.

But.. I don't think that's here as I think he'll transfer out this offseason. The writing is on the wall - Johnson will be back as the starter next season and Calloway has shown enough that he'll overtake him as backup. You've also got Morgan coming in and Nicholas/Dieter still here. That's a lot of competition. A MAC Championship game appearance under his belt will allow him to get a ton of offers if he decides to leave. I could see him going to an FCS school and having some success.

[jpfalcon09]

Knapke is a Clawson recruit meant to run a pro style spread, expecting him to succeed in a tempo spread is asking for a lot. There's even no guarantee that Johnson would've had success this year, obviously we only saw him in one game and he played well but that was mostly in garbage time.

[MarkL]

Johnson played well the entire WKU game. If it weren't for receiver drops left and right including at least two dropped easy TDs and at least two other dropped easy third down conversions, he would have completely lit up WKU.

[hammb]

I've seen this dance a lot over the years as a Browns fan, and I'm afraid that the QB play is really destroying everything on this team right now. Certainly I'd like to see Babers make some adjustments (largely I'd probably move to Calloway). And I'd certainly like to see the rest of the team step up and make a statement as well, but I think what we have right now is the worst possible scenario for a football team. I see a QB that is playing SO poorly his team has lost all confidence in him. The defense has struggled, the run game has gone downhill, WRs are showing their discontent with the passes, etc.

A QB is only one man, but he's also the leader of your team. When the team has no faith in the QB, everybody's play suffers. I'm afraid that it's reached the point where the rest of the team has no confidence in Knapke...he's just not playing well. I hope to god that Babers either A) goes to Calloway early in the MACC, or B) figures out what the hell it is that Knapke can actually do well and focus the offense on that.

Yeah, Babers deserves some heat for this team playing worse every week, but I really think the decline of the team has mirrored teams getting enough film on Knapke to realize he is way too limited of a player to lead the offense. And, just like I said early in the year, if you're building your team around an up tempo offense you better be able to move the sticks and do it well. I have faith in the philosophy but it is predicated on actually MOVING the ball. If you're going 3 & out all the time the whole team will look like more of a trainwreck than it ever would if you were trying to control the ball and eat clock.

I fully expect the return of Matt Johnson next year to open some eyes about how good this system can be.

[Rollo83]

I miss Matt Johnson for sure, but Knapke gives us the best chance to win in this one. You know it, I know it and the coaches know it.

I sat in the Glass Bowl and watched Calloway after his touchdown pass surprised Toledo. The Rockets gathered themselves and started blitzing the young quarterback and we all saw what happened then. I think he was 1 for his last 12 pass attempts and got sacked 3 times. He was clueless in those situations...as you would expect him to be.

I am certainly not happy with the way Knapke has played down the stretch. I think he has left some plays and points on the field. But I don't put all the offensive problems entirely on him. There have been crucial times when he has put the ball in a spot where the receiver hasn't made the play. But more than that, I think the coaching staff has lost confidence in James. I think the playbook has shrunk considerably since the Indiana game, and I am not sure why?

At the postgame press conference on Friday, I asked Babers why they seemed reluctant to attack the middle of the field lately? He said he didn't agree with my statement and cited a catch by Burbrink over the middle for a first down and also mentioned that the deep ball to Lewis was in the middle of the field. I thought that was a weak answer.

Anyone breaking tape down of our offense the last few games can see how they are only letting Knapke throw sideways on wide receiver screens and bubble screens, or the deep balls...which are the equivalent of a punt if they get picked off. I think they are trying to avoid the interceptions by calling safer throws for Knapke. You can beat the likes of Ohio, Akron, Buffalo and Kent State with that strategy. But you run in to trouble when you play the better teams you need to score with to win.

Maybe Babers has been saving something for the MAC Championship Game? Maybe he'll open up the offense again? What does he have to lose at this point? Playing not to lose will get us beat by three scores in Detroit next week. If you have to live with some turnovers in this game, at least you go down giving yourself a chance to win. The play calling we have seen the last few weeks will not.

[kdog27]

I would like to see both of them play. At least give NIU something to defend other than the three plays Knapke can run.

[Redwingtom]

Let's not assume Matty J is returning.

Can anyone please explain to me why this is suddenly a meme around here?

I have seen NOTHING to indicate that Johnson won't be on the team next year. Can we please stop with this until we actually have seen SOMETHING to the contrary?!? Thanks.

[gmartin]

Unless something has changed Johnson is on schedule to graduate in May. Maybe he is interested in grad school at some other university. Maybe he wants to start his post college career. Not sure about his social life but maybe he is ready to be in a relationship. I'm just saying everyone thinks we will be a better team with him at QB next year but do we know if he is coming back. Even if he played this year was it a given he would even be back next year.

[Dayons_Den]

I would like to see both of them play. At least give NIU something to defend other than the three plays Knapke can run.

I've been thinking this for about a month, month and a half now, just never posted it.... He's mobile and fast, why not come up with a package where he comes in and "Wildcats" and picks up yards running, occasionally throwing. Similar to what Urban did with Tebow during the National Title run with Chris Leak as the fulltime QB. . . . Would pick up yards and keep the other team guessing.

I suppose they haven't done it because of game flow, Knapke needing reps etc., but with a title on the line maybe we'll see it..

[Falconfreak90]

Whoever can lead the O and score points, I'm good. Knapke has not played well the last couple weeks but neither has the O line. Callaway showed me enough to warrant playing time if James can't get us points. I want the title again...

Thanks for the correction, Flip.