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What a long freaking trip! On the way out of the place, random NIU fans were chatting with me about how it was going to be a long ride home and boy were they right! First off, I was extremely impressed with their fans. There were a few who got on my nerves but that was only because I had to open my mouth after the first score. Other than that, they weren't terribly rude, didn't throw things, and were quite talk-a-tive. I'm sure it's because they won but still. The only thing that did upset me with them is the fact that there was a momment of silence for Aaron Richardson at the beginning of the game and their fans just kept beating the thunder sticks together. That was just plain rude.

The refs were HORRIBLE!!! There were holding plays both ways they were missing all night. NIU got screwed with a pass interference call that was not called in the endzone. They also had a fumble in the endzone that was given to them as a touchdown so maybe it all balances out. On their RB's 42 yard TD run, I noticed 2 NIU guys holding and when they showed the replay it was quite obvious.

The offense I was a little worried about until their final drive in the 4th quarter. They showed they still no how to play screens and quick outs all the way down the field which in turn can get you good yardage. Early in the game, Omar was dead on but receivers were dropping some big plays. I don't know if Omar missed this one, but in the 3rd, Magner juked left and then went right and was wide open in the endzone running for 5 yards. He then stopped in the corner and started waving his arms and still never got the ball. I could see there were no DB's or LB's in between so there should have been an easy 7.

My biggest concern was the defense. I was looking around the turnpike on the way home to see if their bus had broken down on the way there because they just didn't show up. I think the D-Line didn't do too bad but there wasn't a whole lot run straight up the middle. We needed more linebackers in the box to stop the run but our secondary just could not play one-on-one tonight. A lot of you might think their running game was the best, but I'm going to say it was more through the air. Almost to the point where it reminded me of Miami last year. The only difference was that their receivers were making some crazy tipped ball catches and crap like that. Out of the entire game, the only punt I can seem to remember from NIU was their first drive of the game. That can't be happening.

When they watch the game film, they will know what they did wrong if they haven't by now. I am almost certain they are going to attempt to change things up but if not, this isn't going to be that great of a season. While saying NIU's passing game was better than their running game, I still believe they killed us on the ground. With that said, Eastern and Turdledo could easily do the same to us. I just hope things change because I don't want to see a game played like that again. Great turn-out there by the Falcon fans considering the drive too! GO FALCONS!!!

Good to see you, as well as a lot of others, at that McD's on the turnpike there. No words were said really, we all jsut knew what we were all thinking.

The refs I thought weren't completely hiddeous, that fumble TD they got was bad, and some of the more than generous spots they got were quite aggrivating, but other than that, i didnt catch too much else, but Im sure you would make those holding calls up, I prolly jsut missed them.

I agree with the rest of your post. Our D is a big concern to me now. Did we even blitz them once last night? If we called one, it sure didnt look like it. We cant stop the run agaisnt anyone. They ran a Toledo offense t=against us alst night, and we got p0wned. I am so worried about that Toledo game now, more than ever. I thought this was the year to win in Toledo, but not so much now.

McMetz811 wrote:The only thing that did upset me with them is the fact that there was a momment of silence for Aaron Richardson at the beginning of the game and their fans just kept beating the thunder sticks together. That was just plain rude.

I will give their students the benefit of the doubt. They were really loud when the announcement was made and some may not have heard. Overall, I thought their fans were very pleasant and I have nothing bad to say about any of their fans' behavior.

Here are a couple of my thoughts -- We went right down the field on the first drive and then stuffed them on their first drive. On the second drive, we mixed the short passing game with P.J. draws and Omar runs. Then we got to the 30 or so and run a stretch play for nothing and an option play on 3rd and 2 for a loss of 5. They block the kick and kept the momentum for the rest of the game. If we get that drive in the endzone, I think the game is over. Their gameplan would have changed and the run would not have been so prominent (much like last year). But, we got two terrible play calls and they made a big play, which is something we did not do the entire game. From that blocked kick on, NIU looked unbeatable. They are a very, very solid team.

Second, I looked up our scoring margin in the third quarters over the last couple years. In 2002 (with UM), we outscored opponents 93-79 in the 3rd. In 2003, we were outscored 91-81 (including 14-0 and 21-3 versus Miami) in the 3rd. OU took us 13-0 in the 3rd in the first game of this year. Last night, NIU killed us in the 3rd. The 3rd quarter has been by far our worst over that time. Does anybody else think this may have to do with lousy adjustments at halftime by our coaches and good adjustments by our opponents? NIU did not run a highly complicated offense last night. Off tackle with a pulling guard ALL NIGHT and corner routes in between our corners and safeties. Did we not realize this??

Last night was a huge disappointment and I can only hope that the team does not pack it in for the season as I had originally done after the game last night. I'll keep my hopes up for a miracle West Division championship, but our chances are between slim and none.

As BG football in the MAC, we have 3 season goals every year:

1. OOC games to make a point.
2. Win the West.
3. Win the MACC
4. Beat Toledo.


And this year we have the MAC honor of giving marshall a going away gift.


LET'S GET IT DONE!

We might have to add #5 to that list, beat NIU! The NIU game has hurt us in two of the last three years and has been huge the past two seasons. We'll see how big it is this year.

If you think NIU is a long trip, try driving straight through to Norman!!

I bet yesterdays drive home was longer than the drive out, and I don't mean because of the time change....

pardonfan wrote:If you think NIU is a long trip, try driving straight through to Norman!!

I bet yesterdays drive home was longer than the drive out, and I don't mean because of the time change....

I'm certain the players will agree with you there.

BGSUfanatUT wrote:Good to see you, as well as a lot of others, at that McD's on the turnpike there. No words were said really, we all jsut knew what we were all thinking.

I wish you and bacn3 would have said something. I have hardly met anyone on this board in real life. I never get out to the tailgates because of the band so road games are my only chance! Now that you know who I am, I'm sure you won't have a hard time finding me in a crowd though so come up and chat That lady behind the counter still makes me sick BTW...we ended up stopping at Hardees for food because I wasn't going to let bloody face servce me...

McMetz811 wrote:

BGSUfanatUT wrote:Good to see you, as well as a lot of others, at that McD's on the turnpike there. No words were said really, we all jsut knew what we were all thinking.

I wish you and bacn3 would have said something. I have hardly met anyone on this board in real life. I never get out to the tailgates because of the band so road games are my only chance! Now that you know who I am, I'm sure you won't have a hard time finding me in a crowd though so come up and chat That lady behind the counter still makes me sick BTW...we ended up stopping at Hardees for food because I wasn't going to let bloody face servce me...

Well I never knew it was you until people we posting about your gimpedness the other week. You know Sworden though, when you talk to him at various events, we are usually with him. We'll say something next time for sure.


OMG! I dont mean to be mean, but that was the sickest thing ive ever seen in my life.....EVER. cuz, wow. *gag* *gag* *gag* Bloody face indeed!

McMetz811 wrote: I wish you and bacn3 would have said something. I have hardly met anyone on this board in real life.

You've watched a ton of hoops games with me...I assume you know its me.

hammb wrote:

McMetz811 wrote: I wish you and bacn3 would have said something. I have hardly met anyone on this board in real life.

You've watched a ton of hoops games with me...I assume you know its me.

I was thinking you guys looked familiar but I didn't remember from where! That explains that one for me though. Sorry for forgetting!!!

I wasn't at the NIU game. I'm the guy that is usually sitting in the front row at Anderson with Bianca when she's there.

hammb wrote:I wasn't at the NIU game. I'm the guy that is usually sitting in the front row at Anderson with Bianca when she's there.

SOB! I thought that was you! I always saw you there with her, and I always wondered if it was you. Since I only met you the one time b4 gameday last year, I didnt want to make a fool of myself when it turned out to not be you.

is she still with AJ? I went to HS with him, and we go to a lot of games together, he hasnt said anything about her in a while, course, I havent seen him in a while, other than at NIU.

You were at Myles after the SEMO game too, I was at the bar with Tyler(I think thats who you came up to talk to) that night.

BGSUfanatUT wrote:

hammb wrote:I wasn't at the NIU game. I'm the guy that is usually sitting in the front row at Anderson with Bianca when she's there.

SOB! I thought that was you! I always saw you there with her, and I always wondered if it was you. Since I only met you the one time b4 gameday last year, I didnt want to make a fool of myself when it turned out to not be you.

is she still with AJ? I went to HS with him, and we go to a lot of games together, he hasnt said anything about her in a while, course, I havent seen him in a while, other than at NIU.

You were at Myles after the SEMO game too, I was at the bar with Tyler(I think thats who you came up to talk to) that night.

Haven't talked to her in awhile, so cannot say.

Yep, that was my buddy John & I at Myles. I think Tyler's mother used to date John's dad or something like that? They know one another through that.

But yeah, that's me, and don't feel afraid to come talk to me, I'll talk to anyone LOL

I meant to hit quote for BGSUfanatUT, not you hammb. I recogonize him now and I've known you for awhile so it's all good. And who is AJ? The last I knew she was engaged to Juan but maybe that is the same person...