"Stoped you , you bet, dead cold, your O strugled all night with our D, much more so than last year nothing questionable about that."
See what your friend Rollo83 had to say:
Our defense looked exactly like we did last year against Wisconsin. We never did stop them...they stopped themselves a couple of times. The Badger offense was content to pound the ball on the ground at us. They didn't need to score quickly like they did last year to keep up with Omar and our offense. They could of scored more if they would have needed to.
The Badgers played a very vanilla, average game. They had first time starters at RB and WR playing in the first game of the season on the road. And they won by 21. And as Rollo83 and most other fans know, it could have been a lot more. The UW O-line was tearing apart your defense. And as for our season, just like last year, we'll be fine.
So good luck the rest of the season. I'll be rooting for you the rest of the way.
What game were you watching Badgerfan? Was that stuff job our defense handed you on 4th and one a mirage? Our defense could have tackled wioth a lot more consistency, but our own mistakes (blocked punt, poor punt and coverage and a dropped pass on 4th down) were far more costly to us than anything your guys did.
You guys are a good football team and you were able to move the ball on us for some long drives, but we were able to ground out a ton of rushing yards on you and our defense made some plays (aforementioned 4th and one and the endzone INT). To say this was a cakewalk for you isn't really accurate. This is a textbook example of a game that was closer than the fianl score would indicate.
I think come November we're going to be where we always are (at least the past 4-5 years) in the hunt fo rthe MAC title and a bowl game.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The defense was still about the same physically (a little faster), but the attitude was significantly better. If the young guys improve, I think our defense will impress by the time we get to the teeth of the schedule.
I hope Turner has his act together. I liked a lot of the run plays because we knew Freddie couldn't throw down the field, but we need to be balanced. I think Turner will provide that. Coach is right though -- Freddie needs to be on the field somewhere. He can be an unexpected game-changer for us.
I thought the coaching staff did very well, punt formation aside. Brandon was fired up. The fake punt was a brilliant call and had a great sense of timing. Probably kept it from being a real blowout.
If Devon Parks' performance against all-world LT Joe Thomas is any indication, he will be devastating in the MAC. I was very impressed. Once we get Briggs up to speed, I think we'll wreak some havoc in MAC backfields.
Our OL is obviously our strength. Nystrom needs to get healthy, and then remove his head from his ass. Any team with a dominant OL has a chance in the MAC.
I liked the young secondary. They were tackling better than the linebackers, and they were hitting the receivers like they meant it. Very fast and to the ball, and they limited mistakes for how young they are. I hope Smith is OK, and I think the secondary will be the strength of our D.
Happy to see over 30,000 there. At least we're safe with the NCAA.
I think we looked the best of any MAC East team. Akron got blown off the field by a Penn State team that isn't as good as Wisconsin. Miami kept it close but lost by 18 and only scored 3 points against a mediocre NW team with shaky D. Kent is obviously still Kent, no matter how many experts jump on the weird bandwagon. OU is still terrible -- I saw the stats on bottom line and Everson had about 36 yards passing into the third quarter. Buffalo is Buffalo. Way to let Temple take you into OT. After yesterday, I think we're the most talented team in the MAC East. If we can gel, I think we'll be OK since the schedule is so backloaded.
I have a good feeling -- much better than I did in the offseason. I think we win 8 games and lose the MACC.
I'm encouraged by what I saw. Barnes needs to be on the field. Turner is the better passer and we need that dimension in the offense, but Barnes needs to be our "slash". Just don't go blubbering on the sidelines like Kordell Stewart and we'll be good. We need to get more out of Winovich. That 5 yard up the middle run he had on 3 and 3 brought a tear to my eye...we haven't had a back that can get those yards since Brent Martin graduated. Being able to execute basic plays like that opens up so many other opportunities. We need to get him some more carries and we need to get him involved in the passing game.
On defense, we didn't do a very good job of tackling. Hill is a big back at 240lbs, but Buffalo has a guy with some quicks who weighs 260, so we better get focused on wrapping those guys up. We definitely looked quicker on defense than we have and we were effective when we were able to use that quickness to swarm the ball. The unit is a work in progress, but I think the talent and work ethic is there to see some marked improvement by year's end. To put it another way, we might have won last year with this defense.
Special teams hurt us badly. Ellis did ok apart from that KO out of bounds. Rojas struggled a bit and seemed spooked after that block. I'm not sure I would have put a freshman punter out there with that unusual blocking formation in front of him, but he seemed a tick or two slow in getting the ball out of thereon other occasions. He's a two step punter, so he should be getting the ball out of there more quickly.
all in all...I'm optimistic about the MAC this year. I don't think we're going to beat OSU this year and we may have a struggle against the rest of the OOC, but I think we're going to be playing for a bowl bid when we hit the Glass Bowl. UT looks loaded again this year so we best be ready...
I have to say that we were just outplayed last night. I wish there was another way around it, but there wasn't much we were going to do with Wisky's O line.
I think Freddie should play a few more games before we make our final judgment with him. This is on another thread, so I won't repeat it.
But I definitely agree with this: The punt formation has got to go. That blocked punt could have been worse...Rojas took a pretty nasty shot on that play. We are lucky he didn't blow out his knee. From the endzone, that was about the only play I had a good view of...ugh.
BadgerFan81 wrote:"Stoped you , you bet, dead cold, your O strugled all night with our D, much more so than last year nothing questionable about that."
See what your friend Rollo83 had to say:
Our defense looked exactly like we did last year against Wisconsin. We never did stop them...they stopped themselves a couple of times. The Badger offense was content to pound the ball on the ground at us. They didn't need to score quickly like they did last year to keep up with Omar and our offense. They could of scored more if they would have needed to.
The Badgers played a very vanilla, average game. They had first time starters at RB and WR playing in the first game of the season on the road. And they won by 21. And as Rollo83 and most other fans know, it could have been a lot more. The UW O-line was tearing apart your defense. And as for our season, just like last year, we'll be fine.
So good luck the rest of the season. I'll be rooting for you the rest of the way.
BG's defense looked much better than it did last year against Wisconsin. Although, for the most part, UW's O-line did get the better of BG's D-line, I thought BG's problems were more the result of poor tackling (and hard running by UW's RBs) than the result of getting blown-off the ball or otherwise being out of position to make a play. I'm not sure how Wisconsin could have won by "a lot more" than 21 since UW scored 14 of 35 points as a result of the BG punt team.
I was really encouraged by most of what I saw in that game. Special teams should come around, and I agree with what everyone has said about the punt formation. I won't rehash all of that. The only thing that disappointed me was the final score. While I wasn't exactly expecting a win, the final score doesn't really tell the story. Yes, it could easily have been worse, but it easily could have been much closer too.
I was expecting a rebuilding year. I actually thought alot of the 'experts' were pretty much right on when they picked BG third in the division. To me, that just means the team is expected to be a contender, but doesn't have the weight and expectations of being the favorite. I like seeing them in that position. If they don't win the MAC this year, I won't be crushed like I was last year. At the same time, I think they have a very realistic shot at it. The near future is looking very good, but this year is looking like it could be better than I had hoped as well.
I'm expecting to see more of a run first offense this year. If they were able to grind out that much yardage on WI, even with them knowing that was the game plan, I can't wait to see what happens in the conference. I see why the coaches feel like they MUST get Barnes on the field somewhere.
WI's two big backs are going to give everyone they play fits this year. They're strong, compact and stout and are both fast for their size. Two mini steam rollers as I described them during the game.
I'm pretty optimistic about the rest of the season.
QB Grade B+: Barnes did an awesome job at QB for what will most likely be his one and only game in that position. I say that because he was our running back tonight, and when forced to throw it didnt look very good. You could also see the coaches didnt have much confidence in his throwing ability calling QB draws on 3rd and long, and only letting him throw 1 legitimate ball downfield (which he threw 20yards over everyones head). But still he did about the best he could with what he had... cant wait to see Turner play against UB!
RB Grade D+: I have to say that I was really dissapointed by Macon. I thought he was going to be a stud for us this year and really be the star of our offense. Instead Barnes looked like the better runner and even played faster than our supposed "fastest guy on the team." Maybe I am being too harsh, but I wasnt blown away by 13 carries for 37 yards, by a guy that was looking for 25-30 carries a game!
WR Grade C-: Tough to really gauge this one off only 12 completions. Zach Charles didnt look like Sharon to me, although its early yet. Ruiz made some nice catches and so did O'Dro, but he also had a key drop.
OL Grade A-: Our O-line really dominated a tough Big 10 D-line last night. UW knew Barnes couldnt throw and we still managed 219 rush yards which is more than UW had!!! Also they lead us to a very important 6 minute advantage in Time of Possession. The only things keeping this from an A+ were the uneccessary false start, holding, and personal foul penalities on this unit that killed some of our drives. Good news is those can be addressed and fixed as early as the next game!
DL Grade C+: Our D-line didnt get dominated as bad as last year. Some nice stops here and there especially on 4th and short. But for the most part we got blown off of the ball and gave up 6-7 yards per run. Also no pass rush all night, except for a stellar play by Devon Parks getting a sack! I think we would have benefited from a 5th down lineman in the game, but I'm sure Wisconsin would have went up top on us...
LB Grade D: Nothing really to say here. Poor tackling all night by this group, forcing our DB's to lead the team in tackling. Not having Terrel White hurt and that showed early on. They only thing keeping this from being an F is that their werent any 30yd+ runs given up, but I think we owe that to the secondary!
DB Grade A-: I thought this unit played really well last night. I know a lot of you arent too high on Stocco, but he really is a smart and precise QB. Holding him to 124 yards through the air, while forcing an INT says a lot by itself. But losing Antonio Smith very early in the game would have been reason enough to lose heart, but they kept battling on and made the majority of the tackles! Not too bad for a bunch of freshman and a sophmore!
ST Grade D: This part clearly cost us the game which is why I have to grade it so low. I feel bad for Rojas, because he has the potential to be a star for us. Props to Ellis with a solid night of kicking in some sloppy conditions, also a nice fake punt keeps this unit from failing!
Coach Grade B+: I was really impressed with Gregg Brandon for the most part. We had basically a one dimensional offense and still managed to stay in the game. I also liked the fake punt, just when everyone thought we sucked on ST's. But I was most impressed by his yelling at the OL for stupid penalities, his enthusiasm for our tired defense late in the game, the way he precisely worked the offense down the field on long drives, his excellent use of clock management, his putting his arm around the officials and discussing matters of the game, and last but not least his challenge on FB's fumble that was overturned and kept us in the game despite our earlier blunders!
Final Analysis: I like most of you was pretty impressed from what I saw in a young team. I think the score should have been closer than it was as we did gift wrap them 14pts on ST's. On the other hand I do see UW fans' point in that they had a fumble recovery overturned, they had the ball inside our 10 and came away with no points, and also elected not to get an extra score on the last possesion there at the end.
I think the best plays of the game for BG were the INT by Kenny Lewis, great coverage in the endzone followed by an excellent play on the ball. Devon Parks with the sack on Stocco, not only the superb play he made to get it, but his mannerisms afterword. He seemed really pumped up about the play, but he didnt showboat at all and quickly looked over to the sidelines to get the next play in and get ready for the next down! The only offensive play that I was truly impressed by was on the opening drive 3 and 3 on UW's 30yd line and we call a FB Iso to Winovich and he goes straight up the gut for 6 yards, and was 1 or 2 broken tackles away from paydirt. Anytime you can knock the crap out of a DL like that, its a really good sign for your football team.
Freddie Barnes section: No I do not think he should be our starting QB. Yes he did a great job and I loved the fire and determination he played with. However, he cannot throw the ball down the field and Turner can. Also Barnes is much more versitale and could easily be used at RB or WR and still make a big impact and I dont think Turner could as easily. Barnes did a great job running the football last night, but I wonder how much of his success compared to Macon's came from being able to take the snap directly? I think those plays seem to work better, whereas our handoffs the RB seemed to get engulfed a lot like last year!! I thing I did notice and surprised this hasnt been mentioned yet and that is WE DID RUN THE PISTOL OFFENSE! I think that might be because Gregg Brandon has noticed the problem that I just mentioned above and has made the adjustement to the pistol. One thing I will say is that Macon got more yards out of that formation compared to the shotgun handoff runs, although neither one was overly impressive.
Well that is my take on the game after watching it in its entirety last night and then again going through the tape and watching it this morning. I am sure I forgot a lot of stuff that I wanted to mention but that is enough for now. Overall I think a lot of our problems CAN be fixed in time for us to win the MAC. However, in order to beat a team like UW or OSU those problems will need to be fixed in the offseason with weight lifting and recruiting!
4th & 13 on PU 32yd line.. 56,000 fans up on their feet screaming, i held my breath the entire play trying to make as little noise as possible.. wouldnt u know Sharon would make the biggest touchdown catch in the history of BG Football, FALCON UP!
If anthony turner is not any better then he was last year I will take Barnes anyday. He looked really comfortable in his first game. In my opinion the job should be his.
I only received text updates, phone recap and a box score perusal, but I have to say why the hate on Macon?
Time and time again against BCS beef upfront our running back game has been limited, Joe Alls at Mizzou aside. You may counter with, yeah but Barnes ran his tail off against Wisco. But I would say that the Badgers were keying on Barnes and any hesitation- for a hand off would mean they can get in to the backfield and stop Macon.
I fully expect Dan to have a good year running the ball, don't be too down on him because of this game.
I agree with keeping Barnes on the field some how. From what I have heard he is like J5 was before he took the reigns completely. Perhaps he can keep working on his throwing game but in the meantime get him split out or in the backfield and run him in motion to set some things up. Also, have one of the frosh. QBs ready as a back up if something were to happen to AT or FB.
Can't wait to see the tape of this game and the squad take the field at The Doyt.
DD, I was not giving any hate on Macon nor am I down on him for the rest of the season. I simply graded this game and this game only. 13 carries for 37 yards is not what I expected from our fastest and most explosive player on the team. Yeah I know UW has a tough run D, but it cant be THAT tough if Barnes had 29 for 158yards. To me those numbers should be flipped flopped. Both the number of carries and the total yards from the QB and RB. But as I said earlier FB's is not a true QB, although he played about as best as he could in that position. Macon needs to play better, otherwise he might lose his job to Barnes, and I'd much rather see Barnes at WR.
4th & 13 on PU 32yd line.. 56,000 fans up on their feet screaming, i held my breath the entire play trying to make as little noise as possible.. wouldnt u know Sharon would make the biggest touchdown catch in the history of BG Football, FALCON UP!
Any interesting twist could be which, by Banrnes durability, to run a 2 qb full time on the field offense...I dont know how an animal that robust would develop, but I have faith GB could build it.
We did great, and Macon will do fine in Conference play. We are clearly based upon this weeks performance #1 or 2 in side of the mac
1. I am really happy for Pete Winovich finally finding a meaningful role in our football program where he can make a difference. He played a trememdous game IMO.
2. Terrel White's suspension was big. I certainly don't think that it would have made a difference in the end result, but playing without your best, most experienced LB is tough. Playing how we played without our starting QB, best WR, and best LB is really encouraging.
One thing I noticed is that while "wrapping up" was still a problem, guys were in position to make the play. It semed like too many times last year vs. Wisky, we had guys chasing and running around. Last night it looked like a lot more guy were in the position to make a tackle, now they have to work on wrapping up.
It *was* good to see on the "(Insert sponsor here) Hit of the Game" that Kenny Lewis stuck his man hard, but also wrapped up and kept driving his legs through the ball carrier. The pick was nice, too, and he finished with 10 tackles coming off the bench to lead the defense.
"I don't believe I can name a coach, anywhere, anytime, anyhow, who did it better than Doyt Perry."
-1955 BG Assistant Bo Schembechler
