NIU trails 17-13...

[WhiteBarksdale]

Like many others here, I wanted the scuds to come to our place undefeated, so the loss we hand them could sting just that much more. However, when watching the game last night, I just couldn't bring myself to root for them. I just couldn't do it. I get such pleasure out of watching them lose (especially on their home field) that I can't see ever being able to pull for them to win, no matter what the consequences. Now that the seal is broken and they have that loss, I hope they can manage to lose out the rest of the way and be relegated to playing in the Toilet Bowl, come December.

I EFFING CONCUR 100%

[BGFan]

And tsun has the most hideous uniforms ever

They looked like highlighter pens.

[Flipper]

At least highlighter pens are useful...

[kdog27]

NIU stacked the box and forced Ely to make plays to win. UT went FG, missed FG and an INT on their last three drives. A TD on any of those drives and you're likely looking at a different outcome.

Yep, which means NIU focused on UT's weakness and exploited it. Carey did a great job at half making some adjustments and essentially putting the game on the back of his defense. They slowly chipped away in the second half and then took advantage of UT's miscues. Carey outcoached Campbell again and deserves a ton of credit for getting the W last night.

Except for that end of game management. There was no reason to leave Toledo with a timeout and 2 minutes. They were snapping the ball with 15+ second left on the play clock when they were already in chip shot field goal range down 2.

And then not going for 2 to make it a 6 point game was really bad. A 5 point lead means nothing...a 6 however might if Toledo were to score and miss the XP.

This is how or one of the reasons the Browns lost to Denver a few weeks ago. There was a little more time in that game but the Browns were up by 4, went for 2 and didn't get it. Denver then scored a TD. Field goal for the Browns then tied the game instead of winning it.

Again, there was more time in that game but it's not unrealistic that Toledo could have scored a quick TD. What's more likely a missed extra point or Toledo scoring quickly?

But I do agree they did a pitiful job running time off the clock once they had first and goal.

[hammb]

NIU stacked the box and forced Ely to make plays to win. UT went FG, missed FG and an INT on their last three drives. A TD on any of those drives and you're likely looking at a different outcome.

Yep, which means NIU focused on UT's weakness and exploited it. Carey did a great job at half making some adjustments and essentially putting the game on the back of his defense. They slowly chipped away in the second half and then took advantage of UT's miscues. Carey outcoached Campbell again and deserves a ton of credit for getting the W last night.

Except for that end of game management. There was no reason to leave Toledo with a timeout and 2 minutes. They were snapping the ball with 15+ second left on the play clock when they were already in chip shot field goal range down 2.

And then not going for 2 to make it a 6 point game was really bad. A 5 point lead means nothing...a 6 however might if Toledo were to score and miss the XP.

This is how or one of the reasons the Browns lost to Denver a few weeks ago. There was a little more time in that game but the Browns were up by 4, went for 2 and didn't get it. Denver then scored a TD. Field goal for the Browns then tied the game instead of winning it.

Again, there was more time in that game but it's not unrealistic that Toledo could have scored a quick TD. What's more likely a missed extra point or Toledo scoring quickly?

But I do agree they did a pitiful job running time off the clock once they had first and goal.

It infuriated the Browns fans at the time, but the "chart" says to go for 2 in that situation. In the case of the Browns game I could see it either way since that happened pretty early in the 4th, I believe, but in last night's game it made no sense whatsoever to not go for 2, IMO.

Obviously didn't make a difference at all last night.

[kdog27]

I think they use that chart too often and too early instead of applying common sense. I would have went for 2 last night too but a case can be made not to.

[Redwingtom]

It's correct to use the chart...the problem is when they use it too early. NIU just got lucky that UT's QB stinks so bad.

[Falconfreak90]

It's correct to use the chart...the problem is when they use it too early. NIU just got lucky that UT's QB stinks so bad.

Agree there Tom....How did he end up at Alabama??? I would bull rush his ass all night cuz he gets rattled easily.