FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

Ok doolittledog,

Your thoughts about UD so far?  Would you say they have taken a step back. 

Well their record would indicate so.  I was impressed with an interview I watched after the game.  They talked about putting their heads down and getting to work at practice and getting some things figured out.  They still have a good attitude.  While the results we were hoping for haven't shown up, you aren't seeing the old Spartans team where the penalties would mount up and you saw a bad attitude.  This team is still working hard and for each other.  

I think the Spartan defense is playing well.  The offense needs to get some things figured out.  I don't know if it's a playcalling deal or if its a personell deal.  The Spartans need to figure out how to get a run game going.  If they can figure that out, it will open things up for their passing attack.  

I think what people are getting at is are we headed back to the Spartan teams of old.  We aren't.  Results wise we might end up with a losing record.  But this isn't a team imploding from within.  Just a lot of changes going on.  

[doolittledog]

Crap, I worded that wrong. Meant to ask who has more career IIAC wins.
The follow up question to that is who will have more career IIAC wins at the end of the season.
Staker, J. Matt, or Durnin?

Random stat question of the week-
Who has a better IIAC winning percentage-
Steve Staker or J. Matt Dillon?

Well I think that Staker is at 500.  So I will go with Staker.

I think Staker is 1-1 in IIAC play 1-3 overall
Dernin is 1-1 in IIAC play 1-2 overall
Dillon is 0-18 in IIAC play 4-20 overall

Brautigam at UD picked up a win in his very 1st IIAC game against Luther in 2001.  Then lost his next 27 conference games before beating Coe in the 3rd conference game of the 2004 season.  He started out 3-39 in conference games through his first 5 seasons.  Has gone 10-6 over the last 2 seasons.  His team gets to play in a very nice stadium now. 

[DutchFan2004]

Ok doolittledog,

Your thoughts about UD so far?  Would you say they have taken a step back. 

Well their record would indicate so.  I was impressed with an interview I watched after the game.  They talked about putting their heads down and getting to work at practice and getting some things figured out.  They still have a good attitude.  While the results we were hoping for haven't shown up, you aren't seeing the old Spartans team where the penalties would mount up and you saw a bad attitude.  This team is still working hard and for each other.  

I think the Spartan defense is playing well.  The offense needs to get some things figured out.  I don't know if it's a playcalling deal or if its a personell deal.  The Spartans need to figure out how to get a run game going.  If they can figure that out, it will open things up for their passing attack.  

I think what people are getting at is are we headed back to the Spartan teams of old.  We aren't.  Results wise we might end up with a losing record.  But this isn't a team imploding from within.  Just a lot of changes going on.  

With your reply I would tend to think they may have taken a step back record wise but all is not lost.  If they can keep their attitude and keep working hard it may be a temporary youth thing replacing the grads from last year.  If they keep a good attitude and keep their heads in it then they may be ok yet.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ok doolittledog,

Your thoughts about UD so far?  Would you say they have taken a step back. 

Well their record would indicate so.  I was impressed with an interview I watched after the game.  They talked about putting their heads down and getting to work at practice and getting some things figured out.  They still have a good attitude.  While the results we were hoping for haven't shown up, you aren't seeing the old Spartans team where the penalties would mount up and you saw a bad attitude.  This team is still working hard and for each other.  

I think the Spartan defense is playing well.  The offense needs to get some things figured out.  I don't know if it's a playcalling deal or if its a personell deal.  The Spartans need to figure out how to get a run game going.  If they can figure that out, it will open things up for their passing attack.  

I think what people are getting at is are we headed back to the Spartan teams of old.  We aren't.  Results wise we might end up with a losing record.  But this isn't a team imploding from within.  Just a lot of changes going on.  

With your reply I would tend to think they may have taken a step back record wise but all is not lost.  If they can keep their attitude and keep working hard it may be a temporary youth thing replacing the grads from last year.  If they keep a good attitude and keep their heads in it then they may be ok yet.

Sounds just like the hopes at Michigan (guess I can say that since Iowa and UM don't play this year) - the difference being that we ARE trying to get back to the Wolverine teams of old!

[doolittledog]

Ok doolittledog,

Your thoughts about UD so far?  Would you say they have taken a step back. 

Well their record would indicate so.  I was impressed with an interview I watched after the game.  They talked about putting their heads down and getting to work at practice and getting some things figured out.  They still have a good attitude.  While the results we were hoping for haven't shown up, you aren't seeing the old Spartans team where the penalties would mount up and you saw a bad attitude.  This team is still working hard and for each other.  

I think the Spartan defense is playing well.  The offense needs to get some things figured out.  I don't know if it's a playcalling deal or if its a personell deal.  The Spartans need to figure out how to get a run game going.  If they can figure that out, it will open things up for their passing attack.  

I think what people are getting at is are we headed back to the Spartan teams of old.  We aren't.  Results wise we might end up with a losing record.  But this isn't a team imploding from within.  Just a lot of changes going on.  

With your reply I would tend to think they may have taken a step back record wise but all is not lost.  If they can keep their attitude and keep working hard it may be a temporary youth thing replacing the grads from last year.  If they keep a good attitude and keep their heads in it then they may be ok yet.

Sounds just like the hopes at Michigan (guess I can say that since Iowa and UM don't play this year) - the difference being that we ARE trying to get back to the Wolverine teams of old!

The Wolverines took that first step this weekend by coming back from a 19-0 deficit to get a win against a top 10 ranked Wisconsin.  I can't believe I just said something good about the Wolverines...it's just because Mr. Yipsi is a good guy...otherwise I would have never done it

Actually DF2K4...the Spartans are a wreck...tell the Dutch to take next week off from practice...they won't need it to beat Dubuque...have Heys send them a bunch of Carne Asada...The Dutch should kick back and relax and enjoy themselves for a week

[footballdaddy]

Let's say a prayer for the Dubuque player injured today at the JV game with Wartburg. He apparently could not feel his legs after a hit and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

[footballdaddy]

One last thought on Saturday's game. At the risk of upsetting ShowMe, better tackling by Wartburg would have cut Cornell's offensive production by about half.

[ShowMe]

Teams are still going to force us to throw the ball, because we are still making mistakes in that facet of the game that has led to big points for opponents.  One big plus in the passing game was big #12, and he needs to be on the field all the time. 

I was encouraged to see the improvements on offense, but still a little ways to go.  The defense also made great strides, and if they can continue to improve this season, there are still some winnable ball games still left on the schedule.  If 6 unranked teams can take down top 25 teams in D1 FBS, then there is no reason that the Rams can't come out and play mistake free football and beat someone in the league.

I believe the focus for Cornell is the offensive and defensive line, win the battles and you solve some of the root problems. The mistakes in the passing started with the pressure from the defense, that's the first problem to solve. We have a young line and that fact should not be taken for granted. If you reduce the pressure, you reduce some important mistakes.

Another observation is the impact of penalties Saturday. It seems like Wartburg would blitz on most 2nd and 3rd and long plays. The play prior to the 1st pick was rush for a first down, holding on the play. The next play, 2nd and 10, the blitz and the pick for a touchdown. If we can eliminate the mistake from the penalty, it's 1st and 10, the defense has to play honest. There were a couple more plays were the mistakes from penalties cost us. A good team will make you pay for mistakes and that's the difference.

I'm not sure what you consider mistakes in the passing game. We went 3 games (89 passes) without an interception, we missed some opportunities passing and catching the ball in those 89 passes. We were passing from  multiple sets which may have had a major impact. This is the first game we turned the ball over on picks. This is also the first time we went exclusively with the spread against one of the best defense in the conference. Cornell moved the ball very effectively running and passing the against Wartburg. It was a balanced attack 187 running and 229 passing) and I would consider Saturday a dual threat game. It was an accomplishment for the team. Now what makes Wartburg a good team is they have players that can make plays. Two of the interceptions where good catches by the Wartburg defense. The two picks for points went straight to the defense and mostly due to pressure first and then the execution under pressure.  

One of the big pluses on offense is the number of receivers that contributed Saturday. #12 was on the field all of the time, the other receivers are very important to him too. In order to have a balanced attack, you have to take what the defense is giving. If I was a defense I would not give up #12 unless I had too. The main threats for Cornell going into this game was #25 and #12. The defense is going to make it difficult to win with 2 players. despite the picks, #16 earned some respect in the spread this game, the single back showed it is effective this game with 80 yard rushing versus 30 and 40 the previous weeks. Now we have more for the defense to consider which leads to a balanced attack.

The coaches need to practice passing under pressure so the quarterback and receivers know how to execute. The receivers need to come back for the ball and give the quarterback an easy target, thats the simple answer. When they practice coming back to an open area, it will work in the game.

Cornell generated pressure from the blitz. The pressure was effective. It allowed the defense more flexibility. We still struggled with runs up the middle and covering the short passing game. If we can consistently apply pressure from the defensive front, we have a better chance to play good defense. The better our front four develops, the better the defense.

[ShowMe]

One last thought on Saturday's game. At the risk of upsetting ShowMe, better tackling by Wartburg would have cut Cornell's offensive production by about half.

I can accept your perspective and it's true from that perspective.

[TrainsEqualCrowdNoise]

I'm not sure what you consider mistakes in the passing game. We went 3 games (89 passes) without an interception, we missed some opportunities passing and catching the ball in those 89 passes. We were passing from  multiple sets which may have had a major impact. This is the first game we turned the ball over on picks. This is also the first time we went exclusively with the spread against one of the best defense in the conference. Cornell moved the ball very effectively running and passing the against Wartburg. It was a balanced attack 187 running and 229 passing) and I would consider Saturday a dual threat game. It was an accomplishment for the team. Now what makes Wartburg a good team is they have players that can make plays. Two of the interceptions where good catches by the Wartburg defense. The two picks for points went straight to the defense and mostly due to pressure first and then the execution under pressure.  

What I mean by mistakes in the passing game, is a lack of consistency, and from what I watched over the internet, some really poor decisions when throwing the football.  Yes, there wasn't an interception thrown in the first 3 games.  However, in the first game we were 5-20 for 49 yards, followed by a better performance of 20-33 for 186.  In the third game it appears that a 16-36 for 148 is a alright day but most of those completions came when Coe had the game well in hand and was basically playing a run the clock out defense and thats still less than 50% completion percentage.  From the game I watched against Wartburg, it seemed to me that we were at times to willing to just chuck it up for grabs instead of going through a progression and finding the open receiver, or even taking the ball and running for positive yards.  These are the things I consider "mistakes" as they are either turnovers or no gains when there was a possibility of positive yards and keep drives moving.

I don't want it too seem like I am being overly critical, because I think there have been made great strides just by opening up the offense and using our QB's legs to an advantage.  We just need to see more consistency out of the passing game and then teams will really have to choose between trying to contain the run threat or trying to limit the passing game.

[5 Words or Less]

... All in all I would say this was a defeat for Dubguque more than a victory for Luther in terms of dominance.  Luther will win more game(s) however.

The surprise of the day were the refs.  They [refs at Dubuque vs. Luther] did not seem to be able to call the action when needed and over and over again had to confer about decisions.  At one point,  one ref signalled a bobbeled ball, a drop and then a touchdown for Dubuque. 

Both teams need to get and will "work on stuff".........refs too.

Officiating Crew for Dubuque vs. Luther
Referee: LeRoy Goosic  •  Umpire: Jon Vrieze  •  Linesman: Art Ousley  •  Line judge: Tim Neumann  •  Back judge: Larry Walderbac •  Field judge: Rod Brundgart  •  Side judge: Tom Berens  •

I try to never blame the officials, but the crew that worked today's Coe-Loras game was an incompetent as I've seen at any level, ever. Wow were they bad!

Officiating crew for Loras vs. Coe
Referee: Leroy Goosic  •  Umpire: Jon Vrieze  •  Linesman: Art Ousley  •  Line judge: Tim Neumann  •  Back judge: Tom Berens  •  Field judge: Rod Brungart  •  Side judge: Larry Walderbac •

Same officials did both games

[5 Words or Less]

... All in all I would say this was a defeat for Dubguque more than a victory for Luther in terms of dominance.  Luther will win more game(s) however.

The surprise of the day were the refs.  They [refs at Dubuque vs. Luther] did not seem to be able to call the action when needed and over and over again had to confer about decisions.  At one point,  one ref signalled a bobbeled ball, a drop and then a touchdown for Dubuque. 

Both teams need to get and will "work on stuff".........refs too.

Officiating Crew for Dubuque vs. Luther
Referee: LeRoy Goosic  •  Umpire: Jon Vrieze  •  Linesman: Art Ousley  •  Line judge: Tim Neumann  •  Back judge: Larry Walderbac •  Field judge: Rod Brundgart  •  Side judge: Tom Berens  •

I try to never blame the officials, but the crew that worked today's Coe-Loras game was an incompetent as I've seen at any level, ever. Wow were they bad!

Officiating crew for Loras vs. Coe
Referee: Leroy Goosic  •  Umpire: Jon Vrieze  •  Linesman: Art Ousley  •  Line judge: Tim Neumann  •  Back judge: Tom Berens  •  Field judge: Rod Brungart  •  Side judge: Larry Walderbac •

Same officials did both games

Who gets 'em this week?

[ShowMe]

I'm not sure what you consider mistakes in the passing game. We went 3 games (89 passes) without an interception, we missed some opportunities passing and catching the ball in those 89 passes. We were passing from  multiple sets which may have had a major impact. This is the first game we turned the ball over on picks. This is also the first time we went exclusively with the spread against one of the best defense in the conference. Cornell moved the ball very effectively running and passing the against Wartburg. It was a balanced attack 187 running and 229 passing) and I would consider Saturday a dual threat game. It was an accomplishment for the team. Now what makes Wartburg a good team is they have players that can make plays. Two of the interceptions where good catches by the Wartburg defense. The two picks for points went straight to the defense and mostly due to pressure first and then the execution under pressure.  

What I mean by mistakes in the passing game, is a lack of consistency, and from what I watched over the internet, some really poor decisions when throwing the football.  Yes, there wasn't an interception thrown in the first 3 games.  However, in the first game we were 5-20 for 49 yards, followed by a better performance of 20-33 for 186.  In the third game it appears that a 16-36 for 148 is a alright day but most of those completions came when Coe had the game well in hand and was basically playing a run the clock out defense and thats still less than 50% completion percentage.  From the game I watched against Wartburg, it seemed to me that we were at times to willing to just chuck it up for grabs instead of going through a progression and finding the open receiver, or even taking the ball and running for positive yards.  These are the things I consider "mistakes" as they are either turnovers or no gains when there was a possibility of positive yards and keep drives moving.

I don't want it too seem like I am being overly critical, because I think there have been made great strides just by opening up the offense and using our QB's legs to an advantage.  We just need to see more consistency out of the passing game and then teams will really have to choose between trying to contain the run threat or trying to limit the passing game.

I believe you are a bit overly critical because your perspective does not consider the issues leading up to throwing the ball. In a logical sequence of events, you have to correct the problems in order and too often people look to the obvious answer. You question the progression but did not acknowledge the effect of defensive pressure on the progression. You also did not mention whether there were receivers available to throw to when poor decisions were made? Something else  that wasn't mentioned in your analysis was the impact of running routes. Our receivers need to run better routes, run the routes consistently,  faster and must be conscious  of the blitz on the quarterback. There were  a number of occasions when the quarterback was ready to throw the ball and the receivers had their backs to the quarterback, had to wait or just rid of the ball. I hope the Cornell receivers read this perspective

Again, you seem more focused on the quarterback which is normally the obvious answer. I agree, we have some opportunity for improvement with the quarterback. 

In the first game, I believe the problems with the passing game started with the coaching strategy. Again, the stats are only cold facts, they don't tell a human story. There was an obvious difference in the passing game strategy the second game. If we have that strategy the first game, we win. The line was dominated in the third game, in the first half the coach tried several different formations, sets, etc, that did not work, the defense shut down the run, we faced too many 3rd and longs and we did not have any rhythm in the passing game but was forced to pass.  In the second half of the third game, Cornell went to the spread and started to move the ball. It wasn't because of the score, it was the first strategy that worked. Which, IMHO, lead to the decision to move to the spread. In the previous games, we did not catch too many routine passes. Too many because we are not a good team and cannot afford to miss when all things leading up to hitting the receiver works. Our receivers are too timid too, they must be more aggressive trying to catch the ball. Look at the news articles of Cornell's opponent, you will see receivers and defenders diving for the ball. I saw the Coe receivers twist in mid air to catch an imperfect pass. Our receivers seem to want a perfect pass and are missing too many of the good passes, for us 2 is too many. We have had good passes thrown for touchdowns but missed, the stats don't show it. I know you will consider it the QB fault but I'm trying to get you to see the impact of other mistakes and understand how those mistakes impact the direction of the game.

Again, I hope the Cornell receivers consider my comments feedback and serious work to improve because I believe the receivers are a key aspect of the game that must improve on offense. We need the other receivers to step up and make plays. The receivers did makes more plays in the Wartburg game, the most they have made this season in a game. With a young line/QB, pressure on the quarterback, it's not a perfect world. You cannot be critical of the skill positions until there is enough time for the quarterback and receivers to do their thing.

I believe for us to analyze this further, we will need to discuss it at a detailed level, not just at the results level.

[Klompen]

Wasn't around a computer this weekend, so lots of reading to do today. 

Heys, thanks for the laughs, you have some great one-liners.

DF1, didn't make the game, or even hear much of it, but I would say the long trip on Friday took a lot out of the team.  Unlike Dubuque when the went to Redlands, we didn't leave until Friday morning and it would have been a long haul.  Plus, I think both Central and WB were off their games a bit this week because of last week's game.  I think both teams gave everything they had this week, and I'm with WH, that tends to lead to a let down, but I see it for both teams.  Finally, I didn't catch exactly what happened with the safety when we were punting out of the end zone, but watching the WB game where every snap went to the ground, we have got to find a long snapper that can get the ball right where it needs to be, in Brondyke's hands and mid-body.  I read that as of mid-week we had no game film on Albion, so if they didn't provide it, as other schools have faced this year, it is hard to know what to prepare for.

[doolittledog]

Wasn't around a computer this weekend, so lots of reading to do today. 

Heys, thanks for the laughs, you have some great one-liners.

DF1, didn't make the game, or even hear much of it, but I would say the long trip on Friday took a lot out of the team.  Unlike Dubuque when the went to Redlands, we didn't leave until Friday morning and it would have been a long haul.  Plus, I think both Central and WB were off their games a bit this week because of last week's game.  I think both teams gave everything they had this week, and I'm with WH, that tends to lead to a let down, but I see it for both teams.  Finally, I didn't catch exactly what happened with the safety when we were punting out of the end zone, but watching the WB game where every snap went to the ground, we have got to find a long snapper that can get the ball right where it needs to be, in Brondyke's hands and mid-body.  I read that as of mid-week we had no game film on Albion, so if they didn't provide it, as other schools have faced this year, it is hard to know what to prepare for.

I understand the idea is you want to win the game.  And if it isn't in the contract then tough cookies.  But for me, I would want to win games with some integrity, and not because I resorted to not trading game film.  These kids are still learning their morals...not trading game film isn't the best example to be setting in my mind.  But I am probably in the minority on this.