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Topic: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Topic: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

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Ted Thompson
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Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/15/2022 11:50:46 PM

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: October 22nd, 2022 2:00 PM

Opponent: Northern Illinois (2-5, 1-2 MAC)

Site: Peden Stadium

TV/Webcast: ESPN Plus

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free)

NIU statistics and roster

NIU Fan Site: NIU Dog Pound

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TWT
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/16/2022 8:51:49 AM

It the DL can play like it did this week against WMU I like Ohio's chances in this one. A win here and a Buffalo loss at Toledo would tie the Cats for first place going into the midweek tilt in November. Then at the at that point Ohio would only need to win 2 out of the final 3 (Ball, Miami, BG) assuming Kent drops another MAC game to take the East. A tough task but not impossible. Buffalo could also drop a third MAC game somewhere along the way to help Ohio out.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

L.C.
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/16/2022 10:08:08 AM

I see this is a tossup. Both teams are improving, and both are coming off big wins. Ohio's defense was awful earlier in the year, but has showed significant improvement the last couple of games. NIU's defense has struggled at times, too, but they are coming off a dominating performance against EMU. Can Ohio slow down NIU's rushing attack? Can NIU slow down Ohio's passing?

This is a winnable game, yet, if Ohio is going to lose another game, losing one to a West team will hurt a lot less than losing to an East team. I hope that Ohio wins this because I'd like to see them continue to improve and gain confidence.

Go Bobcats!

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

TWT
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/16/2022 10:20:30 AM

At this point Ohio is a definitely live dog in the MAC East race. The team is playing for keeps and no reason not to be focused on this one. A nice crowd would be helpful too and promoting the game in The Post as the game has championship implications.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

shabamon
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/16/2022 10:20:38 AM

Given how last season went and how urgent it is for this year's team to improve, to me this certainly feels like the most important Saturday MAC game in quite some time. NIU probably feels like they have renewed purpose after yesterday while I'm sure our belief is very high after the last two performances.

There's no added crowd this week like parents weekend or band day, buy it'd be awesome to see a 22K+ attendance show up.

L.C.
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/16/2022 2:21:28 PM

shabamon wrote:

...NIU probably feels like they have renewed purpose after yesterday while I'm sure our belief is very high after the last two performances.
....

TeamRankings gives them a 1 in 200 chance of winning the West. Their fan board seems to have largely given up for the year. From what I read on their fan board, apparently Lombardi played, but is severely hobbled, and their other QB, Hampton, is out for the season with a broken wrist. Their #3 QB, Lynch, has only been allowed to throw 1 pass so far, and they have primarily run the wildcat with him in.

Last Edited: 10/17/2022 1:46:03 PM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

AlumDadDad
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/16/2022 5:19:21 PM

I'm looking forward to this one. Need a win to set up the Tues night showdown with Buffalo. Solich field dedication. Too far out to tell now, but if forecast holds, it'll be a perfect day for football.

MonroeClassmate
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/16/2022 5:23:04 PM

L.C. wrote:

Ohio's defense was awful earlier in the year, but has showed significant improvement the last couple of games.

LC, I think it is a more realistic sentence to have the last part read: "But has showed significant improvement the last game."

There was no improvement vs Zips. Giving up to the bottom feeder team so many yards and so many points is not an improvement over the Kent game.

NIU scored on EMU but one game is not a trend so no way to know what NIU brings offensively to Athens. But the same can be said for Bobcat defense, one game vs WMU is not yet a trend and there is simply no way to know if the defense will continue to improve for a second week.

I was impressed that NIU thumped early season West favorite EMU; will that team show up for a similar performance Saturday?

Andrew Ruck
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/17/2022 12:03:11 PM

We are 2.5 point underdogs. Can't wait for this game...feels like a big pivotal one for us. If we can get to 3-1 heading into the Buffalo game this team deserves some buzz.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

ExCat21
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/17/2022 12:55:55 PM

Just stop the run and OUr safeties dont bite on the one pass-per-quarter they will throw.

STOP THE RUN! Dont bite on trick plays!

Score early and fast and NIU will be done!

OhioBobcat
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/17/2022 2:46:53 PM

Andrew Ruck wrote:

We are 2.5 point underdogs. Can't wait for this game...feels like a big pivotal one for us. If we can get to 3-1 heading into the Buffalo game this team deserves some buzz.

Looks like I'm about to make another nice chunk of money on Ohio again this weekend. Thanks Vegas, keep selling the Bobcats short please.

Ted Thompson
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/17/2022 4:46:57 PM

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Bobcat110
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/17/2022 10:26:48 PM

OhioBobcat wrote:

Andrew Ruck wrote:

We are 2.5 point underdogs. Can't wait for this game...feels like a big pivotal one for us. If we can get to 3-1 heading into the Buffalo game this team deserves some buzz.

Looks like I'm about to make another nice chunk of money on Ohio again this weekend. Thanks Vegas, keep selling the Bobcats short please.

2-4 NIU now up to 3 points favorites on the road. Surprising.

Last Edited: 10/18/2022 11:41:48 AM by Bobcat110

Trevor Stephens
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/18/2022 4:43:00 PM

NIU Press Conference: https://youtu.be/Icrvx0K-_-k

ExCat21
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/18/2022 5:04:38 PM

Trevor Stephens wrote:

NIU Press Conference: https://youtu.be/Icrvx0K-_-k

Wow. Media tried to roast him. He took it on the chin and kept rolling.

Just hoping they dont get too "passy happy" this week. The sly "soon" comment makes me think NIU will try to throw deep on us this weekend..early and often in the 1st quarter.

RufusCat09
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/18/2022 6:04:26 PM

Anyone know what happened to Tyler Walton? I see that he's not listed on the 2-deep anymore.

OhioBobcat
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/19/2022 12:30:16 AM

ExCat21 wrote:

Trevor Stephens wrote:

NIU Press Conference: https://youtu.be/Icrvx0K-_-k

Hammock was very elusive about answering any questions related to Lombardi. It certainly doesn�t seem like there�s any guarantee they�ll try getting anything out of Lombardi this week as he was only used situationally last week. It was a very odd mix what they did last week as 4 guys took snaps at QB and they were rotating guys continuously to specifically do something different.

Valley Cat
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/19/2022 8:46:32 AM

Anyone have a link from the most recent Coach's Show? The one On Demand is from the previous week. These have become must Listen for me so any help is appreciated.

Ted Thompson
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Location: MAC Play
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/19/2022 2:42:11 PM

Before @OhioFootball hosts @NIU_Football on Saturday, get to know some Huskie past & present. This is the @OhioSP @Learfield @SteaknShake "Clinic on the Opposition." 🎙️🏈 pic.twitter.com/B8LssiTu97
— Russ Eisenstein (@RussEisenstein) October 19, 2022

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OhioCatFan
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/19/2022 11:47:47 PM

Thanks, Russell, I enjoyed listening to that piece, and I thought the background music added a nice touch!

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ExCat21
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/20/2022 2:53:46 PM

Interesting read by Hustlebelt:

https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2022/10/20/234139...

As stated NIU will try to pound us and control the clock to keep baby Rourke off the field. Hoping we put 7 or 8 (hybrid Safety) in the box. Lets force them out of their game plan.

Rufusbobcat94
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/20/2022 7:40:46 PM

ExCat21 wrote:

That sounds like the right thing to do-force them out of the gameplan.

This should be a great game with interesting match ups.

NIU returns some all-mac offensive linemen and have good backs so stopping the run wont be easy, especially for the entire game--NIU will get some explosive plays on the ground. OUr defense has given up a ton in the passing game but we still may need to shift the extra defensive firepower to stopping the run and making them win by passing.

NIU has a couple of big-play wide-receivers led by Cole Tucker who is top five in the MAC in yards per catch so I'm sure NIU will test Ohio from time to time with the deep pass play to keep Ohio honest against the run. We have a few developing DBs like Cox Jr. who might be able to contain Cole deep.

A big X-factor is the health of NIU QB Rocky Lombardi. Clearly, the Huskies are better offensively with him in the game but he is still not clearly recovered from injury.

NIU is one of the worst teams in the FBS in defensive pass efficiency so I agree with Hustlebelt that Ohio can have a field day provided they can protect rOUrke. NIU is one of the MAC's best in pressuring the QB in 2022 so how Ohio attacks through the air with enough to exploit the defense while protecting Kurtis will be interesting to see.

Last week, WMU's pass rush exploited OU's pass protection, especially at RT and we saw again how effective a good pass rush can be in slowing down a good passing game.

As always, I just hope Ohio plays near their potential and i think they will get it done on senior day and Frank Solich Field dedication day.

Urban Bobcat
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/20/2022 11:03:08 PM

Never thought I'd see a Coach A. team in the top half of anything.

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2022/10/19/23409751/2022-hustl...

URBAN BOBCAT

ExCat21
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/21/2022 10:50:07 AM

Urban Bobcat wrote:

Never thought I'd see a Coach A. team in the top half of anything.

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2022/10/19/23409751/2022-hustl...

Top 3 teams could be in MAC Championship. We need Toledo to beat Buffalo this week. It could help down the road in November (even if we won head to head). Just in case there is a 2 loss scenario in the MAC East. If we slip this weekend and Buffs do too, it opens it up again.

Ultimately handle business at home and let the confidence ride into November until Buffalo showdown. November gets wacky with weather and injuries.

Just checked ESPN Top 50 (currently)

QB
Kurtis Rourke #8

WR
Sam Wiglusz #45

Points Leader
Nate Vakos #31 <-- potential Lou Groza

Field Goals
Nate Vakos #19 <-- potential Lou Groza (2nd longest FG behind H. MEVIS @ Missouri 56 yrds)

Kickoff Returns
Keegan Wilburn #4

Happy for Sam and that will maybe open up doors for other P5 transfers after seeing some success in Athens.

Transfers can make a difference.

Last Edited: 10/21/2022 11:48:38 AM by ExCat21

bobcatsquared
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RE: Official Game 8 Thread: Northern Illinois

Posted: 10/21/2022 10:52:16 AM

These rankings, #8 for Rourke and #45 for Wilgusz, based on what?

Does Wilgusz have another year of eligibility?

Last Edited: 10/21/2022 10:52:33 AM by bobcatsquared

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