Wow, Folks.

[Big_Al]

Well, I picked a helluva time to bring my son to his first football game. Certainly was frustrating to see opportunities slip through our fingers this afternoon.

To read some (most?) of the comments on the board right now, you'd think we just finished a 1-10 campaign instead of a 7-5 campaign. Folks, UNI has a coach who has had one losing campaign since 2001. One. He just took a younger team with less talent in key areas than the 2009 squad to the playoffs. The team loses 6 seniors.

Fact is, the team is young and it is stacked.

Lehigh won because of two blown plays in the secondary. One of which was about a half-step away from being an interception. Otherwise, they never even sniffed the red zone. As much as it pains me to say this, they're gonna get blown up by Delaware next weekend.

God, I hate Delaware.

Also, I've become convinced that UNI needs a dedicated kicking coach. Billy Hallgren has had troubles ever since the switch to the Mondoturf. I don't know if it's physical or mental but the coaches simply didn't know how to work him through his issues. I hope the next kicker can make the kicks that Billy seemed to struggle so much with the last two years. Also, I think it's interesting to note that Lehigh's kicker

I really, really hope there's a power rusher waiting in the wings. I love Carlos but he isn't an up-the-middle back. Matt Strathman was a great kid this year and I really liked his work ethic but he simply didn't have the physical ability to overpower opposing defenses like the Panthers have had in the recent past. UNI needs a back who will wear down defenses as the game goes on and get stronger in the second half. Finesse just isn't enough to break through the line on a consistent basis.

Tirrell Rennie was clearly injured today. It definitely affected his rushing ability, as he couldn't consistently turn the corner for even 4-5 yards like he normally does. Also, I heard the Lehigh players on the sidelines talking about how they couldn't let up, because he was "hurting". They definitely keyed on him and knew he wasn't 100%. I also wonder if it affected his passing ability, as well. Yes, I know he's not a "passing" QB but he has made some of those passes in the past that were picked off/off target today. Maybe he mechanics were even worse than usual because of pain in his knee? Just a thought.

Finally, fans on message boards who guarantee victory and then proceed to talk about playing Delaware next week basically deserve whatever hollow feeling they have right now. One, the only game that matters is the next game and: Two, you aren't on the team so don't write checks with your mouth and then act surprised because Mark Farley and the players won't cash them on the field.

[JayJ79]

Re: Wow, Folks.

I'm just hoping that another offseason with Jed Smith can improve our O line a bit more. Seems like they were being pushed around today. (or maybe they weren't, and that impression was due to other factors, I dunno)

[Big_Al]

Re: Wow, Folks.

There were a couple times where the line gave TR all sorts of time on passing plays and things went reasonably well -- this gives me hope for next year.

[06panther10]

Re: Wow, Folks.

Well, I picked a helluva time to bring my son to his first football game. Certainly was frustrating to see opportunities slip through our fingers this afternoon.

To read some (most?) of the comments on the board right now, you'd think we just finished a 1-10 campaign instead of a 7-5 campaign. Folks, UNI has a coach who has had one losing campaign since 2001. One. He just took a younger team with less talent in key areas than the 2009 squad to the playoffs. The team loses 6 seniors.

Fact is, the team is young and it is stacked.

Lehigh won because of two blown plays in the secondary. One of which was about a half-step away from being an interception. Otherwise, they never even sniffed the red zone. As much as it pains me to say this, they're gonna get blown up by Delaware next weekend.

God, I hate Delaware.

Also, I've become convinced that UNI needs a dedicated kicking coach. Billy Hallgren has had troubles ever since the switch to the Mondoturf. I don't know if it's physical or mental but the coaches simply didn't know how to work him through his issues. I hope the next kicker can make the kicks that Billy seemed to struggle so much with the last two years. Also, I think it's interesting to note that Lehigh's kicker

I really, really hope there's a power rusher waiting in the wings. I love Carlos but he isn't an up-the-middle back. Matt Strathman was a great kid this year and I really liked his work ethic but he simply didn't have the physical ability to overpower opposing defenses like the Panthers have had in the recent past. UNI needs a back who will wear down defenses as the game goes on and get stronger in the second half. Finesse just isn't enough to break through the line on a consistent basis.

Tirrell Rennie was clearly injured today. It definitely affected his rushing ability, as he couldn't consistently turn the corner for even 4-5 yards like he normally does. Also, I heard the Lehigh players on the sidelines talking about how they couldn't let up, because he was "hurting". They definitely keyed on him and knew he wasn't 100%. I also wonder if it affected his passing ability, as well. Yes, I know he's not a "passing" QB but he has made some of those passes in the past that were picked off/off target today. Maybe he mechanics were even worse than usual because of pain in his knee? Just a thought.

Finally, fans on message boards who guarantee victory and then proceed to talk about playing Delaware next week basically deserve whatever hollow feeling they have right now. One, the only game that matters is the next game and: Two, you aren't on the team so don't write checks with your mouth and then act surprised because Mark Farley and the players won't cash them on the field.

I agree that we should be pretty happy with how this year turned out as a whole. Conference champions and another trip to the playoffs. I would have taken that in a heartbeat if you told me that at the beginning of the year. It was a great achievement for this very young team.

BUT, to lose at home in the Dome yet again, to a vastly inferior team (talent wise) yet again, is simply unacceptable. That is where the fans frustration lies. Not to mention how we just sleep walked through the game last week at WIU. Just embarrassing.

Lehigh won because of two blown plays in the secondary? Ridiculous claim. What, do you think the defense is supposed to play perfect? Lehigh won because our offense was inept. The D played great.

Mondo turf has nothing to do with Billy's struggles. There was no mondo turf against richmond. There was no mondo turf at Iowa. There was no mondo turf anywhere else on the road this year where he was terrible. He's simply just not a good kicker. Has any team ever had a 4 year starting kicker be so unsuccessful?

Agree about the lack of a power rusher. That really hurt us this year. Hopefully Dawson can bring us something good next season to compliment Carlos.

Agree about Rennie. He was just plain hurt today. We really needed that bye week. We has just ineffective today.

Agree about people writing this game off. Always always always respect your opponent.

[Big_Al]

Re: Wow, Folks.

Lehigh won because of two blown plays in the secondary? Ridiculous claim. What, do you think the defense is supposed to play perfect? Lehigh won because our offense was inept. The D played great.

Lehigh won for all sorts of reasons; offensive impotence, terrible placekicking, poor secondary play (267 yards through the air). I guess my point isn't so much to place blame on the defense but rather to point out that there were several links in the chain that could have broken today's loss and they weren't all on the offense.

Mondo turf has nothing to do with Billy's struggles. There was no mondo turf against richmond. There was no mondo turf at Iowa. There was no mondo turf anywhere else on the road this year where he was terrible. He's simply just not a good kicker. Has any team ever had a 4 year starting kicker be so unsuccessful?

Again, I should clarify that I only think the turf is one factor. I do think Billy could have been better had he been given more/better coaching. Everything I've seen has been that he's basically been left on his own to work on technique and practice, etc. I think part of the blame for his performance should fall on lack of coaching. I do think it's interesting to note that against South Dakota he was the sole reason UNI won -- and that was on the old-style astroturf. He's never been the best kicker but it seems his accuracy issues really only became such a big problem in the last two years.

Finally, Richmond was not Billy's fault -- that team should have put up more points on the board but failed to capitalize on all their opportunities.

[Big_Al]

Re: Wow, Folks.

BUT, to lose at home in the Dome yet again, to a vastly inferior team (talent wise) yet again, is simply unacceptable. That is where the fans frustration lies.

I guess my problem with this attitude is that UNI simply didn't have the talent needed in every area. This year it seemed like we had great pieces to different puzzles. I think the team did a good job of fitting them together as best as possible but this was never a team that was capable of making a serious playoff run.

TR took a beating this year and it finally caught up to the Panthers in the last two games. He was the key to all of our offensive success and when he broke down, so did the offense.

[06panther10]

Re: Wow, Folks.

I guess my problem with this attitude is that UNI simply didn't have the talent needed in every area. This year it seemed like we had great pieces to different puzzles. I think the team did a good job of fitting them together as best as possible but this was never a team that was capable of making a serious playoff run.

TR took a beating this year and it finally caught up to the Panthers in the last two games. He was the key to all of our offensive success and when he broke down, so did the offense.

I agree that this team probably wasn't ready/capable of making a deep playoff run. But that wasn't my expectation for this team anyway.

Even if we are lacking certain "pieces" to our puzzle, we should always always be able to beat a team like Lehigh. Especially at home.

[jnutt]

Re: Wow, Folks.

big al. thanks for not being an idiot

[96' Alum]

Re: Wow, Folks.

Al, I agree that there are things to be happy about concerning this season.

But, how many times do you have to see the same thing before you realize that it isn't on the players?

I have no problem with Farley, like Willie, and wish the best for them as people. But this is just another in a long series of losing playoff games that we had no business losing.

I remember that we made the finals in 05, and that might really be a big part of the problem. People seem too grateful. We have had at least six different teams over the years that should have won national championships, three of those teams have been during this staff's tenure.

I remember getting blown out at Marshall, and beaten soundly by Boise, and Delaware....Those games didn't bother me, and they shouldn't bother anyone. BUT when you see a team lose games the same way, year after year, there needs to be serious questions asked.

If this is a program that is designed to make the playoffs only, with an occasional run to the semis every few years that is fine, just tell me, and I won't get upset watching the same loss year in and year out. But we need to outline those expectations for the fanbase.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: Wow, Folks.

Agreed, 96. If the goal is a title some changes need to be made.

[JayJ79]

Re: Wow, Folks.

TR took a beating this year and it finally caught up to the Panthers in the last two games. He was the key to all of our offensive success and when he broke down, so did the offense.

How could that happen? I heard that running quarterbacks were supposed to be invincible?

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Wow, Folks.

Al, I agree that there are things to be happy about concerning this season.

But, how many times do you have to see the same thing before you realize that it isn't on the players?

I have no problem with Farley, like Willie, and wish the best for them as people. But this is just another in a long series of losing playoff games that we had no business losing.

I remember that we made the finals in 05, and that might really be a big part of the problem. People seem too grateful. We have had at least six different teams over the years that should have won national championships, three of those teams have been during this staff's tenure.

I remember getting blown out at Marshall, and beaten soundly by Boise, and Delaware....Those games didn't bother me, and they shouldn't bother anyone. BUT when you see a team lose games the same way, year after year, there needs to be serious questions asked.

If this is a program that is designed to make the playoffs only, with an occasional run to the semis every few years that is fine, just tell me, and I won't get upset watching the same loss year in and year out. But we need to outline those expectations for the fanbase.

I agree with this completely. Our defensive coaches knew they were lacking in some areas and strong in others going into this season, so what did they do? They attempted to capitalize on strenghts and hide weaknesses by installing a 3-4 defense and scheming around their strengths. Our offense has never done this. In fact, I remember a certain 0-line that could flat out man handle another team up and down the field. They absolutely beat up a Missouri State team by forcing the ball down their throats when Sanders was banged up. They also were demolishing a Delaware front line for almost an entire first quarter and Corey Lewis had about 80 yards to start the game and we were looking to give them the death blow. What did we do the very next series when we got the ball back after another Flaco 3 and out? We passed the ball 3 straight times and gave it right back to Delaware. In other words, we coach to ficticious situations and opponents on offense and don't maximize our strenghts. Changes are not only needed, but required to take the next step that we want as fans and that the boys on the field deserve.

[houndawg]

Re: Wow, Folks.

Well, I picked a helluva time to bring my son to his first football game. Certainly was frustrating to see opportunities slip through our fingers this afternoon.

To read some (most?) of the comments on the board right now, you'd think we just finished a 1-10 campaign instead of a 7-5 campaign. Folks, UNI has a coach who has had one losing campaign since 2001. One. He just took a younger team with less talent in key areas than the 2009 squad to the playoffs. The team loses 6 seniors.

Fact is, the team is young and it is stacked.

Lehigh won because of two blown plays in the secondary. One of which was about a half-step away from being an interception. Otherwise, they never even sniffed the red zone. As much as it pains me to say this, they're gonna get blown up by Delaware next weekend.

God, I hate Delaware.

Also, I've become convinced that UNI needs a dedicated kicking coach. Billy Hallgren has had troubles ever since the switch to the Mondoturf. I don't know if it's physical or mental but the coaches simply didn't know how to work him through his issues. I hope the next kicker can make the kicks that Billy seemed to struggle so much with the last two years. Also, I think it's interesting to note that Lehigh's kicker

I really, really hope there's a power rusher waiting in the wings. I love Carlos but he isn't an up-the-middle back. Matt Strathman was a great kid this year and I really liked his work ethic but he simply didn't have the physical ability to overpower opposing defenses like the Panthers have had in the recent past. UNI needs a back who will wear down defenses as the game goes on and get stronger in the second half. Finesse just isn't enough to break through the line on a consistent basis.

Tirrell Rennie was clearly injured today. It definitely affected his rushing ability, as he couldn't consistently turn the corner for even 4-5 yards like he normally does. Also, I heard the Lehigh players on the sidelines talking about how they couldn't let up, because he was "hurting". They definitely keyed on him and knew he wasn't 100%. I also wonder if it affected his passing ability, as well. Yes, I know he's not a "passing" QB but he has made some of those passes in the past that were picked off/off target today. Maybe he mechanics were even worse than usual because of pain in his knee? Just a thought.

Finally, fans on message boards who guarantee victory and then proceed to talk about playing Delaware next week basically deserve whatever hollow feeling they have right now. One, the only game that matters is the next game and: Two, you aren't on the team so don't write checks with your mouth and then act surprised because Mark Farley and the players won't cash them on the field.

I thought the Panthers were a stacked young team when I watched them in Carbondale; they should have won. Athletic, good speed overall, but the thing that I saw that I'll bet Lehigh was playing to if they watched the film was that Rennie can't throw the ball 50 yards in the air. Next year you're going to see 9 up close every week if he remains the QB. Move him to WR and put Boothby at FB. That dude is a beast.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Wow, Folks.

I thought the Panthers were a stacked young team when I watched them in Carbondale; they should have won. Athletic, good speed overall, but the thing that I saw that I'll bet Lehigh was playing to if they watched the film was that Rennie can't throw the ball 50 yards in the air. Next year you're going to see 9 up close every week if he remains the QB. Move him to WR and put Boothby at FB. That dude is a beast.

Or don't make our passing game all about 50 yard passes. Stephen F. Austin hardly ever throws the ball more than 10 yards in the air and they seem to do just fine.

[houndawg]

Re: Wow, Folks.

Or don't make our passing game all about 50 yard passes. Stephen F. Austin hardly ever throws the ball more than 10 yards in the air and they seem to do just fine.

If you can't throw the ball 50 yards on a hail mary you probably don't have much on your out patterns either. Your QB did a good job of coming in and playing right out of juco but he will be a liability next year since his weak arm has been exposed.