Just parity or down game?

[Ca./Paw]

Since I live out of town and can't seem to get any info on the Gateway conference except scores... I wondered if the last Panther vs Ill St. game shows the parity in the conference or was just a down game for the Panthers... I don't believe Ill St. has even been ranked this year. The loss to the Bears probably hurt more since we had a chance... but from the score, this looked like a pretty one sided game. It was nice to see them bounce back vs YSt.

[strike00]

I would say it was some of both. While I dont think the Panthers played nearly as well as they are capable, the Gateway is really good from tap to bottom. Even InST has scared some people

[panther2317]

I think the teams in the Gateway are very strong from top to bottom with the exception of Indiana State. I think all of the teams are capable of beating the others on any given Saturday, but last week's scores confused me a little. Last week's loss by Illinois State to Western Illinois makes me believe more that it was indeed a down game for UNI. I thought WIU was down this year and UNI really had their way with the Leathernecks in that game in Macomb...and then WIU (who had not won a Gateway game this season) goes to Normal and takes down the Redbirds.

I think it's a combination of a couple things. I think UNI had an off-game in Normal two weeks ago. Last weekend, I think Illinois State had a let down after the big UNI win and the overlooked WIU because of their record coming into the game.

[Matt Trump]

We also knocked out Illinois St's top 2 runningbacks, so they were beat up for that next game. Also, they are 1-10 vs Western Ky and WIU in the Denver Johnson era. Like in all levels of football, some teams just have the numbers of others. Kind of why we always smoke YSU and have only won 1 game vs WKU. Even Ill St has had our number at times.

I don't think it has anything to do with parity. Youngstown will fall from the top in the next 3 weeks, mark my words. SIU/WKU/UNI will be fighting for the top. Its just the way it always is in this conference.

[UNIAlum95]

I think the ISU loss was a motivation problem. We weren't ready to play. We are a better team than they are but we didn't show up. They were motivated and kicked our rears back to CF. Let's hope that's the wakeup call for the season and we roll from here out...