UNI vs NDSU

[panther-state]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Yeah, it was a serious question. Tell me who and why this team is different than that team last year. Anyone specific? Any chance your schedule looks a bit different than last years and that might have something to do with your record, as opposed to who you may have added to the depth chart? That's all I was wondering.

Well nearly everyone returned except some of the secondary, last years team was inexperienced, while very talented, and that rough start to the year with close loses to Wisconsin and Iowa took its toll. We cleaned up some of the mistakes at the end of the year but it was too late by then. This defense has made huge gains just from having a whole year together and honestly while we all thought Sonie, Swain and company were going to be the defensive leaders with the secondary they were pretty pedestrian. Diondre Hall and Tim Kilfoy stepped in for injuries last year as true freshmen and this year have been very solid. Hall plays rover and has been an absolute beast at making plays. Makington Doloreant (spelling?) the transfer from Maryland has been great in the coverage as well. NDSU will be a good test for this defense to see just how good they really are. They look miles better than last year, although this front 7 look pretty darn good against Ball and the Badgers in what was one of the few healthy games for them.

If they can hold the Bison in check then you never know what Sawyer and DJ can do. Johnson will be the best offensive player in that Dome on Saturday so hopefully the offense can support him against NDSU's excellent D and allow him to make some plays. Not having Sam Rohr and Brett LeMaster will hurt but we've done well to this point without those two. Brion Carnes will likely play as well and he allows us to run a "wildcat" type of offense although don't assume he's always running considering he is the backup QB and a Nebraska transfer. I wish Zenner had been healthy just to see how he would fare against NDSU because I think DJ is the better back and all-around player.

Go Cats!

[BisoninNWMN]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Why is it asinine? There seems to be some logic.

Logic?

The Bison have won the last 2 games because they were the better team...period.

The better team will win on Saturday. When 2 really good teams play it will come down to mistakes and how the other team takes advantage of them.

[panther2317]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Did UNI win the three previous games because they were "the better team...period."?

Listen, even if UNI wins Saturday, the goal is still to win the Conference and then a National Championship. But I think all Panther fans know to be the best, you have to beat the best. Until someone tells me different, NDSU has won the last two titles...they are the best.

Hopefully our players see a huge target on the green and gold and take aim. Hoping for a great game...no injuries...and deep runs into FCS playoffs.

[Born-a-Panther]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Yeah, it was a serious question. Tell me who and why this team is different than that team last year. Anyone specific? Any chance your schedule looks a bit different than last years and that might have something to do with your record, as opposed to who you may have added to the depth chart? That's all I was wondering.

We had a brutal start to our schedule last year with a very young team and a freshman quarterback. Two games early on against Wisconsin and Iowa and we got pretty banged up and bruised up. Guys couldn't practice, making practices less effective. (Obviously).

We've got some great leaders this year... a great group of guys. And I think that in itself can make all the difference. When guys start to come into their own and take leadership roles... when team chemistry comes together... special things can happen. (See UNI 2005 -- as just an example).

Coach Farley talks about the talent on this team, but he also never fails to mention the type of young men they are. They are a good bunch. That matters.

[Trapped in California]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

I think that the O-Line play has improved considerably compared to last year. Especially on pass blocking. Run blocking, especially the line push in short yardage situations has a ways to go in order to be a feared oline.

Having a full season under Kollmorgen's belt has certainly sharpened his game. Much more decisive of where he is throwing the ball. Generally very good ball placement on the pass, though the occasional pass gets away.

It would appear that the secondary is playing a much tighter brand of coverage compared to last year. Last year featured a lot of soft zone. In the McNeese game, generally there was tight coverage on the flood of receivers put on the field.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Yeah, it was a serious question. Tell me who and why this team is different than that team last year. Anyone specific? Any chance your schedule looks a bit different than last years and that might have something to do with your record, as opposed to who you may have added to the depth chart? That's all I was wondering.

Lynch and Paup. It's a new routine kind of like the pick and roll or rip and swim technique. Just kidding. New defensive coaches who bring NFL experience (Lynch-Super Bowl ring with Colts, Paup-NFL Defensive Player of the Year) to the practices and preparation.

We had 11 sacks last year, with pretty much the same D-line we had 12 in our first two games (6 against Iowa State). Getting pressure on the QB has allowed the LB's and DB's more freedom. Conversely, the DB's have played very well and that has bought more time for the D-Line to apply pressure, we've rotated DB's in but they all are playing solid fundamentals, not a lot of picks, but they have been involved in a lot of break-ups.

Lastly, addition by subtraction. Varmah Sonie is gone. Kid did some good things at times but seemed likely to be counted on for at least one personal foul a game at a poor time and was picked on often because of his height, 5-9 which was giving him credit. Not a problem with this year's DB's.

[BCPanther]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Speaking of Sonie, I was so used to him doing something stupid that I now, unfairly, sit there and hope Charles Brown doesn't throw a punch at somebody??

He should have picked something other than #4...

[11>1]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Thanks for the breakdown guys. Can't wait for Saturday!!!

[Codytwo]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

Yeah, it was a serious question. Tell me who and why this team is different than that team last year. Anyone specific? Any chance your schedule looks a bit different than last years and that might have something to do with your record, as opposed to who you may have added to the depth chart? That's all I was wondering.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the team that scored the most points will win on Saturday.

[JayJ79]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

was working somewhere in Waverly today, and they had the radio on some Waverly station (since I was working, I wasn't paying all that close attention to it, so I can't tell you which one), but I happened to hear one of their news/sports guys talking about the UNI/NDSU game, and mentioning "the Bison have the most obnoxious fanbase", and my first thought was "that (radio) guy must be on PantherNation". haha.

[Neighbor]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

I was South of Indianapolis early this morning and heard the announcer talk about NDSU and hockey. Goes on how NDSU hockey is good as Gophers hockey. Then he starts talking about NDSU / UNI matchup this weekend. I soon realize I'm listening to KXEL and I'm like wow 500 miles from home.

cool story Bro

[PantherFan]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

I was South of Indianapolis early this morning and heard the announcer talk about NDSU and hockey. Goes on how NDSU hockey is good as Gophers hockey. Then he starts talking about NDSU / UNI matchup this weekend. I soon realize I'm listening to KXEL and I'm like wow 500 miles from home.

cool story Bro

NDSU hockey is nothing like Gopher hockey. Isn't even a varsity sport at NDSU. On the other hand, North Dakota is a division I hockey power.

[11>1]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

was working somewhere in Waverly today, and they had the radio on some Waverly station (since I was working, I wasn't paying all that close attention to it, so I can't tell you which one), but I happened to hear one of their news/sports guys talking about the UNI/NDSU game, and mentioning "the Bison have the most obnoxious fanbase", and my first thought was "that (radio) guy must be on PantherNation". haha.

Nah, just sounds like that was the impression he got from watching ESPN College Gameday in Fargo a couple of weeks ago. Ugh, I hate when that happens.

[Neighbor]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

NDSU hockey is nothing like Gopher hockey. Isn't even a varsity sport at NDSU. On the other hand, North Dakota is a division I hockey power.

Yes I'm aware of that. The Bi Sons hate it when they are confused for the Sioux.

[FargoPanther]

Re: UNI vs NDSU

So are there any Panther Fans coming up to FARGO?