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It's game week. Give us your thoughts. There is a very cool gameday website for UNI again this year. Check it out. The only thing wrong is that it says there isn't any tv, which there is. Otherwise it's all good.
Below is the pre-season preview that has been posted in 'The Den' for the past month.
UNI at Drake: 8/30/06 7:00PM
TV: KFXA/KDSM
The Venue: Drake Stadium (16,500---estimate)
The Stats:
Drake leads the all-time series 25-18-1, but have lost 3 of the last 4 games played against the Panthers. Drake has one returning Mid Major All-American in Scott Phadavong. Three players on Drake's squad have been named to the Mid-Major Preseason All-American Team. Senior Linebacker James Adams, Junior O-lineman Dave Pammer, and Junior Running Back Scott Phaydavong.
Offense. 10 returning players, but the kicker is the qb is the one that has to be replaced. Last year 2 freshmen took turns in blowouts, one is taller and a classic drop back passer with a good arm, the other has less power in his arm, but is much more mobile. I think there are also a couple of RS freshmen who will compete for the position this fall. Running game is anchored by Scott Phadavong, who has just completed two 1,500+ yard seasons.
Defense is replacing the entire defensive line. Last year the underclassmen who got a chance to play were solid, but looked like they weren't quite as in sync as the guys who were starting and getting in more reps. How their off-season has gone and how quickly they jel will determine a lot of how the defense fares this year. The linebacking core is rock solid. They are all returning multi-year starters.
I'd expect the story (UNI vs. Drake) to be the same as last year. Size & strength Drake will match up ok, but will be a step slower than UNI at most positions. Last year time and again we saw Scotty just a 1/2 step from breaking a run open, but the holes closed just as he got there or got chased down by too many in persuit. He would grind out the yards, but in all the other games you knew he had a chance to pop for big gains, but it never happened last year.
Thanks to BlueDawg from www.drakenation.com for the help in this preview.
Below is the pre-season preview that has been posted in 'The Den' for the past month.
UNI at Drake: 8/30/06 7:00PM
TV: KFXA/KDSM
The Venue: Drake Stadium (16,500---estimate)
The Stats:
Drake leads the all-time series 25-18-1, but have lost 3 of the last 4 games played against the Panthers. Drake has one returning Mid Major All-American in Scott Phadavong. Three players on Drake's squad have been named to the Mid-Major Preseason All-American Team. Senior Linebacker James Adams, Junior O-lineman Dave Pammer, and Junior Running Back Scott Phaydavong.
Offense. 10 returning players, but the kicker is the qb is the one that has to be replaced. Last year 2 freshmen took turns in blowouts, one is taller and a classic drop back passer with a good arm, the other has less power in his arm, but is much more mobile. I think there are also a couple of RS freshmen who will compete for the position this fall. Running game is anchored by Scott Phadavong, who has just completed two 1,500+ yard seasons.
Defense is replacing the entire defensive line. Last year the underclassmen who got a chance to play were solid, but looked like they weren't quite as in sync as the guys who were starting and getting in more reps. How their off-season has gone and how quickly they jel will determine a lot of how the defense fares this year. The linebacking core is rock solid. They are all returning multi-year starters.
I'd expect the story (UNI vs. Drake) to be the same as last year. Size & strength Drake will match up ok, but will be a step slower than UNI at most positions. Last year time and again we saw Scotty just a 1/2 step from breaking a run open, but the holes closed just as he got there or got chased down by too many in persuit. He would grind out the yards, but in all the other games you knew he had a chance to pop for big gains, but it never happened last year.
Thanks to BlueDawg from www.drakenation.com for the help in this preview.
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