2006 Season Post Mortem..............

[Cap'n Cat]

So, what happened this season? You guys are closer to it than I have been. Bad team chemistry as in '02? Horses not there? Expectations too high? Did people figure us out?

The most distressing thing, as I said before, is losing in the Dome with increased regularity.

[Chitown Panther]

Either last year we caught lightning in the bottle......or this year we bought the hype.......

[pantherclaw]

So, what happened this season? You guys are closer to it than I have been. Bad team chemistry as in '02? Horses not there? Expectations too high? Did people figure us out?

The most distressing thing, as I said before, is losing in the Dome with increased regularity.

I agree bad team chemistry, lack of experienced recieving corps, and running groups. I think that things got better as the year went on. But next year look out world 18 of 22 starters back. oh baby. gonna be fun. when will they announce the scheddy.

[JayJ79]

so, if you're calling this season dead already, does that mean you won't be at the Illinois State game?

[pantherclaw]

Im in band so ill be there anyway, even if i wasen't in it id be there, planning on going to the v-ball game that night 2. and no im not calling this season dead, im calling our playoff hopes are dead. personally we need to pay ILS back for our drubbing at their place last year.

[Panthers to the Bone]

IMO, the lack of the deep ball threat (or the emergence of one) really hurt UNI. The RB's ran for 5 yards per carry. Sanders was efficient. But, when the receivers down field were covered, it's hard to throw the ball. I'm no football coach or anything, but I think there is alot to be said about the lack of a deep threat. How many balls were caught for long gains or past the secondary? I can think of only 4. Sanders to TA vs. WKU for game winner. Sanders to Gray at YSU. Sanders to Lindgren on opening play of MSU. And Grace to Williams (the WR) against Drake.

[Newsbreaker]

I think this team bought the hype, and forgot the work that made last year happen. From a far, I didn't see the chemistry, didn't see that "us against the world/something to prove" attitude that characterized last year's squad.

[UNI MadCat]

I agree with everything that's being said but also want to point one thing out... if we beat IlSU on Saturday then we are really only 1 play away from an identical record as last year and 2 plays away from a better one. Yeah I think that you can argue they went about it a lot differently this but still, its not THAT different.

If they just don't screw up against ND this year I think that the school's first at-large bid would be very, very, very likely with a win this Saturday. And then if they had knocked off ISU it would be a no-brainer. Ahhhh... a lot of coulda, woulda, shouldas. Man they really screwed themselves with that ND game.

[UNIPNTHR]

I think this team bought the hype, and forgot the work that made last year happen. From a far, I didn't see the chemistry, didn't see that "us against the world/something to prove" attitude that characterized last year's squad.

Yeah... last year seemed like a group of guys that said, 'you know what we've got nothing to lose, let's just play some ball'. I'm not trying to knock this team, becuse it was still a heck of a lot of fun cheering for them this year. I guess there's a lot of truth in the idea that each year is a new team unrelated to the team of the season before and the team that comes back next fall.

[Chitown Panther]

I don't like kids running around saying....."We're goning to the SHIP" when they havn't even played a down yet......

[Mountain Panther]

I think this week's game will be a true test of how team can hang together. If we get BLOWN out, I wouldn't want to be in Spring Camp that first day!

[Matt Trump]

Loss of too many crucial leaders on defense: Heideman, Stensrud, Koebcke, etc.

I don't think the chemistry was an issue. Just too much youth on Defense.

[JCPanthers]

Loss of too many crucial leaders on defense: Heideman, Stensrud, Koebcke, etc.

I don't think the chemistry was an issue. Just too much youth on Defense.

I also think there was some chemistry/communication issues within the coaching...especially on defense.

[Matt Trump]

I also think there was some chemistry/communication issues within the coaching...especially on defense.

Player chemistry or coaching chemistry?

[JCPanthers]

Player chemistry or coaching chemistry?

Coaching chemistry...between the coaches and between coaches and players.