***Game Thread SDSU, Week 8*** Rabbit Season***

[GonzoCat]

We we have lost 8 of the last 9 to NDSU, it isn’t a rivalry, we are their b$&@!

You're right, neither UNI nor any other team has been able to rival NDSU over the past 8 seasons, a stretch where they've won 6 NC's and are the prohibitive favorite to win a 7th. How many teams have won more than once against NDSU in this 8 year stretch? No DI college football team has ever dominated the game to this extent in history. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to a dynasty.

There was also a game in that stretch when we were winning pretty handily until our best defensive player got his leg broken. That sort of took the wind out of the teams and coaches sails. It's part of the game, but pretty unusual circumstance.

Right now we look like we just might be the second best team in the country and one of very few that could challenge NDSU in the playoffs. Of course we aren't ranked anywhere near that because while SDS was playing some pine cone team and winning by 90 we were playing Iowa. If we win out and take second place again, only uncontested this year, in a conference with 7-8 ranked teams, I don't see any way the selection committee keeps us from a seed. First round bye, next two rounds at home, opposite side from NDS and we meet them in Frisco.

That's my dream, probably won't happen, but it's your nightmare.

[GonzoCat]

I saw some encouraging things in the 4th qtr of this game that I was worried I'd never see again from the Panthers. Yeah we played conservative on offense with the lead, but maybe not as conservative as usual. The last possession was I think the only time we ran it 3 times and punted and there aren't many coaches that wouldn't do that with an 8 point lead and chance to take the clock down to 45 seconds or so and pin the opponent at their 10. The possession before that we had a normally sure handed receiver drop an open pass on 3rd down that would have been either a touchdown or first and goal.

But even better was a defense that never went into mega prevent mode. Their last two possessions resulted in a tipped pass on 4th down and a pick 6. Our normal 4th qtr defense with any lead has been to allow the opponent wide open passes of 15-20 yards that allow them to score in 1-2 minutes of clock time as many times as it takes to lose the game.

Maybe somebody's learning something.

[panthergirl123]

I just looked at the SDSU media postings from the game. I love how their coach John Steigelmeier commented on their onside kick. His response, "We play to win". He has been with SDSU since 1997. However, he was an assistant coach at UNI in 1980.

[PantherFan]

I think they might have expanded the intro video (either that or I just never noticed the very start before).
They also had some purple lighting inside the garage doors and showed some shots of the team inside the "garage" on the big screen before the intro.
If there was something else new, I didn't notice it.

The band didn't play when UNI was on offense either. That should make some of you happy.

[FOTY]

The band didn't play when UNI was on offense either. That should make some of you happy.

Although better than the past, not 100% true. In fact, late in the game we had a critical 3rd down and they played up until the first clap from the QB. (I sit right behind them, hard to miss.)

[TravelingPanther]

Big win. If we split with WII and Illinois State and take of business the rest of the way we should be home on thanksgiving. If we get to 8-3 who knows what will happened.

I'm still not optimistic about the way we are playing, but I'm excited to be on a win streak.

[ronfitch]

That last punt was HUGE, and the following pick six was just plain fun to watch.

Kuntz's last three punts and coverage were fantastic:

- FC at the 9;
- a booming 48-yard punt that coverage tackled the returner for a one-yard loss at SDSU's 26;
- andthat last one - a 49-yard punt that coverage limited to four yards on the return and pinned them back at the 9;

Petey's call of Soko's coverage tackle on the 48-yarder for a one-yard loss was fun - he was full of complements for Soko.

I only heard the end of the third and the fourth quarter. Petey and Rima were having fun, said the crowd was into it late in the game.

On edit: fun fact ... Kuntz and Kibby have 42 punts on the season, 14 inside the 20 and another 12 FCs. That is great kicking and coverage.

Also, UNI's offense is 100% on red zone scoring this season, according to Rima last night prior to Errthum's last FG attempt of the night (which he hit).

[06panther10]

I thought we played great. That was one of the better games we have played in quite some time. I thought we absolutely controlled the game from start to finish and it wasnt nearly as close of a game as the score indicated.

[clenz]

For the first time in a long time that felt like Farley’s favorite phrase “Panther football”.

Complete control.

Played with an edge - epitomized by the walk off into the locker room and wave by Xavier (and a few waves at the end of the game). It was noticeable through the game

We saw the typical 4th quater fade/collapse start and it started to feel like any other game. Prevent defense and offense started. But then something different happened - Farley lulled out of the prevent and started attacking again. Offense was still conservative but not as much as “normal”. Defense kept attacking. Players responded and made plays that haven’t been made in the past.

There is a lot of season left, but IF we see more of yesterday it’s going to be a good final month and into playoffs.

I just wish it dodnt take until the sexond half of every season to see this kind of play.


Also, we need to stick with QBs like Eli and to finally realize we need to be done with running QBs. Since the abomination that was Montana’s first half he’s worked his way back into the top 25 of the FCS for completion percent at 62.7. Since the Montana game he’s 7th in the nation at 67.8%. The offense, when he’s allowed to make plays, is great.

[clenz]

I wasn’t able to make it to the game, but from social media it sounds like in Stadium game day stuff was changed and noticeably better. That’s great to hear!

[Blue42]

Kuntz's last three punts and coverage were fantastic:

- FC at the 9;
- a booming 48-yard punt that coverage tackled the returner for a one-yard loss at SDSU's 26;
- andthat last one - a 49-yard punt that coverage limited to four yards on the return and pinned them back at the 9;

Petey's call of Soko's coverage tackle on the 48-yarder for a one-yard loss was fun - he was full of complements for Soko.

I only heard the end of the third and the fourth quarter. Petey and Rima were having fun, said the crowd was into it late in the game.

On edit: fun fact ... Kuntz and Kibby have 42 punts on the season, 14 inside the 20 and another 12 FCs. That is great kicking and coverage.

Also, UNI's offense is 100% on red zone scoring this season, according to Rima last night prior to Errthum's last FG attempt of the night (which he hit).

Those punting stats are terrific.

And Errthum has been really good on FGs and kickoffs. His last FG last night was clutch.

[JD720]

Is there any place to watch the Top 10 online, or do you just have to wait for the next airing of sportscenter?

Not the best video but I found this on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/xaviebaby22/status/1053863666343387137?s=19

[Blue42]

A few observations from last night's game...

1. OL play continues to be really good. Loving Coach Clanton's work. Hope he's here a few years.

2. Didn't it used to be a golden rule in football that u don't catch a punt inside the 10? Now guys do it all the time.

3. Elerson Smith is so fast off the edge that OTs can't block him. Keep playing him.

4. Lambert #40 was playing fast at LB last night for a guy getting his first start in a complex scheme. Sundtken played well also. Be ready when it's your turn.

5. Ezra has to be more consistent with snaps. We're 7 games in. It gets a little better each week...but it's gotta be 95 of 100.

6. Deion McShane was a huge get last year. Realizing it more with each game. True freshman...wow.

7. Kuntz late punt under heavy pressure was a thing of beauty.

8. What the @#$! was that on-side kick attempt by the Jacks. 6 minutes left so don't u kick it deep? And Viniateri shanked it.

9. Didn't like Farley taking that holding call on 3rd down in the 4th qtr. It was a 56 yard FG attempt and he gave them a chance for a big play, PI, etc. to keep the drive alive.

10. Watching the entire bench and student section do "Jump Around" after the pick 6 was a lotta fun. Clanton was bouncing down the sideline...kids were having a blast.

11. The defense was fantastic all night. 9 points to that offense is big time. Tackling was better last night.

Great win by the Panthers.....keep it rolling boys.





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[Neighbor]

Was there a rule change re stopping the clock? On two occasions it appeared the ball carrier ran out of bounds and the clock continued to run. One was a SDSU running back carried to about the south 40. The second was aUNI running back on the north 30. Both were late in the game 4th qtr I think.

[Blue42]

One other thought I had during the game last night...

When Bryce Douglas showed up at UNI he was a bit of a project and I remember doubting if he'd ever be a contributor.

Man did this guy turn into a nice DT. He's a load in the middle and his athleticism is underrated.

Plays a ton of snaps every game.

Great success story.