[October 8, 2011] #19 Indiana State (4-1) at #2 Northern Iowa (3-1)

[landrus13]

I'm not sure if the hit was dirty or not because I didn't see it, but the guys on the radio sure made it sound like it was a dirty hit. They said he was rolling over and the guy came in and nailed him in the head. I hope Bell recovers quickly and is back for the WIU game.

 

[Khan4Cats]

Was wanting to come over and post to tell you guys that was a great game and I hope people look beyond the final score and realize that game was in doubt well into the 4th quarter. However, I do have to comment on the hit on Bell.

It was not a dirty hit, it was a hard hit and it was the second player in on the hit that landed the harder hit as Bell was spun and trying to gain a few more yards and was left vulnerable. It was not a hit meant to intentionally hurt a player-any more than any tackle is meant to hurt the opposing player. It was an instance where Bell was left exposed and took a shot. It was not helmet to helmet and that was not even the personal foul call on the play. The personal foul call was for taunting and it was done by a player who was not involved in the tackle but came over after Bell was down and stood by him and said something. The two players that combined for the hit were away from the scene at the time the flag came in, which was after the play was over. Had it been a helmet to helmet call, it would have been flagged on the play, not several seconds after the play was dead. Just my take on it.

I hope Bell is able to recover and get back out there-it was clear from how he came off that he wasn't coming back today. He's a hell of a back and I both look forward and dread watching him for the next two years-reminds me of the kind of backs UNI and SIU have had over the years.

As for your team, they proved they are for real and I hope they rebound and run the table. It looks like about a three team race at the top and that would be UNI, NDSU, and the Sycamores. Hope you guys save your money and prepare to buy play-off tickets, I don't see any reason why this team shouldn't be play-off bound. Well, aside from finding a kicker.

 

[Chief_Quabachi]

During my son's Jr. year he made a tackle where he led with his helmut and suffered a stinger and laid on the field unconscious for a couple minute which seemed like an eternity. When he did come around he had no feeling in his extremities and was carted off the field to an ambulance and transported to Union Hospital. By the time they arrived at Union feeling had returned and after a couple of observation I was allowed to take him home. Scary, scary time and I seriously considered shutting down his football career. But, life itself is a risk and we each have to go our independent way.
He loved the game and was pretty daggone good as a safety and wide receiver playing both ways.

 

[Chief_Quabachi]

Was wanting to come over and post to tell you guys that was a great game and I hope people look beyond the final score and realize that game was in doubt well into the 4th quarter. However, I do have to comment on the hit on Bell.

It was not a dirty hit, it was a hard hit and it was the second player in on the hit that landed the harder hit as Bell was spun and trying to gain a few more yards and was left vulnerable. It was not a hit meant to intentionally hurt a player-any more than any tackle is meant to hurt the opposing player. It was an instance where Bell was left exposed and took a shot. It was not helmet to helmet and that was not even the personal foul call on the play. The personal foul call was for taunting and it was done by a player who was not involved in the tackle but came over after Bell was down and stood by him and said something. The two players that combined for the hit were away from the scene at the time the flag came in, which was after the play was over. Had it been a helmet to helmet call, it would have been flagged on the play, not several seconds after the play was dead. Just my take on it.

I hope Bell is able to recover and get back out there-it was clear from how he came off that he wasn't coming back today. He's a hell of a back and I both look forward and dread watching him for the next two years-reminds me of the kind of backs UNI and SIU have had over the years.

As for your team, they proved they are for real and I hope they rebound and run the table. It looks like about a three team race at the top and that would be UNI, NDSU, and the Sycamores. Hope you guys save your money and prepare to buy play-off tickets, I don't see any reason why this team shouldn't be play-off bound. Well, aside from finding a kicker.

Khan4Cats, appreciate your take on this situation. I'm sure all ISU fans have a tremendous amount of respect for the Panther program, team and their success over the years. Panther football is at a level that all Sycamore's and fans aspire to achieve.

 

[Callmedoc]

Was wanting to come over and post to tell you guys that was a great game and I hope people look beyond the final score and realize that game was in doubt well into the 4th quarter. However, I do have to comment on the hit on Bell.

It was not a dirty hit, it was a hard hit and it was the second player in on the hit that landed the harder hit as Bell was spun and trying to gain a few more yards and was left vulnerable. It was not a hit meant to intentionally hurt a player-any more than any tackle is meant to hurt the opposing player. It was an instance where Bell was left exposed and took a shot. It was not helmet to helmet and that was not even the personal foul call on the play. The personal foul call was for taunting and it was done by a player who was not involved in the tackle but came over after Bell was down and stood by him and said something. The two players that combined for the hit were away from the scene at the time the flag came in, which was after the play was over. Had it been a helmet to helmet call, it would have been flagged on the play, not several seconds after the play was dead. Just my take on it.

I hope Bell is able to recover and get back out there-it was clear from how he came off that he wasn't coming back today. He's a hell of a back and I both look forward and dread watching him for the next two years-reminds me of the kind of backs UNI and SIU have had over the years.

As for your team, they proved they are for real and I hope they rebound and run the table. It looks like about a three team race at the top and that would be UNI, NDSU, and the Sycamores. Hope you guys save your money and prepare to buy play-off tickets, I don't see any reason why this team shouldn't be play-off bound. Well, aside from finding a kicker.

Maybe it was the camera angle but it looked like to me and the call on the radio was for unnecessary roughness of some sort and it wasn't a hit I would "condone" from one of our guys...granted, I am a little biased just throwing that out there.
Secondly, that kicking situation caused me to lose hair today. LITERALLY.

 

[landrus13]

UNI is a measuring stick for our program and we hope to make it to that level pretty soon. I expect us to come back next week and take care of business against WIU. We did all we could against UNI, they were just too good of a team for us today. We made too mistakes with the kicking game that cost us and that fumble late in the game. We will see if we can continue to make a run for the MVFC title.

Good luck to UNI for the remainder of your season!!

 

[01Pantherfan]

Was wanting to come over and post to tell you guys that was a great game and I hope people look beyond the final score and realize that game was in doubt well into the 4th quarter. However, I do have to comment on the hit on Bell.

It was not a dirty hit, it was a hard hit and it was the second player in on the hit that landed the harder hit as Bell was spun and trying to gain a few more yards and was left vulnerable. It was not a hit meant to intentionally hurt a player-any more than any tackle is meant to hurt the opposing player. It was an instance where Bell was left exposed and took a shot. It was not helmet to helmet and that was not even the personal foul call on the play. The personal foul call was for taunting and it was done by a player who was not involved in the tackle but came over after Bell was down and stood by him and said something. The two players that combined for the hit were away from the scene at the time the flag came in, which was after the play was over. Had it been a helmet to helmet call, it would have been flagged on the play, not several seconds after the play was dead. Just my take on it.

I hope Bell is able to recover and get back out there-it was clear from how he came off that he wasn't coming back today. He's a hell of a back and I both look forward and dread watching him for the next two years-reminds me of the kind of backs UNI and SIU have had over the years.

As for your team, they proved they are for real and I hope they rebound and run the table. It looks like about a three team race at the top and that would be UNI, NDSU, and the Sycamores. Hope you guys save your money and prepare to buy play-off tickets, I don't see any reason why this team shouldn't be play-off bound. Well, aside from finding a kicker.

I agree with Khan, I dont think it was a dirty shot, now the shot the ISU player gave the UNI player on the pick six that was called back could of been called a bit dirty he was in the end zone when the ISU player came in and hit him in the back of the legs low around the knees

 

[bent20]

I was at the game in the visitor's section and couldn't see the hit that took Bell out. Maybe it wasn't dirty, but there were a couple of hits by UNI players before that that were a bit questionable. One play at our end he was completely wrapped up and going down and a UNI Dlinemen came in and speared him in the back. Not very sporting of the Panthers. I get it though. He's dangerous, you want to make sure he's down, BUT ... I didn't like it! It concerns me that teams will try this more in the future. Hope he's okay. We could really miss him next week. I will add that it was the two questionable hits I saw on him earlier and the way he was completely gashing the UNI D, that had me believing that the play that gave him the concussion was probably dirty as well. Just my opinion.

 

[bent20]

Had to respond to the comments about Bell before adding: Great effort by the Panthers. Their option is deadly and they have a great pass rush. I was pretty disappointed in our passing game tonight. I realize a lot of that has to be attributed to UNI, but we missed on a lot of opportunities.

 

[bent20]

Oh, and add me to the group of ISU fans who thinks we win that game with Bell and the way he was playing. Don't think that's an exaggeration at all. Concerns me though that we seem to be relying on him so heavily. Our passing game, which was expected to be very good, has been almost non-existent in recent games, and in this one it actually did us more harm than good.

 

[bent20]

I agree with Khan, I dont think it was a dirty shot, now the shot the ISU player gave the UNI player on the pick six that was called back could of been called a bit dirty he was in the end zone when the ISU player came in and hit him in the back of the legs low around the knees

I was surprised there was no penalty on that honestly. It was at the very least late. That said, it didn't knock the guy out of the game. There were a few questionable hits on Bell. I was there, saw them with my own eyes. Best of luck to the Panthers, just bothered me to see that.

 

[new sycamore fan]

The hit that put Bell out was a personal foul--enough said. UNI is a very tough team, especially at home. Our defense will play like they did today for the rest of the season, and we will run the table. Roberts and Carter were out today, Fouch had a little bit of an off day, Bell out for a half, and we were in the game the whole way against the 2nd ranked team in the country. Today made me a believer. Bell being out certainly made a difference, but we weren't lighting up the scoreboard with him in. Please play Harris or put Lough at tailback if Bell is out, the current depth chart doesn't work there. The kicking game was not very stellar today, but I will still take both of these placekickers over what we have had. Don't jump on Little--remember, he was the special teams Player of the Week a few weeks ago, and everyone was very happy with his performance--he'll bounce back.

 

[bent20]

With Bell out of the game, it makes us one dimensional and easier for them to stop us, which they did. I don't know why we went away from Lough carrying the ball. He did pretty well, and that fumble by Cheesborough was costly. We can't have that in tight and tough games. Cheesborough is nowhere near the level of a running back that Shakir is on.

He's not Bell, but I thought Cheeseborough did a pretty solid job tonight. He gave us some nice runs. Lough did okay, but never really got going like he has in the past.

 

[landrus13]

He's not Bell, but I thought Cheeseborough did a pretty solid job tonight. He gave us some nice runs. Lough did okay, but never really got going like he has in the past.

I don't expect Cheesborough to be like Bell, but he should have helped our cause today. He didn't prove to me to deserve to be our second string. I would like to see more of Harris. Did Gabbard redshirt, because I haven't heard anything said about him on here lately?

 

[01Pantherfan]

It was great game played by ISU I hope you guys win out ! There has been a couple ISU fans on our board and nothing but class ! All ISU fans should be pumped about their team, ya a loss sucks but I am betting you guys make the playoffs and do some damage !

 

[new sycamore fan]

Thanks Pantherfan. It was a competitive game through to the end, and you guys showed why you are the class of the conference. The Sycamores are getting closer.

 

[Fridae00]

About those kickers: Yes they both missed a fg, Cory's from a long distance, and Tanner made absolutely no excuses.
I'd like to point out that that a kicker does a play just the same that every other player does, its just that their mistakes are glaringly obvious.....
But despite not kicking at all the past couple weeks, two out of the three KOs were exactly where we like to see them, over the receivers' heads, and deep into the end zone. Not bad for a hurt true freshman.

 

[Kickingfan]

About those kickers: Yes they both missed a fg, Cory's from a long distance, and Tanner made absolutely no excuses.
I'd like to point out that that a kicker does a play just the same that every other player does, its just that their mistakes are glaringly obvious.....
But despite not kicking at all the past couple weeks, two out of the three KOs were exactly where we like to see them, over the receivers' heads, and deep into the end zone. Not bad for a hurt true freshman.

Be prepared....the fans here are for the most part absolutely hateful and brutal to the kickers. It's sad and hard for a mom to read. And you're right...they will tear mistakes apart although they forget that a kick is a 3 person play. But we know who gets the blame when it goes wrong. I guess it's just too hard for everyone to pick apart the other players mistakes and so easy to lock on to a kicker. Although, I have yet to see the game that the kicker lost for us... I have seen the ones won by a kick. Touchdowns are what we need...where were they yesterday???? Come on ....let's be a little nicer please?

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Be prepared....the fans here are for the most part absolutely hateful and brutal to the kickers. It's sad and hard for a mom to read. And you're right...they will tear mistakes apart although they forget that a kick is a 3 person play. But we know who gets the blame when it goes wrong. I guess it's just too hard for everyone to pick apart the other players mistakes and so easy to lock on to a kicker. Although, I have yet to see the game that the kicker lost for us... I have seen the ones won by a kick. Touchdowns are what we need...where were they yesterday???? Come on ....let's be a little nicer please?

Nicer? Hateful? People on this forum are very respectful or the large majority of us are. But what did you expect to read when you came to this forum? If you came here expecting everyone to be thrilled with last night then you came to the wrong place. With all do respect this is a message board and part of what we do here is discuss what went right and what went wrong. Last night among other things that went wrong we missed 2 FG and an extra point and quite frankly thats unnaceptable at this level and I suspect any kicker would agree with that. My only suggestion would be to come onto a message board after a losd expecting the worst and hope for just ok. We are fans here and we love the Sycamores.

I give you major props for even coming on here in general. If my kid assuming I wasn't still a kid myself played I'd be forced to avoid this place at all cost. Lol

 

[Kickingfan]

Nicer? Hateful? People on this forum are very respectful or the large majority of us are. But what did you expect to read when you came to this forum? If you came here expecting everyone to be thrilled with last night then you came to the wrong place. With all do respect this is a message board and part of what we do here is discuss what went right and what went wrong. Last night among other things that went wrong we missed 2 FG and an extra point and quite frankly thats unnaceptable at this level and I suspect any kicker would agree with that. My only suggestion would be to come onto a message board after a losd expecting the worst and hope for just ok. We are fans here and we love the Sycamores.

I give you major props for even coming on here in general. If my kid assuming I wasn't still a kid myself played I'd be forced to avoid this place at all cost. Lol

You're right...I have read some very respectful responses and I appreciate them. And you are also right that I didn't expect everything to be roses after last night. I hope for better games in the future where the forum will be much more upbeat. But I do know that there were a lot of responses about getting new kickers and that is probably a little harsh. I've seen a lot of missed kicks at this level and the pros. It happens just like interceptions, dropped passes, sacks, etc. If we just called for replacements at every position that has bad plays, well, where would we be. And I apologize if I affended anyone...that is why for the most part, I never post. Good day to all.