A very telling stat

**BryceC** · 10-01-2006, 08:47 AM

Last year, through five games, we forced 12 turnovers. This year, through five games, we've forced 6. We need to start getting some more turnovers if we want the season we all desire. The function of the Skladany defense is to bend but don't break and force turnovers. Just simply isn't happening right now.

**price26** · 10-01-2006, 10:01 AM

No pressure on the quarterback is what it comes down to.

>>> See my post in "UNI Game Thoughts"

**St8Grad** · 10-01-2006, 10:45 AM

Why does it look like we're playing a 'prevent' defense in the 1st & 2nd quarters??? We're playing like we have a 3 touchdown lead! Obviously our gameplan is to not allow any big plays over the top. We'll apparently give them ANYTHING they want underneath. Eric Sanders was having a blast in the 1st half picking us apart. I was having flashbacks of Nebraska last year...which I believe was one of the WORST coaching performances...no adjustments. I believe we have to control our own destiny. BE PROACTIVE & make things happen & put the other team in a bad position. Instead we like to be reactive & put our destiny in the hands of our opponent.

**ISUFan22** · 10-01-2006, 10:49 AM

Yeah, the defense right now needs to create some plays. So far, very few have taken place.

Last year we had the personnel to be agressive. This year...not so much.

I'd hope with James Smith back soon, we can feel better in the secondary and start throwing more at opposing offenses.

**Balls** · 10-01-2006, 11:32 AM

By our coaching staff putting the D into a preventative mode they are sending a message to the players that they are not that good. Troy Smith (OSU) said after their game yesterday "to be the best you have to believe you're the best". The ISU coaches are not allowing the D to get emotionally involved into the game, which can bread success. Last year they did.

Troy Smith also says "You have to have that kind of attitude, that kind of swagger." While Baum's quote in the paper is "As long as the Ws keep showing up on the board, I don't care if it's 48-0 or 25-24." Baum needs to start caring.

I know we are not OSU, but we can have the attitude of seeking perfection up to our capability, with anything less being unacceptable. Our coaches need to allow this team the chance to get some swagger, some attitude, and demand more then just a win to inferior opponents.

**MadCy** · 10-01-2006, 11:57 AM

Ryan Baum's quote says a lot. It's a pretty crappy attitude. A player shouldn't have that attitude. I can see it as a fan but geesh. You wonder how many other players have this. Players need to have the jam it down your throut for 60 minutes attitude, regardless of the score.

There is a time and place for Prevent D. To me, it's is 3rd and 6 type situations, that's about it. Other than that, be agressive, don't be scared. It's okay to give up a big play here and there.

**MadCy** · 10-01-2006, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

Last year, through five games, we forced 12 turnovers. This year, through five games, we've forced 6. We need to start getting some more turnovers if we want the season we all desire. The function of the Skladany defense is to bend but don't break and force turnovers. Just simply isn't happening right now.

So what would you suggest?

**MaxPower57** · 10-01-2006, 12:16 PM

Yeah, many times it looks like the players really just don't care...especially towards the end of the first half. I think that Todd Blythe is the emotional leader of this team albeit he is not a captain. He leads the team out of the tunnel and when the team came out second half he was lifted up in the middle of the team huddle and he was very animated in whatever he was saying to the team. I think we are lucky to have such an immense talent that puts the team in front of himself.

**BryceC** · 10-01-2006, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by MadCy

So what would you suggest?

Haha, I didn't know I was special consultant to the team now. I don' tknow. I hope they get it figured out though.

**Wesley** · 10-01-2006, 09:25 PM

Even McC mentioned that Berg and Banks were only good and had to get better. You need faster people in their positions. That kid Smith out of Council Bluffs may make a huge difference in how we play defense if he can ever get on the field.

That said, I do not believe the Big 12 North has that accurate passers on deep tosses. They throw line drives that either go over the receiver heads or they throw into the dirt when pressure is applied. Only Bret appears to thow the sky high soft ball that tall receivers can catch. So play tighter.

What are we scared of? Our shadows? Most continue to play loose defense until it looks like we are going to use. Our lack of depth? That is the coaches fault. They need to rest starters in second quarter.

We do not have Steve Paris and Curvy and others preying on the opponents except for our two main linebackers. They need help. We need to hit the team hard in the first quarter and keep after them.