defense wasnt as horrible as people say...

**cycloneman003** · 09-07-2009, 01:37 PM

over on CR Paul brings up a good point. Yeah. The box score says we gave up 210 rushing yards, but 104 of those yards came on 2 runs. Take those 2 big plays away and we gave up 106 yards on 36 carries, 2.9 ypc. Thats not bad at all. Our pass defense was pretty darn solid. 15-27, 55.6% completions is a good number. Only 178 yards, as well as getting 1 INT and we got good pressure with 4 sacks. They never threw the ball down field effectively on us. Everything was short which is a good thing. And we also forced a huge fumble on the goal line. Overall I thought the defense played well outside of two plays. I didnt really see much explosiveness from the Iowa running backs like I did from NDSU, so as long as we wrap up tackles a little better we will be just fine.

Very excited for saturday.

**benjay** · 09-07-2009, 01:39 PM

I don't think Iowa will come out flat against us like they did against UNI.

**The_Architect** · 09-07-2009, 01:50 PM

When I watched the game live from the stadium I was pretty bummed about the defense. After watching the tape of the game I'm a bit more encouraged - it was pretty basic and we didn't throw any wrinkles at all until the end.

I thought for the most part we tackled "better" than last year but still not great.

**erikbj** · 09-07-2009, 01:51 PM

That was also against a D1AA school that lost a lot of talent from last year. Saturday will be a better test.

**dualthreat** · 09-07-2009, 01:53 PM

i see your point, but big plays count against you too....... Good defenses don't give up big gainers to NDSU

**Drive4cy** · 09-07-2009, 01:57 PM

NDSU was no threat to make plays in the passing game. The thing that frustrated me is our guys struggled to stop a one dimensional FCS team at home. I'm glad NDSU didn't have a QB the caliber of Pat Grace, Philip Bates, etc. Some of us that are down on the defense also need to remember it was the first game. That is a factor. I'm not devestated by the defense but I saw flashes of last season, which is concerning.

**Erik4Cy** · 09-07-2009, 01:57 PM

Long ways to go ppl, like already said iowa won't come out flat for their bowl game against us like they did for UNI. Our defense is tackling better than last year but that isn't saying much. Still got a LONG ways too go. Still need to see more pressure up front. Dbacks did a good job of keeping guys in front of them. Better key in on the TE next week. iowa will test our D a little better but much more improvement will be needed from a big 10 O to the Okie States, KU, NU, and Mizzou offenses of the world.

**cyclonestate** · 09-07-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by benjay

I don't think Iowa will come out flat against us like they did against UNI.

Can we PLEASE get rid of idea that Iowa didn't blow out UNI because they were flat! How on earth is it possible for a football team to be flat on OPENING DAY? Flat is simply an excuse that hawkeye fans use for whenever their team doesn't perform up to expectations.

Having said this, I sure hope the hawkeye fans will be using the same excuse around 2pm this Saturday.

**jj-cyclones** · 09-07-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by cycloneman003

over on CR Paul brings up a good point. Yeah. The box score says we gave up 210 rushing yards, but 104 of those yards came on 2 runs. Take those 2 big plays away and we gave up 106 yards on 36 carries, 2.9 ypc. Thats not bad at all. Our pass defense was pretty darn solid. 15-27, 55.6% completions is a good number. Only 178 yards, as well as getting 1 INT and we got good pressure with 4 sacks. They never threw the ball down field effectively on us. Everything was short which is a good thing. And we also forced a huge fumble on the goal line. Overall I thought the defense played well outside of two plays. I didnt really see much explosiveness from the Iowa running backs like I did from NDSU, so as long as we wrap up tackles a little better we will be just fine.

Very excited for saturday.

I have heard a lot of people say this but it doesn't make me feel any better...Bottom line, you can't take those plays away because the did happen. If NDSU can have to "big plays" on us then so can everyone else. And pry many more will come once the big 12 schedule starts if we don't correct this.

**richey24** · 09-07-2009, 02:04 PM

Take those 2 big plays away

I don't think we get to do that. Big runs hurt you the most, that's just the way it is.

**Clones21** · 09-07-2009, 02:05 PM

GO CLONES.

**Cyrocks** · 09-07-2009, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by benjay

I don't think Iowa will come out flat against us like they did against UNI.

Does Iowa always come out flat in cloes games or games the Hawks lose?

That's and old, tired excuse and doesn't give UNI any credit whatsoever.

**Clones85'** · 09-07-2009, 02:12 PM

If we get rid of all those missed FG's a couple years ago we win the Big 12 North.

See how easy that is?!

**jumbopackage** · 09-07-2009, 02:13 PM

What kind of stupid assessment is that?
Good lord, that's worse homerism than anything you'll find on any Hawk board.

Why don't you just take away their two touchdowns too while you're at it. Then they would have almost been shut out, which is as good as a shutout.

Our D has some major question marks. Let's hope it improves by this weekend.