Wow. We won with Bell at QB? Color me amazed, shocked, and hopeful.

Dear Friends,
With what happened this week end across the MAC, I think we have a chance at winning every game remaining. Why not be optimistic? I know some of you may think I am delusional, but I don't think any team in the MAC West is going to dominate. I said at the beginning of the season that Ball State and Northern Illinois might have the most trouble because they both lost good quarterbacks, and other key personnel. Western has a weak defense with almost all of their games being shoot-outs because of their defense. Like the last team to have the ball wins. Toledo and Central? Not convinced that either is any kind of power house.

Also, first time all three directional-Michigan universities win on the same day since Oct. 9, 2011.

(10-11-2014 08:18 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Also, first time all three directional-Michigan universities win on the same day since Oct. 9, 2011.

I was wondering about that myself. Good stuff. And congrats on the win, didn't see it coming.

If scUM wins (hope not), I wonder when the last time all 5 MI teams won on the same day. Unless it's still 10/9/11.

(10-11-2014 08:40 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 08:18 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Also, first time all three directional-Michigan universities win on the same day since Oct. 9, 2011.

I was wondering about that myself. Good stuff. And congrats on the win, didn't see it coming.

If scUM wins (hope not), I wonder when the last time all 5 MI teams won on the same day. Unless it's still 10/9/11.

UM disappoints you. I rejoice.

I was mistaken. It was Oct. 1st 2011.

(10-11-2014 07:56 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
With what happened this week end across the MAC, I think we have a chance at winning every game remaining. Why not be optimistic? I know some of you may think I am delusional, but I don't think any team in the MAC West is going to dominate. I said at the beginning of the season that Ball State and Northern Illinois might have the most trouble because they both lost good quarterbacks, and other key personnel. Western has a weak defense with almost all of their games being shoot-outs because of their defense. Like the last team to have the ball wins. Toledo and Central? Not convinced that either is any kind of power house.

My take is that the West is a shoot out.

UT loses their starting QB, Ely.

NIU and BSU had to replace QBs lost to graduation.

CMU and WMU have QBs who have settled in and are playing well on offenses bolstered by big time NEWCOMER RBs (Franklin is a frosh while Rawls is a graduate eligible transfer at Central).

So NIU and UT move down (even down UT is still perfect within conference) and CMU and WMU move up competitively.

EMU is hard to judge because we don't fit the mold of CMU and WMU (and we certainly aren't a juggernaut like NIU and UT).

To me, EMU is an enigma. Was Bell a one game wonder? Will other teams defend him starting next week?

That's why we play the games...

Here are key rushing stats from yesterday's C/E/WMU games:

Rawls 270 yards, Bell 202, and Franklin 161. Those are big rushing numbers.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/.../17120679/

Our games with CMU and WMU will be real tests for the front seven.

Congratulations to CC and staff and the players who got rewarded yesterday for all their hard work. Due to my wife's medical condition we weren't able to go to the game yesterday and I could only hear part of the game on WEMU. I can say the goal line stand in the second quarter was the one of the best and most inspired play by an EMU team in recent memory.

Should be interesting to see if Bell starts the remaining games. I can see us win 2 or 3 more games this season if the offense can produce.

There can be no debate, Bell HAS to be the stater for the rest of the season!!!
Now please, let's get Bronson Hill going. We need him to win!!!!

I think it's time to "Alex Gillet" Bolden. Make him a WR. His speed is a weapon.

Agree Bob, it's not a question of who the starter is anymore.

Like I said during the game we have to have Creel, Russell and Hill involved to be successful.

I found an interesting note from CC's post game interview. While mentioning how Bell practiced with the 2's all week he mentioned that Bolden leaves practice early on Wednesdays to get to class. I have never heard that kind of insight given by a coach let alone heard of a D1 player putting class over practice. I love to hear that, Bolden may not play much more this year but that is the kind of leader I want on my team.


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(10-12-2014 11:42 AM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  There can be no debate, Bell HAS to be the stater for the rest of the season!!!
Now please, let's get Bronson Hill going. We need him to win!!!!

We need an offense which opens up the run game, other than Bell's running. (although Denard Robinson fans would say a yard by your QB is like a yard from your RB).

Congrats on the win.

(10-11-2014 09:25 PM)wolverineeagle Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 08:40 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 08:18 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Also, first time all three directional-Michigan universities win on the same day since Oct. 9, 2011.

I was wondering about that myself. Good stuff. And congrats on the win, didn't see it coming.

If scUM wins (hope not), I wonder when the last time all 5 MI teams won on the same day. Unless it's still 10/9/11.

UM disappoints you. I rejoice.

If Michigan runs its academics like its athletics, it will be a community college in no time.

Now that we've had 24 hours to let yesterday's victory set in, I want to share the following thoughts:

1) While I'm very happy about the outcome of yesterday's game, I REALLY wish that they wouldn't have given up that last TD. Even though we were up by a bunch, it was a reminder of the struggles we've seen all season.
2) Five years ago, I would have been leading the Reggie Bell fan club. Today, I'm optimistically cautious. I know everyone is ready to crown him the starter, and I definitely want to see him be that, but I do just want to see him do things consistently. Time will tell and I'm hoping for a great story.
3) I LOVE Zappone!!!!!! However, I do want to point out that he's been ejected from the last two games and then had the replay turn the call over. Not sure if that means anything at all, but I definitely noticed it.
4) I'm still waiting for a breakout game from Steals. He's got the talent. He's getting the reps. He's about due.

(10-12-2014 11:50 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  I think it's time to "Alex Gillet" Bolden. Make him a WR. His speed is a weapon.

And his size. Combine his 6'4" frame with his speed and you have a formidable weapon.

(10-12-2014 08:34 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(10-12-2014 11:50 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  I think it's time to "Alex Gillet" Bolden. Make him a WR. His speed is a weapon.

And his size. Combine his 6'4" frame with his speed and you have a formidable weapon.

I agree that I would like to see Bolden utilized even if it is not at QB however I don't see it happening for a few reasons....
1. With Roback not available he is our only backup with experience. Bossard will not be brought back to the offensive side.
2. Canty was converted to WR at the beginning of the year and is still not cracking the depth chart. Though he does not have the same size as Bolden and was a DB I would call their athleticism similar. I guess Rob could be a quicker study but I doubt it.
3. Bolden is still learning the offense from the QB spot, even though he has WR experience at this point in his 5th year I just don't see the change happening. If only Reggie showed this confidence and spark from day 1 then this may have been a possibility early on.


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(10-12-2014 08:29 PM)KPJ Wrote:  Now that we've had 24 hours to let yesterday's victory set in, I want to share the following thoughts:

3) I LOVE Zappone!!!!!! However, I do want to point out that he's been ejected from the last two games and then had the replay turn the call over. Not sure if that means anything at all, but I definitely noticed it.

That hit was textbook, 100% clean, led with shoulder and just destroyed the other guy. Sheer force doesn't make a player dirty, just blind refs, thank god for the call down to the field to correct the bad call.

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BTW, if O'Connor and Zappone don't make All-MAC maybe the writers who vote should spend a month locked in their houses and be forced to watch replays of EMU FB games.

I assume O'Connor is the best DL in the MAC this year. Yes?