MVFC Week 1 Review
Chad Lenz & JT Nutt, MVFC Contributors | September 8, 2015
Chad says-
(ORV) Western Illinois 33, #25 Eastern Illinois 5
I mentioned last week that if the Leathernecks back 7 could get production they would have success, and they did just that as Brett Taylor nabbed a pick 6 and was joined by Eddy Holtschlag and Timothy Smith as Leathernecks picking off EIU QB Jalen Whitlow. Lance Lenoir Jr. continued to show that last season was just the tip of the iceberg for him. He racked up 280 all purpose yards, 124 receiving and 156 on kick returns, to pace the Western Illinois offense. He was clearly the main target for quarterback, Trenton Norvell, as Lenoir caught 10 of Norvell’s 18 completes for 124 of the 189 passing yards. For success to be sustained on offense the Leathernecks are going to need to find a consistent #2 wide receiver, and running back replacement for J.C. Baker. Freshman Steve McShane paced the Leathernecks with 52 yards on 14 carries, while junior Devon Moore managed just 33 yards on 23 carries, though he did have 2 touchdowns.
#2 Illinois State 14, Iowa 31
Last week J.T., and myself, agreed that the key for the Redbirds was winning the line of scrimmage against a program known for big hosses up front. They failed to do so and were punished for it. At one point in the second quarter over 30% Illinois State’s plays had been for negative yards. AGS All American running back Marshaun Coprich was held to just 32 yards on 13 carries (2.5 ypc) and a long of just 7. That is unlike the Redbird rushing game, as-a-matter-of-fact, the Redbirds averaged just 1.3 yards per carry as a team and surrendered 5 sacks. The defense wasn’t much more successful. The Hawkeyes piled up 210 yards rushing, on 4.8 yards per carry, and managed 221 yard through the air. The lone bright spot for the Redbirds might be back up Jake Kolbe’s performance in the 4th quarter. He went 11-15 for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. While that did take place against Iowa’s second and third teamers, it showed the potential for explosiveness from last year remains.
#19 Indiana State 52, Butler 17
Indiana State is looking to replace one of the best quarterbacks in program history, Mike Perish, and their plan to do so might be a potent run game. Last season the Indiana State struggled to get anything going on the ground, but a semi-new look offense piled up 303 yards on the ground at 8.9 yards per carry and 5 rushing touchdowns. LeMonte Booker made a case for being the man in the backfield rushing for 137 yards on 11 carries and scoring 3 touchdowns. The rushing numbers likely needs to be taken with a grain, or a tablespoon, of salt as Butler isn’t known as a powerhouse program. Potentially concerning for the Sycamores is the defense giving up nearly 4 yards per carry, 4.5 yards per play, and 33 minutes of possession, up to the Bulldogs. Look for a renewed focus on defense from Indiana State this coming week.
Missouri State 7, Memphis 63
The Dave Steckel era in Springfield is off to a rough start as the Bears fell behind 49-0 just 5 minutes into the second quarter. Offensively the bears managed just 18 yards rushing and 105 yards passing. I wish I had more to say about this game, but the score and first 20 minutes of the game say it all. On the plus side for the Bears, things can only get better as they break in the new coaching staff.
South Dakota – 0, Kansas State – 34
Kansas State senior Morgan Burns ran the opening kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown to set the tone early. The South Dakota defense did step up and hold Kansas State off the board the remainder of the first quarter. Just 1:30 into the second quarter Kansas State broke the seal and never looked back. South Dakota QB Ryan Saeger had a better night passing than I would have predicted, throwing for 205 yards, but got no help from his running game as they averaged just 1.7 yards per carry and had none of the 5 players who registered a carry break 20 yards rushing. The plus side of the Yotes is the defense. They may have given up up 34 points for the game, but they looked the part. Had the offense given them a bit of support the score could have been significantly closer.
JT Says-
#8 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (1-0) 41, Kansas Jayhawks (0-1) 38
South Dakota State wins their first FBS game over Kansas. 3 years in a row that a Missouri Valley Conference team opens its season with a win over the Big 12. Zach Lujan lead the Jackrabbits with 3 TD’s on 293 yards passing. Jake Wieneke had 160 receiving yards and 2 TD’s and he’s only a sophomore. The Jackrabbits lead wire to wire jumping out to a 10-0 lead before giving up a kick return in the first quarter. They never trailed, Kansas made it interesting late.
#16 Youngstown State Penguins (0-1) 37, Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) 45
It took Youngstown State almost a half to score a TD. They settled for field goals early, got a defensive TD just before halftime and fell 45-37 to Pittsburgh. If you want to win on the road over an FBS team, you have to get 7, not 3. Jody Webb was a bright spot rushing for 2 TD’s and 127 yards and 2 receptions for 21 yards. They gave up 458 yards in a losing effort.
ORV Southern Illinois Salukis (0-1) 47, Indiana Hoosiers (1-0) 48
Southern Illinois. The abbreviation is So Ill and they were SO CLOSE. Late in the game they let Jordan Howard waltz in for an untouched rushing TD with 58 seconds left. They drove down the field with a beautiful 25 yard strike from Mark Iannotti to Jimmy Jones with 18 seconds left. The 2 point conversion failed and the Hoosiers escape 48-47 in a game SIU really should have won. The Salukis are BACK and will make noise in the Missouri Valley. Mark Iannotti 411 yards and 4 TD’s in an inspired effort.
#19 UNI Panthers (0-1) 7, Iowa State Cyclones (1-0) 31
As good as Southern Illinois looked, UNI did not. UNI’s defense showed up but the offense sputtered and the special teams was a no show. The Special Teams left the defense in a short field. The D never gave up for UNI and looks just as strong as last year. The offense…well…it looked like the offense from 2 years ago when UNI missed the playoffs. UNI’s first play of the game was a delay of game. That’s how the night went. Too many mistakes, too undisciplined, too many penalties. Aaron Bailey transferred from Illinois and started but lacked the consistency needed for a starting QB getting sacked 5 times. UNI has more questions after the game than they did coming into it. Who’s the starting QB? We’ll find out next week.