>2010 Preview: Week Two – Illinois State

By Lake The Posts on August 23, 2010

>The ‘Cats open their home season with a date on September 11 with in-state FCS opponent Illinois State. The Redbirds are no stranger to FBS competition as this marks the 16th consecutive season they’ve played at least one FBS opponent. Let’s get in to it…

Illinois State Redbirds Quick Facts

Location: Normal, Illinois
ISU Stadium – : Hancock Stadium – 12,500 capacity
Undergrad Population: 20,856
Conference: Missouri Valley Football
2009 Record: 6-5
NU Alltime Record vs ISU: 1st ever meeting

Random Northwestern-ISU Connections:
Former Wildcat assistant coach, Jay Peterson, is the head assistant coach for Brock Spack’s Redbirds. Peterson served on Randy Walker’s staff from 1999-2003 in several coaching capacities including special teams coach and defensive line coach.

The Skinny
You know how much I loathe playing FCS opponents. I simply don’t get the “upside”. Illinois State should possibly be re-named “Big Ten Transfer U” as they boast a simply ridiculous amount of Big Ten transfers. When you consider the fact that you don’t lose a year of eligibility when you transfer “down” from FBS to FCS you know this Redbird team knows the ‘Casts system inside and out since just last year they game prepped for the ‘Cats. Consider the following players who have transferred from BCS conference schools to Illinois State THIS PAST YEAR alone:

• Nickcaro Golding – DE (from Purdue)
• Leonard Hubbard – LB (from Wisconsin)
• Shelby Harris – DE (from Wisconsin)
• Otis Merrill (from Wisconsin)
• Erik Smith – RB (from Wisconsin)
• EJ Jones – DB (from Minnesota)
• Andre Tate (from Minnesota)
• Ashton Leggett – RB (from Michigan State)
• Marvon Sanders – WR (from Eastern Michigan)
• Xzavier Stewart (from Kansas State)

Are you freakin’ kidding me? This roster influx looks like an all-star squad of back-ups. Many of these players had significant minutes in 2009 for their respective teams including the likes of Ashton Leggett who had a 100-yard game vs Western Michigan in 2009. Some were redshirts, but in total, it adds all kinds of talent level to a team that returns several young players, led by QB Matt Brown, the reigning Missouri Valley Football conference freshman player of the year.

When you thrown in the fact that 2nd year head coach, Brock Spack, a 12-year Joe Tiller assistant, is at the helm, you know there will be no intimidation factor when the Redbirds come to Ryan Field. Heck, Spock has more knowledge of prepping for NU than any of his current scheduled opponents. Familiarity is definitely something this squad has – and looking at the fully-loaded transferees you know this is a game for them to send a message to their respective teams.

What to Fear
The typical overlook of an FCS team. QB Matt Brown will likely make the greatest improvement to an offense that led the Missouri Valley in passing (215.4 ypg) in 2009 – again as a freshman! Brown racked-up 2,369 yards through the air (remember – 11 games in FCS) and was in year one of the Spock system. The Redbirds were extremely young a year ago, but return with more experience and a complement of experienced transferees. The key for me is RB as Cliffton Gordon returns (542 yards in 2009), but I fully expect him to get supplanted by either Sparty transfer Ashton Leggett or Wisconsin transfer Erik Smith. The unknown is a concern here as there is legit talent in this backfield now. WR is a bit of a concern for the Redbirds as they’re going to be relying heavily on Eastern Michigan transfer Marvon Sanders to help try and replace their version of Zeke Markshausen – Eyad Salem who graduated with a school record 92 receptions last season. Like Northwestern, the entire offensive line is back so expect improved consistency in the run game and pass protection. Overall, this could really be a formidable offensive squad.

Persa’s Homework
I’m expecting a ton of passing in this game. ISU returns a senior-laden line with the lone question marks being the pair of DEs. However, with Purdue transfer Nickcaro Golding at one DE and Shelby Davis (ranked 16th in the nation out of HS) at the other DE slot, things are getting very interesting with ISU’s DL which may very well be the best unit on the team. The LB unit is very young and anchored by All-Newcomer Austin Davis. They’ve got talent here, it is just green. The Redbirds lost only one DB, albeit an important one in Chris Garrett. They’ve got experience and depth here. I expect Persa and NU to really challenge the LB unit in the 5-7 yard range outs in this game until they can isolate deep match-ups that are favorable.

News of Note
You could likely write this for me. An FCS team loaded with FBS transfers and a coach very familiar with NU enter Ryan Field as an in-state team with a chip on their shoulder. It’s the biggest game of the year for the Redbirds – a bowl game in week two. This is the exact game that would make me nervous 2-3 years ago (see Southern Illinois preview), but it is now one where if Northwestern wants to claim “consistency” they must take care of business.

The ‘Cats are 3-1 in home openers in the Fitz era with the lone loss being a week two FCS loss in ’06 to UNH. The ‘Cats are also 3-1 in week two games in the Fitz era, however the games have hardly been for the faint of heart. The last three week two games included a game-winning drive in the last 2 minutes against Nevada (36-31 in ’07), a squeaker at Duke in ’08 (24-20) and last year’s bizzaro last second Demos 49-yard FG winner over Eastern Michigan. Not exactly murderer’s row of schedule but clearly a consistent trend of tough week two games for fans.

LTP prediction: ‘Cats 31 ISU 13

Flags Flying

Thanks to Chris E. for the Crater Lake National Park (Oregon) flag photo. Please note to all who have submitted. We are relaunching the N Flag map on September 1 so no worries, your flags will be flying. Keep the photos coming!!!

Walk The Talk

Jeff D. is setting the example for all of us on the ticket counter as he purchased 33 Wrigley Field tickets. That’s right – 33 – for family members, out of town friends, guests and all of ‘em purple. Please note that unlimited Wrigley Field tickets are now available to all season ticket holders. Gobble them up while you can!!!