Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: September 27th, 2014 2:00 PM

Opponent: Eastern Illinois  (1-3)

Site: Peden Stadium

TV: None

Radio: Ohio Radio

Webcast: ESPN3

Ohio Game Notes

EIU Game Notes

Eastern Illinois statistics, roster and media guide.

Ohio Injury List (status is my interpretation based upon media reports):

This is where I'm at. No easy games this season.

We can't take any team for granted this year. It would be great if we could take EIU and CMU to walk into the BG homecoming game at 4-2. If the Ohio offense can build some confidence the next couple of weeks the team has a good shot against BG.

Looks like they've switched QBs. Andrew Manley started their first two games (0-2) and Jalen Whitlow started the last two (1-1). Whitlow is probably more troublesome. His completion percentage hasn't been that great (30-59 in the first three games; 13-15 vs Austin Peay last week)but he's apparently much more mobile than Manley. He leads the team in rushing -- 179 in his first three games plus 145 last week vs AP. Turnovers have been their big problem against better competition. They had ten turnovers in the first three games, including seven INTs(Whitlow had 4, Manley had 2). They're minus 6 in turnover margin. Illinois St scored all 34 points against them off turnovers. They haven't given up a lot of yards but their opponents have often had a short field. Their opponents have had only six TD drives longer than 70 yds and six of less than 50 yds. This looks like a team we can really take advantage of, but we'll need to contain Whitlow.

Manley threw for more than 300 against us a few years back when he was at New Mexico State.

I don't blame you for feeling that way. Full confession - I played dumb and drank away with my Touchdown Club pass. I was quite likely part of the riff-raff you describe.

Honest questions (and perhaps this deserves another thread):
- Did you notice a big difference in Tower activity due to the beer?
- What donor levels have access to the tower? Is it just Tower level, or is it the lesser donors?
- Do you think there is a disincentive for the department to strictly block access to the beer and associated revenue?
- Would you stop upgrading your tickets if you felt you were not getting enough exclusive benefits?

Check your privilege?

Difference in Tower Activity: The answer is no. At any given moment there appeared to be 10 or so folks hanging out in the bar area. In the past, that area was basically empty. Maybe 2-3 folks milling about. Access to concessions and bathrooms and etc. was normal. (Where the bar is was a nice spot for me and friends (and many kids) to mill about and not block anyone's view and conversate and etc. It was awesome. We were spoiled.)

Donor levels: Don't know really.

Disincentive?: Not sure what you are asking. I think beer should be available at every concession stand in every arena. Puritans be damned.

Stop upgrading?: Hmmmmmmmmmm. I love my Tower seats and access to the Tower and parking in Peden. But, my kids want to sit with their friends. That could over-ride everything in the end. For basketball the incentives don't mean much to me. I want a good seat and will pay for it. The Rohr room and any parking upgrade is just an added bonus.

Huh. Doesn't feel like we lead the MAC. I could be flat out wrong. Seems like teams are throwing a ton on us and there should be more sacks per pass or something. But, what do I know.....

Their QB from last year Jimmy Garoppolo was the Patriots 2nd round draft pick. He is the only backup listed for Tom Brady as they have no QB on the practice squad. Tony Romo also came out of Eastern Illinois.

Jason Arkley @JasonAmessenger · 3h

Ohio FB: Frank Solich confirmed after practice this afternoon that freshman RB AJ Ouellette will get the start against EIU on Saturday

We also gotta jump on these guys early and get Windham some reps.

Simply doing it a lot won't get them to 10th; they also have to do it fairly effectively.

There is no doubt that passing offense was Idaho's strength. There is also no doubt that defense was their weakness. Ohio's offense looked better last week, but it was partly due to Idaho's defense, and only partly due to progress by the offense.

Eastern Illinois will have a significantly better defense than Idaho. They held Minnesota to 338 yards of offense even though the game was never close (they lost 42-20 after trailing 35-0). SIU managed 379 yards against them while beating EIU 38-21. Illinois State beat them 34-15, but only got 326 yards of offense. In their one win, over Austin Peay, AP only got 224 yards of offense.

What caused those losses? One thing that hurt them was turnovers. Against Minnesota they lost 3 turnovers (2 fumbles and a pick) to one. Against SIU they lost 2 (both int) and got 1. Against Illinois State they gave up 5 turnovers (a fumble and 4 picks) to one.

EIU will not be an easy win. This week we'll find out just how much the offense has improved from Week 1-2. I think Ohio will win, but I also think that for Ohio to win, the defense will need to create some turnovers. I think Ohio will win about 27-17.

Having Sprague able to take all the needed practice reps with the first team offense should result in some improvement over last week as well.