We're not running the hurry-up offense that Troy and others run; we're just running a no-huddle offense. This past Saturday, NIU ran 63 plays in 25 minutes of possession ; we ran 66 plays in 39 minutes. It's been that way for most of the past three or four seasons. The point of hurry-up is to keep the defense off stride. We're just doing pretty much the same thing we did before, only without a huddle.

+1

I agree that Coach can change and adjust. Need that now re offense.

Yes, running out of the pistol from our own 6-inch line seems ill-advised...starting with our running back deep in the endzone. Me no likey.

The complaints about the points scored against Idaho...Well, consider the apparent quality of the opponent. I think they'd given up about 93 points in two games before us. So, to merely say that we scored 36 is go ignore context.

Yes, there's no hurry-up to our O at all. Heaven forbid we should actually do something different, try to catch the D off-guard by running some true hurry up. Espec when that is merely the same offense at higher speed (so very little change).

But also to ignore that Ohio had only scored 34 points in three prior games combined is also to ignore the context. Ohio is most certainly not an offensive juggernaut yet. Their offense is still not where it needs to be, but it is improving. That was what we expected to happen before the season, and it is what we are seeing.

The best thing to like about the offense is that they are battlers. They have heart, and fight, and even when things go wrong, they keep giving it their all.

I don't think we've ever had a "hurry-up" concept. The post Troy debacle was to shed the huddle and get to the line while waiting for a play.

I also don't think Troy was the watershed event that it is portrayed as. More like the culmination. Other teams, notably CMU with Lefevre(?), used the no-huddle/pistol to shred us before Troy did.

We actually do have a tempo similar to Troy's in the Nawlins Bowl of 2010. There, they got a play off about every 23.7 seconds. Over the past 3+ years we're averaging 23.9-24.5. Oddly enough, that was the pace NIU had in its loss to Arky last week. In the previous three games (all wins), they were doing a play every 18-21 seconds. I think the no-huddle gives us the option of a quick snap or taking it deeper into the play clock. I wish we'd speed it up a bit once in a while, just to keep the Ds guessing.

Great play call. Espec with the ruse of Vick going to the line to check with the O-linemen...actually going 'in motion.'

What worries me is we may not score two td's...may not beat Idaho...without that play and the other excellent call of the running back pass (worked when OUellette ran it in instead of passing...surprise of the play opened up all kinds of options).

We really had to spring those in this game, against that D, instead of saving 'em for MACtion?

Monroe, I'm confused. First, you say we aren't innovative enough; then, when some of us point out rather innovative plays in the last game you complain that we used these new plays against too weak an opponent. Maybe, we've got even more wrinkles planned for CMU. ;-)

Why can't they practice it often? Other teams that run the pistol do, despite what BTC says. I saw this on a TV game just last week, a team that was in the pistol for every other play went under center for 4th and inches play. I watched so many games last Saturday that I can't exactly remember which one this was, and it's not the first time I've seen this happen. I will grant that most teams that run the pistol don't seem to go under center for plays like this, but some do. I think it the superior philosophy. It's a matter of opinion, and expressing opinions is what makes this board interesting. We are all fans, and some of you have a lot more football knowledge than I do, but I call 'em as I see's 'em. :-)

Our offense play calling reminds me of the salesman that was once knocking them dead and has been in a slump for quite a while. Then he has an epiphany and says what am I NOT doing now that I was doing when I was knocking em dead?

Our play callers have forgotten some great plays that worked more than once.

It is not the trick plays that are consistently able to produce but setting up and taking advantage of what the defense gives you.

Donte Harden, sliding out of the backfield and catching a sideline grab and going yard.

Phil Bates running the read option, keeping it and then oh, no, he steps back and hits a receiver 15-18 yards down the field after the wide outs cleared out.

Jet sweeps that resulted in one of the wideouts keeping it or throwing it.

Tight end screens up the middle.

The most vivid play was at Miami, the week before, TT and Bates had the reverse wracking up some yards and then against the Miami, 11 red hawks bit on the fake to Bates and I think it was Harden going the other direction took the delayed handoff and walked 65 yards for the TD as 11 tackled Bates and were surprised to find he didn't have the ball!

Look at some old highlight films and either bring back some oldies but goodies or scrap the offense and run wildcat, under center, two back set, an OHIO Fridge in the backfield blowing open a hole for his RB. Rolling out. Bootlegging it and then throwing a short and easy pass to a speedster who is being guarded by a linebacker.

When across the opponents 40 and coming out of a timeout, on first down have all the players know you are running three set plays--from a formation you've never showed before. Then line up and run them at break neck speed. If you don't lose yardage you can call a play for the 4th down if needed. I'll bet it would at least result in the opponent burning a time out.

Take what the defense gives you. Our slots are covered by safeties 10 yards off them. Get under center and rifle the ball down the line and the slot will be like a running back with only a few to beat. Work it until they stop giving it to you and it opens up other opportunities. Having 2nd and 5 sure makes life easy for an offense.

I often am amazed that youdid not go into coaching, your level of insight into the finer points of offensive football is truly impressive! I really enjoy reading your post!

William--Is that really the way we're going to go?

Let's logically extend: You can't comment on food or clothing or air travel or investing etc because your not a gourmet chef or an market-successful designer or a pilot or hedge fund manager, etc?

Or maybe you've eaten, worn clothing etc enough to have a somewhat informed opinion.

Logical extension of your view shuts off this forum, allowing only such as players and coaches to opine.

No.