This won't be a full blown matchups article. I haven't been able to see as much of this team as I would like and they are playing many new faces. They are also playing a new offense transistioning to the "pistol" version of the shotgun style of the spread. This is similar to the offense that Indiana runs.
EIU comes into this game undermatched and they are already banged up coming out of fall camp. They are missing their most talented offensive player Mon Williams who is a Florida transfer. Brian Nielson of the Journal Gazette &Times Courier is reporting that the two returning starters from last season's o-line and a projected starter may miss this game here. Add to this that 10 Brandon Large will be making his first start at Qb for the Panthers running this system and his backups are untested in this system, Iowa's defense would seem to have every advantage heading into this game. If 61Willie Henderson (6'2 273 JR) projected at center and 76 Eric Zink (6'6 284 JR), projected at guard, are ruled out then EIU would be starting five new faces along the offensive line when they roll into Kinnick on Saturday to face Clayborn, Klug, Daniels, Ballard, and Daniel. That is tough sledding for any offensive line but may be overwhleming for a group that will have consist of mostly second and third year players with little game experience.
Tailback 2 Jimmy Potempa does have some experience but he was used more as a receiver last season. At the other skill spots EIU returns 4 Kenny Whittaker (29 rec 2 TD), 81 Chris Wright (21 rec 4 TD), 18 Charles Graves (24 rec 3 TD), 3 Lorence Ricks (19 rec 3 TD), and 22 Eric Lora (23 rec 2 TD) all at receiver. The tight ends will all be pretty inexperienced.
On defense the Panthers run a base 4-3. They return quite a bit of experience on this side of the ball. They seem to want to focus on stopping the run. An interview with Coach Spoo led me to believe that Iowa will see quite a few eight-man fronts and that Iowa's outside receiver's will have an opportunity to make a few plays. Here is a link to that interview.
EIU's defensive line bring's back one talented starter- 98 Perry Burge (6'2 234 JR). Last season he had 7 sacks and an additional 4.5 TFLs. He will be joined by three new starters who have some game experience. Burge is talented but undersized as is the other listed DE 32 Artavious Dowdell (6'2 236 SO) The top three DTs listed on the the depth chart have decent size. Iowa's o-line should be able to have some success establishing a push on the edge versus this d-line.
The Panther's return four experienced Linebackers, all three starters and a backup. Sam 'backer 56 Nick Nasti (6'1 237 SR) lead the unit last season with 83 tackles and was the only one to grab a pick. Will 8 Cory Leman (6'1 216) had 63 tackles and Mike 'backer 46 Gordy Kickles (6'0 219 JR) racked up 62 along with 4.5 TFLs. Backup 49 Sean Campell managed to get 41 tackles and 3.5 TFLs in limited action.
The Panthers possess a couple of good corners in 21 CJ James and 26 Rashad Haynes. James managed to pick off 5 passes last season while deflecting 4 more, while Haynes only had one interception he did deflect 11 other passes. The pair combined for 90 stops. They are joined in the backfield by 6 Carlos Reyna and 19 Nick Martinez who are first year starters but have seen some action. Look for Martinez to line up in the box or walk up on the strong side of Iowa's formations on the early downs. Reyna will have a lot on his plate on Saturday.
Kevin Cook is scheduled for double duty Saturday as both the punter and the placekicker. He handled the punting chores for the Panther's last season averaging 42.0 yards per punt but didn't attempt a kick last season.
Ultimately this game shouldn't be close. Iowa has too much depth for this team and Iowa is much, much more talented. I have already written why it won't be UNI again. I think it will be more like Ball State 2005.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment