Down in the Valley

What I know … not as much as I’d like (insert joke here), but here goes …

– Marshall is NOT kicked off the team.

However, by definition, an indefinite suspension is just that. If the issues that caused Marshall to be suspended aren’t resolved, then yeah, an indefinite suspension can become dismissal by fait accompli … that’s just common sense. It’s true in the case of ANY indefinite suspension for ANY player in ANY sport. It also doesn’t mean dismissal is a sure thing.

– As I reported in Tuesday’s paper, academics have nothing to do with the suspension. I’ve been told by several sources off the record what might have caused the suspension — not what did cause it, but what might have caused it — but it’s nothing I’ve confirmed on-the-record, and until then, “what I’ve heard” doesn’t pass the test of publication, so I won’t repeat it here.

– I was told before the game that Marshall would not be in the building, but Marshall was at the game and watched from one of the tunnels at Hulman Center (former ISU guard Gabe Moore was with him) and also sat in the student section.

Some have guessed on the message boards that Marshall’s absence from the bench means he’s booted from the team. (My advice on message boards applies to the nth degree in controversial matters like this: take it all with a massive grain of salt, as in, a truckload of it.) Not always the case. When Eric Gray went through a similar situation when Royce Waltman was coaching, he wasn’t on the bench either.

– As I drove out of the Hulman Center parking lot to head back to the office and file my story, I saw Marshall speaking with assistant coach Greg Lansing. Do not extrapolate ANYTHING from that. All I saw was the two of them talking. I don’t know what the nature of their conversation was.

– Unfortunately, I have not spoken with Marshall himself yet. I hope to as soon as he’s willing to, if he’s willing to.

– Bottom line … whatever differences that caused the suspension can be solved if Marshall breaks bread with Kevin McKenna to find common ground and move forward. The door is still open so far as I know.

At the same time, Marshall needs to do what’s necessary in the eyes of the coaching staff to rejoin the team, if that’s what he wants to do.

McKenna has a team to run and as important as Marshall is, no player is bigger than any program. If Marshall is being intransigent (I’m not saying he is, just using it for the sake of this example), McKenna is absolutely right to stick to his guns.

History is my teacher, and I know how damaging and what a distraction it was when the Gray situation came to a head, twice, when Waltman was coaching. The situation isn’t exactly the same here, but at some point, no matter how talented a player is, you have to fish or cut bait. No one can be a distraction.

I sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that. I hope Marshall comes around. ISU looked promising on Tuesday against Rose-Hulman, though we’ll see how they fare as the level of competition rises in the coming weeks. Clearly, there’s a lot of talent on this team and Marshall can only augment it if he’s in the fold.

If egos can be set aside and everyone works together and isn’t worried about who’s team it is or anything of that ilk, this team can be pretty good, better than any since I’ve been around the beat, that’s for sure.

I would hope that cooler heads would eventually prevail and whatever differences caused the suspension can be mended. It would be a real shame to see Marshall’s career jeopardized or ended because of this suspension, and it would be a bigger shame for Marshall not to give ISU fans another year’s worth of fond memories.

TERRE HAUTE — Hello all. Time to open another season of Indiana State basketball. This is my sixth year and there has never been so much buzz going into a season as there is this year.

This local rivalry game is part of it. While there’s no threat of a sellout, the crowd is significantly larger than it would be for a garden-variety exhibition game. And that was the goal — create interest where there wouldn’t normally be. Based on the crowd I’m seeing filing into Hulman Center, there might be 4,000-5,000 for the game, maybe more. In that respect, this game is already a success.

Harry Marshall’s suspension has been the topic of the moment, as you might imagine. I’ve had a lot of folks asking me about it. The truth is? I really don’t know much more than what I reported. Anything I get into past that is pure rumor or conjecture on my part, which I don’t want to engage in.

Anyway, Marshall won’t be in the building today. ISU will start Brant Leitnaker, Rashad Reed, Dwayne Lathan, Jake Kelly and Carl Richard. Rose will start Jason Haslag, Blake Knotts, Jeff McCartney, Steve Ricks and Spencer Harlan.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Engineers. Since my ISU duties are so all-encompassing during basketball season, I never get to see Rose-Hulman play. In fact, this is the first time I’ve everseen the Engineer men in action.

Let’s get to it.

First half
[] Check that … Jake Kelly is not starting. Jordan Printy is. I mixed up their numbers when I saw the starters.

[] ISU 9-4. ISU is substituting frequently. Hard to tell whether it’s going to be the Sycamores’ M.O. throughout the season with more guards to get into the mix, or, just a product of it being an exhibition game.

The two Jakes — Kelly and Odum — each entered the game together. Both had turnovers shortly after entering the game.

Lucas Eitel popped a 3-pointer shortly after he entered the game.

An early area that gives pause is that ISU isn’t getting as many boards as they should be.

[] ISU 17-4, 13:14. ISU has gone on an 8-0 run. It started with good interior defense — Josh Crawford had two blocks, Isiah Martin one — and ISU carried it over to the offensive end, working their offense well at the top of the key to get open shots.

After a Rose timeout, ISU has gone to its press.

[] ISU 22-4, 11:42. The Sycamores have made its last 3-point attempts to increase the gap. I like the way the Sycamores’ inside tandem of Crawford and Martin are playing. Both have been active on both ends.

Rashad Reed has eight points to lead the Sycamores.

[] ISU 31-8, 8:00. Bad news. Reed sprinted and leaped to block a 3-point shot in the corner by Blake Knotts, flew out of bounds off the court near the ISU bench, hit the hardwood awkwardly, and was injured. He was feeling his left knee as he writhed on the concrete near the corner and had to be helped back to the trainer’s room. Without Marshall, ISU can’t have this.

[] Harry Marshall is here. He’s watching the game from the northwest tunnel of Hulman Center in his ISU letter jacket.

[] Reed is back on the ISU sideline.

[] Kelly was swatted by Haslag on a break, but kept his cool, stole the ball at mid-court, and made his first ISU field goal.

[] ISU 46-17, halftime. I was told Reed tweaked his left knee. He’ll be held out of the rest of this game, but I was told it wasn’t a serious injury.

The Sycamores have looked strong — particularly Dwayne Lathan (7 points) and Jake Odum (8 points). ISU is shooting 62.1 percent from the field and Rose cannot generate any offense whatsoever against ISU’s defense. The Engineers are shooting 19.2 percent from the field.

Second half
[] ISU 52-27, 15:50. Rose played with a lot more energy coming out of the locker room and cut into ISU’s lead somewhat. Lathan is playing well for ISU … he had another breakaway dunk. He is ISU’s best dunker by miles.

[] ISU 63-33, 11:17. Everybody has played for ISU and everyone but Logan Eitel has scored. To answer a popular question I’ve had over the last few days … players ISU intends to redshirt can play in exhibition games.

[] ISU 70-38, 7:48. Lathan was whistled for a weak technical by Mark Mayhood when he hung on the rim on a breakaway dunk. It was very borderline. Lathan has a team-high 11 points and 4 steals. He looks good.

Odum has impressed me for ISU too. Not just because of his 10 points, but he’s played well on the defensive end too.

Knotts leads the way for the Engineers with 10 points.

[] ISU 85-46, 3:32. One thing ISU has done pretty well is roll Crawford and Leitnaker off screens in the high post. Crawford, in particular, has dished to a Sycamore on the wing, cut, and is being found for lay-ups opportunities under the bucket.

I like the energy ISU is playing with despite the fact it’s a blowout. The Sycamores are going to be fun to watch when they’re on … and they’ve been on since the last media timeout.

I can’t say enough about Odum, who is playing like a man who doesn’t want to get redshirted. He’s diving for loose balls, making passes on the break, he’s playing without fear. I like it.

Kelly has hit double-figure points too, with 10 of his 13 points coming at the line. When Odum and Kelly are on the floor together, it’s pretty fun to watch.

Crowd? 4,812.

[] ISU 89-50, final. The Sycamores looked good. Reed is walking off the floor for the handshake fine, but we’ll see what the deal is injury-wise, if there is a deal.

TERRE HAUTE — As you may have already seen on the Tribstar.com web site, ISU guard Harry Marshall is suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules, according to ISU coach Kevin McKenna.

Marshall did not attend Monday’s practice in preparation for Tuesday’s exhibition against Rose-Hulman.

McKenna stressed to me that Marshall is not off the team, he is suspended.

Marshall is ISU’s leading returning scorer and an important part of their plan for the upcoming season, so obviously, this is not good news if you’re an ISU fan.

TERRE HAUTE — Hello all. The rain has stopped and the sun is out at Memorial Stadium as the Sycamores try to take down No. 3-ranked Southern Illinois.

The euphoria of last week’s win over Western Illinois hasn’t translated to a very large crowd at Memorial Stadium. There might be 1,000 tops in the stadium at present. It will grow a bit as fans emerge from shelter underneath the stadium, but not dramatically.

No changes to the starting lineup this week. One factor that’s helped the Sycamores in recent weeks is stability in their lineup. There have been few, if any, changes in the lineup since the bye week.

ISU will be wearing their numeral helmets again today. I think they should keep the look permanently, with ISU’s color scheme, the blue numbers on white helmet look really sharp. It’s a classic look that looks classy with ISU’s uniforms.

Last week’s win was my first as the beat writer. My personal losing streak was at 37 until I finally broke the duck last week.

My time as beat writer is disjointed, I covered the team for part of 2004 (taking over for Mark Bennett … the game when ISU’s eventual 24-game, 2004-06 losing streak started) and the Sycamores promptly lost six in a row to end the season. I covered all of 2005, when Lou West’s first team went 0-11. I covered the opener in 2006 at Purdue, a loss, before David Hughes had the beat in 2006-07. Hughes covered ISU’s win over Missouri State in ‘06.

I returned to the beat — apparently, because I’m a masochist — in 2008 when ISU went 0-12. Seven losses to start this season rounded out my 37-game skid.

I have to qualify my losing streak a bit. ISU won the first time I came to Memorial Stadium — they beat Illinois State in overtime in 2004, but that was Bennett’s swan song as beat writer. It was my third day on the job, so I was here to observe.

It all went downhill from there.

Memorable losses? ISU’s last-second loss to Missouri State in ‘04 greased the skids for Tim McGuire’s firing. Last year’s last-play save by Missouri State has to rank as the most heartbreaking loss for the Sycamores during my time on the beat. ISU came close to beating Missouri State in Springfield in ‘05, leading with two minutes to go, but one of the worst two-minute drill defenses I’ve ever seen sunk them that day.

In the long list of embarrassing losses, the ‘05 crush job by NAIA St. Francis still has to rank No. 1, with this year’s loss to Quincy a solid No. 2.

There’s too many Gateway/MVFC embarassing routs to count during “my” streak, though last year’s loss at SIU ranks high on my list. The Sycamores were down 50-0 at halftime and appeared totally listless and rudderless. The Salukis took mercy on ISU in the second half of that game, they could easily have broached the century mark that day if they tried.

Anyhow, that’s all history now. On to today’s game …

First quarter
[] ISU went three-and-out on its first series as Roberts was sacked for a 10-yard loss by SIU’s Kyle Walker on 3rd-and-3. The Sycamore defense held SIU to a three-and-out too, as the Salukis gained no yardage.

[] ISU drove into SIU territory with an 12-play drive that petered out at the SIU 36. Along the way, ISU pulled out its trick bag on 4th-and-1 from the SIU 47. Defensive tackle Rod Hardy was put in at fullback, ostensibly to lead block for one of ISU’s usual ball carriers. Instead, Hardy got the ball on a trap play and gained nine yards. Hardy scored a touchdown at Northern Iowa, so the big man is averaging 5 yards per carry so far.

[] ISU is putting its defensive stamp on this game. After Deji Karim gained 16 yards on SIU’s first play from scrimmage, the Sycamores stopped the Salukis cold, forcing them to punt from their own 31. ISU’s linebackers have looked stout so far.

[] Clearly, SIU has watched a lot of film on Roberts because the Salukis have shut down Roberts’ draw plays. The Salukis are committing two defenders on the edge to keep Roberts from slipping off tackle and its been effective.

[] The first quarter ends with the Salukis on the ISU 5-yard line. The Salukis have been able to keep the Sycamores off balance with good run-pass balance. Making matters worse for ISU … linebacker Jacolby Washington was injured on the second-last play of the quarter. 0-0.

Second quarter
[] ISU forced SIU into a 4th-and-2 from the 4, but Karim slashed off right tackle and dove for the end zone, putting the Salukis on the board. That was an important score for SIU, who probably would have considered it a moral loss of sorts to settle for a field goal after they moved the ball downfield so effectively. SIU 7-0.

[] ISU is trying to establish a passing game, but Roberts has not been accurate at all. He’s missing receivers by several yards, either too deep, too short or just not on line. SIU gets the ball back at the ISU 9 after a nice coffin corner punt by Gabe Mullane.

[] SIU is using a no-huddle offense to keep the Sycamores off-balance. It’s working well.

[] Washington has returned to action for ISU at linebacker.

[] SIU drove 91 yards in just nine plays as quarterback Tim McIntosh scored a 2-yard touchdown on a line surge up the middle. The Salukis’ cause was aided by a pass interference penalty on Donye McCleskey inside the 10, one of the more obvious cases of pass interference you’re ever going to see. SIU 14-0.

[] The SIU defense is starting to dominate the ISU offense, which went three-and-out for the third time. The Sycamore still haven’t had any luck establishing a passing game. Mullane uncorked another fine punt, a 44-yarder that went out of bounds at the SIU 22.

[] The ISU defense has not been able to keep McIntosh from rolling out of the pocket and completing passes on the run. The net effect is that McIntosh, a redshirt freshman, is gaining confidence on every series.

[] SIU stopped itself when it got a personal foul with a late hit by a lineman after a play.

[] The Sycamore offense still can’t move the ball and it paid the ultimate price for it. On Gabe Mullane’s punt from the ISU 38, Bryce Morris came in unblocked and was at Mullane’s foot when he punted the ball. Morris’ emphatic block deflected all the way back to the ISU 6. SIU’s Beau Hoffman picked it up and walked in for an easy SIU touchdown.

It’s the second time this season — South Dakota State was the other time — ISU’s special teams gave up a key punt block right before halftime. A killer for ISU.SIU 21-0.

[] ISU goes backwards on its subsequent drive and SIU called its timeouts to get another possession with 1:56 left in the half. The Sycamores moved the ball early in the game by sticking with the run. The attempt to establish the pass might have backfired as it appeared to discombobulate what the Sycamores were doing well early in the game.

[] Mullane’s punt was partially blocked by SIU’s Nick King. ISU lucked out when it sailed into SIU territory anyway.

[] McIntosh ran for 32 yards to put the Salukis in ISU territory. McIntosh escaped contain on SIU’s first play from scrimmage, running past a couple of half-hearted tackle attempts by ISU. The Sycamores straightened out and stopped the Salukis at the ISU 31. The Salukis’ field goal attempt was blocked by Hardy. C.J. Cook recovered the ball at the SIU 7. ISU is kneeling to end the half.

[] If ISU had gone into the locker room with a 14-0 deficit against the third-ranked team in the nation, you’d have had to feel good about it. Instead, a special teams breakdown made it a disappointing 21-0 deficit. SIU steadily got better as the half progressed, ISU got worse. It’s a trend that has to change in the second half. SIU 21-0.

[] For you Hoosier/Sycamore fans, IU is up 21-7 on Iowa right now.

[] Meanwhile, ISU has just 69 total yards on 35 plays in the first half. Not good at all.

[] Rant time just before the half resumes … ISU needs to figure out a better way to incorporate its Sycamore Vision videoboard into the games themselves. The thing just sits out there in the corner of the field, spitting out advertisements, PSAs and promotional videos from the MVC/MVFC and ISU itself.

It shows game action during games, but there’s little in the way of replays. It doesn’t seem to be integrated into the game experience at all.

Basketball is the same way (and incidentally, I know the economy has struggled, but two years after the fact, how can almost zero ads be sold for the scoreboard position in Hulman Center?), I think the board is under-utilized. Considering what ISU paid for the video board, it seems like a big waste sitting out there in the corner of the stadium all by its lonesome.

Third quarter
[] The half doesn’t start promisingly for the Sycamores as Karim goes 50 yards on the opening kickoff. He seemingly stiff-armed half the Sycamore defenders along the way.

[] ISu stops the Salukis, though Joe Allaria dropped a would-be touchdown reception. ISU takes over at its own 9.

[] ISU lost two yards in a three-and-out. Looks like today is going to be an unwelcome reprise of whether ISU can break the century mark in total yardage or not.

Meanwhile, SIU smells blood every time Mullane has to punt, bringing the house to get another block. Mullane nearly had another punt blocked in the end zone, just barely getting it off.

[] SIU marched 41 yards in six plays as McIntosh scored his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run. Kyle Dougherty finally made the PAT after a third try. On the first try, SIU had a false start. The second was blocked by Larry Carter, but he was offsides. In the end, it’s a point that’s likely to be academic. SIU 28-0.

[] Three-and-out number six for ISU ends at the SIU 41.

[] SIU likes to line up for a play and then break off to get instructions from the sideline in its no-huddle. It has the effect of a timeout of sorts and breaks the concentration of the defense.

[] The Salukis get a field goal after marching into ISU territory with relative ease. Incidentally, former Terre Haute South player Kyle Harruff has caught a pass for the Salukis. SIU 31-0.

[] ISU’s first play from scrimmage resulted in a Lance Caldwell interception at the ISU 36. SIU put backup Bobby Brenneisen at QB and he was intercepted on his first pass at the ISU 1 by Andrew Blackmon. ISU gets the ball at the Saluki 3.

[] The third quarter ends. ISU gained just seven yards of offense in the period. The Salukis are very good, but the Sycamores should be playing better. SIU 31-0.

Fourth quarter
[] Official attendance is 4,582. ISU football SID Ace Hunt informed me that numbers is from tickets sold. A lot of those tickets are apparently sitting on people’s dresser drawers as there wasn’t close to that many people in the Memorial Stadium stands at any point.

[] Safety dance for SIU. Brad Briggs tackled Antoine Brown in the end zone. SIU 33-0.

[] SIU got to ISU territory when Brenneisen was hit trying to throw. Blackmon recovered the loose ball at the ISU 33. Can ISU get over 100 total yards?

[] ISU appears to be moving the ball as the clock winds down in the fourth quarter. I’m headed down to do interviews. I’ll wrap up after I get back to the press box.

[] And just as I type that, Rashad Graham intercepts a Roberts pass that should have been caught by Bryant Kent.

[] ISU lost 33-0. Total yardage? 90. SIU was simply the better team. ISU 33-0.

ST. LOUIS — Here’s how the MVC Preseason polls shook down. Kelsey Luna was named All-MVC Preseason on the women’s side. None of the men made the first team. Jake Kelly and Harry Marshall were each honorable mention selections.

MEN’S PRESEASON POLL
1. Northern Iowa (38) — 389
2. Creighton (1) — 336
3. Illinois State — 299
4. Southern Illinois — 272
5. Wichita State — 216
6. Bradley — 208
7. Indiana State — 173
8. Drake — 105
9. Missouri State — 92
10. Evansville — 55

– The men’s placing is the highest since 2002, when ISU was picked third.
– I had the men picked sixth in my preseason poll. Mine went: UNI, SIU, Creighton, Illinois State, Wichita State, ISU, Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Missouri State.
– The preseason All-Conference team is: Kwadzo Ahelegbe, UNI; Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State; Tony Freeman, SIU; Adam Koch, UNI; P’Allen Stinnett, Creighton; Josh Young, Drake. Eldridge was Preseason Player of the Year.
– My team was: Eldridge, Freeman, Young, Stinnett and Jake Kelly. I had Eldridge as Player of the Year. It’s the first time I have ever selected a Sycamore for the Preseason team in my six years on the beat.

WOMEN
1. Creighton (34) — 393
2. Illinois State (3) — 340
3. Drake — 296
4. UNI — 253
5. Indiana State — 250
6. Bradley — 214
7. Missouri State — 188
8. Evansville — 108
9. Wichita State — 97
10. Southern Illinois — 61

– ISU was picked seventh in the preseason poll last year. It continued a trend from 2006 onward where the Sycamore women have alternated being picked in the bottom and upper half of the conference.
– Preseason Women’s Team: Casey Garrison, Missouri State; Maggie Krick, Illinois State; Kelsey Luna, ISU; Megan Neuvirth, Creighton; Jordann Plummer, Drake. For reasons unbeknownst to me, they never picked a Preseason women’s player of the year. The Valley should, there’s no reason not to.
– Craig Pearson does the women’s voting for us, so I’m not sure where his preseason poll compared to the final one.

Those of you who only read the Tribune-Star online got this as the lede to my ISU football game story on Sunday.

“The nation’s longest losing streak. Strike that!”

In the paper, here’s how it came out …

“The nation’s longest losing streak.”

Our online staff did the best they could with HTML code that is unfriendly to strikethru, but that’s the way it was intended to be read.

Writers are picky, and clearly, I’m no exception.

TERRE HAUTE — I’m back from the Influenza A dead! I missed a good chunk of the week with the flu (my son had it much worse), but I’m feeling OK and ready to get back in the swing of things.

ISU has its numbers on its helmets this week, giving them a kind of blue Alabama look.

The crowd is OK. As usual many fans are out having a good time in the stadium parking lot.

First quarter
[] ISU got a first down on its opening drive, but that was all.

[] No changes in either ISU’s starting offense or defense, save Lawrence Young starting at defenisve tackle in place of Nate Brown, who is in uniform on the sideline.

[] WIU’s offensive line is bulldozing ISU’s defensive line on its current drive. Dre Gibbs already has 26 rushing yards as the Leathernecks have driven to the ISU 21. Along the way, WIU converted a 4th-and-1 in ISU territory.

[] The hits kept on coming for the ‘Necks. They kept shoving it down ISU’s throats, getting most of its 69 yards between the tackles. It culminated in a Gibbs 1-yard touchdown. The Sycamores’ defense has to regroup. WIU 7-0.

[] Nothing doing for ISU’s offense on its next drive, though QB Ryan Roberts did a good job getting the Sycamores out of jail with a 21-yard scamper on 3rd-and-18. Still, ISU didn’t threaten to cross midfield.

[] WIU tried play-action with some success until C.J. Cook picked off a Wil Lunt pass at the ISU 31 and returned it to the WIU 44. It’s only the fifth interception of the year for the Sycamores as the quarter ends on a high note for ISU.
WIU 7-0.

Second quarter
[] ISU didn’t move the ball much on its own account after the interception, but a personal foul by the ‘Necks got the Sycamores into field goal range. Braulio Martinez shook off his recent stuggles and made a 37-yard field goal into a pretty good wind. WIU 7-3.

[] The crowd has filed in nicely at Memorial Stadium. Not Quincy-big, but good-sized. Among the visitors is Trib-Star sportswriter David Hughes, who is recovering from a protracted illness. Good to see him.

[] WIU drove deep into ISU territory when Donye McCleskey picked off a Lunt pass at the ISU 10. Two plays later, Roberts went up the middle, and with WIU blitzing, he got past the lone defender and went 91 yards for a touchdown. He dove for the pylon at the end of this run and after a short conference the officials ruled it a touchdown. ISU leads for the first time during the MVFC season. Amazing what opportunism can do for a team. ISU 10-7.

[] We are checking the record books to see where Roberts’ run ranks. Clearly, it’s among the longest in school history.

[] Inspired by the go-ahead touchdown, ISU’s defense stuffed WIU deep in its own territory. ISU get the ball back at midfield with 1:50 left in the half.

[] ISU got to the WIU 42, but that’s it as the half ended. ISU has its first halftime lead since the Quincy game.

Has the defense been flawless? No. Has the offense consistently moved the ball? No. But the defense has done something it rarely does — it has forced turnovers. In a close game, two turnovers plus one big play make all the difference.

ISU rarely has occasion to feel good about itself, but to take a lead into the halftime locker room can only help as it tries to wipe out its losing streak in the next 30 minutes.
ISU 10-7.

[] Roberts’ 91-yard touchdown run was the longest scoring run in school history. The previous long had been Todd Jochem’s 85-yard TD run, also done against WIU, on Nov. 11, 1989.

Third quarter
[] Gibbs had two carries that combined to go for 27 yards to get the ‘Necks past midfield, but ISU’s defense held firm. They had some help when WIU tight end Drew Helt dropped a pass when he was wide-open in space.

[] Pinned inside its own 15, ISU goes nowhere.

[] WIU keeps shooting itself in the foot. On 3rd-and-5, Lunt put a ball right on the numbers to wide receiver Todd Speight, but he dropped it. ISU takes over at its own 20.

[] Fans weren’t happy when Roberts appeared to dive for a first down, only to have the ball spotted just short of the ISU 30.

[] ISU punter Gabe Mullane, who is punting his an injured foot, is doing yeoman’s work. However, he has nearly been blocked on at least three different occasions. The more punts you attempt, the more likely you’re going to have one blocked. ISU’s offense needs to sustain a drive.

[] WIU is able to drive to midfield consistently, thus taking away any chance ISU has to get itself out of field position jail. WIU punter Chris Fuchs just buried ISU again … this time the Sycamores will start at their own 4.

[] Official attendance is 6,028.

[] Mullane had to punt from his own end zone and did a good job with a high snap. However, WIU starts its drive at the ISU 38.

[] Gibbs immediately breaks off a 20-yard gain, but was slow to get up and is out of the game for the moment. WIU is in field goal range.

[] This time, the ISU defense couldn’t stop the ‘Necks rushing attack. Marva Carley took Gibbs’ place and there was no drop-off. He gained 16 yards on three carries and scored a five-yard touchdown straight up the gut. The ‘Necks are back on top with 2:51 to go in the quarter. WIU 14-10.

[] A 17-yard completion from Roberts to Brock Lough — only the second completed pass of the day for the Sycamores — got ISU to midfield, but that was all they could muster.

ISU finally found the bullet in the chamber in its Russian roulette with Mullane constantly having to punt. WIU’s Kevin Palermo got a piece of Mullane’s kick and is was deflected out of bounds. The punt only traveled 12 yards.

[] WIU has already crossed midfield as the quarter ends. ISU’s offense must get something going and the Sycamore defense, which has put in a good effort, must force another turnover for ISU to have a chance. WIU 14-10.

Fourth quarter
[] The ‘Necks used Gibbs and Carley to get to the ISU 16, but were stopped there. Fuchs then hooked a field goal wide right as the Sycamores dodge a bullet.

[] ISU’s offense has something going. Roberts just ran for 11 yards to get ISU past midfield, the third successive first down the Sycamores have gained.

[] ISU continues to drive. With 5:11 left, ISU is on the WIU 6.

[] Touchdown ISU! Roberts hauled in a high snap at the ISU 4, but ran the designed QB draw and dragged a WIU defender into the end zone. A deserved award after he rushed for 43 yards on an 80-yard drive. There is 4:12 left. ISU 17-14.

[] The crowd is into it here at Memorial Stadium. For one of the very few times, it feels like a college football atmosphere.

[] Ben Obaseki sacked Lunt for an 8-yard loss and McCleskey was very fortunate to not be called for pass interference on 3rd-and-15 when Lunt tried to find Senatus. But Lunt completed a 20-yard pass to Senatus on 4th-and-15 to keep the ‘Necks alive at midfield. WIU just called a timeout. There is 2:11 left in the game.

[] It is 4th-and-9 at the ISU 47 for the ‘Necks. Dillon Painter and Aaron Archie just stuffed Calvey for a 3-yard loss. THere is 1:30 left. It all comes down to this for the Sycamores.

[] Lunt is hit by Rod Hardy in the pocket as ISU brought the blitz. ISU takes over at the WIU 47. There is 1:23 left and WIU has one timeout left. It might actually be over.

[] Sorry to keep you all in suspense, but I wanted to be on the field to get interviews as soon as the game ended. WIU’s desperation pass at the gun was intercepted by Andrew Blackmon and ISU’s 33-game losing streak finally ended amid a wild celebration at Memorial Stadium.

FINAL ISU 17-14.

NORMAL, Ill. — Hello again. I took a week off and went to Florida for an anniversary trip with my wife. Had a great time, but it’s time to get back to work.

It’s cold and breezy at Hancock Stadium for Illinois State’s Homecoming. It figures to be a large crowd.

No major changes for ISU. FN Lutz is starting at center and Ben Geffert has been moved over to guard. One thing to watch is whether Chris Stutzriem gets some snaps, he seemed to get more reps at practice this week.

There is one cosmetic change. ISU has stripped the Sycamore logo and the WV (Wabash Valley) from their helmets, going with a Penn State-like all-white look. According to what I’ve been told, it’s a holdover of Trent Miles’ displeasure from the Northern Iowa game, the Sycamores must earn their logo back.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for we ISU media types as former Sycamore sports information guru Mike Williams has crossed the aisle and rejoined his alma mater as the Redbirds’ football SID.

“Mike On the Mike” — as I playfully called him during baseball season when he did color for Sycamore baseball games — was trying to convince me that they call the Bloomington-Normal area “Blo-No”. I’ve never, ever heard that in my many trips here, but from this day forward, I will not only use “Blo-No”, but run it into the ground. I might even use it as my dateline in the Tribune-Star.

Yikes. They just did the national anthem here at Hancock Stadium. The PA system here sounds like the PA from the communist re-education camp in Red Dawn. Needs a little modulation work. Only in Blo-No.

First quarter
[] An excellent offensive gameplan by Illinois State got the Redbirds to the ISU 6, but then Illinois State had two incomplete passes — one on a completed pass out of bounds to Jake Knecht in the end zone. Then Illinois State’s Zach Kutch missed a chippie 24-yard field goal attempt wide right. ISU caught a big break as a 16-play drive goes for naught for the Redbirds.

[] ISU is doing something it hasn’t done all year — pounding the ball between the tackles. Antoine Brown averaged 4.7 yards on his first seven carries on ISU’s opening drive to help ISU get to the Illinois State 29. Then, the mistakes flowed in. A personal foul followed by a holding penalty knocked ISU back 25 yards to midfield.

A quick quarter has ended with a mixed bag of encouraging and discouraging signs from the Sycamores. ISU has the ball at the Illinois State 30, facing 3rd-and-18 as the quarter ends. 0-0.

Second quarter
[] ISU’s Braulio Martinez attempted a 44-yard field goal attempt. It was well short and to the right.

[] Illinois State wasted no time putting its stamp on the game in the wake of the Sycamores’ failure to take advantage of a good drive. A 28-yard completion to Eyad Salem, a 17-yard run by Cliffton Gordon and a 28-yard touchdown pass from Matt Brown to Tyrone Walker was all it took.

ISU had good pressure on Brown on the touchdown pass, but he broke containment and found Walker wide-open on the run. The Sycamores need to respond with another good drive. ILS 7-0.

[] Koby Kraemer gave ISU good field position with a 36-yard kick return. The Sycamores start at the Illinois State 43.

[] Disaster for the Sycamores. After a three-and-out series, Gabe Mullane’s punt was emphatically blocked by Illinois State’s Bert Whigham. He picked up the loose ball at the ISU 20 and returned it to the 13. No Sycamore came close to putting a body on Whigham, it was easy pickings.

[] Five Geno Blow carries helped the Redbirds hit paydirt again. He scored on a 1-yard plunge. No excuses for ISU on that touchdown … the breakdown on the blocked punt was an inexcusable error the Sycamores can ill afford. They must play better. ILS 14-0.

[] Keystone Kops time for the Sycamores. After another three-and-out, Mullane shanked a punt into the wind … it traveled just 11 yards. Adding insult to injury, ISU was in an illegal formation, so five more yards were tacked on for the Redbirds.

It’s disappointing in the extreme to see mental errors such as an illegal formation penalty on top of just plain old lack of execution.

[] The damage was somewhat limited. ISU held Illinois State to a 39-yard field goal by Kutch. However, take away the five yards from the illegal formation penalty and Kutch has a much more daunting 44-yard attempt. It’s the kind of gifts the Sycamores give opponents that kill them on a weekly basis. ILS 17-0.

[] They are abusing Sam Spence’s NFL Films’ catalog here at Hancock Stadium. Chimes are being blasted through the Red Dawn communist re-education camp-like PA system. I guess that’s how they roll in Blo-No.

[] A surprise. ISU puts together its best sustained drive since the Louisville game. The Sycamores needed just seven plays to go 66 yards, a series that was finished off by a Ryan Roberts 17-yard touchdown scamper with 2:31 left in the half.

It was a drive comprised of equals parts effective running, passing, and some help from an Illinois State late hit out of bounds. Those kind of responses on the offensive end have been lacking all year for ISU, so it was refreshing to see the Sycamores finally pull a good drive off. ILS 17-7.

[] To say Illinois State responded in kind would be putting it mildly. The Redbirds unleashed a Colts-style no-huddle offense and ISU was completely flabbergasted. Completions of 19, 3, 18 and a 28-yard touchdown completion from Matt Brown to Salem restored the Redbirds’ 17-point advantage in just 43 seconds of game time. ISU’s secondary, too often focused on kill-shot type hits, seemed totally lost and out of position. ILS 24-7.

[] The half comes to an end. The good? ISU’s offense rolled up 154 yards of total offense, 22 yards better than their average. The bad? Just about everything else. The ISU defense has not been up to snuff (Illinois State has 245 yards of total offense) and special teams mistakes have hurt the Sycamores. ILS 24-7 halftime.

Third quarter
[] ISU went nowhere on its opening drive. The Redbirds had little trouble moving 50 yards for another touchdown. The key play was a 3rd-and-11 conversion by Brown, who gained 19 yards on a scamper to put the Redbirds inside the ISU 5. Blow scored two plays later with another 1-yard run. ISU’s defense is having its worst game of the season. ILS 31-7.

[] The Sycamores’ offense struck back quickly. Fueled by a 26-yard run by Darrius Gates and a 39-yard gain by Antoine Brown set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Roberts. ISU has 159 yards on the ground. The Sycamores had just 302 rushing yards in the season until today. ILS 31-14.

[] Illinois State scores again, this time on a 2-yard Cliffton Gordon run. I’ve spent some time pounding on ISU’s defense, but I have to give credit to Illinois State quarterback Matt Brown, who has played very well. He’s a redshirt freshman and is a future star in this league. ISU’s defense is making him look that way, anyway. ILS 38-14.

[] Gates returns the ensuing kick to the 50. The Sycamores’ special teams, at least on returns, are getting the job done.

[] The third quarter is over as Roberts just converted a fourth down conversion for ISU in Illinois State territory. ISU has 12 first downs. The Sycamores have averaged 7.8 first downs per game to date. ILS 38-14.

Fourth quarter
[] Antoine Brown has gone over the century mark in yardage. Considering ISU has struggled to gain 100 total yards in many of its games, that’s a major achievement.

[] ISU drove to the Illinois State 24, but a 41-yard Martinez field goal attempt was wide right and well short of the mark. Martinez has struggled mightily all season, making just 3 of 9 field goal attempts.

[] ISU has forced Illinois State to punt, the first time the Redbirds have punted all day.

[] ISU continues to put yards up. The Sycamores have gone over the 300-yard mark in total offense and are on the verge of another possible touchdown.

[] ISU is at the Illinois State 3 and is going for it on 4th-and-goal. Why not?

[] No dice. ISU called a fullback run to the right side and Brock Lough was met at the scrimmage line. Odd call.

[] Had to head downstairs for the press conference, so I couldn’t end this. ISU did score again on a 39-yard Roberts-to-Kent touchdown strike. ISU rolled up 365 yards of offense, a marked improvement. Trent Miles said after the game that the defense took a step backwards.

I bid adieu to Blo-No until basketball season. The truth is that I am likely headed straight to bed when I get home as I am (unsuccessfully) fighting off some sort of sick bug. Blo-No might soon become Blo-Chunks for me. I hope not.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — My blog, dead for about three weeks, had to undergo some work. Here’s a picture.

The blog is alive again, for better or worse.

No major changes here in the technicolor-seated dreamland that is the UNI-Dome. Brock Lough is dressed and Alex Sewall will likely start at safety, but those were to be expected.

The last time I was here was for basketball. Let’s just be nice and say this facility is far, far, far, far, far, far, far, FAR better for football than it was for hoops. It was the worst basketball atmosphere ever.

Oops, I’m not being nice. Well, on with the show. The game will commence shortly.

First quarter
[] ISU will get the ball first. The Sycamores could use some help from the special teams.

[] No dice. ISU gets the ball at the 20 and goes three-and-out. ISU’s defense, which has played well all season, is going to get a major test. UNI has an all-senior offensive line and a very skilled QB in Pat Grace.

[] That didn’t take long. UNI needed just four plays to move 53 yards to score a touchdown as Grace found Schuylar Oordt (say it five times fast) for a 30-yard touchdown as Oordt got a step on Sewall over the middle. With 11:39 left in the first quarter, it’s going to be a long day. UNI 7-0.

[] ISU started its drive with an illegal substitution penalty. Antoine Brown was then dropped for a three-yard loss. Ugh.

[] Ryan Roberts then threw to Darrius Gates, who wasn’t looking. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway because the pass was behind Gates. Double ugh. ISU goes three-and-out. It’s going to be a challenge just to get a first down today.

[] UNI scored quickly again — and even gave ISU a personal foul to up their degree of difficulty. It hardly mattered. The Panthers had gains of 19, 20, 13 to set up Carlos Anderson’s 1-yard TD plunge. It took 1:22 of game time to make it 14-0. UNI 14-0.

[] ISU was on the cusp of a first down, but on 3rd-and-5, Roberts fumbled while trying to reach for it. UNI recovered at the ISU 35.

[] The Sycamores made it more difficult for the Panthers this time, but the end result is the same. After UNI converted a pair of third down conversions, Grace found Ryan Mahaffey for a 2-yard touchdown. ISU has yet to get the ball past its own 33-yard-line. UNI 21-0.

[] A real live first down! Followed by several more! ISU is threatening on the UNI 20-yard line as Roberts has completed passes of 20, 14 and 21 yards.

[] ISU got to the 18. On 3rd-and-11, it’s almost as if they were setting up a game-ending field goal attempt as Roberts went up the middle and went down pretty easy between the hashmarks. Braulio Martinez will have a pretty straightforward 35-yard field goal attempt. The scoreless streak, however, reaches 13 quarters as the period ended on that play. UNI 21-0.

Second quarter
[] Lord above. Martinez missed the 35-yard field goal. Can’t tell from my position here, but it appeared to be wide left. The Sycamores deserved better there.

[] UNI marched 80 yards in seven plays. Grace threw a perfect pass to Oordt over the middle for a 30-yard touchdown. UNI 28-0.

[] Three plays, three incomplete passes, only 33 seconds taken off the clock. This is looking eerily like the Southern Illinois game from last year when the Salukis had a 50-0 halftime lead.

[] This is the first game where I can honestly say ISU’s defense looks outmatched. UNI’s receivers are finding holes in the secondary, Anderson is a very capable, very elusive back, Grace is a complete QB and the offensive line is comprised entirely of seniors. In other words, the complete opposite of ISU’s offense at present.

[] Five plays, 70 yards, 2:26 of game time, another UNI touchdown. Brutal. UNI 35-0.

[] Three-and-out. ISU punter Gabe Mullane nearly lost the high snap and shanked the ball 18 yards. He then decided to tackle the UNI return man long after the play was over, but the officials mercifully didn’t call a personal foul.

[] UNI took some time off for ISU before scoring its latest touchdown. Eight plays to go 30 yards. Fans are already departing the UNI-Dome. Who can blame them? UNI 42-0.

[] WCF Courier beat writer Jim Sullivan told me he’s never heard the quarterbacks call out signals at the UNI-Dome, but he has in this game. It’s the quietest crowd he’s experienced here. Bear in mind, it’s a DOME.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this. ISU is so bad they have a unique effect on a visiting crowd.

After initial excitement over the home team scoring touchdowns and taking an early lead, the reality hits that the Sycamores are not going to be competitive, and the fun of rooting for the home team is sapped away by pity. It’s like watching a dog get kicked, what’s the fun in that as a home fan?

Then … they leave.

[] Halftime is mercifully here. UNI is as good as advertised and ISU is playing poorly. Penalties, something I haven’t even mentioned, have been killers on top of just general lack of production. Ugly, ugly game. UNI 42-0.

Third quarter
[] UNI is playing its offensive reserves and is still moving the ball.

[] UNI scored a field goal to make it 45-0 and ISU’s scoring streak finally ended after UNI fumbled deep in its own territory. ISU went 11 yards in four plays and the scoring streak was ended on a touchdown by … Rod Hardy? That’s right. The ISU defensive tackle plunged in from a yard out to put ISU on the board for the first time since the Louisville game. Hardy forced the fumble that gave ISU the ball to begin with.

The 14-quarter scoreless mercifully ends. UNI 45-7.

[] I’ve seen some comments about flying up day of the game. Yes, ISU flew up today. Is that having an effect? It might be. I’ll ask after the game.

Keep in mind, though, that ISU also went down day of the game against Louisville (so they could have the travel budget to fly to UNI), and they didn’t struggle there. That was a bus trip, but still …

As for the hypotheses on why they flew, saving money, etc., I’m not sure about that. ISU has planned one-day trips to Louisville, UNI and Illinois State.

As mentioned, the one-day trip to Louisville (and Illinois State) freed up money to charter a flight here — charters are more expensive than a bus-and-overnight stay. I’ve been told the travel budget was the same as its been, Miles just divvied it up differently. I suppose it depends upon how you look at it.

Ultimately, UNI is so good, ISU could have taken a Star Trek transporter here and it wouldn’t have mattered much.

[] ISU receiver Jeramie Gray was injured earlier in the third quarter. His status is not known at present.

[] By my calculation, always a scary thing, ISU’s scoreless streak was 231 minutes, 42 seconds long. Think about that for a moment. Or don’t. It’s too depressing.

[] Back to the game travel issue for a moment. Also keep in mind, it’s about an hour flight from Terre Haute to Waterloo airport. It’s not as if the Sycamores were huddled in an airport for a few hours before boarding a long commercial flight. It’s not that arduous of a trip by plane (can’t say the same by car).

[] UNI scored a long touchdown to make it 55-7 and then Roberts was pick-sixed by James Conley for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 62-7. There’s 7:50 to go. UNI 62-7.

[] 62-7 is how it ended. Miles was absolutely livid with the Sycamores’ effort in the game. You can check Sunday’s Tribune-Star to see what he said.

To wrap up another issue, I checked with several sources on the ISU travel plans. ISU’s football travel budget has not changed, Miles just elected to allocate in a different way. After the game, Miles said flying had nothing to do with the loss or the players’ effort.

ISU is off for a week before it resumes play against Illinois State on Sept. 17. To say ISU will be “off” is a misnomer as Miles intends to work the Sycamores hard during the bye week.

As for me, I am on vacation until next week. See you when I return.

WATERLOO, Iowa — I haven’t posted anything here for a while, and for very good reason … the server where my blog is located was down? Or being maintained? Or … something? Whatever it was, my blog was not accessible for several weeks.

I had given it up for dead, to be honest. I’m on vacation during ISU’s upcoming football off-week, and after I return, the Trib-Star brass and myself are going to put our heads together to hopefully launch something much better.

But I log on today by random chance and — poof! — the blog is back. I’ll do some football live-blogging tomorrow from the UNI-Dome.