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NAU Game Day Thread

tomq04

Active member
I've had this game marked as an ? since I saw it on the calendar. I felt that if we were 2-1 out of non-conference play there was no way we would win this game. Based on non-conference we definitely have the better resume, but I think we are too emotionally high to really fly high in the Skydome. NAU plays us so tough and looks at us as their big game of the year.

Cookus is the real deal at least according to the stat lines, I've only seen him play twice, but our new found aggressive defense may look to put a stop to his antics.

Excitedly nervous for this game.
 
NAU has struggled to put points on the board so far albeit against a pair of really good teams.

My concern is Cookus's ability extend drives with deep routes over the middle. We've had issues with that so far. Agreed on bringing the heat.
 
If we can carry over defensively what we did vs. UNI in the 2nd half I think we will be fine. No better warm up for NAU then the UNI qb.
 
EWU98 said:
If we can carry over defensively what we did vs. UNI in the 2nd half I think we will be fine. No better warm up for NAU then the UNI qb.

:?

Cookus isn't even in the same ball park with Bailey running the ball. Switch that around for passing.

Saturday's first half is as good as Bailey can play throwing it. The 2nd half was more the norm.
 
Does anyone have any idea how the 2nd half defense compared to any other halves in the past 6 years? I can't think of any game other than Webber St late year have we throttled an offense so completely.
 
I hope the EAGS come out in an aggressive cover one. That increases the potential for big plays but IMO better than getting dinked and dunked in a soft zone. How mobile is Cookus? Does he throw on the run well?
 
GoldenEagle said:
I hope the EAGS come out in an aggressive cover one. That increases the potential for big plays but IMO better than getting dinked and dunked in a soft zone. How mobile is Cookus? Does he throw on the run well?

I totally agree. Eagle fans should remember not to get too upset when NAU breaks a big play on Saturday. We need to shut down the small before we worry about the big ones.
 
They will make some big plays against us that is for sure. But I have a feeling that some payback is in order for the past 2 seasons.
 
Atomic Eagle said:
They will make some big plays against us that is for sure. But I have a feeling that some payback is in order for the past 2 seasons.

I thought payback might be a motivating factor last year, and we played like hot garbage. Hopefully the two close wins we've succeeded in getting gives this team the confidence to go and play a complete, lights-out football game.

Playing at elevation in Flagstaff is never an easy task!
 
GoldenEagle said:
I hope the EAGS come out in an aggressive cover one. That increases the potential for big plays but IMO better than getting dinked and dunked in a soft zone. How mobile is Cookus? Does he throw on the run well?

Can our corners handle a cover one?
 
eaglesfootball said:
whats the difference in elevation between Flagstaff and Cheney? I thought there was a considerable difference.

2200 or so in Cheney, vs 7000 in Flagstaff. Nearly a mile difference. I work with a former player, and he said playing Flagstaff (NAU) and in Cedar Falls (SUU) was a significant disadvantage.
 
FormerEag said:
The elevation isn't as big as a factor as it's made out to be. Should be a tough game regardless.

Different strokes for different folks... Elevation caused me massive problems. I think some people adapt easy and others don't. I'm definitely in the "doesn't adapt" crowd. Anything above Denver and I'm losing consciousness. I remember hearing Vernon Adams couldn't play a complete game at elevation due to health problems as well.
 
clawman said:
tomq04 said:
I felt that if we were 2-1 out of non-conference play there was no way we would win this game.
Why did you feel this way?

We have a tendency to come off of highly emotional games negatively. Despite that statement, we played really well against NDSU after WSU (despite 3 INT's). I just have that rumbly in my tumbly that after an emotional win at home we may come off flat once again against a NAU team that will be highly prepared for us.
 
tomq04 said:
clawman said:
tomq04 said:
I felt that if we were 2-1 out of non-conference play there was no way we would win this game.
Why did you feel this way?

We have a tendency to come off of highly emotional games negatively. Despite that statement, we played really well against NDSU after WSU (despite 3 INT's). I just have that rumbly in my tumbly that after an emotional win at home we may come off flat once again against a NAU team that will be highly prepared for us.
Fair enough, I see where you are coming from. I would not be as concerned about that in this game as the
UC Davis game, assuming we take care of business in Flag.
 
NAU seems to overperform when the Eag's come to town. Elevation is certainly a factor "normally". I say normally, because this team just hasn't run out of gas against three physical opponents. Conditioning, mentally and physically, is exceptional across the OL and Defense. It looks like we have a lot more in the tank where that came from. Expect the Eag's to actually wear down opponents in the BigSky on both sides of the ball.

Agree that tighter coverage is the right way to go as the corners and safeties are making plays, would like to see overloads on backside of Cookus in long 3rd downs and make him get rid of it quick or suffer the consequences. Not necessarily our style. Their OL seems a little undersized compared to what the Eag's have faced in the past three weeks, so Havili, Ebukam and the rest of the speed guys could have a 4+ sack day and don't think our OL will be overmatched by the NAU DL crew. Again, this is comparison to what they have faced to date.

Of course, assuming GG is the starter, he needs to show he is slowing down the game and make better pre-snap reads (if he is even doing that). Hoping sitting last week helped him see what he was missing and it translates. No one doubts his ability. Hey, if it ain't working, we can always line up in FG formation. :lol:

The Eag's are bigger and badder this year. All the competition to get on the field is showing and we have some serious leaders exerting their will to get it done. Only coaching can screw this up.

Addendum: EWU 27 penalties NAU 28 penalties both with 230 yards penalized. Both near the top in penalties.
 

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