Pantagraph.com | Sports | ISU loses to Drake 27-24

Reader comments on this story - 66 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

BIGRED wrote on Sep 4, 2007 1:37 PM:

" Get a clue people! Drake is no Appalacian state. APP ST would have handed it to the birds hands down. They have won it back to back and are always in the top 5 every year. Dont compare this loss to the Michigan loss at all. This loss was a joke and they should be ashamed they lost this game! "

RE: get a life naysayers wrote on Sep 3, 2007 5:25 PM:

" You might want to open your eyes. They are calling for Carr's head at Michigan. "

"Droning" wrote on Sep 2, 2007 8:53 PM:

" This game reminds me of the tail end of last season. Drone four interceptions in the playoffs, Drone struggling going into the playoffs. I support the birds and although this is a frustrating loss, its not the season. But putting all your eggs in the "Drone the walk-on QB" basket and not going after that next great QB recruit should be questioned. "

to get a life naysayers wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:22 PM:

" Yeah, ISU is just right up there with Michigan. Fire Denver now!! "

get a life naysayers wrote on Sep 1, 2007 11:01 PM:

" did you notice Michigan lost to Appalachian State? Do you think Michigan's program is going down the tubes? Should they fire their coach? Are the Maize and Blue fans going to stay home next week? I seriously doubt it. They are real fans in Ann Arbor, not faux fans like the blathering bloggers. "

Dawg wrote on Sep 1, 2007 6:33 PM:

" Truth is the redbirds were just soft. Drake is a better team based on coaching and skill which is why the better team came out on top. No excuses. "

Bloominton dawg wrote on Sep 1, 2007 5:36 PM:

" I'm an SIU alum, but I was born and raised in B/N so I support my state school...... Go Redbirds! "

Yeah, get a life! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:59 PM:

" Only 2 losing seasons out of 7. From where this program has been for most of the rest of my life, that's fantastic! Give Denver a raise! GO State! People like you just aren't happy unless you're miserable. "

You're right ISU sports wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:04 PM:

" Schools like UMASS, Villanova, Until recently UCONN, Butler, Georgetown, Dayton, Lasalle, Holy Cross, William and Mary and other schools that are 1AA in football are all TERRIBLE schools. Idiot. "

get a life? wrote on Aug 31, 2007 6:46 PM:

" What progress? Denver has had ONE solid season, and that was last year. Quit living off one fluke season...and live in reality. "

Whew! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 5:08 PM:

" It's a good thing they haven't already started on the stadium improvements/expansion. Just what we need around here, another empty money pit. "

get a life naysayers wrote on Aug 31, 2007 4:57 PM:

" So a 3-point loss to a good football team means we should toss all our progress over the last few years aside? Try applying that logic to your personal lives! You'd be friendless and unemployed in a second. Non-scholarship doesn't necessarily mean unsubsidized. If any non-scholarship school wants an athlete badly enough they can figure a way to provide some aid. Denver's a good man with a good plan and Sheahon can judge the character of a program. That's what the 4-year contract and the vision for Redbird football is based on. Not one game or the blatherings of bloggers eager to pounce. You obviously don't really care about Redbird athletics. "

Update: You Missed The Point wrote on Aug 31, 2007 4:02 PM:

" In fact, almost everyone on here is missing the point: Stop being so negative after one game! This is about putting together consistent seasons with winning records... and it may not matter to YOU that a team is only second-best in the country, but means a heck of lot to the student-athletes who actually achieved that victory, and a lot to the University and the fans that actually support the team. "

Update wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:31 PM:

" February 4, 2007: Chicago Bears LOSE the Super Bowl. Nobody cares who came in second. Most Bears fans are cubs fans and the cub fans dont count all of the Cardinals World Series appearances, they discard them as finishing second, like the bears did. "

to topdawg wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:27 PM:

" Maybe you should go and live in Des Moines, IA "

Still Spreading the Red wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:11 PM:

" **August 11, 2006: Chicago Bears lose to the SF 49'ers, 14-28, in 1st game of 2006-2007 season... **February 4, 2007: Chicago Bears play in historic Superbowl for the first time in 21 years. It's not where you start, it's where you finish. Greatness takes time. While the Birds are not the Bears, they are a talented group of *young men* who had a bad game and were defeated by a team who had a good game. They will learn from their mistakes, fix their problems, and go on to have the fantastic season we were/are all expecting. Continue to support the Birds, and you will have more to cheer about than imagined. "

fyi wrote on Aug 31, 2007 2:35 PM:

" Drake offers plenty of scholarships. They just aren't called football scholarships. They are based on family need and good athletes often come from needy families. It would not be surprising if Drake players get more financial aid than ISU's players do. Be that as it may, it was a mediocre showing by the Birds. "

To: MRS. wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:45 PM:

" Don't re-think it, just re-arrange it: 1-8 "

Western love wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:23 PM:

" Where can I get some Western love?! The necks knocked out of No.23 SDSU last night. "

Denver Johnson wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:22 PM:

" Denver is the worst in-game coach in the gateway. "

ToPDawg wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:54 PM:

" Yuppers, Bloomington resident. Loud and proud. "

Drake Alum/ISU student wrote on Aug 31, 2007 11:53 AM:

" Last year was not Drake's first year in IAA. I'm not sure where you got your information. Drake is consistently ranked in the top 5 in IAA-non-scholarship polls. The kicking team has normally been pretty good (ie Billy Cundiff who is currently with the Falcons). As a person who knows people from both Drake and ISU, I personally believe that this is exactly what ISU needed to calm their egos a bit. The loss will help the team in the long run. "

streator slovak wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:49 AM:

" I guess I'll follow the flanagan-woodland high school team. "

TO TopDAWG wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:42 AM:

" Obviously you are NOT from Blm/Normal? "

It's nice to hear wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:40 AM:

" That there are so many Bloomington/Normal residents that are backing ISU. I guess you all can do better but too bad you are not on the team and you are not the coach. So what they lost a game and they didn't look all that great, how many NFL Teams don't start out that well?? Keep your judements to yourself and cheer along instead of cheering against this team. I for one will be! "

Denver Must Go wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:33 AM:

" Get rid of Denver. Don't wait for him to quit because no one else will want him. Bite the bullet and buy him out. "

ISU sports wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:27 AM:

" You know your college is bad if you are division 1 in basketball and division 1aa in football. "

Good one TopDawg wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:22 AM:

" No, seriously. Good one. "

You know what I hate? wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:16 AM:

" Ridiculous people who throw a team under the bus after one game. I know there are a lot of Illini fans in ISU's backyard, and while I really don't understand why (the rest of this state, the Big Ten, and the midwest sees U of I for what they are: a PUBLIC school just like ISU that's ridiculously overrated and has the same athletic problems ISU does, just with more white suburbanites to back them financially), I have come to terms with this. Is it really necessary though to abandon them so quickly? The season is more than 1 week long and with a playoff system they can still get their act together and contend for a championship. I'm not defending that absolutely horrible display last night, but 90% of their offensive skill positions it seems are new players, and there were bright spots in that game. Not many though. C'mon though, give them a few weeks here to get it together. If they still suck, I'll personally lead the "Fire Denver" parade down College Avenue. "

Ouch! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:12 AM:

" A sad day for ISU football :( "

Me to Zenger's Dumb Move wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:08 AM:

" He didn't really have a choice but to re-sign him after last season. "

Birdlegs wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:01 AM:

" So much for you fair weathered fans, Drake was a wake up call for the Birds to honker down ! ISU will win the Gateway and Denver will be coach of the year. This is a great group of kids..........ye of little faith. "

Schroeder Hall wrote on Aug 31, 2007 9:56 AM:

" Well there's a smacked-upside-the-head wakeup call if I've ever seen one! "

FB_Grad wrote on Aug 31, 2007 9:22 AM:

" The coaching staff did a poor job of preparing the team for Drake. The team thought that going through the motions would be enough to blow out Drake. The only problem is no one told Drake! Lack of focus is reflected in the amount of turnovers. Under Denver's tenure the team has consistently under perform against weaker opponents. "

Big (8)12 Brotherhood wrote on Aug 31, 2007 9:07 AM:

" We come from schools like Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Kansas and Missouri. We will show you how to run an athletic department. We will fill your rosters full of big school rejects and malcontents and run roughshod over the laughable competition. If we run into a problem, we will consult with the likes of Linda Herman and others who know what it takes to run a big-time athletic program. If a graduate of your fine institution wants to work for us in an important capacity, we will tell them not now, because you will not be ready before you go to school or work in the Big (8) 12. "

Knock it down wrote on Aug 31, 2007 9:00 AM:

" I can't believe Tate just didn't knock the ball down. Even in the quotes above, both Tate and Johnson said he should have caught the ball...NO. KNOCK IT DOWN. "

This town. . . wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:58 AM:

" is amazing. A bunch of fair weather fans, probably all Cub fans too. It's amazing that everybody can be so anticipatory for the season to begin but then boom. . . everybody is calling for Coach Johnson's head. It was a fluke, granted the game shouldn't have been that close but it was a fluke reception and touchdown. I believe there is still a good chance that ISU can go 9-2 or 8-3 in the regular season and get back to the IAA playoffs. "

Ed wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:55 AM:

" It sure would have been nice to see the Redbirds start off the season on a positive note for a change and not have to climb out of a hole the entire rest of the season ... "

Right on Carlos wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:38 AM:

" Fire Eash! "

ISU ALUM wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:15 AM:

" I attended the game last night. Drake has a good team- they went 9-2 last year in their 1st yr in 1AA. This is not a shabby team. They came to play against #7 in the nation. On the other side- ISU played a very vanilla game. This is the problem with Denver and the offensive staff. When you have good players on the offensive side, you have to use them. We need a coach whose plan is to attack the defense all the time. Don't run a draw when you are 3-11 and stop throwing 3-5 yrd into the flats. Go north and south . Better planning for next game. I thought 8-1 by the time we see Youngstown, I guess we have to rethink that. "

TopDawg wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:57 AM:

" I think all those "Spread the Red" signs should be repainted to say, "Feel the Burn!" "

bumblebee tuna... wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:36 AM:

" DOH! Go Leathernecks!!! "

Terrible!! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:34 AM:

" If you can't beat Drake, How in the heck are you going to beat the many Top 25 teams on the schedule? "

umm. wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:20 AM:

" ...why do you use the word shock? This team is not good and overrated in most polls... "

Denver must go wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:19 AM:

" Getting all those second chance transfers screws up the team chemistry (if there ever was any). Why anyone would sign with Denver right out of high school is beyond me. I am with many who have wanted Denver out for a long time. "

Disgusted wrote on Aug 31, 2007 7:18 AM:

" Can I get my money back? Denver proved once again he needs to go. One good season last year and ISU rewards him, with no thought to all the mediocre seasons he had prior. Clearly this years team is not as good as last years, but to lose that game to Drake is inexcuseable. They should drop all the way out of the rankings. Only a win over Missouri can redeem this pitiful, disgusting loss. "

Redbird Forever wrote on Aug 31, 2007 6:59 AM:

" Get a new quarterback. Three interceptions. A continuation of last year problems. Unacceptable. Too bad Brockway has mono. "

LOVING IT! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 6:41 AM:

" What's better than seeing ISU lose? Probably seeing ISU lose to a non-scholarship school after they were over-hyped for an entire year. But, NO WAIT, these guys can play with anyone. Apparently not schools that can't offer scholarships. Now ISU will lose its bandwagon fans that constitute about 80% of their fan base and come back to reality. THE RED IS DEAD!! GO YOU DEADBIRDS!! "

Penelope wrote on Aug 31, 2007 6:14 AM:

" Denver needs to spend more time with his team and less time conducting ladies football camps. Maybe he wants his defense to find their feminine side, as it appeared they did in last night's affair with Drake. "

Sierra wrote on Aug 31, 2007 6:11 AM:

" Would be interesting to compare the budgets of the Drake and ISU football programs and then do a point-by-point review of the "benefits" gained from the expenditure. "

dawg wrote on Aug 31, 2007 4:40 AM:

" ISU has sports teams? I've lived here 15 years and had no idea. "

Carlos wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:11 AM:

" My son is a ISU Junior this year. He loves sports so I wish for his sake his school could produce a really good team. Unfortunately, they are recruiting in "Big Ten" country and have Mr. Red Boots the "southern charmer" as head coach - two very difficult obstacles to overcome. Oh, did I mention my boy is a Cub fan too!!!! Finally, as a Wesleyan graduate I really don't feel too sorry for ISU football fans. Eventully, they'll fire Denver but "good ole boy" Norm Esch is fireproof regardless of how poorly he performs!!!! What a Joke??? "

Where is the poster... wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:10 AM:

" who said ISU would win in a blow out?? Hope you have a day job fool. "

bigred wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:22 AM:

" wHAT A JOKE! This is not acceptable and the coaching staff should be ashamed and apolagize for this loss! Out of the top 25 they should be! Did they not take this team serious. Come on.... its football u can get beat on any given night. Big big time loss for this program. I am not a Denver fan and never have been, Wake up ISU! "

Zenger's Dumb Move wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:15 AM:

" He signed Denver to a 4 year extension. I don't think a buyout is available until after next season. Zenger has already made some questionable moves, blundering this one is going to tick off a lot of people. "

Please wrote on Aug 30, 2007 11:37 PM:

" GET RID OF DENVER! "

Didn't even wrote on Aug 30, 2007 11:36 PM:

" realize Drake had a football program. Ouch! It's dangerous talking to the press about how good you think you'll be. It gets you nothing if your team turns out to be good, gets you an ample supply of egg on your face if they're not. "

Matt wrote on Aug 30, 2007 11:31 PM:

" Man, that's terrible. I feel for the players, this is not a game that should have even been close, let alone a loss. Oh and @ Beaufort: LOL. "

Re:RUKidding wrote on Aug 30, 2007 11:07 PM:

" I totally agree. What sucks most about this is that if you look at the stats it should been a blowout. 200+ yards for Rice? Drone's numbers were good as well if you take away the d*** turnovers. I really hope what renewed support this team was starting to get doesn't jump ship, which could very well happen after such a horrific loss. "

Cal wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:42 PM:

" It is an embarassing loss, there's no denying it, but these things happen. ISU has a lot of talent and when they get that talent clicking on all cylinders they will be a good 1AA team. The players deserve to have the fans stick with them. "

chet wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:39 PM:

" uhhhh wow.....not a very good game considering who we just played. Oh well, I guess I'll have the Illini to cheer this year...we'll see how it goes. "

let it begin wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:34 PM:

" "don't believe the hype" 12,000 fans to the usual 4-5,000 for the next game. Back to life....back to reality!!! the red is dead...as usual. what a lousy team. "

wow wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:31 PM:

" and they are highly rated? bet not now. sheesh can't win them all but the easy ones? "

RUKidding wrote on Aug 30, 2007 9:53 PM:

" Does anyone realize Drake is I-AA NON-SCHOLARSHIP school? Most D-3 schools compete or beat I-AA NS schools. ISU should be ashamed of themselves. I compare this to Northwestern losing to New Hampshire a few years ago. "

Denver and Staff Next? wrote on Aug 30, 2007 9:35 PM:

" Porter was the first and Denver should follow. "

Beaufort wrote on Aug 30, 2007 8:58 PM:

" Are they wearing mandatory uniforms or has the Student Senate interceded on their behalf also? "

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