IUFB vs Old Dominion - Saturday, 08.30.25 @ 2:30 on FS1

[JerryYeagley23 5,197]

We kind of resembled the average Iowa team today. No passing game, good running game, good defense (minus the two QB runs)

[Hoosier987 2,880]

A lot left to be desired. Goal line play calling was bad and jury still out on Mendoza…but he didn’t look like he is in the same sphere Rourke was in. Hopefully we see improvement next week. 

[Hoosier987 2,880]

Just now, JerryYeagley23 said:

We kind of resembled the average Iowa team today. No passing game, good running game, good defense (minus the two QB runs)

I was thinking the same thing. Really hope this was just a bad Mendoza game. 

[Lebowski 3,942]

Just now, RoadRage said:

So did ODU take Sarratt out of this game or did Mendoza just not look for him?

Probably a little bit of both. Mendoza focused a lot on Williams in the 1st half. 

[cbp4iu 2,326]

8-4, 9-3 team…. We played bad. It happens. Could be Bama

[Lebowski 3,942]

1-0. On to the next game.  

[Home Jersey 16,908]

7 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

That is not what I hoped to see today.

But, it’s one game.  We have three weeks to evolve as a team and figure some things out.  Unfortunately, we have a lot of work to do.

Yes. But looking at last year for precedent... ND lost to NIU and then went onto the title game. I followed them pretty closely and the amount of improvement they showed over the course of the season was unreal. Obviously they have a more naturally talented roster. But their rate of improvement during the season IMO can certainly be replicated. And I think Cig can get that done. To me the red zone play calling is by far the biggest issue from today. 

[Home Jersey 16,908]

3 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

I was thinking the same thing. Really hope this was just a bad Mendoza game. 

I always felt the #1 overall pick hype was way overblown. But I do think he can be a very good QB for us. Game 1, some rough patches to be expected. Not a great performance from him today. But I don't feel like he's going to lower our ceiling based off this performance. Rather him than Tayven 1000/100 times

[DChoosier 10,173]

8 minutes ago, RoadRage said:

Florida State beating Alabama 24-10 in the 3rd quarter......

I’m sure the Bama fans will be patient with DeBoer.

[Pagoda 5,727]

11 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

Yes. But looking at last year for precedent... ND lost to NIU and then went onto the title game. I followed them pretty closely and the amount of improvement they showed over the course of the season was unreal. Obviously they nave a more naturally talented roster. But their rate of improvement during the season IMO can certainly be replicated. And I think Cig can get that done. To me the red zone play calling is by far the biggest issue from today. 

We left 14 to 21 points on the board.  I’m definitely not panicking.

We are still a portal heavy team, which makes getting everyone in sync more difficult — last year was sort of an anomaly in terms of how fast it came together.  And our QB is much younger than our last guy.

Let’s wait and see.  Cig and staff will likely fix a lot of this.  They didn't forget how to coach.

[RoadRage 3,162]

3 minutes ago, DChoosier said:

I’m sure the Bama fans will be patient with DeBoer.

Jailin Lucas just gave Alabama hope, fumbled the punt and now Bama is marching!

[AH1971 3,436]

Did not look like a team ready to sustain success today. And that starts at the top. 

[Hoosier987 2,880]

14 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

To me the red zone play calling is by far the biggest issue from today. 

This was a big issue. Need to see major improvement in this area. 

[TTT 1,458]

Did IU coach set this game up in that coaching team both offense and defense IU is going to win a certain way….slowed game down….Playing close to the vest not showing much even though he and team have a disappointing performance in a win…..

This whole preseason will not hardly say anything about what IU will do in big ten….Wake Forest 10 and Kennesaw 9….IU will handily beat Kennesaw….and could run up and down the field for 80 vs Indiana State….but may choose to play somewhat conservative for a score like 50 to 0 and hopefully no major injuries for either team.

The question will be enter an efficient really good passing game complementing running game scoring in red zone and it’s petal to the metal.

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich 9,325]

Well there was nothing that made me excited for the rest of the year by any means. Pretty bad really. 

[str8baller 7,834]

33 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

A lot left to be desired. Goal line play calling was bad and jury still out on Mendoza…but he didn’t look like he is in the same sphere Rourke was in. Hopefully we see improvement next week. 

Rourke was really good and I thought that from game one. He was great and dropping back and hitting his number. With that said , Mendoza had a great deep ball that was a stone cold drop that would’ve made his numbers look a little better. 
 

Decent home opener. Lots to build on. 

[AH1971 3,436]

5 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Rourke was really good and I thought that from game one. He was great and dropping back and hitting his number. With that said , Mendoza had a great deep ball that was a stone cold drop that would’ve made his numbers look a little better. 
 

Decent home opener. Lots to build on. 

I get the Mendoza hype, but his pocket presence, decision making, and accuracy left a lot to be desired. His footwork also needs a ton of work. Mendoza going to have to reach his ceiling to replicate last year; his floor is exponentially lower than Rourke’s, that’s my concern.

[RaceToTheTop 31,659]

IMO I thought the issues were correctable.

[LamarCheeks 22,470]

14 minutes ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Well there was nothing that made me excited for the rest of the year by any means. Pretty bad really. 

[RaceToTheTop 31,659]

FWIW, it's not like IU's opener last year was their best effort.  31-7 against Florida International with IU scoring a meaningless 51 yard touchdown run by their third string back with one minute left.