Home Field Advantage? - lyonsjor's Dynasty

lyonsjor's Dynasty Blog

Home Field Advantage?

Posted on July 21, 2011 at 04:48 PM.

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In our second home game of the season, we had everything from thrill to disappointment. I thought when you played at home you were suppose to have some sort of advantage, but our team is winless so far in Mt. Pleasant.

The first quarter was marred by incomplete passes and stifling pass defense from both the Huskies and my Chips. Sacks became a theme early on. Mid way through the first quarter Shamari Benton forced a fumble inside the Huskies's 10 yard line, leading to an easy 2 yard TD rush by Paris Cotton.

The rest of the first half scoring summary included a trade for scores. NIU scored on a redzone TD pass and with time expiring in the half Cedric Fraser caught his 4th TD pass of the year to take a 14-7 lead.

The third quarter opened with a huge fumble returned for a TD by John Carr for CMU, but then NIU's passing attack would take control of the game and turn the momentum. The next three scores were all passes of over 50 yards (50, 72, and 87) as their wide receiver's continually got behind our defense and the CMU offense stalled as none of my play calls seemed to work.

In an effort to tie the game at 28 with under two minutes left in the game, the NIU defense stuffed our goal line offense from inside the five yard line on four straight plays. We thought the game was over, but the very next play our defense made another play to keep us in the game with a safety!

Admittedly, with Ryan Radcliffe's injury still apparent I should have taken him out to rest it, but he claimed he was fine. This was shown to be true on the next possession as we received the kickoff for the safety. After a couple of positive plays, Ryan threw into double coverage, throwing a game ending interception, his fourth of the game.

Northern Illinois (3-2) at Central Michigan (3-2)

Oct 1, 2011	1	2	3	4	F
Northern Illinois	0	7	14	7	28
Central Michigan	7	7	7	2	23

Top Performers

Northern Illinois

Chandler Harnish QB (18-32, 374 Yds, 4 TD)

Willie Clark & Martel Moore WRs (9 Rec, 318 Yds Rec, 3 TDs)

Central Michigan

Cedric Fraser WR (7 Rec, 152 Yds, TD)

John Carr FS (7 Tack, 1 Fum Rec for a 71 Yd TD, 1 Safety)

Team Stats Comparison
	NIU	CMU
First Downs	14	13
3rd Down Efficiency	5-15	7-18
4th Down Efficiency	0-0	2-3
Total Yards	593	407
Passing Yards	374	301
Rushing Yards	112	36
Penalties-Penalty Yards	0-0	4-43
Turnovers	3	5
Time of Possession	15:22	26:08

Next up is the Eastern Michigan Eagles. They are just below .500 with their only wins coming against FCS teams. It is the first game we have been favored in all year and I expect to come out victorious after a tough loss at home.