In advance of this past weekend’s football game at the Northern Illinois University (NIU), Mustang Daily decided to do a mini-sports editor exchange program with the Northern Illinois Star, the competition’s newspaper. In a style the Star calls “Face-off” NIU sports editor Jimmy Johnson and Cal Poly sports editor J.J. Jenkins went toe-to-toe in a knock-down drag-out — yet respectful — conversation. The Huskies proved victorious in a 47-30 game, but the winner of the debate is still in question.
Jimmy: Well J.J., I have to say it’s an honor to do a faceoff with someone who shares the same initials as I do.
Saturday’s game was much closer than I thought it would be. NIU jumped out early on Cal Poly in the first half. However, once they came back out from their respective locker rooms, the Mustangs looked completely different. Cal Poly’s offense found ways to churn it out through its run game.
J.J.: The honor is all mine. It may be the first time in the history of bylines that five J’s will grace the page.
As a follower of Cal Poly, the only thing the Mustangs could have wished for was a closer first half. Before I could open my computer and navigate the Northern Illinois website, the Mustangs were down two scores. I would have ponied up the $7 to watch the game via live stream, but CBS and my wallet preferred that I watch the animated version in GameTracker. Had the halves been reversed, someone at CBS might have my money in the bank. But you are absolutely correct, the way the Cal Poly run game was able to continue to churn out yards into the second half kept the Mustangs in it. I was left with one big question, what if Cal Poly coach Tim Walsh had gone to the air earlier?
Jimmy: That was something I thought about, too. I knew Cal Poly had a run-heavy offense, and NIU’s run defense had been suspect all season long, but that didn’t change Walsh’s game plan as he didn’t go to the air against a pretty inexperienced secondary. The game film of NIU’s previous two matchups, Kansas and Wisconsin, might have given him the impression of sticking with a run game and shunning the idea of passing.
J.J.: It seems to the casual observer that Cal Poly tends to go into a running shell against it’s toughest opponent then skies it when they play in the FCS. It might be the mentality that Walsh has coming from West Point, where they are oftentimes outmatched, but can win by simply catching teams off-guard. The Huskies, on the other hand, completed 18 of 21 passes and rolled over the Cal Poly defense, anchored by corner Asa Jackson, with 600 yards of offense. I might have only seen Chandler Harnish in cartoon form, but he still looked deadly.
Jimmy: Harnish is the real deal, that’s for sure. This guy has improved tremendously every year he’s been a Huskie. Jackson is a very talented corner, and I was very impressed by his play, individually that is, on Saturday. So for a team such as Cal Poly, where do they go here? Is there something from this last game they can take and learn from?
J.J.: I think Mustangs fans should be encouraged. They only lost by 17, and it really could have been 15 had they made an extra point and not gone for two in the fourth quarter. The running game, almost unaided by the pass, was able to put up points. Plus, the Mustangs won the second half 23-13. Yeah that’s what your dad tells your AAU basketball game after a loss, but Cal Poly needed the big MO going into a Great West schedule where they need to run the table to make the playoffs. Andre Broadous probably comes into the bye week as the undisputed leader knowing he can lead the team in running and passing. The season rests on his arm and legs. I’m just glad this silly FBS vs. FCS nonsense is out of the way. Do Huskie fans take any pleasure in beating a smaller, handicapped Cal Poly squad?
Jimmy: There isn’t too much for NIU fans to get happy about from the result of this game. It was sort of expected that the Huskies were going to win Saturday, and they did. If anything, NIU is now done with its non-conference schedule and can focus on MAC teams. And, as Walsh stated in Saturday’s post game press conference, I’m sure the Huskies are pleased to be done with triple-option teams, since they gave them major fits.
J.J.: There is a definite love-hate relationship with the triple-option, even when you are a fan of said team. It giveth wins but it also taketh away. It will be interesting to see if Cal Poly morphs in the coming years into a 60/40 run/pass split or if they keep plugging away. The team’s move to the Big Sky conference and fewer games against FBS opponents may allow that to happen. In the meantime I’ve got to run, it was a pleasure to talk with you. This column even knocked No. 77 off my bucket list: Talk football with Jimmy Johnson. JJJ out.
Jimmy: Farewell, my West Coast friend.