Lausch is your EIU starter

[Overly_Invested_Cat]

One of Clayton Thorson's greatest strengths was being an effective game manager. If the receiver wasn't clearly open, and/or he was under pressure, he had no qualms about throwing it into the stands to avoid a loss or interception. He knew his limitations and how to avoid risk. The challenge with a skilled running quarterback is that they can overestimate their ability to escape or extend a play, which can be disastrous.

As Braun said, occasionally punting the ball is not the worst option -- unless you land up completely depleting the defense's fuel tank. It's turnovers and putting the ball at risk that kills you. Now, we'll get to see whether Jack Lausch is capable of controlling risk -- and ideally creating sustained drives. With the quality of our defense, that may be enough to win games.

 

[stpaulcat]

Wright has never held a firm starting job. It was our hope that he’d earn it this year, and he didn’t. I’m sure he’s disappointed, but also it’s happened throughout his career.

This is a different caliber of transfer than Bryant or Ramsey, who were seasoned starters.

Hilinski had played some, and HuJo not at all.

I respect the pivot. I think it’s gutsy. But also we’re not used to something that is made so quickly, and so publicly. It’s neat that we have a week to discuss!

GO JACK GO CATS GO

We know Lausch can run, even if he's not as elusive as Wright. If Lausch can complete short to medium passes consistently he may be the guy. They do need to air the ball out occasionally, however.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Are you possibly overlooking the scenario where the Cats blow Eastern Illinois out?
At some point you have to go to the third string QB!

Snaps in a blowout of EIU would not be considered meaningful in my book.

 

[stpaulcat]

Snaps in a blowout of EIU would not be considered meaningful in my book.

They will if NU blows EIU out.

 

[Sheffielder]

Do we agree...
We have a couple of solid receivers in Kirtz and Henning?
We have a decent back in Porter?

If so, I'm genuinely curious what people think of our O-line, because admittedly I don't really have a very sharp eye for this.

Obviously, we have a question mark at QB, but now I'm sorta curious if people think the O-line has anything to do with it right now.

 

[cattul]

Didn’t Walker bench some key players for turning the ball over, back in the day?

I can’t speak on OL play either, but the zero sacks statistic speaks for itself. We will soon find out how much Wright’s quick release was helping out the line.

 

[DaCat]

If Wright is being benched for putting the ball at risk, so should the center Bailey who consistently snaps the ball low, which Wrather rarely did last year.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

They will if NU blows EIU out.

Snaps in a blowout are not meaningful.

 

[phatcat]

If Wright is being benched for putting the ball at risk, so should the center Bailey who consistently snaps the ball low, which Wrather rarely did last year.

So you'd Wrather see Ben in there?

 

[zeek55]

The whole point of starting Lausch is because the plays that carry weight are the plays when it's 0-0.

When it's 24-3, you're not learning much about the QB you put in for the 2nd half or late.

If Lausch is sitting in the 4th, you'd hope it's because we have a 4 TD lead and there's no reason to have him out there.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Snaps in a blowout of EIU would not be considered meaningful in my book.

Damn it! I responded to the wrong statement.

You were doing well until you mentioned Hilinski. No way he sees the field unless it’s an emergency situation.

You deftly shifted from "There's no way Hilinski will play against Eastern Illinois unless it’s an emergency situation"
to
"Hilinski won't see meaningful snaps this year"

Well played, although there's still the train wreck scenario where Wright and Lausch both play poorly.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Damn it! I responded to the wrong statement.




You deftly shifted from "There's no way Hilinski will play against Eastern Illinois unless it’s an emergency situation"
to
"Hilinski won't see meaningful snaps this year"

Well played, although there's still the train wreck scenario where Wright and Lausch both play poorly.

Hilinski is not the answer. How many ways can I say it?

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Hilinski is not the answer. How many ways can I say it?

I think we've known that for a couple years.

 

[stpaulcat]

Smart move. See what both he and Wright do in game situations. And this is the perfect game to make that move.