The matchups are set for the IAA semifinals. It will be Delaware taking on Southern Illinois, and Appalachian State versus Richmond. Every year that CAC (the old A-10) shows its dominance!
This game was joined in progress by MASN at 3 minutes to go until half time, and then they also had a 2-minute "technical difficulty" black screen in the 4th quarter, so my notes here are mostly anecdotal. What I can tell you is that there is a ton of talent on these two squads, and that either could play in any conference in football (ouside the SEC, ACC, Big 10 and Big 12) and be very competitive.
You had two of the top QBs in IAA involved here in Delaware's fast-rising Joe Flacco, and Northern Iowa's Eric Sanders. Flacco, was just so cool. Nothing rattles this kid.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Delaware Conference: Colonial Athletic Columnist: Steve Martin
Game Notes
Omar Cuff 28 5' 10.0" 195 4.49 HB 2008: Protects the ball well. Really is starting to make me think he will be a draft pick, and fill the role of 3rd down/change of pace/#3 RB for some club, and the reason is his hands have really improved steadily over the course of this season. Just enough speed moves and toughness to make a roster, and maybe do a bit more than that if he goes to the perfect situation. He could be a star for Denver, for example...GRADE: Positive
Mike Byrne 75 6' 5.0" 295 5.05 OT 2008: Mike is a warrior. The guy has really impressed me more and more every time I see him. He can play LOT. He showed me in this one that he has the go-for-the-throat attitude in big games, that I didn't always see during the regular season. Much improved footwork in pass pro. High effort today. Pancakes people. Solid growth and professional development potential here. GRADE: Positive
Joe Flacco 5 6' 5.0" 230 5.05 QB 2008: I'm struggling to see what this kid hasn't got that some of the more highly-touted QBs have. He is bigger than most the others, he is accurate, smart, tough. Has decent pocket awareness, and can buy time with his feet. Strong arm,good decisions--just the mental makeup you are looking for. If anybody can break in ahead of one of the "big 3" (Brohm, Ryan and Woodson) it is this kid. GRADE: Positive
College: Northern Iowa Conference: Gateway Columnist: Brett Walker
Game Notes
Chad Rinehart 77 6' 5.0" 310 0.00 OT 2008: Chad looks like he would better suited to ROT. Didn't show quite the pass pro footwork in this one that would lead me to believe he could be a full time starter as an LOT at the next level. He is good...certainly a top 10 ROT prospect for the draft, and he may prove me wrong, get some good coaching and be an even better LOT candidate than I see him as right now. He has a hitchy back pedal that will need work. In run blocking he is set to go. Very solid late draft pick. GRADE: Neutral
Jordan Lacy 99 6' 3.0" 265 0.00 DE 2008: I really can't grade him based on a half of play, but from what I saw he is a decent player who is benefiting from being a part of one of the best d-lines in IAA football.
Chris Parsons 10 6' 1.0" 183 4.75 S 2008: Didn't stand out. Didn't see him make a play in the half that I watched.
Eric Sanders 12 6' 1.0" 200 0.00 QB 2008: Has some magic in his game, but I don't think it is anywhere enough to make him a successful pro. He pushes the ball, and gets a little too cute with his dancing around at times. Still, he does throw a pretty decent ball, and seems to have a good understanding of the position. Needs to break the pocket to see the field, and that will get him killed at the next level, as he doesn't have the frame or the wheels to take/avoid the pounding. GRADE: Neutral
Other Notes:
Delaware: Watch out for this kid Matt Macarelle (sp?), a DE for UD. He is 6'3" 250 and runs in the 4.5s. Had one of the best defense plays I have seen this year where he came in, stripped the football from the QB, went to the ground for the FR, got up and rumbled 30 yards. Future 2nd rounder.
UNI: There is a load of talent on this team. FS #18 Clifford Waters belongs in the database, Brett, as does #97 DT Jeff McAster (sp?). I don't know what year DE #44 James Ruffin is, but he looks a future draft pick, as does massive 6'6", 280-pound TE Austin Howard.