Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

[moose141]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

Well, you can't blow teams out every week, so it's good to see that you can still find a way to win in the tight battles, especially even when missing your starting QB. Kwame has been an absolute man on a mission this year, and I'm sure you are enjoying have a running back who actually has the speed to breakway from the defense and break off some long runs, which seems to be extra hard to do in NCAA 14 unless you have a guy with 99 speed.

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

Well, you can't blow teams out every week, so it's good to see that you can still find a way to win in the tight battles, especially even when missing your starting QB. Kwame has been an absolute man on a mission this year, and I'm sure you are enjoying have a running back who actually has the speed to breakway from the defense and break off some long runs, which seems to be extra hard to do in NCAA 14 unless you have a guy with 99 speed.

It was a really fun game to play and it was nice to see the CPU play noticeably better in the 2nd half. While I was playing the game, my son wanted to play some Rocket League with me when I was done... Once I went up 31-7, I almost just went super sim to the end to get to RL... but I'm glad I didn't, it was a lot of fun down the stretch.

Kwame is close, I think he's 97 speed. He's been caught from behind a few times this year, I think part of that depends on fatigue factor, but it's been rare. It is a lot of fun playing with him and he'd be putting up much more ridiculous numbers if I had better stick skills. I'm a master at precisely timing my spin / juke moves a split second too late.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

Echoing what moose said, it's nice to see this Niagara team being able to win the close ones - helps that Kwame is on a ridiculous tear right now. Where's he rank in the Heisman Watch right now?

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

Echoing what moose said, it's nice to see this Niagara team being able to win the close ones - helps that Kwame is on a ridiculous tear right now. Where's he rank in the Heisman Watch right now?

He just took first after the Oregon State game. Second is a Florida State HB (Marcus Coleman / 93 OVR) that I'll be playing later this year in week 9.

Babajide: 765 yards, 11 TD, 7.6 avg (15 catches, 127 yards, 3 TD)
Coleman: 829 yards, 12 TD, 6.9 avg (1 catch, 0 yards)

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

OFFENSIVE PLAYBOOK: Air Raid
DEFENSIVE PLAYBOOK: 3-4

HEAD COACH: Nick Overstreet | 4 years | 49-33 career record | 37-19 record at LSU
2018 RECORD: 10-3

COACH OVERVIEW:
Overstreet has finished with between 8 and 10 wins in each of his four seasons in Baton Rouge. For most programs this would be considered an enormous level of success, but at LSU it's barely passable. This fanbase expects to win the SEC every year and Overstreet hasn't delivered. While considered safe for now, the 2-2 start has started replacement rumblings despite four more full seasons on his current contract.

TEAM RESULTS:
L | 42-45 | #5 Oklahoma (4-0)
W | 35-17 | Mississippi State (0-4)
L | 38-49 | #20 Kentucky (3-1)
W | 23-7 | Vandy (1-3)

TEAM OVERVIEW:
Starting his second straight year, junior quarterback Alfred Evans (94 OVR) leads the LSU Air Raid. In four games he's accounted for 14 total touchdowns (10 passing, 4 rushing). However he has been turnover prone, throwing six interceptions and losing two fumbles. The running game is lead by another junior, halfback Kyle Smith (86) who has averaged 6 yards per carry and almost 100 yards per game. Sticking with our theme of juniors, top wideout is junior Michael Wilcox (87 OVR) who leads the Tigers with 34 catches, 435 yards and 5 TDs. Assuming this group stays together, LSU could be a very potent offense in 2020.

The 4-3 defense has a senior core of linebackers leading the way. MLB Paul Johnson (88 OVR) leads the team with 24 tackles and 2 sacks while LOLB Willie Perry leads the team with 5 tackles for loss. The defensive backfield has less experience at cornerback, but two impact players at the safety positions. All-American Fred Battle (88 OVR) is a hard hitting run defender while free safety Jimmy Carlson (84 OVR) already has 3 interceptions this year with one returned for a touchdown.

LSU TOP FIVE:
1 - LT | SR(RS) | Pat Berry | 94 OVR
2 - QB | JR(RS) | Alfred Evans | 94 OVR
3 - OLB | SR | Emmanuel Evans | 91 OVR
4 - OLB | SR | Willie Perry | 91 OVR
5 - C | SR(RS) | Erik Johnson | 89 OVR

LSU INJURIES:
None

NIAGARA INJURIES:
None

[SEP1170]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

this thread is great. just spent the last 20 minutes going through it. great stuff!

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

Nunyer's Notes

LSU was just lousy in the red zone. Consistent yards on most drives until they got close... then two red zone interceptions was a potential 28 point swing that doomed them. They played pretty fierce run defense most of the game, first time this year where I felt I actually had to pass to have success... so that was nice. After the game, I slightly bumped up all CPU offensive sliders by 5 or 10... the Kalispell sliders lend themselves to more wide open games than Jkits, no doubt there, but for whatever reason the CPU offense isn't playing quite where I want them.

Also as full disclosure, I intentionally went for the 250 yards passing late in the game to impress recruits... and now I feel dirty. I like to be the guy that takes his 10 xp for kneeling the ball late while pumping HB3 and FB2 with rushing attempts. But I had a ton of guys visiting and it paid off, landed a bunch of signings.

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

this thread is great. just spent the last 20 minutes going through it. great stuff!

Thanks for the kind words. Glad you are enjoying it! I'm having a lot of fun playing and writing things up.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

You know you're having a big season when going for 20-101-1 on the ground is holding you in check. Glad Tiki could have a big game - he doesn't get as much of the spotlight with Kwame being the key to your offense, but it seems like he can be a fun player to play with as long as he's not "rattled" by the big environment. (And as simple as the name change is compared to the others', his is one of my favorites.)

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

You know you're having a big season when going for 20-101-1 on the ground is holding you in check. Glad Tiki could have a big game - he doesn't get as much of the spotlight with Kwame being the key to your offense, but it seems like he can be a fun player to play with as long as he's not "rattled" by the big environment. (And as simple as the name change is compared to the others', his is one of my favorites.)

Ha! You are correct, in the grand scheme of things you don't kick 20 carries for 100 out of bed for eating crackers. (yea, I'm still trying to unwrap that analogy myself... let's move on) I think in that moment I was coming from the perspective of the Heisman race... where he'll have to probably average 150 yards and multiple scores a game to maintain the pace. But big picture, I'm not complaining.

As far as Tiki... he's been surprisingly fun to play with and for some reason a better overall runner than I was expecting. Palinski had better pure RB attributes, but Browning has been a pleasant surprise when he's been asked to carry.

[djp73]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

didnt expect you to stomp lsu like that!

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

Dr. Schreibman was a placekicker for Niagara for three seasons starting in 1990. He is still the Rhinos all time leading scorer and has been widely recognized across southern Ontario as a Niagara Rhino superfan. His views do not necessarily express those of Niagara University.


MIDSEASON REPORT

DON'T LOOK PAST WAKE FOREST!
I know we're all looking forward to Week 9, when the currently #1 ranked Florida State Seminoles visit Bertha Doyle Field. That game could have absolutely HUGE implications. Currently stuck as the 4th ranked team, this game could be Niagara's ticket into the National Championship. You can add one additional layer, as Florida State HB Marcus Coleman is likely the Heisman front runner ahead of our own Kwame Babajide. After Coleman put up 202 yards and 4 TDs against Maryland, he has to have the edge as of today. So this game might be critical on multiple levels, for the team but also some individual glory.

That said, we can't ignore Wake Forest. Currently ranked 18th, we need to go into their backyard and take care of business. Despite their schedule being a bit suspect so far, they've been very strong against the run and have some playmakers on offense. I'm sure Coach Nonek is taking them very seriously, I just hope the players are doing the same.

INJURY UPDATES - TWO STARTERS OUT AGAINST WAKE
First up is WR2 Domingo Garcia, he left the game with a mild concussion but further examination by medical staff has revealed a neck injury which will keep him out against Wake Forest and perhaps longer. The team will re-assess during the Week 8 bye. Offensive coordinator Stevie Browning has announced that Ike Petoskey will likely remain in the slot and did not name an official replacement for Garcia on the outside. Most likely candidates are senior Tommy Kubiak or redshirt freshman Kordivido Sanders.

Next up is a potential big blow to the defense. After complaining of knee swelling in practice early this week, it has been determined that starting defensive end Matt Vogel has an MCL sprain and could miss 3-5 weeks. This could be a big injury, as not only does Vogel lead the team with 7 sacks, but the Rhinos are also thin along the defensive line. In practice this week, I've seen two different alignments. One has defensive tackle Ali Ramadan moving to the end with sophomore Sonny Duda (83 OVR) taking his place inside. The other look was to have Ramadan stay put and for redshirt junior Blaine Rotherhauser (77 OVR) to take over the edge. My guess is that we'll see both packages depending on the situation.

MIDSEASON OFFENSE REPORT
From my perspective, this new offense has delivered. Tiki Browning isn't being asked to do too much, either in the air or with his feet, and he's been largely solid. The 9-to-5 TD to INT ratio could be stronger, but he's been completing 64% of his passes and has added 243 yards and 4 TDs with his feet.

The running game is where the big gains have been coming from. Finally put into the top HB role as a junior, Kwame Babajide has responded with 144 rushing yards per game and 13 TDs. He's also the 2nd leading receiver on the team with 17 catches for 128 yards and three more TDs.


MIDSEASON DEFENSE REPORT
Where has this pass defense come from? I think most of us were expecting a solid senior season from CB Demetrius Howze but he has exceeded expectations. He has already matched his single season high with 5 interceptions in just six games. He counterpart on the opposite side has arguably been even better, as redshirt sophomore Runako Gaddis has pulled in six interceptions.

Although injury looks to have sidelined sack leader Matt Vogel for at least the next 2 or 3 games, the Niagara linebackers have done a good job getting pressure via the blitz. All three starting backers have three sacks a piece. Starting MLB D.J. Daniloff is having a solid senior campaign, leading the team in total tackles and playing great sideline-to-sideline pursuit. Fellow senior LB Tony Potts has looked all but unblockable at times, leading the team with an impressive 15 tackles for loss and playing stellar against option looks.

[moose141]

Re: Niagara Rhinos: An Alternate Universe NCAA 14 Dynasty

Could we see Natty #2 making its way north of the border?! The Rhinos look unstoppable this year, and I could see Kwame being the first Rhino retired number if he reels in that that elusive Heisman.