Mertens to start at ISU

[Jdubs21]

Good Luck Mr. Mertens!!!

[BisonNolesFan77]

I have a feeling no matter what they will play him this game, but once Mohler is back, and they feel Dante has learned then I think we see someone else if its still marginal

I guess I just have a hunch that the leash will be short from the start, took until Monday with a Thursday game to name a starter and the competition was between the incumbent 5th year senior and a JUCO transfer who has been in the program for a month, missed a week of practice, and was still taking snaps with the 1st team...just seems his leash may be pretty short.

But, best of luck to Mr. Mertens, I hope he proves my hunch wrong this season!

[BisonAccountant44]

Go get 'em Nick!!

[EndZoneQB]

I guess I just have a hunch that the leash will be short from the start, took until Monday with a Thursday game to name a starter and the competition was between the incumbent 5th year senior and a JUCO transfer who has been in the program for a month, missed a week of practice, and was still taking snaps with the 1st team...just seems his leash may be pretty short.

But, best of luck to Mr. Mertens, I hope he proves my hunch wrong this season!

The quote I heard today on the fan was something to the effect that they will NOT hesitate to go to Perez if need be.

[tjbison]

The quote I heard today on the fan was something to the effect that they will NOT hesitate to go to Perez if need be.

Not a bash on Nick, but I hope they both get playing time, that will keep the D on their toes, to different styles

GO NICK! GO DANTE!

[NDSU1980]

Guess I'm not surprised, I think we all expected Mertens to start. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I do hope Perez gets some playing time in the first couple games.

As for The ISU game itself, this really should be a close game for us, possibly even winnable, given that ISU isn't a very good FBS team. I'd say the worst we should lose by, should it come to that, is 7 to 9 points.

That said, if Mertens doesn't live up to expectations, I hope the hook comes very soon, rather then later. Given our tradition, it would be a travesty not to make a playoff run this year, winning one or two even.

[94 Bison]

[QUOTE=NDSU1980;297820]Guess I'm not surprised, I think we all expected Mertens to start. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I do hope Perez gets some playing time in the first couple games.


Just like Nick probably should have had, to gain some experience. Good Luck to him!

[CaBisonFan]

[quote=94 Bison;297901]

Guess I'm not surprised, I think we all expected Mertens to start. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I do hope Perez gets some playing time in the first couple games.


Just like Nick probably should have had, to gain some experience. Good Luck to him!

Tadaaaaaa !! Right...on...1980 !! Nick didn't get playing time with any meaning until last year. Then he was expected to carry a pre-season #1 team to big things...with a new, big conference...with Walker's offense. He was mishandled beautifully by the coaches. Give Perez a series or two in the 2nd quarter, no matter how it's going. Take some of the heat off. Share the duties some. Prepare for injuries. It's fundamental stuff.

[HandoEX]

[QUOTE=CaBisonFan;297902]

Tadaaaaaa !! Right...on...1980 !! Nick didn't get playing time with any meaning until last year. Then he was expected to carry a pre-season #1 team to big things...with a new, big conference...with Walker's offense. He was mishandled beautifully by the coaches. Give Perez a series or two in the 2nd quarter, no matter how it's going. Take some of the heat off. Share the duties some. Prepare for injuries. It's fundamental stuff.

I don't think it's fundamental to put in your back up qb if things are going well for your starter. There's a lot to be said for rythm and timing and pulling your starter is a great way to destroy that. If this idea was fundamental, all or at least most teams would do this and I just don't see that.

[CaBisonFan]

[quote=HandoEX;297925]

I don't think it's fundamental to put in your back up qb if things are going well for your starter. There's a lot to be said for rythm and timing and pulling your starter is a great way to destroy that. If this idea was fundamental, all or at least most teams would do this and I just don't see that.

It's fundamental if you want to keep continuity in the program. If you don't, yir one hit away from a season-killing disaster. IMO...a lot of programs make this mistake. The Bison did it big-time while Walker was behind center. I like the Florida model a while back. They won the national title...graduated their starter...and Tebow came back as a tested QB.