Fan The Flames:
Even though it's only two games in, what differences can you see between new coach Curt Mallory and previous coach Mike Sanford?
Todd Golden:
Big differences. One important one is the emphasis given to self-inflicted mistakes. ISU was very penalty-prone in recent seasons. Lip service was paid to fixing it, but it was never fixed. It's only two games, but so far? ISU has cut way down on penalties and just general self-inflicted errors.
Mallory runs different schemes too. The offense has gone from a spread to a set where emphasis is given to the running game via multiple players going in motion. The defensive scheme changed from a 4-2-5 to a true 4-3 as well.
FTF:
Do you think the team was potentially caught looking ahead to the Tennessee matchup this past Saturday and that affected them in the second half of the EIU game two weeks ago?
TG:
No. This team was picked last in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. It has no reason to look ahead to anyone. EIU isn't a bad team and ISU was going through its first game with its new systems. It doesn't surprise me that the Sycamores struggled.
FTF:
ISU used two different QBs in the EIU game and also the Tennessee game...which of the two (Isaac Harker or Cade Sparks), or perhaps neither, has asserted themselves as the starter going forward? Follow up question: Will we see both of them in Lynchburg?
TG: Cade Sparks played all of the meaningful snaps against Tennessee. He will most likely start against Liberty as well. Curt Mallory has said he likes his presence and inability to get rattled.
FTF:
How good is LeMonte Booker? Is he someone that we could see on Sunday next year?
TG: LeMonte Booker has played well in two games so far. He has both a speed and power element to his game and he's elusive. ISU used him out of multiple formations to disguise where he was coming from against the Volunteers. Too early to know whether he has a shot at the NFL, but he's off to a good (5 ypc) start.
FTF:
What's the matchup that we need to be watching this Saturday night?
TG:
Not a matchup, per se, but ISU needs to demonstrate progress in balancing its offense. It likes to run and it will run, but the Sycamores' passing game hasn't been a threat, and though its motion is hard to defend, it's much harder if ISU can sustain a passing game to really make things difficult. Offensive imbalance is one reason the Sycamores were 0-for-11 on third down conversions against the Vols.
FTF:
What do you think is the key for the Sycamores against the Flames who are coming off a huge win over Baylor two weeks ago?
TG:
They have to play with some of the poise they demonstrated at Tennessee. Though its was a 42-7 loss, the Volunteers gradually put the Sycamores away, it wasn't an avalanche of points as some FBS vs. FCS games are. ISU's front seven, which has played well, needs to continue to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback. Of course, avoidance of turnovers, creation of turnovers by the defense, etc., are all vital on the road.
