Rants & Raves: MSU
This seemed to be a tale of two halves... but I sure I liked what I saw in the second half!
"3 Matchups to Watch" Review
1. Jordan Brown vs. Malik Earl
Jordan faced another one of the Valley's top receivers. He shadowed him MOST of the game but MSU tried to take advantage when he didn't. Earl's 44 yard gain came when another CB was on him so Brown held Earl to just 5 receptions for 30 yards and 0 TDS and drew a huge offensive pass interference in the first half.
2. Tyler Weir/Evan Greeneway vs. Colby Isbell
Tyler Weir played a really good game. Isbell only managed two tackles, 1 for a loss, and zero sacks. Neutralizing him was a big factor in the passing games success. Greeneway did okay at left tackle after right guard Wes Genant left with a lower leg injury and Charlie Harmon moved to guard. I felt the offense played a little better with Harmon at left tackle and Eddie Miller at guard.
3. Jackrabbit run defense vs. MSU option
The Jacks did a good job of stopping the pitch man on the option. However, they struggled to tackle quarterback Peyton Huslig as he scampered for 134 yards, 62 of which came in the second half on a long run over the left side. The Jackrabbits also gave up a 68 yard run to freshman tailback Jason Randall but this was not on an option play.
Rants & Raves
Rave: Cade Johnson has become a weapon in the kick return game that the Jacks have not had since Jaron Harris. People were down on him last week because of his fumble against UNI, but that is one of the first times I ever remember him fumbling in practice or live action. He is fast and elusive and is now contributing more on the offensive side of the ball.
Rant: That was not a good first half for the Jackrabbit defense. The MSU offense has a couple talent players, but on the big plays it appeared the Jacks were out of position to make the play. They moved the ball pretty well throughout the first half. Yielding 27 points to MSU in game would be bad, yet along one half of football.
Rave: The second half defense by the Jackrabbits was exactly what this team needs. They weren't spectacular but they managed to get off the field, provide pressure on the quarterback, and stop the run game.
Rant: The punt return for a touchdown by Holliman had me pulling my hair out. We know he is an incredible weapon so it frustrating that we punted to him. Hale had his back to the wind and may have outkicked his coverage. However, we had plenty of players there that could have made the tackle. My personal preference would be to just kick it out of bounds an not give him a chance.
Rave: The second half offense is what we have all been looking for this season. Yes, they have had other games where they look good, if not statistically great. However, they have yet to truly look dynamic. It felt like the option game, getting the tight ends involved, and using the power runs really made this team click in a way we have yet to see in 2017. If the Jacks are going to make a run this season then they need this offense to be firing from the opening whistle.
Rant: I hate the play calling when our offense is backed up at the opponents goal line. I said this a few weeks ago when we had a safety, but I would love for us either to have a power run or a quick hitting pass play. I know the delayed handoff over the left side worked against Kansas with Zenner but it hasn't worked in recent seasons and opponents seem to know that it is coming.
Rave: I thought our running backs had their best game this season as an entire unit. Brady had the big opening run, Mikey had four touchdowns and ran with great physicality, and Isaac looked very comfortable as the pitch man in the option offense. It is fun to see these three have success.
Rave: The offense is better when Taryn is a threat to run. It just is. The problem is, how do the Jacks limit him from unnecessary hits but still enjoy the benefits his legs bring to the team. I love the idea of incorporating the option into this offense more frequently. If nothing else, this certainly gives teams something else to prepare for down the stretch.
Rant: How many times could the announcers butcher Chase Vinatieri's name? His uncle is going to be an NFL Hall of Famer. It is a known name in the football world. C'mon man!
Rave: I love the play of Jordan Brown and Christian Rozeboom. Those two have certainly raised their level of play this season. Brown matches up with the opponents best receiver weekly for a majority of the plays. There are lots of other good corners in the Valley but I'm not sure how many shadow the opponents #1 receiver. Rozeboom has somehow found a way to improve from an exceptional freshman season.
Rant: I wasn't a fan of moving Charlie Harmon from his left tackle position. In his snaps so far, Eddie Miller has looked really good at guard. Harmon is an elite MVFC left tackle. Greeneway did okay and Harmon did okay at guard, but I think the offense functioned better when Miller came in at guard.
Rave: It was really good to see Dallas Goedert making long runs after the catch. He doesn't look 100% but it is easy to see why he is a projected first round draft pick. He is tough to bring down, has great hands, and is a willing blocker. It will be fun to see where he ends up on draft day.
Game Balls
Offense: Taryn Christion rebounded from maybe his worst game as a Jackrabbit to maybe have one of his best this season. He finished with 323 yards passing, 65 rushing, and had 3 total touchdowns. Maybe most importantly, he looked accurate while completing 14 of 19 passes.
Defense: For the second week in a row I have a tie between Jordan Brown and Christian Rozeboom. Brown finished with only 2 tackles but held Earl to just 30 yards, had a forced fumble, had a pass breakup, and should have had a fumble recover if not for a review. Rozeboom finsihed with 18 tackles and just seemed to be everywhere. He is the glue that is keeping this defense together right now. He also did a good job helping the young players around him with the absence of Logan Backhaus.
Overall a fun game. The true test will be next week against Western Illinois. Can the Jacks put quality games together in back to back weeks? Western played NDSU tough before wearing down in the second half.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
"3 Matchups to Watch" Review
1. Jordan Brown vs. Malik Earl
Jordan faced another one of the Valley's top receivers. He shadowed him MOST of the game but MSU tried to take advantage when he didn't. Earl's 44 yard gain came when another CB was on him so Brown held Earl to just 5 receptions for 30 yards and 0 TDS and drew a huge offensive pass interference in the first half.
2. Tyler Weir/Evan Greeneway vs. Colby Isbell
Tyler Weir played a really good game. Isbell only managed two tackles, 1 for a loss, and zero sacks. Neutralizing him was a big factor in the passing games success. Greeneway did okay at left tackle after right guard Wes Genant left with a lower leg injury and Charlie Harmon moved to guard. I felt the offense played a little better with Harmon at left tackle and Eddie Miller at guard.
3. Jackrabbit run defense vs. MSU option
The Jacks did a good job of stopping the pitch man on the option. However, they struggled to tackle quarterback Peyton Huslig as he scampered for 134 yards, 62 of which came in the second half on a long run over the left side. The Jackrabbits also gave up a 68 yard run to freshman tailback Jason Randall but this was not on an option play.
Rants & Raves
Rave: Cade Johnson has become a weapon in the kick return game that the Jacks have not had since Jaron Harris. People were down on him last week because of his fumble against UNI, but that is one of the first times I ever remember him fumbling in practice or live action. He is fast and elusive and is now contributing more on the offensive side of the ball.
Rant: That was not a good first half for the Jackrabbit defense. The MSU offense has a couple talent players, but on the big plays it appeared the Jacks were out of position to make the play. They moved the ball pretty well throughout the first half. Yielding 27 points to MSU in game would be bad, yet along one half of football.
Rave: The second half defense by the Jackrabbits was exactly what this team needs. They weren't spectacular but they managed to get off the field, provide pressure on the quarterback, and stop the run game.
Rant: The punt return for a touchdown by Holliman had me pulling my hair out. We know he is an incredible weapon so it frustrating that we punted to him. Hale had his back to the wind and may have outkicked his coverage. However, we had plenty of players there that could have made the tackle. My personal preference would be to just kick it out of bounds an not give him a chance.
Rave: The second half offense is what we have all been looking for this season. Yes, they have had other games where they look good, if not statistically great. However, they have yet to truly look dynamic. It felt like the option game, getting the tight ends involved, and using the power runs really made this team click in a way we have yet to see in 2017. If the Jacks are going to make a run this season then they need this offense to be firing from the opening whistle.
Rant: I hate the play calling when our offense is backed up at the opponents goal line. I said this a few weeks ago when we had a safety, but I would love for us either to have a power run or a quick hitting pass play. I know the delayed handoff over the left side worked against Kansas with Zenner but it hasn't worked in recent seasons and opponents seem to know that it is coming.
Rave: I thought our running backs had their best game this season as an entire unit. Brady had the big opening run, Mikey had four touchdowns and ran with great physicality, and Isaac looked very comfortable as the pitch man in the option offense. It is fun to see these three have success.
Rave: The offense is better when Taryn is a threat to run. It just is. The problem is, how do the Jacks limit him from unnecessary hits but still enjoy the benefits his legs bring to the team. I love the idea of incorporating the option into this offense more frequently. If nothing else, this certainly gives teams something else to prepare for down the stretch.
Rant: How many times could the announcers butcher Chase Vinatieri's name? His uncle is going to be an NFL Hall of Famer. It is a known name in the football world. C'mon man!
Rave: I love the play of Jordan Brown and Christian Rozeboom. Those two have certainly raised their level of play this season. Brown matches up with the opponents best receiver weekly for a majority of the plays. There are lots of other good corners in the Valley but I'm not sure how many shadow the opponents #1 receiver. Rozeboom has somehow found a way to improve from an exceptional freshman season.
Rant: I wasn't a fan of moving Charlie Harmon from his left tackle position. In his snaps so far, Eddie Miller has looked really good at guard. Harmon is an elite MVFC left tackle. Greeneway did okay and Harmon did okay at guard, but I think the offense functioned better when Miller came in at guard.
Rave: It was really good to see Dallas Goedert making long runs after the catch. He doesn't look 100% but it is easy to see why he is a projected first round draft pick. He is tough to bring down, has great hands, and is a willing blocker. It will be fun to see where he ends up on draft day.
Game Balls
Offense: Taryn Christion rebounded from maybe his worst game as a Jackrabbit to maybe have one of his best this season. He finished with 323 yards passing, 65 rushing, and had 3 total touchdowns. Maybe most importantly, he looked accurate while completing 14 of 19 passes.
Defense: For the second week in a row I have a tie between Jordan Brown and Christian Rozeboom. Brown finished with only 2 tackles but held Earl to just 30 yards, had a forced fumble, had a pass breakup, and should have had a fumble recover if not for a review. Rozeboom finsihed with 18 tackles and just seemed to be everywhere. He is the glue that is keeping this defense together right now. He also did a good job helping the young players around him with the absence of Logan Backhaus.
Overall a fun game. The true test will be next week against Western Illinois. Can the Jacks put quality games together in back to back weeks? Western played NDSU tough before wearing down in the second half.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
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