Rants & Raves: NDSU

NDSU and SDSU proved on Saturday that they are two of the best teams in the FCS.  Saturday was fun but it could have been even better with just a few adjustments.  I predicted a 27-23 Jackrabbit victory and feel that this easily could have happened with just a couple plays.  As I said on Twitter immediately after the game, I still feel optimistic about the Jacks beating the Bison if they meet again this season.  Both teams have so much talent and know each other so well.  The Jacks are one of the few teams in the FCS who can stand toe-to-toe for four quarters with the Bison and who have legitimate shots to win every time they play. 

Rants & Raves
Rave: The #605Hogs impressed the heck out of me.  As I said in my "3 matchups to watch", I felt they had played a bit uneven so far in 2018.  However, Saturday they played really well against a very good, if not great, Bison defensive line.  Yes, Taryn was sacked three times but frequently had plenty of time to deliver throws down the field.  Plus the Jacks came in and ran the ball for 155 yards and 5.7 yard per carry average.  With Eddie Miller out with an injury Eagan Lickiss came in at right guard and played an excellent game. 

Rave: Adam Anderson continues to build on a strong training camp.   On Saturday he had 8 catches for 102 yards and now stands at 16 receptions for 316 yards and TD so far this season.  He just looks so good getting in and out of his routes.  I'm excited to see him and the rest of the receivers continue to grow this season.

Rant: I was disappointed by the number of receivers running open in the middle of the field.  I don't know the call so I'm not sure who's responsibility it was.  Bison quarterback, Easton Stick, misfired on a few of these throws but we just need to tighten up a bit on the back end.

Rave: I was really happy with the performance of the Jackrabbit defensive line.  The Jacks sacked Stick 3 times (1.5 by Earith and 1.5 by Krolikowski).  However, it was how they held up against the run throughout the day that impressed me most. Krolikowski, Ward, Earith, Smenda, Hildahl, and Elijah Wilson all contributed to this excellent effort. On 47 attempts the Bison averaged 4.4 yards which was well under their season average entering the game.  Yes, there is still room to  be better, especially on quarterback containment but overall I was happy with how our defensive line played throughout the day.

Rant: I thought the tackling could have been better.  It felt like some plays were extended either because of poor angles or poor technique.  I'm confident the team can get this cleaned up.  Yards after contact are a big statistic to watch especially when two evenly matched teams lock horns. 

Rave: Isaac Wallace continues his excellent senior season and is now at 332 yards and 3 TDs.  It feels like it has been awhile since a Jackrabbit running back has been able to break free for a big gain against the Bison defense.  Seeing Isaac spring free for a 61 yard touchdown was awesome.

Rant: Those of us who had to watch on the ESPN+ stream had to suffer through the AWFUL Bison announcers.  I understand some bias but this was ridiculous. I really didn't appreciate the bashing of specific Jackrabbit players, it just felt unnecessary and unprofessional.  It made me thankful for Tom Nieman and Hank McCall. 

Rave: Christian Rozeboom was all over the field on Saturday and totaled 12 tackles.  Even though he didn't register any  breakups or interceptions, it felt like he still influenced the passing game.  His intensity and physicality is awesome to watch. 

Rave: The Jackrabbit kick coverage has been phenomenal this season.  For whatever reason the NDSU kick returners kept bringing the ball out of the end zone. On four returns they only took one touchback and on the other three averaged just 18 yards per return.  Preston Tetzlaff,  Jarek Berg, and Donald Gardner are becoming special team aces. 

Excited for another week of Valley play and to get the Jacks back at home versus an improved Indiana State squad. 

Go Jacks!
Matt