Rants & Raves: NDSU


This week has been one of the craziest weeks that I can remember in Jackrabbit history.  Looking back, I don't think there has ever been a bigger week for the school and Jackrabbit brand than what we just witnessed.  Although the Jacks did not win, it is now more clear than ever that this Jackrabbit team is damn good.  The final score of 23-16 feels like it could be so different overall.  u

Rants & Raves
Rave: Jackrabbit nation, way to show up and show out.  Truly an impressive week that was capped off by an excellent showing on GameDay and a sold-out stadium that was LOUD and impacted the game.  We can have this much fun every week, even without GameDay.  Please continue to show up and support the team!
Rave/Rant: I think our offensive line did a great job in the run game and making holes for Pierre Strong et al.  The Jacks gained 220 yards on 43 attempts.  The longest run of the day was 24 yards so they were nice 3 to 6 yard runs pretty consistently.  This was something I thought the Jacks would be able to do against the Bison as we detailed on the podcast.  The interior depth of the Bison defensive line just isn't there this year.  I thought the offensive line really struggled in the 4th quarter with their pass sets.  I'd like to see an adjustment to either help our tackles (chip blocking, using a back, etc) or trying to run some quick-hitting routes.  By the last drive, it was evident that we didn't have an answer. 

Rave: The Jackrabbit defense was very good outside of two long runs (59 and 71 yards).  They got a decent pass rush for much of the day, limited the run after the catch yards, and didn't allow any long sustained Bison drives.

Rant: As we have harped on for much of the season, the penalties were again out of control.  7 penalties for 66 yards.  The late hit out of bounds on Seven Wilson was questionable and the PI on Don Gardner was ticky-tack.  However, procedural penalties were inexcusable.  The final false start on Blake Kunz likely took points off the board.  This came out of a timeout.  Inexcusable.  Coach Stig was obviously frustrated by these mental errors in his post-game interview with Tyler Merriam.   This area has to improve. 

Rave: I thought Keaton Heide did some nice things in the 4th quarter.  He showed some real moxy on his touchdown run and keeping the ball to trot into the endzone.  I can't imagine that feeling.

Rant: This is why you don't quit the team when you are a backup!  You never know when your number is going to be called.  Keaton was likely 5th on the depth chart before fall camp started.  J'Bore got hurt, Walding quit, Connors quit, and Nelson was ineffective.  Does the outcome look different if Walding or Connors are playing the last three quarters?  We'll never know.

Rave: I thought Diamond Evans, Malik Lofton, and Don Gardner did an excellent job on the Bison receivers and that the safeties did a great job on the tight ends.  Bison tight ends finished with 3 receptions for 16 yards and 1 TD.  The wrs had just 2 receptions for 41 yards. The TE touchdown was a pick play that should have been called.

Rant: The concessions were not ready for a crowd of that size.  I had a good experience between the 1st and 2nd quarter getting a couple waters but someone around me waited in line for most of the second quarter to get their food.

Rave: The flyover was cool.  Always such a fun way to start

Rave: The script that Coach Eck had for the first two drives was awesome.  It hurts to think of what might have been had J'Bore not gotten injured.

Rant/Rave: Every fanbase has some knuckleheads.  Yesterday that Bison knucklehead was in front of me.   However, the Bison fans that I visited with at GameDay, at tailgating, and in line to get into the stadium were great!  It is a great fanbase and MOST of them are great people.  There are a few that do their best to ruin the experience but they are the exception, not the rule.

Rave: The Jacks are the better team.  The outcome didn't show it today but the Jacks are the more complete team.  The players need to believe that because they will likely see NDSU again the playoffs.  They can beat them. 

Game Balls
Offense: Pierre Strong
Defense: Christian Rozeboom
Special Teams: Ben Dinkel

Go Jacks!
Matt

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 31, 2019 at 10:29 AM

    Doesn't the better team usually win the game?

    ReplyDelete

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