Rants & Raves: WIU

Well that was fun!  The Jacks won big over Western Illinois, 45-10 and put up 42 points in the first half.  I know WIU is rebuilding but there is talent on the roster.  They should have beat Missouri State last week and I think they will win a game or two this spring.  It was a beautiful day for football and I feel really lucky that I was able to be there to take it in.

Rants & Raves

Rave:  I am excited for this season but I'm equally as excited for the future.  Everyone who has followed this blog for some time knows that I love roster building and analyzing the construction of it.  The QB is a true freshman, the second team RB is a true freshman, the starting TE and leading WRs are all Sophomores.  The defense has young playmakers emerging and there is a nice mix of youth and experience in the trenches.  The future is bright!

Rave: I thought Mark Gronowski again looked really good.  He finished 13/20 for 197 yards with 2 TD and rushed 4 times for 120 yards including an 80 yard footrace and a 22 yard powerful run that saw him lay the wood to two defenders.  He just continues to impress with his arm strength and accuracy.

Rant: The punt conversion really bothered me.  When the WIU special teams coach called his guys over it seemed like he was going to pee his pants with excitement.  The players all trotted out whispering to one another and looked anxious when lining up.  Most of the folks around me on the east side were yelling "watch the fake" and Jackrabbit defenders seemed to know it was coming too.  They just couldn't do anything about it.  It appeared to me that we are simply too light at the line of scrimmage as the defenders were just driven backward by the WIU linemen.  It was only three yards but I hope we aren't starting a trend that teams will attack for the remainder of the year until we adjust our personnel. 

Rave: The #605Hogs (SDSUs Offensive Line) did a tremendous job throughout the day.  WIU blitzed a lot but finished the day with no sacks and I don't recall Mark being under major duress on many plays.  They also created massive holes for the Jackrabbit running backs which gained 328 yards on 43 carries.  The final drive in the fourth quarter was especially impressive as it was mainly second and third string offensive linemen who simply imposed their will on the WIU defense, draining the last 9:36 on 13 runs that gained 51 yards.  Earlier in the game, Pierre's TD run was also an impressive showing from the OL as they completely caved in the right side of the LOS and allowed Pierre to walk in untouched from short yardage.

Rave: After the allowed fake punt, the Jackrabbit special teams really turned it on!  Dinkel punted really really well and pinned WIU at the 10 and 1 yard line.  Frahm struck the ball well on all of his kicks and executed the pop up kick-off to perfection into the strong wind and the coverage units provided exceptional coverage against a dangerous return man.  Nice rebound from auspicious start and bad weekend last week.

Rant: The "penalties" on the corners have to be resolved.  I put penalties in quotes because I'm just not sure they are penalties.  It is physical tight coverage and the players are in great position.  On Don's penalty he had his head turned.  On DyShawn's penalty in the end zone, the wide receiver is the one who had the arm bar on him. Other than "don't touch the wide receiver" I'm not sure what else they can do at this point.  This CB group has garnered the reputation of being "handsy" so teams are going to take shot plays to see if they can get a free 15.

Rave:  Isaiah Davis arrived on the scene in a big way yesterday carrying the ball for 118 yards and a TD on just 9 carries.  He often wasn't touched until he was through the line of scrimmage and he almost always was able to push the pile forward.  Maybe his most impressive play was the blitz pickup he had in the first quarter that allowed Gronowski to step up into the pocket and deliver a strike to Jadon Janke for the touchdown.  As he continues to learn the system he will be a really nice compliment to Pierre. 

Rave: The Janke twins again impressed.  Jaxon finished with 4 receptions for 68 yards and Jadon finished with 3 receptions for 70 yards and a TD.  Their size and speed is going to be a problem but they also are really craft route runners.  

Rave: The Chaingang had a better game.  WIU only managed to gain 87 yards on the game.  Sampson, the WIU QB, was harried for most of the game.  He was sacked just once but it was continuous pressure.  

Rant:  Can we update the music playlist during the game?  Good grief!

Rave: I like what Coach Rogers has cooking in the linebacker room.  Lots of young talent to go with the grizzled vets.  Bock, Spalding, Shafer, Williamson, and Barnett played a lot of snaps and looked good.  

Rave: I thought the fans who were there brought the noise and were engaged with the game.  It felt really good to be doing something normal like going to a Jacks football game.  Kudos to the athletic department staff for making it happen and to the student athletes who are determined to have a season and have followed COVID protocols so well.

Game Ball

Offense: Isaiah Davis

Defense: Adam Bock

Special Teams: Payton Shafer

Go Jacks! 

Matt