HornetFootballFan
Active member
Game DAY!!!!. Excited & Nervous!
They’ve got to bring the very BEST tonite!
They’ve got to bring the very BEST tonite!
GreenArmySwarm said:Bobby Fresques need to look in the mirror. Sloppy. Sloppy. Sloppy. This is not Troy Taylor’s offense 2.0. More like a 3.0. Maybe even 4.0. Can’t score with the best of them. And as an OC, you have to prepare your QB mentally to dial up and press the right button when it’s time. With the exception of the Stanford game, even against the worst teams in the conference, they have yet to shown they have the ability to do that. Not just this week against an elite Montana State program, Fresques just makes the most head scratching big chain moving calls on 3rd and 4th downs.
And for Coach Thompson’s defense. Can’t stop anyone. Falling apart in the second half when it matters most. Just like the last 3 seasons. Just don’t have the offense to bail them out this year
SDHornet said:GreenArmySwarm said:Bobby Fresques need to look in the mirror. Sloppy. Sloppy. Sloppy. This is not Troy Taylor’s offense 2.0. More like a 3.0. Maybe even 4.0. Can’t score with the best of them. And as an OC, you have to prepare your QB mentally to dial up and press the right button when it’s time. With the exception of the Stanford game, even against the worst teams in the conference, they have yet to shown they have the ability to do that. Not just this week against an elite Montana State program, Fresques just makes the most head scratching big chain moving calls on 3rd and 4th downs.
And for Coach Thompson’s defense. Can’t stop anyone. Falling apart in the second half when it matters most. Just like the last 3 seasons. Just don’t have the offense to bail them out this year
Disagree. Play calling wasn't the issue tonight, execution was. And there aren't many defense that are going to stop this MSU offense (we actually did well for the 1st half against a head scratching MSU game plan) so I wouldn't be overly critical.
GreenArmySwarm said:SDHornet said:GreenArmySwarm said:Bobby Fresques need to look in the mirror. Sloppy. Sloppy. Sloppy. This is not Troy Taylor’s offense 2.0. More like a 3.0. Maybe even 4.0. Can’t score with the best of them. And as an OC, you have to prepare your QB mentally to dial up and press the right button when it’s time. With the exception of the Stanford game, even against the worst teams in the conference, they have yet to shown they have the ability to do that. Not just this week against an elite Montana State program, Fresques just makes the most head scratching big chain moving calls on 3rd and 4th downs.
And for Coach Thompson’s defense. Can’t stop anyone. Falling apart in the second half when it matters most. Just like the last 3 seasons. Just don’t have the offense to bail them out this year
Disagree. Play calling wasn't the issue tonight, execution was. And there aren't many defense that are going to stop this MSU offense (we actually did well for the 1st half against a head scratching MSU game plan) so I wouldn't be overly critical.
I started the the post by repeating the word sloppy three times. I think that obviously tie to execution. Play calling is not an issue if we’re okay with this being a good team. But it is if we want this team to be elite. Defense did it part( in the first half. But can’t get the most important stop, once again, when it matters most.
stingthemgood said:It just came down to 2 plays. The pick 6 and Zeke dropping the pitch. Without those plays we win. Bottom line.
SDHornet said:30-42 Hornet loss. Hornets had a chance to jump on MSU early in the game but couldn’t take care of the opportunities. Ultimately it was the mistakes and turnovers that gifted MSU the win.
The Hornet offense did well against an MSU defense that was statistically the best in the BSC coming into this week. The Hornets were able to move the ball and Hornet fans have to wonder how this game would have looked if both Marcus Fulcher (2 car, 15 yds) and Ezra Moleni (8 car, 41 yds, 2 rec, 15 yds) don’t go out early in the game with injuries. Elijah Tau-Tolliver (8 car, 100 yds, 2 TD, 3 rec, 8 yds) stepped up and had an impactful game, most notable being a huge 53 yard touchdown run that kept the Hornets close. Kaiden Bennett (26/42, 243 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT, 6 car, 22 yds) didn’t have a stellar game, but he was still able to keep this offense moving. Unfortunately his receivers didn’t have a complete game as there were multiple drops and miscues that were costly. Devin Gandy (5 rec, 59 yds, 1 TD) led the team in receiving with Anderson Grover (5 rec, 49 yds) right behind him. The shining star of the offense has to be the offensive line. They controlled the line of scrimmage and allowed the offense to put up 200 yards on the ground and kept a relatively clean pocket for KB most of the game.
Likewise on the defensive side of the ball, the Hornets were able to match MSU’s intensity and only gave up 7 first half points as they forced stops and field goals that MSU missed. Unfortunately as they game wore on, MSU found their stride and the Hornet defense got ground down by the various weapons MSU has in the running game. The dam finally broke on an athletic play by MSU’s Julius Davis who hurdled Cameron Broussard (5 tak) that set up the game winning score. Armon Bailey (10 tak, 1 TFL) led the Hornets in tackling while Dillon Juniel (8 tak, 1 INT) and Darian Pollard (8 tak) rounded out the top 3 tacklers.
Special teams had a notable night. The squib kicks really neutered MSU’s return game and the Hornets also forced a fumble on a return that resulted in a field goal. Zach Schreiner (1/2 FG, 3/3 PAT) missed a crucial first half field goal that came into play late in the game.
Here are my takeaways from the game:
- Lack of execution in the critical moments was the difference. Twice the lack of execution resulted in turnovers that gifted MSU points. Ultimately that was the difference last night.
- Still too many penalties. A hold on the opening drive sank that effort and there were a few other procedural calls that the Hornets overcame.
- Offensive line played outstanding. Kenndel Riley was back in the lineup, but had to knock off some rust. Without a doubt the best game for this unit in over a month.
- Play calling was fine, and a never before seen reverse was dialed up for the Hornets first score to a player none of us knew was even on the roster, Danny Scudero (1 car, 16 yds, 1 TD). I didn’t like the toss on the goalline that was nearly fumbled away. Was hoping to see a sneak with KB or a dive to Kuntz. Also not a fan of running routes short of the sticks on 4th down.
- Speaking of Kuntz, disappointed that there weren’t some plays dialed up for him. He’s proven to be a tougher matchup for opposing defenses compared to the ailing Martin.
- KB’s decision making was questionable at times. The 2nd interception looked forced and he forced another throw to Martin into quadruple coverage. Gipson (3 rec, 36 yds) had a lot of single coverage last night, would have been nice to see some 50-50 balls thrown his way, especially seeing how he has proven to make some athletic plays (that touchdown reception that was called back was a phenomenal play). KB also overthrew a wide open Gandy for a sure touchdown.
- Wide receivers had an underwhelming game. Aside from Chris Miller (1 rec, 8 yds) breaking the wrong way to give MSU a pick six, Martin (1 car, 3 yds, 2 rec, 19 yds) stopped running on a post corner route that would have set up a scoring opportunity on the play prior to Schriener’s missed field goal. A handful of drops by multiple players as well. This unit needed a better showing in a matchup like this one.
- Defense did well in the first half but couldn’t get stops on 3rd and long in the 2nd half.
- Defense held Sean Chambers to 81 total yards and 1 touchdown. He’s been a total wrecking ball until this week.
- Conversely, the Hornets had no answer for Tommy Mellott and Julius Davis who ran roughshod over the defense in the 2nd half.
- Had Schriener not missed a kick, the game would have been even tighter down the stretch. Can't leave points on the field in any game, let along games of this caliber.
- On the game atmosphere front, the tailgate lot was packed and 16.1k in attendance was a pretty solid turnout and was a couple hundred more than last years ESPN2 game.
With the loss, the BSC title is now out of the equation but a playoff berth is well within grasp if the Hornets take care of business and at least split the final 4 games. The Hornets competed a lot better than I expected last night, but there were just too many mistakes to overcome in order to beat a team as good as MSU. The Hornets now get to transition from a game against the best rushing attack in the FCS to the best passing attack in the FCS as a resurgent Idaho State comes to town.
SD...we have often disagreed but I sincerely appreciate your exceedingly accurate perspective of the game.
Thank you.
OldSchoolHornet said:SD...we have often disagreed but I sincerely appreciate your exceedingly accurate perspective of the game.
Thank you.