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Post by canislatrans on Aug 16, 2014 7:58:42 GMT -6
usd beats sdsu mark it down Mark it down on a long list.... |
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Post by Yotes on Aug 16, 2014 8:56:37 GMT -6
I'm setting my prediction for the season in stone, we will finish 7-5 with a 4-4 conference record. We really weren't that far from this mark last year, especially considering our tumultuous RB situation and taking too long to throw Earl in. We will have a landmark victory against one of the top MVFC teams, plus a couple of victories against Big Sky teams who made last years playoffs. While we will fall short of the playoffs in 2014, we will be ready to make a playoff push in 2015.
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Post by coyote70 on Aug 16, 2014 12:36:50 GMT -6
I like a "win now" attitude and am somewhat loathe to predict how the season comes out. I believe if the team gives it all with a punishing running game coupled with a stout defense we will be fine. Okay, special teams will have to be at least adequate.
I see no good reason why anyone should come to our place and expect to win. I also see with the right attitude we should be able to win some games on the road.
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obc
Senior Member
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Post by obc on Aug 16, 2014 16:22:52 GMT -6
Notes from Scrimmage 8-16-14:
The team is noticeably faster and stronger than years past. Many of Joe Glenn's guys are going to play this year - the team will be very young in some spots.
Injured and did not play: Nick Jacobs (interior starting DL) and Adam Praska (interior DL) - neither of them had any noticeable brace they were wearing nor were they limping around. Not sure on their injury. Keyen Lage (starting OLB) was suited up but saw very limited time. He had an ice pack wrapped on one of his hamstrings at the end of the scrimmage and looked stiff. Nick Meyer (WR) was not suited up.
Also noticeably absent was Jordan Roberts (returning RB from last year). I did not see him on the sidelines or in the stands. ***** Edit- just read the Yankton P&D write up and the article says that Roberts is still with the team and is expected to be ready for the opener at Oregon.
Offense
QB - Kevin Earl looks really good. He had two overthrows but he was on target with all his other throws. He also had a nice bootleg run for a score from 10 yards out. His arm is even better than last year - accuracy and velocity.
Backup QBs - really big drop off. #2 Saeger - decent arm and quickness but he was holding the ball way too long when he was dropping back. Seemed like he was struggling to find his receivers at times. True freshman #5 Brian Woodward and #15 Chase Glazier both looked as good if not better than #2. I think those two could have a very good competition to take over for Earl when he graduates. Both of them (especially #15) need to get a lot stronger to be able to play the position. Woodward is more ready at this point than Glazier.
RB - RBs are the strongest position group. I really think there is not much separation between the top three. Bouma did not get many carries, but was starting and alternating with Sanders. Sanders is the fastest RB. Looks like we will see a lot more screens and RBs running wheel routes from the backfield this year as they try and get these guys involved. Kilgore is very versatile. The three back rotation should really help the running game as well as take pressure off Earl. Shay Brantland scored three TDs. Two were from the goal line but one was a nice 15 yd run up the middle where he broke several arm tackles. He looks like he is going to be a good college player when his time comes.
WR- still seemed to be several drops by this unit - I can remember four that hit the receivers hands and they dropped the ball. That will need to improve. Earl mixed the ball around to a lot of different receivers. The unit has some depth this year (much like the rb's). That should keep them fresh. #7 JVM, #11 Shufford, #1Donovan, and #88 Van Roekel stood out. Sanders had a 40 yd TD reception as well. #88 had the best run after catch (great catch then spin move) to score on a long reception.
TE/FB - not much to report. FBs also caught a few screens but I do not think a TE had a catch today.
OL - group looks collectively better than last year. They still are not the strength of the team though. This is an area for improvement. They seem to be a little more finesse than what I would have guessed. Their pad level was pretty high and there did not seem to be a lot of push at the point of attack. The best teams in the MVFC all have very strong OLs - ours has a ways to go.
DL - hard to tell with Jacobs and Praska out. Iddings was as good as advertised. He stands out visually among the group.
LBs- this seems to be what the defense is built on. Our roster is full of LBs and they seem pretty interchangeable. Auston Johnson looks like he has not missed a beat from last year.
DBs - there were a lot of wide open receivers today. I am very concerned about this unit. They look very fast and seemed to close on receivers well but when the ball was thrown up for grabs it seemed the receivers were able to position themselves to get the ball over the DBs. Lots of ability in this group but inexperience and lack of height could cause some problems this year.
Special teams. All the long snaps looked really good. #16 Bergner looked really good. He pounded in all the extra points and two FGs from about 40 yds out. His punts also were strong. He dropped a few inside the 15 yd line and boomed a couple over 50 yds when he was punting from close to the end zone. I think he will have a breakout year.
Overall. If the offensive line plays well - I think there are enough weapons to move the ball and score some points in the MVFC. OL is my biggest worry. Earl could be one of the better QBs in the league this year. Better keep him healthy. The season would look a lot different without him. The defense struggled to get any pressure when they didn't blitz. They will need to find a way to do so or the good offenses in this conference will really hurt us.
Not sure if the Oregon or William Penn game will show us about this team except I expect huge blowouts in both. In two weeks it starts. Can't wait.
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Post by notkiotees on Aug 16, 2014 16:44:39 GMT -6
Did anyone attend Lunch with the U yesterday at Pizza ranch? Anything of note mentioned by the coaches regarding the team? I did. Nothing wild. Glenn loves Earl's arm. Also he is pretty confident in the team's potential. Drew Iddings is a freak of nature. The "freak of nature" term is often overused and underearned. But that is not the case here. Drew Iddings IS a freak of nature. I expect him to have a very big year! |
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Post by 88grad on Aug 17, 2014 15:58:20 GMT -6
Just saw the kickoff times for this season and they seem to be quite a bit different than years before. A D-days kick of 3:00 for instance. Western Illinois at 4:00. Not complaining just curious. Anyone know whats up with the unusual start times?
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Aug 17, 2014 17:37:14 GMT -6
There was pressure for later kickoffs to increase tailgate time, I know. Not sure that is the sole reason, but it was a complaint last year.
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Post by Yote 53 on Aug 18, 2014 10:16:03 GMT -6
The early kickoff times were a huge complaint. There are a lot of family activities going on in the morning (soccer, youth football), also we are getting more people to travel in for games. A late afternoon kickoff is perfect. Allows families to get their morning activities in. Late enough to make travel easy from Sioux Falls, yet early enough that fans will get home at a decent hour. Those who tailgate get more time to do that activity. I've been complaining for years about the early kickoff times. Go figure they change them the first year my weekends are free since my kid will be playing jr high ball on Tuesdays.
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Post by 88grad on Aug 18, 2014 10:36:26 GMT -6
I personally agree with the later start times - except for the D-Days game this year! I have to be in Des Moines in the early evening and the usual kickoff time meant I'd probably be able to accomplish that and go to the game.
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obc
Senior Member
Posts: 784
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Post by obc on Aug 21, 2014 20:19:10 GMT -6
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obc
Senior Member
Posts: 784
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Post by obc on Aug 22, 2014 17:01:54 GMT -6
Coyote Corner - Midco Sports - 2014 USD FB - overview of the defense 2014 USD Defense |
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Post by azsod73 on Aug 23, 2014 10:45:31 GMT -6
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obc
Senior Member
Posts: 784
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Post by obc on Aug 23, 2014 12:10:06 GMT -6
I have seen Mason Ruiz in person and he is an impressive looking athlete. As far as I know, he did not participate in last Saturday's scrimmage at all. I did not see him on crutches either, so who knows. Lots of potential if he is healthy. |
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obc
Senior Member
Posts: 784
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Post by obc on Aug 23, 2014 12:15:11 GMT -6
I think Kray Krolikowski 6'5" 250 lbs DE - true freshman out of Winner is going to eventually be a stud player. I really hope USD can redshirt him this year. He has gained over 20lbs since high school and has the frame to get big. A redshirt development year would make a huge difference for him IMO. Really good find by the USD staff.
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Post by Yotes on Aug 23, 2014 13:42:06 GMT -6
I think Kray Krolikowski 6'5" 250 lbs DE - true freshman out of Winner is going to eventually be a stud player. I really hope USD can redshirt him this year. He has gained over 20lbs since high school and has the frame to get big. A redshirt development year would make a huge difference for him IMO. Really good find by the USD staff. I believe that is one of the kids the Midco guys were high on in their defensive preview. Too bad we're looking really thin on the DL, even as a team that runs the 3-4, so I would expect him to be playing this fall. It is good to see another SD kid poised to be a force for the Yotes! |
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