Spring Game Thoughts

[yotefan]

Thought I would start a new thread in anticipation of tomorrow's Spring Game so people can share their thoughts and observations on what they see. It sounds like Cousin Eddie is tail-gating, nice! I'm working on USDlaw to show up and have an invite out to a buddy that is new to the Sioux Falls area and interested in the USD sports scene. Hope to see lots of you guys there and hopefully we will see some promising signs for fall. Game time is 1:00 p.m.

[yote14]

I like the ideas and potential added beenfits they are putting in for season ticket holders this year.

Hopefully that will keep growing as it's def good for the program and nice to see as a season ticekt holder that they are continueing to improve things.

Does anyone know about potential changes for tailgating this Fall? I know some people last year who were put on the waiting list for a tailgating spot but it filled up and they never even received calls to let them know the spots were sold out. Is there room to keep adding some spots between the current section and the student tailgating section?

[yotefan]

Not certain if any tail-gating changes are in the works, but I'd hope if the need for more spots was demonstrated early on that the AD's office would work to accommodate as many spots/people as possible.

Organized tailgating has come along way at USD, from being non-existent when I was in school, to its beginnings on the wind-swept plains (a little poetic license there) north of the Dome. At that time all we had were a handful of trucks, a few grills and tents, and a camper or two, but things took off when tailgating moved to south of the Dome amongst the cottonwoods, probably didn't hurt that the move coincided with joining the Valley. The east side where we're at now is good, but IMO we need more grassy areas and trees (think SEC schools).

It's all a work in progress, but as yoteforever said back when many of us were trying to get all of this started, "we need to see smoke and footballs in the air on Saturdays!" We've got that now, but we need to keep growing the numbers and improving the quality of the game-day experience. I believe all HP members were sent a survey seeking suggestions and input about this topic. If you haven't filled it out, please do so. I checked for the link in my old e-mails, but deleted it after I filled it out. If someone can post a link here that would be appreciated.

[Yotes]

Apr 24, 2015 14:07:51 GMT -6 yotefan said:

Not certain if any tail-gating changes are in the works, but I'd hope if the need for more spots was demonstrated early on that the AD's office would work to accommodate as many spots/people as possible.

Organized tailgating has come along way at USD, from being non-existent when I was in school, to its beginnings on the wind-swept plains (a little poetic license there) north of the Dome. At that time all we had were a handful of trucks, a few grills and tents, and a camper or two, but things took off when tailgating moved to south of the Dome amongst the cottonwoods, probably didn't hurt that the move coincided with joining the Valley. The east side where we're at now is good, but IMO we need more grassy areas and trees (think SEC schools).

It's all a work in progress, but as yoteforever said back when many of us were trying to get all of this started, "we need to see smoke and footballs in the air on Saturdays!" We've got that now, but we need to keep growing the numbers and improving the quality of the game-day experience. I believe all HP members were sent a survey seeking suggestions and input about this topic. If you haven't filled it out, please do so. I checked for the link in my old e-mails, but deleted it after I filled it out. If someone can post a link here that would be appreciated.

I believe this is the link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/GoYotes

My suggestion: stop playing Sandstorm on every single kickoff.

[Yote 53]

Tailgating got its start the day we beat the crap out of North Dakota about a decade back. We had been tailgating all season over by the tennis courts but for that day we brought in a big grill on a trailer. The students started making their way from the Complex with 30 packs of Busch Light in tow and a full on party erupted. At the end of the day the parking lot was littered with those shiny blue cans. President Abbott walked out of the Dome with some Board of Regents members, saw the aftermath and knew something needed to be done. The next season the windswept plains of the north lot were born.

That's how USD tailgating was born, so the story goes.

[yotefan]

Yotes, thanks for posting that link! As an aside, I wrote the same thing on my survey. I think Sandstorm is great, same with Crazy Train, same with Hells Bells, etc...but just mix them up instead of riding the same horse the whole game. Hopefully the AD's office will get some good ideas out of the survey.

Yote53, I have hazy recollections of being involved in two or three of those gatherings, but I can't remember if one of them was after beating UND. I tried pulling up the all-time football records to figure it out when and where I was and can't find the scores anymore. I do remember seeing some industrious folks with garbage bags picking up the cans after the game. One of the college kids said, "we're taking these babies to the recycling center so we have some money to do this again next weekend!" Good habits are hard to break.

[94grad]

Apr 24, 2015 21:47:40 GMT -6 Yotes said:

Apr 24, 2015 14:07:51 GMT -6 yotefan said:

Not certain if any tail-gating changes are in the works, but I'd hope if the need for more spots was demonstrated early on that the AD's office would work to accommodate as many spots/people as possible.

Organized tailgating has come along way at USD, from being non-existent when I was in school, to its beginnings on the wind-swept plains (a little poetic license there) north of the Dome. At that time all we had were a handful of trucks, a few grills and tents, and a camper or two, but things took off when tailgating moved to south of the Dome amongst the cottonwoods, probably didn't hurt that the move coincided with joining the Valley. The east side where we're at now is good, but IMO we need more grassy areas and trees (think SEC schools).

It's all a work in progress, but as yoteforever said back when many of us were trying to get all of this started, "we need to see smoke and footballs in the air on Saturdays!" We've got that now, but we need to keep growing the numbers and improving the quality of the game-day experience. I believe all HP members were sent a survey seeking suggestions and input about this topic. If you haven't filled it out, please do so. I checked for the link in my old e-mails, but deleted it after I filled it out. If someone can post a link here that would be appreciated.

I believe this is the link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/GoYotes

My suggestion: stop playing Sandstorm on every single kickoff.

Like another poster said: I like sandstorm, but not EVERY time. It became downright annoying at the ndsu game (yes bison vultures, you're great). It's not going to fire anyone up when you play it after your opponent scores their seventh TD.

[azsod73]

BY JEREMY HOECK [e-mail] | 0 comments


VERMILLION – Many of the top playmakers were in street clothes. The starting quarterback wasn’t in the building. A former linebacker was carrying the ball out of the backfield. And a tight end came in for a series at offensive guard.

That was the kind of patchwork effort needed, because of injuries, for Saturday’s University of South Dakota spring football game at the DakotaDome.

Given the opportunities for increased action throughout 15 spring practices because of injuries, guys like Nick Jensen – an offensive lineman from Vermillion – saw extended time and set themselves up for extended action in the fall.

“Obviously being down on numbers, we couldn’t do what we usually do,” said Jensen, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound redshirt freshman lineman.

“But it was still a good chance to have more of a live scrimmage.”

For the record, the Coyote defense bested the offense thanks to four interceptions, three 3-and-outs, and a goal-line stand, but the bigger story centered on two related issues: Injuries and the opportunities for new faces to showcase themselves.

“We have a lot of guys who were injured, but I took this opportunity to learn the playbook more and get in and know what’s going on,” Jensen said.

“So that if I do come in in the fall, it’s not too much of a dear in the headlights thing.”

Junior Ryan Saeger, who started four games last season, saw all the first-team reps at quarterback this spring in place of senior Kevin Earl who remains back home in Illinois healing from a lower back injury.

The Coyote offense was also without its top two running backs, as junior Trevor Bouma and sophomore Khorey Kilgore were held out with injuries. That forced USD to move Anthony Vigneri – listed as a linebacker last season – and Cole Lindhout, a wide receiver, as well as Clay Fisher to running back.

With such a limited stable of options, the run game was understandably limited: The Coyotes rushed for 46 yards on 15 carries, with 14 of those yards coming from Saeger. Through the air, Saeger was 9-of-17 for 89 yards and two interceptions – one was deflected and caught at the line, and the second was certainly catchable by a receiver in the end zone.

“When we had the right guys in there, we did some good things on offense,” head coach Joe Glenn said. “Defensively, we made some plays. We stopped the run better than we did last year.

“It’s just really hard because we’re a little disconnected with the running game right now.”

The same was true on the offensive line.

Down to only 5-6 available lineman for Saturday’s spring game, the Coyotes saw sophomore Stetson Dagel leave with an injury, and then moved freshman tight end Josh Hale to guard for the final drive.

“It’s just something we have to deal with; it’s part of the game,” Saeger said. Everybody that had to fill in did a great job.”

Two offensive lineman Glenn singled out as having “come a mile in spring ball” were Jensen, and fellow redshirt freshman Tanner Anderson.

“They’ve got good feet,” Glenn said. “If either one of those kids were a junior college right now, they’d go high Division I. We’re really lucky to have them.”

It wasn’t only on the offensive side where new faces got opportunities, however.

Sophomore linebacker Jim Litrena tied for the team lead with four tackles, while redshirt freshman defensive end Andrew Van Ginkel – whose production wowed coaches throughout the spring – batted down a Saeger pass at the line and recorded an interception.

The Coyotes moved junior Jet Moreland from linebacker to safety, and he capitalized with one the defense’s four interceptions.

“There’s a lot of hype and a lot of energy, and the young guys want to get out there and make the coaches proud,” said senior defensive back Adam Juhl, who had two interceptions.

A number of the playmakers on defense didn’t see the field Saturday, including senior linebackers Keyen Lage and Ryan Hillier. But as Glenn pointed out, none of the injuries to guys who sat out should be long-term.

“I don’t think any of our injuries are bad enough that we’ll hold a kid out for fall,” he said. “We’ve got some time now to get on the mend and get ready for September.

“We need to have everybody healthy, I know that.”

And if they’re not ready, the Coyotes have at least developed some depth, according to Juhl.

“They’ve really bought in, and you can see there’s a new feeling around here,” he said. “They see that spots are open and that they could have the opportunity to take those spots.”

Follow @jhoeck on Twitter

[Yotes]

Didn't really come away with much from this year's spring game. Spring games can be a nice preview of what next year's team will look like, but with so many players out that does not seem to be the case here. I am starting to wonder if Kevin Earl is the sure number 1 QB. Could be a competition between him and Saeger in fall camp.

Always love an excuse to go to the Dome. Go Yotes!

[jackjd]

Trying to find some news on how Watertown's Shay Bratland did in the Spring game. Anyone?

[Cousin Eddie]

Apr 25, 2015 22:48:30 GMT -6 jackjd said:

Trying to find some news on how Watertown's Shay Bratland did in the Spring game. Anyone?

Shay was out most of the spring with an injury, including the Spring Game.

[yodayote]

It appears that they will be moving to a 4-3 full time, instead of packages.

[Cousin Eddie]

www.argusleader.com/story/sports/college/2015/04/25/hobbled-coyotes-make-best-spring-game/26386537/

VERMILLION – With so many players on the sidelines for Saturday's South Dakota spring game, gauging the effectiveness of the offense and defense – and how it might translate next fall -- was next to impossible.

In the absence of those circumstances, coaches were looking for positive signs wherever they could find them.

The Coyotes sought to test quarterbacks Ryan Saeger and Brian Woodward, who could be the starter and the backup, respectively, pending Kevin Earl's recovery from a back injury.

Saeger, who will now likely be the No. 1 quarterback going into fall camp, completed 9-of-17 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown. He had two interceptions with one coming on a deflection at the line and the other delivered on target but mishandled by the receiver.

"There was a complete difference this year with Ryan from last year," said receiver Riley Donovan, who caught two passes for 31 yards said. "He's got command of the team – he really took control of things this spring."

There were more than 20 players held out of the scrimmage who are expected to be back for fall practice. Those injuries were felt the hardest on the offensive side where starters Derek Chancellor (tackle) and Sam McCleran (center) were out, as well as the top three running backs on the depth chart.

It didn't seem to matter on the first drive of the day – Saeger found wide receiver Ben Kramer from 15 yards out for a touchdown – but the defense was more formidable thereafter.

"We tried to put the offense in different situations today to see who can handle things correctly," USD offensive coordinator Wes Beschorner said. "Ryan played real well right away … He is really good on third down, he does a nice job of making his reads. He probably should have had another touchdown pass there but we didn't come up with the ball."

Andrew Van Ginkel, a 6-4, 225-pounder who will be a first-year player next fall, deflected a Saeger pass and caught it for an interception on the offense's second drive.

Van Ginkel was shifted to defensive end this spring and was one of the emerging players during spring camp.

"He's athletic, he can rush the quarterback and if he gets a hand up – he's long," USD coach Joe Glenn said. "He got the deflection and he got the interception off it – I didn't see a lot of plays like that from our guys last year. He'll be a true shot in the arm for our defense."

The Coyotes picked off four passes in all with one from Jet Moreland, a linebacker being converted to safety, and two from Adam Juhl, a former O'Gorman standout who appeared in three games last season.

"I thought we gave up some plays but then we corrected them and came back strong with some interceptions and tackles for loss," said Colin Mertlik, 6-2, 240-pound linebacker who will be used on the outside to rush the passer next season. "I thought I made the transition pretty well learning from Coach (Marquice) Williams. It's about picking everything up and learning the details."

Inevitably in the aftermath of a spring scrimmage, the focus quickly changes to next fall. In Glenn's review of the last 15 practices he cited improvement at quarterback, a maturing defense, and improved depth on the offensive line – once the injured return. He zeroed in on the progress of offensive tackles Tanner Anderson and Nick Jensen, who redshirted last season and will have four years of eligibility beginning this fall.

"Those two guys progressed a mile in spring ball," Glenn said. "That is huge to have a couple of freshmen like that. They'll come into the season at 300 pounds at 6-6 or 6-7. They've got good feet. If either of those kids were in a junior college right now, they'd go high Division I. We're very lucky to have them."

[Cousin Eddie]

Apr 26, 2015 18:46:28 GMT -6 yodayote said:

It appears that they will be moving to a 4-3 full time, instead of packages.

That would make much more sense, in my opinion. We have not done well recruiting the necessary NG to make the 3-4 work. A 4-3 allows us to use our "larger" DE or undersized DT in the middle. I can see Iddings being a great 3-technique DL in the 4-3 system.

[yotefan]

Didn't want to start a new thread, but check out goyotes.com to see the new and improved web-page. It is nicely done. One item of significant note is an announcement that there will be "free live video" of all home football and men's and women's basketball games starting this fall. It also says it will include a free web-stream of live home events. Good stuff and certainly echoes many of the requests from posters in earlier threads.