Post by elcoyote on Oct 7, 2018 19:21:31 GMT -6
USD Offense: QB play continues to be very good - I agree with Yoteforever that Simmons could tuck and run a little more, but I love that he keeps his eyes downfield. There were a few times that I was thinking to myself as I was watching the play that he should run, only to have Simmons rocket it downfield to an open Coyote receiver. We have been spoiled by excellent QB play and have come to expect it - another 300+ yard passing day with no INTs (not even any close calls yesterday that I remember where the defender could have made a pick). The ball security by the entire team was fantastic. The obvious improvement this week in the running game was a huge relief. In watching the replay I spent much of my time focused on the OL - they seem to be settling into their new positions and experience and continuity is reaping some rewards. Wallace played a great game at guard - he is not only strong, but is mobile enough to get out in the open on LBers. Nick Jensen really showed good athleticism on the edge as well. The two RB sets with TE was a welcome change-up as well. Would have liked to see USD go back to that at the end of the game to close out that offensive possession where USD was forced to punt. Klett and Thull attack the LOS and would-be tacklers. Not sure on Kai Henry's status, but Klett, Thull, and Brooks can carry the load. Klett and Thull are both devastating blockers too - I think we will see Simmons running more out of that two back look with the RBs getting out on LBers and Safeties. Klett is much faster than people think. I remember listening to a podcast from Jay Elsen/ Midco before the 2017 season and Jay said that in sprints the only player that was keeping up stride for stride with Streveler was Klett. Klett is a little heavier now, but he is fast.
The TEs played a very good game - they are asked to do a lot in our offensive system and both of our guys came through big with clutch catches and several key blocks. WRs still had a few too many drops and mistakes. I think Allen could be targeted more - I like our chances on a 50/50 ball when he is singled up on a corner without safety support. Late in the first half when USD was kept out of the endzone, I think we missed an opportunity - he was all alone with just the corner on that third of the field. Easy throw and catch. Falck continues to be productive, but he cannot continue to jump early. That was a drive killer for USD when he did that yesterday. Not to mention he was benched for the series after that and not having him on the field hurt. Vander Esch is a good WR but has not shown the same ball-skills Falck has to date. Falck and Simmons have great chemistry together and you can tell they have worked a lot together. When Falck is not on the field our offense is not as dangerous. If I was an opposing DC I wouldn't want Falck or Allen on the field if possible. Baker took a shot from behind from Thull as Baker was blocking. He did not return to the game - looked like a lower leg-ankle injury. If that continues we may yet see another freshman WR activated.
USD Defense: Once again the tag line bend but don't break comes to mind. They once again had several take-aways - 3 altogether - May just start calling Andrew Gray, Chucky since he gets the Chucky turnover doll so frequently. The coaches did a tremendous job adjusting at halftime - got the players more disciplined on option assignments and keyed the players in on stepping up to get in front of the WR routes - that proved very disruptive for MSU. USD had 6 QB hurries but no sacks - that makes two weeks in a row without a sack. Part of that is SIU and MSU's offensive style. Against teams that try to consistently push the ball deeper downfield, we will need to make sure to get pressure (UNI will do that). We are getting high-level play out of our interior DL - Headlee - Whitcomb - Coker - Peguero - all are rotating in and producing. Headlee was the most disruptive yesterday with sack, batted down pass, and fumble recovery. The MSU system really puts stress on the LBers and I think they made a good account of themselves overall. The Gray brothers are producing for USD big-time with 10 tackles each. Andrew was an absolute animal out there with 10 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and an INT. In my opinion if the ball had not been tipped on his INT, there is a good chance he would have had a pick 6. The DBs were facing some very tall and athletic WRs - MSU completed some passes downfield, but I like the way our corners competed. Collins drew the toughest assignments in coverage and had some key pass breakups. Tisdale and Sommerville also continued to play well - the game experience is thankfully helping them improve. The goal-line stand in the fourth quarter shows tremendous resolve and heart by the team. Really respect that effort.
Special Teams: FG accuracy is a known issue and it was troublesome once again. I fear it will cost us a close game. Hopefully our kicker with experience can continue to improve. Make those two additional FGs and USD likely has a 13 point margin of victory. At this point I would be hesitant to try a FG unless the ball is inside the 20 yard line when playing in a dome or inside the 15 yard line if playing outside with wind. I would rather go for it and throw to Allen or Falck in a 50/50 situation. Punting was very good- 49.3 yard average - and the coverage was tremendous. KOs were solid and the one time MSU tride to return it, coverage was great. Our KO return game was as good as I have seen in years. I think our returners are as skilled as they have been since Jeremy Blount was back there. Great to see our true freshman Elidor break a long 69 yard return - he has some wheels. Great blocking on that play. Ducker also broke a long one that was called back for a penalty. Good to see some spark and production from the special teams.
Penalties: This team is still struggling with penalties/discipline. It was better this week, but not where it needs to be. Falck's offsides was a drive killer. Jake Matthew's offsides on 3rd and long turned it into 3rd and short allowing MSU to convert and extend the drive. The refs also could have called Mike Johson for a personal foul on the goal line stop in the 4th quarter - he blatantly pushed an offensive player right in front of the ref. Football is a game of toughness, but you have to be smarter than that. Players that do not play smart need to watch from the sideline. Can you imagine if instead of a stop there, MSU was given first and goal from the half-yard line because of that? Contrast that to MSU - they had no penalties in the first half and only 2 on the day for 15 yards.
Overall this was a good victory. MSU is a good and improved team. If their QB remains healthy, they will win some more games. I have a lot of respect for their HC and wish their program well. They seemed to play hard and disciplined. If they had more ball-security, they may have been able to win yesterday. My concern for USD going forward is that our bend but don't break defense works much better with teams that are mistake prone. The best offensive teams in our league rarely make mistakes - turning the ball over or allowing penalties to kill drives. USD has thrived on that. Not a knock on USD's defense - the take-aways are commendable. It will just take an even better effort to stop some of the teams we will face. Inability to depend on converting FGs is my second concern. These MVFC games have a razor-thin margin between victory and defeat. It may take a 40 plus yard FG to win a game this year. Can we convert when that happens? Injuries seem to be really weighing on our WR group. Thank goodness we came into the year with massive depth. Finally our OL's ability to continue to mature and protect Simmons as well as make holes for our RBs will be a key for our offensive production.
I view the upcoming UNI game as a playoff game. It is at our place and we need to defend our turf. They will be extremely desperate for a win - they just lost at home to NDSU after playing three good quarters. After playing USD they turn around and have to play SDSU. You know they have this game circled as a must-win if they have playoff aspirations. We had better have the same mentality. UNI is always tougher than hell. USD has the ability to beat UNI - I think our team is better than last year overall - and USD gifted the game to UNI last year in Cedar Falls. My gut tells me we haven't come close to seeing our team play their best game yet for four quarters. USD could have beaten MSU by 20 yesterday with that kind of execution (and MSU is a solid team). USD can route UNI with that kind of effort too.
In regards to the USD crowd - I am pretty much done worrying about it. Some people sit there and look like they are in a movie theater, church, or library. The students didn't even fill up their section yesterday at any point in the game. After half it was even more empty. My suggestion to everyone is just to go, have fun, be loud, and invite friends. Having fun and enjoying the game is what will attract others to want to come join us. All I know is I can still taste blood in my throat today and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Happy D-Days everyone! That was an entertaining game and a fun weekend to spend with our Coyote Family. See you next week.
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Who among us could even begin to top that?
