Drake

[announcerbob]

Sept 21, 2024 14:32:25 GMT -6 fightsd said:

Somebody needs to tell the PA guy to just say it's third down when we're on defense. It sounds weird when he yells it's thiiiiird and fiiiiiiive. Just stick to third down.

I would have to agree on this point!

[Yotes]

Sept 21, 2024 15:48:48 GMT -6 dbyote said:

We've certainly come a long way when most of us feel sort of dissatisfied with a 42-3 win, me included. We'll see what we really have next week.

The final score often won't tell the story of the game. We have a lot to work on if we are going to beat a strong SIU team next week.

[captaincoyote]

Sept 21, 2024 17:59:35 GMT -6 Yotes said:

Sept 21, 2024 15:48:48 GMT -6 dbyote said:

We've certainly come a long way when most of us feel sort of dissatisfied with a 42-3 win, me included. We'll see what we really have next week.

The final score often won't tell the story of the game. We have a lot to work on if we are going to beat a strong SIU team next week.

We certainly do, but the Salukis just lost to SE Missouri by 17 at home. They have their own issues as well.

[sdyotefan]

The other thing is Drake is not the Drake of old. They have a very veteran team and some players as Jay mentioned. It was good to see Dennis back! Liked the much greater diversity of play calling on offense! Gives SIU much more to scheme for!

[gopheryote]

Tough crowd. That Drake team is much better than many of you are giving them credit for. Passing game is working out some issues and working on getting into a rhythm - still some work to do, but not surprising since it was just the 3rd game, and there wasn't much desire to throw it in the first two games. Penalties were a legit concern for both teams. But in fairness to the players that is a LOT of practice over the past couple months with only playing 1 or 2 games.

[fightsd]

Sept 22, 2024 9:41:15 GMT -6 gopheryote said:

Tough crowd. That Drake team is much better than many of you are giving them credit for. Passing game is working out some issues and working on getting into a rhythm - still some work to do, but not surprising since it was just the 3rd game, and there wasn't much desire to throw it in the first two games. Penalties were a legit concern for both teams. But in fairness to the players that is a LOT of practice over the past couple months with only playing 1 or 2 games.

Drake is improved from what they were a few years ago, but that's still a bad team compared to the rest of our schedule. I think the frustrations come from how we looked doing it. It wasn't real clean and there were more mental mistakes than there should have been. This was essentially a tune up game before valley play. We improved from two weeks ago, but it just wasn't as sharp as I was hoping as we head into the gauntlet of league play.

[Yotes]

Sept 21, 2024 20:39:25 GMT -6 captaincoyote said:

Sept 21, 2024 17:59:35 GMT -6 Yotes said:

The final score often won't tell the story of the game. We have a lot to work on if we are going to beat a strong SIU team next week.

We certainly do, but the Salukis just lost to SE Missouri by 17 at home. They have their own issues as well.

Woof. Did not expect that one. SEMO I believe has a good team, but that shouldn't happen. It looks like SIU couldn't run the ball to save their life.

[fightsd]

Sept 22, 2024 10:08:59 GMT -6 Yotes said:

Sept 21, 2024 20:39:25 GMT -6 captaincoyote said:

We certainly do, but the Salukis just lost to SE Missouri by 17 at home. They have their own issues as well.

Woof. Did not expect that one. SEMO I believe has a good team, but that shouldn't happen. It looks like SIU couldn't run the ball to save their life.

I watched most of it. They couldn't run or protect their QB, who I guess is already a backup.

[captaincoyote]

Sept 22, 2024 10:10:23 GMT -6 fightsd said:

Sept 22, 2024 10:08:59 GMT -6 Yotes said:

Woof. Did not expect that one. SEMO I believe has a good team, but that shouldn't happen. It looks like SIU couldn't run the ball to save their life.

I watched most of it. They couldn't run or protect their QB, who I guess is already a backup.

[yoteforever]

Sept 22, 2024 9:41:15 GMT -6 gopheryote said:

Tough crowd. That Drake team is much better than many of you are giving them credit for. Passing game is working out some issues and working on getting into a rhythm - still some work to do, but not surprising since it was just the 3rd game, and there wasn't much desire to throw it in the first two games. Penalties were a legit concern for both teams. But in fairness to the players that is a LOT of practice over the past couple months with only playing 1 or 2 games.

Extremely tough crowd. We beat a team that beat a low to mid level Big Sky team on the road, and beat them like a drum. The offense was balanced and the defense locked them down. Our kicking game continues to excel. The knock is penalties and I can tell you first hand after officiating college ball for a number of years, this crew was a “protectionists of blow out” crew. Two of our late hit calls were preposterous. Some crews will get caught up in the flow of the game and “protect” an underdog or team that is getting pounded. The FLOW of this game was absurd. Case in point…3:45 delay of game to review a 12 men in the field call. The ref made the call ( against the Coyotes ) and then they went to review. That’s totally nuts. The ref saw it, called it, so move on. 3:46 to review a 5 yard penalty is insane. This crew took everyone out of the game. Even Drake. Certainly the fans. The 2nd quarter was the longest quarter of football I ever recall.

There’s a couple of posters that complain or criticize no matter what. Two years ago they wanted Nielsen gone. He couldn’t coach. Admittedly he mishandled staff changes but that’s an error in loyalty. This staff is solid. I fully expect to be in Frisco in January. These kids had only played 2 games, that’s it. To be razor sharp is not gonna happen. We are going to compete for a MVFC title. This roster is rock solid and deep. I expect a 14-17 point win Saturday, against a SIU team that is really good but starting QB is out. It was a 4 quarter fist fight last year in Carbondale.

Last comment I have, and it is negative, is the number of fans showing up for games. The student body is doing their job. The marketing people under Schemmel are busting their asses. But getting fans in the stands is abysmal at best. It’s really disappointing. It’s going to severely hurt our chances to move up if that’s what’s going to happen with the Mountain West. I’ve hinted at this before, but the football budget at USD vs SDSU or NDSU is much much lower. This staff has done a magnificent job of keeping kids in the program.

My hope is that we can fill the Dome with fans. The energy that’s been created by the new administration is real. Now we have to finish it….and quick.

[fightsd]

Sept 23, 2024 8:03:47 GMT -6 yoteforever said:

Sept 22, 2024 9:41:15 GMT -6 gopheryote said:

Tough crowd. That Drake team is much better than many of you are giving them credit for. Passing game is working out some issues and working on getting into a rhythm - still some work to do, but not surprising since it was just the 3rd game, and there wasn't much desire to throw it in the first two games. Penalties were a legit concern for both teams. But in fairness to the players that is a LOT of practice over the past couple months with only playing 1 or 2 games.

Extremely tough crowd. We beat a team that beat a low to mid level Big Sky team on the road, and beat them like a drum. The offense was balanced and the defense locked them down. Our kicking game continues to excel. The knock is penalties and I can tell you first hand after officiating college ball for a number of years, this crew was a “protectionists of blow out” crew. Two of our late hit calls were preposterous. Some crews will get caught up in the flow of the game and “protect” an underdog or team that is getting pounded. The FLOW of this game was absurd. Case in point…3:45 delay of game to review a 12 men in the field call. The ref made the call ( against the Coyotes ) and then they went to review. That’s totally nuts. The ref saw it, called it, so move on. 3:46 to review a 5 yard penalty is insane. This crew took everyone out of the game. Even Drake. Certainly the fans. The 2nd quarter was the longest quarter of football I ever recall.

There’s a couple of posters that complain or criticize no matter what. Two years ago they wanted Nielsen gone. He couldn’t coach. Admittedly he mishandled staff changes but that’s an error in loyalty. This staff is solid. I fully expect to be in Frisco in January. These kids had only played 2 games, that’s it. To be razor sharp is not gonna happen. We are going to compete for a MVFC title. This roster is rock solid and deep. I expect a 14-17 point win Saturday, against a SIU team that is really good but starting QB is out. It was a 4 quarter fist fight last year in Carbondale.

Last comment I have, and it is negative, is the number of fans showing up for games. The student body is doing their job. The marketing people under Schemmel are busting their asses. But getting fans in the stands is abysmal at best. It’s really disappointing. It’s going to severely hurt our chances to move up if that’s what’s going to happen with the Mountain West. I’ve hinted at this before, but the football budget at USD vs SDSU or NDSU is much much lower. This staff has done a magnificent job of keeping kids in the program.

My hope is that we can fill the Dome with fans. The energy that’s been created by the new administration is real. Now we have to finish it….and quick.

That's a fair take. I'll still stand by statement that Drake is not a good football team and that I was hoping for a cleaner tune up game as we head into conference play.

But what can be done to get more butts in the seats? That's a serious question. I've been really impressed with the new administration and what they've done to engage the students again. But how do we get the general population in the dome? I've always been in the camp of "start winning high profile games consistently and people will show up". I feel like we've gotten there, or are at least pretty close. Will it just take more time? I have no problem upping my HP membership or buying an extra pair of season tickets, but will that translate to better attendance? What can the university or athletic department do that they aren't already doing? Has state's success in recent years taken all of the undecided fans in SD? I'll keep doing what I can and bringing as many people to Verm on Saturdays as I can, but there has to be something that can be done at the macro level that will move the needle.

[yote18]

One of the best ways we can get butts in the seats is the AD has gotta start making game days an event, which basically means you gotta attract people in with something else and then get them to stay. And then it’s gotta be a university wide marketing/advertising push. Right now your casual fans need more reason to go vermillion for the non d day or rivalry games so you gotta plant that seed and keep watering it.

For the interim until ticket sales increase for the general public let’s let the students fill as much as they can. As many have pointed out you gotta win the students and then over time you’ll get the rest. But that’s a long term plan we still gotta get a short term one going.

[Yote 53]

As to attendance, it was Drake, just not a game that moves the needle. I've heard the ticket sales for SIU have been pretty solid. I think last Thursday I heard the number was at 2500 unsold. For one and half weeks out for a USD game not involving a Dakota team or D-Days, that's pretty decent.

This season I am up to 6 season tickets and had to pick up 5 more for this coming game as I have more people coming in.

You want to fill the building? Go out and beat the other Dakota schools, win the Valley, win a Natty, and then do it again. That's the bar that has been set and anything less is not good enough.

[elcoyote]

When I pulled into the parking lot on Saturday I thought, "Whoa, this is going to be a good crowd." Seems to me that people are here but sometimes I think the biggest problem is getting them away from tailgating and inside the dome, especially when it's nice outside.

[captaincoyote]

Two thoughts on attendance:
1. Without any research to back this up, I intuitively sense that attendance to seasonal events like football has a tipping point. Once the casual fan really doesn’t want to ever miss out on the action, is probably when the scales tip. Until then, it will be hit or miss as people occasionally have conflicting plans.
2. You always got to strike while the iron is hot. When is an individual most likely to be full of school spirit and unhindered from coming to games? Graduation. Give students great experiences and memories and they will happily prioritize coming back for games before family and work obligations pick up. Make it a habit and an expectation.

One final thought on Drake:
1. We whooped Drake without doing anything special. We’re right where we want to be going into conference play. Healthy and still on the rise. We want to peak in November/December, not September.