Cal Poly @ PSU

[scooter1]

Who's the conditioning coach?

You're going to heap blame on the defensive backfield for this, and it's not like they don't earn that...

...but cramps? Cramps last night?

The defensive discipline breakdowns, the types of injuries taking place, and where most of the team (NOT just the defense) was in the second half looked awfully systemic last night. Conditioning looked like an issue.

The sad part is that this isn't something that gets fixed in a week.

I don't think conditioning per say is the issue. Did they run out of steam in the fourth? Absolutely. The safeties weren't getting to the edges as fast and the DL wasn't pushing through into the backfield as much. But we at least need to consider three very important factors.

1) The Viks had two less days of rest and recovery from the road game against UC Davis than they normally would have been afforded.
2) The Mustangs had two weeks to prepare for this contest.
3) Cal Poly's option/veer run offense is why they are a nationally ranked program. They have the horses (pun intended) to run you to death if you're not at full capacity.

With all that said, I still believe we were a few penalties away from grabbing this one.

 

[BroadwayVik]

The Viks are trending in the right direction. Really good first half. Fatigue in the second half. NB, I'm sure, has picked up some new goals as a result of this contest. Now is the time to note the good, rest up fully and come back feeling good, strong and refreshed. Next year (or following) when Viks overcome our old coach.

Now Viks have a few extra days to prep for MT.

 

[GreenGiant]

Fatigue or not, PSU was not only outplayed on defense in the second half, they were out coached.

 

[DustRunner]

Fatigue is only as much as playing time on the field. When the defense is out there for virtually the entire second half, of course they'll get tired. And when Cal Poly runs something like the Triple Option, the linemen and linebackers get tired, and eventually a big play is made.

 

[Guychamp]

I'm not sure that conditioning was the problem. Cal Poly changed up its offense in the second half and took advantage of our strong side flow and ran most of their best plays to the weak side where they had numbers. They made adjustments offensively that we never really countered.

Regardless, we still SHOULD have won this game. That penalty on the FG really, really hurt. Take those 4 points off the board and our last TD would have given us a 1point lead with time running out for them instead of us. It was also a big blow to momentum when we missed that chip shot field goal. Had we made that, and not given up the penalty, we win by 4 instead of losing by 4.

When you play good teams, you have to eliminate killer mistakes. You can still have some penalties but not in crucial moments. Those killled us. Also, really missing Zach Brown right now. We can't be missing FGs that are basically extra points. We should have scored a TD there anyway (throw a jump ball to Dean for Crissake). The play calling on that series was atrocious.

Finally, as good as KMs numbers may be, I really don't like how he flicks the ball instead of throwing it. His accuracy is just not there (obvious on the INT he overthrew by 20 ft). On long balls the receiver can adjust but he missed on some short and intermediate throws that we should have completed.

Go Viks!

 

[VikThunder]

I'm not sure that conditioning was the problem. Cal Poly changed up its offense in the second half and took advantage of our strong side flow and ran most of their best plays to the weak side where they had numbers. They made adjustments offensively that we never really countered.

Regardless, we still SHOULD have won this game. That penalty on the FG really, really hurt. Take those 4 points off the board and our last TD would have given us a 1point lead with time running out for them instead of us. It was also a big blow to momentum when we missed that chip shot field goal. Had we made that, and not given up the penalty, we win by 4 instead of losing by 4.

When you play good teams, you have to eliminate killer mistakes. You can still have some penalties but not in crucial moments. Those killled us. Also, really missing Zach Brown right now. We can't be missing FGs that are basically extra points. We should have scored a TD there anyway (throw a jump ball to Dean for Crissake). The play calling on that series was atrocious.

Finally, as good as KMs numbers may be, I really don't like how he flicks the ball instead of throwing it. His accuracy is just not there (obvious on the INT he overthrew by 20 ft). On long balls the receiver can adjust but he missed on some short and intermediate throws that we should have completed.

Go Viks!

Mistakes? All fingers point to coaching, coaching, coaching.

KM has NO touch on the ball. I was hoping this year he'd have developed more than he has but have been disappointed. They say the biggest development for a QB is shown during Sophomore year. I saw John Charles at the game. KM could use some one-on-one training from him.

 

[VikThunder]

Fatigue is only as much as playing time on the field. When the defense is out there for virtually the entire second half, of course they'll get tired. And when Cal Poly runs something like the Triple Option, the linemen and linebackers get tired, and eventually a big play is made.

People may want to blame the defense but the best defense is to have an offense that controls possession and scores. Our offense did NOTHING in the 3rd quarter. Cal Poly scored 17 unanswered points. The offense can't keep taking naps during games.

 

[VikThunder]

Who's the conditioning coach?

You're going to heap blame on the defensive backfield for this, and it's not like they don't earn that...

...but cramps? Cramps last night?

The defensive discipline breakdowns, the types of injuries taking place, and where most of the team (NOT just the defense) was in the second half looked awfully systemic last night. Conditioning looked like an issue.

The sad part is that this isn't something that gets fixed in a week.

I don't think conditioning per say is the issue. Did they run out of steam in the fourth? Absolutely. The safeties weren't getting to the edges as fast and the DL wasn't pushing through into the backfield as much. But we at least need to consider three very important factors.

1) The Viks had two less days of rest and recovery from the road game against UC Davis than they normally would have been afforded.
2) The Mustangs had two weeks to prepare for this contest.
3) Cal Poly's option/veer run offense is why they are a nationally ranked program. They have the horses (pun intended) to run you to death if you're not at full capacity.

With all that said, I still believe we were a few penalties away from grabbing this one.

I get so tired of all the excuses. Man up and friggin' win the game.

 

[VikThunder]

Fatigue or not, PSU was not only outplayed on defense in the second half, they were out coached.

Offense kept giving the ball back to Cal Poly. Why don't they share any responsibility?

 

[GreenGiant]

Fatigue or not, PSU was not only outplayed on defense in the second half, they were out coached.

Offense kept giving the ball back to Cal Poly. Why don't they share any responsibility?

I agree that all those three and outs in the third were difficult. Even if the offense doesn't score, sustained drives are needed. My reference to being out coached was on the offensive side of the ball. PSU has no red zone offense. They can score at will in the wide open field, but in the short field, the play calling from my perspective is atrocious. I don't see why PSU chose to run up the middle three times after the interception when it was obvious the Cal-Poly had their guys stacked like cord wood on the line. We have a QB that has proven to be able to run over linebackers in a one on one situation. Why wouldn't you take advantage of that and send him out wide to make them make a play?

 

[martymoose]

Just getting around to posting. Thursday night TV games make for a late night.

Some thoughts...

- Students. A+ We need that support every game. We didn't tailgate on Thursday, so I ended up seeing the steady stream of students walking to the stadium. Awesome. I hope it continues.

- Dean. 3 TDs on 89 yards. Fantastic. Catching a TD pass, then talking sh*t to the DB that you have 8" on and getting a flag. Lame. Also, learn how to block. If the ball isn't coming to you on a play, and you either don't try or can't block and let a play that should work get blown up, you shouldn't be out there. By the way, I think it was a mistake that we didn't go his way all night, rather than later in the game.

- Coaching. We were out coached. We looked great early, but didn't seem to make the adjustments to the adjustments that Cal Poly made. Also, I think that when we failed to get any points on that pick that we returned inside the ten in the third, that was it for us. Momentum is so key in college football.

- Offense. Saw what I miss about Walsh in this game. 4th and short? We'll get up under center and just run it over you for the first down. I'm no OC by any means, but when it's 3rd/4th and less than a foot, it's nice to have the ability to get under center and just grind it out. I don't feel that we have that ability.

- DJ. Beast. Again.

Well, we lost. Big game for Burton and we lost. However, we did nearly beat a really good FCS team. Heck, we get another score in the first quarter when we had that penalty after getting inside their 25, and who knows how this one ends up. We're our own worst enemy at times.

 

[HornyVike]

I re-watched the game on my DVR last night (brutal to relive it again), and I have to disagree with VikThunderous. I think KM has made huge strides at QB this season. Re-watching the game, the announcers kept pointing out how well he was looking off coverage. Last year, I recall him staring down receivers a large amount of the time, resulting in some ugly picks. With regards to touch, I am a little confused. I thought McDonagh threw a couple beautiful deep balls (deep TD to Dean, back shoulder to Toureen for the TD, numerous times with Kloss in the slot - just to name a few). A lot of his inaccurate throws came in the 4th, when we abandoned the run completely (why?!) and only had deep patterns. It kind of blows my mind we don't run any more intermediate passes (slants, drags, digs), it seems that Bruce is always wanting that big play.

The second half, I think fatigue finally got the better of the defense, and mentally they started to abandon the assignments that they executed perfectly in that first half.

The offense sputtered with those two 3 and outs to start the half, but the play calling and penalties hurt us. Cal Poly's DT murdered us all game, and Poly was stacking the middle, making it hard for DJ to find running room up the middle. But to go away from DJ all game makes no sense. We still had a ton of success running off tackles and even with quick swings passes.

I am really starting to question Bruce's (and pretty much every other coach on the staff's) ability to adjust in game. This happened all too much last year and Cal this year, where the offense pours it on in the first half, only to be slowed down in the second half, allowing a comeback victory by the opponent. We get conservative and don't adjust. It's getting ridiculous.

 

[VikBacker]

Been reading this forum for several years now and have to chime in. Lots of good points raised re: Cal Poly game and a few posts that indicate the writer either wasn't watching the game or doesn't understand the game.

I was at the game and have watched the television broadcast also.
The defense played very, very well in the first half. They were aggressive and took the game to Cal Poly.
In the second half whether by design or fatigue they stood back and caught the offensive. No penetration, only one blitz that I saw. Total lack of reaction (adjustment) to the adjustments Cal Poly made to their blocking schemes at halftime.

Saw people railing against the offense again. Guess what? The offense scored 34 points and if not for inept special teams would have had another 10-14 points!! VIKS Win!!!

The difference in the 3rd quarter (besdies the defense not getting any stops) was that every time we made a play on offense for a big gain or a first down there was penalty. (at least three first downs in 3rd quarter wiped out by a penalty!!!) I think Marty was the one who a couple weeks ago called for more discipline-ie. less penalties. The penalties and horrible special teams play were the primary reasons we lost this game. Illegal substitution after a timeout!!! Come on Man !! I don't care where you played....Penalties equal a lack of discipline, period !!! Poly is the most disciplined team I have seen over the past several years, and they WIN. Poly does not have more talent that PSU, they just don't beat themselves!

As for comment that KM has no touch--watch the tape--perfect pass over the top to Dean on the sideline and another over the linebacker to the tight end down the middle to mention a couple. Agree that the play calling after the interception was not good. What happened to giving the ball to DJ in the second half???

As for the coaching: With five minutes to go and our offense you kick the field goal and get a stop. It’s a no brainer!! Take the points!! In fact it was reminiscent of last years Poly game and the fake punt call—ridiculous! The Viks need to put the pedal to the metal and quit getting conservative when they get a lead in the first half. Somebody on the staff needs to step up and get in Nigel’s ear on these kind of decisions.
PSU has the most talented team they have had in years. Time to stop the mistakes and play a complete game, if they can they win a lot of games.

 

[pottystop]

OGDEN, Utah (October 1, 2013) - The Big Sky Conference has announced the suspension of Cal Poly football player Alex Hubbard for targeting, league commissioner Doug Fullerton announced on Tuesday.

Hubbard, a senior defensive back, will be suspended for the first half of Cal Poly's non-conference game against Yale on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Hubbard was penalized for targeting with 2:02 remaining in the fourth quarter of Cal Poly's victory over Portland State on Thursday, Sept. 26. Hubbard was ejected for the remainder of the contest.

The hit violated Rule 9-1, Article 3 of the Rules of Football, which states, "No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet.''