Preview
The Hornets had an extra week to prepare for this game and more importantly an extra week to find a way to defend Taiwan Jones. EWU is coming off of a game at UNC where they trailed in the 4th quarter and almost had an embarrassing loss to the lowly Bears. EWU may have been looking ahead to the Hornet game, but they did not look impressive last week at all. UNC’s QB Orms was able to create some plays with his feet and the UNC defense did a pretty good job at containing TJ aside from a few long runs. This game is winnable IF they find a way to contain TJ. That’s what it boils down to, that is all that matters in this game.
Offense:
EWU has a decent offense but TJ is what makes it a very good offense. TJ has 734 yards and 6 TD’s on the ground, 228 yards and 2 TD’s receiving and another 200 yards on kick returns. EWU has other solid running backs, but nothing close to the caliber of TJ. EWU averages 404.0 ypg of total offense (3rd in the BSC) with 254.0 ypg through the air (4th BSC) and 150.0 ypg on the ground (5th BSC). Obviously TJ is the biggest threat but EWU does have other weapons. Kaufman is their main target when they air it out. He is a big guy and he can make plays. Kaufman is their leading receiver and has 641 yards with 5 TD’s. The EWU QB Mitchell is nowhere near the level of a QB Nichols was. He can make throws but he has also had times where he would miss his wide open receivers with poor throws. BLM is 135/235 for a completion percentage of 57.4% for 1,744 yards with 14 TD’s and 8 INT’s. He is a capable QB but just has yet to show the consistency to push it to the next level. The OL has only allowed 9 sacks so they are a solid bunch.
The Hornet defense is going to have their hands full. UNC did contain TJ at times but he was still able to break the big plays. TJ has been dinged up for much of the season but this past week displayed how much of an impact he can have even when not at full health. The Hornets will have to swarm to the ball and make tackles. If they give up the big play in this game the Hornets will not have a chance. EWU does an excellent job at getting TJ in open space via draws, delayed draws, screens and passes out in the flat. It will be a challenge to stop this. The Hornets will also have to get some pressure on BLM. He has shown inconsistency so if the defense can rattle him, they should be able to knock him off his game.
Defense:
The EWU defense is ranked near the bottom of the BSC in total defense with 410.3 ypg allowed. They allow 271.3 ypg (8th in BSC, only we are worse at 278.2 ypg) through the air and 131.0 ypg (4th in BSC) on the ground and are 4th in the BSC with a turnover margin of +0.43. This defense has a solid front 7. Renard Williams is their big lineman who can cause problems. They also have an excellent LB in JC Sherritt who leads EWU in sacks (2), INT’s (3), and tackles (80).
They did have issues with a scrambling QB last week so look for Sperbeck to use Fleming’s mobility to create some problems for EWU. They did allow UNC to get plenty of yardage so the Hornets should be able to move the ball. I expect another run heavy game plan with a lot of boot legs and rollouts to cross up the EWU defense. The Hornets will need to east up some clock and keep TJ on the sidelines as much as possible.
Special Teams:
EWU didn’t look impressive on coverage yesterday. They gave up a few big kick returns by UNC which gave led to EWU losing the field position battle. EWU’s kicker Jarrett has been horrific on FG’s. He is 4 of 10 with a long of 40 yards. Their punter Zuber is averaging 41.2 yard per punt and they have 9 punts downed inside the 20. TJ is used on kick returns and Jesse Hoffman took one to the house on a 97 yard return last week so their kick return game is solid.
If it were up to me I wouldn’t even kick one deep to EWU given the suspect kick coverage the Hornets have had this season. I have no problem squibbing it or pouch kicking it on kick-offs instead of risking a big return. Aside from the return threats, the Hornets have the advantage in the kicking game with Diniz and Heath.
Intangibles:
EWU is an undisciplined team. They committed quite a few untimely penalties that really killed some drives against UNC. They have 54 penalties (3rd most in the BSC) for 410 yards. They have had a bit of fumblitis in the recent weeks and have put it on the ground 12 times, losing 8 of their fumbles so far on the season. EWU also has thrown 9 INT’s on the year. I think the Hornets will be able to force some turnovers in this game. Lastly the turf comes into play. EWU has red turf and the game at “The Pad” is going to be something new to see.
EWU looked awful last week and has also had a suspect game in their devastating loss to MSU. EWU has the potential to put a complete game together and when they do that, they are a very dangerous team. If EWU has another sloppy game, I think the Hornets will win it. The Hornet offense will need to control the clock and keep TJ on the sidelines as much as possible. The Hornet offense will need to be able to have a good game and they will need to be at their best for a chance at a Hornet victory. Defensively the Hornet will need to contain TJ and keep the big plays to a minimum. TJ will undoubtedly still get his stats but it’s keeping him out of the endzone that will matter. If the Hornets are to run the gauntlet, it all begins this week in Cheney against a team that is currently tied for the BSC crown. Will the Hornets be up to the task?
GO HORNETS!!!
The Hornets had an extra week to prepare for this game and more importantly an extra week to find a way to defend Taiwan Jones. EWU is coming off of a game at UNC where they trailed in the 4th quarter and almost had an embarrassing loss to the lowly Bears. EWU may have been looking ahead to the Hornet game, but they did not look impressive last week at all. UNC’s QB Orms was able to create some plays with his feet and the UNC defense did a pretty good job at containing TJ aside from a few long runs. This game is winnable IF they find a way to contain TJ. That’s what it boils down to, that is all that matters in this game.
Offense:
EWU has a decent offense but TJ is what makes it a very good offense. TJ has 734 yards and 6 TD’s on the ground, 228 yards and 2 TD’s receiving and another 200 yards on kick returns. EWU has other solid running backs, but nothing close to the caliber of TJ. EWU averages 404.0 ypg of total offense (3rd in the BSC) with 254.0 ypg through the air (4th BSC) and 150.0 ypg on the ground (5th BSC). Obviously TJ is the biggest threat but EWU does have other weapons. Kaufman is their main target when they air it out. He is a big guy and he can make plays. Kaufman is their leading receiver and has 641 yards with 5 TD’s. The EWU QB Mitchell is nowhere near the level of a QB Nichols was. He can make throws but he has also had times where he would miss his wide open receivers with poor throws. BLM is 135/235 for a completion percentage of 57.4% for 1,744 yards with 14 TD’s and 8 INT’s. He is a capable QB but just has yet to show the consistency to push it to the next level. The OL has only allowed 9 sacks so they are a solid bunch.
The Hornet defense is going to have their hands full. UNC did contain TJ at times but he was still able to break the big plays. TJ has been dinged up for much of the season but this past week displayed how much of an impact he can have even when not at full health. The Hornets will have to swarm to the ball and make tackles. If they give up the big play in this game the Hornets will not have a chance. EWU does an excellent job at getting TJ in open space via draws, delayed draws, screens and passes out in the flat. It will be a challenge to stop this. The Hornets will also have to get some pressure on BLM. He has shown inconsistency so if the defense can rattle him, they should be able to knock him off his game.
Defense:
The EWU defense is ranked near the bottom of the BSC in total defense with 410.3 ypg allowed. They allow 271.3 ypg (8th in BSC, only we are worse at 278.2 ypg) through the air and 131.0 ypg (4th in BSC) on the ground and are 4th in the BSC with a turnover margin of +0.43. This defense has a solid front 7. Renard Williams is their big lineman who can cause problems. They also have an excellent LB in JC Sherritt who leads EWU in sacks (2), INT’s (3), and tackles (80).
They did have issues with a scrambling QB last week so look for Sperbeck to use Fleming’s mobility to create some problems for EWU. They did allow UNC to get plenty of yardage so the Hornets should be able to move the ball. I expect another run heavy game plan with a lot of boot legs and rollouts to cross up the EWU defense. The Hornets will need to east up some clock and keep TJ on the sidelines as much as possible.
Special Teams:
EWU didn’t look impressive on coverage yesterday. They gave up a few big kick returns by UNC which gave led to EWU losing the field position battle. EWU’s kicker Jarrett has been horrific on FG’s. He is 4 of 10 with a long of 40 yards. Their punter Zuber is averaging 41.2 yard per punt and they have 9 punts downed inside the 20. TJ is used on kick returns and Jesse Hoffman took one to the house on a 97 yard return last week so their kick return game is solid.
If it were up to me I wouldn’t even kick one deep to EWU given the suspect kick coverage the Hornets have had this season. I have no problem squibbing it or pouch kicking it on kick-offs instead of risking a big return. Aside from the return threats, the Hornets have the advantage in the kicking game with Diniz and Heath.
Intangibles:
EWU is an undisciplined team. They committed quite a few untimely penalties that really killed some drives against UNC. They have 54 penalties (3rd most in the BSC) for 410 yards. They have had a bit of fumblitis in the recent weeks and have put it on the ground 12 times, losing 8 of their fumbles so far on the season. EWU also has thrown 9 INT’s on the year. I think the Hornets will be able to force some turnovers in this game. Lastly the turf comes into play. EWU has red turf and the game at “The Pad” is going to be something new to see.
EWU looked awful last week and has also had a suspect game in their devastating loss to MSU. EWU has the potential to put a complete game together and when they do that, they are a very dangerous team. If EWU has another sloppy game, I think the Hornets will win it. The Hornet offense will need to control the clock and keep TJ on the sidelines as much as possible. The Hornet offense will need to be able to have a good game and they will need to be at their best for a chance at a Hornet victory. Defensively the Hornet will need to contain TJ and keep the big plays to a minimum. TJ will undoubtedly still get his stats but it’s keeping him out of the endzone that will matter. If the Hornets are to run the gauntlet, it all begins this week in Cheney against a team that is currently tied for the BSC crown. Will the Hornets be up to the task?
GO HORNETS!!!
:lol:
