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Week 1: #7 Sac State vs. Utah Tech
- Thread starter Kadeezy
- Start date
Week 1 - #7 Sac State vs Utah Tech
The Hornets look to defend their outright 2021 BSC Title and open the season at home against the Utah Tech Trailblazers. UTT enters its 2nd full season of FCS play looking to improve from a 1-10 season a year ago. They are a young team and return a lot from last season as they enter the 4th season under HC Paul Peterson.
Offensively, the Trailblazers will spread things out as they did a season ago and sling the ball all over the field. The UTT depth chart doesn’t identify a starter at quarterback, but Kobe Tracy (147/241, 1664 yds, 8 TD, 8 INT) has the most experience. UTT does return a lot of their receivers from a year ago with Keith Davis (35 rec, 479 yds, 2 TD) leading the group. Running back Quali Conley (69 car, 263 yds, 1 TD, 24 rec, 151 yds, 1 TD) is a capable runner that can catch the ball out of the backfield. Up front the Trailblazers return a lot of experience and have decent size.
The Trailblazer defense runs a 4-2-5 defensive set that was not very good a season ago. A lot of players return but their line will see 3 new starters with good size. Both top tacklers return with strong safety Tyrell Grayson (103 tak, 3.5 TFL, 1 sac, 2 INT) and linebacker Malaki Malaki (94 tak 9.5 TFL, 2 sac) leading the defense.
Utah Tech struggled in the kicking game last season. Kicker Connor Brooksby (10/17 FG, 19/19 PAT) missed almost half of his FG attempts but was near perfect inside of 40 yards and has a long of 50 yards. Returning punter Andrew Day (54 pnt, 41.3 ypp) has a solid leg with a long of 76 yards and 8 punts of 50+ yards.
The Trailblazers should be able to stretch the Hornet defense a bit as this unit finds its feet. On the other side of the ball, the Trailblazer defense should be no match for the high powered Hornet offense. This game shouldn’t be the slog that it was a year ago as the Hornets won’t be knocking off 91 weeks of rust on the road this time around. The Hornets should win big.
Stingers Up!
The Hornets look to defend their outright 2021 BSC Title and open the season at home against the Utah Tech Trailblazers. UTT enters its 2nd full season of FCS play looking to improve from a 1-10 season a year ago. They are a young team and return a lot from last season as they enter the 4th season under HC Paul Peterson.
Offensively, the Trailblazers will spread things out as they did a season ago and sling the ball all over the field. The UTT depth chart doesn’t identify a starter at quarterback, but Kobe Tracy (147/241, 1664 yds, 8 TD, 8 INT) has the most experience. UTT does return a lot of their receivers from a year ago with Keith Davis (35 rec, 479 yds, 2 TD) leading the group. Running back Quali Conley (69 car, 263 yds, 1 TD, 24 rec, 151 yds, 1 TD) is a capable runner that can catch the ball out of the backfield. Up front the Trailblazers return a lot of experience and have decent size.
The Trailblazer defense runs a 4-2-5 defensive set that was not very good a season ago. A lot of players return but their line will see 3 new starters with good size. Both top tacklers return with strong safety Tyrell Grayson (103 tak, 3.5 TFL, 1 sac, 2 INT) and linebacker Malaki Malaki (94 tak 9.5 TFL, 2 sac) leading the defense.
Utah Tech struggled in the kicking game last season. Kicker Connor Brooksby (10/17 FG, 19/19 PAT) missed almost half of his FG attempts but was near perfect inside of 40 yards and has a long of 50 yards. Returning punter Andrew Day (54 pnt, 41.3 ypp) has a solid leg with a long of 76 yards and 8 punts of 50+ yards.
The Trailblazers should be able to stretch the Hornet defense a bit as this unit finds its feet. On the other side of the ball, the Trailblazer defense should be no match for the high powered Hornet offense. This game shouldn’t be the slog that it was a year ago as the Hornets won’t be knocking off 91 weeks of rust on the road this time around. The Hornets should win big.
Stingers Up!
Geaux Hornets!
It will be a sling the ball fest, hope our secondary are at their game and the line holds containment.
What a load of BS from the communist government not allowing tailgating. When did it become the government's decision to allow or not allow me to sit in the heat? Personal liberty....gone.
6,105 attendance
It will be a sling the ball fest, hope our secondary are at their game and the line holds containment.
What a load of BS from the communist government not allowing tailgating. When did it become the government's decision to allow or not allow me to sit in the heat? Personal liberty....gone.
6,105 attendance
Kadeezy
Active member
GCM, I did confirm they are only "banning tabling" for University Affiliated organizations, and that tailgating is still permitted. They just don't want to be liable for Clubs trying to recruitment members in the 110* heat and stroking out on their watch. Still lame, but at least they are going to let people hang out. And, no more vaccine passports, yay!
If the attendance is under 8,000 or so, it will be because of the stifling heat.
This game is a little worrisome to me - Utah Tech has their best team thus far (not saying much) and returns a good chunk of talented players, including their WR that went out for the season in Q1 against us last year. There were some plays out of the gate last year where their QB missed TDs, where our secondary was badly burned. If they connect on a couple of those this year, and if our Offense is not in full Taylor-mode, I can see them hanging around for a while. This one might be closer than it looks on paper.
SAC 31 UTU 21
If the attendance is under 8,000 or so, it will be because of the stifling heat.
This game is a little worrisome to me - Utah Tech has their best team thus far (not saying much) and returns a good chunk of talented players, including their WR that went out for the season in Q1 against us last year. There were some plays out of the gate last year where their QB missed TDs, where our secondary was badly burned. If they connect on a couple of those this year, and if our Offense is not in full Taylor-mode, I can see them hanging around for a while. This one might be closer than it looks on paper.
SAC 31 UTU 21
Green Laser
Active member
Heat shouldn't really be that much of a factor at least for the spectators kick off is 7:30 at sunset. The residual heat on the field might make it uncomfortable for the players, which could be a factor. Hopefully our Hornets are adjusted to the heat by now and properly hydrated.
People being out of town for Labor Day might hold the crowd down a bit, I hope we get 8,000 out there.
Can't wait!
People being out of town for Labor Day might hold the crowd down a bit, I hope we get 8,000 out there.
Can't wait!
stingthemgood
Active member
I think we might be an okay team...
BuckeyeHornetFan
Active member
Initial post game thoughts:
O-line played great. Hornets rushed for nearly 400 yards, including two 100 yard rushers and 71 from Tau-Tolliver.
Pass protection was pretty good too.
Skattebo is a BEAST! He certainly made the most of 10 carries and his 2 receptions, totaling 183 yards and 3 scores. As I’ve said before, his balance is phenomenal which, along with his power and strength, was on full display on both long TD runs (the 2nd being the onside kick return). The kid is just hard to bring to the ground!
Qb’s played well. Although they did miss on several throws. The TD pass from Dunniway to Gipson that got called back by the Skattebo block was bogus. That was a good throw and catch.
Defensively they did some nice things here and there, but on the whole the performance was concerning. The DB’s got beat far too many times. All game really.
They got lucky early on as Utah State either overthrew or dropped some wide open plays. Despite those missed opportunities for the Blazers, they STILL ran up over 500 yards through the air.
Sure, a lot of it occurred with the Hornets up 30 and Utah Tech playing catchup, but the theme of getting beat over-the-top was consistent all game long. On top of that, the Hornets pass rush didn’t get home enough to help out. They’ve got a lot of work to do fix those things.
On the positive side, the defense was pretty stout against the rush.
Overall, a W is a W. Doesn’t matter how good or bad you look doing it. And there’s lots of good things to build from.
But they’ve to play much better to have a chance against their next few opponents.
O-line played great. Hornets rushed for nearly 400 yards, including two 100 yard rushers and 71 from Tau-Tolliver.
Pass protection was pretty good too.
Skattebo is a BEAST! He certainly made the most of 10 carries and his 2 receptions, totaling 183 yards and 3 scores. As I’ve said before, his balance is phenomenal which, along with his power and strength, was on full display on both long TD runs (the 2nd being the onside kick return). The kid is just hard to bring to the ground!
Qb’s played well. Although they did miss on several throws. The TD pass from Dunniway to Gipson that got called back by the Skattebo block was bogus. That was a good throw and catch.
Defensively they did some nice things here and there, but on the whole the performance was concerning. The DB’s got beat far too many times. All game really.
They got lucky early on as Utah State either overthrew or dropped some wide open plays. Despite those missed opportunities for the Blazers, they STILL ran up over 500 yards through the air.
Sure, a lot of it occurred with the Hornets up 30 and Utah Tech playing catchup, but the theme of getting beat over-the-top was consistent all game long. On top of that, the Hornets pass rush didn’t get home enough to help out. They’ve got a lot of work to do fix those things.
On the positive side, the defense was pretty stout against the rush.
Overall, a W is a W. Doesn’t matter how good or bad you look doing it. And there’s lots of good things to build from.
But they’ve to play much better to have a chance against their next few opponents.
West grandstand was packed which was great. Game day experience was pretty good -- seemed to have more restroom facilities available, though the "suspension" of the tailgating announcement was a bit of a fumble in my opinion. We didn't tailgate as we normally do but it appeared business as usual in the parking lot. Team looked good but agree with early poster that we got beat on a few long balls that if caught could have made the game a little different. All in all, good start for the Hornets. On to UNI.
56-33 Hornet win.
Hornet offense came out rolling and there wasn’t anything UTT could do to stop it. Hornet line dominated and took control early on. Very impressive and efficient showing through the air and on the ground. Loads of talent at every position is evident. This is going to be fun to watch as the season unfolds.
Hornet defense had some struggles but did make some big plays via the turnover (3 total) to put this one over early on. That 96 yard pick six set the tone of the game early, however the secondary got beat pretty bad with regularity during the game which is cause for concern. UTT is a pass happy offense, but the front will need to get more pressure on the QB to help with this concern. There are a lot of inexperienced players on this side of the ball so this unit should only improve as the season goes on.
Special teams had an outstanding night. Fulcher looked sharp on punt returns and had a phantom penalty negate at TD return. Tau-Tolliver looks electric on the kick returns (and out of the backfield). The on-side kick TD return by Skattebo was a sight to see. Only blemish were a couple of makeable FGs that were missed (Hornets cover if those were made, just sayin').
I didn’t expect this game to crack the 10k attendance mark given the heat and mixed messaging on tailgating. Glad to see a strong turnout. Even more glad to see additional trailer bathrooms added on the north end by the food trucks.
Stingers Up!
Hornet offense came out rolling and there wasn’t anything UTT could do to stop it. Hornet line dominated and took control early on. Very impressive and efficient showing through the air and on the ground. Loads of talent at every position is evident. This is going to be fun to watch as the season unfolds.
Hornet defense had some struggles but did make some big plays via the turnover (3 total) to put this one over early on. That 96 yard pick six set the tone of the game early, however the secondary got beat pretty bad with regularity during the game which is cause for concern. UTT is a pass happy offense, but the front will need to get more pressure on the QB to help with this concern. There are a lot of inexperienced players on this side of the ball so this unit should only improve as the season goes on.
Special teams had an outstanding night. Fulcher looked sharp on punt returns and had a phantom penalty negate at TD return. Tau-Tolliver looks electric on the kick returns (and out of the backfield). The on-side kick TD return by Skattebo was a sight to see. Only blemish were a couple of makeable FGs that were missed (Hornets cover if those were made, just sayin').
I didn’t expect this game to crack the 10k attendance mark given the heat and mixed messaging on tailgating. Glad to see a strong turnout. Even more glad to see additional trailer bathrooms added on the north end by the food trucks.
Stingers Up!
sacstateman
Active member
I'd still like to see Skattebo get at least 15 touchs per game.....he got 13 yesterday good for 226 yds.....Had one pass, that he caught, get knocked out of his hands or otherwise he would have added another 20+ yds to his total....He accounted for 38% of the offense....FEED THE BEAST.....
HornetHope
Active member
BuckeyeHornetFan said:
Offense was impressive, I am not concerned that they will keep us in the game.
I am pretty concerned about the D. Utah Tech O line is not top tier and we were neutralized most of the night on pass rush. If their QB’s would have connected on those wide open throws, by my count they would have had 2 TD’s and a red zone.
The good news is we have 2 weeks to get better in pass defense and blitzing every play is not an option.
We know from last year that Kyle is money in kicking game, so the snap/hold has to improve vastly in next 2 weeks, as we will need that in the upcoming 3 game road trip.
Overall it is a W and we all expect this team to improve and looking forward to UNI!
Stingers Up!
Super Hornet 2.0
Active member
Does this year look like a repeat of the two-QB rotation that seemed to work well last year? I was kinda-sorta hoping that O'Hara would compete for the Heisman (or at least the Payton), but if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?
stingthemgood
Active member
Super Hornet 2.0 said:
Do you follow the team... like at all?
