Week 10: Sac State @ Portland State

[SDHornet]

Week 10: Sac State @ Portland State

The Hornets will be heading to Portland for their last road game of the season this week. PSU is hot and the Hornets are floundering. Somehow the coaches will need to motivate these players to finish out the disappointing season and if the Hornets have another no-show on the road, this one can turn into an embarrassment. Having gotten gashed by NAU on the ground, they will need a way to shore up their run defense to stop the run heavy Pistol attack of PSU.

Offense
PSU runs out of the Pistol. It’s a run heavy attack and even though stud RB McCaffrey is out for the season, the Vikings still managed to run all over EWU last week. This offense can run with pretty much anyone in their lineup. PSU’s team stats and statistical leaders:

• • Rushing Offense: 279.0 ypg (1st BSC, 4th FCS)
  • Passing Offense: 156.1 ypg (9th BSC, 100th FCS)
  • Total Offense: 435.1 ypg (2nd BSC, 12th FCS)
  • Kavanaugh, QB: 78 of 130 for 855 yards, 5 TD’s, 4 INT’s, 109 carries for 807 yards, 6 TD’s
  • McCaffrey, RB: 122 carries for 731 yards, 13 TD’s (INJ)
  • Richard, RB: 94 carries for 369 yards, 4 TD’s, 6 recs for 34 yards, 1 TD
  • Monahan, WR: 32 recs for 402 yards, 4 TD’s
  • Lewis, WR: 16 recs for 194 yards, 1 TD
  • Noa, WR: 9 recs for 115 yards, 2 TD’s
  • Powell, WR: 9 recs for 104 yards
  • OL: Allowed 8 sacks
  • Avg TOP: 32:33

The Hornet defense will have to find a way to stop the run. The difference from last week to this week is that the Vikings are one dimensional and if the Hornets can slow down their rushing attack they should have a chance for a win.

Defense
PSU has had their issues on defense. They are ranked in the top half of the BSC however scheduling 2 non-D1 opponents will skew the numbers that way. The defense is young and still developing but their wins in recent weeks show they seem to be catching on. PSU’s defensive stats:

• • Rushing Defense: 124.4 ypg (2nd BSC, 31st FCS)
  • Passing Defense: 229.0 ypg (6th BSC, 86th FCS)
  • Total Defense: 353.4 ypg (3rd BSC, 57th, FCS)
  • Rau, LB: 70 tackles, 5.5 TFL’s, 2.5 sacks
  • Shead, SS: 43 tackles, 4 TFL’s, 5 sacks
  • Sluss, LB: 43 tackles, 10.5 TFL’s, 3.5 sacks
  • Bass, LB: 36 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 1 sack
  • Almond, S: 35 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s, 1 INT
  • Forbes, DE: 29 tackles, 5.5 TFL’s, 3 sacks
  • Wade, DT: 28 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, 2 sacks
  • Williams, CB: 27 tackles, 1 TFL’s, 1 INT
  • Ross, CB: 25 tackles, 1 TFL’s, 1 INT
  • Sisler, LB: 24 tackles, 6 TFL’s, 1 sack, 3 INT

I think the Hornets can move the ball on the PSU defense, but they will need to find ways to stop shooting themselves in the foot and get points. If this turns into a shootout, the Hornets will be in trouble.

Special Teams
PSU has a couple of guys that have the potential for a big return. Their kickers are both solid and as always the opponent’s kickers will give them the advantage in the kicking game. PSU’s season stats:

• • Brown, K: 14/15 FG’s, 23/25 PAT’s, FG long of 53 yards
  • Duyndam, P: 32 punts for 1,252 yards (39.1 ypp), 4 Inside 20, 3 TB’s, 9 FC’s
  • Powell, PR: 11 pr’s for 61 yards (5.5 ypr)
  • Lewis, KR: 24 kr’s for 592 yards (24.7 ypr)
  • Shead, KR: 10 kr’s for 222 yards (22.2 ypr)
  • Kick Coverage: Allowed 40 returns for 862 yards (21.5 ypr)
  • Punt Coverage: Allowed 8 returns for 128 yards (16.0 ypr)

The Hornets need to find a spark in the return game to try and cover for the lost points given up by the kicking game.

Intangibles

• • PSU has committed 98 penalties for 901 yards so far (112.6 ypg).
  • PSU’s turnover margin is +1 (4th BSC) compared to the Hornets -3 (T-6th BSC). Turnovers have killed the Hornets so far this season so that may continue this week as well.
  • PSU lot McCaffrey for the season but they have plenty of capable replacements to carry the rock. PSU didn’t skip a beat last week at EWU and they are coming into this game playing well.

Hornetsports preview:
Not yet released.

Sac State Sports:
Not yet released.

There isn’t much to say at this point in the season as the Hornets need to regroup and find a way to get one in the win column that might somehow lessen the disappointment of this season. The trip to Portland will be tough as the Vikings are looking to make some noise. If the Hornets struggle to stop the run, the Vikings will be able to run away with it.

Go Hornets!

 

[SDHornet]

Hornetsports preview:

http://www.hornetsports.com/sports/football/release.asp?release_id=9961

 

[FamousBaller]

Faced with the reality of the situation and the Hornets heartbreaking season I must acknowledge failure in the kicking game. Sub par performances from all specialists contributed to winable but ultimately lost games.

Unfortunately small problems for specialists sometimes make for big misses, and when those misses happen at the wrong moment it can cause big problems for a team. I promise nobody feels worse than a player (any player) who does not come through for his team. That's why I will always defend our boys because they care so much and try so hard, which position they play doesn't matter.

That said, it is time for a lineup change.
Diniz kickoffs
Heath2 punts and holds
Heath1 kicks field goals and PATs

Note: Augie Heath is an outstanding placekicker with 10 college field goals to his credit. This experienced senior (considered by some as the best athlete on our team) led Butte College to the National Championship in 2008 when he was a true freshman. As the only 2 way starter that year Augie made 10/13 field goals and put 55% of his kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks.

Go Hornets!

 

[SacHornet]

Faced with the reality of the situation and the Hornets heartbreaking season I must acknowledge failure in the kicking game. Sub par performances from all specialists contributed to winable but ultimately lost games.

Unfortunately small problems for specialists sometimes make for big misses, and when those misses happen at the wrong moment it can cause big problems for a team. I promise nobody feels worse than a player (any player) who does not come through for his team. That's why I will always defend our boys because they care so much and try so hard, which position they play doesn't matter.

That said, it is time for a lineup change.
Diniz kickoffs
Heath2 punts and holds
Heath1 kicks field goals and PATs

Note: Augie Heath is an outstanding placekicker with 10 college field goals to his credit. This experienced senior (considered by some as the best athlete on our team) led Butte College to the National Championship in 2008 when he was a true freshman. As the only 2 way starter that year Augie made 10/13 field goals and put 55% of his kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks.

Go Hornets!

i wont disagree that a change is needed but i heard they had a kicking competition last week and diniz won, granted this is just practice and i have no idea if anything has happened this week but if heath1 was that much better at fgs i feel that we would have seen him last week. With that said it might be nice to see him given a shot as the fgs have been a sore spot this year.

lastly as a side note i am disappointed in the coaches blowing heath2s redshirt, i do feel like he is the better punter but it would have been nice to keep his rs intact

 

[Kadeezy]

FamousBaller, very good observations. I've been very hard on Diniz, but I can't disagree with anything in your post.

SacHornet, I thought the same thing when I saw Heath2 out on the field but burning a RS for a punter isn't going to upset me too much. If they threw a suddenly healthy Jake Gerringer on the field I would've been pretty confused. But, if they were looking for an immediate upgrade, perhaps the 2.0 moves will help.

 

[SacHornet]

so assuming the kicking game isnt a factor do we have a chance in this game? i think its going to come down to whether or not we can contain their qb.

 

[SDHornet]

so assuming the kicking game isnt a factor do we have a chance in this game? i think its going to come down to whether or not we can contain their qb.

We have a chance. PSU is one dimensional which will help the defense try to focus in on stopping the run. Whether or not the defense will be able to do that is another question. I’m completely down on this team right now so I think we lose 35-28.

 

[DrMike]

PSU gives up alot of points; they are yielding over 30 points a game in the Big Sky, even giving up 35 to Idaho State. They did hold EWU to 26 points and minus-1 rushing yards! if they take away the run game, it could be a long night for the Hornets.

Montana State beat them in Portland 38-36; not sure the Hornets will be able to pull out the same type of score unless they have the same kind of success running as the Bobcats did.

 

[Kadeezy]

so assuming the kicking game isnt a factor do we have a chance in this game? i think its going to come down to whether or not we can contain their qb.

We have a chance. PSU is one dimensional which will help the defense try to focus in on stopping the run. Whether or not the defense will be able to do that is another question. I’m completely down on this team right now so I think we lose 35-28.

In true Hornet fashion, we will win out and come agonizingly close to the playoffs only to miss them, being one DI win short of the standard...

 

[OldGreen67]

I see our hornets bouncing back with a win this game...these young men have been battling hard and through some really tough injuries/breaks this year.

Hornets 34 - PSU 21 :thumb:

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I see our hornets bouncing back with a win this game...these young men have been battling hard and through some really tough injuries/breaks this year.

Hornets 34 - PSU 21 :thumb:

Is the new turf causing all these injuries? Seems to be alot of WR shoulder injuries.

 

[Green Laser]

I see our hornets bouncing back with a win this game...these young men have been battling hard and through some really tough injuries/breaks this year.

Hornets 34 - PSU 21 :thumb:

Is the new turf causing all these injuries? Seems to be alot of WR shoulder injuries.

Don't think so. Deadder & Reed was hurt at Montana State, Shaw at Oregon State, Fleming at a rally.
Not sure where the rest were injured, can't remember any injuries at the home games.

 

[SacHornet]

Is the new turf causing all these injuries? Seems to be alot of WR shoulder injuries.

Don't think so. Deadder & Reed was hurt at Montana State, Shaw at Oregon State, Fleming at a rally.
Not sure where the rest were injured, can't remember any injuries at the home games.

Montana State and Oregon state both have artificial turf and one of odiases injuries as well as norrises injury was at home. I remember seeing both come off the field holding their arms awkward like they hurt their shoulder

 

[jj2319]

Is the new turf causing all these injuries? Seems to be alot of WR shoulder injuries.

Don't think so. Deadder & Reed was hurt at Montana State, Shaw at Oregon State, Fleming at a rally.
Not sure where the rest were injured, can't remember any injuries at the home games.

Montana State and Oregon state both have artificial turf and one of odiases injuries as well as norrises injury was at home. I remember seeing both come off the field holding their arms awkward like they hurt their shoulder

I am pist that the tug-o-war was on turf - a real lack of foresight by those pep rally organizers!!

 

[SacHornet]

well looks like the offense is yet to show up

 

[SacHornet]

well we can thank all the points we have to our defense, offense still looks unimpressive

 

[GoldenEagleHornet]

As I watched the game, it really appeared as if the D really wanted a W and the O an L.

 

[hornet4life]

Is the new turf causing all these injuries? Seems to be alot of WR shoulder injuries.

Don't think so. Deadder & Reed was hurt at Montana State, Shaw at Oregon State, Fleming at a rally.
Not sure where the rest were injured, can't remember any injuries at the home games.

Montana State and Oregon state both have artificial turf and one of odiases injuries as well as norrises injury was at home. I remember seeing both come off the field holding their arms awkward like they hurt their shoulder

I am pist that the tug-o-war was on turf - a real lack of foresight by those pep rally organizers!!

Really?? pep rally organizers?...how about the coaches allowing something this stupid!

 

[DrMike]

i was just looking at the boxscore (i was at the Davis game so didn't follow anything live), and there's alot of head-scratchers. i really thought if you would hold PSU to 30 points, you win easily. obviously, that wasn't the case. 2 offensive TD's? that's really surprising. they did play pretty solid vs. EWU last week, but i figured Sac would have 30+ points. only 5 carries for Hillard? heck, only 14 for the 3 running backs. again, that's puzzling. looks like the injuries to the receivers really hurt, 19 completions for only 129 yards.

and....going for 2 on every TD? as i mentioned on a previous post, you only have to make 50% to have it make sense. 1 out of 3 isn't 50%. i don't quite get the strategy; you are gonna need a kick at some point the next two weeks, i don't think you throw out the kicking game completely (the kicker maybe..the kicking game...no).

davis beat poly 24-17; they were up 21-3 and had a TD called back on a ticky-tack offensive PI (sound familar...must be a point of emphasis this season) that would have made it 28-3. they also had a pick-6 called back that would have made it 31-10 on a personal foul (blocked the QB.....iffy call). if they had played like this all season, they'd probably be 5-4 instead of 3-6. i think both teams go into the Causeway 4-6, and its gonna be more of a toss-up than i thought, especially with the Sac injuries. i don't think either side of the Causeway had 4-6 (or 3-7) records in mind heading into the Causeway.

 

[jj2319]

Is the new turf causing all these injuries? Seems to be alot of WR shoulder injuries.

Don't think so. Deadder & Reed was hurt at Montana State, Shaw at Oregon State, Fleming at a rally.
Not sure where the rest were injured, can't remember any injuries at the home games.

Montana State and Oregon state both have artificial turf and one of odiases injuries as well as norrises injury was at home. I remember seeing both come off the field holding their arms awkward like they hurt their shoulder

I am pist that the tug-o-war was on turf - a real lack of foresight by those pep rally organizers!!

Really?? pep rally organizers?...how about the coaches allowing something this stupid!

H4L: I was just inserting some jocularity into totally disappointing season. Last time I blasted Sperbeck for anything, nobody agreed.