• Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts, upgrade to remove ads and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your BigSkyFans.com experience today!

Week 10: Sac State vs (#3) Montana State

I'm really bumming right now. What you all say is correct (Safron with the overthrows, the blown call in the end zone, the fluky punt dealie, etc.), but for me, the takeaway is a couple of decisions that come back on Sperbeck:

1. The Cal Poly-like decision to go for it on fourth down early instead of taking the FG.
2. The inexplicable decision to use a kicker NOT named Edgar Castaneda to kick a FG to extend the lead in the fourth.

Either one of those would have put the game into OT, and BOTH would have won the game without OT despite the quirky way in which the game ended.

That said, I think we still have a chance IF we do something next week that I generally can't stomach: running up the score on UCD. I'm not sure that that will help very much, but it seems to me the ONLY shot we have now despite having a B(C)$ win, a win over #11, and a VERY close loss to #3. We HAVE to have a blowout and nothing short of that. In fact, it might have to look like what Weber and PSU did to ISU, and even then it might not be enough. Tonight was our real chance, and Sperbeck blew it....
 
tough loss to a very good team; you guys have had a pretty great season so far -> a couple close losses to really good teams separate you from the top of the FCS. that North Dakota loss is really gonna haunt you (potentially). in retrospect, its hard to believe you lost to New Mexico State. either of those games would put you in, regardless of the Nov. 17 outcome. i think Poly losses at NAU (they really took advantage of a weak early BSC schedule). be interesting to see if their 8-3 is 'better' than your 7-4.

disappointing to see only 7400 in the stands. i'm just not sure that the sac area (and i put Davis in that area) will ever support a good program.

maybe we'll run into each other on the 17th; i'll be hosting my own causeway battle tailgate with my sac grad (with sac fiance) and my davis grad in attendence!
 
:agree: :agree: :agree:
GoAgs72 said:
Two things we can both agree on:
1. Montana State is good but not great
2. The Big Sky refs SUCK!
Click to expand...
:agree:

I would love to see all of the AD's get together and vote Foolerton out. His Montana based homer attitude has worn thin on me, from the "TV ripoff" to the refs who favor the state of MT.
 
Tough game you guys!!

I definitely think you're playoff worthy, but I'm torn. If Poly wins out I don't see you getting in, but if Poly loses to NAU there goes our chance of a 3rd straight share of the BSC crown.

Good luck the rest of the way!!
 
And the Refs did truly SUCK!! Worst crew in the BSC, and unfortunately, they get assigned to many of the biggest games :(

If you can believe this, that crew was even worse at EWU@MSU!!
 
WalkOn79 said:
Tough game you guys!!

I definitely think you're playoff worthy, but I'm torn. If Poly wins out I don't see you getting in, but if Poly loses to NAU there goes our chance of a 3rd straight share of the BSC crown.

Good luck the rest of the way!!
Click to expand...

Yep, and we would be more playoff worthy had Foolerton not called this games outcome before it started. Don't mind losing, but hate having it 2 against 1.
 
Recap/Thoughts

Got this one out really late. Work got pretty busy so sorry to keep you all waiting on this one.
The Hornets (6-4, 4-3 BSC) came into this game with a lot of momentum and were still playing with a lot of emotion. Unfortunately the Hornets could not overcome a significant bad call, multiple turnovers, and some questionable coaching decisions and the Hornets fell 20-17 at home to Montana State (8-1, 5-1 BSC) in front of a paltry crowd of 7,143.
The Hornets played well against top ranked MSU, and took another top ranked team to the edge. Unfortunately the Hornets came up just short and headed into the bye week on a sour note.

Offense
The offense played okay for the most part. The Hornets were able to move the ball through the air but only had minimal success on the ground and ultimately couldn’t do enough to get this one in the win column. The refs blew a Knowles TD catch early in the game and unfortunately that turned out to be the difference on the scoreboard. Turnovers played a major role as the offense was responsible for 3 of the 4 Hornet turnovers. Norrise let an easy one bounce off his hands that MSU capitalized on and Safron had a fumble late in the game. Safron threw another pick late in the game but I thought Robertson should have made a play on the ball that could have resulted in a big gain.

Game Stats:
  • • Passing: 250 yds (12.5 ypc), 2 TD’s
    • Rushing: 82 yds (3.0 ypr), 0 TD’s
    • Total Offense: 332 yds, 2 TD’s, 1 FG’s
    • Time of Possession: 26:43
    • Turnovers: 4 (2 INT’s, 2 Fum’s)
    • Penalties: 5 for 52 yds
    • (#12) Safron: 20 of 35 for 250 yds, 2 TD’s, 2 INT’s, 7 carries for 1 yds
    • (#8) Graham: 13 carries for 60 yds, 1 recs for 6 yds
    • (#13) Norrise: 5 recs for 128 yds, 1 TD
    • (#9) De’jon Coleman: 4 carries for 15 yds, 1 rec for 3 yds
    • (#17) Knowles: 7 rec for 55 yds, 1 TD
    • (#2) Carter: 2 recs for 21 yds
    • (#87) Cox: 4 recs for 37 yds
    • (#24) McCowan: 2 carries for 8 yds
    • (#81) Robertson: None
    • (#15) Harrison: None
    • (#21) Ellis: None
    • (#10) Dotson: None
    • (#80) Broadnax: None
The Hornet offensive line held their own against a stout MSU front 7. The running game didn’t get going much but it was enough to keep the Bobcat defense honest and that allowed the Hornets to move the ball through the air. I thought that Safron could have done better. He missed on some shots down the field but his shorter throws were catchable. It was an okay performance considering the Hornets went up against the top defense in the BSC. The lack of a playmaking receiver that can “go up and get it” was once again the glaring shortcoming.

Defense
The defense had another outstanding game, specifically the front 6. The defensive line chased McGhee all game and recorded 5 sacks. The MSU passing game was never able to get going and that was largely due to the pressure up front. Unfortunately the Hornets had to try and stop Cody Kirk who has an amazing game and he was the main reason MSU scored its 2 TD’s. All in all the defense held up their end of the bargain again and made MSU earn every inch.

Game Stats:
  • • Passing Allowed: 105 yds (7.5 ypc), 0 TD’s
    • Rushing Allowed: 170 yds (3.7 ypr), 2 TD’s
    • Total Offense Allowed: 275 yds, 2 TD’s, 1 FG
    • Opponent Tim of Possession: 33:17
    • Turnovers Forced: 0 (0 INT’s, 0 Fum’s)
    • Opponents Penalties: 12 for 133 yds
    • (#3) Washington: 13 tackles, 0.5 TFL’s
    • (#91) Davis: 11 tackles, 2 TFL’s
    • (#31) Williams: 7 tackles, 1 TFL’s
    • (#1) Odiase: 5 tackles, 1 BU
    • (#34) Totty: 5 tackles, 1 TFL
    • (#11) Badger: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
    • (#51) White: 4 tackles, 2 TFL’s, 2 sacks, 1 FF
    • (#6) McMahon: 4 tackles, 1 FF
    • (#97) Castro: 3 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s
    • (#92)Kelly/ (#48) Fernandez: 3 tackles
    • (#62) Lawrence/ (#44) Sankey: 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
    • (#14) Armstrong/ (#49) Mazza: 2 tackles
    • Everyone else: 1 tackle
The Hornet secondary had a surprising game. MSU did not break many big yardage plays and the longest passing play allowed was for 18 yards. This was also the first defense to not allow a passing TD to McGhee in all of his starts. This defensive unit had a solid all around performance and did enough for the Hornets to win this game. According to MSU’s head coach this defensive performance was aided by stolen signals, but seeing how this defense has been playing the past few weeks; I’m not buying it.

Special Teams
The special teams didn’t have a great game. Most of the kickoffs were short pouch kicks to the MSU up-backs. The special teams were also responsible for a turnover. MSU had a low line punt that touched a Hornet player on a fluke bounce. I can’t really say this was avoidable and was just an unlucky bounce. I also don’t fault Ruhnke for the missed 53 yard FG in the 4th quarter. That was a blown coaching decision, and unfortunately it gave all the momentum to MSU. Sperbeck also opted to pass up a long FG early in the game.

Game Stats:
  • • (#58) Castaneda: 1/1 FG, 2/2 PAT’s
    • (#52) Ruhnke: 0/1 FG’s, 4 kickoffs for 49.5 ypk avg., 0 TB
    • (#45) Weldon: 3 punts for a 37.7 ypp avg., 1 I-20
    • (#13) Norrise: 3 pr’s for 61 yds (20.3 ypr)
    • (#24) McCowan: 3 kr’s for 55 yds (18.3 ypr)
    • Kick Coverage: Allowed 47 yds on 3 returns (15.7 ypr)
    • Punt Coverage: Allowed 3 yds on 1 returns (3.0 ypr)
The only standout plays on special teams was the punt returning game. Norrise had a solid game here and was able to break open a big return. Other than that it was just an average game marred by questionable coaching decisions.

Injuries
I don’t recall any Hornets suffering any injuries. Weaver missed another game but other than that I don’t recall if any players missed some time.

Ultimately there were plenty of mistakes by both the players and coaches that cost this team a victory. Hopefully the Hornets were able to get some rest during this bye week and get their minds back in focus. The Hornets have had a very physical set of games against top ranked opponents in a row. The Hornets will have to get back up and gear up for the Causeway next week. This team has been very competitive against the top opponents and hopefully they were able to stay hungry and keep their edge during their time off.

Go Hornets!

Hornetsports Recap: http://www.hornetsports.com/sports/football/release.asp?release_id=10775

SSS Recap: http://sacstatesports.com/2012/11/04/turnovers-doom-sac-state-in-loss-to-montana-state/

SSS Photos: http://sacstatesports.com/2012/11/04/photo-gallery-montana-state-20-sac-state-17/

Sac Bee: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/03/4959976/after-loss-to-montana-state-sac.html

Highlights:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTMROM8ZeYk&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
 
just a sac state fan said:
Looks like Robert Beale missed the game. Does anyone know what his injury is, and will he be back for the Davis game.
Click to expand...
He missed some games earlier in the season. Possibly re-aggravated whatever was bothering him earlier in the season.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top