Week 10 - Sac State vs Portland State

[Super Hornet 2.0]

I don't know how much this means in this year of coaching mess-ups, but this happened tonight....

 

[HornetFootballFan]

I don't know how much this means in this year of coaching mess-ups, but this happened tonight....

I’m proud of him. He has a great arm. Looks like he tonite felt the pocket better moving forward to scramble when needed rather than retreating and giving up big loss sacks.

If Troy Taylor were running offense he and KB would have been tearing it up this season.

 

[SDHornet]

58-38 Hornet loss. I wouldn’t have been surprised at a loss but wasn’t expecting such an embarrassing performance on the defensive side of the ball. The worst part of this loss, at least on the defensive side of the ball, was that it was the regular players that were getting torched and not some freshmen getting reps. At least if it were some freshmen, we could point to young players getting development reps in, but it was the same awful players getting torched all season long. Very disappointing that we didn’t get to see significant playing time for some freshman. That aside, Coach Thompson and his players were completely outcoached and outplayed all game long, especially on 3rd down. Worst defensive performance since the UIW game, not really sure where the defense goes from here.

Offensively we got to see Carson Conklin (31/38, 314 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT) continue to grow and excel. Aside from one bad throw into coverage, his decision making and play making was very good. I don’t recall seeing him bail from any pockets this game and throw away plays with a needless scramble. He has also gotten much more accurate on the deep throws.

Special teams continue to fall apart on the kick coverage. Could have been due to a lot of younger players on the field, but the coverage team has been trending downward for some time now. Kicker Zach Schreiner (1/1 FG, 5/5 PAT) drilled a 41 yarder on his lone attempt.

Here are my takeaways from the game:

• Injuries, injuries, injuries. Coleman Kuntz and Kenndel Riley got injured and didn’t return. Both walked off on their own power. A host of others got banged up and eventually returned. The health of this team has been an absolute mess all season.
• Defense is a complete disaster, not really sure where this team goes from here. The secondary is just completely lost. Is it scheme or are these defensive backs just this awful? It’s amazing how clueless they are this deep into the season.
• That incomplete pass looked like a fumble which would have been a fortuitous stop for the defense. I haven’t seen a replay but it looked like the PSU receiver made a football move before the ball popped out.
• Defensive line got dominated up front. There was no push all night in either the run or pass rush.
• Offensive play calling was creative and got the ball to athletic players in space. Unfortunately the offense needed to generate points on every possession to have a chance at a win in this game.
• Conklin continues to impress. One bad throw on the night, made a couple runs when no one got open. Another solid game to build on.
• Anderson Grover (8 rec, 134 yds, 1 TD) hit pay dirt on another long ball and Jared Gipson (6 rec, 49 yds, 2 TD) had some scores as well.
• Tight end Jayden Flaig (4 rec, 37 yds, 1 TD) looked good coming in off the bench for an injured Kuntz. Lots of potential here.
• Running game is non-existent with ETT out. Curron Borders (11 car, 33 yds, 4 rec, 16 yds) was ineffective against a bad defense and had a disappointing game considering the amount of touches he got.
• Ezra Moleni (5 car, 35 yds) looked more effective on the ground, especially inside the tackles so it was disappointing that he didn’t see more workload.

It was obvious going into this game that changes were needed, but now it's more of a question of who and when rather than if and why. The defense was completely outclassed and unprepared for the game, Coach Thompson is going to have to find some answers somewhere.

Stingers Up!

 

[Kadeezy]

That was difficult to watch.

I mean, I had hope, but you just knew going into the game the vibes were bad and that Chanchere’s style was going to slice and dice us.

 

[HornetFootballFan]

Yes… that game really happened!

Felt like a bad dream. Portland St trash talking us as well.

If we can’t win at FCS with these coaches then we won’t win at FBS for sure.

 

[HornetFootballFan]

Meanwhile F UCD brings in a new FB coach and he is kicking a z z.

 

[Hornet99]

What you guys aren’t taking about is how much KB screwed this team! He was the most touted preseason, every article. The coaches were all in (didn’t bring in any competition) and then he just quits the team two games in. How could that be? There are so many great FBS we could have brought on the roster. It would’ve changed everything. In end Just a bad mix of characters from on this team ultimately. I put a lot more on the players for not giving the effort for their scholarships. should take scholarship for not hustling

 

[GreenArmySwarm]

What you guys aren’t taking about is how much KB screwed this team! He was the most touted preseason, every article. The coaches were all in (didn’t bring in any competition) and then he just quits the team two games in. How could that be? There are so many great FBS we could have brought on the roster. It would’ve changed everything. In end Just a bad mix of characters from on this team ultimately. I put a lot more on the players for not giving the effort for their scholarships. should take scholarship for not hustling

Blaming KB is laughable. Especially after more than half the people on here wanted him benched. Well, people got what they wanted. This is a lack of personnel management and it has been going on for a long time. This coaching staff doesn’t coach with love like TT. They used the equity he built to push their own vision and here we are. Blaming college students for lack of leadership by grown men who get paid in the high six figures to do this.

 

[Hornet99]

Blaming KB is laughable. Especially after more than half the people on here wanted him benched. Well, people got what they wanted. This is a lack of personnel management and it has been going on for a long time. This coaching staff doesn’t coach with love like TT. They used the equity he built to push their own vision and here we are. Blaming college students for lack of leadership by grown men who get paid in the high six figures to do this.

You missed the point, the coaches had been loyal to KB by not bringing in competition and then he QUITS after two games!! That has nothing to do with coaching. Coaches have blame as well (not saying they dont) but I am pointing this has had a huge impact.

 

[GreenArmySwarm]

You missed the point, the coaches had been loyal to KB by not bringing in competition and then he QUITS after two games!! That has nothing to do with coaching. Coaches have blame as well (not saying they dont) but I am pointing this has had a huge impact.

Missed the point? Coaches “loyal” to KB? Did KB not get yanked the second he made a mistake not even a quarter way into the season? Then got slap with the “injury” status. Once again, blaming one singular college student for a coaching staff that has been trending down. Blaming one college student for losing to a 1 win team in which, in which a game he would be sitting on the bench for, is absolutely absurd. Take a break. Come back next year.

 

[Hornet99]

Missed the point? Coaches “loyal” to KB? Did KB not get yanked the second he made a mistake not even a quarter way into the season? Then got slap with the “injury” status. Once again, blaming one singular college student for a coaching staff that has been trending down. Blaming one college student for losing to a 1 win team in which, in which a game he would be sitting on the bench for, is absolutely absurd. Take a break. Come back next year.

Your top guy can’t quit on the team. If you don’t understand that it’s point to chat. that happening right in the beginning has a big impact. What do you think if top players on other teams like Lan Larison, Mellot, etc just quit after two games, those teams would be a lot worse than they are now (not as bad as us because more overall talented teams).

 

[SDHornet]

The KB criticism is valid. This is a completely different team with a different offensive swagger with KB at the helm. That said it was obvious from the Conklin spot starts last season that he was the heir apparent, and as each week passes and his development continues that is looking more and more like the right call. KB quitting just moved the time table on Conklin's role in this offense up a year. We were going to have growing pains on offense at some point, it's just happening this season instead of next season.

We've never developed a high school quarterback since Garrett Safron...some of you johnny come lately fans probably have no idea who that is so feel free to dig into the record books and compare the two freshman campaigns. I'm bullish on the Hornet offense in the coming years, assuming we can keep Conklin here beyond next season. In the end I think Coach Fresques will be vindicated on the decision to put the eggs in the Conklin basket, because it's certainly trending that direction.

We know the offensive line will be fine under Coach Richardson. With Riley going down that's 3 projected preseason starters not in the lineup and this unit has still held up. The priority will be for the coaches to surround Conklin with talent, which can be addressed with some strategic coaching moves. It's not going to be a tough sell to get playmakers wanting to play catch with a gunslinger like Conklin.

Defense is another matter. I will point out that it is a bit ironic seeing all the Taylor fanboi's calling for Coach Thompson's head considering it was Taylor himself that poached Andy from SUU. Quite the conundrum for the checkers players in the fan base. It's fair to speculate whether or not Coach Thompson is in over his head at head coach, but to say he doesn't know what he is doing on defense is just flat out wrong.

The Hornet secondary has been atrocious for quite some time, and it predates this season...hell it predates multiple head coach/defensive coordinator eras, regardless Coach Thompson is accountable as the buck stops with him. Yes there has been and currently are some good individual talent, but clearly the guys they have on the 2 deep right now aren't very good as a unit. The coaching staff will have to do some soul searching on how to shore that up this offseason.

Experienced and talented dual threat quarterbacks are always going to be a bad matchup for opposing defenses. You see it at the various strata in FBS and it's even more exasperated at the FCS level due to the drop off in defensive talent. Last night Andy threw the kitchen sink at the PSU offense and nothing worked. The Hornets went 4-3 against PSU's 12 and 22 personnel looks, they went man free, zone, blitzes, 8 man coverage in 3rd and long against their spread...we saw it all and nothing worked; the Hornets just got whipped in every facet on that side of the ball.

 

[GreenArmySwarm]

So KB sitting on the bench on this game would have changed the outcome of the game? And the game before? And the game before?

Grown men taking frustration out on a college QB that they wanted to bench who would not have not have any impact on the game. (SD, I do acknowledge that you’re one of the few people on this board that said KB should be part of the fold this year).

You can’t have it both ways. If you say Conklin is the future and it’s right to play him now, then you literally can’t blame KB for how the WHOLE team has sucked this season. Now, if you’re saying KB should be playing right now, then that’s a different story. BF can’t manage student athletes. It was TT. And always has been. TT took all the good coaches with him with the exception of Thompson (in a coordinator position).

 

[HornetFootballFan]

You missed the point, the coaches had been loyal to KB by not bringing in competition and then he QUITS after two games!! That has nothing to do with coaching. Coaches have blame as well (not saying they dont) but I am pointing this has had a huge impact.

Coaches brought in young JC transfer also who finished last 5 min of game last night as well.

KB hurt his own reputation with his character.
Bye Felicia!

Coaches must have total feel for team chemistry, leadership, depth charts, and attitudes.

After Troy Taylor left, I never heard the word “love again” from coaching staff.

KB was playing only for himself and he would pout on sidelines if he didn’t get his way.

With NIL. D1 Football has become semi pro league for NFL.

Let’s hope our NIL funds become available where we can bring in high 3 & 4 ️ talent.

Yes… New Leadership too. However I’d try to retain OL / RB / Maybe Cherokee in recruiting?

Not even confident in his role as coach. Seems he’s a better recruiter than coach? TBD

 

[HornetFootballFan]

So KB sitting on the bench on this game would have changed the outcome of the game? And the game before? And the game before?

Grown men taking frustration out on a college QB that they wanted to bench who would not have not have any impact on the game. (SD, I do acknowledge that you’re one of the few people on this board that said KB should be part of the fold this year).

You can’t have it both ways. If you say Conklin is the future and it’s right to play him now, then you literally can’t blame KB for how the WHOLE team has sucked this season. Now, if you’re saying KB should be playing right now, then that’s a different story. BF can’t manage student athletes. It was TT. And always has been. TT took all the good coaches with him with the exception of Thompson (in a coordinator position).

KB & Conklin should have stayed in our legacy 2 QB system subbing per what the D gives us!

KB should have been playing too in my opinion.

 

[HeavyistheClown]

You missed the point, the coaches had been loyal to KB by not bringing in competition and then he QUITS after two games!! That has nothing to do with coaching. Coaches have blame as well (not saying they dont) but I am pointing this has had a huge impact.

Uh, no. Defense lost this game. Under TT, Thompson was mediocre at best. As HC, he is way over his head.

Hire the Incarnate Word HC, that guy stepped in and continues to keep their program humming and kicking ass.

During the stadium presser, didn’t Orr refer to Thompson as the best coach in the land?

Hahahaha

 

[Hornet99]

You missed the point, the coaches had been loyal to KB by not bringing in competition and then he QUITS after two games!! That has nothing to do with coaching. Coaches have blame as well (not saying they dont) but I am pointing this has had a huge impact.

I know it’s a lot to put on one kid but all your teammates are counting on you as well as senior qb returning (just the reality). He had two years to sit and watch O’Hara to see how to play. If O’Hara just quit two games into that season would’ve been a lot different/worse. Cooklin is good but doesn’t know how to win yet. When you have to start Freshman QB that spent all offseason prepping to be the backup, this type of season happens. It’s just objective. When we had to start Freshman QBs in 2010s, same thing happened.

 

[Hornet25]

I get the injuries, but more disappointed in the defense than the offense. Not enough quality depth it appears. When talent is equal or less than your opponent, that's when the coaching kicks in.

2nd half of games is when coaching kicks in. The team is getting beat consistently in the second half of games.

This team needs more defensive depth and better coaching.

It's not personal, just business. Coaches have to manage players and their egos (KB), manage adversity, make adjustments in the 2nd half of games and 2nd half of the season and win.

 

[SDHornet]

So KB sitting on the bench on this game would have changed the outcome of the game? And the game before? And the game before?

Grown men taking frustration out on a college QB that they wanted to bench who would not have not have any impact on the game. (SD, I do acknowledge that you’re one of the few people on this board that said KB should be part of the fold this year).

You can’t have it both ways. If you say Conklin is the future and it’s right to play him now, then you literally can’t blame KB for how the WHOLE team has sucked this season. Now, if you’re saying KB should be playing right now, then that’s a different story. BF can’t manage student athletes. It was TT. And always has been. TT took all the good coaches with him with the exception of Thompson (in a coordinator position).

Both can be true. The quarterback is the natural leader on the offense, to say that KB quitting had no effect on the team and the offense because he would have been on the bench is underselling that impact quite a bit. You also have to factor that opposing defenses would have had to prep for a mobile QB instead of game planning for a pocket passer. KB quitting has an impact on this season, but it's not the sole reason for the lack of success.

If KB was bought into the 2 QB system then my guess is we would have seen it. Maybe that wasn't the case and Coach Fresques had no intention of using that system. Even so, given KB's issues with durability it was highly likely that Conklin was going to see extended time this season anyways. All that said, it doesn't really matter now. We are where we are and this offense is starting to find its footing and we are seeing a young quarterback blossom in front of our eyes.

Ironically enough, in the first half of the season it was mainly on the offense as to why we weren't getting wins. Last night it was 100% the defenses lack of preparedness and poor execution to blame for the loss.

 

[HeavyistheClown]

If Conklin wins the Jerry Rice award he will be pulled to a bigger program, just like Skatte Boo after he won Sky Offensive POY award. We could be looking at another QB reset next year. Winners want to win.