Week 13 - Causeway
The 4th ranked Hornets (8-3, 6-1 BSC) hosts the team across the Causeway (5-6, 3-4 BSC) for the 66th matchup this week. The Hornets clinched their first D1 postseason berth with last week's win over Idaho, but it’s been a different story for that other team who have been out of the playoff conversation since their
20-36 loss to Weber State a month ago. They most recently took a beating at home to Montana State,
27-17.
They have a versatile offense that can move the ball well through the air and effectively on the ground. They operate mostly out of the shotgun. Their offense is currently ranked T-16th/5th in FCS/BSC: 29.5 ppg (50th/6th), 445.5 ypg, 129.4 rush ypg (90th/10th), 316.1 pass ypg (5th/3rd). QB Jake Maier (302/456, 3330 yds, 27 TD, 12 INT) became their all-time leading passer last week. He leads the offense and does an excellent job of distributing the ball to various players. WRs Khris Vaughn (47 rec, 621 yds, 8 TD) and Lance Babb (41 rec, 530 yds, 4 TD) are the top two targets at receiver, with 3 other players with 33 or more receptions and 400+ yards. Their offensive breakout star is by far RB Ulonzo Gilliam (221 car, 1188 yds, 11 TD, 49 rec, 292 yds, 1 TD) who gets it done on the ground and catching it out of the backfield.
Their defense operates from the 4-3 and has had its issues this season. They are currently ranked 99th/pth in FCS/BSC: 29.5 ppg (76th/7th), 436.5 ypg, 188.2 rush ypg (88th/9th), 248.4 pass ypg (96th/7th). They have decent size up front but give up a lot of yards on the ground. LBs Eric Flowers (73 tkl, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Connor Airey (70 tkl, 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks) leads the defense.
They have one of the better kickers in the BSC. Max O’Rourke (10/13 FG, 36/38 PAT) has hit a long of 48 on the season. They are 2nd in the BSC in net punting (40.3 ypp).
They have a more than capable offense that should give the Hornet defense problems. Maier is not a mobile QB, but they do not give up many sacks. On the other side of the ball, their defense has struggled against a physical offensive front and have shown to get worn out in the latter part of games against tough running offenses. The Hornets have their tickets punched for the playoffs, with a share of the BSC title and a seed/first round bye at stake. I’m going with a physical Hornet Causeway win as this program gears up for the playoffs.
Stingers Up!
