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Week 2 - #8/8 Sac State at Fresno State

SDHornet

SDHornet

Moderator
Staff member
Week 2 - #8/8 Sac State at Fresno State

The Hornets (0-1) hop on a bus to face another in-state CSU foe in Fresno State (0-1). The Bulldogs were picked to finish 3rd in the Mountain West and are coming off of a tough 10-30 opening game loss at defending FBS National Champion and 9th ranked Michigan. Fresno State had an impressive showing in the Big House as they were able to match Michigan’s physicality and kept it close until late. A 4th quarter Bulldog touchdown made it a 6 point game, unfortunately the wheels came off and Michigan was able to pull away late.

Offensively, the Bulldogs had a pretty balanced play selection and didn’t abandon the run until they fell behind by 2 possessions late in the game. The Bulldog offensive line is big and physical and it was obvious that this offense wants to pound the ball with running back Malik Sherrod (14 car, 24 yds, 2 rec, 10 yds). At quarterback, Mikey Keene (22/36, 235 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT) displayed great poise in one of the most difficult places to play last week. He was able to lead the Bulldog offense and keep them in the game late. Keene’s main targets last week were wide receivers Jalen Moss (6 rec, 97 yds) and Mac Dalena (6 rec, 67 yds).

Defensively, the Bulldogs did very well to get stops and keep the game from getting out of hand early. The FSU defensive line is big and got a sack at Michigan a week ago. The Bulldog 4-2-5 was effective in preventing the big play. Cornerback Cam Lockridge (6 tak, 1 TFL, 1 INT) had an interception last week and safety Camryn Bracha (10 tak, 1 TFL) led the team in tackles.

On special teams the Bulldogs gave up a couple of big returns on both punt and kick coverage. Kicker Dylan Lynch (1/1 FG, 1/1 PAT) connected on a 41 yard field goal and punter Clay Lawrence (42.1 ypp) had a long of 49 yards and dropped 3 of 7 punts inside the 20 yard line.

Position Advantage
  • Quarterback: Bulldogs. Mikey Keene can stretch the field a lot better than Kaiden Bennett.
  • Running Backs: Bulldogs. Slight edge to Malik Sherrod over Elijah Tau-Tolliver.
  • Wide Receivers: Bulldogs. Bigger threats on the FSU side between Jalen Moss and Chedon James as opposed to Jared Gipson and Anderson Grover.
  • Tight Ends: Push. Both offenses use a lot of tight end combinations in the running game. Hard to say if Coleman Kunts has an edge over Kamron Beachem or vice versa.
  • Offensive Line: Bulldogs. As impressive of a performance the Hornet offensive line had at San Jose, the composure the Bulldog offensive line had at the Big House is more notable.
  • Defensive Line: Bulldogs. Both defensive lines performed well last week, FSU had a more impressive showing given their opponent. I don’t expect the Hornet defensive line to hold up too well this week.
  • Linebackers: Bulldogs. FSU’s Malachi Langley and Tuasivi Nomura showed out and had solid performances last week. The Hornets top linebacker Will Leota missed most of the game last week due to targeting while Nakian Jackson performed well.
  • Defensive Backs: Bulldogs.The FSU secondary held Michigan to 121 yards on 27 attempts while the Hornet secondary got torched.
  • Punters: Bulldogs. Clay Lawrance had an impressive showing last week, Cal McGough had some good boots but none inside the 20.
  • Kickers: Push. Both Dylan Lynch and Zach Schreiner are solid through the mid-range field goals.
  • Kick Returners: Hornets. The Bulldogs didn’t get much of a chance at returns last week as they were all touchbacks. Hornets get this by default with Joshua Nicholson having a return of 22 yards last week.
I don’t expect this game to be very competitive over the course of the game. The Bulldogs might have a bit of a hangover coming into this game coming off an emotionally tough loss on a national stage, but FSU should win this game comfortably. The Hornet offensive line is going to have their hands full against a very stout Bulldog defensive line, the Hornet defensive front is facing a much better offensive line, and the Hornet secondary is facing a much better quarterback this week compared to last. I’m hoping the Hornets can keep it close for a quarter or two, avoid a shutout and get through this one unscathed by major injury.

Stingers Up!
 
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Nice analysis as always, SD. I fully expect this game to be quite a bit tougher, but if we stick with the running game, we should do OK.
 
Remember the years when this team almost always started off 0-2 due to two body bag games? That sure hasn’t happened in a while. It may happen again this season, but not w/o a fight.

Fresno might be very good compared to the average Big Sky or FCS team, but it’s not as if they are Ohio State, Alabama, or Georgia good. Hell, I’m not even convinced Fresno is better than the team we just played (they weren’t last season). Idaho just gave Oregon a helluva game last week. If the Hornets play their game and play it well, they can beat FSU.

Hopefully we see a lot more of Carson Conklin and our OC sticking with what’s working.
 
SDHornet said:
Week 2 - #8/8 Sac State at Fresno State

The Hornets (0-1) hop on a bus to face another in-state CSU foe in Fresno State (0-1). The Bulldogs were picked to finish 3rd in the Mountain West and are coming off of a tough 10-30 opening game loss at defending FBS National Champion and 9th ranked Michigan. Fresno State had an impressive showing in the Big House as they were able to match Michigan’s physicality and kept it close until late. A 4th quarter Bulldog touchdown made it a 6 point game, unfortunately the wheels came off and Michigan was able to pull away late.

Offensively, the Bulldogs had a pretty balanced play selection and didn’t abandon the run until they fell behind by 2 possessions late in the game. The Bulldog offensive line is big and physical and it was obvious that this offense wants to pound the ball with running back Malik Sherrod (14 car, 24 yds, 2 rec, 10 yds). At quarterback, Mikey Keene (22/36, 235 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT) displayed great poise in one of the most difficult places to play last week. He was able to lead the Bulldog offense and keep them in the game late. Keene’s main targets last week were wide receivers Jalen Moss (6 rec, 97 yds) and Mac Dalena (6 rec, 67 yds).

Defensively, the Bulldogs did very well to get stops and keep the game from getting out of hand early. The FSU defensive line is big and got a sack at Michigan a week ago. The Bulldog 4-2-5 was effective in preventing the big play. Cornerback Cam Lockridge (6 tak, 1 TFL, 1 INT) had an interception last week and safety Camryn Bracha (10 tak, 1 TFL) led the team in tackles.

On special teams the Bulldogs gave up a couple of big returns on both punt and kick coverage. Kicker Dylan Lynch (1/1 FG, 1/1 PAT) connected on a 41 yard field goal and punter Clay Lawrence (42.1 ypp) had a long of 49 yards and dropped 3 of 7 punts inside the 20 yard line.

Position Advantage
  • Quarterback: Bulldogs. Mikey Keene can stretch the field a lot better than Kaiden Bennett.
  • Running Backs: Bulldogs. Slight edge to Malik Sherrod over Elijah Tau-Tolliver.
  • Wide Receivers: Bulldogs. Bigger threats on the FSU side between Jalen Moss and Chedon James as opposed to Jared Gipson and Anderson Grover.
  • Tight Ends: Push. Both offenses use a lot of tight end combinations in the running game. Hard to say if Coleman Kunts has an edge over Kamron Beachem or vice versa.
  • Offensive Line: Bulldogs. As impressive of a performance the Hornet offensive line had at San Jose, the composure the Bulldog offensive line had at the Big House is more notable.
  • Defensive Line: Bulldogs. Both defensive lines performed well last week, FSU had a more impressive showing given their opponent. I don’t expect the Hornet defensive line to hold up too well this week.
  • Linebackers: Bulldogs. FSU’s Malachi Langley and Tuasivi Nomura showed out and had solid performances last week. The Hornets top linebacker Will Leota missed most of the game last week due to targeting while Nakian Jackson performed well.
  • Defensive Backs: Bulldogs.The FSU secondary held Michigan to 121 yards on 27 attempts while the Hornet secondary got torched.
  • Punters: Bulldogs. Clay Lawrance had an impressive showing last week, Cal McGough had some good boots but none inside the 20.
  • Kickers: Push. Both Dylan Lynch and Zach Schreiner are solid through the mid-range field goals.
  • Kick Returners: Hornets. The Bulldogs didn’t get much of a chance at returns last week as they were all touchbacks. Hornets get this by default with Joshua Nicholson having a return of 22 yards last week.
I don’t expect this game to be very competitive over the course of the game. The Bulldogs might have a bit of a hangover coming into this game coming off an emotionally tough loss on a national stage, but FSU should win this game comfortably. The Hornet offensive line is going to have their hands full against a very stout Bulldog defensive line, the Hornet defensive front is facing a much better offensive line, and the Hornet secondary is facing a much better quarterback this week compared to last. I’m hoping the Hornets can keep it close for a quarter or two, avoid a shutout and get through this one unscathed by major injury.

Stingers Up!
Click to expand...
Nice Job..,our team has plenty of talent even if head to head player by player we are slightly outmatched.
If our Offensive Coordinator can mix things up, motion, roll outs, draw play, screen and doesn’t get generic as sometimes he does. We can keep it close.
Special teams doing an on-side kick early when they aren’t expecting it for example.
Again: Bobby is a great Hornet. But he needs his feet on the fire to know that he needs to raise his game! We aren’t D2 and this game needs play action / counters etc,
I feel like if I don’t say this. Then I’m complicit in thinking his play calling is acceptable.
It’s time for an FCS national championship!
Yes. Don’t forget a 2QB system w hurry up offense to wear down the defenses. If he doesn’t use 2QB’s I doubt KB is durable enough to last the season.
KB should be our running QB / short passing play and quickly insert Conklin grooming him as our future and let him drop DIMES to stretch the defense.
I’m off my soapbox
 
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I would like to see a version of the Taylor style two-QB system at least tried with our two QBs.

As I've said on here before, I think Conklin is a way better passer than Dunniway was, and Bennett is a better passer with a better initial burst than O'Hara.

It wouldn't be exactly the same, but I keep going back to TT calling that game against Colorado State in 2022. That was peak Hornet football.

If I had to pick one primary QB right now, it's gotta be Conklin. I respect Bennett for waiting around for his turn, and his backup play in '22 was amazing. However, Bennett is too figured out by defenses to be the every down guy. He tries risky throws with an arm that's not suited to make them. He takes big hits unnecessarily and isn't going to last long anyways. Conklin as primary with a mix of Bennet (not a true TT sub style), might be enough to keep them both happy and defenses on their toes.
 
Kadeezy said:
I would like to see a version of the Taylor style two-QB system at least tried with our two QBs.

As I've said on here before, I think Conklin is a way better passer than Dunniway was, and Bennett is a better passer with a better initial burst than O'Hara.

It wouldn't be exactly the same, but I keep going back to TT calling that game against Colorado State in 2022. That was peak Hornet football.

If I had to pick one primary QB right now, it's gotta be Conklin. I respect Bennett for waiting around for his turn, and his backup play in '22 was amazing. However, Bennett is too figured out by defenses to be the every down guy. He tries risky throws with an arm that's not suited to make them. He takes big hits unnecessarily and isn't going to last long anyways. Conklin as primary with a mix of Bennet (not a true TT sub style), might be enough to keep them both happy and defenses on their toes.
Click to expand...
Well Stated 💯 %
 
KB was never the same after hurting his shoulder late last season, and honestly shouldn't have been playing.

He seemed to hurt it in a similar fashion on Thursday night, and had zero arm strength after he came back in -- I would hope that the staff would think about the season and not think about playing KB in this one and let Conklin ride it out.

It will also give Conklin more experience in a big day atmosphere - something he is going to need as our QB the next three years.
 
Anyone look at the two-deep closely? Maybe a little change on the DL, KB is QB1, no OR. Gamesmanship? You know we’ll see Conklin.

Initial line is Fresno -22.5. Honestly, I would probably take Fresno. I really thought they looked good against Michigan for the most part.
 
Yeah -- we are playing some games this week -- just like last week. Just different games. There is at least one guy on the listed two-deep who won't make the trip. But Fresno's two-deep is also fishy in a couple spots.

I think the Big Sky has a rule or a strongly suggested unwritten one regarding accuracy for conference play, but the non-conference is going to devolve more and more just like it has been in the FBS.
 
But at least they have a two-deep -- what San Jose State had out for last week I think had 12 starters correct out of 24 (11 a side plus the specialists)
 
Agree with Kadeezy's post about the QB situation above. If ever there was a time for Coach Fresques to start rotating KB and Conklin on a play by play basis, it's now. Unfortunately, I think KB will be the guy until he breaks, and then we get Conklin by default.


Hornetsports preview is available. Game will be televised on KMAX 31.

Fresno State at Michigan Highlights:
 
I’m watching Michigan getting beaten up by Univ of Texas Longhorns. Makes me think Michigan might have been overrated.
Which makes Fresno St look good. But not nearly as good as we thought Michigan was last week!
Let’s go Hornets!!!!
 
Listening to pregame… Thompson says we’ve lost several players to injury over the week. Any idea who that’s in reference to? Soto?
 
WTF! First play Hornet defense still in Sacramento. TD on first play for Fresneck. Total embarrassment.

I am finding something else to do tonight, pure Suck State.
 
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