• 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 2: Sac State @ Southern Utah

SDHornet

SDHornet

Moderator
Staff member
Week 2: Sac State @ Southern Utah

The Hornets will be hitting the road again as they are coming off of an incredible win over Oregon State. This week takes the Hornets to Cedar City, Utah to face the improving Southern Utah Thunderbird program. SUU will be coming into this game off of a close loss on the road at South Dakota State.

Offense
SUU runs a pass happy attack and is led by Brad Sorensen who is touted as one of the best QB’s in the FCS. He has an experienced and big OL in front of him but he is working with a new set of WR’s. SUU also has experience returning at RB. The game notes from week 1 shows that SUU has a base offense of 3 WR’s and a TE. However I believe they also use a 4 WR set. SUU fell behind early last week against SDSU and it looks as they completely abandoned the run. SDSU didn’t have a very experienced defense returning and it showed. SUU’s week 1 stats:
  • • Sorensen: 31 of 46 for 340 yards, 3 TD’s, 3 INT’s
    • Ursua, WR: 9 recs for 129 yards, 2 TD’s
    • Brown, FB: 6 recs for 75 yards, 1 TD
    • Minefee, RB: 7 carries for 26 yards, 5 recs for 42 yards
    • Alexander, RB: 8 carries for 42 yards, 4 recs for 46 yards
    • Measom, WR: 7 recs for 48 yards
    • OL: Allowed 4 sacks
    • TOP: 25:28
    • Conversions: 4/11 on 3rd down & ½ on 4th down
The Hornet defense will need to stay aggressive and get after Sorensen. Simply put, this defense needs to punish him. If they are aggressive like last week and bring the pressure by means of various blitz packages, the Hornets should be able to get to Sorensen on a regular basis. SUU seems to pass the ball to their RB’s quite a bit so the Hornets will have to watch for the short passes which can burn a blitz.

Defense
SUU runs a base 4-3 and they return 5 starters of the front 7. Their DL isn’t very big but a couple of them were named All GWC players. They lost 2 LB’s and only one CB this offseason. SDSU had a lot of success both running and passing the ball on this defense last week. SUU’s defensive statistical leaders from week 1:
  • • Hansen, MLB: 12 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF
    • Hogains, CB: 10 tackles
    • Fenn, LB: 9 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
    • Turner, CB: 7 tackles, 1 TFL
    • Sword, LB: 7 tackles
    • Vonner, SS: 6 tackles, 1 INT
    • Larsen, DT: 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT
The Hornets should be able to find success both through the air and on the ground this week. With an inexperienced LB corps and a smaller DL, Hilliard, Shaw, and the other RB’s should be able to have a good game if the OL does its job. SUU does return an experienced secondary, so Fleming and the WR’s will need to be on the same page the entire game. This Hornet offense should be able to move the ball and put up some points. Ball control will be the key and this offense will need to avoid turnovers as SUU forced 3 turnovers last week (2 INT’s, 1 fum).

Special Teams
SUU used two punters, both of whom averaged 41 yards per punt. Their punt coverage seems to be solid as SDSU only managed 1 punt return for -2 yards. SUU’s kick coverage did allow some length returns so this will be something to watch. It also appears that SUU’s Minefee is a solid kick returner. Their kicker is only a sophomore and has not attempted a FG this season. Week 1 stats:
  • • Cook, K: 2/2 PAT’s
    • Lewis, P: 4 punts for 164 yards (41.0 ypp)
    • Miller, P: 1 punt for 41 yards, 1 Inside 20
    • Minefee, KR: 1 return for 27 yards
    • Alexander, KR: 1 return for 14 yards
    • Measom, PR: 1 return for 3 yards
    • Kick Coverage: Allowed 3 returns for 74 yards by SDSU’s main returner
    • Punt Coverage: Allowed 1 return for -2 yards
I'll be looking for McCowan to bust open a couple of big returns. I'll also be looking for a more aggressive stance for going after a blocked punt. The Hornets had some issues by allowing some good returns last week, so they will need to clamp down on their kick coverage.

Intangibles
The SUU offense did commit some turnovers but their defense made them up on the other side of the ball. Turnovers will be the key in this game, as they are in every game. The Hornets can ill afford to make some stupid mistakes that lead to turnovers.
SUU committed 10 penalties for 78 yards compared to the Hornets 4 penalties for 22 yards. Having not heard or seen the SUU game, I have no idea if these were defensive calls or offensive calls. Regardless I take penalties as a direct relation to the discipline of the team. If the Hornets can jump on SUU early, this may lead to some mental mistakes that could lead to penalties and turnovers.

I had this game pegged as a mist win, and quite frankly there is no reason to change that assessment of this matchup even after last week’s success. The Hornets need to beat this team and the offense should find success if they play to the level we all saw in week 1. SUU will probably have some success moving the ball but this defense needs to keep its focus and not get discouraged. There is no reason to believe the Hornet defense will give up but this defense must also not let up. This should be a good game and unfortunately I do not believe there will be any TV for this one; fortunately we will have the 93.1 broadcast.

Go Hornets!
 
Deja Vu....there was a Minefee who played for SUU years ago, I remember watching them play at Hornet Stadium and that Minefee gave us fits all day. It was cold, foggy, miserable. SUU loves the draw and RB screen pass.

If history serves any evaluation, this will be a tough game.

Looks like Shaw is out with a dinged knee. I read he is scheduled to receive an MRI tomorrow.
 
SDHornet said:
Green Cookie Monster said:
Looks like Shaw is out with a dinged knee. I read he is scheduled to receive an MRI tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Shaw is made of glass. :|
Click to expand...

ya i wont disagree there, especially with him being out basically all of last season. But if that knee is ok it would be one hell of a backfield with hillards pounding and shaws speed. A nice compliment to the great passing game which was put on display this past weekend.
 
From the highlights shown on sacstatesports, SDSU attacked the edges and had a lot of success with this. If Shaw is unavailable this could be an issue, however McCowan has some speed so maybe he can be step up if he is called upon...that is assuming they can stop Hilliard.

Another interesting note is SUU trailed 29-7 heading into the 4th quarter. This team has the potential to put up points quick so the defense will really need to bring their “A” game. SDSU turnovers did let SUU back into this one as SUU turned those opportunities into points. As I mentioned before, ball security will be very important.

Finally their OL looks big but it doesn’t look too athletic. Our athletic DE’s and the blitzing packages our defense typically runs should give these guys some fits.

http://sacstatesports.com/2011/09/07/hornets-morning-wake-up-call-wednesday-edition/
 
I don't believe that Sperbeck will let this team rest on their laurels. I look for us to run the ball down their throats and continue to roll Fleming out of the pocket and burn the SUU secondary.

Zack Nash will have at least 2 sacks in this game and I believe we will score a defensive touchdown in high-scoring affair...

SAC 41
SUU 31
 
Coach Lamb gave High Praise to our players during their weekly SUU television program. I beleive he said that he was a General Manager that he would take all of Sac States position players over that of OSU's...nice to get some props from other coaches.

Now lets go get some Thunderbird.... :D

P.S. The team not the drink for you old farts
 
"Game notes for this week are now available. It looks like the OL was shuffled a bit, although I don’t know if the coaches’ stick to this depth chart come game time."


I noticed on the depth chart that Shaw was not listed as the backup RB, but still listed as a KO returner...hoping he is just a little dinged and can still play.
 
These guys are good and appear to be a 4th quarter team. Gave Wyoming and SJSU a scare and won the GW Conference last year. Which means they beat CP and davis.

Sat, Sep 04 Wyoming - Laramie, Wyo. 20 - 28 (L)

Sat, Sep 11 San Diego - Cedar City, Utah 32 - 3 (W)

Sat, Sep 18 San Jose State - San Jose, Calif. 11 - 16 (L)

Sat, Sep 25 Texas State - San Marcos, Texas 28 - 42 (L)

Sat, Oct 02 Northern Arizona - Cedar City, Utah 23 - 26 (L)

Sat, Oct 09 North Dakota * - Grand Forks, N.D. 31 - 21 (W)

Sat, Oct 16 Cal Poly (HC) * 13 Cedar City, Utah 20 - 7 (W)

Sat, Oct 23 South Dakota * - Cedar City, Utah 31 - 13 (W)

Sat, Oct 30 UC Davis * - Davis, Calif. 55 - 24 (W)

Sat, Nov 06 Dixie State - Cedar City, Utah 52 - 0 (W)

Sat, Nov 13 Eastern Washington - Cheney, Wash. 24 - 31 (L)
 
Their QB Sorensen is the real deal…however they graduated their top 3 leading receivers from last year. Barring some late SDSU turnovers, SUU losses by 14 last week. However that is no reason to overlook this team. It will take a great effort to come out of Cedar City with a win and I don’t think Sperbeck and the coaches will let the players think they can win by just showing up.
 
Bill Bradley just reported on his site the game will now be televised in Sacramento on the Comcast Home Network only. That is channel 104 on Sacramento Comcast. Hey, at least its better than nothing. But will not be on U-Verse, Dish, Direct, etc.
 
I can't offer any score predictions this week (or the rest of the year), since I did so well last week. Let's just say we will do well this week and be at 2-0.
 
SactoHornetAlum said:
Bill Bradley just reported on his site the game will now be televised in Sacramento on the Comcast Home Network only. That is channel 104 on Sacramento Comcast. Hey, at least its better than nothing. But will not be on U-Verse, Dish, Direct, etc.
Click to expand...


WTF!? Can anyone stream this? I have dish...
 
SactoHornetAlum said:
Bill Bradley just reported on his site the game will now be televised in Sacramento on the Comcast Home Network only. That is channel 104 on Sacramento Comcast. Hey, at least its better than nothing. But will not be on U-Verse, Dish, Direct, etc.
Click to expand...

This is worse for me knowing that it will be televised in Sacramento and I won't be able to see it because I have Directv. But I'm extremely happy that Comcast stepped up to show this game. Sign of more good things to come I hope.
 
Hornet25 said:
SactoHornetAlum said:
Bill Bradley just reported on his site the game will now be televised in Sacramento on the Comcast Home Network only. That is channel 104 on Sacramento Comcast. Hey, at least its better than nothing. But will not be on U-Verse, Dish, Direct, etc.
Click to expand...

This is worse for me knowing that it will be televised in Sacramento and I won't be able to see it because I have Directv. But I'm extremely happy that Comcast stepped up to show this game. Sign of more good things to come I hope.
Click to expand...

We've got to have someone on this board that has comcast and can stream the broadcast...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top