Recap/Thoughts
This was a terrible game for the Hornets on all fronts. Plenty of mistakes were made and this team was completely unprepared to face Sorensen and SUU.
Offense
Aside from a few good drives, the offense was lethargic at best. Hilliard was able to break open some runs when the OL decided to block, but the passing game was completely off and the SUU secondary kept the clamps on the Hornet receivers all game long. The only positive we saw from this game was that Hilliard looks like his old self and the Hornets did show some signs of having a running game. Barring some runs by Fleming and this offense has an even worse game. The drop on 4th and goal would have brought the Hornets back into striking distance but once again the offense failed to execute. A very disappointing game for the WR’s.
- • Fleming: 10 of 27 for 78 yards, 38 rushing yards on 13 carries
• Hilliard: 18 carries for 101 yards, 2 TD’s
• McCowan: 3 carries for 38 yards, 1 FUM
• Deadder: 3 recs for 44 yards
• Croxdale: 3 carriers for 31 yards
• Hendershott: 4 recs for 22 yards
• Reed: 1 rec for 7 yards
• Heaslet: 2 rec for 5 yards
• OL: Allowed 2 sacks
The offense really needs to wake up and have better success moving the ball. They can ill afford to have these lapses if this team has post season aspirations. Plenty to improve on and this unit needs to go back to work and get things together.
Defense
The defense struggled to slow down Sorensen and the SUU offense however they did manage to force some SUU to settle for FG’s and even through the final score doesn’t represent it, the defensive unit did keep the Hornets in the ball game. Unfortunately the defense was unable to force turnovers or force punts and they were on the field for too long. This game exposed some glaring weaknesses in the pass defense.
- • McMahon: 9 tackles, 2 TFL’s
• Davis\Larche: 9 tackles
• Odiase: 8 tackles
• Wilkins: 6 tackles, 1 TFL’s
• Coleman: 5 tackles, 0.5 TFL’s
• Nash: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
• Monson\Fernandez: 4 tackles
• Lawrence: 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL’s
• White\Badger: 3 tackles
The defense will have to regroup and stay aggressive moving forward. The pass rush was almost non-existent, but worse was when they were able to get to the QB, they were unable to come up with a sack. With a very mobile QB in Hoke coming next week, this defense will have its hands full in Ogden.
Special Teams
The special teams got off to a good start with a blocked punt but sadly, that was the highlight of the game for this group. The punting was terrible as Heath returned to his awful form of a season ago. The kick coverage unit really let this team down by allowing a momentum changing 92 yard kick return for a TD. This is inexcusable and the special teams have a lot to work on.
- • Heath: 6 punts for a 35.8 ypp avg. 2 TB’s
• Kick Coverage: Allowed 121 yards on 3 returns (40.3 ypr) and a TD
• Punt Coverage: Allowed 2 returns for 13 yards
• Diniz: 2/2 PAT’s
• McCowan: 2 kr’s for 49 yards (24.5 ypr)
• Hendershott: 1 kr for 22 yards
Field position is key and terrible punting is inexcusable. The poor punting will continually put the defense in a bad spot. If Heath 1 can’t get it together, the coaches need to look at using Heath 2 or anyone else who can be more effective at punting.
Injuries
A few players were knocked around however I don’t know what their condition is. Odiase was injured and I don’t know if he returned to the game. If he is lost for a week or two, that would be a big loss. Wilkins was also shaken up.
Other Random Things
Following a great broadcast in the opening week by 93.1, I tuned in to hear what they had to say during halftime. Unfortunately I tuned in and heard a recap of week 1. I have no idea if they ever got around to talking about the current game as I turned off the 93.1 broadcast and listened to the SUU TV broadcast instead.
What is done is done. Time to focus on week 3.
Go Hornets!