Week 4: Sac State vs. North Dakota

[VespidaeII]

How well was UND represented in the stands?

Maybe 200 fans. That side is also our general admission side.

Typically, how many fans do other Big Sky schools bring in?

Does Montana bring in a 1000 or more?
Davis and Poly probably bring in the most, but they should.

Siouxfan,

Congrats on the win and welcome to the Big Sky! Well played, hard hitting, clean and interesting game. I only wish the Hornets had not killed their momentum by the two turn overs in the red zone! I think there was about 200 in the main ND sections with perhaps 75 more or so scattered around on the east side.
The California schools, Cal Poly and U.C. Dungplie bring by far the most fans. I expect the Cal Poly game to draw 15,000 if both schools are competitive at that time. We have drawn over 20,000 for the Dungpilers, but that's only because they are 20 miles away and we both have that hate hate thing going on like you guys and NDSU. The Montana schools bring the most for out of state schools maybe 800-1,200 for the Griz and a couple of hundred less for the Bobcats. Weber also usually brings about 500. The rest of the Big Sky is pretty light. You guys have a good team, good luck the rest of the way!

I think the real momentum crusher was the blocked FG before the half.

I thought it was the questionable decision to go for it on 4th down on the 30 something yardline and the botched execution. Not only did it suck the life out of the Hornet D but the fans when UND scored. Fans started to exit in droves.

 

[SDHornet]

I think the real momentum crusher was the blocked FG before the half.

I felt that was a last second desperation kick. I think the big momentum changer was the INT in the redzone to open up the 2nd half. I also agree about that 4th down play. Total back breaker. hno:

 

[OldGreen67]

Totally agree with this assesment of the game, both O and D...bubble screen and stretch play to left was their go to...as for O they shot themselves in the foot. Hats off to UND for playing bend don't break D. All mistakes are correctable. As for using Graham...Sperbeck mentioned that they should have stayed with the hot hand...I still think they are feeling out their players as a whole as well. I am actually excited for this team as there is a lot a young players that will only get better...

Ok, as promised, after NOT attending the UNC game as I had originally planned, I took my step son to Saturday night's game. I agree with many of you regarding the QB play killing us offensively. That, and I felt the coaches added fuel to the fire by refusing to ride the hot hand, which was Ezekiel Graham. If you saw the game, you know what I'm talking about. The kid was making big play after big play, often bouncing out of the pack and picking up additional yards. As others have mentioned, even A.J. Ellis was getting in on the act. From that point on, the game plan should have shifted to "ride her til she bucks you or don't ride at all". IMO, a big part of the blame has to go to Sperbeck and Petersen for not adjusting to the flow of the game.

Moving on ... while the defense did play well early on, they still have no idea how to defend the bubble screen. If I was game-planning for the Hornets, I'd run this at least once every series until they prove they can stop it. For a while, it seemed UND was doing just that. It was an "easy" 5-7 yards every time they ran it .. if they didn't break one longer. Also, UND killed the Hornets in the 2nd half with the off-tackle run to the left.

If they can figure out a way to slow or stop those types of plays, they'll be OK. I did like the pressure I saw from the front 7 and also the DB's weren't too bad, for the most part.

On the whole, I agree that bad offense got the Hornets into the hole they found themselves in and the defense wore down as a result. In many ways, this game was reminiscent of opening week against New Mexco State. In that game, they hung in tight during the first half but missed out on numerous opportunities to keep the game close or to seize momentum altogether. Eventually the wheels fell off and an avalanche ensued. That's exactly what happened on Saturday night.

Let's hope they figure something out before next week.

 

[OldGreen67]

I agree that both of these plays were the "swing" plays...

I think the real momentum crusher was the blocked FG before the half.

I felt that was a last second desperation kick. I think the big momentum changer was the INT in the redzone to open up the 2nd half. I also agree about that 4th down play. Total back breaker. hno:

 

[SloStang]

Hey Hornet fans what do you think Cal Poly's chances are of picking up a win against UND on the road? In looking at the stats it looks like you ran he ball well against them so that gives me some hope. Not sure how our defense will match up against their offense that has put up big numbers.

Best of luck this week against ISU.

 

[SDHornet]

Hey Hornet fans what do you think Cal Poly's chances are of picking up a win against UND on the road? In looking at the stats it looks like you ran he ball well against them so that gives me some hope. Not sure how our defense will match up against their offense that has put up big numbers.

Best of luck this week against ISU.

UND has a very weak run defense. We spread out opposing defenses with 3+ receivers so it opens up more room inside the box. Since CP keeps most everything in the box UND will most likely defend you guys differently. The trick for CP will be keeping them honest with the pass. If you guys do that (and not turn the ball over like we did) I think you guys can pull it out.

Defensively the Hornets did an excellent job for 2.5 quarters. The key will be getting pressure on their QB with your front 4. Our defensive line harassed Hendrickson early and their passing game never really got in its groove. Unfortunately we fell behind and it allowed them to grind our defense down with their rushing game. UND has a very versatile offense so the CP defense will have its hands full.

Good luck this week, CP is surging its way on to a great season and I think you guys can get the win in Grand Forks.

 

[superhornet]

I thought it was the questionable decision to go for it on 4th down on the 30 something yardline and the botched execution. Not only did it suck the life out of the Hornet D but the fans when UND scored. Fans started to exit in droves.

In general, I agree with you. But the decision to go for it and the execution are two entirely different matters. (A separate one is, having decided to go for it, what play do you call?) Too many fans get those confused, i.e. if it works, it was a great decision, if it doesn't, the coach should be fired. Not much in the middle, except here where we have some good objective fans.

Under normal circumstances, the -30 is NOT a good place to go for it. In fact, from about the -25 to the +45, I would consider quick kicking if I have a defense I could trust. But Coach Sperbeck has proven to be something of a riverboat gambler over the years, so this is nothing to be surprised about. I'd actually be more concerned with play selection and execution here. Was the play call a good one for the down and distance, and the execution just stunk, or was it a bad call all around? For example, if it's 4th and 3 or less, I like option in the middle of the field, and if it's less than 4th and 2, I'd consider sneak. Handoffs tend to take a bit much time for my taste, often leading to getting stuffed in the backfield. Unless it's late enough for the game to be on the line, I wouldn't bother with deep passes.

Here's the deal. This is within character for Coach Sperbeck. Were he to do this having never shown a penchant for it, this could be a sign that he's desperate because he's gotten indications that his job is on the line. That does not seem to be the case right now.

SD and GCM will also have interesting perspectives on this, should they choose to share them. I'd be interested to hear those, too.

 

[SDHornet]

I talked about it on page 3 of this thread.

 

[SloStang]

Hey Hornet fans what do you think Cal Poly's chances are of picking up a win against UND on the road? In looking at the stats it looks like you ran he ball well against them so that gives me some hope. Not sure how our defense will match up against their offense that has put up big numbers.

Best of luck this week against ISU.

UND has a very weak run defense. We spread out opposing defenses with 3+ receivers so it opens up more room inside the box. Since CP keeps most everything in the box UND will most likely defend you guys differently. The trick for CP will be keeping them honest with the pass. If you guys do that (and not turn the ball over like we did) I think you guys can pull it out.

Defensively the Hornets did an excellent job for 2.5 quarters. The key will be getting pressure on their QB with your front 4. Our defensive line harassed Hendrickson early and their passing game never really got in its groove. Unfortunately we fell behind and it allowed them to grind our defense down with their rushing game. UND has a very versatile offense so the CP defense will have its hands full.

Good luck this week, CP is surging its way on to a great season and I think you guys can get the win in Grand Forks.

Thanks SD. Best of luck today. I am looking forward to coming o Sac later this season. It has been too long since we have been there. I am glad we will see each other every season now that we are in he same conference.

 

[VespidaeII]

I thought it was the questionable decision to go for it on 4th down on the 30 something yardline and the botched execution. Not only did it suck the life out of the Hornet D but the fans when UND scored. Fans started to exit in droves.

In general, I agree with you. But the decision to go for it and the execution are two entirely different matters. (A separate one is, having decided to go for it, what play do you call?) Too many fans get those confused, i.e. if it works, it was a great decision, if it doesn't, the coach should be fired. Not much in the middle, except here where we have some good objective fans.

Under normal circumstances, the -30 is NOT a good place to go for it. In fact, from about the -25 to the +45, I would consider quick kicking if I have a defense I could trust. But Coach Sperbeck has proven to be something of a riverboat gambler over the years, so this is nothing to be surprised about. I'd actually be more concerned with play selection and execution here. Was the play call a good one for the down and distance, and the execution just stunk, or was it a bad call all around? For example, if it's 4th and 3 or less, I like option in the middle of the field, and if it's less than 4th and 2, I'd consider sneak. Handoffs tend to take a bit much time for my taste, often leading to getting stuffed in the backfield. Unless it's late enough for the game to be on the line, I wouldn't bother with deep passes.

Here's the deal. This is within character for Coach Sperbeck. Were he to do this having never shown a penchant for it, this could be a sign that he's desperate because he's gotten indications that his job is on the line. That does not seem to be the case right now.

SD and GCM will also have interesting perspectives on this, should they choose to share them. I'd be interested to hear those, too.

Thanks, but no thanks, Casey.

 

[just a sac state fan]

North korea, Iran and Venezuela don't even have a green-water navy.So everything will be alright; also Hugo Chavez is a elected president, not a dictator.

Manuel Noriega was "elected," too. Spin it however you want, Chavez is still a dictator.

http://video.latino.foxnews.com/v/1885574495001/hugo-chavez-wins-reign-continues------/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

North korea, Iran and Venezuela don't even have a green-water navy.So everything will be alright; also Hugo Chavez is a elected president, not a dictator.

Manuel Noriega was "elected," too. Spin it however you want, Chavez is still a dictator.

http://video.latino.foxnews.com/v/1885574495001/hugo-chavez-wins-reign-continues------/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ok why are you still talking about this? Take it to the off topic forum.