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Week 6 - Sac State vs Southern Utah

SDHornet

SDHornet

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Week 6 - Sac State vs Southern Utah

The Hornets get a home game off of the bye week against a struggling Southern Utah (1-4, 0-2 BSC) team. The Thunderbirds have had a tough schedule, with their first 2 games against FBS opponents. Their lone win was a close 40-35 game over D2 transitioning Tarleton State before opening BSC play. SUU opened BSC play with a 50-21 beating from a top ranked EWU team and then lost a close game at home last week against a gritty Portland State team, 20-13.

Offensively, SUU operates out of the shotgun and likes to dink and donk their way down the field. They do a good job of mixing in the run and sprinkle in some RPO with multiple TEs. QB Justin Miller (99/154, 985 yds, 6 TD, 6 INT) has a strong arm and is accurate on the short and mid-range throws. Miller spreads the ball around well as 4 players have 11 or more receptions. His top targets are WRs Brandon Schenks (18 rec, 207 yds, 3 TD) and Ethan Bolingbroke (16 rec, 188 yds, 1 TD). When the Thunderbirds do run the ball, they have two equally capable and physical RBs in David Moore III (47 car, 152 yds, 4 TD) and Karris Davis (38 car, 140 yds, 1 TD, 5 rec, 47 yds). Their OL has only allowed 1 sack on the year.

SUU’s defense is statistically one of the worst in the BSC in points allowed, yards allowed, and at getting stops on 3rd down (Hornet defense is 2nd to last on 3rd downs). However they have had a tough schedule thus far so hard to get a true feel for this unit. The Thunderbirds run a base 3-4 but will bring on an extra DB to counter multiple WR sets. LB Kaho’ohanohano-Davis (44 tkl, 4 TFL, 3 sack, 1 INT) and S AJ Stanley (37 tkl) leads the team in tackles.

SUU’s K Noah Alajado (2/2 FG, 1/1 PAT) was tabbed as the place kicker last week against PSU. Both of his FGs were from short range. KR Devon Sa’Chisolm broke a long return against PSU, so naturally the Hornets will probably kick it right to him and give up another KR to the house this week.

The Hornet offense needs to start finding the endzone, and this is the game in which they should do so. SUU is a better team than what they seem on paper, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Thunderbirds should have no problem moving the ball and this game could very well devolve into a shootout. Fortunately the Hornets had a week to rest up and prepare for the remainder of the season, and I think that makes the difference in this one. Hornets should win, but I think it'll be closer than it should be.

Stingers Up!
 
Super Hornet said:
We're not gonna let THAT happen, right? Even if it's ugly, we SHOULD win, right, SD?
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This is a must win, and a "should" win. However I've severely over-estimated this Hornet team as I thought we'd use the ISU game to get thing in gear offensively. If the offense doesn't come alive this week, we'll have issues the rest of the way.
 
SDHornet said:
Super Hornet said:
We're not gonna let THAT happen, right? Even if it's ugly, we SHOULD win, right, SD?
Click to expand...

This is a must win, and a "should" win. However I've severely over-estimated this Hornet team as I thought we'd use the ISU game to get thing in gear offensively. If the offense doesn't come alive this week, we'll have issues the rest of the way.
Click to expand...

I just want to throw this out there. We are a much younger team than we were in 19. Look at the 2 Deep. There are a heck of a lot of Fr starting. Heck LT Jackson Slater is a TRUE Fr. and the fact that we are 2-2, and we are getting better each week. I like trajectory and candidly the OL is doing pretty well as a young group. The issue for offense right now is QB play.

Defense has to get better in the red zone. Too many TD’s given up. Again depth in the defensive backfield positions are Fr, so we are seeing growth.

I do agree with SD that we should win, but many areas to clean up. I will be thrilled if special teams get those stops!
 
put every kickoff in the end zone

no more false start penalties

Keep the quarterback in who takes the team from one end of the field to the red zone on the other end. Do not then take him out. Let him finish the drive for a touch down. Do not get in the way of the momentum.

Keep the quarterback in who has the team moving. If that means the entire game, leave that quarterback in.

Create some plays for Dotson to be the All American he is.

Pass the ball to the bunch of good receivers we have and block for them once the ball is caught so they can take off to the end zone.

Perhaps some creative running with cut backs and spin moves , etc. can create much more yardage then running directly into defenders which seems to happen a lot.

Create turnovers. Look to step in front of passes and intercept. Strip the ball.

May Saturday be the Hornets best game this season

Stingers up!!
 
BSCfan said:
Kadeezy said:
I’m not at the game. I haven’t seen Dotson on the field?
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I haven't either...anyone know anything about his status?
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Looks like he won't be with the team the rest of the way. If this is so I wish him all the best.
https://statehornet.com/2021/10/sac-state-steamrolls-southern-utah-41-20/
 
Wow, that’s wild. I think he still has a redshirt year available. He was probably unhappy with the first four games of the season, and playing a single snap in game 5 would’ve burned his 5th (6th) year opportunity with a transfer?

Hard to say the team is better without an all american, but Perk, Fulcher, gable, and CamSkat all looked incredible last night.
 
Also, looking at social media. Dot was posting things about needing to lookout for himself, and liking posts from former players saying he needed to get the ball more, etc.
 
41-20 Hornet win. Dominating performance on both sides of the ball. This is exactly the game the Hornets needed coming off a bye against an inferior opponent.

OL played great as the Hornets were finally able to run the ball with affect. The QB rotation did pretty well and made plays when needed. It was good to see the Hornets punch the ball into the endzone in redzone opportunities (7/8 in the redzone, lone miss was the kneel down at the end of the game).

Defense controlled the line of scrimmage and didn't let the SUU run game going. SUU was able to move the ball through the air but the Hornets stiffened up in critical situations and more impressively the secondary got INTs to stop drives. LBs were all over the place making tackles as well.

Special teams did much better on kick coverage and finally didn't give up a TD. Sentkowski came through on a couple of FGs as well.

Only knock I saw was the Hornets getting trolled into some retaliatory penalties on some after play action by SUU. Other than that it was a complete game by the Hornets.

Defining moment was the first SUU drive in the 3rd quarter. T-Birds were in the redzone and a TD would have made it 24-14, but the defense got an INT and the offense drove the ball down the field for a TD making it 31-7. The game was pretty much over at that point.

As an added bonus, the dungpilers got dominated in the Pokey Barn by ISU. Sucks for them. 8-) :lol:

Stingers Up!
 
Kadeezy said:
Also, looking at social media. Dot was posting things about needing to lookout for himself, and liking posts from former players saying he needed to get the ball more, etc.
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Big loss for us. We are a better team with him on the field. Hope he gets his situation sorted out.
 
Kadeezy said:
Also, looking at social media. Dot was posting things about needing to lookout for himself, and liking posts from former players saying he needed to get the ball more, etc.
Click to expand...

Sadly, I saw the same on social media. I hope all works out for him.
 
Didn't Dotson already graduate?
Once O'Hara was added to the roster, Dotson as a runner was limited.

Personally, I like Fulcher better. He is younger and seems to have a fire in him. Both Dotson and Perkinson seem to hit the hole and then run out of steam. Or run directly at the hole if it is open or not and try to push their way through. Fulcher seems to bounce outside if inner lane is full. Also like Skattebo.

Probably Dotson will transfer to one of the Montuckies and we will see him next fall?
 
Green Cookie Monster said:
Didn't Dotson already graduate?
Once O'Hara was added to the roster, Dotson as a runner was limited.

Personally, I like Fulcher better. He is younger and seems to have a fire in him. Both Dotson and Perkinson seem to hit the hole and then run out of steam. Or run directly at the hole if it is open or not and try to push their way through. Fulcher seems to bounce outside if inner lane is full. Also like Skattebo.

Probably Dotson will transfer to one of the Montuckies and we will see him next fall?
Click to expand...

Dotson has NFL dreams, which I don’t think are entirely out of reach, but he needs to transfer somewhere and have a huge season. I can easily see a G5 team giving him a schollie and a shot at redemption in 2022. Maybe he needs to start eating meat again lol. Wish him the best and a better outcome than Kevin Thomson.

Skattebo looked like he was shot out of a cannon on his carries, including the one that was called back. He looked like a bigger Jake Croxdale out there…
 
Kadeezy said:
Green Cookie Monster said:
Didn't Dotson already graduate?
Once O'Hara was added to the roster, Dotson as a runner was limited.

Personally, I like Fulcher better. He is younger and seems to have a fire in him. Both Dotson and Perkinson seem to hit the hole and then run out of steam. Or run directly at the hole if it is open or not and try to push their way through. Fulcher seems to bounce outside if inner lane is full. Also like Skattebo.

Probably Dotson will transfer to one of the Montuckies and we will see him next fall?
Click to expand...

Dotson has NFL dreams, which I don’t think are entirely out of reach, but he needs to transfer somewhere and have a huge season. I can easily see a G5 team giving him a schollie and a shot at redemption in 2022. Maybe he needs to start eating meat again lol. Wish him the best and a better outcome than Kevin Thomson.

Skattebo looked like he was shot out of a cannon on his carries, including the one that was called back. He looked like a bigger Jake Croxdale out there…
Click to expand...

Yes.


As much of a talent Dotson was, we'll be fine with Perk and Fulch with Skattebo waiting in the wings.
 
Kadeezy said:
Wow, that’s wild. I think he still has a redshirt year available. He was probably unhappy with the first four games of the season, and playing a single snap in game 5 would’ve burned his 5th (6th) year opportunity with a transfer?

Hard to say the team is better without an all american, but Perk, Fulcher, gable, and CamSkat all looked incredible last night.
Click to expand...
Kadeezy said:
Also, looking at social media. Dot was posting things about needing to lookout for himself, and liking posts from former players saying he needed to get the ball more, etc.
Click to expand...


I was going to post something immediately after the game and after having read about Dotson leaving the team.

My initial gut reaction was that it had something to do with usage or lackthereof and the timing of the decision coinciding with being able to redshirt.

I then read Troy Taylor's statement wherein he stated that Dot had personal/family stuff to deal with and figured I must have been over-reacting so I didn't post.

But now having read about Dot's social media activity -- it seems my gut feeling was spot on.

In all honesty, I can blame Dot. I've been critical of his usage for quite a while and have said so on this board many times.

The kid was a 1200 yard rusher and double digit scoring RB before Taylor got a hold of him. He was a 1st team Big Sky player and arguably the best RB the Hornets have fielded since Charles Roberts. And Taylor has wasted him in his offense. Something he's done elsewhere as well.

As someone that lobbied for TT to become the Hornets head coach back when he was still coaching at Folsom, I've learned a lot since that time. While I'm still a TT fan, I do feel that he has an Achilles heel with regard to how his offenses operate. And that is being too finesse oriented and not running the ball conventionally.

Folsom HS still runs TT's offense and they suffer from the same problem, which is why they never beat De La Salle or opponents that play physical, discipline defense and can tackle. It was something we saw affect the Hornets offense late in the 2019 season and still affects them now.

IMO Elijah Dotson's situation is a byproduct of this. Except when directed to by Kyle Whittingham at Utah when he had Zach Moss, Taylor has tended to underutilize his backs. And the manner in which he does run the ball is very finesse oriented. Lots of QB runs and draws and misdirection plays. He doesn't implement enough of a downhill physical approach.

In short, his offenses are a bit too one-dimensional. When his offense faces fundamentally sound defenses that play physically and tackle well, his offense struggles.

That's why Folsom underachieves with all their skill talent against better competition and why the Hornets have regressed since catching opponents off guard early on. But opponents have plenty of film to study now. It's up to TT to take the next step and adjust.

He needs to figure out how to implement a more physical rushing element to the game plan. And I'm not talking about the RB being physical. I'm talking about the blocking scheme and attitude of the o-line. They need to line up from time to time and get down hill. And work that into the playbook consistently throughout the game.

Elijah Dotson didn't suddenly forget how to run the ball or become bad. He just doesn't get the touches. And when he does, it's typically on misdirection running east and west rather than north and south. And the backs are getting hit in the backfield. It's a scheme issue. And usage issue. Dot is too good a talent to be marginalized like he has been since TT and staff took over. I'm not suggesting he get 30 carries every game. And I do love that TT emphasized Dot in the pass game in 2019.

Dot should have been the Hornets version of Alvin Kamara in Sean Payton's offense. But instead he became a permanent decoy.

It's so sad that it came to this. But as I said has been an issue before.

Lastly, being that Dot is a Senior and does have realistic dreams of a pro career, I can certainly understand why he feels the way he feels. It's hard enough to make it to the NFL or CFL from an FCS school as it is, let alone when you aren't being utilized. Hopefully the kid finds the right path to where he wants to go.

As for TT and Richardson, it's time to learn and adjust. This isn't HS anymore. Instead of 9 of your 10 opponents being Woodcreek HS, 9 of 10 are De La Salle. You can't beat them by just spreading the field out and unleashing your skill talent. And running the same core passing/draw/misdirection plays over and over. College players and coaches are too smart and well-prepared for that.
 
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