Week 7: #5 Sac State at Eastern Washington

[SDHornet]

Week 7 - #5 Sac State at Eastern Washington

The 5th ranked Hornets (5-0, 2-0 BSC) hit the road again and face an Eastern Washington (1-4, 0-2 BSC) squad that has had a rough start to the season. The Eagles record is quite deceptive as they are probably the best 1-4 team in FCS; even better than that other 1-4 team that was touted as the “best team in program history”. EWU opened the season with a 36-29 win over Tennessee State, then lost four straight in a brutal lineup that included a heartbreaking 35-38 home loss to Montana State that was sandwiched in between brutal money games at Oregon and Florida. Last week on short rest, EWU battled Weber State close for a half until the Wildcats pulled away for a 45-21 win in Ogden.

Offensively, EWU runs the standard run pass option with a very athletic quarterback Gunner Talkington (102/161, 1084 yds, 12 TD, 4 INT) who has a strong arm and does an excellent job extending plays with his feet. His top receiving targets are Freddie Roberson (17 rec, 302 yds, 3 TD) and Efton Chism III (25 rec, 228 yds, 3 TD). Roberson is a speedy deep ball threat that can stretch the defense. EWU’s rushing attack features 4 players with at least 31 carries. Running back Micah Smith (35 car, 187 yds, 2 TD) has the most production of the lot.

Offensive Team Stats

• Points scored per game: 24.6 (6th BSC)

• Total Offense: 348.4 ypg (130.0 rushing ypg / 218.4 passing ypg) (7th/10th BSC)

• Turnovers: 4/4 (INT/Fum)

• Redzone: 10/12 - 9/1 (TD/FG)

EWU’s defense lines up in a 4-2 and has struggled throughout the year. Statistically they are the worst scoring defense in the BSC, however those numbers are skewed due to their tough non-conference schedule. Regardless of the schedule, the Eagles struggle to get stops and don’t force many turnovers and don’t sack the quarterback very often. Safety Ely Doyle (40 tkl) leads the defense in tackles and defensive end Mitchell Johnson (219 tkl, 4 TFL, 2 sac) is the leading disrupter in opponents backfield.

Defensive Team Stats

• Points allowed per game: 46.8 (12th BSC)

• Total Defense: 548.6 ypg (281.0 rushing ypg / 267.6 passing ypg) (12th/10th BSC)

• Turnovers Forced: 3/4 (INT/Fum)

• Redzone: 25/31 - 21/4 (TD/FG)

The Eagles special teams gave up a kick return for a touchdown to Weber State last week so they will be looking to rectify that issue. Kicker Seth Harrison (1/2 FG, 11/11 PAT) hasn’t been given many chances this season and his lone made field goal was from 44 yards. Punter Nick Kokich (28 punts, 6 I-20) has had a busy year and has boomed 6 punts for over 50 yards.

Hornet Team Stats

• Points scored per game: 47.6 (1st BSC)

• Points allowed per game: 18.4 (3rd BSC)

• Total Offense: 518.8 ypg (253.4 rushing ypg / 265.4 passing ypg) (2nd/2nd BSC)

• Total Defense: 359.4 ypg (91.8 rushing ypg / 267.6 passing ypg) (2nd/T-10th BSC)

• Turnovers: 3/2 (INT/Fum)

• Turnovers Forced: 6/4 (INT/Fum)

• Redzone Offense: 27/30 - 23/4 (TD/FG)

• Redzone Defense: 11/14 - 8/3 (TD/FG)

This has trap game written all over it as the Hornets have the big ESPN 2 matchup against Montana the following week. Don’t let the record fool you, this EWU team has some top notch talent on the offensive side of the ball that is capable of hanging around if the Hornets don’t show up and take care of business. To top that off, EWU has to win out to have any chance at the playoffs so they have absolutely nothing to lose in their homecoming game.

Having said that, I don’t think this porous EWU defense will stop the Hornet attack and will struggle to keep pace with our prolific offense. The Hornets win in Cheney this week.

Stingers Up!

 

[Super Hornet 2.0]

Week 7 - #5 Sac State at Eastern Washington

EWU’s defense lines up in a 4-2

Regardless of the schedule, the Eagles struggle to get stops and don’t force many turnovers and don’t sack the quarterback very often.

What this tells me is that O'Hara and Skattebo are going to run wild...at least until EWU responds by removing the nickel back and replacing him with a Mike Backer. That's not to say that our receivers won't get open (they probably will), but O'Hara and Skattebo doing what they do best will likely take up huge chunks of time, and that will definitely play in our favor....

 

[Kadeezy]

I really think the use of Skattebo has been strategic to this point. I won’t be surprised to see him start hitting 15-20 carries per game as we get into critical conference games. Of course complimented by Fulcher flying around too. Taylor has barely had to open up the playbook thus far - let’s look for that to pay dividends in a closer game!

SAC 45
EWU 35

 

[Kadeezy]

At least our guys will see these jerseys in the inferno field… on homecoming…

https://twitter.com/fcsnationradio1/status/1580653275292258305?s=46&t=FbIX2Zj8dg-5LdqK56DAWQ

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Play like we did against CSU, no contest.
EWU has historically been a thorn in the Hornets side, at their house.

Biggest stretch of the season starts this Sunday. EWU, IDAHO, Montana, Weber, UCFE. The 5-0 start is meaningless if we don't make it through this murderers row.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

At least our guys will see these jerseys in the inferno field… on homecoming…

https://twitter.com/fcsnationradio1/status/1580653275292258305?s=46&t=FbIX2Zj8dg-5LdqK56DAWQ

They cant afford a full uniform? Saturday's all you can eat buffet hanging out the bottom is not intimidating.

 

[Green Laser]

I thought the same thing! Not too intimating unless you are the owner of a all you can eat buffet and you saw those guys coming through the door!

 

[Super Hornet 2.0]

Play like we did against CSU, no contest.
EWU has historically been a thorn in the Hornets side, at their house.

Biggest stretch of the season starts this Sunday. EWU, IDAHO, Montana, Weber, UCFE. The 5-0 start is meaningless if we don't make it through this murderers row.

I think you took that one, maybe two too far, GCM. The Manure Pile is cr@p this year, and I don't trust Idalol. In fact, EWU isn't really up to snuff this year, either, but they're better than Idaho and the Manure Pile....

 

[Kadeezy]

Play like we did against CSU, no contest.
EWU has historically been a thorn in the Hornets side, at their house.

Biggest stretch of the season starts this Sunday. EWU, IDAHO, Montana, Weber, UCFE. The 5-0 start is meaningless if we don't make it through this murderers row.

I think you took that one, maybe two too far, GCM. The Manure Pile is cr@p this year, and I don't trust Idalol. In fact, EWU isn't really up to snuff this year, either, but they're better than Idaho and the Manure Pile....

Davis lost to South Dakota State and Weber in close games. They will not be a pushover in the CC.

 

[stingthemgood]

Play like we did against CSU, no contest.
EWU has historically been a thorn in the Hornets side, at their house.

Biggest stretch of the season starts this Sunday. EWU, IDAHO, Montana, Weber, UCFE. The 5-0 start is meaningless if we don't make it through this murderers row.

I think you took that one, maybe two too far, GCM. The Manure Pile is cr@p this year, and I don't trust Idalol. In fact, EWU isn't really up to snuff this year, either, but they're better than Idaho and the Manure Pile....

Proof you know nothing about Big Sky Football... this isn't a contrarian take. This is a WRONG take. It is CRAZY.

 

[SDHornet]

Play like we did against CSU, no contest.
EWU has historically been a thorn in the Hornets side, at their house.

Biggest stretch of the season starts this Sunday. EWU, IDAHO, Montana, Weber, UCFE. The 5-0 start is meaningless if we don't make it through this murderers row.

I think you took that one, maybe two too far, GCM. The Manure Pile is cr@p this year, and I don't trust Idalol. In fact, EWU isn't really up to snuff this year, either, but they're better than Idaho and the Manure Pile....

Davis lost to South Dakota State and Weber in close games. They will not be a pushover in the CC.

Meh. The dungpilers are better than their record, but they're nothing special this year. The SDSU game was close because the Rabbits did everything possible to lose that game in the last 5 minutes...and still won. The Weber game was a total clusterfvck of game management and play calling by both coaches. Absolute horrid situational awareness all around. That said, Gilliam is completely carrying that gimmicky offense and it's still not enough even with a stout defensive performance they've been having. They should rack up some wins now that the hard part of the schedule is behind them, but barring a rash of Hornet injuries we win another Causeway this year.

 

[OldSchoolHornet]

At this point Davis is the least of our worries. Eastern Washington is far better/bigger/faster and more physical than any team we have played this season. If we don't get a better start than last week it could be a rude awakening.

 

[Kadeezy]

https://omny.fm/shows/stingers-up-the-sacramento-state-football-podcast/2022-episode-8-stingers-up

 

[Kadeezy]

Man, Skattebo looks gassed before every play, then busts a run, then limps away lol

 

[stingthemgood]

Man, Skattebo looks gassed before every play, then busts a run, then limps away lol

Hope we get Fulcher back next week. I like Skatt getting 13-15 carries and being fresh for every play.

Tau-Tolliver should have gotten more touches tonight. Got one first drive for 10 yards and not again until mid fourth.

 

[Kadeezy]

Man, Skattebo looks gassed before every play, then busts a run, then limps away lol

Hope we get Fulcher back next week. I like Skatt getting 13-15 carries and being fresh for every play.

Tau-Tolliver should have gotten more touches tonight. Got one first drive for 10 yards and not again until mid fourth.

Radio call said Fulcher will back for Montana game.

 

[SDHornet]

Man, Skattebo looks gassed before every play, then busts a run, then limps away lol

Hope we get Fulcher back next week. I like Skatt getting 13-15 carries and being fresh for every play.

Tau-Tolliver should have gotten more touches tonight. Got one first drive for 10 yards and not again until mid fourth.

Radio call said Fulcher will back for Montana game.

EWU announcers said he didn't even make the trip.

 

[SDHornet]

52-28 Hornet win. I tuned in when it was 21 all so I'll have to go back and watch the replay on the first 1.5 quarters. Hornets outscored EWU 31-7 from that point on. The game went back and forth but the turning point was that Hornet goal line stop and subsequent TD drive that put the game away. I'll post more thoughts tomorrow.

 

[stingthemgood]

Man, Skattebo looks gassed before every play, then busts a run, then limps away lol

Hope we get Fulcher back next week. I like Skatt getting 13-15 carries and being fresh for every play.

Tau-Tolliver should have gotten more touches tonight. Got one first drive for 10 yards and not again until mid fourth.

Radio call said Fulcher will back for Montana game.

EWU announcers said he didn't even make the trip.

As did our announcers. All I was saying is that I hope he does come back and suffers no setbacks. Guess I can't "hope" on this board. I'll just stick to facts.

 

[Kadeezy]

Man, Skattebo looks gassed before every play, then busts a run, then limps away lol

Hope we get Fulcher back next week. I like Skatt getting 13-15 carries and being fresh for every play.

Tau-Tolliver should have gotten more touches tonight. Got one first drive for 10 yards and not again until mid fourth.

Radio call said Fulcher will back for Montana game.

EWU announcers said he didn't even make the trip.

As did our announcers. All I was saying is that I hope he does come back and suffers no setbacks. Guess I can't "hope" on this board. I'll just stick to facts.

Fulcher was active on the socials during the game - I’m guessing this was a precaution in a game they felt comfortable with giving him a rehab week on, with the bye so early. We need him healthy, especially at home over the next couple weeks…