• 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 7 - SAC (3-3, 1-1 Big Sky) vs. UNC (3-3, 1-1 Big Sky)

SactoHornetAlum

SactoHornetAlum

Moderator
Staff member
Suddenly this has become a big game this week for Homecoming as Northern Colorado rolls into town with an impressive 49-33 road win over previously #11 Idaho in the Kibbie Dome.

The Hornets equally impressive with their best road win ever in the Big Sky in terms of points scored (55), rushing yards (397) and rushing touchdowns (7) in the rain and cold at Weber State this past Saturday.

Both teams come in with equal records. With it being Homecoming, expect a big crowd with lots of tailgating. Going to need the Hornet faithful to be loud all game on defense and see if the rushing attack can continue against a rejuvenated Bears team led by third-year HC Ed Lamb.

#StingersUp
 
HeavyistheClown said:
Their QB will surgically dissect the Hornet secondary.
Hornets need to control the clock, is that possible with GoGo?
How many INT’s does Williams throw? That is key.
Click to expand...
Their second string QB (LSU transfer) is a huge upgrade over the injured Woods, that is scary. I think you hit the nail on the head here - can Williams take care of the ball in the air? And can he throw it with enough oomph to actually keep UNC honest? It's going to be 75 degrees and sunny leading up to this one, should be a relatively full house too (I'll say 16,000+) - can the Hornets leave the fans happy and pumped for the Friday ESPN game against the Griz...?

Two-Deep Notes: https://hornetsports.com/documents/2025/10/14/SacNotes101825.pdf

  • LT Herman still out injured. Hays played fantastic in his place last week.
  • WR Ernest Campbell listed as a starter over Conerly for first time all year.
  • Starting RBs Hammond and Adams II. Curtis not listed for first time this season as he heals. Henderson and Smith are backups. Red off the team.
  • MLB Rocha still starting for injured Houston.
  • CB Mullican listed as starter for first time over Ricky Lee Jr.

PREDICTION: SAC 41 UNC 35

Massey FCS says 91% chance of victory with average score: SAC 35 UNC 17
 
Last edited:
Kadeezy said:
Their second string QB (LSU transfer) is a huge upgrade over the injured Woods, that is scary. I think you hit the nail on the head here - can Williams take care of the ball in the air? And can he throw it with enough oomph to actually keep UNC honest? It's going to be 75 degrees and sunny leading up to this one, should be a relatively full house too (I'll say 16,000+) - can the Hornets leave the fans happy and pumped for the Friday ESPN game against the Griz...?

Two-Deep Notes: https://hornetsports.com/documents/2025/10/14/SacNotes101825.pdf

  • LT Herman still out injured. Hays played fantastic in his place last week.
  • WR Ernest Campbell listed as a starter over Conerly for first time all year.
  • Starting RBs Hammond and Adams II. Curtis not listed for first time this season as he heals. Henderson and Smith are backups. Red off the team.
  • MLB Rocha still starting for injured Houston.
  • CB Mullican listed as starter for first time over Ricky Lee Jr.

PREDICTION: SAC 41 UNC 35
Click to expand...
I listened to an Ed lamb HC UNC interview and the running defense for UNC wasn’t impressive, I think if we get the run game going. Ahead in scoring UNC will be broken down tired just like Weber St was last week.

Cardell needs to keep them honest with few solid completions of course too,

Prediction: SAC ST 45. UNC 28
 
Big game this week for both teams as UNC comes in after a stunning and very impressive blow out road win at ranked Idaho. Both the Hornets and Bears should have an FBS win under their belts as some home cooking from the refs played a role in both of those games.

The Bears seem to have found some life on offense. UNC spread the ball out and threw it all over the field a week ago indoors. Eric Gibson Jr (120/182, 6 TD, 3 INT) has a good accurate arm that can stretch the field. Wide received Carver Cheeks (35 rec, 502 yds, 2 TD) is a playmaker who has receiver Brayden Munroe (15 rec, 324 yds, 2 TD) and tight end Charles Garrison (13 rec, 211 yds, 2 TD) whom have proven to be capable targets in the passing game. Another 57 receptions are spread out amongst 5 other players so Gibson has no problem finding the open receiver. The rushing game isn't strong but UNC uses the running backs in the passing game very well. This is probably the best UNC offensive line in over a decade which has helped this offense tremendously.

Defensively is another matter. The Bears are giving up almost 200 yards per game on the ground and over 380 yards per game through the air. However they have been stingy on the scoreboard and keep opponents to under 22 points a game and have 29 TLFs on the season. Safety Cam Chapa (47 tak, 1 TFL, 2 INT) leads the Bears defense in tackling and interceptions and defensive lineman Ezra Ekuban (31 tak, 6.5 TFL, 2 sac) is a disruptive player up front.

On special teams, kicker Jacob Willig (10/13 FG, 12/12 PAT) is a good kicker with a long of 52 on the year.

The Hornets have been inconsistent all season so tough to guess which team will show up. If the running game can continue to churn out yards and points like it has in recent weeks then the Hornet chances are good in this one. The UNC passing game is concerning so the Hornet defense will need to find some stops. I think Hornet fans are in store for a high scoring game and ultimately a Hornet Homecoming victory.

Stingers Up!
 
BSCfan said:
They need to stop putting this guy on at halftime. The next game's going to be tough enough as it is and he's making comments like this? It's not like he's going to be strapping the pads on and playing next Friday...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1979741566106575211
Click to expand...
No they don't, more of this. The Hornets have had the target on their back ever since making the leap in investment into the program to the levels Dr. Wood has been doing. The haters don't like seeing us trying to better our situation and they can't stand it. IYKYK. Secondly, anyone who can't see that this is a blatant troll deserves all the gaslighting coming their way. This is Orange Man troll level game and I'm here for it.
 
40-35 Hornet win. Amazing game, probably the best atmosphere in Hornet Stadium I've ever been in. Tailgating scene kicked off very early and got popping (except for the idiot that wrecked the smoking of the brisket*), 20k fans in attendance, and a win to top it off. What a game.

As much as the Hornet defense got burned by UNC's passing game, this game isn't a win if not for their resilient performance. Ricky Lee III pick 6 proved to be the difference as the Hornet secondary picked off Eric Gibson Jr twice in the 4th quarter and 4 times total on the night. The last ounce of resilience was expended on a 4th down stop near the goal line to preserve the win. Alex Rocha (11 tak, 1 TFL, 1 sac) led the defense and Koa Akui (7 tak, 1 INT) had another interception in the 1st half.

The Hornet offense racked up 323 rushing yards but struggled to move the ball through the air, and most critically, fell asleep when the defense forced turnovers. Frankly, the game should have never come down to a goal line stop had the offense executed and put the game away midway through the 4th quarter. Cardell Williams (8/16, 90 yds, 1 TD) did not look comfortable in the passing game and the play calling did not dial up any designed quarterback runs to stretch the box laterally. However, to his credit he didn't force the ball and had zero turnovers in the game and had a nice lollipop to tight end Bear Tenny (1 rec, 25 yds, 1 TD) for a score. Rodney Hammond Jr (21 car, 134 yds, 1 TD) had another huge game and freshman phenom JaQuail Smith (17 car, 103 yds) hit the century mark for back to back weeks.

On special teams, the Hornets came through big. Most notable was kicker Grant Meadors (4/4 FG, 4/4 PAT) who was absolute nails. Punter Cal McGough pinned 2 of his 3 punts inside the 20 and Hammond broke another big return at the end of the 1st half that the offense was unable to capitalize on.

Hat tip to UNC, greatly improved in Coach Lambs 2nd season and by far the best all around UNC team I've seen since they joined the BSC. Carver Cheeks is an amazing player, pretty much unstoppable tonight.

Stingers Up!

*It was me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top