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

[OldSchoolHornet]

If this whole “FBS or bust” deal falls apart I’m definitely going to be a hater.

 

[SDHornet]

Is this what people really believe? I think simply trying to better your situation will attract zero haters - maybe there's other factors that go along with trying to improve?

I'm envious of what Sac is trying to do with their program.

Life is full of haters and they expose themselves when you make moves to better yourself and/or your situation. You're a very fortunate person that you haven't encountered this in your life and haven't/don't have acquaintances/"friends" who engage in that kind of negativity.

The Sac State FBS situation is just a more public example of this. Granted Dr. Wood hasn't had the best PR campaign when attempting this move but nonetheless, a lot of what Hornet25 posted applies to this situation.

 

[SDHornet]

I don't personally care for it. He's taking his boxing smack talk to the football field. But Dr. Wood was intentionally being over the top to show it was all in good fun. The other schools and fans taking offense were going to find a reason to be offended no matter what he said.

One thing I've learned is that FCS schools have an inferiority complex. They all want to be FBS because it's a step up, but go ballistic when someone points it out. Or maybe they don't want this particular person pointing it out and getting a leg up on them. I don’t know. But there is a target on Sac State from the moment we announced we want to go FBS.

Spot on. Thinking on it more, I think there was a target on our back ever since we ran through the BSC for 3 straight seasons.

 

[sacstateman]

I have 1 problem with the play calling...little over 2 mins left, 3rd and 1 at the UNC 20, been running the ball down their throat and suddenly, GoGo decides to try a pass and Williams gets sacked...have to settle for a field goal and leave enough time on the clock for UNC to make that final drive....In that situation, I definitely want to run to keep clock moving and if you dont make it, you can decide if you want to go for it on 4th down or kick the FG....if you get the 1st down on the 3rd down play, you might be able to run the clock out with the way we were running it....Question mark for me....

 

[HeavyistheClown]

Will need to obtain a passing runner in the portal. Williams is too one dimensional.

Agreed, some questionable rookie HC time management decisions made so far this year. Other was at Reno throwing the ball with less than a minute left leading the game.

 

[Kadeezy]

I have 1 problem with the play calling...little over 2 mins left, 3rd and 1 at the UNC 20, been running the ball down their throat and suddenly, GoGo decides to try a pass and Williams gets sacked...have to settle for a field goal and leave enough time on the clock for UNC to make that final drive....In that situation, I definitely want to run to keep clock moving and if you dont make it, you can decide if you want to go for it on 4th down or kick the FG....if you get the 1st down on the 3rd down play, you might be able to run the clock out with the way we were running it....Question mark for me....

Both teams were trying to pass when they should be running to lose the game. Only one team could lose though.

 

[Kadeezy]

Will need to obtain a passing runner in the portal. Williams is too one dimensional.

Agreed, some questionable rookie HC time management decisions made so far this year. Other was at Reno throwing the ball with less than a minute left leading the game.

Wait until you see Jamar Malone…better passer than Williams, better runner than Rashada.

 

[Hornet25]

Wait until you see Jamar Malone…better passer than Williams, better runner than Rashada.

This is who I'm waiting on. Especially after watching Jaquail Smith. The high school recruits have a mental advantage on the FBS transfers who thought it would be easier for them in FCS and they would put up video game numbers. Props to Rodney Hammond for not taking this opportunity for granted and respecting his opponents.

 

[SDHornet]

I have 1 problem with the play calling...little over 2 mins left, 3rd and 1 at the UNC 20, been running the ball down their throat and suddenly, GoGo decides to try a pass and Williams gets sacked...have to settle for a field goal and leave enough time on the clock for UNC to make that final drive....In that situation, I definitely want to run to keep clock moving and if you dont make it, you can decide if you want to go for it on 4th down or kick the FG....if you get the 1st down on the 3rd down play, you might be able to run the clock out with the way we were running it....Question mark for me....

Total headscratcher moment.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

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.

Nice recap! This was only the 3rd game I’ve been able to watch LIVE from beginning to end this season, as I’ve had a lot of stuff going on this year making extracurriculars a bit challenging, but this was a fun and exciting game to take in. The atmosphere looked amazing! And while it appeared as though they might blow it at the end, the defense came though at the goal line when the team needed it most.

Props to the admin for being creative with the end of game concert idea. I realize it was also homecoming, but there’d never be 20,000+ in attendance for a game against UNCO otherwise. Getting those extra fans into the stadium and exposing them to the high scoring and exciting finish they all saw will likely help bring some of those fans back for more. If heard correctly, sounds like they are doing another concert after the Montana game on Friday? I suspect another good turnout for that prime time game too. Let’s hope the Hornets performance on the field is up to the task.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

I have 1 problem with the play calling...little over 2 mins left, 3rd and 1 at the UNC 20, been running the ball down their throat and suddenly, GoGo decides to try a pass and Williams gets sacked...have to settle for a field goal and leave enough time on the clock for UNC to make that final drive....In that situation, I definitely want to run to keep clock moving and if you dont make it, you can decide if you want to go for it on 4th down or kick the FG....if you get the 1st down on the 3rd down play, you might be able to run the clock out with the way we were running it....Question mark for me....

Total headscratcher moment.

Coach Marion is going through some growing pains, that’s for sure. Transitioning from a coordinator to the guy responsible for managing everything isn’t the easiest thing to do — especially at this level.

Not running the ball on that 3rd and 1 last night, along with the same decision at UNR on 2nd and 7 with 2:26 remaining and no timeouts for the opponent, were not decisions I expected from him — but until proven otherwise we should all expect him to learn and grow from the experiences.

It is his first time as a collegiate head coach after all.