• 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 8, Homecoming: EWU @ Sac State

Brutal loss and complete choke job in the 4th quarter. I’ll just echo what many folks have already posted and I think our season is over. Mathematically the Hornets can still get 7 wins and could still get an at-large berth, but emotionally I think it’s done for. All the air left the sails after Diniz2 missed that makeable 44 yarder at the end of regulation. It’s going to be tough for this team to come back after bad loss. A couple of things:
  • 1. Congrats to EWU. They never gave up and they took advantage of the multiple opportunities the Hornets gave them to win this game. EWU should and probably will win out and land in the playoffs.

    2. It’s time for Diniz2 to go. That has been obvious for a handful of weeks now and his no-show this past weekend solidified it. Diniz2 needs to just go…

    3. …and he can take Heath1 with him. Another poor punt sets up great field position for EWU and they capitalized off of it. Fortunately Heath1 is a senior and he is gone after 4 weeks. Having said that, I’m not sure if there is a point to burning the redshirts of Heath2 and Bettencourt so I think Sperbeck has little choice but to continue to let Heath1 and Diniz2 flounder the rest of the way.

    4. Let Fleming play and participate in whatever tug-o-war rally events and whatever recreational sporting events he wants to…then hand him a clipboard come Saturday. Safron and Edwards played their asses off and they both provided a spark to the offense. To say the least I was quite impressed and those two really lived up to the occasion. Since the season is pretty much over, let Edwards and Safron get some experience for next season because they are going to need it.

    5. Get some of the young WR’s in the games so they can get some experience. After seeing a senior WR drop a potential game tying or winning TD in OT, I have no problem sitting Hendershott and some of the other over-rated senior WR’s for some of the younger WR’s on the team. Play Carter, Broadnax, Chastain, and continue to let Norrise see the field. At this point there is really not much to do but build for next year.

    6. Defense…yeah I’m not sure here. EWU has a prolific passing attack and it was stupid of the coaches to take their foot off the pedal and rely on this unit to stop EWU. That bad penalty was huge and those kinds of mistakes can’t be tolerated.

    7. As far as the coaching goes Sperbeck need not be kicked to the curb for this one. I’m not saying it’s not his fault because it is, but to say he needs to go after this loss even though under his leadership this program knocked off a BCS Oregon State school as well as a Montana program the Hornets never won against is completely idiotic. Yes, anyone thinking or saying Sperbeck should be fired because of this loss is an idiot. He took his foot off the pedal and it cost him and this program a win. The change that does need to be made is that an OC needs to be found and hired. We had one coming in this season but he was hired away and wasn’t replaced. Over the years Sperbeck has shown he struggles with play selection and last weekend was no different which is why the number 1 priority this off-season needs to be finding an OC whose sole job will be to develop and execute a game plan.
Brutal way to end a game that most everyone did well in. Sperbeck needs to find a way to get this program over the hump. For 45 minutes it looked like he finally found a way, but then it all went to sh!t in a hurry. EWU was a must win and this team couldn’t come through.

The Hornets could and should win the last 4, but I expect them to stumble somewhere:
  • • NAU is always a tough opponent but the Hornets should still come out on top. The Jacks are probably the toughest opponent left.
    • PSU is banged up and I think their star RB McCaffrey is done for the season. Their defense is porous but it is a road game.
    • ISU has no OL to speak of. They have no running game and rely on short quick passes because they can’t provide enough time for their QB. Their defense is ok but they are on the field a lot and the Hornets should be able to wear them down.
    • The Causeway will be interesting. The farm extension is having a great season from a Hornet perspective but it’s a rivalry game so it will no doubt be closer than it should.
The bad news is the Hornets will need to win these games by at least a TD or two because if any of them come down to a FG…well we all know what happens when we try a FG…
 
SDHornet said:
It’s going to be tough for this team to come back after bad loss.
Click to expand...

I have to respectfully disagree. They played the defending champs like champs. These freshmen could have fooled anyone who doesn't know hornet football into thinking they were experienced jrs and srs. This team should not be hanging their heads at all. I think Saturday's game can be used as great motivation. It showed their true potential.

2. It’s time for Diniz2 to go. That has been obvious for a handful of weeks now and his no-show this past weekend solidified it. Diniz2 needs to just go…
Click to expand...

Again, respectfully disagree. Freshmen being thrown into the fire. If this continues next season, bench him!

7. The change that does need to be made is that an OC needs to be found and hired. We had one coming in this season but he was hired away and wasn’t replaced. Over the years Sperbeck has shown he struggles with play selection and last weekend was no different which is why the number 1 priority this off-season needs to be finding an OC whose sole job will be to develop and execute a game plan. [/list]
Brutal way to end a game that most everyone did well in. Sperbeck needs to find a way to get this program over the hump. For 45 minutes it looked like he finally found a way, but then it all went to sh!t in a hurry. EWU was a must win and this team couldn’t come through.
Click to expand...

I recommend ex SDSU QB and HC Tom Craft. His Riverside CC tigers are undefeated.
http://riverside.trivalley.com/view_news.asp?NewsId=1598" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Apparently, from what I've read on Aztecmesa, he did a helluva job as OC at Mt. SAC too.

Some posters on Aztecmesa fiddle with the notion of bringing back Craft as OC. The current OC, Andy Ludwig, appears, as some have called him, "erratic" with his play calling. I have to agree, I witnessed that from him while he was OC at Cal, which I suspect let to the Golden Bears releasing him. Apparently, Utah fans felt the same way while he was their OC.

The Hornets could and should win the last 4, but I expect them to stumble somewhere:
Click to expand...
Blah! Have more faith in the potential of this team! The remainder of the season favors the hornets.

• NAU is always a tough opponent but the Hornets should still come out on top. The Jacks are probably the toughest opponent left.
Click to expand...

Agree. I watched the Jack vs. Griz game just to see what the horns are gonna be up against next week, this is a very beatable Jack team. Hornets fans here think that Sac St did a choke job, now if anyone watched the Jack, Griz game, then you saw a real choke job. They allow a 50+ yard run for the Griz to take the W in the last couple of minutes. No overtime. With that said, the Jacks should by no means be overlooked.
 
I have to respectfully disagree. They played the defending champs like champs. These freshmen could have fooled anyone who doesn't know hornet football into thinking they were experienced jrs and srs. This team should not be hanging their heads at all. I think Saturday's game can be used as great motivation. It showed their true potential.
Click to expand...
EWU has been bitten by the injury bug beyond belief and yet they were still able to run roughshod over the Hornets in the 4th quarter. Hats off to EWU for never taking their foot off the gas. Blowing a late lead like that is inexcusable no matter what.

Again, respectfully disagree. Freshmen being thrown into the fire. If this continues next season, bench him!
Click to expand...
Diniz2 is done...or at least should be. It’s not like he is missing some and making some, he is missing everything. I would side with you if he has been showing any sign of improvement. Since he hasn’t, time to look elsewhere.
Blah! Have more faith in the potential of this team! The remainder of the season favors the hornets.
Click to expand...
Meh. This program is on the verge of completely squandering a first ever playoff appearance with a team loaded with experience and talent. For a season that is shaping into a complete disappointment, it’s going to be hard for much of the Hornet faithful to stay faithful. Sadly that includes me.
 
Myself and others on this board could see from Day 1 that Jason Diniz was going to be a problem. There are comments in the Oregon State thread from those of us who watched them game noting his problems with trajectory, ball flight, body language, etc. But there's been a contingent of folks making a variety of excuses. The time for excuses is over, so is Jason's stint as the kicker (after this year).

And, this may be a bit cold-hearted, but when a contingent of EWU fans were making their way through the parking lot to the stadium, the Jason Diniz tailgate area (yes there's Jason Diniz posters, decorations, etc.) booed, jeered, and heckled them. At the time I thought that to be a bold move considering Diniz's inability to make anything but a PAT (barely)... Then, at the end of the game I thought okay, the kid actually has a chance to redeem himself... It's a tie game, the conditions are perfect, and worst case scenario we go to OT. Still, shank.

I know Kyle Monson (#7) is doing his best, but he's routinely over-matched against #1 receivers. Wilkins has a tough time too, but as the Nickel back he's not exposed as often. I don't see our coverage failures being a matter of a lack of effort, just overmatched sometimes.

Safran and Edwards played their hearts out. I don't have a single qualm with their performances whatsoever. The only problem is, teams will have the duo scouted out now and Safron will need to attempt more than just one pass and Edwards will have to run out of the pistol too.

I think we have a 25% chance of winning out and I think that would get us an at-large bid as the CAA continues to kick the crap out of itself and many teams will struggle to get to 7 DI wins. However, I think that a 3-1 finish is the most likely scenario. We should be favored in every game, but the two games that are a toss up IMO are @PSU (it's tough to win on the road in the BSC) and vs. UC Dungpile (never take a rivalry game for granted).
 
EWU has been bitten by the injury bug beyond belief and yet they were still able to run roughshod over the Hornets in the 4th quarter. Hats off to EWU for never taking their foot off the gas. Blowing a late lead like that is inexcusable no matter what.
Click to expand...
It's my understanding that the hornets also came into the game injury plagued. And used players that were staring their first game ever. The Edub depters had accumulated game time experience coming into Sat's game.

Meh. This program is on the verge of completely squandering a first ever playoff appearance with a team loaded with experience and talent. For a season that is shaping into a complete disappointment, it’s going to be hard for much of the Hornet faithful to stay faithful. Sadly that includes me.
Click to expand...

Again I say to you, BLAH!
 
SDHornet said:
5. Get some of the young WR’s in the games so they can get some experience. After seeing a senior WR drop a potential game tying or winning TD in OT, I have no problem sitting Hendershott and some of the other over-rated senior WR’s for some of the younger WR’s on the team. Play Carter, Broadnax, Chastain, and continue to let Norrise see the field. At this point there is really not much to do but build for next year.
Click to expand...

im curious as to who the other 'over-rated" senior wide receivers are? Reed? Deadder?

Also i want you to try and tell any senior that is potentially looking at playing their last season of football at any level that we r going to sit them simply bc we want to prepare for next year. As far as i am concerned the coaches see these players everyday and they are going to put the players on the field that they feel give them the best chance to win PERIOD.
 
SacHornet said:
im curious as to who the other 'over-rated" senior wide receivers are? Reed? Deadder?
Click to expand...
Our senior WR’s that have been hyped have a tendency to become invisible when they are needed most.

Reed:
No show in weeks 2, 3, 4: 2 catches for 44 yards combined in those games.
One catch against EWU for 63 yards and a TD.
Big games @ OSU & @ MSU.
On the season Reed has 15 catches for 324 yards and 5 TD’s.

Deadder:
Weeks 2, 3, 4: 9 catches for 91 yards, 2 TD’s combined in those games.
No show @ MSU (He got hurt in this one.) & missed the EWU game.
Big game @ OSU as he caught 2 TD’s.
On the season Deadder has 15 catches for 152 yards and 4 TD’s.

Henderschott:
Actually he has been the most consistent as far as reception numbers per game are considered but they are usually short gains. He has 23 catches for 160 yards and 0 TD’s on the season and a costly dropped TD in the EWU game.

Combined these guys have 53 catches for 636 yards and 9 TD’s. All I’m saying as for the talent that has been hyped up on our WR group, the numbers are awful and opposing secondary’s have found ways to take them completely out of games. I know we are a run first team and I am sure that plays a large part in why these numbers aren’t impressive (plus the passless game @ UNC), but I expected more from this group of talented and experienced WR’s given the excitement our passing game provided us fans last season.
 
it seemed like the Hornets came OUT of the bye week more injuried than going INTO the bye week. I don't remember any mention during the past two weeks of injuries to some of the players who missed (i guess Fleming got hurt outside of practice?). were those injuries known after the UNC game? i guess i'm surprised that receivers came out of the UNC game hurt with the lack of passing in that game. that game really hurt. seems like it's going to be a challenge to finish in the top 3 in the BigSky unless someone above really falters. if EWU and Sac end up with similar records, i would think the defending champs would get the nod.
 
Both Reed and Deadder have been hurt, i believe i heard that neither traveled to UNC and that can explain the limited playing time of Reed and i know i saw Deadder walking around with a walking cast before the game
 
Deadder and Reed were banged up at Montana State game and did not make the trip to Northern Colorado.
Reed has a shoulder injury but can still play. Deadder was on crutches, I hope he is not lost for the season he is one of most valuable athletes we have on this team. It would be nice if Curtis Shaw is able to return soon, Hilliard looks like he is less than 100%.
 
thanks for the update; probably missed the injured receiver news in UNC since, oh i dunno, there were no passes!

i think the key to a possible playoff berth for Sac (besides winning out) is to have EWU stumble at least once. if they finish 7-4, 6-2 in BSC, they probably get a bid over the Hornets. Montana will likely finish 8-3, and their loss in Sac won't be noticed. Hard to believe there would be four BSC bids.

Poly is the other wildcard in this. 4-3 now, 3-3 in D1 games. they need at least 3 wins in their final four which are South Dakota (home...should win), at Davis (never know), EWU (home, toss-up) and at South Alabama (could be a tough trip).
 
DrMike said:
thanks for the update; probably missed the injured receiver news in UNC since, oh i dunno, there were no passes!

i think the key to a possible playoff berth for Sac (besides winning out) is to have EWU stumble at least once. if they finish 7-4, 6-2 in BSC, they probably get a bid over the Hornets. Montana will likely finish 8-3, and their loss in Sac won't be noticed. Hard to believe there would be four BSC bids.

Poly is the other wildcard in this. 4-3 now, 3-3 in D1 games. they need at least 3 wins in their final four which are South Dakota (home...should win), at Davis (never know), EWU (home, toss-up) and at South Alabama (could be a tough trip).
Click to expand...
I think CP needs to win out. I think they had 6 wins last year and didn't get into post season, I assum the same would apply this season.
 
Recap/Thoughts

The Hornets had a chance to make a statement in the BSC and it came up short. After dominating for 3 quarters, the Hornets let off the gas just enough to let BLM lead EWU back into the game and into an OT win. The Hornets will now have to pick up the pieces and win every game if they want any chance at seeing post season play.

Offense
Fleming was a late scratch but the tandem of a running Safron and a passing Edwards led the Hornets to lots of yardage. Both quarterbacks played well and there were plenty of big plays. EWU had a pretty banged up defense and they had trouble stopping the Hornets for most of the game. Unfortunately the Hornets couldn’t score in OT and they fell in this one. Game stats:
  • • Edwards: 18 of 26 for 223 yards, 2 TD’s, 4 rushing yards on 1 carry
    • Safron: 1 of 1 for 9 yards, 100 rushing yards on 15 carries, 1 TD
    • Hilliard: 18 carries for 78 yards, 1 TD
    • McCowan: 4 carries for 80 yards
    • Croxdale: 2 carries for 16 yards, 1 rec for 18 yards
    • Tezanos-Pinto: 7 carries for 15 yards, 1 TD
    • Reed: 1 rec for 63 yards, 1 TD
    • Norrise: 4 recs for 34 yards, 5 carries for 20 yards
    • Carter: 4 recs for 32 yards
    • Hendershott: 3 recs for 25 yards, 1 dropped TD
    • Macial: 2 recs for 17 yards, 1 TD
    • Broadnax: 2 recs for 16 yards
    • OL: No sacks allowed
    • TOP: 36:24
The offense did well for much of the game, unfortunately it wasn’t enough. The Hornet injuries are starting to mount as the season progresses so that will be something to keep in mind moving forward. Hopefully the Hornets can regain the drive that they had this past week and use it going forward. All is needed is a full 60 minutes each week.

Defense
The Hornet defense kept EWU controlled for 3 quarters, but couldn’t stop BLM and his WR’s in the 4 quarter as the secondary was sliced and diced. The DL was able to get a couple of sacks and keep BLM on his heels, but the effort came up short. A key penalty kept a late EWU drive alive and the Hornet secondary had no answer for the EWU WR’s. Game stats:
  • • Rushing Allowed: 99 yards on 22 attempts (4.5 ypr), 1 TD
    • Passing Allowed: 29/45 for 357 yards, 4 TD’s, 1 INT
    • Smith/ Badger/ McMahon: 8 tackles each
    • Wilkins: 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL’s, 0.5 sacks
    • Davis/ Larche: 7 tackles each, Davis 1 INT
    • Monson: 5 tackles
    • Coleman: 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks
    • Nash: 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL’s, 0.5 sacks
    • Agaiava: 3 tackles
    • Eskew: 2 tackles, 0.5 TFL’s, 0.5 sacks
    • Lawrence: 2 tackles
    • Odiase: INJ?
The defense couldn’t hold on and as I feared, the secondary was no match for EWU’s passing attack. This unit is going to have to regroup. The good news is they won’t play a passing game this talented for the rest of the season. The bad news is the secondary showed some major deficiencies which other teams will no doubt try to expose.

Special Teams
The kicking game was a big reason for the loss. Diniz continued his struggles by missing a super long 32 yarder at the end of the first half which was followed up with a missed 44 yard potential game winning FG at the end of regulation. Heath continued to be consistently short on punts.
  • • Heath: 3 punts for a 32.3 ypp avg. 1 Inside 20
    • Kick Coverage: Allowed 72 yards on 3 returns (24.0 ypr)
    • Punt Coverage: No punt returns allowed
    • Diniz: 5/5 PAT’s, 0/2 FG’s
    • Hendershott: 7 kr’s for 156 yards (22.3 ypr)
The kicking game has been suspect all season and it finally cost the Hornets big. I don’t know what the coaches can do in this aspect of the game as no improvements have been seen. I doubt we see another FG attempt the rest of the season.

Injuries
Injuries are starting to mount. Deadder missed the game, Odiase was absent, Hilliard is limping, and Fleming hurt his calf in a game of tug-o-war. The depth of this team will be tested from here on out.

Other Random Stuff
Photos:
http://nabityphotos.com/SSH_20111022/index.htm

Highlights:
http://www.hornetsports.com/sports/football/release.asp?release_id=9943

Hornetsports:
http://www.hornetsports.com/sports/football/release.asp?release_id=9940

Sac State Sports:
http://sacstatesports.com/2011/10/2...st-eastern-washington-continues-in-ot-defeat/

The Hornets need to regroup but they can still salvage this season. The Hornets need to win out, and they can do so if the offense continues to move the ball and if the defense can find a way to stop the pass.

Go Hornets!
 
SDHornet said:
DrMike said:
thanks for the update; probably missed the injured receiver news in UNC since, oh i dunno, there were no passes!

i think the key to a possible playoff berth for Sac (besides winning out) is to have EWU stumble at least once. if they finish 7-4, 6-2 in BSC, they probably get a bid over the Hornets. Montana will likely finish 8-3, and their loss in Sac won't be noticed. Hard to believe there would be four BSC bids.

Poly is the other wildcard in this. 4-3 now, 3-3 in D1 games. they need at least 3 wins in their final four which are South Dakota (home...should win), at Davis (never know), EWU (home, toss-up) and at South Alabama (could be a tough trip).
Click to expand...
I think CP needs to win out. I think they had 6 wins last year and didn't get into post season, I assum the same would apply this season.
Click to expand...

I could see Montana losing 2 of their remaining games. This week vs Weber especially if Trumaine Johnson and Gerald Kemp have to sit it out or are kicked off the team because of their arrests Saturday. I also see the Griz losing at Montana State. One of their remaining games is Western Oregon, a non counter. If we both end with 4 losses we should get the nod.
 
I'm a little late with my :twocents: , but I had to get this in perspective. I don't blame Diniz, because at this point he shouldn't even be there. I don't like to get upset and call for peoples job either. However, the team is under a microscope because expectations were high, and I'm seeing ever widening cracks. The cracks I see are in coaching and recruiting. I won't rehash what's been said about these two things, because it's been covered on the board many times. But I think that Sperbeck needs to win out and improve on last years record, even if we don't make the playoffs or he could be in trouble. Too may glaring coaching errors that has prevented us from winning games, or taken us out of position to win games. That includes lack of adequate recruiting in certain positions, poor clock management and having players in the game in pressure situations who probably don't even belong in a football uniform (Diniz). I'll continue to watch and maybe catch another game in person, but my enthusiasm has been drained.
 
I have had a chance to cool off after Saturdays game.

I had forgotten that we were OC less, and I think the coach was right to not hire one so late, and compound a bad decision. That being said, I agree with this board that there are some glaring deficiencies that must be addressed in the offseason. The Sky changes, for better or worse, next year and if we do not get our stuff together, we will end up 4th or 5th in the Southern Division.

SD, I have called Idiots APlenty, they are going to protest your posts for accusing them of being Hornet fans! :rofl:
 
HornetHope said:
I have had a chance to cool off after Saturdays game.

I had forgotten that we were OC less, and I think the coach was right to not hire one so late, and compound a bad decision. That being said, I agree with this board that there are some glaring deficiencies that must be addressed in the offseason. The Sky changes, for better or worse, next year and if we do not get our stuff together, we will end up 4th or 5th in the Southern Division.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I think Adams was hired away a handful of weeks before the season started. I doubt there was enough time to find an OC replacement.
Also I don’t think the BSC was split into divisions. Scheduling is going to go to a weird rotating system where each school has 2 designated “rivals” (ours will be CP and the farm extension) and then the other conference members are cycled through over the years. I’d prefer a division set up but the retarded UND add screwed that all up.

SD, I have called Idiots APlenty, they are going to protest your posts for accusing them of being Hornet fans! :rofl:
Click to expand...
Fine with me but my statement wasn’t meant to question their fandom. I stand by my statement that anyone calling for Sperbeck’s head given what he has done for this program and the wins this team was able to bring down this season (that no other coach or coaching staff was ever able to do) is idiotic.

I think he is contracted through the ’12 season and to be honest I would be completely fine with an extension of at least 3 years. His players are staying out of trouble, most are making grades and graduating, and the product on the field has been improving over his tenure here. Sure we all want to see more wins and see this program elevate to a level of play never seen before, but all the issues we as fans see wrong with what Sperbeck is and has been doing are fixable. :twocents:
 
Did anyone else happen to notice that #51, Avery White, played against EWU? I thought that after the devestating injury he had against Stanford last year that he would never play again. Good to see him back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top