• Hi Guest,

    We've updated the site to combine all the forums that were part of the Big Sky Fans Network into one location. This will make it easier to navigate and participate in all the discussions for each school without having to have multiple accounts, etc. We are still working out some tweaks but please let us know if you notice anything.

    With the migration, in some circumstances, your username could have been merged with one of your other usernames from the other forums. If this is the case, you can request to change your username in your account details page of your profile.
  • Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!
  • Guest, do want an ad free experience on BigSkyFans.com among other benefits? Upgrade your account today!

    Simply click your profile name > account upgrades > BigSky Club > choose between the year long subscription (two free months) or month to month

    Thanks for the continued support. Cheers!

Week 8 - Sac State vs Weber State

SDHornet

SDHornet

Moderator
Staff member
Week 8 - Sac State vs Weber State

The Hornets (2-4, 0-2 BSC) host the Weber State Wildcats (3-4, 1-1 BSC) under 2nd year Head Coach Mickey Mental. The Wildcats have yet to find any consistency this season as they have alternated wins and loses every other week. WSU’s 3 FCS losses are by a combined 7 points with their latest game being an embarrassing home loss to a winless Northern Colorado, 17-21. WSU turned the ball over 5 times, including 2 inside the 5 yard line. The week prior, the Wildcats had a big upset win in overtime at Montana, 55-48.

The Wildcats run the RPO from the pistol and also spread the ball out in an empty backfield set. Quarterback Richie Munoz (119/207, 1492 yds, 14 TD, 2 INT, 49 car, 156 yds, 2 TD) leads the WSU offense and while not exceptionally fast, he is quick enough to get to the sticks, has a good arm, and doesn’t make bad decisions with the ball. In the backfield, a trio of players see considerable action with Damon Bankston (118 car, 692 yds, 5 TD, 6 rec, 94 yds, 1 TD) being the workhorse. Wide receiver Jacob Sharp (31 rec, 526 yds, 5 TD) is the top target in the passing game. Three other receivers have at least 12 receptions on the season. Up front, the Wildcat offensive line is physical and well suited for their pound and ground style of offense.

Offensive Team Stats
  • Points scored per game: 28.4 ppg (7th BSC / 37th FCS)
  • Total Offense: 415.7 ypg (202.6 rushing ypg / 213.1 passing ypg) - 6th (4th / 7th) BSC
  • Sacks Allowed: 9 (T-5th BSC)
  • Turnovers: 2/6 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone: 20/27 - 13/7 (TD/FG) - 11th BSC
Defensively, the Wildcats 4-3 defense has been respectable and ranks middle of the conference or better in most categories. Linebacker Garrett Beck (35 tkl, 3 TFL, 2 sac) and defensive end Brayden Wilson (35 tkl, 2.5 TFL, 1 sac) leads the defense in tackles. Defensive end Kemari Bailey (27 tkl, 11.5 TFL, 6 sac) has been a wrecking ball in the backfield and lead WSU in sacks and tackles for loss.

Defensive Team Stats
  • Points allowed per game: 23.6 ppg (5th BSC / 35th FCS)
  • Total Defense: 362.1 ypg (176.0 rushing ypg / 186.1 passing ypg) - 5th (8th / 3rd) BSC
  • Sacks : 11 (T-7th BSC)
  • Turnovers Forced: 2/5 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone: 17/18 - 16/1 (TD/FG) - 11th BSC
The WSU kick return game is atop the BSC with Clarence Butler and Noah Kjar averaging over 27 yards a return. Kjar has taken a return to the house this season. Kicker Kyle Thompson (14/15 PAT, 9/14 FG) has a long of 46 yards and one blocked field goal on the season. Punter Oscar Doyle (29 pnt, 45.1 ypp) has pinned 13 of his punts inside the 20 and he has 9 punts of over 50 yards.

Hornet Team Stats
  • Points scored per game: 27.7 (8th BSC / 41st FCS)
  • Points allowed per game: 27.3 (6th BSC / T-64th FCS)
  • Total Offense: 373.8 ypg (145.2 rushing ypg / 228.7 passing ypg) - 9th (9th / 4th) BSC
  • Total Defense: 344.8 ypg (104.2 rushing ypg / 240.7 passing ypg) - 3rd (2nd / 8th) BSC
  • Sacks Allowed: 5 (T-1 BSC)
  • Sacks: 20 (1st BSC)
  • Turnovers: 8/7 (INT/Fum)
  • Turnovers Forced: 6/7 (INT/Fum)
  • Red Zone Offense: 22/28 - 15/7 (TD/FG) - 9th BSC
  • Red Zone Defense: 15/20 - 13/2 (TD/FG) - 2nd BSC
Position Advantage
  • Quarterback: Wildcats. Richie Munoz is a capable thrower and is a big enough threat with his legs to have a bigger impact on the game than Carson Conklin.
  • Running Backs: Wildcats. The Wildcat running backs are better than the Hornet running backs by a considerable margin.
  • Wide Receivers: Push. Hard to tell which group of receivers is better. Jacob Sharp has a better stat line than Jared Gipson with one more game played.
  • Tight Ends: Push. The Hornets use their tight ends in the passing game more than the Wildcats, but the Wildcat tight ends are better in the run game.
  • Offensive Line: Wildcats. The Hornet offensive line protects the quarterback a little better, but more importantly the Wildcats are more effective in the running game.
  • Defensive Line: Push. Hornets get to the quarterback better than the Wildcats, but the WSU defensive front gets into the backfield more.
  • Linebackers: Hornets. Will Leota and Nakian Jackson find the ball more than Garrett Beck and company.
  • Defensive Backs: Wildcats. WSU is much more efficient at defending the pass compared to the Hornets.
  • Punters: Wildcats. Oscar Doyle places his punts much better than Cal McGough.
  • Kickers: Hornets. Zach Schreiner is more accurate than Kyle Thompson.
  • Kick Returners: Wildcats. The WSU return game has more game impact potential than the Hornets.
WSU turnovers let the game slip away from them last week which probably cost them a share of the BSC title, so they will be looking to make amends this week. WSU no doubt will look at how the Hornet defense struggled against an RPO power running game and hammer those same weaknesses again this week. The Hornets will need to force some 3rd and long situations to get the WSU offense off the field.

For the Hornet offense, there is no reason to think that Bobby will figure out a game plan that can be effective for 60 minutes against a stout defensive team like Weber State. Maybe some creativity gets added to the archaic plays and Hornet fans finally get to see something innovative…or probably not. A balanced offense will be needed to keep the WSU defense on its heels, if the Hornets have to chase points then they will have a difficult outing.

It’s hard to pick the Hornets given how badly they have been outcoached these past few games. Can this coaching staff stave off the regression back to middle of the road status and turn it around? At best this is a toss up game for the Hornets and Weber State is talented and physical enough to come in and get a win against this reeling Hornet program, which is what I think will happen.

Stingers Up!

WSU at UM Highlights:

UNC at WSU Highlights:
 
I have 13 tickets for this game with some folks I've thoroughly prepared to be disappointed lol. @Sting, I think the coast is clear for you to share that KB is no longer on the team. Not really going to give anyone a competitive advantage at this point.
 
Kadeezy said:
I have 13 tickets for this game with some folks I've thoroughly prepared to be disappointed lol. @Sting, I think the coast is clear for you to share that KB is no longer on the team. Not really going to give anyone a competitive advantage at this point.
Click to expand...
Until he is removed from the roster, he is still on the team.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top