51-48 Hornets win in double overtime. Hornets get a much needed win at a time when one was needed the most. Depending on your view, you can focus on the positives or negatives, but given the outcome there are plenty of positives to take away from this game.
Offensively, Coach Fresques called a brilliant game. There was one awful gadget play call that was clearly not needed, which let Weber State off the mat, but aside from that this offense was very efficient. Carson Conklin (32/47, 357 yds, 3 TD) had a spectacular game and made some great decisions. He checked down to open receivers underneath and connected on some deep passes to stretch the defense. He also came through in the clutch in overtime to put the Hornets in a position for the win. A very impressive showing for the redshirt freshman. Most impressive on the game was the strategy to get the ball into Elijah Tau-Tolliver’s (19 car, 141 yds, 3 TD, 11 rec, 85 yds) hands. Both in the run and pass game, ETT was an absolute monster tonight amassing 226 total yards on 30 touches.
Defensively it was a mess. Weber State put up video game numbers, that said, the Hornet defense got critical stops when needed. A couple of early turnovers in the 3rd quarter put this game heavily in the Hornets favor. The Hornet defense also had a couple of big stops on 4th down and inside the red zone that preserved the tie in regulation and forced the game winning missed field goal in overtime. Somehow, some way, the Hornet defense found a way.
Special teams had a notable night. A lot of credit for this win can go to Zach Schreiner (3/3 FG, 5/5 PAT) as he was perfect on the night with 2 makes from beyond 40 yards, including a clutch make in overtime that was ultimately the difference. The Hornet kick return game looked strong but had a handful of big returns negated due to penalties. However, on the other side the Hornet coverage team struggled to keep the WSU return game under wraps.
Here are my takeaways from the game:
- I need to do a better job at checking my messages during tailgating.
- Coach Fresques had a great game plan and play calling game. There was one terrible gadget play (and let’s be real, Coach Taylor pulled the cutesy bullshit too) but this offense played to its strengths and put players in positions to be successful. This game should give us all hope that he can turn it around the rest of the way.
- Stellar performance aside, Conklin showed some improved mobility with his legs. He does well at extending plays, however he needs to improve on throwing on the run and stepping up into the pocket. He also missed on the open shots down the field. I think all of this will come as he gains more reps as the future remains very bright for him here.
- ETT is the spark plug for this offense. Keep feeding this man the ball.
- Curron Borders (5 car, 39 yds, 2 rec, 4 yds) had some impressive plays. Lots of potential to succeed if he is put in the right situations.
- Grover Anderson (8 rec, 136 yds, 2 TD) had a big night as he and Jared Gipson (5 rec, 67 yds) and Danny Scudero (4 rec, 59 yds) had solid games as well.
- The receivers need to work on coming back to the ball better. At a minimum, they would get more PI calls like Weber was getting all night.
- Solid game for the offensive line in both the pass protection and run game. When some tough yards were needed, this group came through more often than not.
- Defense had a rough tackling game, granted, the WSU ball carriers were doling out stiff arms like it was baby oil at a Diddy party.
- The brutal truth is that this Hornet defense has been exposed these last two games and I don’t think there is much that can be done about it. Getting critical stops at consequential moments will be what matters from here on out (see 2023).
- Nakian Jackson (12 tak) led the defense in tackles, but Brandon Knott (11 tak) had a very active game, getting big tackles in clutch situations.
- Will Leota (10 tak, 3.5 TFL) had some key stops in the backfield, our linebackers continue to have solid play.
- The secondary had a rough game. A lot of those PI calls go away if they can get their head turned around…of course easier said than done.
- Zelmar Vedder (7 tak, 2 TFL, 1 sac, 1 INT) had a banner night and provided a one handed interception in the end zone that will be on the highlight reel for years to come. He also hit home on a sack that resulted in the 2nd turnover which the Hornets cashed in for a touchdown.
- Last but not least, Schreiner was clutch tonight. All the ups and downs during the game and this season, the one constant is his reliability in the kick game. Huge.
The easy out is to focus on the near collapse and complain about how this should have been a 3 possession victory. The hard out is realizing that this program isn’t the dominant one it was a couple of years ago and we are in store for a lot of scrappy and wild games. Maybe this program is just going through a growing phase as Coach Fresques and his young gunslinger figure things out, or maybe the Hornets just aren’t as good as we think. Time will tell, but for now we can enjoy this hard fought win and look forward to another wild game in the Pokey Dome next week.
Stingers Up!