Last week we nailed the what to watch. Let’s see if we can do it again! This week is challenging as there is no film for the public for Lindenwood. We’re going off of a stats, bios, and game write-ups. Cheers to a fun book club on Saturday afternoon and full house in the stadium that evening!
Start Fast
It happens all the time in team sports. A team comes off a big emotional win and then struggles at the onset during their next game. It is the sign of a mature team to overcome this and start fast the next week. The Jackrabbits have a mature and experienced team. I would expect the leadership on this team to have their teammates ready to go for the home opener.
Stay Injury Free
This is the big one. The Jacks lost their #3 receiver in the first quarter of the victory over CSU. Otherwise, it seems like they came out of week one pretty healthy. The Jackrabbits are playing a D2 game where a win does not count for their playoff resume but a loss would greatly damage it. They must win and they need to stay injury free. Injuries are unpredictable and are largely out of control of the players. We just have to keep our heads up and fingers crossed.
Performance of Second String and Young Players
Coach Stig was not happy with the performance of the second string defense in particular following the CSU game. He mentioned that there were a number of players who just weren’t ready. They need to be this week. Hopefully most of the second half will belong to the second string players. Those reps are meaningful, especially when injuries happen later in the season. This also is likely a game where we see some players who are currently lower on the depth chart and freshman who may be using one of their four games of eligibility. Roster construction and recruiting is really fun to watch and analyze and getting the first glimpse of second and first year players who were prized recruits is also a highlight.
Who is Returning Punts?
This is a big question with the injury to Landon Wolf. In the past Jaxon Janke has handled it. Last week Isaiah Davis took a crack at it. Who goes back to catch it? Is this the chance for a young player to
Lindenwood’s Talent Level
One thing we’re interested in is the level of talent on the Lindenwood roster. One, their roster is loaded with FCS transfers. Two, their head coach, Jed Stugart, is a great recruiter. Three, their roster has multiple 2019 D2 All-Americans on it. Most of us are young enough to not remember/know what a D2 All-American looks like in person. In particular we’ll be watching their QB #4 Cade Brister and their middle linebacker #5 Drew Seers. Receiver #17 Payton Rose and #90 Dwight Dantzler (6-2, 340!) are two others who offer intriguing talent, production, and/or size.
Go Jacks!
Ben, Brendan, Chad, Dallas, Kyle, Matt