The Jackrabbits did what we expected them to do in a 52-6 win over the Racers of Murray State. On a personal note, this was a fun game for me as it was the one game this season where my entire family, including our wild four-year old came to the game. This meant that I was maybe more in dad mode than blogger/podcaster mode for a lot of it. But here are my observations through the distractions and after a first half rewatch.
Rants & Raves
Rave: We’ve been calling for it all season but it seems like we finally might be seeing growth and evolution from the young tight end room. Davin Stoffel finished with 3 receptions for 60 yards including a 41 yard catch and run where he stiff armed a defender for 15+ yards. David Alpers had an impressive 15 yard reception on a TE screen where he showed some shifty run after the catch ability. Brody Gormley chewed up 19 yards on a catch and run. I think these 3 are the core group that needs to be developed. I see what Coach Meyers (TE coach) is talking about when he says they all do something a little differently. These three have continued to develop as blockers in the run game too. It isn’t perfect but they are young and at least appear willing to stick their nose in there and try. I’m really looking forward to seeing their usage and role in the offense continue to grow because they are all dangerous!
Rave: Speaking of young talent… how about Lofton O’Groske?! It became apparent early in the first quarter that the Jacks had determined that they would pull his redshirt. He finished the day with a team leading 5 receptions for 50 yards and 1 TD. On his 3rd quarter TD drive, his two receptions staring into the sun were dang impressive! We’ve seen some of the best WRs at SDSU battle with that sun shining over the southwest corner of the stadium directly into their eyes. It wasn’t a reception that caught my eye early in this one but how about his blocking downfield on Angel Johnson’s long TD run? Yes, he got called for a hold in the 3rd quarter blocking downfield too but again, it is about the willingness and aggression to do it that is catching my attention. I was also impressed with how he handled questions in the post-game press conference too. Lofton, physically doesn’t look like a freshman and he isn’t playing like one either. Bright future for him!
Rave: Let’s just keep this youth movement going… Maxwell Woods, congratulations on your first career TD! He finished the day with 40 yards and a TD and it is obvious that he is taking Coach Jacobs workouts seriously because he has clearly added some muscle and bulk since we last saw him in September. He was more patient this week and showed a real willingness to grind out some tough yards. I also love his ability in the passing game too!
Rave: One last thing about the youth. Safety Trey Ridley and linebacker Anthony Palano saw their first action of their freshmen season while Nick Bakken and Shane Willenbring got in again on the offensive line. Ridley and Palano were two of the “steals” from the 2024 recruiting class. Ridley enrolled early and was here for spring ball and Palano has been showing up regularly on the scout team player of the week award lists. Both are going to be stars for this defense. Bakken and Willenbring have been listed on the 2-deep for the past few weeks. Hopefully they are not needed this season for anything more than mop up duty but next year, I think they will certainly contend for starting spots.
Rant: The Jackrabbit special teams has to be better. A missed chip-shot field goal and a miscommunication on a kick return again were frustrating to watch. I have not had a chance to see the rewatch of what happened on the field goal (snap, hold, kick) but it just has to get better. 22 yard kicks need to be automatic. Angel’s 14 yard kick return was the result of a miscommunication between him and Amar. Neither caught it but Angel quickly scooped it up and ran with it. Plays like that can turn the momentum of a big game.
Rave: The Jackrabbit rushing attack was on FIRE yesterday with 343 net yards on the ground. Angel, Amar, Kirby, Chase, and Maxwell all had rushing touchdowns and Mark added 21 yards on some well timed scrambles. The #605Hogs continue to gel and I think we’ll be getting their best at the right time.
Rave: Tucker Large looked more like Tucker Large this week. His confidence and swagger are just different and his interception might be exactly what was needed to jump start his season after the variety of injuries that slowed him early.
Rave: I was surprised about the size of the crowd of 16,376. Tailgating was slow, or at least much slower than it has been. I think most informed fans knew that this game would not be close. However, by the time the opening kick off rolled around the stadium appeared pretty full from my vantage point besides a student section that MUCH more empty than normal. I was actually surprised to see that we were just over 16k but I guess the student section just holds that many people. The fans brought some noise early in the game and throughout the game at key moments and during big plays.
Rant: The Jacks ended the day with a really good percentage on 3rd down defense, holding Murray State to just 4 of 14 but the opening drive when the Racers converted on a 3rd and 18 and getting plenty of yards on a 3rd and 6 that resulted in an easy conversion on a 4th and 1 was disappointing. 3rd and 18 conversions should never happen. The ghost of former NDSU QB Easton Stick still haunts my dreams from all of the backbreaking long conversions he had vs. SDSU.
Rave: Overall the pass defense really impressed me. They allowed just 119 yards through the air. The corners played well from the starters to the guys who saw the field in the 4th quarter. Again, we saw how deep are safety room is. I’m disappointed for Noah Thompson that he wasn’t able to hang on to that pick in the 3rd quarter.
Rave: Last week I made the case for Colby Huerter to garner some All-American attention but this week I think my focus is on Caleb Francl. He may not have the stats as some guys across the country but just watch the tape! Over the last few weeks it feels like he has just been every where. Remember, he started over Isaiah Stalbird at Iowa and really flashed before getting injured. Last season he was injured and not 100% for the entirety. He’s now 100% and we’re seeing it again. He looks great!
Rave: Shout out to linebacker Bryce Johnson for being ready on the fake punt. He seemed to be the one guy that had the fake sniffed out and he did a good job of breaking up the pass.
Rant: I’m concerned about the injuries. In his postgame presser Coach Rogers said that Grahm Goering and Chase Mason would be fine but we also saw Graham Spalding go down early. Those are three big components of this Jackrabbit team. Fingers crossed they heal up quickly and we see them ready to go up in Grand Forks.
Rave: The Jackrabbit 3rd down offense was terrific this week going 11 for 15 on the money down. This is an area where they have been “okay” in 2024 but yesterday they were great.
Rave: The sweatshirts the coaches wore and the honoring of the family of Matt Anderson (former Jackrabbit) before the coin toss were really incredible. I knew Matt just a little bit and thought he was a good guy. Those that knew him better spoke about how great of a human, father, and teammate he was. I’m glad SDSU took the time to recognize him.
Rant: I’m still not 100% sure what is going on with our defense line. Holding Murray State to 117 yards rushing isn’t bad but I don’t think it is up to the standard. Only registering 1 sack with just 1 other QBH isn’t acceptable. I know this group is banged up but we’re going to need more than that going forward.
Rave: This team is sooo deep and talented. I made it to the end of this and barely mentioned Mark, Griffin, Amar, Dalys, or Bock and its not like any of them had bad games. They all played really well! This team is scary now and will be for years to come!
Game Balls
Offense: Angel Johnson; 7 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Tucker Large; 1 tackle, 1 INT, plenty of juice
Special Teams: Bryce Johnson
Go Jacks!
Matt
One Response
Someone needs to take a prod to the defensive lineman. Zero pass rush or pressure. What has happened to these guys is almost as puzzling as Mark’s accuracy disappearing.