Wow! The Jacks moved to the semi-finals with a 35-21 victory over Villanova. The Jacks looked like the better team for the first quarter but then Villanova looked like the better team in the second quarter. At halftime the Jacks were down 21-14 and the defense was a mess. However, the second half was the best football the Jackrabbits have played all season in every aspect.
Rants & Raves
Rave: The Jacks ran the GD ball. The Villanova defense was allowing less than 100 yards per game on the ground coming into this one but surrendered 266 to the Jackrabbits. Isaiah Davis and Amar Johnson looked possessed. Hopefully Pierre Strong is able to return for the Montana State game after taking a big hit in the 1st quarter and not returning.
Rave: We have to mention the #605Hogs if we are going to mention the running game. The Wildcats have a big and experienced defensive line and the Jackrabbits had them on skates for most of the day. Even in the first quarter when their DL should have been fresh, the Jacks were ripping off big run after big run. In addition, they didn’t allow a sack and Chris had a clean pocket to throw from for much of the day.
Rant: The NCAA surely doesn’t care about artificial noise makers. Villanova gave their students thunder sticks and there was an airhorn being blasted throughout the game. It’s time for SDSU to embrace the cowbell and bring it back until we get a penalty.
Rave: The Jackrabbit passing defense looked really confused in the first half. The secondary didn’t look sure of their assignments and the Wildcats were finding some big holes in the zone. However, they sure cleaned it up in the second half. The Villanova HC said in his post-game that the Jacks were dropping 8 into coverage leaving little room for the QB to deliver the ball. I’m not sure I saw that. I think the Jacks just cleaned up their communication and got on the same page.
Rave: The #ChainGang had a really strong performance. That is a good offensive line and running back group. The Jacks handled them allowing just 107 net rushing yards and making two sacks on the slippery Smith.
Rant: The officiating in this one, especially the inconsistency with pass interference, was wild. I think the one was actually a PI on Don in the end zone but the others sure looked……. questionable. The PI on Reeder that extended the Wildcats touchdown drive was flat out bad. Later in the game it sure looks like the refs missed a PI on the Jackrabbit Hail Mary attempt and also on an incomplete pass down the sideline. We’ve complained about the refs in the MVFC all year, but it is clearly just not a Valley problem.
Rave: The Jackrabbit special teams was pretty special outside of a punt that got pushed in the wind. Dustman’s punt on the opening possession and the coverage to down it at the 1-yard line was beautiful. The kick return game was pretty dynamic with Jadon Janke averaging 26 per return. The coverage units were excellent as well; I’m not sure why opponents keep trying to return kicks. Frahm was perfect on his kicks and seemed to do what he wanted to on his kickoffs.
Rave: The playoffs seem to belong to Cade Terveer and Dalys Beanum. They just keep making plays. They are two players who had smaller roles entering the season, but they are playing like stars right now. Terveer finished with a sack and a forced fumble and Beanum finished with 3 tackles and a forced fumble as well.
Rant: The continued screw up of the name is just…. so confounding at this point. The Jackrabbits have arguably been a better athletic department for the past 5 years than the Aztecs. The Jackrabbits have appeared on ESPN and Sports Center frequently enough that the mistakes shouldn’t be anymore. It is disrespectful, especially coming from the play-by-play and color commentators who supposedly did research on the team and program before calling the game. Do better.
Rave: Chris Oladokun has not put-up flashy numbers in many games this season but if you look at the entirety of his work it is pretty awesome. In 14 games, Chris is completing 62% of his passes for 2,697 yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 280 gross yards.
Rave: The post-game interviews with Wes, Logan, and Coach Stig were awesome. Wes and Logan were so well spoken, thoughtful, respectful of the opponents, and appreciative for their teammates. Just awesome student athletes that have raised the bar for Jackrabbit football.
Game Balls
Offense: Isaiah Davis
Defense: Caleb Sanders
Special Teams: Jadon Janke
Go Jacks!
Matt
