The benefit of having an independent blog and podcast is that I am not on any official timeline.  Thank goodness for that because writing this on Saturday night at 9:30pm would have felt really different than I do this morning.  A little time helps provide some perspective.  All and all, it was still a disappointing showing for the offense, even in a 24-3 win.  However, at the end of the season when the wins are stacked up nobody is going to remember that SDSU looked pretty blah against a D2 opponent.

Rants & Raves

Rave: We asked for pass rush and we finally saw it tonight!  Dawson Ripperda finally cut it loose and finished with 1.5 sacks and I believe he had a few more quarterback hurries that didn’t make it to the stat sheet.  Reis Kirschenman also, provided relentless pressure showing his speed and some impressive power.  My favorite was when he ran through the offensive tackle attempting to block him, which caused the tackle to fall backwards, and he grabbed Kirschenman, drawing a holding call.  Kirschenman and the OT did hit the QB in the leg.  Logan Green, Max Baloun, Aaron Wolfcale-Holsten, Kobe Clayborne, Nick Wells, and Bryce Hawthorne all provided pressure at times throughout the game.  Much better effort by the #ChainGang!

Rant: Yes, let’s burn the black jerseys.  I’d rather have a white out like we did at Oklahoma State (see the photo above).

Rave: For the third week in a row the Jackrabbit run defense was terrific allowing just 24 yards rushing, 16 of which came on one play.  Through 3 games, the Jacks are allowing just 80 rushing yards per game.

Rave: I loved the physicality that Caleb Francl showed on Augies perimeter passing game.  Francl finished with 3 tackles but he blew up multiple swing passes and tunnel screens by just throwing his body into the fray.  Great job Caleb!

Rant: After years and years of feeling disrespected by our FBS opponents for poo-pooing the Jackrabbits because we play at a lower level, we as Jackrabbit fans did the same to Augustana this week.  Yes, we recognized and highlighted their best players but overall we didn’t give Augustana the respect we should have.  I envisioned that SDSU would wipe the field with Augie and that we would see the backups and younger players for the entire second half.

Rant: It felt like the team maybe did the same thing.  We aren’t privy to any of the offensive meetings but I’m really skeptical about how much was or wasn’t installed in this gameplan.  The Jacks offense was about as vanilla as it could get and the 4-2-5 defense had Mark more off kilter than I have seen him in some time.

Rave: The bright spot for the offense was the running game.  Amar Johnson had over 100 yards in the first half and finished with 126 yards (7.4 ypc) and 1 TD.  Maxwell Woods looks legit and if Angel Johnson is out for any length of time, I’d be fine pulling Maxwell’s redshirt.  He already looks the part.  He finished with 61 rushing yards (10.2 ypc) and showed some good hands on his 2 receptions.

Rave: Colby Humphry and Dalys Beanum are looking like a really really good duo at cornerback.  Colby’s interception in the first quarter is one of the best examples of hand eye coordination that I have seen in some time.  He could have had another interception and potential pick-6 had the ball been not thrown so far to the boundary. Dalys Beanum delivering a beautiful open field tackle in the run game in the 3rd quarter was a great play by him that resulted in a scary situation for the Augustana running back.

Rave: It was REALLY nice having Colby Huerter back.  He was flying around and delivered some crunching hits!  I have full confidence with Huerter and Matt Durrance to quarterback the secondary if Tucker Large and Cale Reeder are out for any length of time.

Rant: Through 3 games the offensive line has been up and down.  This is to be expected with 3 new faces.  I don’t think there has been anything AWFUL but it hasn’t been up to the expectation we have grown to expect over the last 5-6 years.  They have been pretty good as run blockers but have struggled at times to pass block.  Augie was credited with 2 quarterback hurries but it did feel like more than that.

Rant: I have to say, Tanner Castora posted a video of a touchdown celebration the Jacks had in the 3rd quarter.  I didn’t like that either.  The offense had really struggled and it’s not the type of showboating that we need to see in a game like this.  Throw the ball to the ref and get over to the sideline.

Rave: Hunter Dustman was excellent again this week.  His punting was so good again with a 45.5 yard average even with a first quarter shank.  Augie had no opportunities for punt or kick returns because of Hunter’s excellent work.

Rant: I hope Reis Kirschenman is okay.  The Jacks are so thin at defensive end already and Kirschenman may be their best pure pass rusher.  Hopefully Blake Peterson, Randy Keumogne, or Zach Wilson can return for MVFC play as their experience and depth will be needed.

Rave: It was limited snaps but I enjoyed seeing Cullen McShane and Chase VanTol on the field later in the game.  You can really see the potential in these two!

Rave: Kudos to Augustana fans for really showing up and showing out for this game!  When the Midco cameras showed the crowd there were plenty of  Augie fans there.  The rest of the JI guys have said that the tailgate lots had many of their fans walking around.

Rave: This is the type of rave I don’t do very often.  Only a handful of opponents have earned a “rave” in my eight seasons doing this but Viking safety Peyton Buckley is going to earn a rave!  He finished with 8 tackles and an interception and just harassed Mark throughout the entire game.  Buckley could play anywhere in the MVFC.

Rant: Jackrabbit fans, let’s not turn into Bison fans. For the love of everything good.  Although the whining was limited, raging about Mark’s poor performance and calling for him to be benched is asinine.  It was a poor performance and it sure appeared like the OC’s did him zero favors in the install.  Yes, he needs to play better and I know he will.  All is not lost, the Jacks are still a top-4 team.  They have one out of conference game remaining (Southeast Louisiana), a bye week, and then MVFC play begins.   There is plenty to shake out still this season.  We’ll be okay!

Rave: As I wrap this up, it does look like the sun is indeed coming up today!  Have a good one!

Game Balls

Offense: Amar Johnson: 126 rushing yards, 1 TD and 3 receptions for 14 yards

Defense: Dawson Ripperda: 4 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 QBH (this number should be higher IMO)

Special Teams: Hunter Dustman: zero return yards allowed, 45.5 punt yard average, perfect on XPs and FG

Go Jacks,

Matt