The Jacks overcame a sluggish start to win in dominating fashion, 42-7, over the EIU Panthers.  It wasn’t always beautiful in the first half but I think it was filled with opportunities to learn and it certainly never ever felt that the game was in doubt.  The Jacks now enter the meat of their MVFC conference schedule at 4-1, exactly where most of us thought they would be.  Please note that this game was the annual game where I bring all 3 of my kids.  It is always a slightly different experience and somewhat challenging to catch all of the details.

 

Rants & Raves

Rave: Kudos to Jackrabbit nation for how awesome the backyard has become and the tailgating all around the stadium.  I walked around the backyard. with my youngest to try and find Jack.  We were offered food and drink and nearly every spot.  We ended up taking photos at every spot that had a cool/unique sign.  We eventually found Jack and she got her picture with him but I think she enjoyed the cookies, donuts, and funny signs we found along the way just as much..

Rave: Honestly, the difference between the UPD presence at tailgating this year vs. previous years could not be more different.  I won’t get into all of the details of the change but I think we can all understand and appreciate the difference.

Rave: Again, the admissions and concessions experience were excellent.  Shoutout to the workers, Sudexo, and SDSU for making some awesome changes!

Rant: I wish the offense had played better outside of two drives in the first half.  The energy was just off and the play not as crisp.  However, it was a strange day in the FCS with Illinois State losing to UNI, USD getting crushed by YSU, and UND, Montana State, and Tennessee Tech escaping with wins over inferior opponents.  I’m just grateful we walked away with a dominant win.

Rave: The SDSU defense was suffocating throughout the game however.  The Panthers really were able to get nothing going throughout the night. They finished with 73 net yards rushing and just 123 net yards passing.  Less than 200 total yards.  Wow!

Rave: During the week it was noted that the transfers had been less impactful than expected so far this season.  I don’t know if they saw the comment but they (collectively) turned in a tremendous performance.  Jes Krcil finished with 12 total tackles, a TFL, and 2 PBUs.  Paul Kim finished with a solo tackle and 2 PBUs.  Amaje Parker 2 tackles, and Carter Sitzman had a quieter night with just a tackle.

Rave: I thought the pass rush was relentless last night.  EIUs QB is going to be plenty sore today he rarely had much of an opportunity to scan the defense.  The Jacks finished with just 2 sacks and currently the stats say 2 QBH but more will be added I’m certain.

Rant: The Jackrabbits struggles on 3rd down and in the redzone continued again.  The Jacks were 6 of 14 on 3rd down and were 2 of 5 in the redzone.  This is part execution and part play calling.  The Jacks must get this cleaned up.  There are opportunities there in what is currently being called and I think there are some creative wrinkles that can still be added.  In bigger games we just can’t waste these opportunities.

 

 

Rave: I love that we again got the tight ends involved again.  Coleman Kuntz finished with 4 receptions for 81 yards and Ben Brooks added an 18 yard TD reception, his first TD as a Jackrabbit.  Kuntz, Gustad, and Gannon continued to be excellent in the run blocking game.

Rave: Speaking of firsts, congratulations to Bergan Tetzlaff and Mavrick LeBrun for their first sacks as Jackrabbits.  We talk about how good the Jackrabbit #ChainGang is now… this young group has the potential to become even better.  Leiferman, Krempges, and Shaw all had their moments too.

Rave: The Stable (running back room) is so deep and talented.  A week ago, we saw Josiah be the workhorse but last night was probably more of what the team wants.  Josiah still went for 121 yards and 2 TDs with an 8.6 ypc average.  Basinger went off for 116 and a pair of TDs on a 12.9 yard average, Blair for 80 and a TD on a 13.3 yard average.  Even freshman Jay’Veon Scott got in on the action with 29 yards off of 4 carries (7.2 ypc) and Josh Myers had a 5.5 yard average on his two carries.

Rave: All of that is set up by the #605Hogs who are playing at an incredibly high level.  I think it has been well documented that their collective play was down last season.  They took that to heart and have just been sensational this year.  Many times last night, the running backs weren’t even touched until they were 5 yards plus downfield.  Again, no sacks either.  The Jacks have given up just 4 sacks through 5 games.  Terrific!

Rant: The Jacks played a more discipline game last night but the 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty on Jamari Holliman was really stupid.  Can’t have those type of emotional errors.

Rave: My favorite player to watch now on kick coverage is #39 Beau Bakken.  He’s listed at 6’4, 230 and he looks like it out there.  The former 9-man star from Hills Bever Creek is picking up the defense in his second year but is making a huge impact on kick coverage where is seemingly making a play each week.

Rave: Another young player that deserves a shoutout is #80 Zac Van Meeteren for his run blocking.  On Corey Blair’s 61 yard touchdown run, Zac was downfield blocking for pretty much all 61 yards.  It is becoming a tell that he is part of the run blocking package.  I hope we have a counter coming to that at some point to keep defenses honest.  Zac also has been tremendous on kick coverage and was close to blocking multiple punts last night.

Rant: I’d like to see us get Lofton more touches early in games to get him going.  He’s our most talented wide receiver and I don’t think he actually touchdown the ball until on a reverse midway through the second quarter.  However, I love how engaged he stays throughout the game.  He’s always busting his but run blocking and is one of the first to celebrate his teammates success.

Rant: EIU used one of their timeouts well in “icing” Tristan Alvano.  Right before Alvano, was about to kick, EIU called a timeout.  Alvano still kicked it and had no issues.  However, SDSU had to kick the field goal again and it doinked off the upright.  Alvano simply has to make the kick.

 

Rave: Shoutout to Jackrabbit Illustrated team members Chad and Brendan for their work in section 124 and 123 in the stadium.  I have never stood by them for an entire game until last night but it is an experience.  Chad serves as an usher, head cheerleader, baby sitter, and social media star; shifting between these roles seamlessly.  No joke. One minute he’s pointing out the easiest route to a person’s seats, the next he is running up the steps to get the crowd going on a big 3rd down.  The next minute he’s stopping a kid from running in a direction that maybe they shouldn’t and then he’s graciously taking selfies with young fans of either the podcast or his outfit.  It’s very cool to watch this all unfold.  This is on top of his tailgating moniker, “Pudding Shot Santa”

Rave: I tuned in to a different group for warmups yesterday.  I usually watch the DBs and defensive line but yesterday I found myself watching the offensive line.  Coach Bangtson puts the #605Hogs through a heck of a warmup before the game.  This group is going to fun for years to come.  There is so much talent in this room.  It’s not as glamous but watch their warmups before the  game if you get the chance.

Rave: As always, the Pride was awesome.  I think I sometimes take it for granted how cool they are and how much they add to the atmosphere.  We brought one of my son’s friends with to the game.  He’s never been to a pro or college game before and loved it all but he seemed to especially enjoy their music throughout the day and thought the movement during the halftime show was really cool.

Rave: The Jacks are getting to play so many guys in these blowout wins.  I can’t tell you how important this is in building the future of the program.  The Jacks played  10 true freshman last night and 19 second year players! The future is bright folks.

Rant: I don’t know if it was nerves or excitement but I really thought we’d see more out of Josh Holst last night.  He just never looked comfortable even though he has plenty of weapons and his disposal and the was well protected throughout the night.

Rave: Just a shoutout to Jackrabbit nation and the athletic department…  Gameday and everything with it has become that is really really cool.  I think it is a lot to ask fans to show up for four Saturdays in what has been a beautiful fall.  They showed up and continued to make noise throughout this homestand.  The next time we get to see the Jacks at home is against Murray State on Hobo Day.  We’ll see where the team is at after two big road games against Illinois State and North Dakota.

 

Game Balls

Offense: James Basinger and the #605Hogs

• 9 carries for 116 yards and 2 TDs
• Jacks ran for 408 yards off of 45 carries (9.1 ypc) and 5 TDs

Defense: Jes Krcil

• 12 total tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL, and 2 PBU

Special Teams: Beau Bakken

 

Go Jacks!

Matt