“Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?” is the one quote that kept going through my mind on the nearly two hour car ride home last night.  After a quick visit to Pizza Ranch and the arcade, they got comfortable in the van and began to talk about how much fun they had at tailgating, at the game, and during supper.  When viewed through that lens, yesterday was a pretty dang good day.   That’s what’s actually important but also that’s not why you are here.

The game could not have started any worse.  The Jacks found themselves down 21-0 before many fans had even found their seats.  That grew to 35-0 before it was like a switch was thrown and the team woke up.  Around that 28-0 timeframe, I began to question how I could do “Rants & Raves” today. Luckily the team responded.  Before we get to the normal R&R we first have examine the truly horrific first quarter.  One that I don’t think any of us ever expected from our Jackrabbits or ever want to see again.

• ISU’s opening drive:  4th down conversion for TD (7-0)
• SDSU’s opening drive: Miscommunication on kickoff and fair catch signal by an up man negates huge kick return.  SDSU then throws a pick-6 (14-0)
• SDSU’s 2nd drive: Muffed kick return recovered by Illinois State.
• ISU’s 2nd drive: Only had to go 28 yards.  Scores a TD on a 4th and goal (21-0)

At this point it is still on 4 minutes and 37 seconds into the game.  Down 21-0.

• SDSU’s 3rd drive: The Jacks go 3 and out. Pelham drops the punt and Illinois State gets the ball at the +25.
• ISU’s 3rd drive: Converts on a pair of 3rd downs and score.  (28-0)
• SDSU’s 4th drive: 3 and out
• ISU’s 4th drive: 11 plays, 37 yards BUT a punt!
• SDSU’s 5th drive: 3 and out

End of 1st quarter.  Jackrabbits down 28-0.  I have never seen anything like this.  Many fans left after this point.  I’m glad I stayed because it did get better and the team showed the toughness and grit that maybe has been lacking since Chase went out.

Rants & Raves

Rave: Once again, I think Jack Henry showed enough to believe he has a bright future.  He was far from perfect but the arm talent is absolutely there. He completed 63% of his passes for 254 yards and 1 TD to 2 INTs.  He also led the team in rushing with 73 gross yards and a TD but was sacked 5 times and that lowered the total to 41 net yards.  I’m excited to see him have another year of growth.

Rave: I was happy to see Greyton Gannon get a real opportunity and usage.  He had 9 receptions for 63 yards.

Rant: The Jacks need to write the opening script and then shred and burn the damn thing.  Like the last two home games, Illinois State new EXACTLY what were going to do.  Not only did the Redbirds but most of the fans did too.  -1st down: Dive up the middle to start the game. Yep.
-2nd down: Trips to the left… Oh, I bet it’s a wide receiver screen.  Yep!
-3rd down: 3rd and long… Probably a swing pass.  Oh no!!

Simply put, the offensive coaches have to be soooo much better and put this team in a position where they can be dynamic and less predictable.

Rave: The results were there in the stats but I am still really happy with our freshmen running backs.  James Basinger does such a solid job in pass protection and he runs hard.  Josiah Johnson runs so damn hard and I just love his effort every single play. We’ll likely never know what happened to Julius Loughridge and what derailed his production on the field BUT credit to him for being a great teammate and mentor and helping coach these young guys up.

Rave: It’s early in his career BUT I think Jack Smith has the potential to be Cade Johnson-esque for this offense.  He’s so incredibly reliable.  Pair him with a healthy Lofton O’Groske next fall, an emerging Sammy Dresie, Greyton Gannon at tight end and a whole host of other young wide receivers we haven’t seen yet and I think we’re going to have some fun.

Rant: Alex Bullock and Grahm Goering simply have to catch those 4th quarter drops.  Bullock’s for sure took points off the board and Goering’s killed the following drive and all the momentum after the defense got Illinois State off the field quickly.  When you have a redshirt freshman quarterback making his second start, you have to find a way to make those receptions.

Rave: As the game went along, the defense seemed to find it’s mojo.  They allowed a TD on ISU’s opening drive of the 2nd quarter but after that… nothing.  The combination of Isaiah Johnson (2 PBU) and Aydan Dauterman (3 PBU) at corner at least seemed competitive.  Based on yesterday’s play, that seemed to be the best pairing.  Maybe it’s time to mix in some more Myles Green.

Rave: I thought Bryce Johnson did a really nice job filling in for McShane.  He ended the day with 10 total tackles.

Rant: I’m very concerned about our offensive line.  There is no easy fix to the offensive line.  It takes time and development.  Hopefully the freshmen are attacking the weight room, the meeting room, and their meal plans because they need to push this current group of starters and replace them.  It’s not good enough as is.  The development and improvement hasn’t happened.  There were no running lanes.  55 yards rushing on 18 attempts by the top 3 running backs.  Henry was pressured heavily throughout the game and that resulted in 5 sacks.

Rave: Jalen Lee has played at such a high level this season.  Yesterday he had 7 tackles, a forced fumble and a QBH.  He plays with such a good energy!

Rant: I received a lot of pictures from fans commenting on the number of Jackrabbit players huddled around the small portable heaters.  I’m not going to call them soft but I don’t think it’s a good sign for the toughness of this group.

Rave: The fans were great.  Most stuck it out longer than they needed to and continued to make noise just begging for the team to show them a sign of life.  When the team finally earned a first down in the 2nd quarter, the crowd went wild.  It was somewhat sarcastic I think but it turned genuine as the team continued to stack success.  By the 4th quarter when the Jacks were on defense and mounting a comeback, it had a similar energy (and crowd size) to a playoff game.

Rant: Special teams has been below average for much of this season.  I think it shows the teams youth and experience.  Coach Isaiah Jackson had really good special teams units at UC Davis and has a punter in the NFL.  I think they’ll get it figured out and be better next year.

Rave: Saying that, I thought Eli Stader did an admirable job filling in as the kicker and punter on top of his field goal duties.

Rave: Overall, I thought the defense did an okay job.  They played hard and eventually they really limited what Illinois State was able to do.  The Redbirds have some dang good offensive weapons so there has to be some recognition that they are going to make plays.

Rave: I don’t think I’ve hit on it this year once but I thought the Pride was entertaining this season again.

Rant:  The offensive play was better after the first quarter.  Is it execution?  Is it play calling?  It it coaching?  In all likelihood, its a combination of all three.  They simply have to be better from the jump and not leave our defense high and dry.

Rave: The team has one more chance to lock in a playoff spot.  It’s a huge game vs. UND and time to put it all together for 4 quarters.  Time to be the team we know they can be!  I’ll be in the Alerus Center along with a whole bus load of other Jackrabbit fans.  Should be a great day!

Rave: To go back to my opening question… “Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?”  The first quarter was wildly disappointing and couldn’t have been any worse.  It’s something that can never ever ever happen again, much like the loss to Indiana State.  However, the team didn’t quit and continued to fight.  That shows something in my opinion.  The team also did make some plays.  I’m hopeful for the future of this team and the program overall.

Game Balls

Offense: Greyton Gannon

Defense: Jalen Lee

Special Teams: Eli Stader

Go Jacks!

Matt