I have been blessed in my 9 seasons of writing this blog with great teams.  I’ve experienced very few losses like Saturday’s where it is just shocking.  In virtually every single one of those seasons the Jackrabbits were national title contenders.  This season however, that is the last thing on my mind.  As we have continually stressed, in January we had zero coaches and about 40-ish guys who had committed to return to the program.  Just being 7-2 is a bit surprising honestly when put into context.  However, losing to Indiana State 24-12 to unacceptable.

Today’s rants & raves are different and I haven’t had to write them in this way since 2017/2018.

It seems that the team over achieved in going 7-0 as the last two losses have been humbling (NDSU) and embarrassing (Indiana State).  Now that injuries have stacked up to some of the teams best players, we can see that the depth of talent just isn’t there.  This shouldn’t be surprising given the shear number of quality graduations and transfers from last years team.  However, it still stings and is frankly a bit shocking to see.

I caught heat for saying that the offensive line was playing at a C+ level in my midseason report card but yesterday they did zero favors to their two freshmen quarterbacks.  Marble and Henry were harassed and battered throughout the day. The Jacks allowed 11, yes ELEVEN, tackles for loss; 5 of which were sacks.  They just have to be better as this was supposed to be the offensive strength entering the season and simply has not been.

There were signs of life in the run game as James Basinger and Josiah Johnson displayed quickness, power, and most importantly some decisiveness in the run game.  The issue though is that when it felt like the two running backs had something going we turned cute in play calling or made a misread in the RPO run game or made a physical error that forced us to then be trapped in 2nd and long or 3rd and long and the run plays are out of the picture.

The Jackrabbits have to go back to the drawing board on their opening offensive script.  This is at least two weeks in a row where it felt like the opponents knew what was coming at them.  On the Jackrabbits opening run play, the backside defensive end had ZERO regard for his responsibilities and crashed in on the run on the opposite side of the field.  The next play, the opposite defensive end dropped into the flat and nearly intercepted Marble.  They knew those plays were coming!

Other things on offense, on Marbles interception, two tight ends ran into each other.  At this point in the season, this unacceptable.  Later in the game, a tight end failed on two big play opportunities by not sustaining his block and allowing his man to make the tackle. Again, at this point in the season…

Defensively the Jackrabbits just have to be more consistent.  The team held Indiana State to just 40 yards rushing and 188 yards passing (105 came on just 3 plays).  With the Jackrabbit offense struggling so much, the defense needed to find a way to force a turnover or some other huge momentum plays.  But, zero turnovers and sacks were generated coupled with the big chunk plays and well… we all saw the result.

Special teams allowing a kick return is unacceptable.  Yes, Rochelle is dangerous but this team has faced other dangerous returners and been just fine.  Make the play!  The punt return game was messy and it lost the team yardage at times.  The one bright side is that Eli Stader nailed both of his 40+ yard kicks.  Max Pelham again had a great day and boomed a 50 yarder in his lone attempt.

The team (coaches and players) still need to be held to a championship standard as that is how success will be measured.  In his introductory press conference Coach Rogers said “The statement is the standard.”  and in his introductory press conference Coach Jackson said “The standard is the standard.”  So I think we are right as fans to hold this team to a championship standard.  I believe the team will get better but this is a tough stretch for so many young guys to be getting their first reps.

Stay the course Jackrabbit fans.  Coach Jackson is going to have this team on the upswing again soon!

Game Balls

Offense: James Basinger and Josiah Johnson: 132 combined yards on 28 attempts (4.71 ypc)

Defense: Joe Ollman

Special Teams: Eli Stader

Go Jacks!

Matt