Happy Hobo Day indeed!  In front of a sold out and LOUD crowd, the Jackrabbits battled the Panthers (and wind) and walked away with a ho-hum 28 point victory.  There were stretches of the game (1st half of the 3rd quarter) that were incredibly ugly and showed us how far the team still has to go and then there were stretches of complete domination that show us just how good this team can be.  All in all it was a good game and any victory on Hobo Day over UNI is a good victory.

Rants & Raves

Rave: In back to back drives, the Jacks got their tight end Greyton Gannon and fullback Andrew “Goose” Gustad involved in the passing game for touchdown receptions.  They looked very good doing so.  I feel that one way to improve the consistency of this offense is to increase the frequency that Gannon, Gustad, and Braydon Delahoyde are the primary or secondary options in the passing game.  Gannon in particular, who has touchdowns in back to back weeks, looks really good with the ball in his hands.

Rave: The Jackrabbit defense was very very good in this one.  They allowed just 78 yards on the ground (2.6 average) and 143 through the air.  UNI’s offense is not good overall but there are still some quality pieces there.  Anytime you can hold an opponent to just 3 points, its a good day.

Rant: The Jackrabbit offense (even against the wind) cannot have stretches like they had in the 3rd quarter.  Good teams will take advantage of it and eventually the defense will wear down.  Here is what the Jacks did with the ball on their first 4 drives in the 3rd quarter.

• 3 plays, 0 yards, TOP: 1:30
• 3 plays, 3 yards, TOP: 1:28
• 3 plays, 4 yards, TOP: 0:57
• 4 plays, 13 yards, turnover on downs, TOP: 1:16

Rave: The Jackrabbit crowd looked awesome and they sounded awesome too.  Full disclosure, I was not in attendance as I had been traveling this week and chose to spend the day with my family.  Kuddos to the crowd for responding to Coach Jackson’s request to make it the loudest environment DJD stadium has had.

Rave:  I talk about it every week but the Jackrabbit linebackers are just so elite.  Most in the national media had major questions about this group.  The Jackrabbit faithful, and national media member Sam Herder, knew that this group was going to be special. Chase Van Tol, Cullen McShane, and Joe Ollman were all involved in turnover plays, they all made some key stuffs, and their insane energy just has to fuel the defense.

Rant: One group who still is struggling to consistently perform is the #605Hogs.  A week after their best performance of the season, they turned in a real clunker.  The interior penetration in both the run and pass game is killing plays.  When Juice or Basinger is having to sidestep guys 3 yards in the backfield it changes the timing of everything.  The Jacks only had a 3.1 ypc average on the ground and Chase was sacked 3 times.  I know they are young on the interior but we are halfway through the season.  This group must find some consistency if the Jacks are going to make a run at a 3rd national championship.

Rave: With all that being said, the Jackrabbits won the turnover battle having zero of their own and forcing UNI into 5.  The Jacks caught 4 INTS (Isaiah Johnson, Jalen Lee, Chase Van Tol, Myles Green) while Cullen McShane had a beautiful punchout fumble that was recovered by Joe Ollman.  It was awesome to see Isaiah and Jalen get INTs.  They have been playing at a high level this season and it was great to see the payoff.  Myles Green getting his first career INT was awesome as well.  The TV broadcast had just highlighted him and talked about how unique it is to have a true freshman playing at such a high level.

Rave: Cody Cotton’s blocked punt was also an awesome play in the game.  Coaches raved about his speed and effort all summer long and through fall camp.  They felt confident he was going to have a major role on special teams and that finally popped on Saturday.  It hasn’t always been easy for Cody since transferring over from Upper Iowa but Saturday felt like a really really big day for him.

Rant: The officiating was pretty poor in this one.  The missed a roughing the punter (second guy), had the mismarked punt, and the DPI that was truly uncatchable.   I’m sure there are more but these ones felt like some really bad mistakes.

Rave: Plenty was made about the quality of the Jackrabbits non-conference slate.  So far that seems to be holding up as Sac State, Montana State, Drake, and Mercyhurst all won yesterday; a week after they went 3-1 in their respective conference openers.

Rave:  We probably haven’t talked about it enough but Andrew Gustad is a terrific story for this Jackrabbit team and an important part of their solution to the short yardage woes that they had earlier this season.  On these plays, the offensive line is also getting terrific push up front.

Rant: The Jacks weren’t great on 3rd down again going just 5 of 14.  Part of that is having a negative play on 1st or 2nd down and getting behind the sticks. Part of it was the wind yesterday and part of it was just poor execution at times.  The Jacks must be better going forward; especially against the higher quality opponents they have on the schedule still.

Rave:  The Jacks had 8 different players with a reception in this one!  Alex Bullock again led the way but Grahm Goering and Jack Smith made big plays.  I would like to see a little more Sammy Dresie.  He certainly passes the eye test and I’ve been impressed with what he has done after the catch when given the chance.

Rave: Shoutout to the Hobo Day committee, the Alumni Association/Foundation, and the alumni themselves for keeping Hobo Day alive for so many years.  I enjoy when the HareRaiser Podcast tells the origin story every year on their show.  I enjoy seeing all of the pictures throughout the week.  I enjoy seeing how excited kids are for the parade.  The list goes on.  Some of my best college memories involve Hobo Day (and if we are being honest Hobo Week/Daze).  Good job to everyone for keeping it as a tradition!

Rant: It was not a special day for the special teams kicking game.  A blocked punt and two missed field goals were ugly.  Yes, the wind played a major part in those missed field goals but it’s going to be windy in December and the Jacks have to find a way to put points up.  I wonder if the Jacks would be better served utilizing one of the other kickers on longer field goal attempts.

Game Balls

Offense: Alex Bullock- 5 receptions for 82 yards

Defense: Chase Van Tol- 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 absolute destruction of UNI QB

Special Teams: Cody Cotton- blocked punt

Go Jacks!
Matt