Gameweek #1 Jackrabbits

[fourthandshort]

Offense showed us something today. Defense just not very stout at this point. And SDSU is just too good. Slow start, strong middle ...

The deep ball right before end of half on 3rd and 2 was just plain stupid.

 

[Brick]

I admit to being a football novice. Am a basketball guy. BUT I think that’s the best offensive line I have seen at our level. We did better the second half. Our offense was encouraging for the rest of the season. Still have hopes for the future

 

[TBS_20]

At least we kept it close

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I was pretty impressed with the Redbird offense tonight. They did better than I expected. Some nice drives and some nice plays. Too bad about the fumble by Annexstad, he had a good game i thought overall. The defense was totally overmatched physically and talent wise. That Jackrabbit O-line is big and strong and just very good. They dominated the line of scrimmage all night long. Good Jackrabbit RBs but that O-line was just so damn good. SDSU is a very solid team except maybe for the kicking game. They did not need a kicking game tonight but they may down the road somewhere, who knows. I cant get upset about this game. SDSU is a better team than the Redbirds. The Birds had a couple of chances to get back in the game but the Jackrabbits were just too good for them. The Birds should bounce back against the Sycamores next week.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

About the black uniforms. I am not a big fan but they looked fine. What happened to the red helmets? At the end of the day, the marketing department is trying something. It does not work well when you lose but they are trying. I read some things earlier about them focusing on social media since that is where the kids go for updates. There was quite a bit on X(twitter) and some other social media. Makes sense to market where they customer is looking. Uniforms don't win or lose games so I don't care one way or the other. Maybe don't schedule these type games against the #1 team in FCS next time.

 

[Dmills]

I was pretty impressed with the Redbird offense tonight. They did better than I expected. Some nice drives and some nice plays. Too bad about the fumble by Annexstad, he had a good game i thought overall. The defense was totally overmatched physically and talent wise. That Jackrabbit O-line is big and strong and just very good. They dominated the line of scrimmage all night long. Good Jackrabbit RBs but that O-line was just so damn good. SDSU is a very solid team except maybe for the kicking game. They did not need a kicking game tonight but they may down the road somewhere, who knows. I cant get upset about this game. SDSU is a better team than the Redbirds. The Birds had a couple of chances to get back in the game but the Jackrabbits were just too good for them. The Birds should bounce back against the Sycamores next week.

Indiana State has Cade Chambers back and played Northern Iowa tight after UNI beat YSU. A game we should win, but don't expect a walk in the park. Need to take care of business vs InSt, MoSt, and MuSt. Season should come down to YSU, UNI, and UND games. If we win 1, we should be in (I hope). Win 2 and we are in for sure.

 

[Dmills]

The turnovers killed us. Without them, we would've been in the game. Disappointed in the overall performance from the defense, but that is a really really good offense. Sobkowicz is a really good receiver and made some great catches. I liked what I saw from Mueller overall - not 2021 level, but still pretty good against a good team. Most of our offense is supposed to return next year, so we could be in a really good spot there. I think the biggest question mark will be at QB. I'd like to see us bring in another transfer there.

I think we made it out pretty much scot-free on the injury front. I was worried about Niekamp, but I think he will be okay. I also think Jalen Monrrow just got banged up. Wright will most likely be back next week as well.

 

[Redbird15]

The turnovers killed us. Without them, we would've been in the game. Disappointed in the overall performance from the defense, but that is a really really good offense. Sobkowicz is a really good receiver and made some great catches. I liked what I saw from Mueller overall - not 2021 level, but still pretty good against a good team. Most of our offense is supposed to return next year, so we could be in a really good spot there. I think the biggest question mark will be at QB. I'd like to see us bring in another transfer there.

I think we made it out pretty much scot-free on the injury front. I was worried about Niekamp, but I think he will be okay. I also think Jalen Monrrow just got banged up. Wright will most likely be back next week as well

Dan made some great catches ! We have 3 time outs before half and don't use them on a 3 rd and 2. If ISU is going to compete on defensive side agains any top 8 team they have get some weight on the DL to stop the run game or at least make teams double team that lineman and need another DL player similar to John Ridgeway that has a engine. As far as most players on Offense coming back big ? mark remains. We hear about about all this depth but it's never utilize. Fresh players help win games not tired players mentally and physically. Win or Lose players sometimes know better than coaches which counterparts on the field they would like to be in the trenches in tough games. Don't be surprise of another major exit of key players and support players on both sides of the ball next year. Some people in the forums are constantly calling for Spack head which I mainly disagree with many years. But for ISU to be become a top tier program like the Dakota teams even with a new indoor practice facility. ISU can't keep having turn over with kids hitting portal because feeling disrespected weather directed at them or fellow team mates.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Dan made some great catches ! We have 3 time outs before half and don't use them on a 3 rd and 2. If ISU is going to compete on defensive side agains any top 8 team they have get some weight on the DL to stop the run game or at least make teams double team that lineman and need another DL player similar to John Ridgeway that has a engine. As far as most players on Offense coming back big ? mark remains. We hear about about all this depth but it's never utilize. Fresh players help win games not tired players mentally and physically. Win or Lose players sometimes know better than coaches which counterparts on the field they would like to be in the trenches in tough games. Don't be surprise of another major exit of key players and support players on both sides of the ball next year. Some people in the forums are constantly calling for Spack head which I mainly disagree with many years. But for ISU to be become a top tier program like the Dakota teams even with a new indoor practice facility. ISU can't keep having turn over with kids hitting portal because feeling disrespected weather directed at them or fellow team mates.

interesting yet such a conflicted post...many damning thoughts about Spack and the state of the program/coaching shortcomings yet an endorsement of him at the same time.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

The turnovers killed us. Without them, we would've been in the game. Disappointed in the overall performance from the defense, but that is a really really good offense. Sobkowicz is a really good receiver and made some great catches. I liked what I saw from Mueller overall - not 2021 level, but still pretty good against a good team. Most of our offense is supposed to return next year, so we could be in a really good spot there. I think the biggest question mark will be at QB. I'd like to see us bring in another transfer there.

I think we made it out pretty much scot-free on the injury front. I was worried about Niekamp, but I think he will be okay. I also think Jalen Monrrow just got banged up. Wright will most likely be back next week as well.

The turnovers hurt of course but I don't think they killed the Redbirds. The Redbirds really were never in this game, and I don't mean that to pile on them. They just were not good enough. I think it was five straight possessions for SDSU with five straight touchdowns. The game would have been closer on the scoreboard maybe but this game was never out of the Jackrabbits hands. One thing I did notice and the commentators mentioned it too. The Jackrabbits never let up one bit. They started out on fire and they kept the heat on the Redbirds to the final whistle. Killer instinct for sure. I have seen the Redbirds get a team down and then let them back into it, sometimes with a loss as a result. We have all seen it, Spack gets a big lead and wants to sit on it and play defense. SDSU looks like they get a team down and then crushes their windpipe! The thing I came away with was the methodical nature of the Jackrabbits. They looked confident and at ease all game long. I think that is a reflection of their coach. Before halftime he was interviewed and commented something to the effect that they already had enough points to win the game. They just need to stop the Redbird offense. You could just feel he knew the game was already over. I was impressed with SDSU. I don't see anyone beating them if they keep playing like this.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Dan made some great catches ! We have 3 time outs before half and don't use them on a 3 rd and 2. If ISU is going to compete on defensive side agains any top 8 team they have get some weight on the DL to stop the run game or at least make teams double team that lineman and need another DL player similar to John Ridgeway that has a engine. As far as most players on Offense coming back big ? mark remains. We hear about about all this depth but it's never utilize. Fresh players help win games not tired players mentally and physically. Win or Lose players sometimes know better than coaches which counterparts on the field they would like to be in the trenches in tough games. Don't be surprise of another major exit of key players and support players on both sides of the ball next year. Some people in the forums are constantly calling for Spack head which I mainly disagree with many years. But for ISU to be become a top tier program like the Dakota teams even with a new indoor practice facility. ISU can't keep having turn over with kids hitting portal because feeling disrespected weather directed at them or fellow team mates.

Every team loses players in this era of course. It does seem to me that the Redbirds have lost quite a few players over the past few years. I have not looked at the numbers, just an impression. If the players leaving are backups maybe they are just looking for the starting spot somewhere. If the players leaving are starters or get a lot of playing time then I would suspect other reasons. I don't think it is the weather. You could make a good argument the weather is worse or just as bad in the Dakotas. Really with almost all the MVFC teams. Opportunity to play, coaching culture, team culture, Normal? What causes them to depart for other places. Probably all the above are factors to individual objectives. I watched Ridgeway play against the Bears on Thursday night. A player like him departing makes total sense. He needed the higher lever exposure to increase his draft value. As much as I hated to see him leave he needed to. The Ridgeways though are few and far between. He is the anomaly.

 

[fourthandshort]

As much as their OL and run game dominated our defense, we were actually in the game. Our defense did make a few stops, which put our offense in a position to close the lead to 6 points at least 2 different times. One was the end of Q2 when went for deep ball on 3rd and 2 .. not just a low % play, but also stopped clock before we would have to punt .. which makes it even dumber, though they didn't get anything on the drive. The 2nd was was the Q3 fumble by Annexstad after he had gotten the 1st down, and we were driving again to their 37 yd line.

Not many teams have or will move the ball like that against this SDSU defense:

- Beat Mont St (#2) 20-16, and needed late score to win. MSU got 17 first downs, 298 total yards, 4.7 yds/play, and just 16 pts.
- Beat UND (#14) 42-21, but were leading 35-7. UND got 17 first downs, 234 total yards, 4.0 yds/play, and 21 pts ... 150 of the 234 yds came on their last 2 drives after game was over.
- Beat Redbirds 40-21. We got 18 first downs, 293 total yards, 5.3 yds/play, and 21 pts. And we had at least 2 chances to cut it to 6 pts.

SDSU won that game on their strength of their OL against our unproven front 7 and they thoroughly dominated us in their run game. Interestingly, we didn't run a lot but we avg'd 5.8 ypc in run game vs 5.0 yds/att in pass game. We were dinking it all over the place and completed almost 80% of those passes. The offensive game plan worked pretty well considering who we were up against. This SDSU team is as dominant as any NDSU team we played.

So IMO, what we learned is we definitely have a very dynamic offense, even while still ironing out some kinks. Also pretty sure Blakemore or Mueller are not 100%, and we know Wenkers Wright isnt either. But our defense is unfortunately still a work in progress. Though the 2nd half defensive drive chart was much better than the 1st half.

We dominated some weak teams in first 4 weeks, and we won't play anyone this good the rest of the way. But next we face a tougher ISUb team at home with their QB back and they gave a tough UNI all they could handle last night. Then we get a very tough YSU team, who lost to UNI 2 weeks ago, but dominated a very tough SIU team yesterday.

So if we can shore things up on defense the next couple weeks, it could still get interesting for playoff hunt. But at 3-2 with ISUb (H), YSU (A), UNI (H), MoST (A), MuST (H), UND (A) .. we have very little room for error left. The good news is our EIU loss looks "less bad" every week. And this SDSU loss was not a complete embarrassment, other than their run game. Though the selection committee will only see a 40-21 loss at home, it was still a game in 2nd half.

More work to do for sure .. but all in all, we still have a chance at playoffs, if the defense comes around. Just too many tough games left to feel confident, especially without our usual stout front 7.

 

[Total Red]

The season started with concern about the front 7 on defense but it took 5 games for that group to get exposed. The #1 team with a great offensive line and skills players to boot will do that. I would credit Tye Niekamp with a very valiant effort and some key stops. The D did play a little better in the 2nd half, but it was simply overmatched most of the game.

I didn't fully appreciate it last night, but now I'm pleased with the offensive effort. Our skills players, led by QB Zack, looked really good. I think you have to compare this game with the '22 opener at Wisconsin. I don't think that comparison is unreasonable. Wisconsin might be better than South Dakota St. but it's close. SDSU's stayed with Iowa all game long last year before bowing out 7-3. This SDSU squad might be better than '22. It's definitely better offensively.
As you may recall we could never get the offense going against Wisconsin. The Redbirds put up 21 last night and it could have been more. This game was not a complete blowout. The 'Bird were down 34-21 late in the 3rd Q and we had a good drive going when Zack fumbled the ball. That was Annexstad's only real mistake of the game. A TD or FG on that drive would have kept the final outcome in question deep into the 4th Q.
But again, I thought Annexstad was brilliant. Deadly accurate with quick releases and velocity; all of this was required because he never had much time to throw. Zack made sure he got rid of the ball, and he only took 1 sack. He made good decisions and picked up rushing yardage as needed.
Sobkowicz made the perfect partner in real estate advancement as he went up and competed for the ball when it came his way. He won 7 of those battles. Blakemore had a Blakemore run as he froze a SDSU defender and then outran everyone else for a TD.
SDSU has an extremely talented offensive backfield, but I thought Zack and Mason played at their level. Zack may have been even better than his counterpart. I'm sure that Zack and Mason would love to have a chance to play behind the SDSU offensive line against our D-line.

We got the measuring stick I wanted, and we came up short in some areas, but we looked good in others. Now it's back to competing closer to our weight class. Stay strong Redbirds.

 

[fourthandshort]

meant to post this one here .. TR is right we did much better defensively the 2nd half.

For perspective on our defense yesterday:

1st half .. 5 drives, 5 TDs, 29 plays, 340 yds, 11.7 yds/play, 68 yds/drive .. ignores their last drive (2 plays) before half.

2nd half .. 5 drives, 1 TD, 34 plays, 173 yds, 5.1 yds/play, 35 yds/drive. .. this is a very solid half for our defense

Now one could argue, the took the foot off the gas pedal. But we all know that's not true when you are dominating in run game and that we had at least 2 chances to cut the lead to 6, probably more if I traced it harder.

Spot	Time	Obtained	Spot	Time	How Lost	Plays-Yds.	TOP
Team	Qtr.	Drive Started	Drive Ended	Consumed
SDS	1st	SDS12	15:00	KO	ILS0	10:02	TD	9-88	04:58
SDS	1st	SDS13	08:05	PUNT	ILS0	06:30	TD	3-87	01:35
SDS	1st	ILS25	06:24	KO	ILS0	04:08	TD	5-25	02:16
SDS	2nd	SDS35	14:22	KO	ILS0	10:06	TD	7-65	04:16
SDS	2nd	SDS25	06:06	KO	ILS0	03:10	TD	5-75	02:56
SDS	2nd	SDS15	00:53	PUNT	SDS29	00:00	HALF	2-14	00:53
SDS	3rd	SDS25	13:26	KO	SDS27	09:15	PUNT	6-2	04:11
SDS	3rd	SDS37	05:44	FUMB	ILS24	14:55	FGA	10-39	05:49
SDS	4th	SDS27	13:40	PUNT	ILS0	10:09	TD	7-73	03:31
SDS	4th	SDS15	07:32	PUNT	SDS47	04:32	FUMB	6-32	03:00
SDS	4th	SDS18	02:14	DOWNS	SDS45	00:00	HALF	5-27	02:14

 

[fourthandshort]

interesting yet such a conflicted post...many damning thoughts about Spack and the state of the program/coaching shortcomings yet an endorsement of him at the same time.

the irony of us talking about a loss and where were at, and our biggest issue is our front 7's lack of stoutness. We have the playmakers, we don't have the trench guys .. yet. Spack almost always has a front 7 to control the LOS, even against top teams ... just not yet in 2023.

 

[Dmills]

Random observation and thoughts: I have been dying for us to try a fake punt. There were multiple times yesterday where Wagner could've ran for a 1st down. I am not sure how athletic he is after his surgery, but he was a pretty good wide receiver in high school. Sometimes, he likes to take a lot of steps when there is no pressure on the punt. If he is going to wait like that and take those few extra steps, he has time to assess the field and make a run for it while half of the opposing team has their backs turned. I don't see any reason not to try it when down 13 or 19 in the 4th quarter.

 

[redbirds2000]

Well, this shows us how far away they are from competing for a conference/national championship.

EXACTLY what I was afraid of. Everyone knew there was a football game tonight except our football team. We've come out slow, timid and panicky. It was over 9 minutes in.

Deplorable. In huge games like this you just CANNOT get embarrassed at home. Yet, it doesn't feel surprising. Time for a new regime. Sick of shitting the bed in big games.

It's the Redbird way!
- NDSU - National Championship game
- Richmond - Quarterfinal @ Home. A win would have brought NDSU to town.
- Many regular season opportunities to pick up a win and qualify for the playoffs.
- 6! MVC basketball tournament runner ups. 6!
- UCF - Basketball - NIT Win and host Illinois. Nah, let's foul in the closing seconds.
- Numerous blown leads in bball. Half court buzzer beaters.
The list goes on....

 

[Buffett1]

Well, this shows us how far away they are from competing for a conference/national championship.

It's the Redbird way!
- NDSU - National Championship game
- Richmond - Quarterfinal @ Home. A win would have brought NDSU to town.
- Many regular season opportunities to pick up a win and qualify for the playoffs.
- 6! MVC basketball tournament runner ups. 6!
- UCF - Basketball - NIT Win and host Illinois. Nah, let's foul in the closing seconds.
- Numerous blown leads in bball. Half court buzzer beaters.
The list goes on....

- athletic director turnover

 

[crazzymark]

ISU football deserves a better fan base. Half of the season ticket holders didn't even show up for the damn game

 

[TIMMY]

Well, this shows us how far away they are from competing for a conference/national championship.

It's the Redbird way!
- NDSU - National Championship game
- Richmond - Quarterfinal @ Home. A win would have brought NDSU to town.
- Many regular season opportunities to pick up a win and qualify for the playoffs.
- 6! MVC basketball tournament runner ups. 6!
- UCF - Basketball - NIT Win and host Illinois. Nah, let's foul in the closing seconds.
- Numerous blown leads in bball. Half court buzzer beaters.
The list goes on....

This is where it all started. Damn you Dave Corzine!