NDSU Game (10/5/19)

[fourthandshort]

here is youtibe link for NDSU vs UCD game .. if you're bored this weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFNH98bbyhY

So this Bison defense plays fast. UCD QB is talented and tough, but undersized .... has very quick release but threw into trouble a fair amount and had some trouble with batted balls by Bison DL. He hung tough in the pocket ... this is the mostr important thing for QB Davis ... he has to hang tough in the pocket as long as he can.

It's a very fine line (i.e. split second decisions) deciding if/when/how to leave pocket. Bison no doubt played UCD to defend their spread passing game, and will play us to defend our run game ... so it will look & feel a lot different than this UCD game. They will not let Robinson do what he did to them last year. If our receivers AND tight ends step up and Davis keeps his composure and footing in the pocket, we will have people open at times .. probably not as open as NAU or NIU .. but we will have some people open. Just find those chunks underneath to keep chains moving with occassional deep balls to keep them honest.

Bottom line .. we can NOT let the field get small with our play calling and play making !!!

Bison offense, their QB is tough and composed for RS FR .. throws pretty well and runs very well .. he can take hits and does not shy away from contact, but he has not seen a bigger defense than ours. I don't think he's has quite as elusive as the EIU QB, but he's close and throws much better ...... possibly has a slightly better team around him. But I think we can make him think twice about running too often and not sliding like he did against UCD.

Note, UCD defense was pretty average a year ago, NAU was statistically better. So defensively, I think we're going to be ok. Going to be up to our pass game. I loved the confidence and pocket presence from Davis from the first snap against NAU.

 

[Redbirds100]

I see the Lawn seats are being offered and soldout for this one.....
Just the visitor section on the west side is available. But We know our Bison friends will be all over the place. Can any of our North Dakota Friends bring down some chocolate from Widman's? Lakebison?

 

[Total Red]

I'll ask and answer a stupid question (yes some questions are stupid).

Last year the guy that really hurt us was WR/PR Darrius Shepherd (now GB Packers). The man that threw him the ball was 4-year starting QB Easton Stick (now LA Chargers).

So with those two gone we have less to worry about right? Stupid question. NDSU always reloads. I don't know much about their WR position but QB Trey Lance looks like he could be better than Stick. Lance - 72% completions, 9 TDs, 0 ints. Not much to exploit. If he gets time to throw we're dead.

Fortunately we're getting better QB pressure this year so it's a ballgame. Last season we faced a lot of good dual-threat QB's (like Stick) so the focus was on keeping them contained in the pocket. This year we're taking more chances. It worked well against EIU's dual-threat Brantley. He did escape the pocket for some good runs but we also got a bunch of sacks and we forced several awkward throws under pressure. This won't be anything like EIU but we don't need to dominate either. We just need more good plays than bad.

Now despite the talk about throwing it around both teams will be quite happy to grind it forward on the ground. We ran the ball against them last year. Robinson had 20 carries for 128 yards of course some of those yards came after we were down 3 touchdowns. Regardless Sir James will have their attention. When that happens do we have the personnel to complete passes down the field at a high pct. clip? The discussion of that deserves a post of its own.

 

[Total Red]

I think we've had "can we?" posts about the passing game every week this season and it will continue. Let's just hope the discussion continues to trend upwards the way it did after the NAU game.

The passing game concerns now fall as much or more on the receiving position than the QB position. Who do we have healthy that can get open? Do we have anyone that can go deep or make someone miss for a big play? We still have multiple options for receiving but just for fun I'm going to thrust Kacper Rutkiewicz into the spotlight. This has been building for awhile. Timmy and I were admiring his Hudl highlights before the season started. Yes everyone has a highlight reel but this one really had some pop to it. He makes everyone else appear to be in slow-motion and even though he plays fast he stays in control. He makes those all-important last second adjustments on the ball that the really good receivers do.

So that's the headline for Saturday. Freshman receiver single-handedly dismantles bi zen.

Too much too soon? Yeah maybe but the good ones don't mind the spotlight and some play better when they have it. Brady Davis really responded against NAU. I would describe his situation as being "under the microscope" rather than "thrust into the spotlight" but either way Davis was under intense scrutiny. Ok with him. 419 yards passing and he outshined a NFL prospect.

We need a new star receiver. Stage light on Rutkiewicz when the curtain rises Saturday.

RISE HIGH REDBIRDS

 

[Redbirds100]

This is a benchmark game for the coaching staff and team, we have not beaten the Bison in years!!! All the hard work, recruiting is showing when the team is playing the number one ranked team this Saturday!!!

Judgement DAY is Saturday!!!
Go get it!!!

 

[Chi-bird]

I know Easton Stick has moved on to the NFL, but I don't feel as if there was a significant drop off at the QB position for NDSU. Not only is Trey Lance, NOT playing like a freshman.....he's actually playing like a Walter Payton award winner. Sure, it's a small sample size, but from what I've seen, I'm thoroughly impressed.

This will be a very different looking NDSU offense than in years past. I think we will have to keep up with them offensively because our defense is going to have their hands full.

I'm hoping our special teams can play great and shut down their kick return and punt return team. Dimitri Williams scares me.

 

[Total Red]

This will be a very different looking NDSU offense than in years past.

How are they different?

 

[TIMMY]

Their front 7 isn't the biggest. Hoping our Oline gets some push and Robinson has a big game. If we can establish that it may open up the pass enough. Missing those receivers hurts. No two ways about it. Separation and COME BACK TO THE BALL.

I think our D can handle them.

 

[Redbird15]

I think we've had "can we?" posts about the passing game every week this season and it will continue. Let's just hope the discussion continues to trend upwards the way it did after the NAU game.

The passing game concerns now fall as much or more on the receiving position than the QB position. Who do we have healthy that can get open? Do we have anyone that can go deep or make someone miss for a big play? We still have multiple options for receiving but just for fun I'm going to thrust Kacper Rutkiewicz into the spotlight. This has been building for awhile. Timmy and I were admiring his Hudl highlights before the season started. Yes everyone has a highlight reel but this one really had some pop to it. He makes everyone else appear to be in slow-motion and even though he plays fast he stays in control. He makes those all-important last second adjustments on the ball that the really good receivers do.

So that's the headline for Saturday. Freshman receiver single-handedly dismantles bi zen.

Too much too soon? Yeah maybe but the good ones don't mind the spotlight and some play better when they have it. Brady Davis really responded against NAU. I would describe his situation as being "under the microscope" rather than "thrust into the spotlight" but either way Davis was under intense scrutiny. Ok with him. 419 yards passing and he outshined a NFL prospect.

We need a new star receiver. Stage light on Rutkiewicz when the curtain rises Saturday.

RISE HIGH REDBIRDS

They have Receivers Faster the Rutkiewicz Fact ! ... Lets see if they use them... Spack conference he said they have receivers that are more athletic than some that were playing... Maybe its because of learning plays etc.

 

[fourthandshort]

I think the only question about Rutkiewicz is his weight and ability to take a hit or deal with getting jammed at line. Otherwise, the dude can flat out run and catch.

Also feel like Haley is ready to step up some, so hope to see more from him. Same for Blackmon ... like any transfer, it takes some time to get acclimated and comfortable with the system and timing ... he's a nice size target too.

So I look for those 3 to step up in the coming weeks.

 

[Redbird15]

Jabari Khepara http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6649587/5ba818b0da5b39028ca16933

 

[Redbird15]

Jalen Carr http://www.hudl.com/v/2AzAKu

 

[Redbird15]

Kacper Rutkiewicz http://www.hudl.com/v/2AN2XK

 

[Redbird15]

Kacper Rutkiewicz http://www.hudl.com/v/2AN2XK

 

[Chi-bird]

This will be a very different looking NDSU offense than in years past.

How are they different?

I think it will be evident in the # of pass attempts. Neither Carson Wentz nor Easton Stick ever attempted 30 or more passes in a regular season game as QBs at NDSU. Tre Lance just might have to throw 30+ against us this game. I know NDSU hangs their hat on running the ball, but they have good speed and talent on the outside, an accurate QB, and a new offensive coordinator that might want to show some of his creativity. Will see. Their backs are not as powerful as in years past, but they are fast.

 

[goredbirds4]

Wow were getting 14.5 points at home....o/u 46.5
What do you all think of that?

 

[DannyCooksey]

Wow were getting 14.5 points at home....o/u 46.5
What do you all think of that?

I think the o/u is about right

i think getting 14.5 at home should piss off Spack and Co.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Wow were getting 14.5 points at home....o/u 46.5
What do you all think of that?

I think the o/u is about right

i think getting 14.5 at home should piss off Spack and Co.

I hope the 14.5 motivates and not irritates the Redbirds.

ISU remains such a mystery to me. I do not know if this team is a legit top 10 team or a team that will finish 7-5 or 6-6 and likely miss the playoffs. Truly there are signs and arguments to be made that they could be either one. The NIU loss initially looked respectable but not so much anymore. Beyond that ISU has a decent record but those wins may not carry much weight given the opponents standing. ISU needs this win to help build their own and fanbase confidence. I guess if i was a bettor i would take the home team and points but i am sure not throwing very much $$$$ on that bet. NDSU is a bit of a mystery too as they also appear more vulnerable than in years past. I like the fact that this is family weekend and there should be a big ISU crowd at Hancock vs NDSU playing another home game on the road.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Wow were getting 14.5 points at home....o/u 46.5
What do you all think of that?

All depends on which Davis shows up...

 

[StLRedbird]

I think there's at least a fair chance our pass rush gives their freshman QB a bad day. This rush has been pretty malicious the past couple games against a couple pretty good OLs. This is what I'll be keying on. Is our pass rush good enough to be a difference maker in this game? Stick needed time to complete some of those daggers. It's time to end this seven game skid against the mighty herd.

Buffaloes 16
Redbirds 20