South Dakota Coyotes @ ISU Redbirds - Homecoming, 10.5 point underdogs at home

[Virginia Redbird]

On the ESPN broadcast there was a moment when they were supposed to go to commercial break and they stayed with the broadcast for a few extra minutes. I don't think the announcers knew they were still on the air and I heard one say to the other, "Where has this been the past two weeks." I think it was in the first half when the comment was made. I answered back to the TV screen...Yeah, where has this been for the past two weeks!"
The Birds left some points on the field again but so did SD. Fortunately, as good as SD's offense is they do not appear to have a kicking game at all. When they were scoring huge amounts of points and piling up a gazillion yards I guess it did not matter but that weakness was disclosed yesterday. If they get in a close game that could be a problem for them and will most likely be a problem in the playoffs.
Not a problem for the Birds. The kicking game was rock solid yesterday. The punting into that strong wind was particularly impressive in the first half and I think was a big factor for the Birds and field position.
Harris has had some not so great games the past two weeks but he was huge yesterday. I agree with one of the previous posters...Kolbe has some ups and downs but he has heart. I saw him running down the field with Robinson looking for someone to block. You just have to love that in a QB.
The defense was so close to sacks so many times but they hurried the SD QB and they pounded him all day long. I have not watched SD but my impression was he had not been beat up like this all year long.
Schnell was impressive yesterday. The long TD was fun but it was that catch on the sideline late in the game where he got the foot down while up in the air that was the most impressive. What a great catch!
Great Homcoming win!

 

[saxman210]

The defense was so close to sacks so many times but they hurried the SD QB and they pounded him all day long. I have not watched SD but my impression was he had not been beat up like this all year long.

We were seated directly behind the USD bench where the offense was sitting and every time he came off the field he was fixing his pads or getting checked out by the medical staff. He definitely took a lot more hits than he was used to. The offensive line coach for USD was in their faces the entire game but what it comes down to is our DL is elite in the FCS for sure.

 

[BallwinBird2012]

I'll be the first to admit I did not see that coming at all. By far this team's best performance of the season. To me, the difference in the game was the ability to run the ball. Kuddos to the O-line for opening up some holes in the 2nd half, but even bigger shout out to our backs, especially in the first half. Almost all of their yards were after contact. To me they looked like they came out pissed that they haven't been able to move the ball the last few weeks and just ran angry.

IMO the turning point was when SD scored 14 unanswered to tie it up. At no point did I feel that the Birds had a "here we go again" attitude. Just came out and responded with a FG to retake the lead. There was a fight and determination that hasn't been there the last two weeks.

Schnell was awesome. That catch down the sideline was ridiculous.

Hopefully we get to see this Redbird team again this season! :clap:

 

[Birdswin]

Yes, a very good win!!!! Big plays early, helped to restore team confidence. The offense keeping ball, making a couple of first downs - even when we did not score - helped the defense. The DL played very well - outside a few missed tackles on sack-attempts - they hit the QB and had him on the run, most of the day.

With that constant pressure on the QB - only ONE holding call on SD for the game???? Several times jersey's were getting stretched for obvious holding penalties - no calls. I agree with the lack of attention to ball placement - terrible in certain instances. To me that is a combination of lack of focus and not hustling - bad for referee.

Excellent prediction by Cooksey - nailed it!!!!

Saxman - thank you for sharing your Homecoming experience and on your observations on the SD QB and O-Line - those things we cannot see from the other side.

Cali - Good job on calling yourself out - I just hope you did not have to buy a new mirror - ha, ha, ha.

 

[fourthandshort]

defensive front 7 had monster performance .. we stopped their run game and got 15 QBHs yesterday ... 15 QBHs against top offense in country ... and I am pretty sure Streveler was hit on nearly everyone of those QBHs. We took him out of his/their game offensively and forced them to rely on pass more than run .. that is why we got 2 picks. Recall we did exact same thing to SDSU at home last year .. stopped their run and chase their QB into oblivion and forced mistakes as a result. Look that game up .. eerily similar .. beating a better team with explosive offense .. both games, their QB was forced to throw much more than they wanted.

Other teams will look at his pass yards and assume he was carving us up .. he was not. He was running for his life and making great plays .. but also threw his first 2 picks of year. Same thing happened to SDSU Christion last year when we won 38-21 .. Christion threw 63 passes for 430 yards, but played poorly with 3 picks, and just 26 yards rushing .. his worst game of year. Streveler played very well considering pressure and hits we put on him all game .. he is tough kid, and we had him sacked only to lose him several times.

But he clearly took a beating. Run game has to share this headline with our front 7 pressure .. both were phenomenal yesterday. Defense reminded me of NAU game .. put a beating on their QB, but gave up lot of pass yards .. difference was we had no run game that day, and I'll say it .. poorly game planned for playing at 7,000 foot altitude.

Kudos to both OC and DC for great game plans tailored to who we are and who we played yesterday .. huge reason the players performed so well. OL still struggled at time, but definite improvement .. the OC put them and Kolbe in position to succeed against a better team.

And bog kudos to Kolbe for bouncing back ... he managed the game plan to perfection. He was 12-19 for 236 yards, but had 4 easy drops. His lone pick was easy drop, or he would have been 16-19 for 280 yards. The of course Schell has really stepped up big time .. particularly with Gibbs out .. we have very few WR options right now.

 

[Birdswin]

One other odd item in the game - until Robinson broke that big run for the final TD - all other TDs in the game were scored going against the wind.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Worth another look!

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/921857189320433664

 

[fourthandshort]

i had a decent angle on this catch, and if not for both officials (behind and front views) immediately ruling he was in bounds, I would have bet money the review would have proven he was out of bounds or ball was not possessed in bounds.

The catch (and throw) under pressure was amazing by itself .. but to get that foot down and tuck the ball .. wow !!!!!

Schnell has stepped up big time. But he needs help .. hope Gibbs gets back soon. Need him for YSU .. they play serious defense and we need more options.

 

[Redbirdfan21]

http://goredbirds.com/watch/?Archive=4398&type=Archive

Pretty disappointed with the Learfield/GoRedbirds.com highlights. We scored 37 points and they showed 3 of our TD’s and 1 INT by Harris. There were no other good plays? How about th other scores? 1 min and 10 seconds of video in a 37-21 game is sad.

 

[saxman210]

https://twitter.com/pg_reinhardt/status/922115775606947846

 

[fourthandshort]

https://twitter.com/pg_reinhardt/status/922115775606947846

nice observation Randy !! Watch the MLB underneath .. ball would have been picked or knocked down by MLB if route didn't adjust inside .. looks like it was designed route ??

 

[Total Red]

1)It really helps when Kolbe can hit receivers like Schnell in stride. That's when big plays happen.

2) The O-Line did a really good job in the 2nd half when we had the lead and SD knew we wanted to run. I was stunned by the size of some of the holes. I thought we would have to keep passing. Helt made some real nice blocks

3) When discussing Davontae Harris don't forget playing the run. He's a physical corner and he racks up a lot of tackles.

4) I was impressed with Streveler. Great poise in the pocket. He maneuvers and avoids the rush while keeping his vision on his receivers and then he lets the ball go at the last possible moment. Amazing, but I agree with fourth. I think he'd get beat up in the NFL.

 

[Rollbirds5]

http://goredbirds.com/watch/?Archive=4398&type=Archive

Pretty disappointed with the Learfield/GoRedbirds.com highlights. We scored 37 points and they showed 3 of our TD’s and 1 INT by Harris. There were no other good plays? How about th other scores? 1 min and 10 seconds of video in a 37-21 game is sad.

I got an email from ISU that contained like 3 minutes of highlights from the game

 

[saxman210]

http://goredbirds.com/watch/?Archive=4398&type=Archive

Pretty disappointed with the Learfield/GoRedbirds.com highlights. We scored 37 points and they showed 3 of our TD’s and 1 INT by Harris. There were no other good plays? How about th other scores? 1 min and 10 seconds of video in a 37-21 game is sad.

Yeah the recap is usually much better. Maybe they’ll update it.

 

[Hamdonger]

It was sort of a "classic" Redbird game to me. You're sitting there watching passes being dropped, RB's dropped for losses behind the line on sweeps, no holes up the middle, 7 yard passes on 3rd and 15, sieve DB play and coverage in the middle by LB's - and then you look up at the scoreboard and we have the #4 team in the country down and we have 500 yds. total offense and a couple interceptions and a couple nice long runs and TD passes and you think, what was I just watching!!! :lol:

That's pretty much what I was thinking during the game.

 

[Hamdonger]

BTW, heard Luedke mention it...this is the FIRST GAME ALL YEAR that Streveler has been sacked. Amazing. No wonder they have the nation's top O.

Every time he went down it looked like he was struggling to carry on. ISU must have had him within an eyelash of a sack, and I'm not exaggerating, 5-10 times. Where you'd swear we had him. I heard old ladies squirting out swear words, that's how slippery he was. Very very composed quarterback. Not saying he's an NFL guy, but at this level, he's as good as they come.

Schnell is a PLAYMAKER.

 

[cpacmel]

BTW, heard Luedke mention it...this is the FIRST GAME ALL YEAR that Streveler has been sacked. Amazing. No wonder they have the nation's top O.

I don't think that's correct. I do know those were the first 2 interceptions Streveler has thrown on the year though.

 

[cpacmel]

have a feeling that regardless the ISU players yardage,they cant get a player of the week...

Another great call! :shock:

Schnell is offensive player of the week

http://goredbirds.com/news/2017/10/22/football-schnell-slattery-earn-mvfc-player-of-the-week-honors.aspx

 

[Hamdonger]

BTW, heard Luedke mention it...this is the FIRST GAME ALL YEAR that Streveler has been sacked. Amazing. No wonder they have the nation's top O.

I don't think that's correct. I do know those were the first 2 interceptions Streveler has thrown on the year though.

Yeah, I guess that can't be right. I stand corrected!

 

[DannyCooksey]

I was very happy to read this score and the game thread.

Great game Birds!!