UC-Davis Game Day Thread

[Kemo]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

Our corners playing so far off the outside receivers is deceptive in that it looks bad from the fan perspective, but in theory and practice it's not all that bad.

Passes near the sideline are tougher throws (lower completion %) than those over the middle and take longer to reach there target (CB has more time to break on the ball), so encouraging the opposing QB to attempt them isn't a terrible thing. Also, most of the time when our corners are playing way off the far receiver the opposing offense has a slot receiver on that side, which our linebacker/safety is covering close to the line of scrimmage. This helps protect against the quick hit/WR Screen, plus, with the corner playing off, he has a good angle to see both the receiver he's line up against and the slot, which is important since we play a lot of zone. Also, just because they are playing deep doesn't mean they are always taking the deep zone, as disguising coverages and forcing opposing QBs to make post snap reads is a good thing.

I'm not saying the deep corners is always perfect (it's good to mix it up and show different looks), but I think it gets a bit overblown at times.

[jackdaniel]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

Thanks Kemo,that clears alot of misconceptions i had.

[jackdaniel]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

One other thing before i shut up,is it just me, or does it seem the Bison play alot more aggresively than we do on defense?Maybe I just think that way because they won it all last year.Being too aggressive can be exploited too,there are counter-measures for that too,as long as their opponent isn't too passive, and let them get by with it.

[GoJacks]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

Going for 2 in the first half is just plain stupid.

Why?

[GoJacks]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

I'm just going to say we need a new stadium. Its so crowded in the season ticket seats. We are on the alise and its just stinks literallt sitting shoulder to shoulder and knees in the back. If we want more attendance we need more room and seats.

I would agree and hope when the new stadium comes every seat is chair back and there is absolutely no bench seating in the stadium. I have two season tickets and only used one but there is no room for sitting on either the west grand stand or east bleachers.

[GoJacks]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

As a former band member it sure looked like the band has gotten smaller. The black pants are not flattering and don't fit in with the colors at all. Look way to plain. Miss the cape too. Hey jude sounded really good.

Didn't like the black pants either. Seemed to generic.

[common sense rabbit]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

All I have to say is the special teams coach really needs to do a lot of work with the punt return team. They killed us last year and they looked horrible this year. Stop trying to catch the ball inside the 10 and for sure not inside the 5. Jeez.

Common sense says to put experience back at punt return. Tyrel Kool used to return kickoffs for us and did a nice job. I do not believe he is on 1 special team currently unless he is on our onside kickoff return team. I think we need to try him or even Tiefenthaler or possibly Rollin when he returns. What can it hurt?? Its up to our coaches to figure this out and figure it out quickly.

[jackmd]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

A win is a win even when its ugly and they don't get much uglier from a passing or punt return standpoint than this one. Its almost like the Jackrabbits have never practiced a punt return or even watched other teams do it. The ongoing problems with special teams are certainly very concerning.

Sumner just wasn't sharp and it seems like the play calling went away from what was working in the pass game early on. Certainly the injury to Zenner and the 2 huge interceptions played some role in that.

Jacks are going to have to me much sharper offensively and on special teams as we start the MVFC season. The defense is going to be soundly tested and even if they are very solid they will be on the field a lot against the Ind. St. ground game. Our offense will need to sustain some drives to give the D some rest.

Last thing, you can't go for 2 in the first half just because the other team did. Played right into their hands when we did that.

[jackmd]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

Why?

You give away a sure point. A point that is often critical later in the game. If you don't normally go for 2 at that point in the game you shouldn't go for 2 just because the other team did.

[JimmyJack]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

Yes, the punt return situation was pretty bad. Stig explained in his presser how the players are supposed to handle that (if it's over your head, signal fair catch and run the other way). Obviously that has been communicated to the players and, no doubt, practiced as well. So when a player goes out there and doesn't do what he has been told, I don't see how the coach has somehow failed there. Players make mistakes. I think there are a lot of Stig haters out there who want this to be a case of bad coaching. Does anybody really believe that Stig doesn't know how and when a player should field a punt?

I am also pretty certain that Austin Sumner didn't forget how to play quarterback over the summer. His thumb is causing him to struggle with accuracy. Balls are going high, apparently (again, according to Stig) because of the thumb. Let's hope it continues to improve.

I would prefer to be optimistic here. We are 2-1. Zenner is a monster. Our offensive line is playing well in the run game, and two injured starters are going to return before long. The defense has been terrific. We have strength at all three levels and the linebackers in particular are outstanding.

Beat ISU-b and you're 3-1 with a pretty bad Missouri State team coming into CAS. A 4-1 start means you split your remaining games and you're pretty likely to be in the playoffs. There's talent there, and obviously they're not playing to their potential yet... but as I recall Stig's teams tend to get better as the season wears on. Combine a good start with continued improvement and this will be a pretty solid team.

[GoAgs72]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

Well a lot lower scoring game that I predicted and closer. The Aggies almost beat you without a significant offense. The TD that was called back on the penalty was the difference. I think the Jackrabbits have more potential for the rest of the season than we do. The Aggies only hope is to go with our backup QB London Lacy that you saw at the end of the game. Wright at QB is on his third year of under-performing.

[rabbits64]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

One other thing before i shut up,is it just me, or does it seem the Bison play alot more aggresively than we do on defense?Maybe I just think that way because they won it all last year.Being too aggressive can be exploited too,there are counter-measures for that too,as long as their opponent isn't too passive, and let them get by with it.

They do play more agressive defense, and they have more team speed to play that style of defense. Stig is only going to blitz about 3-4 times per week, and that is the way we play. Bend don't break. We have the horses to rush 4 this year.

[jackmd]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

Well a lot lower scoring game that I predicted and closer. The Aggies almost beat you without a significant offense. The TD that was called back on the penalty was the difference. I think the Jackrabbits have more potential for the rest of the season than we do. The Aggies only hope is to go with our backup QB London Lacy that you saw at the end of the game. Wright at QB is on his third year of under-performing.

Agree with you. Knocking out Wright almost cost us the game. Lacy appears to have a lot of potential, just needs some game experience.

As for JJ's comment on Stig haters, I don't think you have to be labeled a hater when you question how well the coach is preparing the players and planning for the game. Foolish for thinking you know more than the coach? Yes, I think you can say that. Haters? Not most of them. I see a couple differences in fans. Some are content to cheer for their team regardless of wins and losses or performance on the field. Those are great fans and I wish I could be more like them. The other type of fan has expectations, realistic or not, and allows outcomes that fall short of those expectations to affect their enthusiasm for the team.

I was sorely disappointed in the pass offense and punt return team yesterday. I listened to the post game interviews on WNAX and at the presser and wasn't satisfied with Stigs answer to several questions. I drove the 2 hours home frustrated and wondering what the players were thinking. Then, I watched the video where Lally gets the game ball and all my frustration and concern melted away. The guys on this team appear to be special and I think they are going to put it all together and have some great success this year. Even if they don't win every game.

[EQguy]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

No excuses for fielding the punts inside the 10. I could care less to point blame as long as it is fixed next week. One thing I keep thinking is this team is really young and really exciting. I think there are going to be ups and downs this year but man the next 2-3 years are going to be exciting.

[goon]

Re: UC-Davis Game Day Thread

No excuses for fielding the punts inside the 10. I could care less to point blame as long as it is fixed next week. One thing I keep thinking is this team is really young and really exciting. I think there are going to be ups and downs this year but man the next 2-3 years are going to be exciting.

I was thinking the same thing. We have a lot of key players very young but see$ up to the challenege. Some are there out of nessiscity others earned it. Regardless we are 2-1 and we will have a tough macthup next week. I think win or lose next week we are going to learn a lot more about this team.