2017 Spring Football

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

I will agree that the defenses inability to get off the field on 3rd down (especially 3rd and long) in this game killed SDSU and it drove me crazy but our awesome didn't impress me in the 2nd half either.

1) Get and INT so the ball was on the 1 yard line, safety. It happens!
2) 5 plays- 12 yards INT
3) 3 plays- 1 yard punt
4) 5 plays- 40 yards punt
5) 4 plays- -4 yards (pressing to score quickly)

Game over.

I would hope our offense could mount drives of more than 2, 5, 3, 5 and 4 plays together at some point.
I think the defense probably played worse but I would bet they ran out of gas trying to stop NDSU all game. I know that some of that was them not stopping NDSU on 3rd and long but they didn't get many breaks to rest by the offense either.

By the way, please don't just rush 3 linemen on 3rd and long all season this year unless you have somebody that can put some pressure on the opponents QB.

I agree with everything you posted. Lots of fingerprints on the weapon from the second NDSU game.

[91jack]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

You very well might be right, but I don't think you can argue that our defenses inability to get off the field in the last game against NDSU was fatal. The stats may not say that because they were picking up first downs on second down but the number of long drives and the TOP in that game say we struggled to get off the field.

I'm picking on one game and maybe we were ok statistically on 3rd down but in order for us to make a deep playoff run we are almost certainly going to have to go through Fargo. They've killed us with the grind it out shove the ball down our throat offense.

I will agree that the defenses inability to get off the field on 3rd down (especially 3rd and long) in this game killed SDSU and it drove me crazy but our awesome didn't impress me in the 2nd half either.

1) Get and INT so the ball was on the 1 yard line, safety. It happens!
2) 5 plays- 12 yards INT
3) 3 plays- 1 yard punt
4) 5 plays- 40 yards punt
5) 4 plays- -4 yards (pressing to score quickly)

Game over.

I would hope our offense could mount drives of more than 2, 5, 3, 5 and 4 plays together at some point.
I think the defense probably played worse but I would bet they ran out of gas trying to stop NDSU all game. I know that some of that was them not stopping NDSU on 3rd and long but they didn't get many breaks to rest by the offense either.

By the way, please don't just rush 3 linemen on 3rd and long all season this year unless you have somebody that can put some pressure on the opponents QB.

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

While you could argue that our 3rd down defense was really bad, being really good in that category does not define success. Southern Illinois was best in the MVFC and 7th overall, yet they finished tied for last in the conference standings.

You very well might be right, but I don't think you can argue that our defenses inability to get off the field in the last game against NDSU was fatal. The stats may not say that because they were picking up first downs on second down but the number of long drives and the TOP in that game say we struggled to get off the field.

I'm picking on one game and maybe we were ok statistically on 3rd down but in order for us to make a deep playoff run we are almost certainly going to have to go through Fargo. They've killed us with the grind it out shove the ball down our throat offense.

[da_coach]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Stats are deceiving sometime. Maybe teams got first downs before the third down stat or scored. The Jacks must be better on defense. Those stats on your resume would get you no work. I thought this was a defensive minded head coach and staff? Oh well. Play well this year offense, it's up to you.

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

[Hareofthedog]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Stats are deceiving sometime. Maybe teams got first downs before the third down stat or scored. The Jacks must be better on defense. Those stats on your resume would get you no work. I thought this was a defensive minded head coach and staff? Oh well. Play well this year offense, it's up to you.

[GopherHole]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

While you could argue that our 3rd down defense was really bad, being really good in that category does not define success. Southern Illinois was best in the MVFC and 7th overall, yet they finished tied for last in the conference standings.

[GopherHole]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

100% accurate. The talent is there in my opinion. Is it the scheme? There can't be another successful program in all of FCS that is worse on 3rd down then the Jackrabbit defense. I think its the defensive calls but what do I know.

I was hoping to prove you wrong, but you were spot on! Jacks ranked 116 out of 122 schools in the FCS and last in the MVF. It just shows how potent our offense really was to win the conference with a defense that could not get three and outs.

Third down conversion percentage allowed - Defense

1 - Jacksonville St (.231)
7 - Southern Illinois (.297)
8 - Villanova (.299)
21 - Youngstown State (.335)
35 - Illinois State (.359)
55 - Drake (.381)
60 - UNI (.387)
75 - Indiana State (.401)
83 - NDSU (.404)
96 - Western Illinois (.419)
98 - Missouri State (.422)
104 - USD (.436)
116 - SDSU (.474)
120 - Cal Poly (.484)
122 - Western Carolina (.543)

During NDSU's run of national championships, they were consistently in the top 20%, including being #1 in 2012.

Bend, but don't break defenses usually end up breaking at some point.

Other facts: SDSU was 71st in rushing defense at 174.9 yds/game, 76th in passing defense at 228.8 yds/game, 57th in scoring defense at 27.3 pts/game, 73rd in total defense at 403.7 yds/game, 115th in first downs allowed. The bright spots were that we were +7 in turnover margin, ranking us tied with Villanova at #26. We also tied for 5th in defensive TD's scored.

[jackdaniel]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Getting off the field on 3rd down has been our Achilles heel on defense for several years. I think some of that comes from the bend don't break mantra that Stig touts. NDSU has taken us to the woodshed because of our inability to get off the field. If we want to complete for a natty we've got to figure that out.

Too much bending and not enough holding your ground.

[Hareofthedog]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Totally agree with jackmd. How many third and forever did the defense give up last year. Crucial 3rd downs and to give up 15 or more yards to keep the defense on the field. Please change something in the scheme this year.

[jackmd]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Getting off the field on 3rd down has been our Achilles heel on defense for several years. I think some of that comes from the bend don't break mantra that Stig touts. NDSU has taken us to the woodshed because of our inability to get off the field. If we want to complete for a natty we've got to figure that out.

100% accurate. The talent is there in my opinion. Is it the scheme? There can't be another successful program in all of FCS that is worse on 3rd down then the Jackrabbit defense. I think its the defensive calls but what do I know.

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Not sure if I'm all in on the speed comment, but pretty much all in on our defense. ISUr won't be as much of an issue, they graduated their entire offensive line. However it will be key against YSU, USeD, and NDSU. We have to be able to stop the run. I've said it before I'm much happier to be stingy on the run and not the pass if we have to be, but we need the D to step up against the run and get off the field on 3rd down. The middle of the defense has a bunch of questions for depth and experience. It's THE thing to watch IMO.


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Getting off the field on 3rd down has been our Achilles heel on defense for several years. I think some of that comes from the bend don't break mantra that Stig touts. NDSU has taken us to the woodshed because of our inability to get off the field. If we want to complete for a natty we've got to figure that out.

[thumper_76]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Defense is a huge concern again this year especially in the big game stopping the run. I don't see the speed necessary on defense and d line is very thin, inexperienced. The run game must be stopped versus NDSU and ISUr. A transfer defensive tackle would be great. The offense better score points because I don't see a defense that will stop the MVFC offenses.

Not sure if I'm all in on the speed comment, but pretty much all in on our defense. ISUr won't be as much of an issue, they graduated their entire offensive line. However it will be key against YSU, USeD, and NDSU. We have to be able to stop the run. I've said it before I'm much happier to be stingy on the run and not the pass if we have to be, but we need the D to step up against the run and get off the field on 3rd down. The middle of the defense has a bunch of questions for depth and experience. It's THE thing to watch IMO.


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[Jacks-02]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

I know Daniel is the hometown hero, but I just haven't been that impressed with him. I'm excited to see what Mulholland can do, and especially Olingrude when it comes to short yardage.

I disagree on Daniel, I thought he looked very good in limited action last year. To me I thought he had nice balance and power and enough speed to do some damage.

[CappinHard]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

I think they are trying to change the good guy image. There is a window open with the Big 3 on offense, and it is time to win now. It is imperative that Soulek stay healthy as he will be our horse on the line, but the others are young right now. I am sure they are scouring the transfers and Junior Colleges.

Wallace was out with a concussion on Saturday, that is multiple for him, and I see him becoming the odd man out. Daniel is HUGE and will be our short yardage guy.

I know Daniel is the hometown hero, but I just haven't been that impressed with him. I'm excited to see what Mulholland can do, and especially Olingrude when it comes to short yardage.

[rabbits64]

Re: 2017 Spring Football

Do you think we are trying to eliminate that "good guy" imagine? Sometimes I think since Stig is such a nice guy that can trickle down to the players. Football is a sport where you gotta play with an edge.

Glad to hear about RB. That's been an area of weakness since Zenner graduated.

I think they are trying to change the good guy image. There is a window open with the Big 3 on offense, and it is time to win now. It is imperative that Soulek stay healthy as he will be our horse on the line, but the others are young right now. I am sure they are scouring the transfers and Junior Colleges.

Wallace was out with a concussion on Saturday, that is multiple for him, and I see him becoming the odd man out. Daniel is HUGE and will be our short yardage guy.