GDT: Incarnate Word (09/07/24)

[GoJacks2011]

The whole in-game production seemed out of synch. They tried to work in some sponsor stuff plus honoring the women's BB team during the review. Which probably wasn't a good decision when you don't know how long the review is going to take.

That was a bummer - felt like they were quick thrown on the side of the field with the eyes of the crowd on the replay. Poor recognition. Some aspects last night of the in game production were great but there were a lot of lulls and mistimed things. Fun to see a selllout but the momentum and noise felt dampened at times by the production decisions. They had the band play at weird times too.

[ringthebells]

1) I was upset about not using the TOs right before half. After reading coach Rogers's explanation I am good with the decision.
2) The new PA guy will take some getting used to. I don't have an opinion yet, its just different.
3) I felt like the music guy could cut the songs a little sooner. There was several times the music was blaring while the ball was in play. Parts of the first half reminded me of a Skyforce game. You don't need to fill every second with artificial noise.
4) The run defense was excellent again.
5) Wilde is a stud. A couple of others' drops thus far is kind of concerning. Hopefully they settle in and haul those in going forward.
6) The refs seemed to take their sweet time discussing EVERY SINGLE CALL. The first quarter was completed in record time. The first two minutes of the second quarter took a lifetime.
7) This one is a personal pet peeve. I hate when one referee throws a flag and then all of sudden two other flags land in the same area. At one point last night there were 5 flags in the same area. No way all 5 referees saw the same penalty. And if you all did the see the same thing, shouldn't a few of you be watching another part of the play?
8) Tailgating was great. In the past the UPD always felt the need to make their presence know during the first couple of home games. I saw them wandering around, but didn't have a group decide to walk through our area pestering us. That was nice.
9) The student section lost a few during halftime, but most stuck around for the whole game. The atmosphere is so much better when they are involved.

[jbjack]

It was 3rd down. Might as well try that throw. If he doesn’t it’s 4th down and they are punting anyway.

the real question is why they didn’t call their timeouts and make them run two more plays from the 1/2 yard line.

We had a receiver wide open in the back of the end zone. If he puts 7 more yards on that ball, it's at least even money a TD. But it was a backfooted, weak throw.

[Prairiehaas]

Where it could get interesting is if Montana or Montana State is forced to play at least one road playoff game, especially Montana. Not sure they'd win in San Antonio

Not certain the Grizzlies would win in Missoula either. At least as they are playing now.

[bigticket1]

That was a bummer - felt like they were quick thrown on the side of the field with the eyes of the crowd on the replay. Poor recognition. Some aspects last night of the in game production were great but there were a lot of lulls and mistimed things. Fun to see a selllout but the momentum and noise felt dampened at times by the production decisions. They had the band play at weird times too.

One big improvement was the cell reception in the stadium. Went the entire game with no issues, which hasn't happened in a long time, even with smaller crowds.

[Prairiehaas]

Plus Tucker Large was out for a good part of the game. Did they mention on the broadcast what the issue was with him ?

It appeared Tucker injured left upper leg/hip. He came up from a play a bit gimpy with a hitch in his step. He tried to work it out, couldn't and took himself out of the game. No word on him while listening to post game on the ride home. Hope he's ok. Tucker makes a difference on defense.

[jakejc795]

One big improvement was the cell reception in the stadium. Went the entire game with no issues, which hasn't happened in a long time, even with smaller crowds.

I noticed multiple cell antennae around the stadium (including what might've been one attached to the scoreboard). I agree, there was no noticeable lag

[jakejc795]

1)
2) The new PA guy will take some getting used to. I don't have an opinion yet, its just different.
3) I felt like the music guy could cut the songs a little sooner. There was several times the music was blaring while the ball was in play. Parts of the first half reminded me of a Skyforce game. You don't need to fill every second with artificial noise.

I suppose my assessment of Howlett was based on simple things such as accuracy re. down/distance, player names, and whether he tried to emulate annoying aspects of visitors' PA folks who shan't be named. I think he did average to above average on the fist two and great on not being annoying.

I agree with you on Item #3, although I think the volume was much better pregame than it has been in past years.

[jakejc795]

Rant: Can someone get Tanner Castora a "real" job covering the Jacks. If the dude has any desire to stay in SD for at least the next couple years, his preparation, commentary, and content is too good for him to be forced to freelance

[bigticket1]

It appeared Tucker injured left upper leg/hip. He came up from a play a bit gimpy with a hitch in his step. He tried to work it out, couldn't and took himself out of the game. No word on him while listening to post game on the ride home. Hope he's ok. Tucker makes a difference on defense.

I saw him talking to a couple of IW players after the game, and he reached around to the back of his leg in the hamstring area like he was showing them where the problem was. But then he jogged to the student section end to celebrate and seemed to be moving OK. Hopefully just tweaked something.

[bigticket1]

Rant: Can someone get Tanner Castora a "real" job covering the Jacks. If the dude has any desire to stay in SD for at least the next couple years, his preparation, commentary, and content is too good for him to be forced to freelance

This plus 1000. KELO made a big mistake when they parted ways after they wouldn't let him go to Frisco. The two younger people they hired after he left are still butchering names after being there for over a year.

[GoJacks2011]

Rant: Can someone get Tanner Castora a "real" job covering the Jacks. If the dude has any desire to stay in SD for at least the next couple years, his preparation, commentary, and content is too good for him to be forced to freelance

The athletic dept should hire him at this point honestly or maybe Midco could stop making Elden cover both SD schools and hire him. They’re shooting themselves in the foot with that move - glad I didn’t have to watch the game on tv last night.

[jakejc795]

The athletic dept should hire him at this point honestly or maybe Midco could stop making Elden cover both SD schools and hire him. They’re shooting themselves in the foot with that move - glad I didn’t have to watch the game on tv last night.

Midco was my thought too, but I suppose if I were Castora, I might balk at going there after their recent staffing purge.

[jakejc795]

This plus 1000. KELO made a big mistake when they parted ways after they wouldn't let him go to Frisco. The two younger people they hired after he left are still butchering names after being there for over a year.

I've never met Castora, but he seems like a decent guy. The only justification that would have merit for Kelo's handling of it in my eyes would be if Castora is a total "tool" behind the scenes, which I just can't reconcile with the content he churns out. It would be one thing if he were channeling Skip Bayless in the videos he posts, but I just don't see it

[jakejc795]

I saw him talking to a couple of IW players after the game, and he reached around to the back of his leg in the hamstring area like he was showing them where the problem was. But then he jogged to the student section end to celebrate and seemed to be moving OK. Hopefully just tweaked something.

Hopefully he can rest this Sat. to try to ensure Jacks can use him for FCS games.