South Dakota Postgame

[cycloneworld]

Seriously including the 4th quarter yardage is disingenuous

Hansen averaged 2.1 ypc on 9 carries. Rocco 3 yards on 5 attempts.

Hansen is great at getting post-opening yards, but does need the designed run to be there, and thus far the OL has been inconsistent at best in that. Sama is probably better suited for being a RB2 and gadget type.

Lee did look instinctive like Hansen but perhaps with more improvisation ability if nothing is there. I hope he earns more of a role

It will be rare that we throw for 300 yards AND rush for 5 ypc. We’ve down demonstrated we can do both with this group and I think the strategy for the rest of the season is to ride what’s working. Last week it was the second half run game, this week it was the pass game.

 

[RagingCloner]

KSU team that struggled with UND

IMO this is just as disingenuous as adding the 4Q stats to the total yesterday. Did the run game struggle? Absolutely. But they stacked the box with 8 defenders and for some reason decided to make Rocco win the game with his arm. Insanely asinine game plan by the DC

KSU came back from Ireland on Tuesday/Wednesday and had one padded practice. It’s all the broadcast booth could tell about last night. Of course this was going to be a close game.

FWIW, I wish ISU had punched the last TD in against KSU, because apparently a bunch of our fans have short term memory loss and forget the KSU game wasn’t really ever that close

 

[FinalFourCy]

It will be rare that we throw for 300 yards AND rush for 5 ypc. We’ve down demonstrated we can do both with this group and I think the strategy for the rest of the season is to ride what’s working. Last week it was the second half run game, this week it was the pass game.

No, it will be rare to have a lot of yardage in both.

A bit early to say the OL has demonstrated that imo. Given the history of that position, still a hold situation. Hopefully Buhr helps

We were 9/10 on third down, many clear passing downs in which Rocco’s reads and arm, in combination with the talent mismatch, made it look easy.

 

[Letterkenny]

I think SD really tried to shut down the run game at the expense of their pass defense. It bit them big time and they didn’t change until it was way too late.

Makes sense for them to have that approach given the relatively unknowns at WR and a fairly pedestrian passing performance against KState.

 

[rosshm16]

Manske looked really big and fast for a guy who was playing for Algona last year.

 

[FinalFourCy]

IMO this is just as disingenuous as adding the 4Q stats to the total yesterday.

KSU came back from Ireland on Tuesday/Wednesday and had one padded practice. It’s all the broadcast booth could tell about last night. Of course this was going to be a close game.

FWIW, I wish ISU had punched the last TD in against KSU, because apparently a bunch of our fans have short term memory loss and forget the KSU game wasn’t really ever that close

“Of course it was going to be a close game”

lol. That would make a KSU homer blush.


Don’t resort to straw mans. As I’ve stated many times, the KSU game was close to being 41-14 type win. I also wish that was the case due to perception implications nationally, but that doesn’t change anything in this conversation about the OL as this isn’t about the scoreboard

 

[Cloneon]

Seriously including the 4th quarter yardage is disingenuous

Hansen averaged 2.1 ypc on 9 carries. Rocco averaged 3 yards on 5 attempts. SD did a great job shutting down the run game.

Credit to them, but not what you want to see after only having one good quarter against a KSU team that struggled with UND

Hansen is great at getting post-opening yards, but does need the designed run to be there, and thus far the OL has been inconsistent at best in that. Sama is probably better suited for being a RB2 and gadget type.

Lee did look instinctive like Hansen but perhaps with more improvisation ability if nothing is there. I hope he earns more of a role

If I were running a D, I'd focus inside on Hanson and outside on Sama. Lee, and for that matter that bulldozer (Miller? Who reminds me a little of Skatebbo) seemed to have good mobility both inside and outside. Miller even has that squinting habit of Skatebbo.

 

[rosshm16]

It will be rare that we throw for 300 yards AND rush for 5 ypc. We’ve down demonstrated we can do both with this group and I think the strategy for the rest of the season is to ride what’s working. Last week it was the second half run game, this week it was the pass game.

I'll be a downer here and suggest we shouldn't be too confident on what we've demonstrated yet against a KSU team that may not be very good, and an FCS team that was way overmatched.

I do think we are overall a more talented team than last year though!

 

[RagingCloner]

“Of course it was going to be a close game”

lol. That would make a KSU homer blush.


As I’ve stated many times, the KSU game was close to being 41-14 type win. I also wish that was the case due to perception implications nationally, but that doesn’t change anything in this conversation about the OL as this isn’t about the scoreboard.

A KSU homer would tell you it should have been a blowout. ISU straight up broke the KSU FB program and the Johnson family in one swoop

As far as the OL goes, I agree with this frustration, but again, with 5 guys trying to block 8, it just doesn’t mark out.

Buhr coming back spells the end for either Black or Bonifas. Tbh, kinda hoping Black because he just hasn’t graded out well yet this year

 

[harimad]

Side note... anyone catch the TNT Broadcast last night for UofA and Hawaii? looks absolutely INCREDIBLE. well done to Yormark on getting that done.

I was watching highlights of that game and it looked beautiful. The on-field camera guys really showcased how gorgeous the atmosphere looked, the rosy sunset sky... just amazing.

 

[FinalFourCy]

If I were running a D, I'd focus inside on Hanson and outside on Sama. Lee, and for that matter that bulldozer (Miller? Who reminds me a little of Skatebbo) seemed to have good mobility both inside and outside. Miller even has that squinting habit of Skatebbo.

Agree. Nice use of the wildcat to change things up.

 

[harimad]

Speaking of, I was perusing one of the weekend summary articles at ESPN and this writer had Rocco at #5 on his Heisman list. https://www.espn.com/college-footba...k-1-highlights-top-plays-games-takeaways-2025

 

[IcSyU]

I’m kinda figuring part of the point of Saturday’s show was to give Phil Parker a lot to think about.

This is grossly overstated. If you have new coaches or a significantly different roster maybe but otherwise advanced analytics summarize the tendencies. They will watch all the games from last year and this year and pick out the weak spots from a personnel or formation point.

 

[Jnecker4cy]

I want to hear more about this Easton Miller RB? That dude is a load. He absolutely Montgomeried some SD linebacker. They are still looking for a few of his teeth.

I realize it was mop up time but physical is physical. It is nice to give the secondary a reason to think twice before throwing their body in there.

He is an Ankeny Centennial kid. Is a great young man. Plays full special teams and like the 4th running back. Know him since he was 7. Great to see him get a few reps.

 

[CycloneFan97]

 

[ThePewterFamily]

Flora looked Normal.

Fauna? Not so much

 

[Aclone]

Fauna? Not so much

I see what you did there.

 

[ItsCyence]

He is an Ankeny Centennial kid. Is a great young man. Plays full special teams and like the 4th running back. Know him since he was 7. Great to see him get a few reps.

I'm an Ankeny grad from before the schools split. Easton runs like an Ankeny running back. Was very cool to see.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Speaking of, I was perusing one of the weekend summary articles at ESPN and this writer had Rocco at #5 on his Heisman list. https://www.espn.com/college-footba...k-1-highlights-top-plays-games-takeaways-2025

If Becht continues to play at a high level like he has in the past game and half, not only will we win a lot of games, but he will separate himself from the other QBs and be a high draft pick in the spring. That was about as good of putting the ball right on the hands of if his receiver as we have seen in a long time.

 

[madguy30]

Becht will have some tough moments like anyone but his 'vibe' right now looks like a perfect combo of the physical and mental parts of the game coming together nicely.