I love our coach and the staff. They have recruited better players every year. I am so disappointed that in every area of the field, young guys are playing very well except the O-line. One underclassman playing is sad that our O-line recruits have not won snaps with the poor play we have seen. I admit there have been games when I thought the O-line was adequate. But tonight in particular, it really looked like we could not block for run or pass.
I believe the Purdy slide and the fact he was coached to slide from fall camp on is a true representation that there is not a true qualified backup on the roster. Perhaps why we have two QB's in the next class.
A few short years ago, I would be thrilled with 3 winning seasons in a row, I feel disappointed this year and this night in particular. This game is the first game we lost by more than one possession. It is against a mediocre team with a first year head coach. I almost feel like we were out-coached tonight. The other 4 losses, I could say a couple of mistakes corrected and we could have won. This is the first game we really lost all three phases of the game. That is disappointing.
Bowl practices await, and perhaps we will be ready to play in the bowl game. I suspect it will again take 3-4 drives to get the offense's feet under us and do anything though.
I am still optimistic for next year. I see even more quality athletes coming in, which is the sign of a good coaching staff. I hope a ton of focus next year in fall camp is preparing to beat South Dakota. I am so sick of playing to the level of our opponents. I want to dominate the first game and be in a position to play all the two and three deep players in that first game. That is what good programs do to FCS teams.