Well, as much as I didn’t want to see it, it was a loss in Omaha.
Not just any loss, either. It was a 41-14 crushing by UNO.
I guess there are a few things that stand out to me in this game: 1) It was a tale of two halves; 2) rushing, not turnovers were the key; and 3) Offensive Coordinator Todd Hoffner has no idea what to do with Noah Shepard when he’s on.
1) USD was well within striking distance at the end of the first half, down only 24-14. The problem was once they came out in the second half, USD started making mistakes and forcing plays. Those forced plays lead to turnovers, which lead to UNO points, which continued the cycle of USD turning the ball over and UNO scoring. That’s what really killed us coming out after halftime.
2) Nebraska-Omaha out-rushed the Coyotes 428-97. Amos Allen was held to under 100 on the ground for the first time all year (60 yards on 17 carries to be exact). Meanwhile, UNO had two rushers going over 150 for the game: Brian McNeill (19 for 166 and 2 TDs) and Zach Miller (15 for 162 and 2 TD’s). UNO was just jamming the ball down USD’s throats, running 60 out of their 75 offensive plays. The worst part, USD couldn’t stop the bleeding if they tried.
3) Noah Shepard played so well in the first half through the air, especially when USD spread the field, that Hoffner should have continued to air it out. If the running game is not working and Shepard goes 13-16 for 2 TDs and no INTs, USD really should have shown more 3,4, and 5 wide sets. The playbook included some great bubble screens for all of the USD wide-outs, and UNO was just stuffing the run. If USD performed that well through the air, the Coyotes should have stuck with it, showing multiple sets.
This is a tough loss, no question. Winona State is still #7 in the region, and still only has one loss. If they finish off the season with their only loss to us, they’ll step into the playoffs and USD will be left out.
And if UNO beats Central Washington next weekend, they’ll waltz into the playoff as the #1 regional seed, and #2 Grand Valley State will have to watch their backs.
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Drew Quandt
Online Editor | The Volante
1 Comment
November 4, 2007 at 5:29 am
Drew, were you at the same game I was Thursday night? More three, four and five wide sets in the second half, huh?
Considering USD took the opening drive of the third quarter and passed the ball on the majority of the drive.
Consider the fact that, yes, the Coyotes did bubble screen the life out of UNO. Am I mistaken or is that not a pass play?
Also, Shepard’s final two throws of the game, picked off.
Yeah, throw the ball more and blame the o-cordinator since and tell him how to do his job.
Freakin’ Coyote Hater
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