After the recent 27-17 loss to USD, the Sioux sit at 2-3 heading into the Homecoming tilt vs. Southern Utah.  If there was ever a must-win game it is this one.  But, there is more to come on that game later in the week.

Rumors

A few thoughts on the USD game:

  • Defense couldn’t get off the field in the first half.  USD continuously converted on 3rd down, extending drive and wearing out the defense.
  • Offensively the Sioux moved the ball well to begin the game but failed to convert on a couple key 3rd downs in the first half and USD got the ball back and did convert.
  • The offense and defense didn’t work together very well at all.  When the defense would get a quick 3 and out in the 2nd half, the offense would then go 3 and out….and so on.
  • 3 more Passing TD’s given up by the defense.  The run defense has been decent on the year but pass D had been inconsistent.  Pass rush did have something to do with it in the first half, to be fair.  2nd half was much better.
  • Turnovers.  UND – 4.   USD – 0.  Two of them were unforced with the bad snap to the punter and Jake Landry dropping the ball while scrambling.  The first interception in the end zone was just a heck of play by the defensive back, nothing you can do on that one but tip your hat.
  • Ryan Dressler had a nice game with 4 catches for 37 yards, a couple of them being at key times.
  • Josh Murray was a workhorse.  He carried the ball 16 times for 102 yards, caught the ball 6 times for 37 yards, and returned the ball on special teams 3 times for 73 yards.
  • Offensive line played well in the game.  The Sioux had 21 first downs in only 57 plays.  USD only had 1 sack, also.
  • Defensively, the Sioux lost contain too many times in the first half.  Warren would step up in the pocket and the rush ends for UND would duck under their blocker allowing Warren to escape back to the outside when nothing was open.
  • The Sioux simply need to learn how to win on the road.  It is like night and day when you watch them at home vs. on the road.  Vermillion is a place where they had played every other year and had success but for whatever reason they made sloppy mistakes that they hadn’t made in the previous 3 games this year.
  • Defensive backs need to play better, plain and simple.  Way too many big plays given up this year on deep balls.
  • This defense needs to be able to get more pressure on the QB in blitzing situations.