2024 SMSU Mustangs: Year 3 of Underwood

[Stanger86]

My only silver lining is that we don't have to face an offense like that again this year. The defensive numbers actually didn't look that bad, but it's just so out-of-the-box that I'm glad we don't have to see that system again.

Now to the brutal: CONTROL THE BALL! Starting the season minus-6 in turnover margin is an absolute killer! I see we tried both QBs, with similar results. I wasn't watching the whole game so I don't know if it was injury or performance, but I don't really love that. Neither looked good, but it's a very Zimmer-like approach which I'm not necessarily a fan of.

[Stanger86]

I was just looking around at the stats and the media guide, and I found a couple of interesting numbers that I think are indicative of how the program has been trending.

-2024 is the sixth straight season SMSU has a new quarterback starting Week 1. Blake Gimbel was the last Mustang to start back-to-back season openers in 2017 and 2018.
-Maybe not coincidentally, our red zone offense has been plummeting over recent years. In Gimbel's last year, our red zone offense scored on 76% of possessions. But after the Bouman year (also 76%), that has dropped in the following seasons to 69%, 60%, and 56%. One out of two on Saturday, but I think that's a number to monitor as we search for offensive consistency.

[SW_Mustang]

My only silver lining is that we don't have to face an offense like that again this year. The defensive numbers actually didn't look that bad, but it's just so out-of-the-box that I'm glad we don't have to see that system again.

Now to the brutal: CONTROL THE BALL! Starting the season minus-6 in turnover margin is an absolute killer! I see we tried both QBs, with similar results. I wasn't watching the whole game so I don't know if it was injury or performance, but I don't really love that. Neither looked good, but it's a very Zimmer-like approach which I'm not necessarily a fan of.

I'm going to be honest - if not having to play Minot again is the bar that we're setting, then our season is beyond unsalvagable.

I don't know what the stats are but it wasn't their offense that was the problem. Their defense had 3 pick 6s, including one from 92 yards. We gave up a scoop and score in our own red zone. Frankly, it should have been 5 defensive TDs because we threw a ball into a group of four Beavers - Maher cut across the middle and caught it instead. While it was an incredible play, it was insanely risky.

Subtract the defensive TDs, and it's a final score of 14-9.

And it's not like Minot played "great" either. They dropped many of the punts and kicks we sent their way. They are a better team than they were 5 years ago, but they are still bottom 2-3 in the NSIC.

I'm trying to see the positives here but it's beyond embarrassing what we went through. Worst loss I've seen in person.

[SW_Mustang]

I was just looking around at the stats and the media guide, and I found a couple of interesting numbers that I think are indicative of how the program has been trending.

-2024 is the sixth straight season SMSU has a new quarterback starting Week 1. Blake Gimbel was the last Mustang to start back-to-back season openers in 2017 and 2018.
-Maybe not coincidentally, our red zone offense has been plummeting over recent years. In Gimbel's last year, our red zone offense scored on 76% of possessions. But after the Bouman year (also 76%), that has dropped in the following seasons to 69%, 60%, and 56%. One out of two on Saturday, but I think that's a number to monitor as we search for offensive consistency.

I've believed this to be the case since the Bouman days. Haidet onward has been a mess. We went from Peschong - Kern - Gimbel to a revolving door of anyone. McComb might have been promising but there was no way we kept him, even if he didn't deal with those injuries.

We need to go down to Pipestone, get the next guy off the line, and then convince the Chicken Connection to do an NIL deal with him. A 12 piece bucket for every start so he stays put. That's a better solution than what we've been doing.

[SW_Mustang]

Some non-football news - an SMSU freshman on the golf team had a hole-in-one today. SMSU volleyball got their best start since 2004, having not lost a set in any of the four games.

[Stanger86]

We need to go down to Pipestone, get the next guy off the line, and then convince the Chicken Connection to do an NIL deal with him. A 12 piece bucket for every start so he stays put. That's a better solution than what we've been doing.

I'm still a little bummed about Kellen Johnson's short tenure here. I thought he had potential coming out of Pipestone.

[MrMustang]

I am very high on the offensive line. On the wide receivers I am in full wait and see mode however - I trust Scott, but that has been our biggest shortcoming the last 2 years besides qb since Boyer graduated.

O LIne was pretty good. we rushed for a lot of yards and could have really gotten more if we would have run rather than throw some. Bad things happened when we threw

[MrMustang]

I think the defense will be pretty good.

We need to figure out the QB

well, this was the understatement of the season.

woof

we'll see how it goes this weekend. Maybe he was nervouse, who knows, but wow was that bad

threw a pick 6 on a 8 yard pass to the flat. missed the open receiver by 10 yards. if it happened in 9th grade you would wonder how it could have happened.

but we'll see how it goes this week

get 3 games and can still redshirt. If they don't play the true redshirt from Iowa at least some of those 3 games that would be malpratice

[MrMustang]

Agreed. Is Oak getting the Week 1 start? He seems pretty excited via Twitter, but that's not much to go on.

I'm also curious about the RB situation, but I'm not too worried about it. That's always been a strong point for us.

Oak was not good. Le't see how it goes in week 2. Honstetter and Wolf were great at RB -- both are good

[MrMustang]

Official attendance seems kinda low tonight, and was lower than last year. I thought we had closer to 3,000. Could be the new ticketing system (which sucks). But it was good to see so many people come out regardless.

That throw from Oak to Maher - the video doesn't do it justice. Maher came across the middle at the last second and took it home. It should have been an easy pick. Great play.

correct - -- undetthrow and 4 Minot defenders could have picked it offbut for a great play by Maher.

Disappointing. At 1 PM the parking lots was laready full and people were excited and tailgaiting. what a great atmosphere and great crowd and such a letdown. People were really jazzed and excited to get the season off on the right foot.

Perfect weather too - just a clunker

[MrMustang]

I was just looking around at the stats and the media guide, and I found a couple of interesting numbers that I think are indicative of how the program has been trending.

-2024 is the sixth straight season SMSU has a new quarterback starting Week 1. Blake Gimbel was the last Mustang to start back-to-back season openers in 2017 and 2018.
-Maybe not coincidentally, our red zone offense has been plummeting over recent years. In Gimbel's last year, our red zone offense scored on 76% of possessions. But after the Bouman year (also 76%), that has dropped in the following seasons to 69%, 60%, and 56%. One out of two on Saturday, but I think that's a number to monitor as we search for offensive consistency.

In Scott's first year, We were 4-1 heading to USF and then Redshirt freshman Justus McComb blew the shoulder and couldn't ever come back. That's a big blow. To that point Justus had shown he was a good qb, good game manager, and shown sign he could be a stud.

since then, 0-6 the rest of that year and 2-9 last year -- total 2-15. Now 2-16 after this past weekend.

Not making excuses, but nned a qb. saw nothing in week 1 to sugest that will change with the 2 who played. It is early and I would love to be wrong and still think I might be.

I believe the true freshman is better than either. Now, let's see how it goes. it may turn around. If not, you play the true freshman, ala Josh Shudlick 20 years ago -- which started the string of good qb play for 20 years. Eevery qb from Shudlick to Bouwman was all conference.

[MrMustang]

I've believed this to be the case since the Bouman days. Haidet onward has been a mess. We went from Peschong - Kern - Gimbel to a revolving door of anyone. McComb might have been promising but there was no way we kept him, even if he didn't deal with those injuries.

We need to go down to Pipestone, get the next guy off the line, and then convince the Chicken Connection to do an NIL deal with him. A 12 piece bucket for every start so he stays put. That's a better solution than what we've been doing.

Shudlick
Ratekin
Peschong
Kern
Gombel
Bouwman

all good some great all all conference

McComb would have joined this group and solved the problem. But he was hurt and out forever (feel for him)

Klunder has the potential -- next 4 weeks will be huge - does he play in 1-3 of those games?

[MrMustang]

hopefully Oak plays better this week and maybe it works out

on the bright side, defense was as good as expected. Held a team that ran every play to 202 yards rushing. Only one real offensive drive. so that is good anyway

Honstetter was pretty good too

[SW_Mustang]

Oak was not good. Le't see how it goes in week 2. Honstetter and Wolf were great at RB -- both are good

Honstetter did stand out to me. He had that big breakout run. Not the same type of RB as we're used too, but I think he'll settle in nicely. Can't recall Wolf off-hand but I'll take your word for it.

[SW_Mustang]

Shudlick
Ratekin
Peschong
Kern
Gombel
Bouwman

all good some great all all conference

McComb would have joined this group and solved the problem. But he was hurt and out forever (feel for him)

Klunder has the potential -- next 4 weeks will be huge - does he play in 1-3 of those games?

Good point. Shudlick/Ratekin/Peschong was before my time - Kern was the starter my first year at SMSU.