2026 SMSU Mustangs - Let's Ride !

[MrMustang]

heading into Bemidji, I will say my outlook is not what it was 2 weeks ago, but let's see how it goes. Maybe the rust off and we play better on offense.

[FB Player Coach & Fan]

thoughts:


2. offense was eh -- Crowton's numbers look ok, but he did not play great. missed a bunch of throws and was late on a couple of sure tds
3. I am not sure about the running scheme... the RPO and hand offs were slow--- given where our line is, I would just prefer hand it off and run, not stand and read. Crowton is not a huge running threat -- I loves that RPO with Charlie Kern and he was a real threat -- i don't see that withj Crowton.

5. kicker will be fine despite the misses. he at least booted it deep on kickoffs which he could not do last year - improved.
6 defintely disappointing that we could not punch it in -- need that to be fixed


If I could change one thing it would be to just hand the ball off and run - there were holes up from to run but we stutter stepped and held the ball in the backfield, I admit I don't get it.

a win is a win -- better than a loss, winning doesnt suck. not going to apologize for a win

Let’s see what happens over 11 games, but Week 0 2026 SMSU total rushing yards: 130 vs 2025 SMSU season long Average rushing yards per game: 35.5 yards. As you said the competition is what it was (Valley City won last night). Crowton did miss a couple throws-yet still threw for 250 yards-if that was an off night, not bad to throw for 250 yards on an off night. Agreed, Must finish drives with points! And TDs not field goal attempts if you want to be competitive.
As for the backfield action: Most zone run plays have a “slide”, “drop” or “cross” step to help time up with the blocking scheme. Rather then slide-the freeze technique doesn’t give an immediate read for the defense. Defense’s are single ( not much 2 gap defensive fronts anymore) gap run fits, so the defensive front either freezes (giving the oline an advantage) or more likely, the defense slants and move to their gap responsibility and the offensive line can wash and create horizontal movement and creases for the run game and possible backside or front side cuts. I come back to SMSU 2025, perhaps the worst rushing offense in D2–I don't expect 130 rushing yards every game but if the results improve on that 35.5 yards per game—-I’ll take improvement over comfort and looks for fans and spectators .
I grew up playing and early coaching years were pure gap scheme run games- power, iso, veer option, counter, etc. and the RBs were down hill, relatively direct and quick paths to the hole/LOS. The game of football is always evolving on both sides of the ball. Keep looking and creating ways to improve efficiency and execution. I don’t know if it will be better— but I do know, doing the same thing and hoping for a different outcome is the definition of insanity.

[CollegeFBGuy]

I heard the SMSU transfer got late game snaps at safety for the Gophers last night. Good for him. It’s interesting to see who does what when they jump up a few levels.

[Stanger86]

I come back to SMSU 2025, perhaps the worst rushing offense in D2–I don't expect 130 rushing yards every game but if the results improve on that 35.5 yards per game—-I’ll take improvement over comfort and looks for fans and spectators

This is important context, thanks.

[SW_Mustang]

I heard the SMSU transfer got late game snaps at safety for the Gophers last night. Good for him. It’s interesting to see who does what when they jump up a few levels.

Rootin' for PK up there.

IMO - he gave us a lot and transferred on good terms. Wish him well with Minnesota.

[CollegeFBGuy]

Rootin' for PK up there.

IMO - he gave us a lot and transferred on good terms. Wish him well with Minnesota.

It would be interesting to see someone track the NSIC guys that have transferred to FCS or FBS (like some track pro guys). I know there are a bunch. Bemidji has Eli Coenen who transferred to Illinois last year and now Michigan State this year. Tyler Sappit when to South Dakota (FCS). Last year was a DB that had a really good season for the Jackrabbits.

it definitely seems like there is more success for guys going up than many that transfer down from D1

[vikingfaithful]

all
It would be interesting to see someone track the NSIC guys that have transferred to FCS or FBS (like some track pro guys). I know there are a bunch. Bemidji has Eli Coenen who transferred to Illinois last year and now Michigan State this year. Tyler Sappit when to South Dakota (FCS). Last year was a DB that had a really good season for the Jackrabbits.

it definitely seems like there is more success for guys going up than many that transfer down from D1

Augie lost an offensive lineman who played 2 seasons, Stylz Blackmon who portaled to Wisconsin. Also, star baseball SS to gophers.

[MrMustang]

not much to say.

Dominated in every facet of the game up in Bemidji.

The offense was not good.

defense gave up yards but was not terrible. put in some bad sports and they were on the field for 40 minutes.

17 yards passing for the qb -- seems impossible. SMSU used to do that on the first pass of the game. Amazing.

qb was that bad. just bad. obviously need to do something there.

lots of young guys played well on defense.

[MrMustang]

2 deep out.

no change at QB. seems to me like we need to try something different. Hope I am proved wrong

[MrMustang]

I am curious how we handle Hank Kraft. If we can play defense that will be positive and something to build on

[SW_Mustang]

Something is wrong with this program at a fundamental and institutional level.

Are we even capable of scoring a touchdown against the conference this season?

Normally I'd blame the coach and athletes but I'm sure this is eternally frustrating for them too...

[Juke]

Something is wrong with this program at a fundamental and institutional level.

Are we even capable of scoring a touchdown against the conference this season?

Normally I'd blame the coach and athletes but I'm sure this is eternally frustrating for them too...

There’s a fundamental problem at the institutional level. The same longtime administrators involved in pushing Eidsness out after his success later played a role in Sauter and his staff being pushed out. Those people are now on the presidents cabinet. Last fall, the wheelchair basketball coach, who was a football alum, received similar treatment. It raises the concern that institutional politics are being prioritized over the kids, the coaches who serve them, and building a competitive program.

[SW_Mustang]

There’s a fundamental problem at the institutional level.

Interesting...

Doesn't make sense to me how we're gifted a guy like Underwood and then suddenly can't score a touchdown. We're way past blaming the transfer portal.

Not saying our coaching staff should be free from criticism but I don't think a new HC will fix anything.

[njmav1]

There’s a fundamental problem at the institutional level. The same longtime administrators involved in pushing Eidsness out after his success later played a role in Sauter and his staff being pushed out. Those people are now on the presidents cabinet. Last fall, the wheelchair basketball coach, who was a football alum, received similar treatment. It raises the concern that institutional politics are being prioritized over the kids, the coaches who serve them, and building a competitive program.

I understand what you're saying and I admit that I don't know what's going on internally. So I don't make conclusions based on what I see happening- at least publically.

What kind of relationships do the athletes have with the coaching staff? How do you know coaches are overpromising recruits to get them on campus then under deliver? Usually these things come down to the culture. And culture is the administration and the coaching staff.

Just my .02 btw.

[SW_Mustang]

I'm not trying to be a pessimist and put my own team down - but the harsh reality is that we're closing in on 2018 Crookston levels of awful.

Really hard to find moral victories when we're averaging 1.5 points a game against the conference.

Not sure what needs to happen but... yeah.