Game #5 @ Morehead State

VULB#62 · September 24, 2016, 10:40:35 PM

We are 2-2 going into Morehead

We ran well against Davidson and the passing game was efficient. The D gave up some big gainers but held when they had to. Have we progressed enough to give Morehead a run for their money? They pass the ball as well as anyone in the PFL.

VULB#62 · September 25, 2016, 07:58:00 AM

Morehead was down 30-8 at one point at the end of Q3 and came back to within 2 at the end. Would have forced OT if they had connected on a 2 point conversion at the end. Here is the Pioneer League summary.

Drake 30, Morehead State 28
DES MOINES, Iowa – Morehead State saw a two-point conversion fail with 1:08 left and Drake escaped with a 30-28 victory, Saturday, in Pioneer Football League action at Drake Stadium. The Bulldogs took control with 30 unaswered points after Morehead State scored the game's first touchdown. Kicker Josh Lee made three field goals to start the burst before Terry Wallen returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown and a 16-8 halftime lead. Drake quarterback Grant Kraemer ran for one score and passed for another for a 30-8 Drake lead after three quarters.

Morehead State's fourth-quarter rally began thanks to an Braylyn Cook interception early. Eagles quarterback Austin Gahafer converted the turnover with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jake Raymond. He closed the lead further on the next MSU possession with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jake Sutherland. On the final Eagles drive, he completed back-to-back 20-plus yard passes before handing the ball to Adairus Barnett for a three-yard touchdown burst. However, his pass on the two-point conversion try failed and the Eagles could not recover the ensuing on-side kick fairly.

Tight end Eric Saubert caught eight passes for 136 yards and Kraemer completed 22-of-40 passes for 284 yards to lead Drake. Gahafer completed 26-of-50 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns, finding Raymond nine times for 179 reception yards.

Team Statistics
     MOR DU
First Downs     23     25
Total Offense     421    421
Passing Yards    330    284
Rushing Yards    91    137
Penalty Yards    5-25 6-50
3rd Downs     6-18     3-14
4th Downs 2-3     0-1
Time Of Poss   26:48   33:12

MSU QB Austin Gahafer: 26/50/1 Int, 330 yards, 3 TDs, longest 37 yds, 1 sack given up

VU2624 · September 26, 2016, 10:14:36 AM

Gahafer may not miss some of the passes the Davidson QB did. There was some opportunity for Davidson that they did not take advantage of. Pass rush needs to be better. On the other side, it appears Morehead can be scored upon. Can't miss some of the opportunities we did on some throws which we did vs. Davidson.

vu72 · September 26, 2016, 11:09:05 AM

Quote from: VU2624 on September 26, 2016, 10:14:36 AM
Gahafer may not miss some of the passes the Davidson QB did. There was some opportunity for Davidson that they did not take advantage of. Pass rush needs to be better. On the other side, it appears Morehead can be scored upon. Can't miss some of the opportunities we did on some throws which we did vs. Davidson.

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Agreed. Coach pointed this out during the presser. I would think that if Ryan misses open guys this week there may be a short leash. Based on Jimmy's past efforts if seems as though he is a much more accurate passer.

VULB#62 · September 26, 2016, 11:33:37 AM

According to GameTracker (my only source) for the Davidson game, there were some VU dropped passes (maybe 2?) Is that accurate?

Morehead State Results to date:

9/3 @ #12 (now #7) James Madison (FCS) LOSS 7-80
9/10 VMI (FCS) LOSS 13-17
9/17 Lincoln (D-II) WIN 56-6
9/24 @ Drake (PFL) LOSS 28-30

RECORD
1-3, PF = 104, PA = 133

covufan · September 26, 2016, 11:45:24 AM

I'm thinking anything under 10 points is a moral victory.

Morehead St 35
Valpo 24

VULB#62 · September 26, 2016, 12:55:58 PM

Look back at the Davidson win and a preview of the Morehead State Game @ Morehead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crnypN2okfM

VULB#62 · September 29, 2016, 09:12:25 AM

To refresh our memories, here are the stats from last year. We lost with 2:45 left in the 4th qtr., 29-36 on a Gahafer to Raymond 17 yard TD pass. We coughed up 5 turnovers to help Morehead stay in the game. Scott Staal was our QB in that game. Jean Rene caught 9 passes for 116 and a TD. I believe Catrine was out (he doesn't show on the box score stats). Jake Hutson caught 5 for 82 out of the backfield.

STATS AT A GLANCE     MSU   VALPO
1st Downs     18     20
3rd Down Conversions    7-19     1-15
4th Down Conversions     0-2     2-4
Passing (Comp-Att)    355 (28-56) 356 (35-58)
Rushing (Att)     59 (26)     88 (25)
Total Yards     414     444
Penalties       7-66     8-53
Turnovers      2     5
Fumbles Lost     1     2
Interceptions     1     3
Possession     25:21      34:39

The year before we went to Morehead and lost 47-48 giving up 2 TDs in last 3:13.

We have demonstrated that we are capable enough of matching Morehead but just haven't been able to make a lead stick in the 4th. Hopefully, with the added maturity and a pretty stable line-up, this year it will be different.

VU2624 · September 29, 2016, 10:27:50 AM

Quote from: VULB#62 on September 29, 2016, 09:12:25 AMTo refresh our memories, here are the stats from last year. We lost with 2:45 left in the 4th qtr., 29-36 on a Gahafer to Raymond 17 yard TD pass. We coughed up 5 turnovers to help Morehead stay in the game. Scott Staal was our QB in that game. Jean Rene caught 9 passes for 116 and a TD. I believe Catrine was out (he doesn't show on the box score stats). Jake Hutson caught 5 for 82 out of the backfield. STATS AT A GLANCE MSU VALPO 1st Downs 18 20 3rd Down Conversions 7-19 1-15 4th Down Conversions 0-2 2-4 Passing (Comp-Att) 355 (28-56) 356 (35-58) Rushing (Att) 59 (26) 88 (25) Total Yards 414 444 Penalties 7-66 8-53 Turnovers 2 5 Fumbles Lost 1 2 Interceptions 1 3 Possession 25:21 34:39 The year before we went to Morehead and lost 47-48 giving up 2 TDs in last 3:13. We have demonstrated that we are capable enough of matching Morehead but just haven't been able to make a lead stick in the 4th. Hopefully, with the added maturity and a pretty stable line-up, this year it will be different.

Clarke hurt his knee during that MSU game. Catrine was out with an elbow injury IIRC.

VULB#62 · September 29, 2016, 10:45:31 AM

Yes, Ryan was only 2 for 3 for 15 yards that game. Scott was 32 for 53 for 337. BTW, Jarrett was 1 for 1 for 4 yards and a TD

usc4valpo · September 29, 2016, 06:16:31 PM

Morehead St 42, Valpo 20 if Seewald does not play by the 4rth quarter
Morehead St 34, Valpo 26 if Seewald plays and takes over in the 2nd quarter

VUOR63 · September 30, 2016, 11:39:08 AM

I saw a press release saying that the last time Valpo won three games was in the 2003 championship season (Dayton, USD and Drake). I will speak from experience that the post-game parties throughout that season were off the hook. Incidentally, that 2003 team was coming off of a 1-10 season the year before and had a QB who threw lots of TD passes (Macchi).

I won't pretend like I know a lot about this team but I don't see any reason why they can't beat Morehead State this weekend. Valpo 35, Morehead State 24.

usc4valpo · October 01, 2016, 07:41:47 AM

I think if Valpo wants to progress in football, this game is a wonderful opportunity for them. I think it is possible but I do not see it happen however. MSU lost to a downtrodden Drake team last weekend.

VU2624 · October 01, 2016, 12:18:57 PM

Well...so far we can't run the ball because of the OL but we're making up for it by not being able to pass protect. Let's hope we see some improvement.

VU2624 · October 01, 2016, 12:35:04 PM

I think I can feel the steam coming out of uscvalpo's ears. Two really bad passes. Doubt a change is made but probably need to think about it.

vu72 · October 01, 2016, 01:20:23 PM

Pretty solid first half. Clarke actually threw for more yards( 99) than Gahafer (75). De La Rosa is out with an injury but I still like our chances.

vu72 · October 01, 2016, 01:27:35 PM

I'm still amzed at how young we are. Of the 9 players who touched the ball either running or receiving, 3 are true freshman and 4 are sophomores. Zero seniors.

bbtds · October 01, 2016, 02:02:20 PM

The Defense sounds very good and for a few plays the running game got going before the OL cost Valpo a touchdown by suddenly forgetting how to block in the red zone. FG should have been a TD. Now D allows big play and Morehead takes a one point lead.

VU2624 · October 01, 2016, 03:12:45 PM

Tough loss. Not getting it in from the 1 yd line really hurt. I guess Boxrucker was injured on the long run he had. I thought I saw him ask out and we never saw him again. Cartales is a bit limited. I would have had Morgan in the game if Boxrucker couldn't go at the goal line. Not a real big fan of the 2 point try. Take the points that early in the game.

Defense played tough but Gahafer makes throws most PFL QBs can only dream of. Needed a little more pressure on him but Morehead has shown repeatedly they can get down the field at the end of the game.

Coaches comment after the game about not hitting open receivers was interesting. Couldn't tell from the feed but there was no passing rhythm to the offense just a few long ones.

Drake and Stetson winable.

vu72 · October 01, 2016, 04:49:43 PM

They were a very senior heavy team including a few RS-Seniors, their quarterback included. Still, we are clearly getting there. I do wonder whether or not Clarke will be on a short leash. He apparently made some good throws although Coach C's comments would indicate that there were really fantastic catches not fantastic throws. Clearly there were several flat out missed throws.

VU2624 · October 01, 2016, 05:23:39 PM

Both Rene and Catrine TDs were fantastic in Rene's case and good in Catrine's case. Reverted to last year in which success only comes on long plays while the short to intermediate game suffers. That's ball control which hurt them in this game as well. Plus, frankly, he was again very jittery back there. Don't know whether there will be a change.

I agree they are moving forward. Question is, does the QB issue become one if it hasn't with the most important people in the conversation which are the players.

VULB#62 · October 01, 2016, 05:57:55 PM

Quote from: VU2624 on October 01, 2016, 05:23:39 PM
Both Rene and Catrine TDs were fantastic in Rene's case and good in Catrine's case. Reverted to last year in which success only comes on long plays while the short to intermediate game suffers. That's ball control which hurt them in this game as well. Plus, frankly, he was again very jittery back there. Don't know whether there will be a change.

I agree they are moving forward. Question is, does the QB issue become one if it hasn't with the most important people in the conversation which are the players.

Once again could only follow on GameTracker. But one observation I had based on your comment above: I was at the TIU game and, as I recall (and that may not be very accurate after a couple of weeks), the reason Jimmy threw for such a good %age was he connected on a lot of short/medium passes off the break. Saying that, it wasn't Ryan's fault that we had to settle for a FG -- we couldn't punch it in on the ground from the 2.

Agree that Drake is winnable at home -- we usually do well against them and Morehead showed they are vulnerable. Drake just lost 35-10 to Dayton. Stetson beat Davidson 31-27 so that is a comparable game as well.

VU2624 · October 01, 2016, 07:52:28 PM

Quote from: VULB#62 on October 01, 2016, 05:57:55 PM
Quote from: VU2624 on October 01, 2016, 05:23:39 PMBoth Rene and Catrine TDs were fantastic in Rene's case and good in Catrine's case. Reverted to last year in which success only comes on long plays while the short to intermediate game suffers. That's ball control which hurt them in this game as well. Plus, frankly, he was again very jittery back there. Don't know whether there will be a change. I agree they are moving forward. Question is, does the QB issue become one if it hasn't with the most important people in the conversation which are the players.
Once again could only follow on GameTracker. But one observation I had based on your comment above: I was at the TIU game and, as I recall (and that may not be very accurate after a couple of weeks), the reason Jimmy threw for such a good %age was he connected on a lot of short/medium passes off the break. Saying that, it wasn't Ryan's fault that we had to settle for a FG -- we couldn't punch it in on the ground from the 2. Agree that Drake is winnable at home -- we usually do well against them and Morehead showed they are vulnerable. Drake just lost 35-10 to Dayton. Stetson beat Davidson 31-27 so that is a comparable game as well.

While not his fault we couldn't punch it in from the 1, there seems to be some question as to what else was missed.

VULB#62 · October 01, 2016, 08:00:49 PM

Alas, water under the bridge. Lessons to be learned from the tape.

Deets · October 01, 2016, 09:24:50 PM

I am new to the forum, but I watched the game, and thought the team did well. Exceeded a lot of expectations of the many posters in terms of the final score predictions I saw on here. They are clearly moving in the right direction this year. I thought they were the better team out there today. Just had a couple unlucky breaks that will (hopefully) go their way as these young guys get older. Our O-line gave great pass protection all day, and they have for the past three games. And the running game continues to come along. Morehead was comprised largely of seniors, so that seems to bode well for our boys going forward. I have also noticed that our guys are playing much better in the second half this year, which is leaps and bounds better than last year. I think they are capable of a win or two more this year. Go Valpo!