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View Full Version : Thoughts from Starkvegas this weekend.



R2Dawg
09-07-2025, 04:59 PM
Just getting in from Starkvegas and a few thoughts.

1) Dawg Walk - We looked more like an SEC team walking in, more dudes, team looked focused and locked in. Lebby was actually fired up walking near the stadium entrance. Never seem him like that. I think he knew how big this game was for this year and program and his career.

2) I can't put my finger on it but there was an air of confidence in the air before kickoff. Our fanbase and team was as ready for that game as I've ever seen. The dawg pound rock was done by the entire team not just a few. These guys look like they are together and on the same page. We looked faster all over the field in the first half.

3) The Fans/Students - DWS filled up sooner than I've ever seen it. Bulldog nation had this game circled. Students were full about 45 min before kickoff. While stadium wasn't 100% full, it was as full as I've seen since Dak days. The students really set the tone and brought the energy pregame and all game long. Really proud of those guys. That was a championship atmosphere all game long.

4) Noise - Fans and Cowbells are worth at least 4-7 points. The noise on the goal line stand alone cost them a penalty that without that they score a TD not a FG. At end of game, that is one of the loudest in DWS I've ever witnessed. The goal line stand was same way.

5) The few times the ASU fans got fired up, the cowbells shut them up quickly. DWS is an absolute tough place to play.

6) The terrible call before half roughing passer nearly cost us the game giving them a FG shot. Big momentum shift. We got outcoached at halftime and second half all except the final play where ASU really was dumb.

7) Them running on us in second half was many things. They had momentum and energy. We came out flat from locker room. They over manned us on the LOS with double TE sets many times with 7 to block 6. We never seemed to adjust except at goal line where we maned up. We must adjust better going forward. ASU is good on the LOS but we didn't help things. Witson going out really hurt. Need him back.

We got 2 games to figure out our run game before UT. Get is fixed.

8) Pass blocking was very good all night.

9) Our secondary is dang good. We need to be one on one with corners and leverage our strength to load the line and stop the run when teams are doing that. Jones can guard anyone and our other guys are very good also. A real surprise after all the talk in preseason.

10) That team felt like and looked like a classic MSU team with the hardnosed approach, flying to the football on D, gang tackling much of time.

11) Need Kamario to get some minutes the next 2 games. We need to find a way to use him for a change of pace when we bog down. He is the future and can help us now much like Tebow did early at UF.

12) That felt like a must win game for the fanbase, our program and players. We should be able to ride this momentum for 3 more weeks. Bulldog football feels like it is back.

One game, one win. We beat a top 15 team on Arnett team too so we can't rest on our big weekend.

Hail State!!

Ranchdawg
09-07-2025, 07:07 PM
The Oline is definitely need of work in run blocking. We didn’t get much of a push against USM (which was much smaller) and again last night in run blocking. Pass blocking was a c+ imo. There was a definite look to this team last night that was refreshing. The look of determination! Shapen was “the dude” last night. Dropping dimes down the field.

Defense secondary is vastly improved they were definitely able to cover their positions/receivers. Make no mistake Az.St. has some receivers. Defense line has got to man up and quit getting pushed around on the run and pass. Hutz gotta get this corrected. Stunts, twists and just plain ole bull rush. Defensive end multiple times got eliminated.

I almost hate to bring this up but those referees were some of the worst. Missed multiple holding calls on Az.St. on defense and offense. That ruffing the passer call was NOT ruffing the passer. Was it a very hard hit, yes, but it was not ruffing the passer. One thing that referees are supposed to help guide the call is that is the QB arms down beside him as in completing a pass. Last night’s call their QB was still off the ground and arms were still raised ass in a throwing pass motion.

Yes student body brought the energy from way before the game started till they rushed the field. But the whole crowd was completely bringing energy most of the game. Make no mistake that noise in DWS last night effected Az.St. multiple times and definitely made a huge home field advantage. A big tip of the hat to all that made it special.