2024 Week 5: Idaho (3-1) @ UC Davis (3-1) Things that went well:
- Credit where credit is due, Miles Hastings had a truly tremendous game. Completed 25/32 (78.13%) for 248 yards and 3 TDs with NO INTERCEPTIONS against a very good defense. The only thing I really didn't like was that he stared down a sack or 2, but that's not the story of the day. Miles absolutely killed it and had complete command of the offense.
- Red zone offense was impactful. Not having to settle for field goals every single drive was nice!
- Defense is continuing to force turnovers. Most of the picks were just bad throws from the Idaho QBs and not necessarily hyper athletic plays from our DBs, but turnovers are turnovers.
- A WIN OVER THE #4 TEAM IN THE COUNTRY!
Things that need to be improved:
- Pass defense needs some work. Now this could be multi-factorial in the fact that we weren't getting a ton of pressure on their QBs especially in the 1st half, but the biggest thing was our DBs were just playing like 10+ yards off the receiver. Just too many easy easy completions for the Vandals.
- Offensive line is still not doing the work to get the run game going. Lan Larison is amazing, but this line just isn't giving him the opportunities which has been a running theme throughout the season.
- Play calling and coaching directly handed Idaho a lifeline to get back into the game in the 4th quarter. This game was over... OVER... if you knock in a FG and go up 14 and instead we had to nail bite through a 2 point conversion and an onside kick attempt. I'm willing to give Plough some leeway as a first time HC, but that play calling in the 4th quarter was unacceptable.
- Containing QBs that can run continues to be somewhat of a problem for us. Now I know we weren't really preparing for Josifek to be playing, but his legs got the Vandals several 1st downs keeping them alive.
- Averaged 35.4 yards per punt... woof
GO AGS!