Saw the same thing, I think it was the kicker. I just watched that play again on the ESPN highlights and there were several things that really jumped out at me, but I will refrain unless anyone really wants to go there. It made me watch our opening drive to get to the kickoff, man we had some chances... SERENITY NOW!!!

Yes, another 300 pound interior DL would be nice. Hard to find those guys.

My intention was to come on here and bitch and moan (especially) about special teams play, stopping the run, and how the Redbirds scored four TD to our one between the 2nd and 3rd quarters. However, after throwing my board in the water yesterday and sitting on the beach, then sleeping on it for two nights, I am announcing my retirement from posting about the 2025 season. I will end this run with a few more mellow contemplations:

-Special teams play... Two of the four losses saw critical mistakes. Possibly the absolute worst play of the season was when the entire Aggie punt return team turned their back to the Illinois State punter and ran with the coverage team. The punter saw what happened, that no one was home, and took off because not one player stayed to check to ensure that the ball was kicked. I almost puked when I saw him change his footwork while he was reading our guys.

-The old adages that "Defense Wins Championships" and "You Must Run to Win" still hold true. Illinois State did both of those things very effectively, and won. We didn't. That's the ballgame.

-Kudos to the fans: students, parents, alumni, community, especially for the final three games. Plough has built something pretty special and the momentum is tangible. The games I went to were a great time! And we won most of them. And we hosted two playoff games.

-This team far exceeded their circumstances. There were so many reasons why they could have had a down year, yet they earned a #8 national seed and won a playoff game. With a first-year, freshman QB. With devastating, season-ending injuries to all-Americans and all-Big Sky performers. With guys being sick. With more injuries. The program was tested and still nearly pushed through to the semifinals.

-And finally, to wrap up my kinder, gentler post on 2025 Aggie football, Corey the Rocket Dog redeemed herself and put in possibly her best performance of the season. Given the rumors about other dogs being able to fill her role through the dog pound portal, she renewed my faith in her retrieving abilities and brought her A-game in the quarterfinals. Maybe we expand her role in 2026 with supporting our special teams by running down the field to cover kickoffs and sitting at the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted...

That's all folks. No more from me about this game or any of the 2025 games, I am now forward focused from here on out. I trust Plough and Co. to fix what needs to be fixed, to address the roster needs, and to come out loaded for bear in 2026.

Agreed

That would be a tremendous luxury to not have to take transfers at DL. Psyk has another year possibly?

Getting Simpson back would be an added bonus but it sounds like that one is a stretch. Having to rely on the NCAA for anything is uncertain.

Sailorgabe mentioned focusing on the CA P4 players. I'd dial that in and focus mainly on UCLA and Cal; both UC schools so the kids need some sort of academic track record, and both had coaching changes. UCLA might become JMU Westwood so keep an eye down there.

If I was the GM, here are my areas of focus in looking at the dreaded Portal:

1. Left Tackle: 70 will be hard to replace, and like someone mentioned, it takes time to develop OL. We need a plug-and-play dude at that position while the young guys develop.

2. Edge: Few returns and is more of a strong side-type, run stopper who will develop as a pass rusher. We need someone who can cause headaches in the pass rush department.

3. Defensive Tackle: Can't have enough. One of the hardest positions to find in recruiting. The bigger the better.

4. Cornerback: See DT notes

5. Guard: not sure what we have coming-up in the program so this might not be a necessity. Not nearly as difficult to find this guy as it is Tackles.

6. Safety: not as much of a priority if Rex wins the lawsuit.

7. Tight End: Williams is better than either Simpson or Dixon so we'll have one. This shouldn't be a hard sell given how we use this position. Not sure if the two FR from last year's class will be ready for prime time.

8. Inside Linebacker: 15 proved he can play. If Porter's suit of the NCAA is successful, we're in pretty good shape. 44 was a back-up inside this season, didn't see enough of him to know what he is. Not sure on the young guys, signed two in last year's class.

I think 10-12 is the absolute maximum number of transfers we should entertain. Beyond that, you start to threaten the culture in my opinion.

Fitting!

Carter is a good hire. He's not Troy Taylor, but he is a great fit for Sac State. My guess is that Taylor turned it down. Plus, he doesn't know Hammer as far as I know. That HAD to be a selling point for Woods.

McClure is a name up there, everyone knows him and he can recruit. These guys will right the ship if that is even possible. Could be the Titanic...

Probably. Harper and Cleeland are the two QBs dressed and signaling at the games I've made. I think Wrighster traveled when Pinnick was sick. Rasor has been out with an injury. That leaves the two other freshmen, Eason and Guess.

CA Forever, I agree. All indications would lead us to believe he's in for 2026

Final post heading into the weekend and the roadie north. I am excited for our program and our fandom, big opportunity. We MUST take care of the football, stick with the run game, protect the QB, and hold them to <28. Accomplish that and we're heading to the semis. The game will be close, the punters may be busy, but at the end of the day, we're faster, more athletic, and a hell of a lot more creative. I don't think they can keep up with us playing our style of football.

LET'S GO AGGIES!

Not shocked, you can only play one. Pinnick and Cleeland ahead with no sign of that changing next year, much less the next four years, plus Eason and a '26 QB signed. Slim chance of being anything but #3 at best next year given how it shakes out right now. I think one of our other QBs already "entered the portal". Wishing both those guys nothing but the best-

So the DL is beat to crap. No shock given today's date and the fact they've been playing since July. Going to have to figure it out. I believe in our medical staff and their ability to get guys onto the field, feeling decent, by Saturday at 2pm. Many "miracles" can be worked in the modern day training room.

I think you are onto the keys for the game. I feel like 200 on the ground is the magic number. We also have to keep their run game in check. I won't be surprised if they try to spy our QB after what he did last week. Problem is, you have to take a DB-type out of coverage to do it, none of their Linebackers look athletic enough to me to run with Caden. No idea if we see Vargas, but like I said earlier, he was sure moving well last week when celebrating a couple of our second half scores! Has to be close. Psyk looked to be OK and I would also expect him to play. Another guess is that we have probably practiced with less or no contact this week. No need for it at this point.

My NFL comment was with regard to a post someone made back up the line. I agree, too early to tell with way too small a sample size.

Also agree with your statement on the timing. The dorm decision was made more with our players in mind than the student fans.

There have to be luxury boxes not to compete with the rest of the Big Sky or MWC but to attract and to offer the best product to current and future corporate partners. That's the primary reason to build those things anyway. Comparing to the MWC, SJSU has crappy, patio-like outdoor "boxes". Hawaii barely has anything. For as large a stadium as the Sun Bowl is, most of the premiums are outdoor with no luxury indoor options at UTEP.

Expanded banquet space is a win for the entire University but especially Athletics. The new design does little, if anything, with regard to substantial additional seating. There will always be space for a deck to be added over the east side, and one of the berms can be converted to permanent seating as well. This is all unnecessary as a member of the Big Sky, and not necessary early in the MWC future.

With the 1-2 international students we have on campus, and with the precedent being set to extend the dorm stay for the players through Saturday, I can't imagine a scenario where they would not keep the dorms open through the semis and whatever practices are held the week of Christmas. I'm sure that was discussed when they met to decide on the current dorm status.

Exactly right.

This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but let CV go, I hope he gets what he thinks he deserves. If the NFL has taught me/us anything, it is that Running Backs are a dime a dozen. If he's an elite, NFL prospect type, he'll get the money then go tear it up wherever. Good for him. What I'm saying is that: 1.) we can win without him, and that 2.) it is not hard to replace top running backs.

Only place to go, especially in the rushing department, is UP! There is no question Marrion is a talented Offensive Coordinator. Dude has put up numbers everywhere he's been. He is also pretty creative. I was dumbfounded that they were in a position to beat us with something like 10 total pass attempts with most of those attempts not being anywhere close to completion! Possibly the worst-Quarterbacked Division I football game in history. It will be interesting to see how it goes up in Boulder. Marrion is a proven recruiter as well.

GREAT effort by the promotions folks, and very generous of the old Dutch Bros. to get involved.

I just hope they're serving $1 beers and hot dogs again on 12/20 in Stephenville!

I don't see Marrion as the coach in waiting at Colorado. Prime isn't exactly killing it in Boulder, and he isn't exactly coaching royalty right now. Made the Alamo Bowl last year and got rolled. Finished 3-9 in 2025. Health issues. Portal-reliant. Sinking ship. The only scenario I see that Marrion becomes HC at Colorado is if Prime steps down mid-season and they plug the OC in as interim. 1 year, maybe 2 before he's Gone-Gone.