Golden Nuggz 9.16.2009
by Buck Bravo on Sep 16, 2009 3:00 AM CDT
in Golden Nuggets
22 comments
Jeremy Around at Golden Gopher Football Blog has a great analysis of California running back Jahvid Best:
It appears that Best isn't too difficult to tackle... if you can catch him. And good luck with that. He is very fast and unbelievably shifty. He is an unreal open field runner, and if you catch him one-on-one in the open he will make you miss. If he gets an opening he is incredibly dangerous.
This linked blog discusses the amazing average of over 10 yards per carry that Jahvid Best currently has achieved.
California is only favored by 14 points at this point for Saturday's matchup. Considering their ranking and level of talent, I'd consider this spread to be a compliment to the Gophers' start to the season.
The San Francisco Examiner has a feature article on Nate Triplett and his inspiring story:
"He's one of those guys that's a hard-nosed, physical football player," Decker said. "Works hard in the weight room, on the practice field and in the classroom. Now to see him shine, it's fun to watch. He's one of those guys who will never give up and keep pushing."
Michael Rand of the Star Tribune has a guest post entry with John Marthaler of the Minnesota sports blog TNABACG at this link. Marthaler discusses his experience at TCF Bank Stadium.
GopherTailgaiting.com has a few videos from the inaugural game at TCF Bank Stadium.
In a Star Tribune article, Emma Quinlan Connolly of St. Anthony Park has what is perhaps the best response to those who have complained about the noise from TCF Bank Stadium that they will have to deal with a few times per year, for a few hours:
"We were outside and could hear the score and the play-by-play," she said. "I was surprised at how crystal clear it was. It wasn't just muffled noise. We liked that we didn't have to go inside."
She called her neighbors' reaction overdramatic and said she is growing tired of the constant complaints - from road construction to Fair noise. The latest drama about the new stadium was over the top, she said. "For me, it was the last straw," she said. "Like, get over yourself. We live in the city; just deal with it."
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Quick thoughts about Cal
(1) I am not sure that I completely agree with link #1’s assertion that Best is the key to Cal’s offense. He’s unbelievable, that’s for sure. But from what I’ve seen online, Shane Vereen is also very effective, and there are two more RBs behind Vereen who are high quality as well.
So far this year Best has only carried 28 times but has averaged a first down a carry. That’s frightening.
But QB Kevin Riley is the key. If he melts down like he did last year on numerous occasions, Minnesota will win. Pressure on him is key. And that’s got to come from the D-line. Campbell and Triplett are getting the credit right now but it’s because of the D-line doing it’s job (Air Force running 66 times last game also didn’t hurt Triplett in getting 17 tackles). And it needs to continue, because Minnesota cannot afford to use its LBs to get pressure, because that will expose the Gophers to Best and Vereen in the open field on screens and short passes. Riley’s accuracy and grace under pressure will be put to the test.
(2) I also read that Cal will be arriving in Minnesota on Thursday to better prepare for the game. Damn you, 2008 Maryland game.
(3) Best is the Bears’ kickoff returner. Great.
by JG2112 on Sep 16, 2009 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wrong on #3
He was the KR last year but after one return against Maryland this year we put Shane Vereen (along with Jeremy Ross) as KR. They are both explosive as hell.
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Sep 16, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
turnovers
if it’s by pressuring Riley or whatever, we need to generate a couple turnovers. And slow down the run game, regardless of the back.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Sep 16, 2009 8:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gopher fans need to be
prepared for a blowout loss. Not a slam on the team, but California is an exceptionally good team this season. They will have extremely fast, extremely talented players on both sides of the ball. Minnesota’s defense has been solid, but the offense has had questionable pass blocking and an inability to move the ball down the field. Also, Decker will not be able to break double coverage against these defensive backs. If the ball gets forced to hime while he’s in double coverage, there will be interceptions. I fully expect a California win by at least 20 points, and that the Gopher offense won’t score more than 3 points until California puts in their second string. Once again, not a slam on the team. Cal is THAT GOOD.
Buck Bravo
by Buck Bravo on Sep 16, 2009 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Blowout?
Boy, you obviously haven’t been talking to many Old Blues (what we Cal alumns call ourselves). From our perspective, we’re expecting yet another hearbreaking loss. Not only is Cal notoriously twitchy on the road, but the Gophers are not getting any respect, while the Bears are getting hyped too much. All this is the perfect recipe for a Cal letdown.
In any case, I’m looking forward to a fun and exciting game, with no injuries. Hopefully the Cal fans who make the roadie will have a great time out there, and not have too many beers.
Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by SoCal Oski on Sep 16, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you are right
but I’m with Buck on this one. I’m not expecting a blowout but I’ll be happy if it is close.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Sep 16, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whether or not Best is THE key to the offense...
he is at least A key.
Consider that between rushing yards and receiving yards, Best has almost 31% of the Bears total offensive yards this season.
Additionally he only touched the ball 3 times in the second half against Maryland and 5 times against Eastern Washington, and not at all in the 4th quarter of either game.
Later in the game, when many shifty backs actually get better, Best has been on the bench. Vereen and DeBoskie-Johnson are getting reps late in the game because of this.
Don't sell yourself short Judge, you're a tremendous slouch.
by jerdogg1 on Sep 16, 2009 9:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually, Vereen and Best generally work as a tandem. Vereen may be second-string running back, but he plays interchangeably with Best. Vereen runs more often in short-yardage situations and goal line stands (which explains why he has more TDs than Best). You are correct about DeBoskie getting most of his reps late in already-decided games.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
by Berkelium97 on Sep 16, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A few points
1) I’ve got to disagree with JG’s point that Riley is the key for Cal. The Bears’ athleticism and speed in space is their main advantage over the Gophers, and even as a Minnesota fan, I don’t think they’ll have much problem exploiting a slower-than-average defense. Campbell and Triplett have had a couple of nice games, but Simoni Lawrence will be the key in this linebacking core on Saturday. It seems to me that his speed and playmaking ability represent the only chance Minnesota has against Cal’s deep and talented backfield.
2) I’d take Cal at -14, but I’m more interested to see the over/under when that comes out. This could be a shootout.
3) If this game becomes lopsided early, I’m not sure it would be the worst thing to force the Gophers to open up the playbook and put the ball in the air. It could be a good thing down the line if Weber is forced to develop a rhythm with receivers other than Decker.
4) Turnovers could be the way Minnesota makes this a game. A big play on defense or special teams could turn the tide, especially considering the home field advantage (I know!) and what is sure to be a “nothing-to-lose” attitude by the Gophers.
by twinsfan21 on Sep 16, 2009 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've got enough faith
in Ronnie Lee and Kevin Cosgrove to pretty much guarantee that they’ll gameplan to try and stop Best, Vereen and the other RBs. Therefore, they’ll try to make Cal beat MN through the air, and before Cal can even try and exploit their athleticism and speed in space, Riley has to stay calm and make effective decisions.
However, if MN cannot plug the O-line gaps and stop the RBs, they have no chance of beating Cal.
by JG2112 on Sep 16, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2) I’d take Cal at -14, but I’m more interested to see the over/under when that comes out. This could be a shootout.
people thought last week was going to be a shootout and it was 3-3 at half!
4) Turnovers could be the way Minnesota makes this a game. A big play on defense or special teams could turn the tide, especially considering the home field advantage (I know!) and what is sure to be a "nothing-to-lose" attitude by the Gophers.
I just read that their kicker kicks short kicks, how about a Stoudermire house!!!?!!!
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Sep 16, 2009 11:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Giorgio Tavecchio is going to be kicking off for Cal this weekend (this could change depending on his consistency)..
Gio has a tendency of kicking off really well in practice, and kicking short in game situations…
Last week he got one kickoff to the 2 yard line and 4 or 5 between the 10 and 15. As you can seen consistency is the issue. His mechanics have been addressed in practice and apparently he is kicking better, but it is by no means Cal’s strength…
Of the few places I’d give Minnesota the advantage in this game:
Kickoffs – Cal kicks it short 75%+ of the time and have been mediocre t best on kick off returns, expect to start with ball around the 30…
Punt coverage on non-Anger boom kicks: Cal’s punter is incredible, he averages over 4.5sec of hang time, which usually gives the Bears enough time to get down and cover the returner for a fair catch, on the few times guys don’t get down quick enough, the returner has a shot to get a 15-20 yd return
Fortunately, 1) Cal is also a great kick returning team, whether is Shane Vereen, Jeremy Ross, or Jahvid Best (unlikely now that Ross is excelling), Cal has a good chance of getting past the 40 on every kick off
2) Anger doesn’t miss often, Cal’s punter is extremely consistent, and was the only true frosh on the Ray Guy list last year (to my knowledge), look for some Cowboy scoreboard breaking kicks on Saturday
Best of luck to the Gophers for a good game, as a Cal fan I don’t see a blow out in this one, but I do believe Cal walks away with the win (35-17ish)
Things to remember: Girls don't appreciate it when you yell "Beast Mode!" when switching to doggy style
by CruzinBears on Sep 16, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
radio station
would someone tell me what radio station is carrying the games. It looks like WCCO is not. It is probably right in front of me, but I have just wasted 30 minutes on Google looking.
by Texas Gopher on Sep 16, 2009 3:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
WCCO 830 AM
"they're calling insane hogs???"
by CrowTrobot on Sep 16, 2009 4:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Crow
by Texas Gopher on Sep 16, 2009 6:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Come on Guys
I know we are all realists that post on here but predicting our team to get blown out isn’t showing very much confidence. If Fisch can finally get a game plan going in the first half and we avoid the costly penalties we should be able to run the ball. The avg per carry has been good but the holdings and false starts negate it. If Minnesota can hold Cal to some field goals and the O can keep from going 3 and out this will be a close game. Cal is a very good team but has been prone to underachieve and play way worse on the road then at home. I’m expecting a close game at this point.
by Jeffdu on Sep 16, 2009 9:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
my prediction
63-0 Gophers win!!!!!! all scoring coming on field goals, Ellestad my fantasy kicker =)
Positive enough? =)
"they're calling insane hogs???"
by CrowTrobot on Sep 17, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah id take it
I was thinking more along the lines of a 31-27 minnesota upset though with Hayo getting in on some action and scoring a TD on a wide receiver screen late in the 4th.
by Jeffdu on Sep 17, 2009 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I want to see what Hayo can do. He looked great in the Aug Scrimmage.
"they're calling insane hogs???"
by CrowTrobot on Sep 18, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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