2024 Playoff Quarterfinal: #5 UC Davis @ #4 South Dakota

[Professor Chaos]

Game kicks off on Saturday 12/14 at 3PM CT and will be streaming on ESPN+.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54191029811_736fa8a1a6_o.jpg

[CA Forever]

This is going to be a tough battle for the Aggies. We have been pretty decent at stopping the run this season, but the USD OL is pretty damn scary. I'm also not sure our battered and injured OL has the horses to stand up to their pass rush. I think Plough will have the boys ready to go, but definitely an uphill battle.

[SeattleCat]

Davis in a dogfight. South Dakota looked pretty flat yesterday and the Aggies can bring it. 42-33 Aggies

[caribbeanhen]

best game of the quarters

[Outsider1]

This one will be interesting.

[Bison56]

best game of the quarters

I second this.

[Bisonator]

This should be a great game. I'll give the edge to the yotes at home.

[caribbeanhen]

This should be a great game. I'll give the edge to the yotes at home.

well I was thinking same until yesterday

thought the Yotes would steam role Tarleton

[ST_Lawson]

well I was thinking same until yesterday

thought the Yotes would steam role Tarleton

Exactly. USD looked worse than I expected them to do and UCD did better against Illinois State than I though they would. Feels like it works out to a pretty darn even matchup. Going to go with UCD on this one because I still have a grudge against the HC of the Yotes.

[wapiti]

best game of the quarters
Where's the game of the week poll-thread?

[caribbeanhen]

Exactly. USD looked worse than I expected them to do and UCD did better against Illinois State than I thought they would. Feels like it works out to a pretty darn even matchup. Going to go with UCD on this one because I still have a grudge against the HC of the Yotes.

Coach of the Yotes looks like Mr Rodgers … what did he do?

W

[caribbeanhen]

Where's the game of the week poll-thread?

Don’t see it yet

[Preferred Walk-On]

Coach of the Yotes looks like Mr Rodgers … what did he do?

W

Former Western Illinois coach.


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[ST_Lawson]

Coach of the Yotes looks like Mr Rodgers … what did he do?

W

He was at Western for 3 years, then jumped to the same position at another conference (at the time) team. I feel like moving up to something like a HC or coordinator at a G-level FBS team or position coach at a P-level FBS team is understandable...moving up in pay and in visibility...but he moved to the same position at a team that was at the time a midddle-of-the-pack in our conference and that we had beaten by 19 the previous season. It stung, and looking back on things, it feels like the turning point where our team really started to head downhill...into a canyon that we only just barely started to dig out of nearly 10 years later.

Think like, if Coach Jacobs at Mercer was there for another year or two with a decent amount of success, then said...nah, I'm going to be HC Samford for a tiny pay increase.

[Bisonator]

He was at Western for 3 years, then jumped to the same position at another conference (at the time) team. I feel like moving up to something like a HC or coordinator at a G-level FBS team or position coach at a P-level FBS team is understandable...moving up in pay and in visibility...but he moved to the same position at a team that was at the time a midddle-of-the-pack in our conference and that we had beaten by 19 the previous season. It stung, and looking back on things, it feels like the turning point where our team really started to head downhill...into a canyon that we only just barely started to dig out of nearly 10 years later.

Think like, if Coach Jacobs at Mercer was there for another year or two with a decent amount of success, then said...nah, I'm going to be HC Samford for a tiny pay increase.
Sorry Lawson but comparing WIU to USD is more like comparing Vanderbuilt to Ole Miss. Don't blame your issues on Nielson blame them on your administration.

[JacksFan40]

He was at Western for 3 years, then jumped to the same position at another conference (at the time) team. I feel like moving up to something like a HC or coordinator at a G-level FBS team or position coach at a P-level FBS team is understandable...moving up in pay and in visibility...but he moved to the same position at a team that was at the time a midddle-of-the-pack in our conference and that we had beaten by 19 the previous season. It stung, and looking back on things, it feels like the turning point where our team really started to head downhill...into a canyon that we only just barely started to dig out of nearly 10 years later.

Think like, if Coach Jacobs at Mercer was there for another year or two with a decent amount of success, then said...nah, I'm going to be HC Samford for a tiny pay increase.
I’d reckon his big reason for jumping ship was because USD is much more committed to football than WIU. USD has poured a bunch of money into the program over the past couple years. He has much more to work with at USD. I’d compare it to when Dan Mullen left Mississippi State for Florida. Sure they’re in the same conference, but Florida has a significantly higher ceiling.

[Texan1]

Tarleton moved the ball at will against South Dakota. Without the 3 picks, South Dakota is not playing this week. Tarleton’s defense is bad. That helped too.
The blueprint for UC Davis is there. I think they can win by 2 scores. Running the ball and stopping the run is great. That wins a lot of games. But South Dakota’s pass defense is beyond suspect. Some team will beat them that way. I think it’s this week.

[dbackjon]

best game of the quarters

This should be, yes.

[Uncle Rico]

Tarleton moved the ball at will against South Dakota. Without the 3 picks, South Dakota is not playing this week. Tarleton’s defense is bad. That helped too.
The blueprint for UC Davis is there. I think they can win by 2 scores. Running the ball and stopping the run is great. That wins a lot of games. But South Dakota’s pass defense is beyond suspect. Some team will beat them that way. I think it’s this week.USD gives up under 200 yards a game through the air, including this Saturday's outlier. We struggled in coverage against that weird gimmicky slow mesh RPO. It hasn't really been a concern the rest of the season. It sounds like our DL was told to hold gaps at the LOS instead of rush the pass.

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW using Tapatalk

[Texan1]

Tarleton had 209 yds passing in the first half. And then continued it the second half. Call it an outlier if that makes you feel better, but a good passing team with half a defense will beat South Dakota. You had 4 quarters to adjust. Don’t blame the defensive scheme. Your coaches could have tried to adjust. They couldn’t stop us. We stopped ourselves for sure, and the better team won, I’m not saying otherwise, but your defense has an Achilles heel. Styles make fights.

[ST_Lawson]

I’d reckon his big reason for jumping ship was because USD is much more committed to football than WIU. USD has poured a bunch of money into the program over the past couple years. He has much more to work with at USD. I’d compare it to when Dan Mullen left Mississippi State for Florida. Sure they’re in the same conference, but Florida has a significantly higher ceiling.

That's a better comparison. Still stung quite a bit when it happened, and I do still hold a grudge against him. I'm more than happy to root for the XDSU's in the playoffs, but USD can go get slaughtered by 60 points.

[Hammerhead]

It's too bad what could be the closest game won't be on TV.

[ElCid]

Tarleton had 209 yds passing in the first half. And then continued it the second half. Call it an outlier if that makes you feel better, but a good passing team with half a defense will beat South Dakota. You had 4 quarters to adjust. Don’t blame the defensive scheme. Your coaches could have tried to adjust. They couldn’t stop us. We stopped ourselves for sure, and the better team won, I’m not saying otherwise, but your defense has an Achilles heel. Styles make fights.

That may all be accurate, but tossing or chalking up three INTs in "the second half" has to point to some kind of pass D, or adjustments of some kind of pass rush. Unfortunately I didn't watch it yet so it may be your QB just made some horrible decisions.

[SeattleCat]

Yotes looking good, Davis looks slow. Not a good sign for Davis.

[AggiePride]

Davis speeding up 7-7

[Bison56]

ESPN app can kiss mine.

[SeattleCat]

My hot take is Davis won't be able to hang with South Dakota and it gets ugly.

[SeattleCat]

Yotes' O-line is impenetrable. Their QB has all day.

[Bison56]

Big fluff can't get pressure.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Another blowout in the making. I feel bad for the elites having to play unnecessary games for the purpose of inclusion and money/programming.

[POD Knows]

Another blowout in the making. I feel bad for the elites having to play unnecessary games for the purpose of inclusion and money/programming.
Ok. What game are you watching.

[Bison56]

USD refuses to take advantage of the gifts from UCD

[cmt]

Ok. What game are you watching.

Guessing that was posted when it was 21-7 and the Davis defense couldn't get a stop. Davis is lucky to only be down 7 right now.

[JacksFan40]

Neither team has a shot in hell in Bozeman if they play like this.

[Bison56]

This game is ridiculous xlolx

[cmt]

Kind of annoying to have your team play it's worst game of the year in the FCS quarterfinals. But that stuff happens sometimes.

[Chalupa Batman]

On a last gasp drive Davis throws a pick in the endzone for their 6th turnover of the day. Fitting way to end this game that saw a lot of sloppy play from both teams.

[cmt]

Don't want to take anything away from South Dakota. While I think UCD could have won the game, I think the better team won. South Dakota gave away 14 points at the end zone and their DLine got a ton of pressure on our QB while we didn't get much pressure at all.

Hoping for two close games in the semifinals.

[BlueGoldAg]

I know there is a lot of heartache in the Aggie locker room because the team knows this wasn't their best game by far. But, I'm really proud of this team and the coaches. They exceeded most expectations and they never, ever quit no matter how the game was going. They played with their hearts and Aggie Pride every time they took the field. You can't ask much more than that.

[Catbooster]

This was the game I most wanted to watch today but I got tied up and didn't see it.

The stats look like UCD led in most categories and the 6 turnovers killed them (although USD had 3). Was it a fairly evenly matched game if it weren't for the TO's?

I'll probably get a chance to watch the replay on ESPN+ later.

[POD Knows]

This was the game I most wanted to watch today but I got tied up and didn't see it.

The stats look like UCD led in most categories and the 6 turnovers killed them (although USD had 3). Was it a fairly evenly matched game if it weren't for the TO's?

I'll probably get a chance to watch the replay on ESPN+ later.I think USD had two turnovers inside the 5 yard line of UC Davis.

[Redbird 4th & short]

I think USD had two turnovers inside the 5 yard line of UC Davis.

I was wondering similar as the biggest stat of game was UCD with 6 TOs and USD with 3 TOs. Because UCD had more yards (433 to 378) and a lot more 1st downs (27-18). But both teams had 2 TOs inside the other teams 10 or 5 yd line .. so we can call it even there as opportunities go. But USD clearly had field position advantages getting 4 of 6 TDs in very favorable spots for their offense. And 3 of 5 USD picks were converted to TDs, 1 was picked in return. UCD's one fumble was also fumbled in return. Just 1 of 3 USD TOs was converted to TD by UCD. Interestingly all 3 USD TOs, were identical to how they obtained the ball that drive .. so USD gave back 3 of 6 TOs in same way. So the 2 of 3 UCD TOs were exactly the 14 pt difference in game.

Here is UCD Drive Chart .. 6 TOs, with 2 inside the USD 10, 2 near USD RZ at their own 27 and 36. The last 2 inside mid field. So 4 of 6 on their own side of field.



Team
Quarter
Start Spot
Time
Obtained
Time End
Time
How Lost
Plays-Yds
TOP




UCD
1st
UCD36
13:32
PUNT
UCD36
12:56
INT
3-0
00:36


UCD
1st
UCD25
10:08
KO
USD0
06:07
TD
9-75
04:01


UCD
1st
UCD25
04:32
KO
UCD19
02:37
PUNT
3-(-6)
01:55


UCD
2nd
UCD25
12:45
KO
USD4
09:49
INT
9-71
02:56


UCD
2nd
UCD42
08:13
INT
USD0
03:11
TD
12-58
05:02


UCD
2nd
UCD15
01:53
PUNT
UCD27
00:51
INT
5-12
01:02


UCD
2nd
UCD20
00:07
INT
UCD19
00:00
HALF
1-(-1)
00:07


UCD
3rd
UCD25
15:00
KO
USD48
11:40
PUNT
6-27
03:20


UCD
3rd
UCD29
09:17
PUNT
UCD47
08:36
FUMB
2-18
00:41


UCD
3rd
UCD5
05:29
FUMB
UCD42
01:40
INT
9-37
03:49


UCD
3rd
UCD27
00:11
KO
USD0
07:47
TD
16-73
07:24


UCD
4th
UCD30
03:15
KO
USD10
01:30
INT
6-60
01:45



Here is USD Drive Chart .. 3 TOs, with 2 inside the UCD 5, 1 inside their own 20 at the 18.



USD
1st
USD25
15:00
KO
USD30
13:32
PUNT
3-5
01:28


USD
1st
UCD37
12:56
INT
UCD0
10:08
TD
6-37
02:48


USD
1st
USD25
06:07
KO
UCD0
04:32
TD
3-75
01:35


USD
1st
USD46
02:37
PUNT
UCD0
12:45
TD
8-54
04:52


USD
2nd
USD12
09:49
INT
USD18
08:13
INT
3-6
01:36


USD
2nd
USD25
03:11
KO
USD34
01:53
PUNT
3-9
01:18


USD
2nd
UCD38
00:51
INT
UCD3
00:07
INT
8-35
00:44


USD
3rd
USD12
11:40
PUNT
USD33
09:17
PUNT
5-21
02:23


USD
3rd
UCD24
08:36
FUMB
UCD5
05:29
FUMB
5-19
03:07


USD
3rd
UCD33
01:40
INT
UCD0
00:18
TD
3-33
01:22


USD
4th
USD25
07:40
KO
UCD0
03:21
TD
7-75
04:19


USD
4th
USD20
01:30
INT
USD32
00:00
HALF
5-12
01:30

[POD Knows]

I was wondering similar as the biggest stat of game was UCD with 6 TOs and USD with 3 TOs. Because UCD had more yards (433 to 378) and a lot more 1st downs (27-18). But both teams had 2 TOs inside the other teams 10 or 5 yd line .. so we can call it even there as opportunities go. But USD clearly had field position advantages getting 4 of 6 TDs in very favorable spots for their offense. And 3 of 5 USD picks were converted to TDs, 1 was picked in return. UCD's one fumble was also fumbled in return. Just 1 of 3 USD TOs was converted to TD by UCD. Interestingly all 3 USD TOs, were identical to how they obtained the ball that drive .. so USD gave back 3 of 6 TOs in same way. So the 2 of 3 UCD TOs were exactly the 14 pt difference in game.

Here is UCD Drive Chart .. 6 TOs, with 2 inside the USD 10, 2 near USD RZ at their own 27 and 36. The last 2 inside mid field. So 4 of 6 on their own side of field.



Team
Quarter
Start Spot
Time
Obtained
Time End
Time
How Lost
Plays-Yds
TOP




UCD
1st
UCD36
13:32
PUNT
UCD36
12:56
INT
3-0
00:36


UCD
1st
UCD25
10:08
KO
USD0
06:07
TD
9-75
04:01


UCD
1st
UCD25
04:32
KO
UCD19
02:37
PUNT
3-(-6)
01:55


UCD
2nd
UCD25
12:45
KO
USD4
09:49
INT
9-71
02:56


UCD
2nd
UCD42
08:13
INT
USD0
03:11
TD
12-58
05:02


UCD
2nd
UCD15
01:53
PUNT
UCD27
00:51
INT
5-12
01:02


UCD
2nd
UCD20
00:07
INT
UCD19
00:00
HALF
1-(-1)
00:07


UCD
3rd
UCD25
15:00
KO
USD48
11:40
PUNT
6-27
03:20


UCD
3rd
UCD29
09:17
PUNT
UCD47
08:36
FUMB
2-18
00:41


UCD
3rd
UCD5
05:29
FUMB
UCD42
01:40
INT
9-37
03:49


UCD
3rd
UCD27
00:11
KO
USD0
07:47
TD
16-73
07:24


UCD
4th
UCD30
03:15
KO
USD10
01:30
INT
6-60
01:45



Here is USD Drive Chart .. 3 TOs, with 2 inside the UCD 5, 1 inside their own 20 at the 18.



USD
1st
USD25
15:00
KO
USD30
13:32
PUNT
3-5
01:28


USD
1st
UCD37
12:56
INT
UCD0
10:08
TD
6-37
02:48


USD
1st
USD25
06:07
KO
UCD0
04:32
TD
3-75
01:35


USD
1st
USD46
02:37
PUNT
UCD0
12:45
TD
8-54
04:52


USD
2nd
USD12
09:49
INT
USD18
08:13
INT
3-6
01:36


USD
2nd
USD25
03:11
KO
USD34
01:53
PUNT
3-9
01:18


USD
2nd
UCD38
00:51
INT
UCD3
00:07
INT
8-35
00:44


USD
3rd
USD12
11:40
PUNT
USD33
09:17
PUNT
5-21
02:23


USD
3rd
UCD24
08:36
FUMB
UCD5
05:29
FUMB
5-19
03:07


USD
3rd
UCD33
01:40
INT
UCD0
00:18
TD
3-33
01:22


USD
4th
USD25
07:40
KO
UCD0
03:21
TD
7-75
04:19


USD
4th
USD20
01:30
INT
USD32
00:00
HALF
5-12
01:30



The Davis offense pushed USD around most of the game and that was without their best offensive weapon for most of the game.