Greetings, Lion fans, and in this week’s edition of the Blue Gang Notebook, we’ll take a look at how the Lion defense matches up against a very good Sacramento State Hornet offense.

Much like was mentioned on the Call the Roll podcast last night, we speak of last week’s outing against UC-Davis here, then it goes away, never to be mentioned again.

The Blue Gang appeared to be the victim of a bad matchup last week. The size, speed, and almost clockwork precision and execution from the Aggies of UC-Davis enabled to run out to a huge first half lead that the Lions were unable to overcome. In another silver lining to this game, defensive coordinator Kyle Williams and his staff rallied their troops, made some well-timed adjustments, and held the Aggies to a very respectable 17 second half points. They produced three turnovers, one of which enabled the Lions to kick a field goal just before the half, that while only reduced the deficit to 31-3, but it was points that were sorely needed, and propelled the entire team to a respectable second half effort.

Will that roll over into a winning effort this week on the California coast? Let’s dive right in and take a look.

OVERALL:

Hornet Offense:

Points: 38 ppg

Rush: 217 ypg

Pass: 256 ypg

Total: 441 ypg

Turnovers: 1

Blue Gang Defense:

Points: 48 ppg

Rush: 279 ypg

Pass: 250 ypg

Total: 529 ypg

Total: 4

The Hornets have both size and experience on offensive side of the ball, starting 7 seniors and juniors. They are more of a ball control type offense but will take the occasional shot deep downfield. The key for success of the Blue Gang this week lie in making the basic, routine play, avoid penalties, and continue producing turnovers.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Hornet Offensive Line: 6’4″ 305 lbs.

Blue Gang Front 6: 6’1″ 242 lbs.

(Note: This stat includes the linebackers, so it skews the size disparity a bit)

The Hornet offensive line is huge and athletic. They are anchored by juniors Ivan Garza (6’5″ 295 lbs.), and Jackson Slater (6’4″ 306 lbs.). They are joined by sophomores Nathan Mejia (6’3″ 299 lbs.), Kennedel Riley (6’3″ 336 lbs.), and Aiden Meek (6’5″ 290 lbs.). Their size enables them to wear own their opponents over a full 60 minutes, but their technique is sound and the overall offense executes very well.

The front 6 of the Blue Gang is also well experienced. They are led up front by senior Levi Drake Rodriguez (6’4″ 290 lbs.), along with junior Warren Robinson (6’3″ 245 lbs.), junior Leon Young (5’11” 250 lbs.), and junior Clifford Funderburk (6’3″ 238 lbs.). Junior Darryle Ware (6’2″ 218 lbs.), and sophomore Kyree Anderson (5’11” 215 lbs.). Anderson accounted for 7 tackles (3 solo) . They manned the linebacker spots and got better as the game went along last week. They will certainly be tested by the large, talented Hornet offensive line.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Hornet Movers and Shakers: 6’0″ 197 lbs.

Blue Gang Back Line: 5’10” 173 lbs.

The Hornets are led offensively by a pair of quarterbacks, junior Kaiden Bennett (6’0″ 193) who was 11-16 for 121 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. He also 10 rushes for 41 yards, and a touchdown. Junior Carson Camp (6’3″ 213 lbs.) was 5-11 for 35 yards and one interception.

The Hornets are led in rushing by senior Marcus Fulcher (5’9″ 215 lbs.), who had 85 yards on 19 attempts, with one touchdown.

Sophomore Devin Gandy (6’1″ 170 lbs.) leads the receivers with 3 catches for 82 yards, with a long of 47. Junior Jared Gipson (6’1″ 206 lbs.) caught 3 passes for 60 yards and one touchdown. The Hornet receivers are tall, have good speed and are not hesitant to go for the deep ball.

The Lion back line, although surrendering a lot of yards last week, did produce three interceptions. Senior Dariyon Taylor (5’10” 160 lbs.) leads the team in tackles with 9 (7solo), and junior Max Epps wasn’t far behind with 8 (4 solo). Epps and Taylor both had interceptions.

VERY SPECIAL INDEED:

The Hornet returners are led by junior wideout Anderson Grover (6’3″ 190 lbs.) who had 4 punt returns for 53 yards, and a long of 36. Sophomore Elijah Tau-Tolliver (6’1″ 200 lbs.) had two kick returns for 64 yards,, with a long of 44.

Junior Mitchell McGarry (6’4″ 218 lbs.) had an outstanding game punting, with 6 punts for a 38.8-yard average, and a long of 46. Senior Emmanuel Adagbon (5’11” 202 lbs.) was perfect on his one field goal and one extra point attempt, with the field goal coming from 39 yards out. Aiden Martin just keeps on being Aiden Martin. Meaning, he just keeps kickoffs sailing out of the back of the end zone.

Sacramento State’s return game is very good and explosive, and it will be very important for the Lions to continue good special teams play.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: To borrow a phrase from Clint Dolezel himself…”Nobody Cares.”. That’s right. Last week is over and done with, and another good opponent in Sacramento State awaits. This game comes down to these things:

MAKE THE ROUTINE PLAY: No blowing people up on tackles, no one handed highlight reel catches. Just basic blocking and tackling.

CUT THE SILLINIESS: Eliminate the self-inflicted pre snap penalties. Yes, sometimes things happen, like an inadvertent face mask or a block in the back. Things like the false start, lining up off sides, or hands to the face…. those have to stop, and quickly.

MAKE GOOD DECISIONS/TAKE CARE OF THE BALL: In a word, interceptions. Throw it to the guys in the same-colored jerseys. It really is that simple.

ATTITUDE: Sometimes, you can’t control what happens to you. What you can control, however, is your attitude and how you react to it. The Lions need to strike fast, often, and early. Don’t back off.

IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING: This is no time to become down or panic. There are 10 games left, and things really don’t count until October 7th, and conference play. The Lions need to let fly here. This is a non-conference game, and they’re playing with “house money.”

And it’s a game they can win.

See You Saturday.