EIU 30 – APSU 20
This is our new segment to be featured every week about how to talk to a Murray State University fan about anything. The idea being, if you are unfortunate enough to know any Racer fans, then you know they are going to be ready to talk about every single misstep the Govs made this past week. Besides speaking slowly (just kidding Murray fans), our advice is to follow this list of topics to highlight and topics to avoid when speaking to a Racer fan. We hope this is also a good way to highlight both the positive and negative things to take away from the game. By the way, Murray fans are always welcome and we only kid because of the rivalry.
TOPICS TO AVOID
1. The First Quarter
Nothing good can come of bringing up the first quarter. On their first possession, the Govs luckily picked up a first down on a questionable spot on fourth down, QB Gary Orr was nearly picked off, WR Ashlon Adams got a 15 yard personal foul penalty, and P Ryan Key’s punt was blocked and recovered just inside the AP 10. EIU QB Jake Christensen converted a 3rd and goal for the touchdown to TE Danny Vehovic, running almost the exact same play-action pass they ran on 2nd down.
The second possession was a three and out series. Key’s punt took an EIU bounce, landing at the EIU 45 before bouncing back to the APSU 29. The Govs missed a golden opportunity for the sack on first down, as Christensen avoided a tackle and completed a 23 yard pass down the field. EIU converted another third and goal to go up 14-0 with over seven minutes left in the first quarter.
APSU’s third possession was another three and out, but not before the Govs picked up a false start penalty and allowed Orr to be sacked twice. Key was forced to punt from one step inside his own endzone, with EIU returning it for 3 yards to the AP 41. EIU drove the ball down to the goal line before Christensen fumbled after a bad exchange with the center. Interestingly this came after EIU fumbled four times inside of SEMO’s 25 last week. The Govs managed to pick up another false start penalty before the quarter ended with the score 14-0.
Outside of the APSU defense, who was continually placed in the unfortunate circumstance of having to defend a very short field, the biggest victim of the first quarter was Legends Bank. Legends Bank sponsors the first downs for APSU. Who knows how much Legends spent to have their name announced just once in the first quarter. For the game though, APSU had 14 first downs, while EIU had 12.
Another bad first quarter stat: EIU’s average starting field position during the first quarter was the APSU 27 yard line.
2. Turnovers
Turnovers were a killer last night. APSU had two drives ended because of fumbles. One resulted in a field goal for EIU and the other killed a critical drive early in the fourth quarter at the EIU 29. Orr also had a careless pass intercepted as time expired in the first half.
3. The Secondary
These guys did not look great, but it was a makeshift secondary. People had to play out of position due to injuries and suspensions. That said, if you step on the field you have to perform. The DBs were playing too far off the receivers and there were several plays where there was not a red jersey in sight when an EIU receiver caught the ball.
TOPICS TO HIGHLIGHT
1. Quarters 2, 3, and 4
After giving up 14 points in the first quarter, the Govs outscored EIU 20-16 the rest of the game. In the second half, APSU scored two touchdowns while allowing only two field goals. The Govs would have had more points except for a fumble on the EIU 29. The Govs were 3-3 on their red zone trips as well. APSU actually had an outside chance to win the game. After scoring a touchdown late in the fourth, the Govs failed to convert a two-point conversion that would have made it a one possession game and set up an onside kick. Also keep in mind APSU was without three starters due to suspension.
2. Govs D
While the Govs did allow 30 points, 14 were the result of penalties, a blocked kick, and a bad bounce on a punt. The Govs held an offense that had average over 400 yards of total offense a game to just 243 yards. EIU managed just 51 yards rushing after averaging over 200 yards in their first three games. EIU averaged just 1.8 yards per carry.
3. EIU is Extremely Talented
The Govs played well (outside of the first quarter) against an extremely talented EIU team featuring several players who have played at BCS schools. QB Jake Christenson actually started for Iowa two seasons ago. Running backs Mon Williams and Chevon Walker both transferred in from Florida. RB Jimmy Potempa transferred from Michigan. K Ausin Signor also transferred from Iowa and, as everyone saw last night, has an extremely powerful and accurate leg. OL Otis Hudson formerly played at Minnesota. The team also features several other players from D-1 schools.
4. The Govs Have Weapons
RB Terrence Holt and RB Ryan White are weapons. Period. Head coach Rick Christophel’s playcalling shows that he agrees. Christophel routinely called run plays and short passes to both players designed to get the ball in their hands as quickly as possible. On third and long, Christophel chose to throw short and let Holt or White use their playmaking abilities to pick up first downs. This playcalling also shows that Christophel is not sold on the abilities of his quarterback, although as the game went on Orr was allowed to throw down field some. Holt had 224 all-purpose yards with 2 rushing touchdowns. He was also responsible for both lost fumbles, so he will have to protect the ball better. White had 80 all-purpose yards.
5. The biggest topic to highlight is Murray State had just 12 yards rushing and had three interceptions against EKU last night.
Discussion for this post can be found at this link.
http://www.apsugovs.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14
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