CSU snuffs out Air Craft’s predictableoffensive game plan
Quarterbacks: D+
Adam Hall started the game off well, but his interception that wasreturned for a touchdown proved to be especially costly. After Hallwas put out of commission with a laceration on his non-throwing ringfinger, Matt Dlugolecki could not get anything going and never tookshots downfield to try and stretch out the defense. Dlugoleckireverted to throwing only screens and dump-offs and Colorado State’sdefense easily adapted. When all was said and done, it was an uglyday for San Diego State’s passing game.
Running backs: B
Despite Michael Franklin gaining 105 yards on 18 carries, hisnimble footwork and hard-earned runs were all for naught, as theAztecs consistently stalled after crossing midfield. Franklin easilyhad his best game as an Aztec, but was removed from the game planonce SDSU fell behind by two scores. DeAngelo Nedd didn’t serve asmuch of a change-of-pace back, racking up just nine yards on fourcarries.
Wide receivers: C
Early on the wideouts looked solid, but as the game wore on, CSU’sdefense almost completely took them out of the game. Thequarterbacking wasn’t superb, so all the blame cannot be put on thereceivers, but the unit dropped some passes and missed a fewopportunities to make plays. The loss of Jeff Webb clearly hinderedthis squad.
Offensive line: C-
Although the offensive line did a nice job of opening up holes forFranklin, neither Hall nor Dlugolecki had time to step back and makereads because of the unit’s inability to pick up the blitz. The Ramsbecame aware of this early in the game and continued to constantlybring the house as a result. The Aztecs were able to take advantageof this at times, but for the most part, CSU’s blitz scheme allowedhardly any of the plays to develop.
Defensive line: B-
Through three and a half quarters the D-line was like a brickwall. The Rams’ running backs would have considered themselves luckyto gain three yards on a given play. But with 4:16 remaining in thegame, the defensive line finally showed its mortality, as Jimmy Greenbroke off a 42-yard run that sealed the deal. The front four’sinability to bring a consistent pass rush also gave Bradlee Van Peltall day to throw the ball and make reads downfield.
Linebackers: B
It was a typical day at the office for the linebacking trio ofKirk Morrison, Matt McCoy and Heath Farwell. The unit was all overthe field, constantly stopping the run and getting in Van Pelt’s facewhile also displaying its ability to adapt to an east-west rushingattack. The linebackers were the main reason the score remained 7-6all the way until the middle of the fourth quarter; butunfortunately, their efforts weren’t enough to hold the Rams for theentire game.
Defensive backs: C+
At first, it looked as though it would be a long day for thed-backs, as CSU receiver Dave Anderson had 36 yards on his team’sfirst offensive drive. Surprisingly, the Aztecs held their groundfairly well throughout most of the game. The unit played mistake-freefootball, holding Van Pelt to just 156 yards through the air. But atthe time when the secondary was most needed, it couldn’t comethrough. Van Pelt hit a wide-open Eric Hill on a back-breaking67-yard touchdown pass, which broke the game open. SDSU’s corners bithard on the play fake and the rest was history.
Special teams: C-
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to J.C. Mejia’s placekicking.He started out missing a 38-yard attempt but on his second chance, henailed a 51-yarder. Mejia would finish the game two of five, but dida good job of kicking the ball out the back of the end zone onkickoffs. Punter Seth Santoro pinned the Rams deep in their ownterritory a couple of times, but Mejia’s missed opportunities were aserious drawback on the Aztecs’ chance of winning the game.
Coaching: C-
Head coach Tom Craft evidently cannot get enough of the widereceiver slip screen. The play seems to work one out of every 10tries, so it’s a bit difficult to understand why he keeps running it.What was even more surprising was how Craft continued to run the playwhen SDSU was behind late in the fourth quarter and when CSU’sdefense clearly knew it was coming. Oh well … there’s alwaysnext week.
– Compiled by Kourosh Safavi
