Upon further review: From HSU to the 49ers and Raiders, a few quick hits
After three days of contemplating whether Rob Smith made the right call in Humboldt State’s 17-16 loss to Western Oregon University on Saturday, I haven’t changed my mind.
It was the right call.
Lets recap exactly what happened.
HSU had the ball on Western’s 45-yard line and it was fourth-and-one with less than two minutes to play.
The Jacks’ tried to get the first down on the ground to no avail. So they came out looking to have a one-on-one matchup with 6-foot-5 wide receiver Matt Smith on the outside.
Well they got it.
Quarterback Mike Proulx dropped back, Smith got a step on the WOU cornerback and the ball was in the air.
It hit nothing but the turf.
The Wolves got the ball back and ran out the clock. Heart breaking.
Many won’t agree, but it was a gutsy play call and if it worked, it would have sent the packed Redwood Bowl into a frenzy.
Would they have won the game?
Debatable.
Smith did have a step, but the Wolves’ defensive back could have recovered in time to stop him from behind.
But it would have set the Jacks up for either a touchdown or a field goal.
And, while Smith and company won’t use this as an excuse, missing center Taylor Boggs on that crucial play hurt, big time.
Boggs is a mauler and before his ankle injury, he pushed the WOU defensive line to make lanes and gaps for HSU running back Bobby Thomas.
The Jacks’ offensive line didn’t have the same type of push it had without Boggs in the lineup.
BOLT SIGHTING:
When Proulx went out briefly with an ankle injury, fellow sophomore quarterback Chris Bolt took the field.
It’s hard not to miss Bolt. Standing at 6-foot-5 and all.
Bolt showed surprisingly mobility for his size and was a integral part in Thomas’ touchdown plunge.
Too bad we didn’t get to see him throw the ball. His first attempt slipped slightly out of his hand and Bolt had to improvise, gaining good yards on a scramble.
Bolt showed during practices and scrimmages he had the feet to flourish in coach Smith’s offense.
His throwing motion, on the other hand, can be a problem.
Bolt has an elaborate and long wind up. He can throw a bullet, but if it takes time for that cannon to wind up, opposing defenses could make the Jacks pay.
GREAT WEEK FOR H-DNC FOOTBALL:
Every single Humboldt-Del Norte Conference football team was in action last Friday. Three teams — Arcata, McKinleyville and South Fork — felt the sting of a loss, but six came out roses.
Eureka ripped Castlemont apart, Fortuna did the same to El Molino, Ferndale rolled Willits, Hoopa made a splash in Alaska against Thunder Mountain while Del Norte and St. Bernard’s picked up wins as well.
For those who consider me a “Logger Hater”, I don’t dislike the team, nor do I favor them. I based my prediction on the lackluster performance Eureka has against teams out of area.
I’m also not afraid to admit I was wrong: I was wrong about the Loggers.
HOW ‘BOUT THEM NINERS?:
I don’t know what it was, but I picked the 49ers to defeat the Arizona Cardinals. And San Francisco did just that, 20-16, on Sunday.
Despite having their run game shut down, the 49ers played rock-solid defense against the NFC Champion Cardinals.
Quarterback Shaun Hill (18 of 31 for 209 yards and a touchdown) stepped up for the 49ers as running back Frank Gore (22 carries for 30 yards and a TD) was stacked up consistently at the line of scrimmage.
San Fran needs to improve its run game, most definitely, but its a great win to start the season.
And, if I were Michael Crabtree, I might be a little nervous. The 49ers won without him and its about time he either signs a deal or comes out and says he’s sitting out and re-entering the draft next year.
IF ONLY DA RAIDAS HAD THE SAME SUCCESS:
I had to ensure myself that I was indeed watching the Raiders on Monday night.
Oakland came out determined to snap the Chargers’ win streak (now 12 in a row against the Raiders after Monday) and for three-and-a-half quarters, the Raiders showed they might have won.
Keyword, might.
Sure, Louis Murphy’s 15-yard touchdown near the end of the second quarter was taken off the board. It’s disheartening, no doubt.
But Oakland had their shot to win the game, regardless.
With the game in the balance and forced to convert a fourth-and-fifteen, I, as well as many others, didn’t think Oakland could do it.
Apparently, neither did Chargers’ corner Antonio Cromartie and safety Clinton Hart.
The pair let Murphy jet by them for a 57-yard touchdown.
PAT and it’s 20-17 Oakland.
Then, after playing good defense with their man-to-man scheme, Oakland went to a zone and Chargers’ QB Phillip Rivers and running back Darren Sproles carved the Raiders up for the win.
Well, at least for three-and-a-half quarters, Oakland played OK.
But in the end, they proved to be the same ‘ol Raidas.
Bad debut by rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey. Three drops, one nullified by a penalty. The kid out of Maryland (also the No. 7 overall pick) should have his nickname changed.
DHB = Darrius Heyward-Butterfingers ... sadly.
EASTERN PROMISES:
Things are a little light on the sports desk here at the Times-Standard.
Sports writer Neil Tarpey is taking a well-deserved two-week vacation on the East Coast, leaving Sean Quincey and I as the lone sports staff.
So, if we don’t get out to as many games, don’t find it surprising with a two-man staff.