Coming back home, State found a way in the fourth quarter to win and become bowl eligible. A tight game throughout, State showed glimpses of elite levels they are capable throughout. Let’s break things down a little.

1) Praise be, for this D

Handup…Thought Cunningham was going to find ways to make some big plays. Week after week, he’s used his legs and arm to keep Louisville in games and pull off some nice, little upsets.

That wasn’t the case Saturday.

State held Cunningham to 39% completion percentage, while keeping his overall yardage at 300. Drake Thomas for the second week in a row had two sacks. Joseph and Durden were getting a solid push into Louisville backfield. But Vi Jones showed out most when needed. The ability to hold the edge was phenomenal. Lots of movement by Cunningham, but more often than not, his throws were on the run, fading away from the line of scrimmage. With another mobile QB coming up this week, would like to see a lot of the same designs and blitz schemes carried over.

2) Drake Thomas is the Man

Another week, another highlight reel day for Thomas. In the last two weeks since being thrust into the lone remaining standout from season’s start;

24 total tackles, 14 solo, 4 sacks, 5.5 TFL, and all the effort and energy in the world.

Can’t say anymore about his continual push to be a better player and true leader of this team. He plays every snap at 150% and has gained all the trust in the world by both staff and teammates to make big plays come Saturday.

3) Watch Any Tape and You Know State’s Offense

Don’t know how each week we hope for change and it doesn’t happen. This all somehow gives even more credit to this defense for putting up with countless, uninspiring offensive drives, and still coming out each defensive series with passion. The sporadic boos were understandable at points Saturday night.

Would like to preface this by saying thank you N&O’s Jonas Pope for this stat, so we didn’t have to go back ourselves. On second down alone, State threw the ball 75% of the time, including SIX STRAIGHT second downs. Furthermore, while we joke endlessly about it, it’s ironically ran it’s course that every run goes left.

We are facing mediocre secondaries and yet, can’t keep teams off-balance. We wonder why Person and Knight can’t get going, then we realizes again and again that the script doesn’t change and the opposing defenses are ready. You don’t have to be an incredible DC in this conference to have a pretty good idea what the heck is coming next. If we do mix it up? Well…

4) Fourth Quarter Might Have Been This Offense’s Best

Leary was PERFECT in the fourth quarter when he absolutely needed to be. And you know what helped? Changing up the routine and letting him read the defense. Two plays in particular were nearly the same in every aspect and ended with beautiful touchdowns.

For both Pennix and Carter touchdowns…Leary looked for the toss/handoff to Knight, brought in the defense and found his receiver wild open. Added bonus on the Pennix touchdown, as Carter was streaking down the sideline, but Leary was able to look the safety over to open Pennix even further.

Overall the fourth quarter was all about stretching Louisville vertically. RPO’s and balanced attacks across the field. In the last 18 minutes of gametime; receptions from Thomas, Rooks, Pennix, Carter, Riley, and Person and runs from Person, Knight and Leary…THAT IS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!!

While not spectacular early, Leary’s fourth quarter got him to 21-2 TD-INT for the season…which is just unreal and above preseason ratio expectations.

5) Deja Vu Next Week

There were a lot of aspects of Louisville that State will see again in Tallahassee next game. Florida State is more athletic overall, but the issues and game plans remain very similar.

Would like to see how that comes into play for defensive and offensive strategies. The containment of the edges needs to remain, as well as scheming up pressure on third and longs. Offensively, can we put together play calling like the fourth quarter of Louisville, or will we try for three straight weeks of non-existing first half points.

We’re rolling the dice with “bend don’t break defense”. Miami took advantage of every mistake, as Louisville failed. We can’t consistently be inconsistent on offense with who we have remaining on this schedule. I don’t need to see Gill (although I love the dude and he’s a top punter in the nation) half a dozen times each game (it’s been four straight games).

6) We Bowling

At some point we’ll yet again have a conversation of ceilings and floors with Doeren’s team. But 8 games in and the team is already bowl eligible and still control their own destiny in the Atlantic. While we all thought this could happen, the injury losses this year have been more than massive.

I truly believe with all my heart, if Moore doesn’t go down in Miami, State wins that game. The shuffling and next man up attitude has been present each and every week. Wilson went down and Moore stepped up. With Moore, Thomas did the same. Lose Zavala? Next guy, let’s go.

We’ve been harsh on Beck and praised Gibson. We’ve had moments of pure joy and great disappointment. But damn, it’s fun to win more than you lose and to watch these guys fight and claw makes for a lot of proud moments on Saturday nights. Let’s keep it going boys.

#GoPack