HSU Football Team's Disappointing Loss To USF: What Went Wrong And How They Can Bounce Back

The Humboldt State University (HSU) Lumberjacks football team's loss to the University of South Florida (USF) was a crushing blow to the young program. The 35-21 defeat on Saturday was a harsh reminder that the team still has a long way to go before it can compete with the best of the best in the FCS level. In this article, we will break down what went wrong for the Lumberjacks and provide some expert analysis on how they can bounce back from this disappointing loss.

The Lumberjacks were coming off a 3-0 start to the season, with impressive victories over non-conference opponents and a convincing win over the league's top-ranked team. However, the team's woes began when they faced off against the USF Bulls. Despite a strong effort from the offense, the team was unable to get past the Bulls' stingy defense, which held the Lumberjacks to just 284 total yards.

One of the key issues that contributed to the Lumberjacks' loss was their inability to establish a consistent running game. Despite a strong backfield, led by sophomore running back Brayden Frape, the team was unable to gain any real traction on the ground. Frape, who was having a breakout season, was held to just 42 yards on 16 carries, and the team's other running backs failed to make any significant impact.

Another area of concern for the Lumberjacks was their passing game. Despite a strong quarterback play from sophomore signal-caller Austin Walker, the team was unable to get into a rhythm and complete passes down the field. Walker, who was coming off a strong performance in the previous week's game, was limited to just 183 yards passing and one touchdown, and the team's other receivers failed to make any significant impact.

The defense, which had been one of the team's strongest units in the early part of the season, also struggled to make an impact. Despite a strong effort from the front four, the team was unable to get any pressure on the USF quarterback and allowed the Bulls to complete 50% of their passes.

What Went Wrong: Key Takeaways From the Loss

• Inability to establish a consistent running game: The Lumberjacks were held to just 42 yards on the ground, despite a strong backfield.
• Ineffective passing game: The team was unable to get into a rhythm and complete passes down the field, despite a strong quarterback play from Austin Walker.
• Defensive struggles: The team was unable to get any pressure on the USF quarterback and allowed the Bulls to complete 50% of their passes.

Analyzing the Coaching Staff

The loss to the USF Bulls was a harsh reminder that the Lumberjacks still have a lot to learn about football. The team's coaching staff, led by head coach Trent Dilfer, has been under scrutiny all season for its inability to adjust to the team's opponents. While Dilfer has shown flashes of brilliance, his in-game adjustments have been inconsistent, and the team's lack of game planning has been evident in its losses.

Key Coaching Decisions

• Inability to adjust to the USF defense: The team's offense struggled to adjust to the USF defense, which held the Lumberjacks to just 284 total yards.
• Inadequate game planning: The team's game plan seemed to be based on raw talent rather than a solid game plan, which ultimately led to its downfall.
• Failure to make adjustments at halftime: Despite being down by 14 points at halftime, the team's coaching staff failed to make any significant adjustments, which led to a lackluster second half.

Identifying the Bright Spots

Despite the tough loss, there were still some bright spots for the Lumberjacks. Brayden Frape's dominant performance on the ground was a welcome sight, and sophomore wide receiver Christian Curtis showed flashes of brilliance on the outside.

Key Players Who Shone

• Brayden Frape: The sophomore running back had a dominant performance, rushing for 42 yards on 16 carries.
• Christian Curtis: The sophomore wide receiver showed flashes of brilliance on the outside, completing 5 catches for 67 yards.
• Austin Walker: The sophomore quarterback had a solid performance, completing 23 of 40 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown.

What's Next for the Lumberjacks?

The Lumberjacks will look to bounce back from this tough loss with a visit from the University of Portland on Saturday. The team will need to regroup and refocus, making adjustments to its game plan and in-game strategy. With some tough decisions to make and a lot of work to be done, the Lumberjacks will need to come together as a team if they want to turn their season around.

Key Takeaways for the Upcoming Game

• Establish a consistent running game: The team will need to establish a strong running game to move the ball down the field.
• Improve the passing game: The team will need to improve its passing game to get back into the swing of things.
• Make adjustments to the game plan: The team will need to make adjustments to its game plan to take advantage of the University of Portland's weaknesses.

Conclusion

The loss to the USF Bulls was a tough pill for the Humboldt State University football team to swallow. However, with some key takeaways and a refocused mindset, the team can use this loss as an opportunity to grow and improve. By establishing a consistent running game, improving the passing game, and making adjustments to the game plan, the Lumberjacks can bounce back from this disappointing loss and turn their season around.