Offense: B
Andre Sloan El had another efficient performance, completing 10 of 14 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. The Hornets struggled to move the ball at times, but as Garin Higgins said, they delivered when they needed to. Sean Partridge showed why he was expected to be Sloan El’s main target, catching four passes for 70 yards. Tight end Lucas Sullivan also has become one of Sloan El’s favorite and most reliable targets. Sullivan caught four balls for 64 yards, including a 21-yard pass on the Hornets’ first drive and a 25-yard pass when the Hornets were backed up against their own end zone following the defense’s goal-line stand in the third quarter. If there’s reason to worry for the Hornets, it’s the ground attack. ESU had only 69 yards on 41 carries.
Defense: A-
The defense nearly had another shutout and started the season with seven straight quarters without allowing a score. But unlike Western State, Augustana was able to move the ball against ESU, totaling 330 yards of offense. The Vikings hurt themselves with untimely penalties and turnovers. But give credit to the ESU defense for creating the turnovers. ESU has forced four turnovers this year and the ESU offense does not have a turnover yet. The defensive line shined in this game, putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback and creating both turnovers. Linebacker Katrel Larkins led the Hornets in tackles for a second straight week with eight.
Special teams: C
The Hornets did not do a good job of covering kicks and it nearly cost them early when the Vikings were winning a field position battle. Kicker Will Maxwell continued to kick the ball well, but he did have one of his extra-point attempts blocked. Maxwell made what would have been his first field goal of the season, a 30-yarder in the second quarter. Augustana was penalized for running into the kicker and the Hornets opted to take the first down instead of the points.
Coaching: B+
The coaching staff did a good job of not letting their players get into a trash-talking war with the Vikings. The Hornets are a young football team and it would have been easy for them to get distracted by the talking, but they used it instead as motivation. The Hornets did have seven penalties for 74 yards, but that was overshadowed by the 115 yards of penalties called on the Vikings. This team seems to be on a mission to shut up its doubters and the coaches have done a good job of playing up the underdog card. Augustana was a good team and a good test for ESU, but next week will give the Hornets and their coaching staff a better idea of where their program stands in the MIAA.
Missing in action
F Junior cornerback Travis Lee did not play on Saturday because of a toe injury. Lee could have played, but the coaching staff decided to play it safe. Lee has battled foot problems all year. He missed several practices in training camp with turf toe.