Give It Up for McKinney

[Raider]

I bet we'll see bad/worse performances out of Trent, this start exceeded my expectations but last year we saw some bad games from JJ as well, thinking of Sac St and didn't he have a rough go of it at ISU and NAU as well?

I don't think Trent is the savior of the program just yet but it's hard to argue with a pretty solid start. Hopefully he keeps getting better and when he does have a game where he plays flat/poorly that he can bounce back in the following week.

You are being way too kind.

Anybody who complains about McKinney's first game (other than South Dakota fans) is a complete moron. His passing percentage was flat-out amazing, and his team just set a school record for first downs. What the hell's not to like?

He took what SD's defense gave him, which is the quarterback's job in a spread option attack. Does that mean he'll use the same approach against App State or Liberty? Of course not. It all depends on what kinds of looks their defenses give him.

I agree, but every time BW tries to take the time to give a thorough and/or objective analysis, he has the same turds coming at him with the “koolaid” or “maroon colored glasses” clichés. I don’t blame him for erring on the side of a little pessimism.

 

[Zootown Rox]

There couldn't have been a better game to introduce a new QB. The O-line kept all the pressure off of him, and had such a push on running plays that Trent was never put in difficult positions. The play calling was kept simple and was effective allowing Trent to work into a rhythm throwing familiar and successful passes. That kept his confidence up and allowed him to throw some mid ranged and longer throws with little or no pressure, and with some success. We weren't asking him to win the game for us, the Griz lineman were doing a good job of that already, and he was able to keep a cool and confident head and make the right decisions all game - even when a bad bounce gave him a pick-6, he didn't lose his cool. Part of that was because of how he was comfortably introduced to his role.

A big shout out to the Griz coaches and O-line for setting up a great QB debut!

 

[BWahlberg]

I bet we'll see bad/worse performances out of Trent, this start exceeded my expectations but last year we saw some bad games from JJ as well, thinking of Sac St and didn't he have a rough go of it at ISU and NAU as well?

I don't think Trent is the savior of the program just yet but it's hard to argue with a pretty solid start. Hopefully he keeps getting better and when he does have a game where he plays flat/poorly that he can bounce back in the following week.

You are being way too kind.

Anybody who complains about McKinney's first game (other than South Dakota fans) is a complete moron. His passing percentage was flat-out amazing, and his team just set a school record for first downs. What the hell's not to like?

He took what SD's defense gave him, which is the quarterback's job in a spread option attack. Does that mean he'll use the same approach against App State or Liberty? Of course not. It all depends on what kinds of looks their defenses give him.

I agree, but every time BW tries to take the time to give a thorough and/or objective analysis, he has the same turds coming at him with the “koolaid” or “maroon colored glasses” clichés. I don’t blame him for erring on the side of a little pessimism.

Allweather - I agree with you man! I kind of figured Trent would throw for 150 / run for 50 and have 1 or 2 TDs. I didn't think he'd complete this many passes or set a school record for first downs and I think be (currently) the most efficient QB in all of FCS.

The point I was trying to make is that Trent is still a young guy and there will be ups and downs with his progression. I like the way this program is headed with him though.

And a good point there Raider, lets just say against App Trent goes 13-30 with 120 yards and 1 int and we lose. Then the opposite side of the spectrum will show up claiming he sucks/should be benched/isn't a QB but a glorified RB/etc. I mean... that happened to JJ last year after Sac St. However Jordy learned from it and worked to get better, by season's end not a lot of people (save Grizmayor) doubted JJ's ability to be a game-changing Griz QB.

 

[Gaeilge1]

Trent McKinney will do fine in Boone. He may not have the game he had last week but he doesn't put himself in a position to make mistakes. There is no doubt that App State's defense will be a better defense than USD's was, but if Trent reads Appy the way he read USD he will have another outstanding performance.

I think the bigger test this week will be for the O-line. USD simply did not have the ability to pressure the way App State will, but if the O-line can keep them off Trent the way they did against USD, Montana will win this game.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Trent McKinney will do fine in Boone. He may not have the game he had last week but he doesn't put himself in a position to make mistakes.

… Trent was never put in difficult positions. The play calling was kept simple and was effective allowing Trent to work into a rhythm throwing familiar and successful passes. That kept his confidence up and allowed him to throw some mid ranged and longer throws with little or no pressure, and with some success. We weren't asking him to win the game for us, the Griz lineman were doing a good job of that already, and he was able to keep a cool and confident head and make the right decisions all game - even when a bad bounce gave him a pick-6, he didn't lose his cool. Part of that was because of how he was comfortably introduced to his role.

You are both right, and from Delaney’s comments before the game, that was exactly the game plan: Let him play within himself and not try to force things. The kid did everything that was asked of him, and more. And like Zootown pointed out, even the bad bounce/pick six didn’t appear to phase him. He was poised, his body language reflected confidence, and his deep pass to Saylor was right on the money.

I saw a ton of freshmen out there on Saturday, and I liked what I saw. And sure, maybe South Dakota will be winless this season, but one of the losses is to us.