College Football 25 🏈: Kent State Golden Flashes at UTEP Miners

welcome to the west Texas town of El Paso the sunbowl and home to the UTEP miners and it's always a pleasure to come out this way and we're certainly excited about the game we have in store there's just something about the night cap after a day of wall toall football it just seems this is when chaos ensues as we'll see a squat from the back the Kent State golden flashes taking on a team from Conference USA the UTEP miners for EA Sports college football ree Davis with you alongside David Pollock and Jesse Palmer and guys can't wait to get this one started [Music] [Applause] [Music] and the golden Clash will kick it away to start us [Applause] [Music] off and they thought about a return Then thought better of it they'll bring it out to the 25 the miners offense will take the first swing of the game and here's the man they rally around and he has earned that type of respect David you dang right you earn it by doing it and he's done it at such a high level everyone believes in this young man in Palmer there's a reason why you're right David he's been in the big moments and he's one of the big games this guy delivers when the game is on the line well the most insightful analysis I can come up with on that one is that didn't work back to the drawing board to see if there's something that works a little better soon or if I can quote the great Reese Davis that was very UNG good not a productive first down play that'll be a gain of five out to the 27 he five to six yards a pop I don't know if you guys are really good at math but that usually equals a first down every couple carries so don't forget about the Run game keep them on and the heat will get home and the quarterback goes down at the 17 man you talk all week about setting the tone quieting this crowd don't let him get involved you know how you do that get a sack and force a punt on the first possession of the football game that's a heck of a start for this defense and the miners will bring the punt team onto the field three and out they got stuck in Reverse they hope the punt can bail them out wants to return it and the coverage team able to make the tackle so Ken State's offense taking the field first chance we have to see them today here are our impact players for this game and it goes beyond executing an assignment to make an impact in the game yeah obviously we were talking to both coaching staffs this week and we asked them who needs to step up and play well they immediately pointed to these guys right here they are the key for their respective teams yeah and they don't always show up in the Box Score but these are the guys are the leaders these are the guys getting everybody organized and have to play well for their team to succeed from the 33 it's first and 10 they're getting this guy lathered up clows ahead for a pick up of one to the 32 all right well the offense here they're trying to get this run game established they obviously don't break off a long run there but they're just trying to find their footing at this point dropping back it's ulatowski looking left a strike downfield they make the stop but there is a flag on the field we'll see what that's all about pass interf defense and the defender just way too handsy on that last play you could see all the contact as the ball was in the air you simply can't do it and the referee's CAU they'll go to Garcia a most efficient pickup of six on first down it's second and four [Applause] up from the shotgun the inside G they make the tackle but he's got a fresh set of downs and it's first and goal from the seven I think it's really important for this offense they get this guy going early in the game and they're doing a nice job of that right now remember he's the kind of running back who gets better as the game goes on that's a really good omen for this offense considering his success now early the golden flashes have it in scoring position on first and goal after run run run now throw and the physical play there forces the incompletion on first down I love the coverage on defense in the Red Zone everyone's got their eyes on the quarterback and they're flying to the football and you saw that there on the incompletion the run up the middle here looking for a path to the end zone and they try to run inside and there is nowhere to go it's looking like they're going to have to throw this one in now on third down David and you know the execution just has to be spot on timing especially at the quarterback position here and thinking about the defense they're aggressive in these situations they're going to play man they're going to play up he snares it in the end zone touchdown golden fashion man that is so good there's not a lot of room to work over there on the sideline In The End Zone but he was able to control his body catch the football make sure he had a foot down in bounds it doesn't get any better than that and let's hold on just a minute here as the officials are going to have a second look and they take another look at the play with the officials on the field we're right and the play will stand finding up to attack one more onto that lead and the extra point is good and it's seven nothing so they take over with great starting field position move at 36 yds and they get it into the end zone with a 6-y touchdown pass here he comes from inside his own five nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 UTF has the ball the off that's ready to go back to work last time David it was one two three kick the last drive that three and out sometimes that puts your defense in a bad spot and you got to get a drive together here so you don't wear the defense out I just think David too predictable that last Drive they got to do something here to get this defense on their heels offense has it at the 28 on first down might as well run him until they stop him he's got it again gets it out to the 30 8 yd line after picking up 10 on that one they've come out with answers on this possession and now another first down he leaves it with his back he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple they're trying to run the ball on first down guys but just nothing doing up front their offensive line got blown up on that play there was nowhere for that guy to go pretty good effort on that one to work his way up to the 42 two they'll come to the line at the 42 facing a third and long from the gun running back on the Move runs through a tackle really nice patient job to find some Running Room by this junior the miners have it with a first and [Applause] 10 looking for a crease it's Jackson they'll pick up four second and Six coming it's just simple simple first down run showing your physicality setting your offense up in a good [Applause] spot he's back to throw on second down just a short pass to the tight end and they'll move the change and a good way to wrap up the first [Music] quarter both teams wanted to establish the run and they have done exactly that in the the first quarter they are lined up and ready to go and get things started here in the second they'll snap it from the 34 on First and 10 from the gun running back gets to give squeezes out a couple of yards down to the 32 and a lot of times you want those big plays you want those Splash plays but sometimes s you're going to take some losses you're not going to run the football overly well but if you continue to run it you can at least create some balance or Le Ty the threat of it otherwise you're just going to abandon it and now it's just going to be a passing game they line up and it is a long way to the sticks from here they'll leave it with him and they did not let him get to that first down line it'll bring up a call here and they'll send out the kicker to try a field goal this one will be a 45 yd attempt and he'll kick it from the left side never a [Music] doubt after that last field goal Drive they're set to kick it [Applause] away on the run from inside his own five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 guys let's see how it goes this time for the Kent State offense David they' love to do what they did last time and put this one in the end zone you ain't lying they did a great job the offense was clicking everything went well Palmer they execute and got the touchdown and they really were in a nice Rhythm as well I'd love to see that here on the next drive to just keep doing what you're doing everything seems to be working and you seem to have defense on their gar and he surges up to the 36 yd line and they'll move the chains that's a way to give yourself some breathing room now the second play of the drive from the 36 going up top on first down he's going to fire deep makes the grab on the left side oh and the defense in Chase mode and they finally get him down at the 35 you can break this down a lot of ways but on that play the quarterback just believed his guy was better than the defense and he was really right and anytime you get pressed man with that corner on the outside is all the way up on the line of scrimmage trying to get hands on that wide receiver if I win right away oh man you can make a big play on the outside and he makes a big play for his quarterback relying on that running game and it works for about three yds to the 31 got three on first down it's second and seven right back to it there's a live football oh the off defense very fortunate to fall in that football and wait just a second the officials going to take a second look at this one and you know the standard is indisputable video evidence and the officials will change the call coming to the line looking for that first down on Third and short from the 29 looking to throw it's ulatowski fired left pass is incomplete but a lot of contact there I think it's going to be pass interference and a first down there's a difference between being physical and pass interference and that was way over the line the defense in a most benevolent move giving the offense a new set of downs the give is to Garcia he locked up and held on to bring him down man oh man the ball carrier was just shut down and I tell you what they need some push up front too right they got to move those defensive linemen out of the way at least create a hole so your running back has a chance not there he didn't have any a run up the middle is stopped for No Gain great job contained by this defense and in order to do that the end man on the line of scrimmage defensively has got to be able to set the point and force the football back into traffic that's exactly what Happ and there were some collisions in there the Deep final stops him short the marker and if the kicker can put one through this will be a successful drive and it's right down the boulevard so after the made field goal they'll kick it away and rely on their defense on the move from inside is five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 UTF has the ball and the minor offense ready to go to work guys that last trip a little disappoint Po in having to take the three yeah I think Jesse you see so many offenses talk about getting yards and the tempo and all the stuff they do was a nice job moving the football but they got to get in the end zone this time yeah and I think to do that they just got to be more physical at the point of attack get some push up front they need to be the best running team in this game to win and maybe they want to try somewhere else because there is nothing doing in the middle of this defense so they're facing third and short from the 25 looking downfield it's McConnell wide open he makes the catch touchdown you and once he found daylight it was Katie Bar the Door baby and man is that perfect timing you can tell a quarterback drops back he sees this guy and he knows he's open but watching the throw deep down the field Palmer right in the Red Basket nice play nice pitch and catch he did a nice job of getting it up in the air early and allowing his guy to run under the football locate it and then make a tough grab that is the definition of an explosive play he'll try to attack on one [Applause] more splits the upright quick strike offense on that three playay scoring drive and they finish with a huge play in the passing game covering 75 yds to house it from inside his own 10 he'll try to help out there position he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic that they get him on the ground at the 20 guys let's see how it goes this time for the Kent State offense and just settled for the Chip Shot field goal last time Jesse they'd love for this one to pay off bigger yeah and just comes down to execution too did a nice job out in the field stalled a little bit once they got down to the goal line so they just need to be a little bit more crisp here yeah and listen I I think the first part was the most important part you got to put the drive together first to get down down there now when we get down there focus on execution and getting six points on second down he'll try to make the connection it's caught and they'll move the chains and get it to the 47 yd line man this offense is so dangerous Rees they've got dudes all over the field that can make plays there's a big gainer in the pass game you get a chunk of yards like that now the defense is really on its heels back to pass it's ulatowski and you just don't expect your Junior quarterback to get fooled and to throw it into double coverage like that here they come on second and 10 from the 47 after the incompletion the aerial assault continues got him down field defense needs to regroup as he gets it down to the 26 yeah and the quarterback knew exactly where he wanted to go the football had time spins the ball deep nice job by this offense understanding what the defense has giving him and creating the explosive play he's looking to throw it unloads to the right all kinds of room to throw that one in there he stopped just short of the goal line at the one an explosive play has him set up and what really made that corner route work was the receiver not telegraphing where he was going he kept his eyes down the field so the DB and man coverage didn't know if he was Breaking Inside if he was going to continue running straight maybe going to the post maybe turning around for a curl it was the corner route though and as a result they pick up a big chunk of yards Powers forward he's got it down to the one yd line right on the doorstep of per up Ang second and goal for the offense tries again to get it in and he's a real Nowhere Man tackled in this no game land well he gets tackled down at the one yd line so offensively do you feel confident enough on third here trying to hand it off yeah and I'm taking both these downs and I'm coming downhill I'm running the football trying to get this in the end zone I only got a yard to go I got to be physical deflected near the end zone yeah third and short that choose not to run throw the football and I think a lot of that has to do they know they're in field goal range they can take the three points on the board so they are denied a touchdown on this drive but they'll try to put up the three spot before the break a short kick but that angle from the right can be a little tricky and it's no good and after the Miss field goal guys we are still locked up well that's one the kicker would like to have back that's a kick he should be making in this [Music] Le they'll come out and take a knee and that should send us to [Applause] halftime that's the end of the second quarter that means it's time to join Kevin in our halftime update thanks guys one of the best atmospheres in football and we've got a fun one from El Paso and a really competitive game so far I'm talking razor thin margins in the big statistical categories and while it may be a broken record turnovers are the name of the game the team that limits them the ones that win that turnover margin generally speaking are the ones that have the best chance to get that dull and with that let's send it back to the guys at one of the most picturesque settings in the game Sun Bowl [Music] stadium and the miners will kick it away to start the second half he'll start the return inside is five not a lot of space to be found good Hustle by the coverage team and they stop him at the 21 guys let's see how it goes this time for the k State offense first drive of the second half always fun to watch you see what type of tweaks were made at the half especially when you locked up in a ball game like this one yeah and it's been a good game I mean it's been a little bit of back and forth and a feeling out process and now once you get in the second half who's going to get aggressive P who's going to take some shots try to make some plays and really go for it yeah it's interesting I think as play callers right now you learn a lot about these coaching staffs with respect to who does make the best adjustments there's a lot of coaches that believe we're just going to be who we are we're going to keep doing what we do we're just going to do it better but then there are others that tweak things a little bit on offense and on defense we're going to find out here here comes the offense on First and 10 from the 47 they try to pop a run on the draw just a Savvy veteran productive run from this junior and for a draw play to be successful it's not just the quarterback that has to sell pass but also the offensive line the tackles really letting their defensive ends Rush up field guards and centers passing their guys off at the last second and then running down the field trying to get hats on hats in the second level beautiful execution and the golden flashes with the first and 10 looking to move it through the air he lets it Fly and the DB making a huge play knocking it away down field another incompletion and I've said that a lot and these teams are just struggling I mean the offense just doesn't know what to do nothing's working ground game Throw game it's kind of been a rock fight on both sides a pick up of eight now to convert this third and two listen you got to be able to know what play to call and what hole to go through like the line blocks for a certain hole good job getting through the hole getting what was blocked getting a nice positive gain making your situation really good on the next down the golden flashes get it past the sticks and I don't care if I get it by two by 20 by 30 by 40 I just I just want to get the first down understanding the situation understanding where the sticks are doesn't have to be sexy but I got to make sure I get to that stick get to the first down Mark throws toward the end zone fires and picked off got some room to run and they capitalize not only on the pick but the great return to give the offense tremendous field position while the defense comes away with the pick there with their nickel Personnel I think moving forward if you're on offense you see that Personnel on the field you want to run the ball against it cuz you got smaller guys out there or if you're going to throw think about quick screens outside when you have tight ends flexed on the perimeter bigger bodies blocking smaller Downs wasting no time throwing on this drive got a man it's Goodman and they'll pick up the first down and Mark it at the 47 that's a really good example of why offensive coordinators script plays you know the down in distance you know which routes can get you to the stick so there's no waste of time that coordinator got the play in early to his quarterback knowing that his players were going to be able to I know it's sexy to throw the football but if you can pound it away and get these kind of gains they will just that up wear the defense down get first downs and ultimately get some points theyy bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one and there was no space nowhere to go that play went absolutely nowhere sometimes you just need a dude to show up and make a play and he did sometimes you just need to block that dude and they didn't looking for a man it's McConnell excellent coverage and good use of the hands to knock it away the miners will try to pin them back with the punt and that was good defense again and unfortunately we've been saying that all game long really really good defense or listen you can spin on the other side this offense has really been bad guys let's see how it goes this time for the Kent State offense the sledding has been top scores have been at a premium Jesse in every possession seems like it could switch to momentum of the game yeah re for this offense just feels like they just haven't been as physical and for this offensive coordinator David he's having to go deep into the Playbook just to try to generate a first down and the good thing is there's not a ton of game pressure cuz the other side's not scoring either but if you can find that one thing that get that one positive play and then maybe you get those juices going and something can start to B wants to throw on third down he's looking deep and that one's incomplete they were just trying to move the chain they were trying to move the scoreboard instead it's Fourth Down the offense stays on the field maybe they'll try to make the defense jump they also might try to run it ahead for one yard and they'll spot it at the 38 and that'll be plenty for the first down and I like it I like the confidence of the coaches when you're an offensive coach you got to be aggressive nowadays and going for it in your own territory it used to be no you can't do that now everybody's like you know what analytically that makes sense can't find his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again on second down they'll take to the air and it'll be incomplete this is some physical pass defense the defense was obviously ready for that play they've obviously been watching film they know that that pass play is one of the bread and butter plays this offense has so nice job defending throwing right it's complete defense on skates that time they finally drag him down at the 42 and the golden flash have their offense in high gear looking to throw it again unloads it left and that incomplete pass caused by the big hit on first down second down coming got a good one going here all tied up in the third it's second and 10 they'll go to Garcia they ripped off seven on that one now a third down in three keep pounding away at this defense and make them play the run if you can get this many a chunk they're going to have to commit more guys for the Box more guys to the run then you open it up for the passing scanning the field it's GUI had it right in his hands in the middle of the field and it to the ground it will be fourth down third short in college football today you see so much more pass than he used to the offense stays aggressive and I think they stay aggressive because they know they're in field goal range they got that three in their back po the incomplete pass fourth down fails and they'll turn it over first down here for the offense he wants to throw quick completion on the out route and they're able to force him out of bounds after a short pickup that completion leaves us with second and medium that's the end ofd if you like old school running games this has been the game for you and a couple of guys who starred through the first three period can't wait to see now this fourth quarter is going to go and see who can come out on top in this barn burner let's see what they've got on second down from the gun they'll try the middle and a really nice run and pick up there before the defense avoided disaster and stopped the really big play now from the 48 yd line it's first and 10 might as well give it to him again able to to pick his way forward for a decent game before the defense gets him down got six on first down now a lot of options on second and Four Leaves it with the back and they make the tackle but he has plenty for the first down this offense has to get this guy the ball there many ways possible he showed you all of his tools on that [Applause] looking for a physical attack from the gun they get him down but he does pick up three to the 32 yd line you know it's so important for offenses to want to keep third Downs management the way you do that is by having success like that running the football on first down dropping back it's McConnell gets rid of it finds his tight end tackle is made after the first down well they picked up the first against Zone cover which I think a big part of this for young quarterback's out there is if you're going to be throwing into Zone coverage you got to throw on time you can't stare down receivers because the entire defense has their eyes on you so you can't Telegraph where the ball's going you've got to hold it to the very last possible second try to freeze Defenders with your eyes and then throw the ball into open areas of the field anticipating where your guy's going to be blast his way ahead but not much room a pick up of one to the 24 they move the tight end all over the give to the back he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three and now on fourth down they will put it on the shoulders of the kicker to save them with his foot between the uprights it's good all field goals are not created equal guys kicks in the fourth quarter take the Le they just seem to carry so much more weight so give that young man credit getting out there and knocking that thing through the uprights with all the pressure all the eyeballs on him he delivered so they were able to put up a three spot on that last drive and now the kickoff team out there as they prepare to put boot to leather and he takes this from inside the five and the returner is stopped guys let's see how it goes this time for the Kent State offense that last Drive was promising at times but stalled out and they turned it over on Downs Jesse I think they got to do a better job here just being better early in the Downs on first down finding positive points yeah and it's frustrating when you move the football and get stopped on the other side of the field and get no points but they've had some success and I like the aggressiveness they just got to cash some of these drives in fires to the wide out that friends is a busted play incomplete sometimes a quarterback just needs to turn the ball loose like he tried to guide that one in and it disrupted the timing yeah and and just like in basketball when when you shoot a shot and you you start trying to aim it you really really miss quarterbacks that got to quickly you recognize do I need to fire it do I I need to put little air underneath it and it's just a tough thing for a quarterback to be able to do but over time you see they have less and less mishaps like that catch in the middle it's Harrison and he's not going to get there the defense Stands Tall and makes the stop down a possession here in the fourth and they'll need to convert on this fourth down they'll try to pick up the first and they'll move the chains and get it to the 47 yd line we reach the two-minute warning and the defense needs to come up with a stop to close this thing out maybe this will breathe a little life into this offense which has been flatlined in the second half here's first and 10 he's going up top here late in the game and the DB right with him to knock it away really nice job there by the safety back in middle of the field you see his range and the speed he's able to close on the ball and then knock it away nice play he's got it big play for this offense as they get it to the 32 I tell you what that's great execution between the QB and receiver they look like they could execute that throw in their sleep quarterback took his steps threw it on time great route by the receiver nice job securing the catch wants to throw on first down shoots it to the left off the deflection missed a great chance to force the turnover instead it'll be second down one of the reasons this defense is so hard to move the football on they've got a safety back there who's just reading the QB's eyes and he's so athletic and so fast he's able to break passes up and right now it's like he's just toying with the quarterback he's inviting him to try and take some shots knowing that he's going get there to disrup all they were on the move but two straight incompletions have them staring at third and 10 man this late in the game it's go time I got to have a score I'm not worried about that pass on the way it's picked off God room on the return and he's wrapped up after a solid return on the pick Big Time Players make big time plays Big Time games great job by the defense not closing the door completely but stopping the momentum late in the game when you already got a lead nice job [Music] D utap has the ball the offense ready to go back to work three-point lead put together a great drive here Jesse you can turn it into a two-possession game let's do that let's get a touchdown on the board let's find out where our Playmakers have the best matchups and let's exploit those David and it would put our defense in such a great position fourth quarter two possession lead it makes it easy to play defense they go to the [Applause] ground and the defense finally makes the stop after the sweet run and good game and there's really no secret to it David when this guy's running well this offense is so hard it opens up everything and he's having a great day showing you a little bit of everything and this offense has got it rolling on the ground from the gun the running back looking for room they make the Stop and the clock strike zero and that will do it for this one both of these offense sputtered and stammered like a 73 AMC Pacer if they made one of those back then and ultimately they come up short sounds like a beautiful car that you just want to run better and that's the problem with this offense right now they've got the guys to make the plays just not able to execute here today D it's frustrating um because you want to make those plays especially offensively but you got to find a rhythm you got to find something you do well and kind of stick to it that offense couldn't find anything they did really well and that's why they couldn't put points on the board so that's going to do it for us for Jesse Palmer David Pollock I'm reys Davis saying so long this has been another presentation of EA Sports college football