https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sp...ate-looks-improvement-second-game/1134920002/
Increase the physicality offensively
Aggies quarterback Matt Romero was sacked three times and running back Jason Huntley rushed for 22 yards on 2.4 yards per carry.
Martin said the Aggies offensive line, which returned five players with starting experience, did not perform well against Wyoming.
"We did not protect at all," Martin said. "I want to see if they (the offensive line) will respond. I don't think our receivers played particularly physical, either."
If the Aggies could muster some progress in the running game, it would only help Romero gain confidence throwing the football and opening up play action.
Quarterback play
While the rest of the offense needs to help him, Martin believes quarterback Matt Romero will be better in his second start as a FBS quarterback.
Martin also accepted responsiblity, saying that play calling was too conservative against Wyoming in an effort to protect Romero against a quality defense.
"I think everyone got so concerned about what the quarterback was going to do that they didn't take care of their own job and that was the problem offensively," Martin said. "The quarterback was actually decent but the rest of us didn't help him."
Clark said Minnesota plays Cover 4 in the secondary. After facing Wyoming's man-to-man secondary last week, perhaps Clark and the Aggies receivers will have more room to find gaps if Romero has time to throw the football.
"We have to catch the ball and get first downs," Clark said. "We just have to find a groove and that's how everything will start rolling.
"We have to make him feel more comfortable. We have to do more since he is new. When he starts to feel comfortable, that is when a lot of things will start to open up."
Pressure the quarterback
NM State didn't register a sack against Wyoming last week after finishing fifth nationally last year with 43 sacks.
The Aggies expect Minnesota to run the football behind a Big Ten offensive line with running back Rodney Smith (977 yards last year with three touchdowns and 4.3 yards per carry).
"They are a heavy run team that double teams a lot," said Aggies senior nose tackle DeShawnte Lloyd said. "Last week the Wyoming center played more towards the three technique (defensive lineman Roy Lopez). This week, the center plays toward me more. They have a good running back. With the game plan we have, if we are able to execute that, hopefully (Smith) won't have a big day."
But when the Aggies force passing situations, look for NM State to try to pressure true freshman starting quarterback Zack Annexstad, a true freshman preferred walk-on,, who will be taking his first college snaps.
Linebacker Malik Demby exploded onto the scene last season against a Power 5 opponent (Arizona State) and linebacker Terrill Hanks just missed Vander Waal in the offensive backfield with two quarterback hurries.
The Aggies didn't give up any big passing plays against Wyoming redshirt freshman quarterback Tyler Vander Waal, but they did lose containment on designed rollouts. With Jassavia Reese (knee) doubtful at defensive end and middle linebacker Javahn Fergurson (knee) doubtful, the Aggies will need to stay disciplined but either get to Annexstad or force him to throw some passes up for grabs.
"Everytime we play conservative, we stifle ourselves," Martin said. "We just need to open up and play ball."
Romero did some good things against Wyoming, completing 59 percent of his passes and not turning the ball over against a Wyoming team that led the country in takeaways last season.
But NM State's 135 total yards of offense was the lowest output since 2009. The Aggies don't have to finish sixth in the NCAA in passing yards like they did last year, but they have to show they are a threat on that side of the ball with winnable games coming up on the schedule.
Increase the physicality offensively
Aggies quarterback Matt Romero was sacked three times and running back Jason Huntley rushed for 22 yards on 2.4 yards per carry.
Martin said the Aggies offensive line, which returned five players with starting experience, did not perform well against Wyoming.
"We did not protect at all," Martin said. "I want to see if they (the offensive line) will respond. I don't think our receivers played particularly physical, either."
If the Aggies could muster some progress in the running game, it would only help Romero gain confidence throwing the football and opening up play action.
Quarterback play
While the rest of the offense needs to help him, Martin believes quarterback Matt Romero will be better in his second start as a FBS quarterback.
Martin also accepted responsiblity, saying that play calling was too conservative against Wyoming in an effort to protect Romero against a quality defense.
"I think everyone got so concerned about what the quarterback was going to do that they didn't take care of their own job and that was the problem offensively," Martin said. "The quarterback was actually decent but the rest of us didn't help him."
Clark said Minnesota plays Cover 4 in the secondary. After facing Wyoming's man-to-man secondary last week, perhaps Clark and the Aggies receivers will have more room to find gaps if Romero has time to throw the football.
"We have to catch the ball and get first downs," Clark said. "We just have to find a groove and that's how everything will start rolling.
"We have to make him feel more comfortable. We have to do more since he is new. When he starts to feel comfortable, that is when a lot of things will start to open up."
Pressure the quarterback
NM State didn't register a sack against Wyoming last week after finishing fifth nationally last year with 43 sacks.
The Aggies expect Minnesota to run the football behind a Big Ten offensive line with running back Rodney Smith (977 yards last year with three touchdowns and 4.3 yards per carry).
"They are a heavy run team that double teams a lot," said Aggies senior nose tackle DeShawnte Lloyd said. "Last week the Wyoming center played more towards the three technique (defensive lineman Roy Lopez). This week, the center plays toward me more. They have a good running back. With the game plan we have, if we are able to execute that, hopefully (Smith) won't have a big day."
But when the Aggies force passing situations, look for NM State to try to pressure true freshman starting quarterback Zack Annexstad, a true freshman preferred walk-on,, who will be taking his first college snaps.
Linebacker Malik Demby exploded onto the scene last season against a Power 5 opponent (Arizona State) and linebacker Terrill Hanks just missed Vander Waal in the offensive backfield with two quarterback hurries.
The Aggies didn't give up any big passing plays against Wyoming redshirt freshman quarterback Tyler Vander Waal, but they did lose containment on designed rollouts. With Jassavia Reese (knee) doubtful at defensive end and middle linebacker Javahn Fergurson (knee) doubtful, the Aggies will need to stay disciplined but either get to Annexstad or force him to throw some passes up for grabs.
"Everytime we play conservative, we stifle ourselves," Martin said. "We just need to open up and play ball."
Romero did some good things against Wyoming, completing 59 percent of his passes and not turning the ball over against a Wyoming team that led the country in takeaways last season.
But NM State's 135 total yards of offense was the lowest output since 2009. The Aggies don't have to finish sixth in the NCAA in passing yards like they did last year, but they have to show they are a threat on that side of the ball with winnable games coming up on the schedule.
