UTPB’s football team created plenty of questions with its play in the season-opening loss against Southwest Baptist.
“I don’t think it was game plan stuff,” Falcons head coach Justin Carrigan said. “It was about alignment, assignments and execution and we did not do a good at.
“Just not disciplined. It’s just getting back to the basics and make sure that our guys understand the importance of their role. It as a wakeup call.”
Now it’s time to see if the Falcons found some answers.
The Falcons host Western Colorado at 6 p.m. Saturday at Astound Broadband Stadium and need a 180-degree reversal of their effort in the opener.
The Mountaineers are coming off a 44-6 loss to West Texas A&M and will be looking to right the ship as well.
They finished 10-2 last season and entered the 2022 campaign ranked 17th in the nation.
Western Colorado dropped out of the Top 25 after the loss but is still receiving votes.
Dylan Graham will make his second straight start for UTPB.
He completed 16 of 31 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.
Graham transferred into the program after a successful 2021 season at Diablo Valley College in California.
Carrigan expects better things from Graham this week.
“I think the best thing about it is when he and I talked postgame in the locker room, he was able to recognize some of the things he needs to improve on,” Carrigan said. “He was self away and I think that’s huge.
“I expect a better performance out of him this week, but for his first time out of the box I thought he did a good job.”
The Falcons need to do a better of job this week of getting wide receiver MJ Link involved in the offense early in the game.
One of the top receivers in Division II, Link was kept in check against Southwest Baptist with just one reception for two yards.
He also ran the ball three times for four yards as the Falcons were looking for ways to have him impact the game.
“MJ is special and we need to find a way to get him involved early, to get him relaxed and into the game,” Carrigan said. “We have to get in front of the chains to get started on offense.
“Play fast and be explosive.”
>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide
