Grading Ponce

[Mjohn1988]

Who wants to give Ponce a grade at this point in the season? I’m giving him an A. Coach found out what his guys do well and has embraced it. On top of that we have found a real balance between the pass game and the run game. Looks like Ponce has been a real difference maker to me.

[AppSt94]

We need to get the third down efficiency up. Other than that, I would say that he is doing what is being asked.

[bigdaddyg]

We are 7-2, in the driver’s seat to win our division and hopefully another conference championship. He calls some cool plays. We are racking up points and yards. He’s doing great, a solid A in my book.

[T-Dog]

Overall, a net positive and very good score. The big test will be next year.

On Saturday, he and other offensive coaches made the halftime adjustment to go from outside zone to inside runs since A-State defenders were flying to the outside zone. It worked big time.

I think the issues going into the season with Brice were mostly mental. You can see them pop up at times, but Ponce has tried to build his confidence by getting him to pass the ball deeper and deeper. It's worked especially in the last three games. Brice's ULM first half was his best at App. Early in the season, Brice's deep ball was out of the strike zone almost all the time.

Targeting Malik against Coastal's coverage when their safeties were worried about Hennigan and Sutton was brilliant.

I'm not enamored with Noel as the RB1 when Peoples has been healthy. I understand he practices better, but Peoples is better for gaining tough yards, especially early in games when opposing defenses are fired up. When Noel has defenders in front of him, I feel like he hesitates. Versus ULM, he once had a truck-sized hole and had to stop himself from cutting.

[Yosef84]

I like Noel but I agree that Peoples is a better back in traffic. Noel is a great change of pace and they make an excellent 1-2 punch. Ponce is doing an excellent job.

[Yosefus]

No complaints from me. It is much more interesting than the run first for hell or high water offenses we had in the past. I think we are more yards passing for the season than run which is hard to believe. Don't think that was by design but by taking what is given and utilizing the exceptional tools at hand.

[appgrad2010]

One blonde haired lady shouts at Ponce and "Dale" every game! We could be down 3 or up 30 and she still fusses. Clearly has no clue what she is ever talking about!

[AtlAppMan]

I say a B+ right now. The 3rd down conversion is still an issue. There are times when he is still not getting the offense in a rhythm. We have allowed many drives to stall in red zone. He is doing much better than what we had last year but they are still not hitting on all cylinders yet. He is improving as the season progresses. I like our future outlook though. If you don't set your goals/expectations high then you will settle for less than what we are capable of.

[HighPointApp]

3rd down conversion is a player execution issue not a coaching issue. IMHO

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

3rd down conversion is a player execution issue not a coaching issue. IMHO

Calling a run play on 3rd and long is 100% all about coaching.

[HighPointApp]

3rd down conversion is a player execution issue not a coaching issue. IMHO

Calling a run play on 3rd and long is 100% all about coaching.

I agree with you in that point. But that’s not what 94 said in his post.

[BambooRdApp]

If question is ....what grade does he get for him being a new OC? I would give him an A+ and more for extra credit. If I am not mistaken, we are top 25 on total offense.

If we are rating overall as compared to all of college football, I would rate a B to B+. As stated above, 3rd down efficiency needs to improve. Also, early in season, seemed the offense had a script of plays that we would not change no matter down and distance. 4th down seems to have gotten less predictable as using chase on 4th down. If we get to top 10 in total offense at end of year, A+.

I believe we have great future with him as OC. Skill player recruits have to love this offense. We need to find some cash to make sure he gets paid!!!

[yosef69]

Is anyone worried if satt doesnt get canned that he’ll call up ponce? I’m not that worried because I think loserville fans will revolt if he brings in another app guy.

If he makes a move to somewhere like duke, I could see it.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

At least 3 times this season we have gone on 30+ point runs. Not sure if Elon was another. Defense has a lot to do with it, but also keeping the offense on the field and scoring gives the defense more leverage.

[Budman2154]

I think he’s a breath of fresh air from last year. I would, however, like to see him be a little more creative on 3rd down incorporating the big backs instead of Noel and maybe go under center in short down situations with the big backs ax well

[appbanker]

Is anyone worried if satt doesnt get canned that he’ll call up ponce? I’m not that worried because I think loserville fans will revolt if he brings in another app guy.

If he makes a move to somewhere like duke, I could see it.

Ponce went with Satt to Louisville as the QB coach. Not sure if he would return.

[AppSt94]

Is anyone worried if satt doesnt get canned that he’ll call up ponce? I’m not that worried because I think loserville fans will revolt if he brings in another app guy.

If he makes a move to somewhere like duke, I could see it.

Ponce went with Satt to Louisville as the QB coach. Not sure if he would return.

Agree. He would have to go as a play caller and I don’t see that happening.

[AppStFan1]

One blonde haired lady shouts at Ponce and "Dale" every game! We could be down 3 or up 30 and she still fusses. Clearly has no clue what she is ever talking about!

I'm sure most don't know and I understand frustration over bad play but when up by 30 and complaining is just plain idiotic for sure.

I would give Ponce an A- so far only because we did not produce much against Miami and ULL. Hope we get a chance at redemption in the SBC title game but have key games before that. I love that we don't always run it on first down and that makes us more unpredictable. If we can eliminate turnovers, dumb penalties, and execute we should be fine.

[AppSt94]

So what I find interesting in the overall evaluation of this years offense is that it is better. While it seems to flow better and appears to look better, the difference in production doesn’t support that it is all that much better. The 2021 offense averages 11 more yards per game and 3 more points. This years 3rd down efficiency is 37% while last years offense converted on 51% of attempts. Given the gluttony of weapons, you would think that there would be a larger disparity.

[Stonewall]

Waiting until "Finals" .