Sunday Morning QB

[WVAPPeer]

WOW - What a game!!! - As David Jackson said in the post-game, "if you didn't have a horse in this race, you had to love watching this game" - It was a well-played game by both teams. Again, we watched on TV but the crowd sounded much more into the action - Congrats and Thanks to all who made it out to KBS!!!
1. I am just overjoyed that Brentlee Critcher hit the winning FG - even if he never read one word on any message board (and hopefully he did not) the personal pressure he must have felt could be overwhelming - As I mentioned a few weeks ago, at this point I know of no other FBS kicker who handles all aspects - there is a reason for that - IT IS HARD TO DO!!! ---
2. The defense has figured this thing out and Coach Woody now seems to have confidence in calling just about any scheme in any situation. We held them to 55 yards rushing and 244 passing combined with 6 sacks. They had to convert two 4th downs inside the 15 to get the go-ahead score and only the perfect pass and great catch got them that. The backs are playing much more man-to-man and our rush is forcing quicker decisions and throws by the QBs ---
3. Offensively I have seen more movement, formations, and counter-looks than I have in a long-long time. This causes defenses to have so much more to "worry about" and it also can show our coaches how the opponents defense is trying to react thus giving us the ability to set up plays as the game progresses. The OLine has been great, Cox is reminding me more and more of KRich - need a yard-get a yard, need 3 yards-get 3 yards, need a big play-get a big play - Taylor is one tough kid and I love that, he took some hard hits but hung in there every time. He still has a tendency to underthrow the long ball but since I wasn't there some of that could have come from the wind direction. The receivers are really getting better each week - WHAT A CATCH BY MEADORS!!! - and I'll tell you this McGuire has a chance to be special - we have a lot of weapons but this guy is probably overlooked by most - WATCH OUT - Malachi is the rock right now but I have confidence in all the WRs/TEs
4. With the way our offense is performing coaches please tell BoBo or whomever to just fair catch the punt and send the offense onto the field. I still don't understand the rugby punting (basically there is another kicking aspect that Critcher has to practice) - I'm at a loss on that??? - Kickoffs have been deep and most unreturnable so that is good - Personally, I didn't agree with the Pooch-Kick there at the end not when a FG can beat you - I did hear Bentlee say that that kick was called and then the second kick was to be deep but said he tweaked his ankle running to cover the pooch and when he planted on the 2nd kick it gave way causing it to go out of bounds -
5. I understand in almost all cases it is not relative to compare how one team did against another team going forward - but sometimes it is worth a look, especially if the games are back-to-back - take ULM against Texas A&M last week and us this week - Both A&M and APP scored 21 first half points on ULM, ULM shut out A&M for the entire second half in a 21-16 loss - They didn't shut our guys out!!! - We put up 380 yards of total offense - Texas A&M put up only 243 - I could go on but you get the picture
6. For all those doubters out there who were sure this coaching staff couldn't do the job, if you don't see the improvement then it is because you don't want to see it --- And please spare us the line of "well look who we beat - nobody" - ULM has played 4 P5 teams this year - they lost at LSU, lost at TA&M, lost at Kentucky and beat WF - how do you think we would do against those 4??? - You play who you are scheduled to play that week - do all you can to win - move on - That is the way it is in all conferences -
7. This is such a young team and I am truly excited about the future!!!

[WVAPPeer]

an addendum ---
Who are some of the callers after the game???
First call complains about not using Cox enough - should run him every play --- Wow, that's right, let's wear him out and not give him any breaks ?????????
Another asked why we weren't blitzing more? - sorry but what game was he watching?
Another complaining about running it up the middle on first down and not showing different sets or looks?
All of which Steve answered in his most positive/politically correct way ---

[bcoach]

Good post. I don't want this to be a negative because yesterday was great. We now need to work on special teams. Note this is not a new problem so let's get this straighten that out. We have the extra scholarships now so let's get some guys in here who can do the job. As much as I like Mark if that is the problem let someone else take over or hire someone to handle just that. We are on the way, let's keep the pedal to the metal.
great job yesterday overall.

[AtlAppMan]

The beautiful thing about this game was our team kept coming back, they made some mistakes through the game, int, short kick which resulted in pts for ULM but they just kept finding ways to do what they had to do to win the game.

I live in the heart of SEC country (especially UGA) and have heard so many times over the years about tough conference games and that better teams just have to find ways to grind out a win. The opponent may not be the top team at that moment but the team across from you is finding a way to play hard and tough. In those types of games you just have to have players step up and make plays. That was how our ULM game went. ULM was a formidable opponent who's record was not exactly indicative of how good they really are and they did play a tough game. There defense played very tough. However, we had multiple players on our team step up when a play was needed, both offensive and defensive.

I really like how this team is coming together. This type of game against a quality opponent will build character.

[Apptiger]

an addendum ---
Who are some of the callers after the game???
First call complains about not using Cox enough - should run him every play --- Wow, that's right, let's wear him out and not give him any breaks ?????????
Another asked why we weren't blitzing more? - sorry but what game was he watching?
Another complaining about running it up the middle on first down and not showing different sets or looks?
All of which Steve answered in his most positive/politically correct way ---

I had to step away and missed the calls.
Guessing here but the coaches seem to rest Cox some in the third qtr. every game so he will be fresher in the fourth. I'd say that is smart. You can wear folks out, especially running backs.

On the defensive in the backfield. I am usually the one that moans about no penetration but I'd have to question whether the caller was even watching the game. Most bodies in an opposing backfield I've seen in a while. I like it.

All in all the good guys are looking more and more like a traditional APP team. Win or lose....Never quit, lots of heart and effort.

[mtnjax]

WOW - What a game!!! - As David Jackson said in the post-game, "if you didn't have a horse in this race, you had to love watching this game" - It was a well-played game by both teams. Again, we watched on TV but the crowd sounded much more into the action - Congrats and Thanks to all who made it out to KBS!!!
1. I am just overjoyed that Brentlee Critcher hit the winning FG
2. The defense has figured this thing out and Coach Woody now seems to have confidence in calling just about any scheme in any situation.
3. Offensively I have seen more movement, formations, and counter-looks than I have in a long-long time.
4. With the way our offense is performing coaches please tell BoBo or whomever to just fair catch the punt and send the offense onto the field
5. I understand in almost all cases it is not relative to compare how one team did against another team going forward
6. For all those doubters out there who were sure this coaching staff couldn't do the job, -
7. This is such a young team and I am truly excited about the future!!!

1. Should be a huge confidence booster for Bentlee going forward. I believe ULM's kicker does all 3 as well, but he is an upper classman
2.Agreed
3.The only thing that irritated me was that we kept going to the well on trying to get our guys on the edge in the running game, but ULM's defense was too fast for us to be successful. Cox was killing them though on those off-tackle stretch runs. looks like he figured out where the cutback lane was and gashed them each time. Meadors will be special!
4. Give me Isaiah Lewis on PR please! Satt said weeks ago that the rugby style was added to keep teams from blocking the punts. i was fine with the pooch kick. it took 7 seconds off the clock and the penalty might have been intentional. 7 seconds off plus a re-kick. even if Bentlee had kicked it 9 yds deep in the endzone, ULM would've brought it out which would've been more time off the clock. just too bad his ankle gave out
5. ULM was a good team that we beat. anyone who can't see that, is just looking for ways to nitpick at the FBS move at this point. if we can win 1 of the next 2, then no one can say anything
6. Staff has stepped up the last few weeks. on the field improvement is showing and the off field recruiting is still going strong. can't wait to see what the S&C can do with an offseason
7. Amen!

Also, we had a season high of 6 sacks yesterday and tons of pressure on the backfield. once again, i think the callers who call in questioning things that don't need it, are just nitpicking because the don't want the move justified

[YesAppCan]

I will add to your point regarding the 6 sacks... We got most of the sacks where UL-M had more blockers than we had rushers. Kudos to our team on a big gut-check win. UL-M executed a perfect play to score on that 4th down conversion for a TD---Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the opponent. I am still looking for my voice this morning, if anyone in the vicinity of KBS hears it, call me, I'd like to have it back.

[EastHallApp]

It would make zero sense to overload Cox. Even NFL teams don't do that anymore. We've got other good backs, we should use them.

The game-winning FG might overshadow this, but the kicking game was a pretty big net negative yesterday. I can only assume they don't want to work out new people at PR at this stage of the season. But if Beathard is still starting there next season, something is wrong.

[kiddbrewer]

an addendum ---
Who are some of the callers after the game???
Another asked why we weren't blitzing more? - sorry but what game was he watching?

I heard that call and I was thinking, "What game was he watching? Thomas spent a lot of time scrambling out of the pocket, he threw a lot of balls that were forced and the receiver wasn't ready for it, he threw several balls out of bounds, he spent a lot of the game on his back with 6 sacks and how many knock downs? There were several times he got up really slow. That caller was clueless.

I will say this about both quarterbacks. Although Lamb wasn't sacked, he was hit a few times just after the throw. But he picked himself up and kept leading that offense. Same thing with Thomas. He took a pounding, especially on their drive where they scored to go up 29-23. He was hit, sacked, knocked down, pressured, hurried, but he still threw a picture perfect TD.

Oh yeah WV, good write up.

[YesAppCan]

From wataugademocrat.com

“The offensive line did a great job all night and I don’t think I got touched on the last drive,” Mountaineers quarterback Taylor Lamb said. “We love the fourth quarter more than our opponents do and it started with the big guys up front. It was fun.”

[YesAppCan]

http://www.journalnow.com/sports/asu/fo ... 90595.html
It's magic!

[WVAPPeer]

"3.The only thing that irritated me was that we kept going to the well on trying to get our guys on the edge in the running game, but ULM's defense was too fast for us to be successful. Cox was killing them though on those off-tackle stretch runs. looks like he figured out where the cutback lane was and gashed them each time. Meadors will be special!
4. Give me Isaiah Lewis on PR please! "

mntjax - this is my take on your #3 - not being in the locker room or having any inside info my guess is we initially ran those wide sweeps to set up the off-tackle stretch - you get the defense flying to the outside because they are good at that and have seen it several times - THEN, we hit them with the cut-back because the defenders have over-run the play
On #4 - I have no problem with BoBo fielding punts - he has great hands and knows where he is on the field BUT just fair catch it unless it is a low punt and he has some room - A long PR is a great but a fumbled punt is what will get you beaten ---

[kickass143]

Great summary for a great game. Our "Big Uglys" up front were imposing their will on our last drive that went for a TD! So excited for Critcher, our entire team, coaches and fan base. Way to represent yesterday!

[AppGrad78]

Our offensive line dominated from the second quarter until the horn sounded, holding one of the country's best defenses at getting to the quarterback to zero sacks.

[Rekdiver]

Four things:

1. Why do we try to run a reverse to the short side of the field?
2. Why do you rugby kick inside of the 30? If it takes an unfavorable bounce we end p with a return (which we did)
3. Critchers grandfather and uncle were sitting behind us. Didn't know it until he made the kick and grandpa says...That's my grandson. Told him to tell his grandson we were thrilled for him.
4. Where the hell was the crowd? Best game day since Campbell and we got crap for attendance. Very dissappointed in App Nation.

[WVAPPeer]

Four things:

1. Why do we try to run a reverse to the short side of the field?
2. Why do you rugby kick inside of the 30? If it takes an unfavorable bounce we end p with a return (which we did)
3. Critchers grandfather and uncle were sitting behind us. Didn't know it until he made the kick and grandpa says...That's my grandson. Told him to tell his grandson we were thrilled for him.
4. Where the hell was the crowd? Best game day since Campbell and we got crap for attendance. Very dissappointed in App Nation.

#1 - don't know at all with not being involved but sometimes running the reverse to the short side catches the defense in an overload to the wide side + without a speedster like Dexter the idea would be to cut it upfield quicker
#2 - no idea
#3 - I am happy for the entire family
#4 - one "disadvantage" of being in the SB is that every game is on ESPN - that will always keep some from making the trip up the mountain

[asu1978]

I was there with my daughter & her husband.Very disappointed with the lack of fans on the state side.Still plenty of tailgating

[proasu89]

I was there with my daughter & her husband.Very disappointed with the lack of fans on the state side.Still plenty of tailgating

Sorry bout letting fellow eastsiders down but we're 0-2 this season when my crowd sits in its normal seats on the east side. We've won all three games when we sat on the west side. Love the east side but think I'll have to abandon you one more time.

[AppSt94]

I was unable to watch the game live but I kept up with the score. By the time I was able to sit and watch the game, I knew the final outcome. This allowed me to focus on the game situations and not the play by play emotion. A few things that I took from the game were: 1) the physicality of our players has improved. I saw several instances of LaMo players getting up slow and gingerly. The kids are playing hard and hitting hard. 2) the light bulb has come on for the defensive players on how to properly play the 3-4 scheme. They have figured out the gap responsibilities needed to be successful which has in turn allowed the coached to open up the playbook to put pressure on the QB to help mask our weakness in the secondary. 3) we are getting some quality play from our depth. Norwood played well in place of Dada as did some other backups. 4) and finally, our coaches CAN coach. It's hard to scheme and plan when guys don't know what they are doing on the field. The coaching staff has used prep time to get these guys playing in the right spots and it is showing.

[MDaniels84]

Took my son to the game for his 16th birthday. Wow, what a present ! Although crowd size was a little disappointing, I will have to say that this was the most fired up our crowd has been for the last couple of seasons. We were in Section 216 on East Side and had a pretty fired up crowd around us. Actually had some good crowd noise on 3rd downs and it was just a heck of a game.
I am really proud and appreciative of our guys effort and fight. They could have packed it in when the game was at 20-7 in the first half but kept up the good fight.