A smart fan knows how conservative playcalling late in games has screwed us in the past.bigdaddyg wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 12:39 pmDrink seems to open the playbook early- double reverse pass back to Zac early was wild and almost worked. He seems to try some other cool stuff early then closes the book late if the defense is stout. We seemed to have open looks at the tight ends in the seams that he stopped going to. That late kickoff that Evans froze on nearly killed us. He must have thought he called a fair catch to put the ball on the 25 but evidently kneeled down. I was 20 yards away and thought the same thing but putting us on the 3 was tough. They also pinned us on the 1 earlier in the game after a great punt. We stopped USC so many times between the 40’s and their punter kept pinning us back. I’m sure that played into the calls. A smart fan has to consider all of that before complaining about play calling.MrCraig wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 12:31 pmI totally agree, especially about prevent defense. All it prevents is the defense from winning the game.AppStateMtneer wrote: ↑Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:36 amTakeaways after getting home after 2 AM:
The Good:
App Nation - the fairgrounds parking lot (black lot) looked about 50/50. If we didn't have 15k App fans at that game it sure sounded and felt like it (wish I had recorded that game and need to find a replay of it) Section 505 was great!
Special Teams:
We didn't miss the opportunity to get points. No missed FGs or PATs. We had several great Kickoff returns which put us in good field position.
Halftime Show:
I usually could care less about halftime shows. The military appreciation halftime show that USC put together was fantastic. That alone would have made the trip worth it.
Preparedness:
We did not come out flat. I believe this was the first time we did pregame warmups in full pads all year (we changed things up). We gave up points on the opening drive but we moved the ball well at the start as well and didn't take a qtr to get things going.
The Defense:
Defense won that game. Pick 6 at the end of the 2nd was BIG! Held them to FGs and did a great job at the end holding on after the offense put them in trouble. Holding them to 3 after the ZT pick at the start of the 3rd was IMPORTANT.
The Bad:
Coach Drink (the OC):
https://youtu.be/b5-iJUuPWis
Coach Drink the head coach did a good job but Coach Drink the Offensive Coordinator almost lost that game by playing not to lose rather than playing to win. He himself during post game shows this season has specifically pointed out that he has been to conservative in play calling at the end of the game and it needs to get corrected... he didn't correct it and that almost cost us last night. I think Drink is doing a good job and he had several great calls throughout the game (example was the 4th and 1 play where we faked run up Middle and tossed it to Reed for a 1st down).... Maybe he needs to let Clark share in play calling... he did a great job in the bowl game vs Mid Tenn.
Tackling:
My goodness...this is mostly directed at the Defensive Backs... we had too many missed tackles where the DBs threw shoulders at the WRs and didn't attempt to form tackle... Missed tackling gave up the TD.
Prevent D:
Guess that Roof didn't hear me yelling from 505 despite my most valiant of efforts. I despise that prevent D... giving up 3 4th and 15+ plays is unacceptable. It was nearly a heartbreaking loss.
Officiating:
Everyone one of those knuckleheads should be fired... that's all I have to say about that.
Time to let my voice heal... Great win for us and bounce back Game after what happened last week...
We are back in the drivers seat and control our own destiny after the Iggles lost - FINISH!
It's great to be a mountaineer!
On the subject of Coach Drink, I don’t disagree, but I think it’s important to remember that it’s his first year as a head coach ever. Give him some time, I’d bet that he will get much better. Coaching is hard.
For me it is just discussing among fans though. It does not mean we do not like our coach! Just a discussion.