Defense

[AtlAppMan]

Just a quick glance for the VT/ODU game, VT had 5 (five) turnovers in that game. I don't know how many were "forced" or gifts but, no matter, you cannot expect to play any quality team and give it up that many times and expect to win.

[AtlAppMan]

The only alarming Week 1 stat that I see from other SBC opponents is the fact that JMU QB rushed for 110 yards. MTSU looked terrible on both sides of the ball, so take that for what it's worth. I just know we've historically struggled with mobile QBs, even against non P5 schools.

Didn't see any other off the chart stats.

Yep and I don’t know how good MTSU is now versus when we played them in New Orleans, but still found it a little alarming that JMU beats up on its first FBS opponent after making the jump. Hell, it took us 5 games to figure it out.

Impressed with JMU, but I will also say, when we finally made the move to FBS, we had regressed substantially from our prime (2005-07) and were not even at the top of FCS. Our lack of wins in playoffs in 2008-2012 showed our weaknesses. It took us a little time to regroupl and ramp up and regain some of our lost player quality and skills. JMU on the other hand has made the transition when they are more at the top of their game.

[AppStateNews]

I’m not sure I saw blitz schemes until we got behind…Did we let UNC and Maye get into a rhythm?

We were sending quite a few in the first half, but they were all outside pressures and not getting in. The second half/when we got behind, we started dialing more up the middle and those were working. It was a good adjustment from the defensive staff.

If secondary can figure out the eye discipline and communication, we'll be good the rest of the season. If they don't, every game will be a shoot out.

[ASU84]

The only alarming Week 1 stat that I see from other SBC opponents is the fact that JMU QB rushed for 110 yards. MTSU looked terrible on both sides of the ball, so take that for what it's worth. I just know we've historically struggled with mobile QBs, even against non P5 schools.

Didn't see any other off the chart stats.

Yep and I don’t know how good MTSU is now versus when we played them in New Orleans, but still found it a little alarming that JMU beats up on its first FBS opponent after making the jump. Hell, it took us 5 games to figure it out.

Impressed with JMU, but I will also say, when we finally made the move to FBS, we had regressed substantially from our prime (2005-07) and were not even at the top of FCS. Our lack of wins in playoffs in 2008-2012 showed our weaknesses. It took us a little time to regroupl and ramp up and regain some of our lost player quality and skills. JMU on the other hand has made the transition when they are more at the top of their game.

I am also very impressed with JMU. They have made an impressive entry into the ranks of FBS. However, they did have the luxury of one thing we did not. The Portal.

[AppStFan1]

I’m not sure I saw blitz schemes until we got behind…Did we let UNC and Maye get into a rhythm?

We were sending quite a few in the first half, but they were all outside pressures and not getting in. The second half/when we got behind, we started dialing more up the middle and those were working. It was a good adjustment from the defensive staff.

If secondary can figure out the eye discipline and communication, we'll be good the rest of the season. If they don't, every game will be a shoot out.

Don't know if the hearts of many of our fans could handle a shootout all season. Hopefully we figure it out.

[App91]

I’m not sure I saw blitz schemes until we got behind…Did we let UNC and Maye get into a rhythm?

We were sending quite a few in the first half, but they were all outside pressures and not getting in. The second half/when we got behind, we started dialing more up the middle and those were working. It was a good adjustment from the defensive staff.

If secondary can figure out the eye discipline and communication, we'll be good the rest of the season. If they don't, every game will be a shoot out.

Thanks for pointing this out. I have not re watched the game, but my in game thoughts were that we did not do anything to get pressure on him during the 34 point lull. Thought before the game if we could get pressure then we could rattle him. they hit a lot of long gains and maybe that is why.

[AtlAppMan]

I’m not sure I saw blitz schemes until we got behind…Did we let UNC and Maye get into a rhythm?

We were sending quite a few in the first half, but they were all outside pressures and not getting in. The second half/when we got behind, we started dialing more up the middle and those were working. It was a good adjustment from the defensive staff.

If secondary can figure out the eye discipline and communication, we'll be good the rest of the season. If they don't, every game will be a shoot out.

Thanks for pointing this out. I have not re watched the game, but my in game thoughts were that we did not do anything to get pressure on him during the 34 point lull. Thought before the game if we could get pressure then we could rattle him. they hit a lot of long gains and maybe that is why.

Upon checking the play by play stats, I think I said this on another thread.
UNC scored on 7 of first 8 possessions. It wasn't like we ever stopped them. We stopped them on their second possession and then not until 4th qtr. On our side we scored first 3 times then stalled/missed 51 yrd field goal and then stalled on next possession when we had a 10 yrd penalty that we could not overcome.

[bigdaddyg]

I’m not sure I saw blitz schemes until we got behind…Did we let UNC and Maye get into a rhythm?

We were sending quite a few in the first half, but they were all outside pressures and not getting in. The second half/when we got behind, we started dialing more up the middle and those were working. It was a good adjustment from the defensive staff.

If secondary can figure out the eye discipline and communication, we'll be good the rest of the season. If they don't, every game will be a shoot out.

Thanks for pointing this out. I have not re watched the game, but my in game thoughts were that we did not do anything to get pressure on him during the 34 point lull. Thought before the game if we could get pressure then we could rattle him. they hit a lot of long gains and maybe that is why.

Upon checking the play by play stats, I think I said this on another thread.
UNC scored on 7 of first 8 possessions. It wasn't like we ever stopped them. We stopped them on their second possession and then not until 4th qtr. On our side we scored first 3 times then stalled/missed 51 yrd field goal and then stalled on next possession when we had a 10 yrd penalty that we could not overcome.

It would be interesting to see a stat showing (over the last year or maybe 2) how many times have we had a first down penalty on offense that put us at 1st and 20 or 25 (holding or PF penalty on 1st) and then we overcame it and got back ahead of the chains. I'm guessing for last year the percentage was low. On the flip-side how did our opponents fare in the same situation? A couple of those offensive penalties killed us Saturday and I think we let Carolina convert on us.

[Saint3333]

I’m not sure I saw blitz schemes until we got behind…Did we let UNC and Maye get into a rhythm?

We were sending quite a few in the first half, but they were all outside pressures and not getting in. The second half/when we got behind, we started dialing more up the middle and those were working. It was a good adjustment from the defensive staff.

If secondary can figure out the eye discipline and communication, we'll be good the rest of the season. If they don't, every game will be a shoot out.

Thanks for pointing this out. I have not re watched the game, but my in game thoughts were that we did not do anything to get pressure on him during the 34 point lull. Thought before the game if we could get pressure then we could rattle him. they hit a lot of long gains and maybe that is why.

Upon checking the play by play stats, I think I said this on another thread.
UNC scored on 7 of first 8 possessions. It wasn't like we ever stopped them. We stopped them on their second possession and then not until 4th qtr. On our side we scored first 3 times then stalled/missed 51 yrd field goal and then stalled on next possession when we had a 10 yrd penalty that we could not overcome.

Drink was right about the middle 8 minutes. That is when games are won and lost. We played conservative the back half of the second quarter and UNCCH took advantage of that period.

[Black Saturday]

Other than Robert Morris, Citadel and maybe Texas State isn't every other game probably going to be tough? If those are the 3 "easiest" so to speak who is considered the next easiest on the schedule? Apparently not ODU

Based on our offensive output, which I know that can’t be relied upon week in and week out, who on the schedule can score enough to keep up? Coastal?

Who has the defense to slow us down? Troy? Ga State?

I try not to get too up or down. As a Panther fan you learn to temper your expectations but unless we lose an offensive lineman or two and maybe a linebacker (and obviously Chase) I can't see us getting slowed down after Saturday. We are way too deep at the skilled positions and won't face bigger or faster defenses. If our defense figures it out and we keep teams at 20 PPG or so they won't keep up.

A lot can be said about the difference in our offenive gameplan Saturday and the last coule of years. It is probably the diffence in the outcome of some of the losses we took in that time. We have and have had the players to get the job done. Their is an art to playing ahead of the opposing D. I really liked our improvement in that area, Keep it up and we'll achieve our seaon's goals.

The UNC game reminded me of an old Mountain West game, exciting with no defense.

[bigdaddyg]

I'm not quite getting the "conservative " play calling stuff some folks seem to believe they saw in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Our 3rd TD was a drive that ended in the second. The next drive went 7 plays for 41 yards and ended with a missed FG but still included passes. The next drive included a killer 15 yard penalty that was probably questionable.
We had a 3rd and 21 and of course didn't convert. The first drive of the 3rd included a couple of first downs and passes but ended with the sack. Still don't see conservative there. The next one ended with the PIC which was brutal but still not conservative. So I need help understanding (other than not scoring) how much did our approach really change in the 2nd and 3rd?

[AppSt94]

I’m not sure I saw blitz schemes until we got behind…Did we let UNC and Maye get into a rhythm?

We were sending quite a few in the first half, but they were all outside pressures and not getting in. The second half/when we got behind, we started dialing more up the middle and those were working. It was a good adjustment from the defensive staff.

If secondary can figure out the eye discipline and communication, we'll be good the rest of the season. If they don't, every game will be a shoot out.

Thanks for pointing this out. I have not re watched the game, but my in game thoughts were that we did not do anything to get pressure on him during the 34 point lull. Thought before the game if we could get pressure then we could rattle him. they hit a lot of long gains and maybe that is why.

Upon checking the play by play stats, I think I said this on another thread.
UNC scored on 7 of first 8 possessions. It wasn't like we ever stopped them. We stopped them on their second possession and then not until 4th qtr. On our side we scored first 3 times then stalled/missed 51 yrd field goal and then stalled on next possession when we had a 10 yrd penalty that we could not overcome.

It would be interesting to see a stat showing (over the last year or maybe 2) how many times have we had a first down penalty on offense that put us at 1st and 20 or 25 (holding or PF penalty on 1st) and then we overcame it and got back ahead of the chains. I'm guessing for last year the percentage was low. On the flip-side how did our opponents fare in the same situation? A couple of those offensive penalties killed us Saturday and I think we let Carolina convert on us.

We had 5 offensive penalties this week.
1. Personal Foul- no effect. We had just got the first down and it was a dead ball foul. It moved us back 15 yards but still 1st & 10. Scored a TD.
2. Illegal block. Fouls were offsetting, No play
3. PF on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 25. Drive stalled and forced a punt.
4. False start on 1st & 10. 1st & 15. Result of the drive was an interception on the next play.
5. Holding on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 20. No negative affect as we scored a TD.

[biggie]

3. PF on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 25. Drive stalled and forced a punt.

Clark mentioned last night that after SB/ACC ref review they called and said it was the wrong call.


Edit to fix it to the 3rd one not 2nd.

[AppSt94]

3. PF on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 25. Drive stalled and forced a punt.

Clark mentioned last night that after SB/ACC ref review they called and said it was the wrong call.


Edit to fix it to the 3rd one not 2nd.

They were ACC refs but yep. That’s going to be an issue with these new blocking rules until the refs get familiar with them.

[biggie]

3. PF on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 25. Drive stalled and forced a punt.

Clark mentioned last night that after SB/ACC ref review they called and said it was the wrong call.


Edit to fix it to the 3rd one not 2nd.

They were ACC refs but yep. That’s going to be an issue with these new blocking rules until the refs get familiar with them.

According to what he said both groups looked at it. Guess when you submit a review both conferences look.

[AppSt94]

3. PF on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 25. Drive stalled and forced a punt.

Clark mentioned last night that after SB/ACC ref review they called and said it was the wrong call.


Edit to fix it to the 3rd one not 2nd.

They were ACC refs but yep. That’s going to be an issue with these new blocking rules until the refs get familiar with them.

According to what he said both groups looked at it. Guess when you submit a review both conferences look.

I’m glad they collaborated.

[WASU 93]

3. PF on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 25. Drive stalled and forced a punt.

Clark mentioned last night that after SB/ACC ref review they called and said it was the wrong call.


Edit to fix it to the 3rd one not 2nd.

Unfortunately, that was the most critical call. There were 4 minutes left in the half. Peoples gained six yard on the play (which was opposite sideline of the penalty). We stalled out, they got the ball with 2 minutes left. Took the lead into halftime. Received the kickoff and scored again to open the third quarter. We could have possibly gone into the locker room with the lead, vs. being down by 7.

That was a killer stretch for us and really set up the 4th quarter.

[AppSt94]

3. PF on 1st & 10. Made it 1st & 25. Drive stalled and forced a punt.

Clark mentioned last night that after SB/ACC ref review they called and said it was the wrong call.


Edit to fix it to the 3rd one not 2nd.

Unfortunately, that was the most critical call. There were 4 minutes left in the half. Peoples gained six yard on the play (which was opposite sideline of the penalty). We stalled out, they got the ball with 2 minutes left. Took the lead into halftime. Received the kickoff and scored again to open the third quarter. We could have possibly gone into the locker room with the lead, vs. being down by 7.

That was a killer stretch for us and really set up the 4th quarter.

This and the failure to wrap Hood up when we had him stopped for a short gain on 3rd and long.

[MrCraig]

I'm not quite getting the "conservative " play calling stuff some folks seem to believe they saw in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Our 3rd TD was a drive that ended in the second. The next drive went 7 plays for 41 yards and ended with a missed FG but still included passes. The next drive included a killer 15 yard penalty that was probably questionable.
We had a 3rd and 21 and of course didn't convert. The first drive of the 3rd included a couple of first downs and passes but ended with the sack. Still don't see conservative there. The next one ended with the PIC which was brutal but still not conservative. So I need help understanding (other than not scoring) how much did our approach really change in the 2nd and 3rd?

“Going conservative” is what people on this board say when the other team’s defense adjusts and starts slowing App down.

[App91]

I'm not quite getting the "conservative " play calling stuff some folks seem to believe they saw in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Our 3rd TD was a drive that ended in the second. The next drive went 7 plays for 41 yards and ended with a missed FG but still included passes. The next drive included a killer 15 yard penalty that was probably questionable.
We had a 3rd and 21 and of course didn't convert. The first drive of the 3rd included a couple of first downs and passes but ended with the sack. Still don't see conservative there. The next one ended with the PIC which was brutal but still not conservative. So I need help understanding (other than not scoring) how much did our approach really change in the 2nd and 3rd?

“Going conservative” is what people on this board say when the other team’s defense adjusts and starts slowing App down.

AND, you dont adjust to the adjustments.