Was it that “Ah Ha” moment?

[Oldlknapp]

Perhaps some of you can help me remember….
There was a time when Satt and the team were having some tough times. (Critics may have been calling for his firing). Then about half way through a game they had a “Ah Ha” moment, and turned everything around. For years.

I’m holding my breath hoping we’ve had that moment!

[appst89]

Perhaps some of you can help me remember….
There was a time when Satt and the team were having some tough times. (Critics may have been calling for his firing). Then about half way through a game they had a “Ah Ha” moment, and turned everything around. For years.

I’m holding my breath hoping we’ve had that moment!

If memory serves, it was at Troy where that season turned around. I'd like for last night to be that moment for this team.

[t4pizza]

I am optimistic that the first rushing TD by Cam last night was that moment. After that play, the team seemed to have more energy, played lose, and seem to enjoy themselves. In other words, it looked like an App State Football team on the field and on the sidelines. That may have been the play that saved the season. I felt that this game would be a determining factor in how our seasoned progressed. I now feel comfortable that our coaches and players have faced their adversity and come out the other side in better shape to face the remaining schedule. I really feel we run the table and play for a conference title (as long as ODU loses at least 1 more conference game).

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I thought it was when we started taking the redshirts off some guys.

[AtlAppMan]

I hope it was but once bitten twice shy, so NO it was not for me. History will have to confirm it for me. We dominated the game for 3 qtrs and intentionally ran it down their throats during that same time. They played like I know they can based on samples from earlier in the season. The test will be can they do it for the remainder of the season.

Also, why do we seem to always get to these points in the season? Why can't our teams just take care of business from start to finish rather than always having to get to a "come to Jesus" moment before they decide to step up?

That all being said, I really HOPE last night was that point. I do believe this team CAN sweep the rest of the season.

[AppAlum1]

Well, I think there was an "ah - ha!" moment in this game. But, unlike all others it was subtle (sort of) and indirect.

It has to do with App's O-Line. I want to go back tonight and re-watch what I saw in person. But, live time, it looked to me like for the first qtr and a half, App's O-line was just going through the motions and blocking whoever was in front of them, to no real purpose. And then, something clicked. This "click" occurred after 5 straight punts and it was right about in the middle of the 2nd qtr. I did not notice anything different myself (except for the positive result), but on the post-game commentary on 97.3, they were talking about the move to put Helms at center. I am not sure when this move occurred. But, I did notice that from the middle of the 2nd qtr. on, Apps' running game got going.

We were daring them to stop us. Without hiding or feinting, except for the occasional moving tight end, we ran the ball at will mostly between the tackles. And, I understand that at halftime, Coach Clark told a reporter that we were not going to throw the ball any more. OK DOKIE!!

So, App is back to playing smash mouth football.

Nothing fancy. Just stop us if you can. I saw some of that at Texas A&M. That will ONLY work with a seriously good O-LINE. THAT, I think, was App's AH-HA moment.

FWIW, I approve. Carry on.

[BeauFoster]

And, I understand that at halftime, Coach Clark told a reporter that we were not going to throw the ball any more.

Yes, Clark told the sideline reporter from ESPN at halftime the we were don’t throwing it and were going to run it straight at them. And that’s what we did.

[WataugaMan]

Well, I think there was an "ah - ha!" moment in this game. But, unlike all others it was subtle (sort of) and indirect.

It has to do with App's O-Line. I want to go back tonight and re-watch what I saw in person. But, live time, it looked to me like for the first qtr and a half, App's O-line was just going through the motions and blocking whoever was in front of them, to no real purpose. And then, something clicked.

That something was Cam's first TD. It was 4th down and he was stopped a yard or two behind the line. He then took it upon himself busted through the defensive wall and ran over everyone plus their brother and scored. He was not going to be denied, I do believe he was pissed! At that point, the spark had been lit and there was no turning back.

[BambooRdApp]

I thought Helms played center from the start of the game. I this was one of the hard decisions coach made during 10 days off. It may have just taken some time to get in groove of the new setup. I may be wrong but thought this was the case.

[appgrad95&97]

And, I understand that at halftime, Coach Clark told a reporter that we were not going to throw the ball any more.

Yes, Clark told the sideline reporter from ESPN at halftime the we were don’t throwing it and were going to run it straight at them. And that’s what we did.

Does anyone have any idea why we can run the ball like we did last night and against A&M but not JMU or Texas St.?

[t4pizza]

And, I understand that at halftime, Coach Clark told a reporter that we were not going to throw the ball any more.

Yes, Clark told the sideline reporter from ESPN at halftime the we were don’t throwing it and were going to run it straight at them. And that’s what we did.

Does anyone have any idea why we can run the ball like we did last night and against A&M but not JMU or Texas St.?

Because Cam only had 4 carries in the first half against JMU (injury) and didn't play against Texas State. Look back on the losses we have had over the years and it becomes scary to see how often we lose when Cam doesn't play or only plays a little because of injury. He really is the spark to our offense, regardless of how good our other backs are (and they are really good).

[app97]

I thought Helms played center from the start of the game. I this was one of the hard decisions coach made during 10 days off. It may have just taken some time to get in groove of the new setup. I may be wrong but thought this was the case.

He did. Everett didn’t play until very late with the game well in hand. Also, Bucky Williams started at right guard and seemed to play like the bull we like to refer to.

I didn’t notice many other lineup changes that someone on here referred to pre-game, although I did not see Ethan Johnson play last night…maybe an injury? Hope Cobb, Robinson, etc come back soon.

[AppFan11]

Yes, all the above. Moving Everett out of center and putting Helms at center and putting Williams at right guard... these are probably our best O-linemen... that is no slight to Troy Everett. These are our most experienced o-line. And they played like it. I think if you give S. Clark grief for not making changes, now you have to give him props. The big question is can you rinse and repeat? We will still need to throw the ball effectively to get where we want to be. Also, congrats to the entire D for shutting GAST down for three quarters.

[AppStateNews]

I thought Helms played center from the start of the game. I this was one of the hard decisions coach made during 10 days off. It may have just taken some time to get in groove of the new setup. I may be wrong but thought this was the case.

He did. Everett didn’t play until very late with the game well in hand. Also, Bucky Williams started at right guard and seemed to play like the bull we like to refer to.

I didn’t notice many other lineup changes that someone on here referred to pre-game, although I did not see Ethan Johnson play last night…maybe an injury? Hope Cobb, Robinson, etc come back soon.

We had 60% of the offensive line playing new positions/starting. This was done not as a slight to Troy's talent, but the need to get the right pre snap calls and get a leader on the field in that position group with Daley.

Also had the safety's playing more in the box with only one high. But, I think that was more due to Ga St scheme than anything. That is the look we would have played with against Tx State as well but Ethan got hurt.

[Stonewall]

We had a much more physical presence , age and just physical maturity being a factor.

[ericsaid]

I hope it was but once bitten twice shy, so NO it was not for me. History will have to confirm it for me. We dominated the game for 3 qtrs and intentionally ran it down their throats during that same time. They played like I know they can based on samples from earlier in the season. The test will be can they do it for the remainder of the season.

Also, why do we seem to always get to these points in the season? Why can't our teams just take care of business from start to finish rather than always having to get to a "come to Jesus" moment before they decide to step up?

That all being said, I really HOPE last night was that point. I do believe this team CAN sweep the rest of the season.

Cam had 4 carries against JMU and Nate had maybe 5. That was the difference in that game, along with a BS kick catch interference call that took away almost certainly 3 points at the least and handed JMU the opportunity for 7, 10 points swing. Regardless of that, App couldn't run the ball and were missing their best running backs.

I believe the issue at Texas State was what App dealt with in the 1st quarter against GSU. Barbay saw man coverage and wanted to test the defense with go routes as opposed to just running the damn ball. Clark finally told him just to run the ball, he did, and we saw the result.

Back to basics.

[WASU 93]

I thought Helms played center from the start of the game. I this was one of the hard decisions coach made during 10 days off. It may have just taken some time to get in groove of the new setup. I may be wrong but thought this was the case.

He did. Everett didn’t play until very late with the game well in hand. Also, Bucky Williams started at right guard and seemed to play like the bull we like to refer to.

I didn’t notice many other lineup changes that someone on here referred to pre-game, although I did not see Ethan Johnson play last night…maybe an injury? Hope Cobb, Robinson, etc come back soon.

We had 60% of the offensive line playing new positions/starting. This was done not as a slight to Troy's talent, but the need to get the right pre snap calls and get a leader on the field in that position group with Daley.

Also had the safety's playing more in the box with only one high. But, I think that was more due to Ga St scheme than anything. That is the look we would have played with against Tx State as well but Ethan got hurt.

There was a "got it" moment in the secondary as well. We were really struggling with communication early in the game and seemed to figure it out as the game progressed.

[fjblair]

It seems that this team may finally have found their identity.

[BeauFoster]

It seems that this team may finally have found their identity.

It’s the 2 astronauts meme-

“So we’re a power running team”

“Always have been”

[AppSt94]

And, I understand that at halftime, Coach Clark told a reporter that we were not going to throw the ball any more.

Yes, Clark told the sideline reporter from ESPN at halftime the we were don’t throwing it and were going to run it straight at them. And that’s what we did.

Does anyone have any idea why we can run the ball like we did last night and against A&M but not JMU or Texas St.?

AppStateNews is probably better suited to answer the nuances of this, but in simple terms, the line HAS to work as one. It stopped working for some reason. My guess is that after the first two weeks, there was enough tape out for teams to identify and expose the weak link. (Weak doesn’t insinuate bad)

We made some effective adjustments with the defensive secondary this week. While good, it gives Coastal tape to look at and figure it out. Football is a season long chess match.

Edit: He answered above. I didn’t read the thread prior to responding.