I am with you Coach Clark

[AppSt94]

“Excuses” will always exist on message as there will always be those that can’t accept the fact that losses to occur.

[fjblair]

If Shawn stays but we get a new DC things will be very different.

LOL. Exactly.

[Saint3333]

“Excuses” will always exist on message as there will always be those that can’t accept the fact that losses to occur.

You are correct there are always excuses for losses and losers.

I prefer winning and listening to the losers making those. Especially ones that wear purple.

[Bootsy]

“Excuses” will always exist on message as there will always be those that can’t accept the fact that losses to occur.

You are correct there are always excuses for losses and losers.

I prefer winning and listening to the losers making those. Especially ones that wear purple.

Pirates and Pukes wear purple. So it's a double win!

[T-Dog]

I had one donor tell me there was 0% chance Clark would be fired while another told me it was more than 50% chance. Both of whom are people with connections.

[NewApp]

I had one donor tell me there was 0% chance Clark would be fired while another told me it was more than 50% chance. Both of whom are people with connections.

Remember when we had connections who told us we were going to be going into Conf_USA that every week? Glad we didn't, but still.

[ASUFan4863]

I had one donor tell me there was 0% chance Clark would be fired while another told me it was more than 50% chance. Both of whom are people with connections.

I would say it’s 50/50 based on what I’m hearing. While many are jumping for joy, the fact remains that we are a 5-5 football team and have not secured a bowl berth yet. Saturday was the best game we’ve played but how will we follow it up? Will we take another step forward or three steps back?

If we miss a bowl game for the 2nd time in 3 years, he should be fired. Some donors believe that but there are some who don’t.


Clark loyalists are reacting as if they’ve already won but people who have objectively watched this season play out, know to not get over their skis just yet.

[ASUFan4863]

I double checked this and can't believe I am about to type this. IF we win next week, Clark will finish second in sunbelt east....arguably one of if not the best division in G5. It is hard to fire a coach who finished 2nd in the east.

PS we will have the tie breaker over GS and JMU to finish second.

It’s hard to justify firing any coach with a 10 win and two 9 win seasons in 5 years. That’s a tough thing to explain to any potential replacement that you are trying to hire.

Sure but it’s easy to justify when you miss a bowl game 2 out of 3 seasons. Numbers can be distorted however you want them to, but I would personally put more emphasis on the last 3 seasons than the first 2. But that’s just me who is not in a pair of rose colored glasses like you.

[WASU 93]

I believe and support Clarke

What staff changes do we need to see? I think OC with Ponce is fine, our offense has been good when we’re not turning the ball over, a more conservative QB would help with that next year

Defensively we never pass the eye test, but yesterday was another game where the defense came thru despite looking absolutely terrible early on. (it’s happened multiple times this year, just not consistently)

Special teams has been great the last month, 2 blocked punts, Hughes returning from injury was nice but Jackson did solid filling in. Punting has been solid

I don’t understand why many are giving the offense a free pass. We continue to be ineffective on our first two possessions, every game. (We now have 10 points on the combined first two possessions of the first half of our FBS games. We had 1 first down in three 1Q possessions, netting 16 yards)

To carry it further, our first two offensive possessions of the 2nd half:

Clemson: TD, Punt
ECU: Punt, Punt
USA: Turnover on Downs, Punt
Marshall: Punt, INT
Lou: Field Goal, Fumble
GaSt: Punt, TD
ODU: Int, TD
CCU: Punt, INT
JMU: Turnover on Downs, Punt

So, 18 possessions coming out of the locker room after HT—-3 TD’s, 1FG, 8 punts, 2 Turnover on Downs, 3 INT’s, 1 Fumble


That’s 34 points on 38 opening possessions.

Sloan’s Defense is improving. The secondary/coverage is much better and we only gave up two plays over 20
Yards yesterday (the jump pass and one deep pass). The offense Rarely comes out of the gate in either half and puts our defense in short field situations.

Glad for the win, but it’s time for a new offensive scheme.

[AppSt94]

I double checked this and can't believe I am about to type this. IF we win next week, Clark will finish second in sunbelt east....arguably one of if not the best division in G5. It is hard to fire a coach who finished 2nd in the east.

PS we will have the tie breaker over GS and JMU to finish second.

It’s hard to justify firing any coach with a 10 win and two 9 win seasons in 5 years. That’s a tough thing to explain to any potential replacement that you are trying to hire.

Sure but it’s easy to justify when you miss a bowl game 2 out of 3 seasons. Numbers can be distorted however you want them to, but I would personally put more emphasis on the last 3 seasons than the first 2. But that’s just me who is not in a pair of rose colored glasses like you.

It really isn’t when you are asking someone to move their family and the families of their coaching staff to Boone.

[Saint3333]

Show me one coordinator or above that hasn’t moved at least twice for their occupation.

When you sign up for certain jobs mobility is a prerequisite.

Results based business. Two of those hard to digest facts.

[WASU 93]

I believe and support Clarke

What staff changes do we need to see? I think OC with Ponce is fine, our offense has been good when we’re not turning the ball over, a more conservative QB would help with that next year

Defensively we never pass the eye test, but yesterday was another game where the defense came thru despite looking absolutely terrible early on. (it’s happened multiple times this year, just not consistently)

Special teams has been great the last month, 2 blocked punts, Hughes returning from injury was nice but Jackson did solid filling in. Punting has been solid

I don’t understand why many are giving the offense a free pass. We continue to be ineffective on our first two possessions, every game. (We now have 10 points on the combined first two possessions of the first half of our FBS games. We had 1 first down in three 1Q possessions, netting 16 yards)

To carry it further, our first two offensive possessions of the 2nd half:

Clemson: TD, Punt
ECU: Punt, Punt
USA: Turnover on Downs, Punt
Marshall: Punt, INT
Lou: Field Goal, Fumble
GaSt: Punt, TD
ODU: Int, TD
CCU: Punt, INT
JMU: Turnover on Downs, Punt

So, 18 possessions coming out of the locker room after HT—-3 TD’s, 1FG, 8 punts, 2 Turnover on Downs, 3 INT’s, 1 Fumble


That’s 34 points on 36 opening possessions.

Sloan’s Defense is improving. The secondary/coverage is much better and we only gave up two plays over 20
Yards yesterday (the jump pass and one deep pass). The offense Rarely comes out of the gate in either half and puts our defense in short field situations.

Glad for the win, but it’s time for a new offensive scheme.

[AppSt94]

I believe and support Clarke

What staff changes do we need to see? I think OC with Ponce is fine, our offense has been good when we’re not turning the ball over, a more conservative QB would help with that next year

Defensively we never pass the eye test, but yesterday was another game where the defense came thru despite looking absolutely terrible early on. (it’s happened multiple times this year, just not consistently)

Special teams has been great the last month, 2 blocked punts, Hughes returning from injury was nice but Jackson did solid filling in. Punting has been solid

I don’t understand why many are giving the offense a free pass. We continue to be ineffective on our first two possessions, every game. (We now have 10 points on the combined first two possessions of the first half of our FBS games. We had 1 first down in three 1Q possessions, netting 16 yards)

To carry it further, our first two offensive possessions of the 2nd half:

Clemson: TD, Punt
ECU: Punt, Punt
USA: Turnover on Downs, Punt
Marshall: Punt, INT
Lou: Field Goal, Fumble
GaSt: Punt, TD
ODU: Int, TD
CCU: Punt, INT
JMU: Turnover on Downs, Punt

So, 18 possessions coming out of the locker room after HT—-3 TD’s, 1FG, 8 punts, 2 Turnover on Downs, 3 INT’s, 1 Fumble


That’s 34 points on 38 opening possessions.

Sloan’s Defense is improving. The secondary/coverage is much better and we only gave up two plays over 20
Yards yesterday (the jump pass and one deep pass). The offense Rarely comes out of the gate in either half and puts our defense in short field situations.

Glad for the win, but it’s time for a new offensive scheme.

I have been thinking about the offensive scheme question since yesterday. Is it the scheme, execution of said scheme or is it the playcaller of the scheme?

[WASU 93]

I believe and support Clarke

What staff changes do we need to see? I think OC with Ponce is fine, our offense has been good when we’re not turning the ball over, a more conservative QB would help with that next year

Defensively we never pass the eye test, but yesterday was another game where the defense came thru despite looking absolutely terrible early on. (it’s happened multiple times this year, just not consistently)

Special teams has been great the last month, 2 blocked punts, Hughes returning from injury was nice but Jackson did solid filling in. Punting has been solid

I don’t understand why many are giving the offense a free pass. We continue to be ineffective on our first two possessions, every game. (We now have 10 points on the combined first two possessions of the first half of our FBS games. We had 1 first down in three 1Q possessions, netting 16 yards)

To carry it further, our first two offensive possessions of the 2nd half:

Clemson: TD, Punt
ECU: Punt, Punt
USA: Turnover on Downs, Punt
Marshall: Punt, INT
Lou: Field Goal, Fumble
GaSt: Punt, TD
ODU: Int, TD
CCU: Punt, INT
JMU: Turnover on Downs, Punt

So, 18 possessions coming out of the locker room after HT—-3 TD’s, 1FG, 8 punts, 2 Turnover on Downs, 3 INT’s, 1 Fumble


That’s 34 points on 38 opening possessions.

Sloan’s Defense is improving. The secondary/coverage is much better and we only gave up two plays over 20
Yards yesterday (the jump pass and one deep pass). The offense Rarely comes out of the gate in either half and puts our defense in short field situations.

Glad for the win, but it’s time for a new offensive scheme.

I have been thinking about the offensive scheme question since yesterday. Is it the scheme, execution of said scheme or is it the playcaller of the scheme?

The scheme/play calling is often predictable.

At the same time, parts of the playbook disappear entirely. Against Coastal we didn’t target tight ends. Yesterday, no passes to backs and Joey didn’t keep the ball, when there were running opportunities.

Jackson had a big gain on a jet sweep earlier this year. But, we haven’t tried it since, to my knowledge. We ran a little two back in early games, then abandoned that. The intermediate passing game also seems to disappear for long stretches.

And then, you have plays of beauty like JMU’s jump pass for an easy TD. We don’t seem to be able to ever have an easy offensive score.

[bcoach]

If Shawn stays but we get a new DC things will be very different.

But but but we’ve gotta give the new DC time to get his guys. The excuses will never end.

A new DC and there will be no need for excuses. I maintain we don't have the horses but this guy just does not know what to do with what we have.

[AppSt94]

I believe and support Clarke

What staff changes do we need to see? I think OC with Ponce is fine, our offense has been good when we’re not turning the ball over, a more conservative QB would help with that next year

Defensively we never pass the eye test, but yesterday was another game where the defense came thru despite looking absolutely terrible early on. (it’s happened multiple times this year, just not consistently)

Special teams has been great the last month, 2 blocked punts, Hughes returning from injury was nice but Jackson did solid filling in. Punting has been solid

I don’t understand why many are giving the offense a free pass. We continue to be ineffective on our first two possessions, every game. (We now have 10 points on the combined first two possessions of the first half of our FBS games. We had 1 first down in three 1Q possessions, netting 16 yards)

To carry it further, our first two offensive possessions of the 2nd half:

Clemson: TD, Punt
ECU: Punt, Punt
USA: Turnover on Downs, Punt
Marshall: Punt, INT
Lou: Field Goal, Fumble
GaSt: Punt, TD
ODU: Int, TD
CCU: Punt, INT
JMU: Turnover on Downs, Punt

So, 18 possessions coming out of the locker room after HT—-3 TD’s, 1FG, 8 punts, 2 Turnover on Downs, 3 INT’s, 1 Fumble


That’s 34 points on 38 opening possessions.

Sloan’s Defense is improving. The secondary/coverage is much better and we only gave up two plays over 20
Yards yesterday (the jump pass and one deep pass). The offense Rarely comes out of the gate in either half and puts our defense in short field situations.

Glad for the win, but it’s time for a new offensive scheme.

I have been thinking about the offensive scheme question since yesterday. Is it the scheme, execution of said scheme or is it the playcaller of the scheme?

The scheme/play calling is often predictable.

At the same time, parts of the playbook disappear entirely. Against Coastal we didn’t target tight ends. Yesterday, no passes to backs and Joey didn’t keep the ball, when there were running opportunities.

Jackson had a big gain on a jet sweep earlier this year. But, we haven’t tried it since, to my knowledge. We ran a little two back in early games, then abandoned that. The intermediate passing game also seems to disappear for long stretches.

And then, you have plays of beauty like JMU’s jump pass for an easy TD. We don’t seem to be able to ever have an easy offensive score.

All fair points. So is Frank’s play calling the issue? I think some of the predictability piece could be due to the fact that we have grown accustomed to seeing it each and every week that it looks boring. It’s the same scheme that was used when we won so does it work with the right play caller or is it old? Keeping in mind that Ponce has only ever called plays here. He just may not be very good at it.

I am intrigued by your last comment. What would be considered an “easy offensive score?”

[BallantyneApp]

If Shawn stays but we get a new DC things will be very different.

But but but we’ve gotta give the new DC time to get his guys. The excuses will never end.

A new DC and there will be no need for excuses. I maintain we don't have the horses but this guy just does not know what to do with what we have.

If we get a new DC and nothing changes there will be a new batch of excuses

[BambooRdApp]

Give credit to JMU on the play to the TE, that was perfectly played. He was wide open.

It is easy for couch potato fans like myself and others to have issues with play calling as we do not live and breath the gameplan daily with the team.
To the point above, we are running the same schemes, plays etc. for the most part. Our opponents know this as well. For some it may not have been, however, the best play of the day for me was the TD to Wilson. 4 fake handoff to 3 and 4 still had two additional options...keep and run if 87 was covered or throw to him....and he did as 87 was wide open. Whether we actually do it or not, I am a huge RPO philosophy guy even on designated runs. It keeps the crashing DL, LB or safety honest for a spilt second or he guesses wrong (or right sometimes ) which is all a RB needs.


With that said, great attempts to use TE last weekend...just some did not work out execution wise.

The couch potato is returning to the couch..

[AppDawg]

I believe and support Clarke

What staff changes do we need to see? I think OC with Ponce is fine, our offense has been good when we’re not turning the ball over, a more conservative QB would help with that next year

Defensively we never pass the eye test, but yesterday was another game where the defense came thru despite looking absolutely terrible early on. (it’s happened multiple times this year, just not consistently)

Special teams has been great the last month, 2 blocked punts, Hughes returning from injury was nice but Jackson did solid filling in. Punting has been solid

I don’t understand why many are giving the offense a free pass. We continue to be ineffective on our first two possessions, every game. (We now have 10 points on the combined first two possessions of the first half of our FBS games. We had 1 first down in three 1Q possessions, netting 16 yards)

To carry it further, our first two offensive possessions of the 2nd half:

Clemson: TD, Punt
ECU: Punt, Punt
USA: Turnover on Downs, Punt
Marshall: Punt, INT
Lou: Field Goal, Fumble
GaSt: Punt, TD
ODU: Int, TD
CCU: Punt, INT
JMU: Turnover on Downs, Punt

So, 18 possessions coming out of the locker room after HT—-3 TD’s, 1FG, 8 punts, 2 Turnover on Downs, 3 INT’s, 1 Fumble


That’s 34 points on 38 opening possessions.

Sloan’s Defense is improving. The secondary/coverage is much better and we only gave up two plays over 20
Yards yesterday (the jump pass and one deep pass). The offense Rarely comes out of the gate in either half and puts our defense in short field situations.

Glad for the win, but it’s time for a new offensive scheme.

I have been thinking about the offensive scheme question since yesterday. Is it the scheme, execution of said scheme or is it the playcaller of the scheme?

The scheme/play calling is often predictable.

At the same time, parts of the playbook disappear entirely. Against Coastal we didn’t target tight ends. Yesterday, no passes to backs and Joey didn’t keep the ball, when there were running opportunities.

Jackson had a big gain on a jet sweep earlier this year. But, we haven’t tried it since, to my knowledge. We ran a little two back in early games, then abandoned that. The intermediate passing game also seems to disappear for long stretches.

And then, you have plays of beauty like JMU’s jump pass for an easy TD. We don’t seem to be able to ever have an easy offensive score.

All fair points. So is Frank’s play calling the issue? I think some of the predictability piece could be due to the fact that we have grown accustomed to seeing it each and every week that it looks boring. It’s the same scheme that was used when we won so does it work with the right play caller or is it old? Keeping in mind that Ponce has only ever called plays here. He just may not be very good at it.

I am intrigued by your last comment. What would be considered an “easy offensive score?”

I recall similar inconsistencies his first stint here and a glad he got the opportunity at Miami.

From Saturday’s game, I think the series that tells the tale is when the D handed the offense the ball on the 30. We were up 11 at that time. The goal of that “drive” was play for a FG. 3 consecutive runs up the middle for maybe 2 yards, then FG. We freaking played for a FG. D hands us a golden opportunity and we settle. Go for the TD. At least 1 shot to the endzone… keep the foot on the gas.

I’ll also say, There is a reason Satt passed on him twice as OC.

[WASU 93]

(Answering ‘94)

Their jump pass was easy. Both of Malik Williams TD passes in the 2019 New Orleans Bowl were easy, a naked bootleg when the defense bites on the rb sweep is easy.

It’s where you set up an easy score, by getting the defense to sell out on the initial fake.


Saturday our defense was pretty dialed in after the obligatory 1st drive score. The only time JMU inflicted major damage was with the jump pass, when we sold out to stop the short yardage play.

Back to the play calling. We are predictable wirh few wrinkles. And the wrinkles I mentioned above, we abandon. As far as predictability, if it is 3rd and 8 to 3rd and 12 and we are in 4 down territory, we almost always run the ball on 3rd down to set up 4th and manageable. As long as we pick up 4-5 yards, it works. But, it is predictable and defenses could

As far as scheme, in addition to jet sweeps and running misdirection, Satt used to attack one side of a zone defense by having receivers flood the zone ar different levels. The secondary had to pick who to cover and the QB found the open receiver.
And, the QB needs to run 5-10 times a game to make our running game more effective.

Just my armchair viewpoint.