The Good, The Bad and the Ugly- Marshall

[t4pizza]

App State limped home nursing a 4 game losing streak after suffering the worst conference loss since joining the FBS in 2014. Many were curious what team we would see show up to play Marshall, would it be one just mailing it in the final two games of the season or would we see our Mountaineers that don't quit and give their all for Appalachian State. On Saturday, the latter showed up and beat Marshall 26-24 to keep slim hopes alive for a bowl game.

The Good- To me the best part of the game was that our guys came out ready to play and gave effort for the entire game. I have already given DLo and staff credit for this and will do so again here, the players clearly buy in and believe in their coach, so I will too (despite my past week of calling for his head). I was pleasantly surprised to see how we played and I am excited for next week.

RB Lewis- In a breakout game where we featured him as the go to back, Lewis ran for 175 yards on 33 carries with 2 touchdowns. This true freshman has played well all season, but this game showed what he can be and what he can do. The future is bright, just hope we can keep him in Boone.

Defense- Came up the biggest when we needed it most. Down 1 late in the 4th with Marshall driving, trying to add some points and salt the game away, the D forced a fumble and got the recovery. This lead to a game winning FG. The next series with Marshall desperately trying to get within FG range, the D again forced another fumble and recovered it. 3 turnovers on the day gave App State a chance for victory.

Special teams- Dom continues to be very good with 2 FGs, including the game winner, and 2 extra points. In addition, it was Ratliff's excellent 70 punt that pinned Marshall to the 3 yard line that set everything up. Although Marshall was able to move the ball, by the time we forced the first fumble, we recovered in plus territory and only needed a little more distance for the game winning FG. But Ratliff's punt set it all up. In addition all coverage units did a good job. I blame the staff for the bone head 2 point conversion attempt so I won't put that on the players.

For what seems like the first time all season, the other team had more penalty yards and turnovers. This was a positive and hopefully the direction we are headed into our final game next weekend in Boone.

The Bad- some questionable play calling. 4th and 1 early in the game and we come out in an empty backfield set. Seeing this, Marshall pins their ears backs and pressures Kohl into an intentional grounding. The short field set up their first TD and seemed to awaken their offense which to that point had been lackluster. A very odd 2 point conversion attempt that saw a our non-playmakers trying to make a play. I don't like chasing points early in a game, I think it hurst more than it helps, but if you are going to chase them then why not use your studs. It has been pointed out how well Lewis was running the ball, why get cute with some strange lineup when you could just let him have the ball? There were others, but we got the win.

The Ugly- I will call myself out for this one. After last week's game against JMU, I had seen enough. I called for our coaches' head in numerous threads and lost my belief in this team and staff. While I am still not sold, I do realize that I jumped the gun and let my emotions get the best of me. Those conversations are best for the off season. I should have let the entire season play out before judging the product. My conduct the past week was ugly and fueled by frustration and disappointment when I should have tried to be more positive and believe in the process.

Thankfully, I didn't see anything ugly from our team.

[BambooRdApp]

Good - Trig Lewis
Bad - in-game production. Crowd was loud despite this futility
Ugly-questionable in-game play calls by our OC at critical moments.. 2-pt conversion... 3rd and 1 rollout with our QB with both 22 and 7 in the backfield.. and a pass on 3rd down to WR that had to go out of bounds.. have Marsha use of 2 minute YO to

[Pikapp79]

With this team every win is just, good.

[Saint3333]

Pizza thanks for doing these each week without fail, appreciate the thoughtful writeups.

[AppGrad78]

I’m betting every offensive coordinator lets a screwy idea float into their heads every now and then. It’s a hectic job full of split-second decisions. But when a nutty notion percolates, it’s important for the other coaches to tamp it down. As much as I blame Loggains for even thinking a two-point try was a good idea in that situation, I blame his assistants for not talking him out of it.

[MrCraig]

Good- Lewis and the o-line blocking well for him.
Bad- I'm going to get way too invested in next week's game because I want App to be bowl eligible so bad. App has failed to meet every other goal set for a normal season, please make a bowl.
Ugly- already said, but some of those play calls. I think it would be better for everyone involved if an OC is hired in the off-season.

[AppWyo]

Good- Lewis and the o-line blocking well for him.
Bad- I'm going to get way too invested in next week's game because I want App to be bowl eligible so bad. App has failed to meet every other goal set for a normal season, please make a bowl.
Ugly- already said, but some of those play calls. I think it would be better for everyone involved if an OC is hired in the off-season.

Who do you have in mind? What kind of offense?

[mountaineerman]

Good - Trig Lewis
Bad - in-game production. Crowd was loud despite this futility
Ugly-questionable in-game play calls by our OC at critical moments.. 2-pt conversion... 3rd and 1 rollout with our QB with both 22 and 7 in the backfield.. and a pass on 3rd down to WR that had to go out of bounds.. have Marsha use of 2 minute YO to

I’m convinced Lewis might be the better back!

[mountaineerman]

Good - Trig Lewis
Bad - in-game production. Crowd was loud despite this futility
Ugly-questionable in-game play calls by our OC at critical moments.. 2-pt conversion... 3rd and 1 rollout with our QB with both 22 and 7 in the backfield.. and a pass on 3rd down to WR that had to go out of bounds.. have Marsha use of 2 minute YO to

I’m convinced Lewis might be the better back!

[ASUFan4863]

While there are benefits to having an OC, there are also disadvantages. The largest being financial. Can the AD provide another $500k to hire an OC plus other salary bumps? Along with extra investments in NIL?

[MrCraig]

Good- Lewis and the o-line blocking well for him.
Bad- I'm going to get way too invested in next week's game because I want App to be bowl eligible so bad. App has failed to meet every other goal set for a normal season, please make a bowl.
Ugly- already said, but some of those play calls. I think it would be better for everyone involved if an OC is hired in the off-season.

Who do you have in mind? What kind of offense?

No idea. I just think calling plays on top of everything else a coach has to do during a game is a lot. That’s why so few of the top coaches do it.

[Bootsy]

While there are benefits to having an OC, there are also disadvantages. The largest being financial. Can the AD provide another $500k to hire an OC plus other salary bumps? Along with extra investments in NIL?

Fair point. As much as having a dedicated OC would help, raising the needed funding would require the application of initiative and creativity.

Both of these are anathema to the current athletics leadership and BOT, so I’m removing “hire an OC” from my Christmas wish list.

[WASU 93]

Good: Getting a W over a rival. Lewis with a great performance. The Defense making plays. The D-Line was in the backfield all game--Two Sacks, 5 TFL's and constant pressure on the passer. A chance to host one of two "battles for bowl eligibility"--(GaSo at Marshall in the other battle of 5 win teams) DJ Smith calling up blitzes early and not playing base on the first possession.
FORCING A PUNT on the first possession, (and again on the second, then getting an INT)

Bad: We are only 2-5 in a weak Sun Belt. Six for 17 on third down conversions/constant patterns run short of the sticks. Running the QB on 4th down with two backs in the backfield. After Dubinion went down on the first play from scrimmage, Lewis had a monster workload with 38 touches. Our third string back never made it on the field/we need a little balance. Once again, the other team was far more creative in play design and had the benefit of a dual-threat QB.

The Ugly: Everything associated with having a first time Head Coach also calling plays. Going for two at the wrong time, then not going for it.
SIX three and outs and one four and out in 12 possessions.
Clock management on the final drive. When we made a first and goal with 3:27 left, we snapped the ball with 15 and 8 seconds left on the play clock. Had we run 20 more seconds off the clock, the two minute warning would have occurred prior to third down. Marshall would have either had to burn timeouts or had less time to work with/Kohl wouldn't have had to take a hit to end the game.
The laundry rooms in the dorms, post game.

[WASU 93]

While there are benefits to having an OC, there are also disadvantages. The largest being financial. Can the AD provide another $500k to hire an OC plus other salary bumps? Along with extra investments in NIL?

Fair point. As much as having a dedicated OC would help, raising the needed funding would require the application of initiative and creativity.

Both of these are anathema to the current athletics leadership and BOT, so I’m removing “hire an OC” from my Christmas wish list.

Not necessarily. You promote/replace a position coach with an OC, don't make any salary bumps (the business didn't turn a w/l profit) and maybe cut an analyst or some other staff member. An OC is an absolute must, if we are going to compete for the Belt. DLo needs to focus on overall game management, work the refs, coach up players, etc.