Morning After Thoughts

/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09 · Unread post by **/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:53 am

Sooo. Now that I've had time to sleep it off, I wanted to share and encourage others to share their next day thoughts.

1) Last week we faced a team lucky to finish .500 in FCS, this week it was against a team looking likely to win the ACC, and probably reach the 4 team BCS playoff. Two different ends of the spectrum. Let's seen how we look against completion with the same skill set.

2) Defense was amazing. Secondary left some guys wide open, but damnit that defensive line did one hell of a job against the run.

3) Our play calling I felt was conservative, and we looked lost completely on offense. Got to feel for Lamb, because he is young, but those interceptions would have occurred against almost anyone we faced. They were throws into coverage. His youth is a good thing, because he has time to learn from his mistakes.

4) We have a much needed bye week to gear up for the rest of the season.

5) I still see us a favorite to win the Sun Belt

6) We will still give it our all going forward.

7) I will be at ODU, and hope to see you all (Although I wouldn't recognize your faces) there too. A nice away crowd would be nice to help our team get over yesterday's loss.

EVERYDAY IS GREAT, WHEN YOURE A MOUNTAINEER

strongwxnc · Unread post by **strongwxnc** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:05 am

I thought our special team did a great in with punt coverage!

AppSt94 · Unread post by **AppSt94** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:28 am

I agree with you. The defense (especially the front 7)) balled out today. With the rest of our games coming against G5 brethren, I don't know that our defense gives up 41 points the rest of the year. Lamb had a bad day for sure but all three of his INT's were either bad reads or bad decision making. I give him credit for playing through it.

bertolinidives · Unread post by **bertolinidives** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:28 am

Random thoughts in no particular order...
I am sure our guys are smaller but it wasn't super obvious on TV. I was impressed with our defense. They were behind the 8 ball most of the time thanks to the turnovers giving Clempson a short dield, but they fought so hard the entire game. I've played in games like this, albeit a long, long time ago, and it takes all of the courage you have to keep hitting and playing hard; kind of like punching a concrete wall. Your hands are gonna be bloody but once they heal they are stronger. Which brings me to the point of being glad that we sustained no major injuries that I saw.

Nothing we tried offensively worked well except the off tackle runs to the right. I didn't see the first several minutes of the game and when I started watching, it was 3-0, so I assumed Clempson kicked a field goal on its first drive. I thought that was good because there is no way to prepare for the speed of a top 10 program and that first series will catch you off guard.

Most of the game it seemed the O and D and coaching staff weren't confused just frustrated that nothing could get going. The announcers did a good job of keeping things in perspective throughout the game and we're complentary of CSS after the game. Would love to know what CDF was saying to Scott at midfield after thebgame. That had to be the longest post game coaches me ting ever. God, I hope he wasn't offering him a job. The Tulane coaching staff got their asses handed to them by Georgia Tech and they looked totally discombobulated the entire game. Ours maintained an even strain and kept punching away.

It was wierd, but I couldn't turn off the game even though it was heart breaking at times. Our guys played with such character and poise that even though we lost big, I became more and more proud to be part of the Mountaineer family as the game wore on.

It was also a tip of the hat to us that the initial spread of +21 dropped to +17 before the game started. Maybe the large gap in scoring will set the stage for us in the coming games.

So, I guess we're healthy, a bit richer, and better prepared for the rest of the season, trial by fire and all of that. BTW, I am glad the band chose to save their money for a better bowl experience than dumping thousands going to Clempson.

bertolinidives · Unread post by **bertolinidives** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:30 am

AppSt94 wrote:I agree with you. The defense (especially the front 7)) balled out today. With the rest of our games coming against G5 brethren, I don't know that our defense gives up 41 points the rest of the year. Lamb had a bad day for sure but all three of his INT's were either bad reads or bad decision making. I give him credit for playing through it.

Gilchrist and B III played great.

Yosef84 · Unread post by **Yosef84** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:36 am

The second quarter was painful to watch. I felt sorry for Lamb as he was clearly having a bad day. Everyone has them at some point! I was guilty of overestimating our chances against a Clemson D that I thought was over rated, but Clemson's D is genuinely good. They swarmed to the ball, and gaps seemed to close immediately. The good news is that we won't face a D with that kind of talent again this season.

I do think we got a benefit and some very helpful tape out of this game. Here are a few good observations:
1) After a disastrous second quarter, the Apps came back out and played a solid second half! They did not give up and seemed to be learning and adjusting as the game progressed.
2) The Offense struggled, but the Defense played much better than I expected! The Defense is going to be fun to watch!
3) The Offense will continue to progress and will do fine against the rest of our schedule. We were out of sync and Lamb's struggles were largely due to the face that Clemson was blowing up plays right and left. They completely shut down the rushing attack in the first half, so passes were being forced. He's a good QB and a smart kid. He'll learn from this.
4) Out S&C program is definitely paying dividends. Out D was on the field a LOT, but didn't seem to run out of gas.

I was disappointed in the score, but there are plenty of encouraging indicators from yesterday's game. We knew this one was a long shot, but if you take out the easy 14 we handed them, this was a 27-10 game. We made mistakes and it killed us. I'm still very excited about the rest of the season.

GO APPS!

JTApps1 · Unread post by **JTApps1** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:39 am

My positives and negatives after sleeping on it.

Positives- Defense held one of the most explosive offenses in the nation in check for the majority of the game. Even after Clemson landed some big blows late in the 2 qrt when they were dog tired the D kept fighting. Blair, Gilchrist, Fernandez, and Law in particular stood out after half which shows good leadership from our veterans.

Special teams minus the offsides on the FG and Bentley being a little shaky early were much improved. Looking better last week was one thing, but to look better than Clemson is huge. Good job coach Holt! Amazing what he has done in such a short time. We win 9 games last year if he was here.

O-Line. I know some will disagree but I thought they played well until Collins went out early in the 2 qrt. The pass rush wasn't getting to Taylor until Counts went into the game. We really need some depth in that unit. The run game wasnt working, but to me that was a scheme problem more than OL play. Why run wide on one of the fastest D's in the nation over and over!?!?!?

Negatives- Offensive play calling. I know we are a run team, but we need to run straight ahead. More on this in a second. We also kept running quick slants right into the heart of their LB and S who were all crowding the box. Too many big bodies in there to have any space. This was part of the issue with INTs.

H-back position has to get better. Not having a reliable lead blocker for the RB killed us today, and even some last week. We miss Drew Bailey big time. Burns is a good reciever but his blocking isnt there yet. Even last week we had issues running wide due to poor blocking. Where is Collin Reed?

Passing game was poor in all areas. Lamb looked nervous and rattled after the first pick, WR couldn't get off coverage (not surprising against those CB), and play calling seemed too predictable. We missed McGuire's physical presence on the outside badly. A few of our normally solid receivers were just over matched. Meadors showed glimpses of being able to play at that level though.

Overall, we made too many mistakes in a short period of time and it blew up quickly. Clemson is way too good to make that many mistakes against and expect to stay close. We basically gave them their first 17 points, and then they smelled blood and put the dagger in us once the D was tired. This defense will give the Sun Belt fits just like we saw late last year, but the offense has to figure out our run blocking if we want to win the conference. Luckily its early and we have two more games to work on it before conference play begins. We have a chance to be really good if we fix a couple of areas. Thankfully we won't play a team like that again all year.

Sorry for the long post, but sometimes it helps put things into perspective to write it out.

AppSt94 · Unread post by **AppSt94** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:42 am

I'm not sure if Clemson got 3 on their first posession or not , but if you want to add a little perspective to how we played against their high powered offense, Clemson's offense didn't theoretically score a point until midway through the second quarter. The field goal was initially missed but we jumped offsides. Jumped again and then they made it. The Clemson broadcast team admitted on air after the game that App was more physical up front than they expected. There was concern that their running game only averaged 3 ypc.

The Rock · Unread post by **The Rock** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:51 am

As frustrating as the game was to watch at times, I have felt MUCH worse after some of our money games.
Special teams looks great. We were a missed tackle away from returning the opening kick for 6. The next one was a great return too. Our coverage was great on punts too. Only negative was the consecutive off sides that erased 2 missed FGs and put 3 on the board the third try.
Defense looked great in the first quarter. We came up with the interception, we stuffed the run, tackles for losses. We really defended them well overall, but especially in the first quarter. Even though we blew a few assignments in the secondary, I think we will correct it, and won't face a WR group with that much speed and talent the rest of the year.
Offensively nothing worked well. We have prided ourselves on running the ball and planned our offense around that fact. We were completely shut down and couldn't readjust. Our O-line couldn't give Lamb any time, which is where the interceptions came from. I hope what comes from this experience is how to adjust our offensive scheme when/if our run game gets stifled.
Even though the outcome was one sided, I am still encouraged for the upcoming year.

Yosef84 · Unread post by **Yosef84** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:09 am

AppSt94 wrote:I'm not sure if Clemson got 3 on their first posession or not , but if you want to add a little perspective to how we played against their high powered offense, Clemson's offense didn't theoretically score a point until midway through the second quarter. The field goal was initially missed but we jumped offsides. Jumped again and then they made it. The Clemson broadcast team admitted on air after the game that App was more physical up front than they expected. There was concern that their running game only averaged 3 ypc.

I believe we held Clemson on their first two possessions with a little help from penalties.

ASU8 · Unread post by **ASU8** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:53 am

Many great points here.

Just to add, I felt like the use of the pistol today hurt our running game. By moving Cox back to 8 Yds deep in the backfield it seemed to take forever for run plays to develop. There were some creases up front that were quickly closed before our back could get to the line. If we are in our normal spread set I think we may have had a little more success. Also I agree with a previous post that the run game needed to be north south up the gut not our outside stretch play.

Harris showed he was a first year starter as he got beat up pretty good. But Lawson was a beast for CU so I take that with a grain of salt. We should also be running to the right in those crucial situations as Nunn and Gossett have become a force on that side.

Defense played great CU did not score til third possession after we got the int on first one and had a couple tackles for loss and a false start penalty on drive two.

Special teams! Where has that been in 10 years!! Bravo Coach Holt!

Score looks bad, but overall not that bad a game just hope Lamb doesn't beat himself up to bad and has a short memory.

moehler · Unread post by **moehler** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 11:21 am

agree with everything posted here, our defense was great, you could see the frustration on Dabo's face, barring major injuries this is the best defense in the SBC. I said at the beginning of the week the key to this game was our receivers getting off the line of scrimmage, creation some separation and giving Lamb some easy throws, it did not happen, they essentially shut down our passing attack with 3 or 4 guys, when that happen Clemson could rush 7, sometimes 8. Since they had no fear of us beating them over the top, they had 9 sometimes 10 guys within 5 yds of scrimmage, Lamb and the backs really had no chance. Now, I'm not completely blaming the receivers, like you guys I thought the play calling was too predictable, and conservative, we should have tried more passes on first down, and we should have tried to get our TE more involved early in the game, but overall, I see no reason to not believe this team will contend for the SBC title this year, and get our first bowl bid. Almost forgot, for the fans that went to the game, you sounded awesome, I could hear the App State chant loud and clear sitting in my office, and I heard it for almost the entire game, you made the App nation proud yesterday with your support, great job!!!

MAD Doctor · Unread post by **MAD Doctor** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 11:46 am

Good points. The bottom line is we've beaten a worse team and lost to a better one. We are right where we should be. ODU will be a great barometer. Our goals are to win the Belt and secure a bowl. Both very much in play.
Rest up, get ready, go App!

sixtoes9134 · Unread post by **sixtoes9134** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 12:02 pm

That interception when we were driving toward end-zone with a minute in the 1st quarter and down only 3-0 was a killer. I would have kept pounding with Upshaw (I love Upshaw's running ability).

Then in the 2nd quarter, what else to say other than Taylor was forced into making bad decisions. You gotta learn to take the sack or get rid of the ball. We played with them 3 quarters.

Our D and special teams balled out. Film will help with Taylor's decision making over the next two weeks.

As many have stated the offense was vanilla, even though Coach said earlier in the week there would be some wrinkles thrown in. Never saw them, but maybe the confidence wasn't there. Also, what happened to the H-Back lead blocking? Hope that shows back up.

App90 · Unread post by **App90** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 12:02 pm

The GoodThe Bad and the Ugly....from a seat on the home side.....with a Clemson colleague....

The Good....Appalachian's Defense in all reality held its own against a very good Clemson Offense. Held their run game to 3.3 yards a carry. That's stellar. If you were there you saw it. Secondary needs some work but other than that, that was the bright side.

The Bad....Clemson had to go to the passing game to score on ASU, and so Appalachian's young secondary were exposed to one on ones with Clemson's faster and bigger receivers. This would in the end put the game out of reach. Clemson attempted to run the ball on ASU but were much more successful through the air. With that being said ASU did come out of their zone read but Clemson adjusted and went deep on several occasions.

The Ugly.... this is just an estimate so I wont argue if you have a different number, but Clemson scored 28 points off of less than 120 yards of Offense in a matter of a 10 minute span ala Virginia Tech. ASU came unglued with 1 turnover on a drive they would have at least scored a FG, then when they got the ball back Clemson dropped their DT in to coverage and Lamb threw another interception which resulted in a touch down. Overall 4 turnovers against anyone from the ACC would doom most teams in the Sun Belt....

Final thoughts...This is not a time to panic....Yes ASU turned the ball over all over the place, but this is a very good Clemson team that takes advantage of mistakes, and I was extremely impressed with how quick they (Clemson Coaches) adjusted to whatever ASU did. When a ACC team of their caliber is having to adjust their game plan to beat ASU that's huge...Not very many teams come out of Death Valley with a win. Take out the mistakes and the 2nd quarter in all reality this is a 24-10 or 24-7 game....

Seasons bright...Cant wait till Sun Belt teams come to Boone...Does anyone know how McElfresh is doing.

DoubleA · Unread post by **DoubleA** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 12:21 pm

Stating the obvious, passing stats were abysmal due to poor play on part of our QB and receivers. Lamb was forcing things, making rushed decisions, and was clearly rattled after the pick six. I thought a QB substitution was in order after the 3rd interception, at least until the end of the half, to give Lamb a chance to regroup and watch a series or two from the sidelines and give JP a chance to see if he could get something going. No doubt it wasn't all on the QB, as the receivers were struggling mightily, as well.

We ran for over 200 yards on 45 carries, which wasn't bad.

As mentioned, run defense was stout. We held Clempson to 140 yards on 44 carries. So much for the Tigers playing "big boy football" and shoving the ball down our throats.

Our pass defense needs work.

If not for beating ourselves with four turnovers and 12 penalties, we would have competed with Clempson, no problem.

sixtoes9134 · Unread post by **sixtoes9134** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 12:23 pm

DoubleA wrote:Stating the obvious, passing stats were abysmal due to poor play on part of our QB and receivers. Lamb was forcing things, making rushed decisions, and was clearly rattled after the pick six. I thought a QB substitution was in order after the 3rd interception, at least until the end of the half, to give Lamb a chance to regroup and watch a series or two from the sidelines and give JP a chance to see if he could get something going. No doubt it wasn't all on the QB, as the receivers were struggling mightily, as well.

We ran for over 200 yards on 45 carries, which wasn't bad.

As mentioned, run defense was stout. We held Clempson to 140 yards on 44 carries. So much for the Tigers playing "big boy football" and shoving the ball down our throats.

Our pass defense needs work.

If not for beating ourselves with four turnovers and 12 penalties, we would have competed with Clempson, no problem.

Or, we need a 6-5 safety

diehardapp18 · Unread post by **diehardapp18** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 1:27 pm

Taylor Lamb looked bad, and his mechanics looked really bad as well but our offensive line was getting beat pretty bad. I think he will be fine and I'm expecting a big season from him. It seemed like we threw so many really short passes and two were picked off, oh well. Defense was fantastic, we will learn a lot about how good this team can be during the ODU game.

GaSo looked really good last night

HighlandsApp · Unread post by **HighlandsApp** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 2:24 pm

Yosef84 wrote:
AppSt94 wrote:I'm not sure if Clemson got 3 on their first posession or not , but if you want to add a little perspective to how we played against their high powered offense, Clemson's offense didn't theoretically score a point until midway through the second quarter. The field goal was initially missed but we jumped offsides. Jumped again and then they made it. The Clemson broadcast team admitted on air after the game that App was more physical up front than they expected. There was concern that their running game only averaged 3 ypc.
I believe we held Clemson on their first two possessions with a little help from penalties.

we jumped off sides twice moving sticks ten yards for them they had 3 kicks missed first two and then made #3 .

In all we gave them 17 easy points. Defense was great and all the Clemson fans around me were shocked and commenting that we may be one of the top hand full of defenses that they see this year in regular season games.

APPdiesel · Unread post by **APPdiesel** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 11:38 pm

I'm rewatching the game now. First quarter our D line played great but the O line didn't do anyone any favors. Didn't open up many holes, Cox got stuffed or TFL, which put Taylor onto obvious passing situations that were just too predictable by the 2nd quarter.

There was a bad snap over Watson's head with about 5 to go in the 1st Q, We had an OLB, Gilchrist come through untouched until he was held by his belt and Watson was able to fall on it. If he's not held he could've jumped on it and it's 1st and 10 inside the Clemson 20.