Coach Drink--Second Half Clock Management

[WASU 93]

While we could have kept our foot on the accelerator, Coach Drink aced his first test in clock management yesterday:

First, with a gassed defense, riddled by cramping issues, we took possession with 1:19 remaining in the 3rd Quarter. We ran two running plays, and allowed the clock to run out for the quarter break. Although ZT was sacked on the next play and we went three and out, the extended break allowed our defense to force a punt on the next possession.

Then, on our next possession, we took over with 10:16 remaining in the game. We ran 7 running plays and took another 4:44 off the clock.

On our final possession, we took over with 3:01 left, picked up a key first down, made the Heels use all three of their timeouts and took the clock down to 0:30 after the punt.

After the 43 yard bomb to Malik Williams that set up the deciding touchdown, we DID NOT attempt a single pass over the final 20 minutes of the game.

AND UNC was the only ACC name to LOSE an out of conference game yesterday!

[appstatealum]

Yep. His management of that second half was masterful

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

The slide that Zac did for the last First Down was good heads-up playing by staying in bounds. Sometimes it is the little things that are really the big things.

[T-Dog]

Our defense was gassed by UNC's 13-play, 98-yard drive in the third quarter. I was concerned when we threw it deep twice in a row on the very next drive that they wouldn't have enough time and it showed on the next defensive drive, but they got some of their wind back afterward.

[AppAlum1]

The slide that Zac did for the last First Down was good heads-up playing by staying in bounds. Sometimes it is the little things that are really the big things.

Well, not only Zac's slide, but the call itself was pure genius. We had just run two plays straight ahead, and had not called a QB run the entire game, as I recall. And, the tight end sealed the DE up with a big time block. Clearly UNC was focused on another run up the middle.

[RunawayJM]

Yup. The second half was as close to perfect coaching as you get in college football.

[hapapp]

The slide that Zac did for the last First Down was good heads-up playing by staying in bounds. Sometimes it is the little things that are really the big things.

Well, not only Zac's slide, but the call itself was pure genius. We had just run two plays straight ahead, and had not called a QB run the entire game, as I recall. And, the tight end sealed the DE up with a big time block. Clearly UNC was focused on another run up the middle.

Drink in the post game that he should have called it again.

[AppFan11]

Yes he should have called it again..... do it till they stop it. I was yelling it at the tv. I was glad to hear him say he should have called it.

[Stonewall]

We were worn down especially upfront , of course we are down three or four guys I thought would be playing a lot. Nose tackle worries me. We may be down to one. Hopefully Scott is ok for Saturday.

[AppRolls]

Yes he should have called it again..... do it till they stop it. I was yelling it at the tv. I was glad to hear him say he should have called it.

I thought Zac had a couple of other opportunities to take off on busted plays but he took a couple of sacks because I think he was trying to follow Drink’s coaching to stay in the pocket.

That said, Zac played great. If he’s the starter for 3 full years like we all expect him to be - he’s not even half way through. More great things to come.

[ASU2012]

Agreed. There was a pocket of App fans behind me in section 100 questioning what we were doing on that final drive. I thought Drink called a masterclass. You absolutely have to keep the ball on the ground then trust your defense there. Loved every call (except maybe the delayed hand off on 2nd down)

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

A dropped pass would have saved enough time for one more play for UNC-CH and potentially a closer FG with a higher kick and more likely successful kick. Gotta burn the clock as he did. Going for the almost sure play of a run is not being conservative but playing smart.

[AppStFan1]

While we could have kept our foot on the accelerator, Coach Drink aced his first test in clock management yesterday:

First, with a gassed defense, riddled by cramping issues, we took possession with 1:19 remaining in the 3rd Quarter. We ran two running plays, and allowed the clock to run out for the quarter break. Although ZT was sacked on the next play and we went three and out, the extended break allowed our defense to force a punt on the next possession.

Then, on our next possession, we took over with 10:16 remaining in the game. We ran 7 running plays and took another 4:44 off the clock.

On our final possession, we took over with 3:01 left, picked up a key first down, made the Heels use all three of their timeouts and took the clock down to 0:30 after the punt.

After the 43 yard bomb to Malik Williams that set up the deciding touchdown, we DID NOT attempt a single pass over the final 20 minutes of the game.

AND UNC was the only ACC name to LOSE an out of conference game yesterday!

He did a great job but Drink said himself 24 hour rule. We need to end UNC game talk now. #BeatCoastal

CCU has plenty to talk about and we can't overlook them. Nothing we can talk about from this past weekend that changes anything.

Coastal Carolina has a decent win in Kansas but still they have not played a strong schedule. Teams like this still scare me. They are looking for their first win against us and we are now the hunted for the next several weeks. This could be a tougher game than we like.

[appstate77]

"Target on our backs just got bigger" JM said that post Michigan.

BEAT THE BEACH CHICKENS!

[t4pizza]

I agree that he managed the clock through his play calling excellently in this game. My only gripe was our final third and two. Still would have run the ball, I just think we could have gotten Evans on the edge and picked up two for the first down. I don't think we are going to have repeated games where we question Drinks calls during the final two minutes, he knows how to manage a clock to win the football game.

[BeauFoster]

The main question I had with time management was the final timeout. I realize he wanted to make sure we had a block package in, but UNC wasn't even lined up and there were only 3 seconds left on the play clock. I'm not sure they would have gotten the kick off without the TO, and would have been seriously rushed if they had. In the end it all worked out, but I felt that it was as big of a risk to call it as to not.

[ericsaid]

The slide that Zac did for the last First Down was good heads-up playing by staying in bounds. Sometimes it is the little things that are really the big things.

Go watch the game again. You'll see Drink getting in one last word to Zac before he left the sideline to go to the field. My assumption is that it was a note to keep the clock moving.

[Yosef10]

If anyone was wondering why Drink called a timeout with 5 seconds left, it’s because there were 12 men on the field for us.

[falcoapp]

To me, this is Drinks biggest upgrade over Satt.

Satt would of blown this game somehow, just like UT and PSU.

[BeauFoster]

If anyone was wondering why Drink called a timeout with 5 seconds left, it’s because there were 12 men on the field for us.

That makes sense and was not an explanation I had heard before. Thanks for the details