Weaknesses exposed.....again

[PhillyApp1]

Coaches and players weaknesses were exposed which makes it sting a little more. We knew our oline and dbacks were weaknesses. I think the coaches were out coached again, but we still almost won the game AND we never quit.
We need to stop getting all excited about being ranked because we are not ready to stay ranked. Our mistakes were huge, like earlier in the year. Players and coaches have not adapted or learned.
I am still very excited about our future. All teams have weaknesses, the difference is addressing them in coaching and recruiting.

Go App, fight App, kick Ass

[Apptrain]

You are right about being ranked. It wasn’t truly deserved with what we had accomplished. Most of us knew that deep down. If we were in a p5 we would be lucky to be 3-5 or 4-4 at this point and not even sniffing the rankings.

[WVAPPeer]

WE AREN'T P5 - so what do we strive for? - to not be ranked even if undefeated?

[appstatealum]

Being ranked had nothing to do with it. Drink underestimated the physicality of the rivalry. He also has kept Zac on too long of a leash. Regardless of who the player is, if you aren’t performing up to the level we need you, something has to happen. Two of our “leaders” struggled last night and we payed for it with a loss. Fehr and Zac were bad. Akeem, Corey, and Josh did everything the could and it wasn’t enough.

[ah59396]

Being ranked had nothing to do with it. Drink underestimated the physicality of the rivalry. He also has kept Zac on too long of a leash. Regardless of who the player is, if you aren’t performing up to the level we need you, something has to happen. Two of our “leaders” struggled last night and we payed for it with a loss. Fehr and Zac were bad. Akeem, Corey, and Josh did everything the could and it wasn’t enough.

Akeem is so damn good

[appstatealum]

Being ranked had nothing to do with it. Drink underestimated the physicality of the rivalry. He also has kept Zac on too long of a leash. Regardless of who the player is, if you aren’t performing up to the level we need you, something has to happen. Two of our “leaders” struggled last night and we payed for it with a loss. Fehr and Zac were bad. Akeem, Corey, and Josh did everything the could and it wasn’t enough.

Akeem is so damn good

No kidding. The guy is next level, so is Corey and Josh now in that conversation. Those missed opportunities last night are still burning in me this morning.

[PhillyApp1]

Being ranked had nothing to do with it. Drink underestimated the physicality of the rivalry. He also has kept Zac on too long of a leash. Regardless of who the player is, if you aren’t performing up to the level we need you, something has to happen. Two of our “leaders” struggled last night and we payed for it with a loss. Fehr and Zac were bad. Akeem, Corey, and Josh did everything the could and it wasn’t enough.

Akeem is so damn good

No kidding. The guy is next level, so is Corey and Josh now in that conversation. Those missed opportunities last night are still burning in me this morning.

Why is Zac struggling so much this year?
He seems uncomfortable and unsure?
Is he being asked to do different reads?
Are the coaches putting him in place to be effective? Or is it just a process of learning to play QB a better way?

[bigdaddyg]

I am not sure if it was brought up on another thread. I have never played the game nor coached but I think I have a pretty good feel for aspects. Why in the heck did we attempt the onside kick with 8:32 left down 10? Obviously we got the ball back but on a longer field. Seemed like we had plenty of time to kick long, pin them back some and get the stop needed then they would have to punt into the wind. Why on earth do we, in essence give them the ball inside the 50? Another score by them and we had zero chance. I think Drink is doing a fine job but sometimes his cockiness comes across the wrong way. Our play calling is very suspect and he even seems to admit to it. I just wonder how we would do if we had a coordinator calling plays from the booth. I admire him taking on dual roles and if it was a money saving deal in order to have more funds for assistant coaches i understand but dang dude.

[bettysburner]

We have another weakness that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere: Boone wind.

Imagine trying to throw darts in a 40 mph cross wind. Or trying to field a punt when the ball moves off course by 15 yards in the air. Or trying to purposefully pull a kick from the right hash with a hurting 40mph left to right cross wind. But you also have to do this against a triple option team. Oh, and they are your most hated rival. And this is your first game coaching in the Boone elements.

ZT doesn't throw a tight spiral and the results were some absolute ducks over the middle of the field as well as plenty of balls trailing his receivers. He especially had trouble driving south and hitting the slants/posts/digs over the right hash. The wind was blowing hard right to left at his back, which makes me think he didn't have faith in his ability to pierce the wind with a tight spiral, hence the overcompensation. I'm sure the wind affected Drink's willingness to air it out deep as well.

Henni had difficulties fielding punts last night. First drive - if he fields that punt at the 11 yard line, our backfield isn't pressured standing on our end zone line, plus we have some room for a punter who is kicking into a headwind. Field position was a big factor in the first half. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall only one instance where he took the ball out of the air - and he muffed it.

Staton should not have missed a 29 yarder. No question about that. But man, that kick must have been brutal. Georgia Southern's mascot is shaking his ass right in front of you, you're kicking with a construction site as your back-drop, and you have a heavy cross-wind with snow blowing in your face.

I'd like to say that the wind was a factor with our 69 dropped passes, but even I have a hard time making that argument.

I have no excuse for Southern's absolute domination in the trenches. They man-handled us from the start.

I love everything about Boone, but this offensive scheme does not seem to be built for late season mountain games. The conditions enhanced the exposure of our weaknesses without a doubt.

[appstatealum]

Being ranked had nothing to do with it. Drink underestimated the physicality of the rivalry. He also has kept Zac on too long of a leash. Regardless of who the player is, if you aren’t performing up to the level we need you, something has to happen. Two of our “leaders” struggled last night and we payed for it with a loss. Fehr and Zac were bad. Akeem, Corey, and Josh did everything the could and it wasn’t enough.

Akeem is so damn good

No kidding. The guy is next level, so is Corey and Josh now in that conversation. Those missed opportunities last night are still burning in me this morning.

Why is Zac struggling so much this year?
He seems uncomfortable and unsure?
Is he being asked to do different reads?
Are the coaches putting him in place to be effective? Or is it just a process of learning to play QB a better way?

I don't know. I've been seeing it all year, but he typically makes up for it by making good throws into coverage or pulling it and running. I literally saw him only go to a second or third option after he was flushed out and had no choice. He states down his primary and never comes off of it. That is why GAS kept batting away passes or timing their hits on our receivers. It was hard to watch. Our guys were getting open, so I cant blame them or the OC Drinkwitz. I can definitely blame Zac and the HC Drinkwitz, bc he needs to be on Zacs @$$ about that.