As we reach the mid-season point, six games down and six to go, I thought it might be interesting to check our statistics according to the NCAA. As I suspected, our offense statistics reflect performance on the field-- #118 in scoring, #123 in total offense, and # 123 in yards per play. We’re also #122 in 3rd down conversion percentage. Our passing offense (yards) is #89; our passing yards per completion is #93; and our passing yards per attempt is #107. The rushing side of the offense fares even worse-- #123 overall and #126 in yards per attempt. Of course, sacks, a variety of bad snaps and dropped snaps have caused those statistics to be somewhat worse than I’d expect. But, if we eliminated all lost yards for whatever reason, and no one else changed position (a silly proposition at best), our rushing position would only rise to #94—still terrible.
Defense, which most consider the strength of our team, both in personnel and coaching, is, as expected, ranked higher than our offense—but not enough to get excited about. We’re #118 in scoring defense #95 in total defense, and #91 in allowing yards/play. We’re also #108 defending on 3rd downs.
Breaking it down further, and a little more heartening, we are #81 in rush defense and #71 in allowing yards per rush. We’re much more susceptible to the pass, ranking #92 in pass defense, #110 in passing yards per attempt and #100 in yards per completion. Somewhere between talent and coaching, we’re not getting it done on defense either.
Special teams is to no one’s surprise also terrible. Not surprisingly, we are #125 in net punting. That doesn’t even reflect the fumbled snaps, but does include the poor punts, the blocked punts, and the breakdowns in coverage. We’re also #125 in kickoff coverage and #121 in punt coverage. On the offensive side, we’re #115 in kick return average and #101 in punt return average. I couldn’t find any statistics on field goal kicking, but at four for five on the year (Simms missed a 47 yarder), we’ve probably got a good percentage on very few, and very short, kicks.
It’s not a pretty picture but, hopefully, the second half of the season will go better. We may have played the two worst teams on our schedule but, while there are a couple of good teams left to play, there are plenty of bad ones in front of us, also.
Roll Wave!!
Defense, which most consider the strength of our team, both in personnel and coaching, is, as expected, ranked higher than our offense—but not enough to get excited about. We’re #118 in scoring defense #95 in total defense, and #91 in allowing yards/play. We’re also #108 defending on 3rd downs.
Breaking it down further, and a little more heartening, we are #81 in rush defense and #71 in allowing yards per rush. We’re much more susceptible to the pass, ranking #92 in pass defense, #110 in passing yards per attempt and #100 in yards per completion. Somewhere between talent and coaching, we’re not getting it done on defense either.
Special teams is to no one’s surprise also terrible. Not surprisingly, we are #125 in net punting. That doesn’t even reflect the fumbled snaps, but does include the poor punts, the blocked punts, and the breakdowns in coverage. We’re also #125 in kickoff coverage and #121 in punt coverage. On the offensive side, we’re #115 in kick return average and #101 in punt return average. I couldn’t find any statistics on field goal kicking, but at four for five on the year (Simms missed a 47 yarder), we’ve probably got a good percentage on very few, and very short, kicks.
It’s not a pretty picture but, hopefully, the second half of the season will go better. We may have played the two worst teams on our schedule but, while there are a couple of good teams left to play, there are plenty of bad ones in front of us, also.
Roll Wave!!