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Thoughts on the Duke game

WaveON

Green Breaker
Gold Member
Aug 6, 2008
3,349
260
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Some random thoughts.

Our running game. We started out with a 4 yard run and a 5 yard run and on 3rd and 1 I was confident. Then, we handed off to Thompson, our “pile-driving” back and three Duke defenders broke through to tackle him 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage. NO ONE BLOCKED. I knew then we were in trouble. In the end, our longest run was for 11 yards and our four running backs gained 58 yards on 17 rushes (3.4 yds/carry). Are we overrating our running backs? Maybe. None of them are Matt Forte, but much of the problem is a very poor offensive line, who’s play, considering the experience they have, is inexcusable.

Our passing game. On the second series, we got a first down on a pass interference, then threw two incompletions, both bad throws. Jacquet then moved early to make it 3rd and 15. To cap off the series, Lee was then sacked by two guys who charged in on either side of Jacquet, with neither of them being touched. To be that close to the action and not participate usually costs the viewer a lot of money. (Sarcasm). Before it was all over, Lee was sacked four times, hit many more times, and hurried on most throws, including the 76 yard TD, in which Breaux made a great play. Lee missed quite a few passes, but the line didn’t do him many favors and receivers seldom had much separation. The interception was off his man’s hands in a very tight space. But most of his throws were to “very tight spaces.” Lack of blocking, poor separation, an inaccurate QB, and faulty play calling seldom spells success. Other than the long TD, our average completed pass went for 7 yards. And, on several occasions we were 3rd and short, having completed two passes. It’s hard to move the chains if you have to complete three straight passes to get a first down. That's a play calling problem but may be driven by lack of time to throw.

Our Defense. I note a lot of people give our “D” a pass in this game because they were on the field so long. There is probably some truth to that. But, one of the reasons is that the “D” couldn’t get off the field. In the first half, presumably before our “conditioning” gave way, Duke had seven drives which resulted in a TD, three FGs, a turnover, and two punts. They gained over 250 yards. Before it was over, they “gashed” us for 530 yards, averaging 5.7 yards/play. Receivers were wide open all night. And, we never figured out how to cover their option (Heaven help us against Georgia Tech, Navy, and Army). Their QB outrushed our entire backfield. And their speed and athleticism was well beyond ours. Our linebackers and DB’s couldn’t keep up with their backs all night and they “turned the corner” on virtually every rush to the outside. Allen, Franklin, Monroe, and Lewis made 35 tackles in the defensive backfield. BTW, I thought Monroe may have played his best game as a Greenie, though he must have played a part in all the completions over the middle. Thomas had a terrible game in my view, and though Marley (who I love) made several really good plays, he was badly fooled on a run straight at him that went for 20 yards and should have been stopped at two. Another time he tried to “block” a ball carrier to the ground with his shoulder and “whiffed” completely, allowing another long gain. Good stats for the “little guy” but not one of his better games in my view. Better offenses than Duke’s lie ahead. We need to improve quickly.

Special TeamsI think Dr. Box may have “coined” the expression, “clown act” for our special teams back during the Toledo era (error?). Whatever, I don’t recall “Buffet Bob’s” teams putting on a performance so woefully inept in every area. Last year we were last in the FBS in special teams by most accounts. But a continued performance like last night would put us last in Division 1 (FBS plus FCS) and maybe the entire NCAA, to include Division 2 and 3. A nightmare! Start with the two high snaps on our first two punts, which were at least partly to blame for poor punts (30 and 31 yards respectively). That said, I can’t come up for an excuse for Pic’s later punts of 37, 32, 32, 25, and 33 yards. That’s’ seven punts that averaged 31.4 yards. He did have a very nice 55 yard punt and another for 47. He also had a very short punt that rolled forever to give him a 44 yard net. Really poor overall!

Our punt and kick coverage regressed badly. The 95 yard TD return was the first we’d given up in three years. Considering we only kicked off twice and that was the only one returned, you can’t do much worse.

As for our own return game, the only time we got beyond the 25 yard line on kick-returns was when they kicked out of bounds, hardly a sterling achievement for our side. And, Breaux taking a knee inside the one yard line is something I’ve only seen one other time in the past 60 or so years in any level of play. As far as punt returns, we caught one that should have been let go and let one go that should have been caught. We had 8 yards in total returns all night so that can’t be very good.

Of course, lining up “off sides” when Duke was punting deep in their own territory was yet another in a long list of “unforgivable” efforts on the night.

What can one say about or snapping issues? The two high snaps on punts I already mentioned. The “dribble” that only went about five yards looked like Lizanich tried to stop the snap for some reason and couldn’t. It may have been due to the “procedure” penalty called on us that play but I don’t know. Maybe it will be explained at some point. Anyway, that was truly the “capper” on the special teams’ effort. Oh, DiRocco’s extra point was a “Thing of Beauty.” (Got to find something positive I suppose).

I know a lot of people think we’re so much improved athletically over recent Tulane teams and that may be true. But to think we’re in the same class as a team like Duke doesn’t pass the eyeball test from my perspective. They appeared faster, bigger, and more aggressive. The difference in coaching only exacerbates the problem. While recruiting may be CJ’s strength, we’re not getting the players necessary to compete with Duke. Maybe we’ll show better in the coming weeks. I always have hope.

Roll Wave!!
 
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