Post by smurph on Sept 20, 2009 20:43:13 GMT -5
Trying to keep things on an even keel here folks. I am always depressed when we lose. However, I felt all along the Auburn game would be the toughest game in the first half of the season. We almost did it and IMO we outplayed them other than the turnovers.
First off, I agree with a post by Doug on another thread. there are quite a few good things to take from this game.
THE GOOD
1. This has the potential to be a very good (great?) offense.
2. We played this game in one of the toughest venues in the country without possibly our 2 best defensive players and almost won it.
3. They never quit even when things got tough. This means a lot to me. It means they will always give their best. Not sure I could say that about last year's team.
4. The subs on defense played very well, especially Ovid Goulbourne.
5.Our special teams outplayed Auburn's. Even the kickoff team showed improvement.
6. I thought the coaches had a good game plan.
7. We shut down one of the top rushing offenses in the coutry in the first half and part of the 2nd half.
THE BAD
1. I thought we won the battle of the trenches in the first half, but Auburn won it in the second half. They were in JB's face most of the 2nd half.
2. Brown did a great job avoiding the rush in the first half. Not as well in the 2nd. The pressure led to his 5 turnovers, which is what decided the game. Offensive line still has room for improvement.
3. We had another clock mismanagement at the end of the first half. After the kickoff, we had the ball at the 36 yd. line with a minute and a half left - plenty of time to get into field goal range. Instead we ran 3 running plays to run out the clock. Maybe it was because the momentum hd swung to Auburn, but I don't like it.
4. A couple of stupid penalties, including a totally stupid facemask out of frustration at the end of the game. I think it was Pat Lazear.
5. Bradley Starks threw a nice pass on the option, but he dropped at least 2 passes and seemed intimidated by the crowd.
THE UGLY
1. Obviously the 2 middle screens which resulted in 2 interceptions. I liked the playcalling in the game, but it seemed they were ready for those middle screens. JB should have been told to throw the ball into the ground if it's not there.
2. 6 turnovers, 5 interceptions. Brown played his usual good game, except for the interceptions which lost the game.
3. I hate to complain about officials, but there were 2 obvious roughing the passer infractions that should have been called. The first was near the end of the first half, would have given us a first and goal. Instead we had to kick a field goal. The second was when Jarrett got injured. In both cases the defensive player tackled Brown after he released the ball and then .tried to drive him into the ground, instead of backing off after the pass was thrown. Number 91 is a dirty player.
In retrospect, let's take our lumps, let's hope 11 days will help our banged-up guys heal, and let's get ready to kick some Buffalo ass on national TV. 11-1 or 10-2 is still doable.
Players of the game: Back-up linebackers and DE. Ovid Goulborne, Najee Goode, Sidney Glover, Josh Taylor, Zack Taylor. Also, Chris Neild, Keith Tandy, Jock Sanders
First off, I agree with a post by Doug on another thread. there are quite a few good things to take from this game.
THE GOOD
1. This has the potential to be a very good (great?) offense.
2. We played this game in one of the toughest venues in the country without possibly our 2 best defensive players and almost won it.
3. They never quit even when things got tough. This means a lot to me. It means they will always give their best. Not sure I could say that about last year's team.
4. The subs on defense played very well, especially Ovid Goulbourne.
5.Our special teams outplayed Auburn's. Even the kickoff team showed improvement.
6. I thought the coaches had a good game plan.
7. We shut down one of the top rushing offenses in the coutry in the first half and part of the 2nd half.
THE BAD
1. I thought we won the battle of the trenches in the first half, but Auburn won it in the second half. They were in JB's face most of the 2nd half.
2. Brown did a great job avoiding the rush in the first half. Not as well in the 2nd. The pressure led to his 5 turnovers, which is what decided the game. Offensive line still has room for improvement.
3. We had another clock mismanagement at the end of the first half. After the kickoff, we had the ball at the 36 yd. line with a minute and a half left - plenty of time to get into field goal range. Instead we ran 3 running plays to run out the clock. Maybe it was because the momentum hd swung to Auburn, but I don't like it.
4. A couple of stupid penalties, including a totally stupid facemask out of frustration at the end of the game. I think it was Pat Lazear.
5. Bradley Starks threw a nice pass on the option, but he dropped at least 2 passes and seemed intimidated by the crowd.
THE UGLY
1. Obviously the 2 middle screens which resulted in 2 interceptions. I liked the playcalling in the game, but it seemed they were ready for those middle screens. JB should have been told to throw the ball into the ground if it's not there.
2. 6 turnovers, 5 interceptions. Brown played his usual good game, except for the interceptions which lost the game.
3. I hate to complain about officials, but there were 2 obvious roughing the passer infractions that should have been called. The first was near the end of the first half, would have given us a first and goal. Instead we had to kick a field goal. The second was when Jarrett got injured. In both cases the defensive player tackled Brown after he released the ball and then .tried to drive him into the ground, instead of backing off after the pass was thrown. Number 91 is a dirty player.
In retrospect, let's take our lumps, let's hope 11 days will help our banged-up guys heal, and let's get ready to kick some Buffalo ass on national TV. 11-1 or 10-2 is still doable.
Players of the game: Back-up linebackers and DE. Ovid Goulborne, Najee Goode, Sidney Glover, Josh Taylor, Zack Taylor. Also, Chris Neild, Keith Tandy, Jock Sanders
