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Message: [QUOTE="swish7, post: 767698, member: 486"] While a 49-14 beatdown is only a cat's whisker away from the 55-7 beatdown Clemson put on blind kid's university last week, I have to think that we gave them a better run for the money. In the 3rd quarter we had at least 2 great chances to bring it to within 14, but just could not do it. I'm extremely disappointed, but really not surprised, that we gave up 21 in Q1. I expected a beatdown, but was judging this team based on how well they competed. As another poster said, it seems like we "literally gave away 28 points". It's one thing to not be able to stop someone, it's quite another when the opponent's receivers are operating, consistently, with 10-15 yards of open space around them. That's not competing. Too often, we were lost on defense. We can get beat legitimately, as in giving up that 91 yarder in the 3rd. But, being completely lost on defense, as we were for a good 2 quarters is completely unacceptable. Put another way, it is on our coaches to prepare our guys such that they are consistently in good position and executing. Then, if we're still getting beat, the issue can then be limited to recruiting. As far as positives, you have to love Shafer's willingness to go for it on 4th, and the fake punt. It tells me he is a coach who can get in tune with the moment, as opposed to only taking cues from his binder. There is a lot with the program he has to shore up, but at least he's got some attributes to work with. Ya gotta love our players never giving up. For 1 quarter, Shafer and the players had me believing. Getting within 14 would have been sweet. People can complain about Broyld, but he is the only guy who can compete against powerhouse defenses. He needs to practice catching 1,000 balls a day. 88 did jack, and gives up on plays. A couple of those interceptions could have been made a lot harder if he adjusted back to the ball and interferred with the defender. That 3 yard pattern on 4th and 4 was awful. Well, it's over. Two of our opponents thus far look like they are onto the path of major bowl games. And hopefully, we are on a path to bowl eligibility. [/QUOTE]

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