Credit where credit is due -- ERob

[RF2044]

I have been critical of our defensive coordinator, expressing that I am concerned that he lacks the strategic chops. Yesterday, I really liked what I saw.

Some of it is personnel. For example, youngsters like Samuel, Delaurriers, Tremble, Long, Peal, etc. are really starting to emerge. That helps. And we have depth everywhere. Quality depth. As these guys gain experience, the on-field performance will improve.

During yesterday's game, late in the 4th quarter, experienced veteran Anwar Sparrow was in the game. And it dawned on me that he is a guy who has played a TON at LB over the years. And while a valuable contributor [and a guy who was out there in crunch time], he's been lapped in the two deep by better athletes. Bryant has been everything he was advertised to be. Delaurriers is a wunderkind. And Tremble is showing out athletically -- and this is a guy who is a TIGHT END. Sparrow and McDonald [multi-year starter] have been relegated to the second unit, which is indicative of how good the depth is emerging to be.

I liked how we were aggressive. Were they perfect / impregnible? Of course not. But if we play like this the rest of the year, I'll be pleased with what the defense brings to the table.

Now, about that pass rush...

 

[Eric15]

I couldnt believe that we only gave up one TD the entire second half. We kept getting Clemson off the field while I was just waiting for the inevitable meltdown like 2018/2022. My favorite play was that late 4th and 1 stop.

 

[RF2044]

I jcouldn’t believe that we only gave up one TD the entire second half. We kept getting Clemson off the field while I was just waiting for the inevitable meltdown like 2018/2022. My favorite play was that late 4th and 1 stop.

After we beat them with Dungey, there were a couple of times where we almost had the much higher-rated Clemson team again.

The next year, down there with Dungey again -- had our foot on their neck, but they got bailed out by an illegal man downfield call when we converted a 4th down play to extend a drive. And then they abandoned their game plan and just ran it straight at us, and we couldn't stop them.

We nearly had they again down there, with Shrader. And again, late in the game, they just abandoned their game plan and imposed their will be running it right up the gut, time after time. And again we couldn't stop them.

Yesterday, we stopped them. Multiple times. And there were times throughout the game when they arrogantly went at us around mid-field, and unlike in the past -- this time we went toe-to-toe and they couldn't just impose their will.

It was great to see.

Loathsome fanbase, it was great to see them heading to the exits in the third quarter with their tails between their legs.

 

[Scooch]

In the first half we repeatedly had guys in the right position but they were missing tackles or not covering properly. That got cleaned up after halftime.

And that’s all you can really ask of a DC. Know your players strengths and have them in the proper place to make plays. From there it’s on the players to execute what they’re capable of.

It’s college football, almost no defense is dominant anymore. Teams are going to roll up yards and score. Key is to make enough stops to give your offense the bandwidth to outscore the opponent. If we can do that we’ll be a good program.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Based on snap counts, the youth is playing more and more too. I like that they’re keeping them in. Antoine was basically situational game one. He’s now playing almost every down.

 

[Eric15]

It felt like there were so many drives where Clemson started out at their own 25 yard line, marched down the field effortlessly to about our 40 yard line or so, and then just stalled. Like that one drive where I think they converted three straight first downs on three toss sweep plays in a row.

 

[OttosShoes]

I think this is a great example of why it's too much to judge a coach harshly in their first year. ERob has shown tremendous growth, fixed a ton of things, and proven a lot of us wrong. Good things usually take time.

 

[syrBossHogg]

Let's hope the defense continues to improve this year

 

[Archimedes]

1.) Our defense seems to plays its best quarter after halftime. ERob adjusts in-game very well.

2.) His whole philosophy works better playing from ahead. It's the perfect D up two scores late in the third.

3.) Antoine is being coached up properly. It seems like every guy Deslauriers hits gets up slow.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Let's hope the defense continues to improve this year

It should. We’re so young for most part.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

ERob called a more aggressive game, and it paid off. There were multiple times where even though the pressure didn't get home for the sack, Clemson lost downs because Klubnik had to get rid of the ball and lost downs because of it.

It also looks like Grant makes a huge difference. He covers a lot of ground and makes solid tackles.

Looking at the box score, did we not pick Klubnik off twice? It only has one on there.

 

[syrBossHogg]

It should. We’re so young for most part.

I loved how the secondary played yesterday outside of a few plays

 

[ToddNTexas5]

After we beat them with Dungey, there were a couple of times where we almost had the much higher-rated Clemson team again.

The next year, down there with Dungey again -- had our foot on their neck, but they got bailed out by an illegal man downfield call when we converted a 4th down play to extend a drive. And then they abandoned their game plan and just ran it straight at us, and we couldn't stop them.

We nearly had they again down there, with Shrader. And again, late in the game, they just abandoned their game plan and imposed their will be running it right up the gut, time after time. And again we couldn't stop them.

Yesterday, we stopped them. Multiple times. And there were times throughout the game when they arrogantly went at us around mid-field, and unlike in the past -- this time we went toe-to-toe and they couldn't just impose their will.

It was great to see.

Loathsome fanbase, it was great to see them heading to the exits in the third quarter with their tails between their legs.

Pathetic fanbase. Entitled brats is what they are. As fans you can be the 12th man and bring disruption to the opposing team. That is not who they are though. Just like a bully, you kick them in the teeth, they run.