Don't look now, but...

[Crusty]

We are scoring 35.7 points per game - good enough for 42nd place nationally. For reference: 2014 - 17.1 ppg; 2013 - 22.7 ppg; 2012 - 30.0 ppg; 2011 - 24.2 ppg.

Normally, I would say that we can't sustain that pace going forward, but with Dungey and so many kids I have to think we will get better and better as the season rolls along. If we can average 30 ppg we will go bowling and next year will be the most promising in decades.

Red Zone
We are also 50% in the redzone, which is low, but could have been better but for a few bad calls and stupid mistakes by kids. Also remember we had the second team in the last half of RI. We need to get this to 60%-70% and I think we have a shot at the lower end by year-end.

Penalties
Even with so many kids playing prominent roles, penalties so far are 13 for 126 yards for 4.3 per game. For reference: 2014- 7.2; 2013 - 7.6; 2012 - 7.8; 2011 - 6.6. (THIS IS COACHING FOLKS!)

Explosive plays
Lester's offense is exciting with Dungey at the helm. While we need to get better at sustaining drives, that Dungey kid insists on making explosive plays instead of 3 yards and a cloud of recycled tire pellets.

We are tied for 18th nationally in 50+ yard plays from scrimmage and tied for 32nd in 30+ yard plays.

Turn over margin
We are +7 in TO margin - 3rd nationally. Wow.

We are playing large number of RS or True Frosh in PROMINENT roles.
If this doesn't get you charged up for the future you might be dead.

 

[KellySyracuse]

thanks for posting this - we were saying at the post game tailgate that this year it feels like the team has finally turned the corner. Finally after so many years of mediocrity, there is something about this team that is different then in years past. Of course it's Dungey, he elevates everyone else. I was so angry after seeing that hit on him, it was criminal. As someone else said, we should never schedule another game with CMU and the HC should get fined.

 

[jgeorge322]

thanks for posting this - we were saying at the post game tailgate that this year it feels like the team has finally turned the corner. Finally after so many years of mediocrity, there is something about this team that is different then in years past. Of course it's Dungey, he elevates everyone else. I was so angry after seeing that hit on him, it was criminal. As someone else said, we should never schedule another game with CMU and the HC should get fined.

Its totally dungey. We need him back asap. He gives us hope. He is the savior of su football.

 

[NKR1978]

We've also played the 3 worst teams on our schedule. I like what I've seen with Dungey and Lester has made me a believer in what he's trying to do, but we'll see where we end up.

 

[SUFan44]

We've also played the 3 worst teams on our schedule. I like what I've seen with Dungey and Lester has made me a believer in what he's trying to do, but we'll see where we end up.

We have also lost dynamic players each week.

The bye week comes at a good time this year. Let's see what happens (in a positive direction, too).

 

[wfschrec]

We've also played the 3 worst teams on our schedule. I like what I've seen with Dungey and Lester has made me a believer in what he's trying to do, but we'll see where we end up.

Have you watched Pitt or BC? You might want to rethink that ... and BC just lost their starting QB ...

 

[djorange1989]

Have you watched Pitt or BC? You might want to rethink that ... and BC just lost their starting QB ...

And look at the USF offense against Maryland's terrible D yesterday. They are not as good as CMU or Wake. We get Dungey back for that game we are ok. Not to mention Erv, Ish etc

 

[jekelish]

We have also lost dynamic players each week.

The bye week comes at a good time this year. Let's see what happens (in a positive direction, too).

The bye came at the absolute best possible time this year. With a little luck we should have every important player back for USF and UVA. I really think there are 5 very winnable games the rest of the way: USF, UVA, Louisville, Pitt, and BC.

NC State is MAYBE winnable, but I'd put those other five ahead of them. I thought those were winnable games at the beginning of the year, and those teams have all performed worse than I anticipated and some have lost very important players for the year.

IF Dungey and Erv and Ish all come back healthy, 6 or 7 wins should be very realistic.

 

[texascpa]

By 50% in the redzone, I'm guessing you mean TDs only, right? I think we're 100% otherwise.

 

[RMH44]

The bye came at the absolute best possible time this year. With a little luck we should have every important player back for USF and UVA. I really think there are 5 very winnable games the rest of the way: USF, UVA, Louisville, Pitt, and BC.

NC State is MAYBE winnable, but I'd put those other five ahead of them. I thought those were winnable games at the beginning of the year, and those teams have all performed worse than I anticipated and some have lost very important players for the year.

IF Dungey and Erv and Ish all come back healthy, 6 or 7 wins should be very realistic.

I agree, but other than the return of ED, the most important player return is Trudo. He is the anchor of the OL.

 

[jekelish]

I agree, but other than the return of ED, the most important player return is Trudo. He is the anchor of the OL.

True. Have to wonder how much the run game suffered yesterday with Trudo out. It definitely wasn't as effective as it should have been.

 

[#FRANchise]

I agree, but other than the return of ED, the most important player return is Trudo. He is the anchor of the OL.

He seemed to be moving around quite well on the sideline yesterday, hopefully he's good to go next week

 

[dasher]

The bye came at the absolute best possible time this year. With a little luck we should have every important player back for USF and UVA. I really think there are 5 very winnable games the rest of the way: USF, UVA, Louisville, Pitt, and BC.

NC State is MAYBE winnable, but I'd put those other five ahead of them. I thought those were winnable games at the beginning of the year, and those teams have all performed worse than I anticipated and some have lost very important players for the year.

IF Dungey and Erv and Ish all come back healthy, 6 or 7 wins should be very realistic.

I might put Louisville in the winnable games. Tough, yes. But if they continue to lose games, they will lose some confidence as well..

 

[SWC75]

The lack of penalties is interesting. We have also fumbled once and got it back in three games. (Knock on my wooden forehead). Pretty amazing with all the injuries.

 

[RMH44]

He seemed to be moving around quite well on the sideline yesterday, hopefully he's good to go next week

I noticed that as well. If he isn't 100% for LSU, sit him out until USF.

 

[Crusty]

We've also played the 3 worst teams on our schedule. I like what I've seen with Dungey and Lester has made me a believer in what he's trying to do, but we'll see where we end up.

Not really, USF and perhaps BC without the QB might be in the same league with WF and CMU.

 

[Crusty]

By 50% in the redzone, I'm guessing you mean TDs only, right? I think we're 100% otherwise.

Correct.

 

[Toga]

Tire pellets

 

[anglerman]

The bye came at the absolute best possible time this year. With a little luck we should have every important player back for USF and UVA. I really think there are 5 very winnable games the rest of the way: USF, UVA, Louisville, Pitt, and BC.

NC State is MAYBE winnable, but I'd put those other five ahead of them. I thought those were winnable games at the beginning of the year, and those teams have all performed worse than I anticipated and some have lost very important players for the year.

IF Dungey and Erv and Ish all come back healthy, 6 or 7 wins should be very realistic.

I think 8 or 9 might actually be more realistic as long as dungey stays healthy.

 

[suloyalfan]

Have you watched Pitt or BC? You might want to rethink that ... and BC just lost their starting QB ...

Pitt, BC, Virginia, USF... with Dungey, these games are very competitive matchups. LSU is a very tough matchup no matter who is in or out. FSU, Clemson, and Loisville are talented, but haven't been impressive yet this season.

 

[CuseLegacy]

The bye came at the absolute best possible time this year. With a little luck we should have every important player back for USF and UVA. I really think there are 5 very winnable games the rest of the way: USF, UVA, Louisville, Pitt, and BC.

NC State is MAYBE winnable, but I'd put those other five ahead of them. I thought those were winnable games at the beginning of the year, and those teams have all performed worse than I anticipated and some have lost very important players for the year.

IF Dungey and Erv and Ish all come back healthy, 6 or 7 wins should be very realistic.

It is really hard to tell anything on NC State yet.. they have played Troy, E. Kentucky and ODU. Next week is S. Alabama. This is how they always schedule so that they can make it to 6 wins. Probably going to have to wait until October to get a real handle on how well they play.

 

[K Otto XLIV]

My only concern right now on O (outside of Dungey's injury) is our goaline O. It is hard to run between the tackles without a lead blocker. It is also harder to run in short yardage from the shotgun. I wish we had either a split backfield with a FB or would go under center.

 

[Cuse'91]

My only concern right now on O (outside of Dungey's injury) is our goaline O. It is hard to run between the tackles without a lead blocker. It is also harder to run in short yardage from the shotgun. I wish we had either a split backfield with a FB or would go under center.

Would love to see some sort of jumbo package a la Stanford. Why not have Ron Thompson as a lead blocker?

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Would love to see some sort of jumbo package a la Stanford. Why not have Ron Thompson as a lead blocker?

Ugh. Pass. We did that last season.

 

[omniorange]

My only concern right now on O (outside of Dungey's injury) is our goaline O. It is hard to run between the tackles without a lead blocker. It is also harder to run in short yardage from the shotgun. I wish we had either a split backfield with a FB or would go under center.

I actually have as many concerns about our O with Dungey as I do our D. Without Dungey it isn't even close, as only manufacturing 18 yards of offense and zero points in an entire half without him should clearly demonstrate.

Cheers,
Neil