Interesting stat on starting with the ball

[OttoinGrotto]

So we've gotten the opening kickoff in every game this season.

We've scored on 5 of 6 of those possessions. The one we came up empty was against Purdue. In the other games we've got 4 TDs and 1 field goal.

That's some nice efficiency. Those are tone setters. I like putting a boot to the throat right away and make the other team start their offense with just a little pressure having to play from behind.

 

[texascpa]

It reminds me of the Mike Shanahan days in Denver. He always like to script the first 10 plays of the game, and it was a very successful strategy. I wonder if Anae does the same thing. We always look so crisp on the first drive.

 

[sutomcat]

So we've gotten the opening kickoff in every game this season.

We've scored on 5 of 6 of those possessions. The one we came up empty was against Purdue. In the other games we've got 4 TDs and 1 field goal.

That's some nice efficiency. Those are tone setters. I like putting a boot to the throat right away and make the other team start their offense with just a little pressure having to play from behind.

Good point. This represents a complete turnaround in philosophy from past years, where we would routinely win the toss and defer to receive the ball in the second half. I love it.

 

[Finwad32]

And outside of UConn, I believe the other team has won every toss in the Dome and deferred.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Good point. This represents a complete turnaround in philosophy from past years, where we would routinely win the toss and defer to receive the ball in the second half. I love it.

I'm not sure how many times it's been our call to take the ball, but I am a big fan of getting it first and putting points on the board.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

It reminds me of the Mike Shanahan days in Denver. He always like to script the first 10 plays of the game, and it was a very successful strategy. I wonder if Anae does the same thing. We always look so crisp on the first drive.

That’s what I’ve thought as well - it used to work well in the NFL for severAl teams (back when I watChEd NFL)

 

[OttoinGrotto]

So I decided to look into this a little more. Shrader has been magic on these first drives. He's 15/18 passing with a passing TD and 3 rushing TDs. Also interesting, the two drives with incomplete passes are the ones where we got a field goal and no score (punted vs Purdue). The other drives with TDs he has a perfect passing percentage.

I definitely think Anae and Beck get credit for putting him in position to succeed right away. Coaching matters.