Had a chance to rewatch the game. Here are some observations. As I said, I am not an X’s and O’s guy.
Line play
Ohio consistently had six and sometimes seven on the line and used great leverage and chipped effectively to get to our linebackers and open lanes for Tyus. Somehow our linebackers were not able to fill quickly enough. But a LOT has to be said for Tyus. He is a great, great runner. The kind of runner Clemson usually has.
Tough calls
I believe Chestnut had that interception as it looked like when he caught the ball initially, his right toe stayed inbounds as he possesses the ball and the heel never came down before his left foot was out of bounds. Not sure why we didn’t challenge this one. Also that running into the kicker penalty was pretty bogus as it was their own player that made contact not Syracuse.
Targeting noncall was extremely puzzling.
Not sure how the refs didn’t give that TD to Willis as he was clearly in at least Pena scored afterward.
Game management
Great use of timeouts before the half.
Goal line defensive really stepped up.
Perhaps it is because our linebackers stacked up in the gaps close behind our lineman and were much quicker to get to the los.
Also, at the end of the first half, our quick stuff to Gadsden, Pena, Haynes, Meeks and LA was extremely effective. Maybe it should be a focus all the time as it is so hard to stop with that many to throw too and that good a QB in McCord. Throw in a double move here and there to keep them honest.
McCord
The quick stuff keeps Mccords feet under him where he is much more effective than on the move. I doubt there are too many passers in the ACC better than him in the pocket. We are going to need to shelve those planned keepers as that is just not his game. Maybe we should find a few plays to sneak in our other mobile quarterbacks. Gotta bet that is under wraps.
Meeks
What a catch. And he is an intense gamer. Meeks will be really really hard to keep off the field. Hatcher didn’t play all that well as he had one he should have had and didn’t fight to break up an interception. Meeks is gonna get some of his time.
Their TD just before the half
On that big run just before the half, the Ohio lineman just collapsed the right side of our line, Fadil did not get off his block, and there was effective chipping and some holding of our linebackers. Throw in also some bad tackling on our part. But also, again, number 2 Tyus is just an extraordinary runner and hats off to them, the Ohio offensive line is exceptionally well coached.
Running backs
LA had 99 yards with smoke and mirrors. It never seemed like he got going but he had a few good ones and some excellent catches. Our number two running back Nixon had a pretty good game as number 2. Willis looked like he belonged and should have had that touchdown.
Marlowe
Marlowe Wax’s injury may be an ankle sprain in watching the replay. Looks like he got stepped on. Hope I’m right and that it’s not an Achilles.
Their last TD
At 38-16 I thought we had put it away.
We were getting more line push into their backfield. On their last TD with 12 minutes left, Diggs tried to keep the edge but didn’t anticipate the pitch and was not mobile enough to stay with Tyus who ran right by him. Sparrow was there but couldn’t get off the blockbecause he was held.
The field judge was not looking in that direction and the other refs just didn’t call it. Also their WR did a great job of blocking and Tyus ran right by him for the TD.
Summary
All in all I came away extremely impressed on offense with our skilled positions. Some work to do on offensive line in order for running game to improve. Our offensive lineman need some footwork drills. OC Nixon had a great game. Love the abundant use of Gadsden, Pena, Haynes and the other WRs. Several of our freshman also played well including Willis and Barnes and Watson. Probably forgetting others.
On defense I believe we improved a lot in the second half. I think we are going to need to get up closer to the line with our linebackers in order to better stuff holes as we were too easy to chip and knock off our gaps. Not sure how to improve on that. Someone better at X’s and O’s please help. Tackling needs improving. Number 66 Atkinson gave us trouble all game long chipping and then getting to the secondary level.
To beat GT next week we are going to need to improve our line and linebacker play and get our running game going.
