My Take

[DomeHolmes]

I thought McCord had a pretty good game. I believe he started out 0-3 with a drop, and there were three more drops after that from guys that are usually sure handed. He would’ve been 28 for 35 without the drops so he was accurate 80% of the time. He put some balls in some really tight windows like he was doing earlier in the year like the one to Gadsden or to Pena at the two on our last drive.

 

[SarasotaPaul]

VA Tech trying to block Marlowe with a running back had comical results multiple times. If anyone didn't notice first go round there were 2-3 plays at least where Wax steam rolled 24 so badly that the freight train whistle would have been fitting.

I saw that and it was hilarious. The would be blocker was hit so hard he could have suffered from whiplash.

 

[SarasotaPaul]

Great recap as always! Just a few random thoughts of my own...

- What the hell was up with our tackling? The other thing that caused me to lose my mind at times was VTech's ability at times to get several more yards while getting tackled. That was so frustrating to watch at times!

- LA is an absolute stud. Talk about a clutch player. Maybe not the best at pressers, but on the football field, money!

- In Fran's post-game presser, you could easily see how much this victory meant. He was almost a bit giddy at times. He needs to be a little careful not to get too cute with comments (and this is coming from a big fan of his). I LOVED his comment that he shared about what he told LA after the personal foul call (don't do dumb sh-). That was great.

- Pena not quite his normal self today. A bit shaky which is usually not the case.

- I normally don't comment on an opposing team's player but I have to say, I've got a ton of respect for that backup QB. He gave us fits with those legs of his. He seemed very composed and was ready to play right from the very start.

- For a game that wasn't a big turnout, it still sounded pretty loud at times on tv. Just shows how the dome can be a huge advantage even when it's not completely full.

- I think this was a big win for our program and the Fran Brown era. A loss here really would have hurt. Instead, we got the W and bowl eligible with still four to play!

Tackling issues can sometimes be attributed to players on the other team actually be tough and talented. LA is not the only stud out there. These are not video games. But I agree it is frustrating when runners from the opposing teams get so much extra yardage. I twill be nice when we have a few more extra yardage players lining up in orange uniforms.

 

[Nicknack]

Tackling issues can sometimes be attributed to players on the other team actually be tough and talented. LA is not the only stud out there. These are not video games. But I agree it is frustrating when runners from the opposing teams get so much extra yardage. I twill be nice when we have a few more extra yardage players lining up in orange uniforms.

Yeah, I get it. However, tackling has been an issue for this team. Even going into the game, it's something that coaches identified as needing to improve. Looking at VTech, I wouldn't say they had such issues. Even when LA would get his chunk runs, it looked more like good running, solid blocking, and good scheme. A lot of their extended runs came when we were actually in position to stop a play at a loss or minimal gain but didn't make the play.

 

[cusefan88]

Powell-Ryland had one sack and a few pressures but mostly held at bay. His sack was on an inside move over Perry/Illoa.

Props to Savion Washington thought he did a nice job on him.

 

[All4SU]

I thought McCord had a pretty good game. I believe he started out 0-3 with a drop, and there were three more drops after that from guys that are usually sure handed. He would’ve been 28 for 35 without the drops so he was accurate 80% of the time. He put some balls in some really tight windows like he was doing earlier in the year like the one to Gadsden or to Pena at the two on our last drive.

He had one throw to OG over the middle into triple coverage. Love McCord, but I was thinking Wow, what was he looking at.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

He had one throw to OG over the middle into triple coverage. Love McCord, but I was thinking Wow, what was he looking at.

He had 2-3 throws where our WR played the ball more like a DB to prevent an INT. He got away with a few. Plus the two misses to Meeks.

 

[AZOrange]

Hey Tom want to hear more about these Blackstone secrets you learned

 

[HRE Otto IV]

We have yet to play a complete game this year. Heck even bad teams pull that off once a year. So here is to hoping that we don't waste it on UConn.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

The Dome had the A/C on full blast even though it was only 42 outside. My friend and I had to bundle up!
View attachment 246467

That’s funny because right before half the camera focused on Fran and he had a bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face. I thought man it must be hot in there

 

[SU91]

We have yet to play a complete game this year. Heck even bad teams pull that off once a year. So here is to hoping that we don't waste it on UConn.

UConn is no sure thing

 

[HRE Otto IV]

UConn is no sure thing

People need to stop with this. They will be like playing Ohio, actually worse as Ohio is better. UConn has played three bad P4 teams and lost every game, getting trounced in one and playing tight in the other two. They barely beat three bad G5 teams, and beat up on two bad G5 teams. That is a game people are scared of?

 

[OrangeTarheel]

People need to stop with this. They will be like playing Ohio, actually worse as Ohio is better. UConn has played three bad P4 teams and lost every game, getting trounced in one and playing tight in the other two. They barely beat three bad G5 teams, and beat up on two bad G5 teams. That is a game people are scared of?

They do have some good running backs but their defense doesn’t look like anything special. If their QB survives until our game (he got a couple big hits on Friday) then he is a dual threat - although his running might be the better of his two “threats”

 

[blust2i3d4]

Vtech sucks
We rock

Was a bad night to be a labatt

I think VA Tech is the second best team we face this year. I am very glad we beat them. VA Tech is even better than Pitt. Also VA Tech could be 7-1 (VA Tech leading in 4th quarter against Vandy and Miami) if their coach was better in time management and had a little better luck.

 

[djorange1989]

Maybe BC will have as hard a time with the bye as we have.

Last bye they had, they came out looking horrible against VaTech, then woke up and made it close, then got smacked to end it. So I will take that again

 

[djorange1989]

People need to stop with this. They will be like playing Ohio, actually worse as Ohio is better. UConn has played three bad P4 teams and lost every game, getting trounced in one and playing tight in the other two. They barely beat three bad G5 teams, and beat up on two bad G5 teams. That is a game people are scared of?

100%. They are getting credit for keeping Duke and Wake close but Maryland, who sucks, destroyed them and Rice, who dumped their coach right after the game and Temple, who also blows, both went down to the wire. They are better than last year for sure, and we can’t take them lightly, but we are not losing to them, nor will it be that close, even with our pattern of close games

 

[SarasotaPaul]

Yeah, I get it. However, tackling has been an issue for this team. Even going into the game, it's something that coaches identified as needing to improve. Looking at VTech, I wouldn't say they had such issues. Even when LA would get his chunk runs, it looked more like good running, solid blocking, and good scheme. A lot of their extended runs came when we were actually in position to stop a play at a loss or minimal gain but didn't make the play.

I don't think you do get it (one of my Seinfeld favorite sayings by the way). They missed tackles. Most especially on the play where we scored our first TD I guess. We had several passing plays where our receivers made extra yards for first downs. I know we have some issues but seriously it isn't just SU. Ask my son-in-law, a VaTech grad, about tackling issues. You could get the same story from him re: SU didn't have the same tacking issues as VaTech. It's the nature of the game for fans. In his mind the missed tackle, where we scored our first TD, cost VaTech the game because from that point on, the script had flipped in favor of SU. And he may be quite right about that. Anyway, it's nicer to be on the winning side and not on my son-in-law's side today. We have that going for us on this beautiful day. (I live in the Sarasota Florida area, sunny and in the mid 80's, a great day for a 20 mile bicycle ride).

 

[SWC75]

Allen has a great highlight reel from this year. Some amazing catches as well. His twisting run into the end zone in OT has to be one of his best.

And Stonehouse uncorked a punt - his first or second - that actually made me interrupt an angry diatribe about our offensive ineptitude to say “holy ”. Not only was it like 60+ yards but the hang time allowed the coverage team to be waiting at the return man. Gimme more of those!

He's going to hit the scoreboard someday.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

People need to stop with this. They will be like playing Ohio, actually worse as Ohio is better. UConn has played three bad P4 teams and lost every game, getting trounced in one and playing tight in the other two. They barely beat three bad G5 teams, and beat up on two bad G5 teams. That is a game people are scared of?

Yeah Mora is a good coach but we should expect that to be a clean win.

 

[SWC75]

Hey Tom want to hear more about these Blackstone secrets you learned

Harry Blackstone Sr. - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I don't think you do get it (one of my Seinfeld favorite sayings by the way). They missed tackles. Most especially on the play where we scored our first TD I guess. We had several passing plays where our receivers made extra yards for first downs. I know we have some issues but seriously it isn't just SU. Ask my son-in-law, a VaTech grad, about tackling issues. You could get the same story from him re: SU didn't have the same tacking issues as VaTech. It's the nature of the game for fans. In his mind the missed tackle, where we scored our first TD, cost VaTech the game because from that point on, the script had flipped in favor of SU. And he may be quite right about that. Anyway, it's nicer to be on the winning side and not on my son-in-law's side today. We have that going for us on this beautiful day. (I live in the Sarasota Florida area, sunny and in the mid 80's, a great day for a 20 mile bicycle ride).

I doubt our tackling is "normal" given the fact that this is the worst tackling SU team I can remember. I haven't seen these issues every game.


On a slight tangent, statistically this is our worst D since 2019. That year and this year are very similar. This year's team is better in Redzone TD% and 3rd down % both by a good amount. But they are almost identical in yards per play, yards per pass attempt, yard per carry, sacks per game. In 2019 we were slightly better at tackles for a loss and better at forcing TOs. Both teams also had a lot of upperclassmen.

 

[SarasotaPaul]

I doubt our tackling is "normal" given the fact that this is the worst tackling SU team I can remember. I haven't seen these issues every game.


On a slight tangent, statistically this is our worst D since 2019. That year and this year are very similar. This year's team is better in Redzone TD% and 3rd down % both by a good amount. But they are almost identical in yards per play, yards per pass attempt, yard per carry, sacks per game. In 2019 we were slightly better at tackles for a loss and better at forcing TOs. Both teams also had a lot of upperclassmen.

Interesting stats. Thanks. I certainly like the redzone and 3rd downs stats. I sure remember figuring we would give up a first down on every 3rd in years past. I think we are going to like things as they progress in the next few years. Better athletes, players learning the systems with the coaches learning as well. I could get used to 6-2 records or better to start the seasons.

 

[sutomcat]

Hey Tom want to hear more about these Blackstone secrets you learned

For those that do not know, a company named Blackstone makes griddles. All different sizes. They appear to be made of high quality materials and are well designed. I am a big fan.

I got one last year for my birthday and really like it. I have a Weber traditional grill that I like but you can make some things on a Blackstone that just aren’t possible on a Weber and the cleanup is really easy. But I am typically making steaks or smash burgers for my wife and I. Pretty much all diner stuff.

Anyway, we got a big one for our tailgate group just before the season started. The noon starts require breakfast items I have not been cooking. Did pancakes for the GT game. Gotta cook those near the lowest temperature setting. And keep the griddle greased. I think we were using a vegetable oil.

On Saturday, our lead Blackstone guy Walshjfii showed me how to make bacon and scrambled eggs in mass quantities. Bacon needs to be cooked at or near the lowest temperature setting as well. You want to cut the strips in half before cooking to minimize strips sticking together. We had a ton of bacon cooking at once. John already had that set up but it had to be like 8 or 10 packages of bacon. Maybe more. If you make a lot of bacon, you better have your grease collector connected to a tube because there is going to be a ton of grease and it needs to go somewhere. We have one but it was missing and Craig and Nell had to do superhero stuff with a big metal serving spoon to get that grease out so we could finish cooking.

We probably should have put some water down to discourage the bacon from splattering all over but the temperature was low enough there wasn’t a lot of this going on.

Making mass quantities of scrambled eggs requires some good spatula skills. Somebody has to pour the eggs from the bucket, preferably slowly. We were grilling on a hill, so the eggs wanted to flow into the trap and be lost forever. So you had to spatula those eggs quickly back to the middle of the grill. Oh both sides. With both hands. Double spatula action.

And then you have to keep those eggs moving around so they cook evenly. After 2 or 3 minutes, the eggs should be ready to eat and need to be loaded into a big serving tray. That requires using 2 spatulas to scoop and dump them. Eggs are kind of hard to move around like this. It takes a bit of skill and work. You do this for 20 minutes or so and you can feel a strong burning in your hands and wrists. The pro move is to have two people man the Blackstone on breakfast days, so no one gets burned out or has to be placed on the IL.

Anyway, I think you need to also do the eggs on low. And for every batch of them, you have to scrape down the griddle, get it clean and regrease it. Keep it clean. Eggs are tough on a griddle and you don;t want to start building up egg residue on it.

John and I are pining for a later kickoff for the last 2 home games as we can do smash burgers and other good stuff. Maybe some fried rice, some Philly cheese steaks….stuff like that.

 

[VTAaron]

For those that do not know, a company named Blackstone makes griddles. All different sizes. They appear to be made of high quality materials and are well designed. I am a big fan.

I got one last year for my birthday and really like it. I have a Weber traditional grill that I like but you can make some things on a Blackstone that just aren’t possible on a Weber and the cleanup is really easy. But I am typically making steaks or smash burgers for my wife and I. Pretty much all diner stuff.

Anyway, we got a big one for our tailgate group just before the season started. The noon starts require breakfast items I have not been cooking. Did pancakes for the GT game. Gotta cook those near the lowest temperature setting. And keep the griddle greased. I think we were using a vegetable oil.

On Saturday, our lead Blackstone guy Walshjfii showed me how to make bacon and scrambled eggs in mass quantities. Bacon needs to be cooked at or near the lowest temperature setting as well. You want to cut the strips in half before cooking to minimize strips sticking together. We had a ton of bacon cooking at once. John already had that set up but it had to be like 8 or 10 packages of bacon. Maybe more. If you make a lot of bacon, you better have your grease collector connected to a tube because there is going to be a ton of grease and it needs to go somewhere. We have one but it was missing and Craig and Nell had to do superhero stuff with a big metal serving spoon to get that grease out so we could finish cooking.

We probably should have put some water down to discourage the bacon from splattering all over but the temperature was low enough there wasn’t a lot of this going on.

Making mass quantities of scrambled eggs requires some good spatula skills. Somebody has to pour the eggs from the bucket, preferably slowly. We were grilling on a hill, so the eggs wanted to flow into the trap and be lost forever. So you had to spatula those eggs quickly back to the middle of the grill. Oh both sides. With both hands. Double spatula action.

And then you have to keep those eggs moving around so they cook evenly. After 2 or 3 minutes, the eggs should be ready to eat and need to be loaded into a big serving tray. That requires using 2 spatulas to scoop and dump them. Eggs are kind of hard to move around like this. It takes a bit of skill and work. You do this for 20 minutes or so and you can feel a strong burning in your hands and wrists. The pro move is to have two people man the Blackstone on breakfast days, so no one gets burned out or has to be placed on the IL.

Anyway, I think you need to also do the eggs on low. And for every batch of them, you have to scrape down the griddle, get it clean and regrease it. Keep it clean. Eggs are tough on a griddle and you don;t want to start building up egg residue on it.

John and I are pining for a later kickoff for the last 2 home games as we can do smash burgers and other good stuff. Maybe some fried rice, some Philly cheese steaks….stuff like that.

Nice. I was doing those the last game too

Another good tip is with the larger ones with more burners is to have multiple heat zones.

Usually I have one higher and then either a medium or two in the middle or one or two on low. With big batches you usually have stuff at varying stages and it is good to shift them to the low side eventually as a keep warm tactic and or pile stuff on top so not all are getting the heat when waiting for service. Best with bacon for stacking as you can then get the crispy ones some prefer and keep the rest from over cooking.

Eggs definitely are a pain. They eat the finish off and have to scrape and reoil in between each. Best on low as you said!!!

 

[Nicknack]

I don't think you do get it (one of my Seinfeld favorite sayings by the way). They missed tackles. Most especially on the play where we scored our first TD I guess. We had several passing plays where our receivers made extra yards for first downs. I know we have some issues but seriously it isn't just SU. Ask my son-in-law, a VaTech grad, about tackling issues. You could get the same story from him re: SU didn't have the same tacking issues as VaTech. It's the nature of the game for fans. In his mind the missed tackle, where we scored our first TD, cost VaTech the game because from that point on, the script had flipped in favor of SU. And he may be quite right about that. Anyway, it's nicer to be on the winning side and not on my son-in-law's side today. We have that going for us on this beautiful day. (I live in the Sarasota Florida area, sunny and in the mid 80's, a great day for a 20 mile bicycle ride).

Meh. I'll take it from one of our coaches rather that you (no offense intended). They identified tackling as an issue coming into the game. Again, that's from a coach.