Play Calling Pitt Game - Stats

[Crusty]

I decided to take a look at the plays called in the Pitt game.

1. We ran 70% on 1st down and 68% on 2nd down.
2. We pass 76% of the time on third down.
3. Of our 29 passes, 15 were sideline passes.
4. We threw 5 sideline passes each on 1st, 2nd and 3rd downs.
5. 25 of our 38 rushing plays were up the middle; 5 to the right and 8 to the left.

Make of it what you will.

 

[SmilinBob]

What were the total yards/per attempt for a first down pass that wasn't on the last drive?

 

[retro44]

out of curiosity did you watch the game or go by the s.u athletics site.

because your stats make it look like there was 13 passes over the middle when I can only remember two that were. Between the hash marks.

does the A.C. catch count as a sideline throwrr

 

[SmilinBob]

What determines a sideline pass and one over the middle?

 

[retro44]

What determines a sideline pass and one over the middle?

Me

 

[Crusty]

out of curiosity did you watch the game or go by the s.u athletics site.

because your stats make it look like there was 13 passes over the middle when I can only remember two that were. Between the hash marks.

does the A.C. catch count as a sideline throwrr

I was at the game but I did not do the categories - I used the play-by-play stats. The Deep passes were a separate category. I have the breakdown of yards gained at home and will try to post later.

These things are not as precise as they could be but they are all that is available without replaying and reclassifying every play.

 

[Crusty]

Me

With our offense there are not too many passes where there is a real doubt.

 

[upperdeck]

the stats are usually way off as well. so are the espn ones. hope the coaches have real stuff to use.

 

[Finwad32]

With our offense there are not too many passes where there is a real doubt.

The problem is not only predictability but GMC not putting Hunt in a good position very often. A reluctance to throw early in a set of downs put us in 3rd and long numerous times this season. When you're trying to protect a young quarterback and develop him, you may want to not put him in the hardest throwing situation possible. I'd be interested to see a 3-4 game cumulative avg to see R/P ratio on downs 1-3 to see if its consistent and game by game splits. Id bet its pretty similar outside of possibly Fla. St.

On third and med-long Pitt was almost exclusively in a nickel the other day. Not ideal for Hunt.

 

[Millhouse]

The problem is not only predictability but GMC not putting Hunt in a good position very often. A reluctance to throw early in a set of downs put us in 3rd and long numerous times this season. When you're trying to protect a young quarterback and develop him, you may want to not put him in the hardest throwing situation possible. I'd be interested to see a 3-4 game cumulative avg to see R/P ratio on downs 1-3 to see if its consistent and game by game splits. Id bet its pretty similar outside of possibly Fla. St.

On third and med-long Pitt was almost exclusively in a nickel the other day. Not ideal for Hunt.

you know what else will put us in 3rd and long?

throwing on 1st down or 2nd down

 

[orangepassion]

I know we're a run first team, but we got to mix it up better on 1st down. !st down has become too predictable, particularly early in games. I also think running Hunt a little more outside of the pocket would keep defenses more honest.

 

[TheCusian]

It's crazy to look at just pass/run to make a point on predictability. A short pass in the flat is not the same as a deep out. A run into the middle is not the same as a jet sweep. A jet sweep has more in common with a flanker screen than.

What areas are McDonald attacking? Who is he attacking? Is he running a play vs a specific look from the D? Is it a run/pass option?

 

[Finwad32]

you know what else will put us in 3rd and long?

throwing on 1st down or 2nd down

The way Hunt's performed, this is reasonable. But throwing short - middle routes early in a set of downs (not necessarily bubbles or hitches either) when a defense is geared for run will create better situations for him. We're in a spread/trips almost exclusively anyway. We didn't even go to our power look with 12 personnel until at least the second half, maybe even fourth quarter.

Or should I just throw my hands up in the air and say fluck it, I'd be happy to see us run all day?

Just bc hunt is struggling doesn't mean I'm willing to give up on him. And even the case being that he's played so poorly, wouldn't that lend itself to putting him in better situations?

 

[Crusty]

I have more detailed stats which I will try to post later tonight. I have them by quarter as well as down and distance.

I have a feeling that GMAC is just trying not to lose the turnover battle as he knows we have no shot to overcome that. That I believe is why there are not passes over the middle. I am amazed that we have not fallen victim to a pick 6 on one of those screens. It may just be that they are willing to give them to us.

 

[retro44]

I have more detailed stats which I will try to post later tonight. I have them by quarter as well as down and distance.

I have a feeling that GMAC is just trying not to lose the turnover battle as he knows we have no shot to overcome that. That I believe is why there are not passes over the middle. I am amazed that we have not fallen victim to a pick 6 on one of those screens. It may just be that they are willing to give them to us.

That is what I am getting at on the lack of throws over the middle. I think that's where Allen has had his most picks from.

Clark is really the only player at this point to use on sideline and bubble screens as speed is needed to run those plays. Cornelius could be another option there as well.

But if our offense is struggling again Saturday,Allen should get his opportunity becauseHunt has not proven to be the sole answer to our problems.

 

[TheCusian]

That is what I am getting at on the lack of throws over the middle. I think that's where Allen has had his most picks from. Clark is really the only player at this point to use on sideline and bubble screens as speed is needed to run those plays. Cornelius could be another option there as well. But if our offense is struggling again Saturday,Allen should get his opportunity becauseHunt has not proven to be the sole answer to our problems.

Allen is not the answer. He is a pick machine.

 

[Crusty]

That is what I am getting at on the lack of throws over the middle. I think that's where Allen has had his most picks from.

Clark is really the only player at this point to use on sideline and bubble screens as speed is needed to run those plays. Cornelius could be another option there as well.

But if our offense is struggling again Saturday,Allen should get his opportunity becauseHunt has not proven to be the sole answer to our problems.

The last thing I would do is to put Allen in. He hasn't had enough reps in the last two months and he really has shown nothing this year anyway. He is a pick machine. At least Hunt is taking care of the ball.

 

[Crusty]

Here it is by Quarter.
Pitt 0-10-7-0-17
SU 6- 3-7-0-16

​

 

[SmilinBob]

Thanks crusty...what do those numbers going down mean?

Also, do you know what the numbers vs Pitt were last year? I'm curious to see how they match up since both were low scoring games.

 

[Crusty]

Thanks crusty...what do those numbers going down mean?

Also, do you know what the numbers vs Pitt were last year? I'm curious to see how they match up since both were low scoring games.

Crap they got distorted vs the preview. Let me fix - brb.

 

[All4SU]

Throw long every play. If we only convert 25% of those passes! our offense will be unstoppable. X-Box Offense! Who's with me?!?

 

[Crusty]

Thanks crusty...what do those numbers going down mean?

Also, do you know what the numbers vs Pitt were last year? I'm curious to see how they match up since both were low scoring games.

Those were junk at the bottom of the file so I deleted.

Mrs Crusty and I are going on a cruise on Sunday (quid pro quo for dragging her up and down the east coast for SU games) so I have loaded up the raw stats for a few games and will do those and post when I get back. I will look for last year's Pitt game.

 

[SmilinBob]

Those were junk at the bottom of the file so I deleted.

Mrs Crusty and I are going on a cruise on Sunday (quid pro quo for dragging her up and down the east coast for SU games) so I have loaded up the raw stats for a few games and will do those and post when I get back. I will look for last year's Pitt game.

Enjoy your trip and try not to eat too much! Are you using the money you get from the site to pay for the trip? At 50 cents a post it's crazy not to post here. Wait, is that just for premium members? How do I delete this post?

 

[Crusty]

Enjoy your trip and try not to eat too much! Are you using the money you get from the site to pay for the trip? At 50 cents a post it's crazy not to post here. Wait, is that just for premium members? How do I delete this post?

I had to cancel my subscription to the payside to afford the cruise but what the heck.

 

[upperdeck]

all the talk of Allen throwing picks is great but he also was throwing much more dangerous passes for the most part. The team reacted better to some stuff Hunt did, that doesnt mean he has played better.

not all of Allens picks where bad throws/decisions.. i am still in the camp that given the whole season we would be a better throwing team now. that doesnt mean we would have 5 wins though.