Pluses and Minuses

[IthacaMatt]

I knew I should stay away from suicide watch on here, and I am actually a little ashamed for some of our more seasoned posters who are full on with the Doom and Gloom.

Yes, we got blitzed badly in the first half, but there were lots of positive signs in the second half, where we played much, much better. Yes, we did not look ready early. Yes, this looked like one of those Pat White WVU beat downs.

But things leveled off in the second half. I saw Allen make many good throws. I saw new talent emerge at wide receiver, in Clark, Estime and Broyld.

Our defense hit hard and tackled fairly well. Colter is very elusive and we did not do a good job with him, but that can be said of many Shafer defenses against running QBs. It's not like this is new. Our DBs took bad angles on more than a few deep throws against us. We gave up tons too many big plays defensively. But there's no question about the defensive talent on this team. We just lost contain too many times from our defensive ends. But that's all correctable.

I liked that in the second half we went back to our running game. They kind of forgot about it until Pugh got back from injury last year, too. Let's not forget our recent past so quickly. Jerome is a powerful back.

Now, Allen lacked in the decision making department, forcing a few balls and getting a couple badly picked off, but Nassib used to do that, too, and try to force it too much. Way too many balls being batted down, but that's on the line as much as it's on the quarterback.

But how about the touch that Allen is showing on some of those slants and balls over the middle, like that little slip pass? How long did it take Nassib to be able to make those throws? Drew threw a lot better than week 1, where he was missing those guys on the flanker screens. Allen went 27-41 for 279 yards. If it were not for the 4 interceptions, it would be a very good game, and is a huge improvement over his 16 for 37 for 189 yards against Penn State.

My DVR cut off the last 3 or 4 minutes, so I missed Hunt, who apparently did well. (I have not seen the stats or video of him yet, so I guess there's added reason why people are so down on Allen, but he had a very good stretch in the second half before that last interception, I thought.)

I think it's pretty clear that we are going to kick some ass these next 2 weeks. If Allen and the offense are not clicking, then you talk about working in Hunt in the second half of the 2nd game.

But I see a lot of good signs out there, although we lost control of this one early. Sometimes that happens. They fought back and were pretty even in the second half. Let's build on that.

 

[OrangePA]

The if not for 4 INTs part of the post is the most important part.

Four INTs is death in college football.

That stat overshadows everything else Drew did.

He just seems to play a notch too slow.

That has to be corrected.

 

[orangepassion]

The easiest way to lose these next 2 games are turnovers. They are the great equalizer. Just sayin'

 

[Crusty]

Allen is very average His strengths are offset by his weaknesses. More importantly I sense the team really wants Hunt.

 

[TheCusian]

The if not for 4 INTs part of the post is the most important part.

Four INTs is death in college football.

That stat overshadows everything else Drew did.

He just seems to play a notch too slow.

That has to be corrected.

Yep. That's the stat to watch, IMO. If he has more multiple picks per game - go with Hunt.

 

[syr02esq]

Allen has a problem with locking on a receiver too long and not going through his progressions.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

A few positives individual performances I saw were Clark, Estime, and Arciniaga. I thought all three brought athleticism to their respective positions. I thought Luke looked great and deserves more plays.

 

[albanyorange]

There is more of a problem than all the emphasis you guys are giving on offense !!!
Just one number 581 says a lot about defense also !!!!! Granted they are a good if not great offense but our D gave up 581 that says secondary needs help !!!!!


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[upperdeck]

the issues on D were not talent related for most of the game.. thats the real key.

 

[OR!ON31]

IM - I agree with you that Allen did some good things but also have to agree with OragePA and orangepassion as being the equalizers. Especially that last pick which proved to be a momentum killer.
I saw the game in its entirety and have to say that yes in fact there are lots of good to take from it. It is my humble opinion that there should be more of Broyld, Estime, Clark, and even Funderburke on the WR unit. (Sprinkle some Moore at TE)
The running game has to go through Jerome Smith as he is our workhorse and an specimen at the RB position. There were times were he pounded the opposition and even received praised from the commentators. Though never understood why was he not fed the rock more often throughout the ball game.

Dmcnabbrules - wholeheartedly agree that Arciniega's ability showed and was a positive thing to see. With him I think is a matter of getting the reps to get acclimated.

And last but not least I truly believe the staff needs to give Terell Hunt more snaps.
It was evident how he 'owned' the offense from the very first snap. Just the way he call the plays and communicated with his receivers as well as the line prior to each down. I thought he was assertive and when it wasn't there used his athleticism to gain positive yardage.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Allen is not capable of doing the aforementioned I just think that it is a completely different team with TH in the huddle. I guess you can say it is a matter of comfort and chemistry.
If you guys can take a look at that last drive when TH came into the game you just see the demeanor of the time as they progressed through each one of the plays that was called.

Sorry for my rambling I just thought of offering my feedback. God only knows I am Orange through and through and that I wish to see this team succeed. We definitely have talent on this team I guess it is simply a matter of time.