SU scoring by quarters

[Crusty]

Apparently, we are losing games before they start.

 

[orangenauburn]

Pretty much every time we defer they score first

 

[Libero2]

In the Maryland and FSU games they scored quickly early on. First drive of the game was also the only points allowed against CMU and WF. In basically every game our offense has sputtered out of the gate.

This breakdown does not surprise me in the least

 

[SWC75]

Or running out of time to win them. Maybe Shafer should stop deferring the opening kick-off?

I decided to check what happened at the beginning of each half of our game so far this season. I can't be sure who won the toss so I'll just record the results of possessions.

VILLANOVA
The Wildcats got the kick-off and drove to the SU 40, where they punted.
Syracuse went on a 96 yard "drive" for a score, the last 65 yards of it by PTG.
SU got the second half kickoff and went on an 83 yard TD drive.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN
CMU took the kickoff and drove to the SU 9, where they kicked a "Chip shot".
Syracuse drove to the CMU 25 and kicked an answering FG.
SU got the second half kick-off and drove to the CMU 41, where they punted. Our defense got us a safety on the next play.

MARYLAND
SU got the opening kick-off and drove to the Maryland 18, where they kicked a field goal.
Maryland drove the SU 44 and punted to open the second half.
Syracuse drove to the Maryland 27 but gave up the ball on downs.

NOTRE DAME
The Irish got the kickoff and drove to the SU 43, where they fumbled.
SU drove to the ND 44 and punted.
At the start of the second half, SU drove to the ND 29 but Hunt was intercepted.

LOUISVILLE
The Cardinals drove to the SU 41 and punted.
The Orange wound up punting form their 29.
Syracuse opened the second half by driving to the Louisville 6 and kicked a field goal.

FLORIDA STATE
The Seminoles got the kick and drove for a touchdown.
SU drove to their 20 where Austin Wilson threw that interception.
We got the second half kick-off but punted from our 29.
State drove 70 yards for a touchdown.

WAKE FOREST
Wake got the kick-off and punted from their 28.
SU drove to the Wake 49 and punted, (and Wake drove 91 yards for their only score)>
Syracuse drove to the Wake 16 to open the second half and kicked a field goal.

Mixed results, at best. I supposed the logical conclusion is that deferring to the second half, like most strategies, works best when you are better than the other team to begin with. It's probably not a good idea when you aren't.

 

[Tom Frey]

I have always thought that the difference in scoring in the second half shows how good your coaching staff is. It shows the ability of the coaches to recognize what the other team is doing and adjust things at halftime. It shows that they know how to play the game within the game. As for the first half I don't know whats going on there, maybe its talent maybe its prep I don't know.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The optimist in me says this shows we're good at making adjustments. The pessimist in me says that this shows that when we get possessions to start halves we score more at the start of that half, so it's not about adjustments it's just about having the ball.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

We have left a LOT of points on the table this year, wish there was a breakdown inclusive of squandered scoring possibilities as well (interceptions, penalties, etc.)

 

[Crusty]

The optimist in me says this shows we're good at making adjustments. The pessimist in me says that this shows that when we get possessions to start halves we score more at the start of that half, so it's not about adjustments it's just about having the ball.

I have no earthly idea - I wish I did.