SU/UNC thoughts

[orangepassion]

• Thrilled to see us using more LB's-Thought Shy and Richards looked fine and earned continued time. Think Guthrie was also excellent. Not sure why we went away from the 4-3 in the 2nd half.
• UNC did a nice job neutralizing our pass rush, mostly runs and quick passes. Us keep getting there a second late wasn't a coincidence. Thought their QB played very well.
• We still let up a few big running plays, particularly on their 2-play scoring drive, but Run Defense was much improved. Generally their big runs were to the perimeter, where we kept falling for their eye candy-i.e. everyone following the guys in motion. Thought our Safeties struggled most with the tackling, a couple bounce off Foster most games.
• I know the stat sheet said 5 tackles, but the only time I noticed Cordy was when he gave up a catch or missed a tackle. Had a chance for a great TFL, but missed the tackle. Hasn't been the same playmaker.
• I need more cowbell, Trill and Meli, not necessarily in that order. Their size makes such a difference.
• Neal had a couple of nice runs, obviously a huge fumble. Don't think he'll make that mistake again. Still think he's our most complete runner.
• Strickland sure smells blood when he's in the Red Zone
• Need to keep feeding Custis. Even if he'll drop one once in a while, he'll more than make up for it by catching 2 others that he has no business catching.
• Please no more fades for our 5'8 WR. 6'5 Custis is made for that-I'll take my chances with him there.
• Pierce made sure we all knew he was back with his regular 15 yard penalty. Hope it doesn't cost us a game.
• And of course, the big topic...QB. I looked over the tape some more. Dungey was better than I thought. Made some good plays-If Neal doesn't fumble at the 1 after a nice Dungey run, we're probably up and may not have seen Devito. My biggest issue is a little too much hero ball at times. Besides the play where he threw it on the way down, which was almost a turnover, he had a fumbled exchange where the ball hit the ground and instead of grabbing it, he hits it forward towards a Lineman. The Lineman happened to recover it, but it was another unnecessary risk and another example of not valuing the ball (besides 2 other near INT's where we lucked out). It's also hard to ignore what Devito did when he came in. With all that, I'm going to go with Bam, give Dungey another chance to come out post benching and see what he does with that. I think he's earned that. If he doesn't get the job done, he will definitely have a shorter leash.

 

[Chip]

One thing on the pass to Johnson on 4th down, it wasn't a fade. It was a wheel route. Not a bad idea, but UNC was right on it. They usually work better to RBs matching up with LBs, than to your speedy WR who already has a target on his back from the DB.

And Pierce. I mean feast or famine. Goal line, he's gold for that reception. But he's also going to knock a player down sometime during the game. Considering there were 3 flags thrown, the refs are watching his #. I wish we could use him similar to what Purdue does. Over the middle in the play action game, they had a lot of chunk plays in the middle of the field.

UNC's QB impressed me. For a guy they seem to hate, he really hung in there, found secondary options in the face of what's been a great pass rush all year.

 

[orangepassion]

Call it what you wish, but it was in the corner of the end zone over the DB, making it a tough catch for a 5'8 guy. Like I said above, i'll take my chances with my 6'5 guy there. I agree with using Pierce more-He's one of our few mismatches against talented teams.

One thing on the pass to Johnson on 4th down, it wasn't a fade. It was a wheel route. Not a bad idea, but UNC was right on it. They usually work better to RBs matching up with LBs, than to your speedy WR who already has a target on his back from the DB.

And Pierce. I mean feast or famine. Goal line, he's gold for that reception. But he's also going to knock a player down sometime during the game. Considering there were 3 flags thrown, the refs are watching his #. I wish we could use him similar to what Purdue does. Over the middle in the play action game, they had a lot of chunk plays in the middle of the field.

UNC's QB impressed me. For a guy they seem to hate, he really hung in there, found secondary options in the face of what's been a great pass rush all year.

 

[Chip]

Call it what you wish, but it was in the corner of the end zone over the DB, making it a tough catch for a 5'8 guy. Like I said above, i'll take my chances with my 6'5 guy there. I agree with using Pierce more-He's one of our few mismatches against talented teams.

It shouldn't have been thrown, but it's a young QB who's learning on the job.

It's a play that's schemed to be open, vs a fade that's schemed to be about making a play on the ball. And I agree, that guy to make a play on the ball should be the 6 foot 5 5th year senior. Custis is the player who's the exception to my I hate fades rule.