Winning Plays vs. Central Michigan

[SWC75]

Once again I’m going to chart our football games according to which team “won” each play. The idea is that you ask yourself what was the minimum acceptable result the team with the ball wanted and then, if they achieved at least that result, they “won” the play. If they didn’t, the other team “won” the play. I break down the result sby the circumstances of the play: first down ruins, first down passes, same for second down, third down and fourth down. Then I look at each kicking play, penalties, turnovers, etc. The result is a total that shows if a team won by dominating play after play or by getting the big plays- turnovers, long gains, kick returns, blocked kicks, etc. it gives you a view of how the game was physically. It also gives you an idea of what areas we need to improve our recruiting. If we are losing a majority of the plays, look to the line of scrimmage. If we are not getting the big plays, look to the playmakers and the coach’s philosophy. The break-out allows us to see how we did in certain situations, such as first downs runs or passes.

Here is the scoring system I’ve been using: On a play from scrimmage, the team with the ball is trying to either get a first down or a touchdown, (the latter being the only goal if it is a “goal to go” situation). If they get 1/3 of the way to those goals, (rounding the goal up), on first down they have “won the play because if they gained that amount of yardage three times in a row, they’d keep the ball for another series of down or they’d score. On second down they want to get halfway to their goal. On third or fourth down, they want to obtain the goal because if they don’t, they’d have to surrender the ball or settle for a lesser goal, (a field goal instead of a touchdown). If the offense doesn’t win the play, then the defense won the play.

On place kicks, it’s simple: if the kicking team scored the field the field goal or extra point, they won the play. On kick-offs, since touchbacks go out to the 25, any kickoff that ends with the receiving team having the ball no farther in than the 25 yards line is a win for the kicking team. Anything beyond that is a win for the receiving team. On a punt, the touchback comes out to the 20 so any punt that results in the other team getting the ball no further rout than their 20 is a win for the punting team. Also, any punt that gains the kicking at least 40 yards in field positon is a win for them. I’m not interested in how far the punt travels. I’m interested in where the other team will star their next play. Kick-offs after a safety will be judged as if they were punts. You want to get the ball at least a net 40 yards downfield. Ifg it’s within the 25, you obviously did that.

Turnovers are, obviously wins for the defense. This year I’ve decided to list them under the circumstances of the play, that is if it was a second down running play and there is a fumble, I’ll put “fumble” under “2R”, rather than listing it on a separate line under turnovers. It will be a lost play of the offense counted under second down running plays.

Sacks are counted as passing plays. “Victory” plays are wins for the team with the ball because they are just trying to get the clock moving so it will run out.


Penalties will be counted as plays under the circumstances of the play. If they negate a play or are tacked onto it, it’s part of the result of the play. A gain negated by an offside penalty is a -5 play. A 20 yard run turned into a 10 yard loss by a clip is a -10 play7. If you jump offside on second down and they blow the play dead, I’ll assume it was a passing play if it was at least second and five unless the play-by play says otherwise. Within 5 yards, I’ll assume it was a running play. If it was first down, I’ll assume a run, third or fourth down I’ll assume a pass, again unless it says otherwise. If it was a penalty not associated with a play, (unsportsmanlike conduct, etc. I’ll list it using the same assumptions about down and distance.

Glossary:

KICKS
KO = Kickoffs I’ll just list where the ball wound up, unless it was a TD or turnover.
P = Punts. I’ll list the net distance and where the ball wound up, unless it was a TD or turnover.
FG= Field Goal attempts. I’ll list the distance and ‘G’ (good) or ‘NG” (no good)
XP= Extra Points. Just G or NG unless it’s not from the normal distance due to a penalty. The penalty will be listed as a separate attempt (-5, -10, -15, etc) and lost paly for the kicking team.

SCRIMMAGE PLAYS
I’ll list the yardage gained or lost and put the yards needed for a first down or touchdown in parenthesis if other than 10, unless there is no gain or a loss, which would be a win for the defesne regardless of the yardage needed..
1r = First down rushing play.
1p= First down passing play.
Same for second down, (2r, 2p), third down (3r,3p) and fourth down (4r,4p)
I = Incomplete pass
INT = interception
FUM = fumble
TD = touchdown
V= “Victory” play

Vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN

When Syracuse had the ball:

KO: CM 20, CM 25, CM 19, CM 25, CM 25
Total: Syracuse 5 Central Michigan 0
P: 46(CM42), 51(CM5), 43(CM6), 64(CM4), 52(CM39), 36(CM10)
Total: Syracuse 6 Central Michigan 0
FG: G(21)
Total: Syracuse 1 Central Michigan 0
XP: G, G, G
Total: Syracuse 3 Central Michigan 0

Kicking plays total: Syracuse 15 Central Michigan 0

1r 9, -5P, 11(15), 26, 7, 4TD, -5P, 31, 9, 2, 5, -1, 1(8), , 0 2, -10P, -4, -2V, 7(8), 3
Total: Syracuse 11 Central Michigan 9
1p I, 62, 25TD, 22, 8, INT, -7, 7
Total: Syracuse 4 Central Michigan 3
First Down Total: Syracuse 15 Central Michigan 12
2r 1, 6(1), 0, 10(1), 12(11), 5(8), -1, -3, 4TD
Total: Syracuse 5 Central Michigan 4
2p 6(4), 12(8), I, 7TD, -2S, 4(14)
Total: Syracuse 3 Central Michigan 3
Second Down Total: Syracuse 8 Central Michigan 7
3r -1, 0, 5(29)
Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 3
3p I, I, I, 9(10), 13(5)
Total: Syracuse 1 Central Michigan 4
Third Down Total: Syracuse 1 Central Michigan 7
4r -5P
Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 1
4p none
Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 0
Fourth Down Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 1

Total on running plays: Syracuse 16 Central Michigan 17
Total on passing plays: Syracuse 8 Central Michigan 10
Total on plays from scrimmage: Syracuse 24 Central Michigan 27

Game total when Syracuse had the ball: Syracuse 39 Central Michigan 27


When Central Michigan had the ball:

KO: SU 19, SU 25, SU 45, SU 25, SU 21
Total: Syracuse 1 Central Michigan 4
P: 60(SU11), 22(SU20), 32(CM41), 43(SU10), 44(SU23)
Total: Syracuse 2 Central Michigan 3
FG: G(34), NG(51), G(25)
Total: Syracuse 1 Central Michigan 2
XP: G, G, G
Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 3

Kicking plays total: Syracuse 4 Central Michigan 12

1r 8, 5, 1, 1, 31, 0, 6, 9, 0, 5, -1, 2, 5, 2TD, -1, -6, 0, 19, 1(6)
Total: Syracuse 10 Central Michigan 9
1p 1, 8, 4, 27, 10, 16, 31P, I, 22, I, 5, 7, -7S, 4, 8, 2, 5, 8, 20, 8, I
Total: Syracuse 6 Central Michigan 15
First Down Total: Syracuse 16 Central Michigan24
2r -1, 8(2), 4(6), -1, 2(1), 6(5), 9, 3(5), 4(3), 5(6), 5(2)
Total: Syracuse 2 Central Michigan 9
2p 9(2), 19(5), I, 11(9), I, I, I, -7S, 48(11), 10(8), 4(11), 5(16), +15P, I, INT, 6(5), 19(2), I, -7S, 4(5)
Total: Syracuse 11 Central Michigan 9
Second Down Total: Syracuse 13 Central Michigan 18
3r 1, 4(1), -5P, 0, -2, -1
Total: Syracuse 5 Central Michigan 1
3p 9, I, -9P, 7(19), 10(2), I, 9, I, 23(7), 25(11), -13S-fumble, I, 27TD
Total: Syracuse 7 Central Michigan 6
Third Down Total: Syracuse 12 Central Michigan 7
4r 2(1)
Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 1
4p 2TD, 6(4)
Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 2
Fourth Down Total: Syracuse 0 Central Michigan 3

Total on running plays: Syracuse 17 Central Michigan 20
Total on passing plays: Syracuse 24 Central Michigan 32
Total on plays from scrimmage: Syracuse 41 Central Michigan 52

Game total when Central Michigan had the ball: Syracuse 45 Central Michigan 64

Overall game total: Syracuse 84 Central Michigan 91

Comments: I was surprised the overall game total was a close as that. We were so dominated in the second, (no first downs vs. 90 yard drives), that I thought it would be as one-sided as the first down count, (11-30). But we’d dominated before that. We made enough plays to hold them off and then win the game. And we pitched a shut-out in the kicking game, 15-0. When Dungey was hurt, we were 12-5 in ‘winning’ offensive plays. After that we were 12-22. I knew, despite the fact that they only ran for 90 yards, that they had hurt us on the ground. We were only 10-9 stopping them on first down runs. But we were a horrendous 2-9 on second down runs and 17-20 overall. We were 16-17 when we ran the ball, even thoughwe gained 165 yards. Turnover margin continues to be huge for this team. We are now +7 for the season: we’ve thrown two interceptions vs. grabbing 5 and taking 4 fumbles. The 2001 Dwight Freeney team, which was outgained on the year but went 10-3 because of turnovers, was +15 over 13 games. We’re on a pace for +28 in 12 games. That figures to level off but it could still get us to a 13th game.

 

[SWC75]

SEASON TOTALS

When SYRACUSE had the ball:

KO: Syracuse 15 Opponent 3
P: Syracuse 13 Opponent 3
FG: Syracuse 5 Opponent 1
XP: Syracuse 11 Opponent 0

Kicking plays total: Syracuse 44 Opponent 7

1r Syracuse 32 Opponent 38
1p Syracuse 11 Opponent 9
First Down Total: Syracuse 43 Opponent 47
2r Syracuse25 Opponent 14
2p Syracuse 8 Opponent 9
Second Down Total: Syracuse 33 Opponent 23
3r Syracuse 6 Opponent 11
3p Syracuse 7 Opponent 12
Third Down Total: Syracuse 13 Opponent 23
4r Syracuse 1 Opponent 3
4p Syracuse 0 Opponent 0
Fourth Down Total: Syracuse 1 Opponent 3

Total on running plays: Syracuse 64 Opponent 66
Total on passing plays: Syracuse 26 Opponents 30
Total on plays from scrimmage: Syracuse 90 Opponent 96

Game total when SYRACUSE had the ball: Syracuse 134 Opponent 103

When THE OPPONENT had the ball:

KO: Syracuse 3 Opponent 8
P: Syracuse 6 Opponent 13
FG: Syracuse 2 Opponent 3
XP: Syracuse 0 Opponent 5

Kicking plays total: Syracuse 11 Opponent 29

1r Syracuse 31 Opponent 17
1p Syracuse 19 Opponent 23
First Down Total: Syracuse 50 Opponent 40
2r Syracuse 10 Opponent 13
2p Syracuse 23 Opponent 25
Second Down Total: Syracuse 33 Opponent 38
3r Syracuse 10 Opponent 5
3p Syracuse 23 Opponent 11
Third Down Total: Syracuse 33 Opponent 16
4r Syracuse 1 Opponent 1
4p Syracuse 1 Opponent 3
Fourth Down Total: Syracuse 2 Opponent 4

Total on running plays: Syracuse 52 Opponent 36
Total on passing plays: Syracuse 66 Opponent 62
Total on plays from scrimmage: Syracuse 118 Opponent 98

Game total when our OPPONENT had the ball: Syracuse 129 Opponent 127

Overall game total: Syracuse 263 Opponent 230

Comments: I still don’t like the performance of our offensive line. We are 32-38 on first down runs against three opponents who weren’t supposed to be as good as we are upfront with our four seniors and a junior. The only downs we are winning on offense are first down passes, (the easiest down to win because they are expecting a run : 11-9) and second down runs where have done very well (25-14. We are poor overall on offensive third down, (13-23) and better than I thought defensively (33-16) but much of that is the Rhode Island game. Since then we are 2-17 offensively and 23-15 defensively. We have a deciive edge in the kicking game (44-7 vs. 11-29), but if we keep giving up these 90+ yard drives, that’s not going to help us. And we are +7 in turnovers after only three games. Can we keep up that pace against better teams?

 

[SWC75]

Historical Winning Plays
(Game totals only)

2011
Syracuse 101 Wake Forest 87
Syracuse 92 Rhode Island 65
Syracuse 75 USC 90
Syracuse 96 Toledo 88
Syracuse 103 Rutgers 99
Syracuse 79 Tulane 99
Syracuse 90 West Virginia 84
Syracuse 74 Louisville 83
Syracuse 84 Connecticut 86
Syracuse 92 South Florida 106
Syracuse 83 Cincinnati 104
Syracuse 87 Pittsburgh 93
TOTAL: Syracuse 1,056 Opponents 1,117

2012
Syracuse 105 Northwestern 116
Syracuse 92 USC 98
Syracuse 93 Stony Brook 82
Syracuse 82 Minnesota 95
Syracuse 85 Pittsburgh 76
Syracuse 93 Rutgers 73
Syracuse 103 Connecticut 70
Syracuse 115 South Florida 92
Syracuse 96 Cincinnati 122
Syracuse 103 Louisville 86
Syracuse 92 Missouri 98
Syracuse 98 Temple 81
Syracuse 105 West Virginia 82
TOTAL: Syracuse 1,262 Opponents 1,171

2013
Syracuse 75 Penn State 113
Syracuse 92 Northwestern 114
Syracuse 115 Wagner 52
Syracuse 107 Tulane 76
Syracuse 64 Clemson 136
Syracuse 111 N C State 85
Syracuse 46 Georgia Tech 113
Syracuse 108 Wake Forest 81
Syracuse 92 Maryland 88
Syracuse 55 Florida State 104
Syracuse 80 Pittsburgh 96
Syracuse 100 Boston College 87
Syracuse 99 Minnesota 79
TOTAL: Syracuse 1,144 Opponents 1,224

2014
Syracuse 91 Villanova 103
Syracuse 99 Central Michigan 76
Syracuse 91 Maryland 91
Syracuse 71 Notre Dame 114
Syracuse 71 Louisville 100
Syracuse 80 Florida State 101
Syracuse 86 Wake Forest 77
Syracuse 75 Clemson 102
Syracuse 92 N C State 101
Syracuse 78 Duke 98
Syracuse 46 Pittsburgh 114
Syracuse 72 Boston College 78
TOTAL: Syracuse 952 Opponents 1,155

2015
Syracuse 96 Rhode Island 55
Syracuse 83 Wake Forest 83
Syracuse 84 Central Michigan 91
TOTAL: Syracuse 263 Opponents 230

 

[upperdeck]

it really shows the value of big plays be it for yards or causing a TO. all game changers. and we lost one other big play on the first punt return.

 

[SWC75]

it really shows the value of big plays be it for yards or causing a TO. all game changers. and we lost one other big play on the first punt return.

It would have been nice to have an extra score, (I realize Brisley didn't make it to paydirt but it would have been a short drive), during that awful second half.