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Play of the game was the 4th down right before half, imo. Then its a blowout if we stop them. They were spent. That 1 play got them back into it.

Our O didn't move that fast and I guess that is understandable with new OL's/WR's and an unknown opponent. Our D had breakdowns as the game progressed making tackles in space. What else is new.

The most troubling area continues to be special teams. With all the explosive players on the roster (Vaughan, Lowe, Little, Lawry, Johnson) how can we never crack a decent return? Against Hampton.

(08-30-2014 08:26 PM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Our O didn't move that fast and I guess that is understandable with new OL's/WR's and an unknown opponent. Our D had breakdowns as the game progressed making tackles in space. What else is new.

The most troubling area continues to be special teams. With all the explosive players on the roster (Vaughan, Lowe, Little, Lawry, Johnson) how can we never crack a decent return? Against Hampton.

WELL SAID!!!!

Giles, good call, but I think the bleeping prevent calls by the DC cost us that td. Why let him pick us apart in the final minute if the half when we were doing a good job disrupting them and getting pressure on Williamson.

(08-30-2014 08:21 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Play of the game was the 4th down right before half, imo. Then its a blowout if we stop them. They were spent. That 1 play got them back into it.

Just watched again, Malique Johnson had a breakdown in coverage. We had the blitz on and he gave up an inside slant. QB had like 1 second to dump the ball, have to kill the slant when he knows the blitz is on.

TH has got to run the ball. When the opponent drops everybody in coverage he has to make them pay instead of staying in the pocket forever then trying to force something or throwing the ball away. The entire second half he could have been breaking off 10 yard runs if he had just taken it. If we have a chance to beat FBS teams this year TH has to take advantage of his speed to help the receivers get more one on one coverages. The spread attack just doesn't work if the QB is unwilling to take off a few times a game and make the defense pay for dropping everybody.

Yeah maybe, but I cringe every time he runs. Maybe we see it a little more vs the FBS schools.

When is Mewbourne expected back? Our LTs played very poorly. Both 74 and 69

(08-30-2014 08:49 PM)84Monarch Wrote:  Giles, good call, but I think the bleeping prevent calls by the DC cost us that td. Why let him pick us apart in the final minute if the half when we were doing a good job disrupting them and getting pressure on Williamson.

Excellent point I said the same thing.
I saw flashes of good play, but not consistent. We need a kicker, and bad.

I'm more worried about punter than kicker.

Re watched game. Staton looked like he played well outside of one of the pass plays. Mishear was good. Did they even throw on Owens?

I'm still trying to figure out how we gave up 400+ yards passing against Hampton.

(08-30-2014 10:15 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Yeah maybe, but I cringe every time he runs. Maybe we see it a little more vs the FBS schools.

I am not saying he needs to take on linebackers. I just think hehe needs to pull it down earlier, take the 10 yards and get out of bounds, like Russell Wilson. Wilson consistently converts big third downs with his feet, but he never takes a hit. TH just needs to make the decision to run more quickly, before the pocket starts closing in on him and he has nowhere to go but back to the line of scrimmage.

The most frustrating part of the second half was the fact that ODU was running the ball 5-7 yards per carry. We didn't need to try to throw the ball. Hampton was winded and the game was teetering on a blow out. Instead, Brian Scott decided to force the passing game. Why not take what the defense was giving us? The only reason I can guess is that they wanted to pad Heinicke's stats.

Had ODU just continued to run the ball, it would have run down the clock and sealed the deal. Gerard Johnson was having a career day. It just doesn't make sense to me.

(08-30-2014 09:54 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  TH has got to run the ball. When the opponent drops everybody in coverage he has to make them pay instead of staying in the pocket forever then trying to force something or throwing the ball away. The entire second half he could have been breaking off 10 yard runs if he had just taken it. If we have a chance to beat FBS teams this year TH has to take advantage of his speed to help the receivers get more one on one coverages. The spread attack just doesn't work if the QB is unwilling to take off a few times a game and make the defense pay for dropping everybody.

I completely agree. That was what was most noticeable for me about yesterday's game. IMO Taylor (and the entire offense) played very conservatively. They were even slow getting back to line. Also I don't know if this has something to do with "the campaign" or if he is still weary from that hit he took last season, but I really missed seeing Taylor take off for 8 -10 yards when the coverage was on. While I understand that he's not trying to force it, there were just entirely too many throw aways and wasted downs. I would have much preferred to see him at least try to grab a couple of yards on a short carry or like in years past show some moxey with a well placed pass.

(08-31-2014 06:35 AM)odufansam Wrote:  The most frustrating part of the second half was the fact that ODU was running the ball 5-7 yards per carry. We didn't need to try to throw the ball. Hampton was winded and the game was teetering on a blow out. Instead, Brian Scott decided to force the passing game. Why not take what the defense was giving us? The only reason I can guess is that they wanted to pad Heinicke's stats.

Had ODU just continued to run the ball, it would have run down the clock and sealed the deal. Gerard Johnson was having a career day. It just doesn't make sense to me.

I really believe they were saving bullets for NC State. No need to tip them off as to how good our rushing attack could be when there was no need. Same with Heinicke running. Let that be a bit of a surprise and there was no need to take the risk against Hampton a team we could and did outclass on talent alone. I also thought we played more vanilla on defense for much the same reason.

Watching the Georgia Southern-NC State game before ours yesterday, it will be important to be able to control the tempo some. Can't have the offense only going one speed and having a balanced attack to keep the NC State defense guessing is going a key to the game.

It's only one game. Yet we all heard how much the D had improved. Yes for sure the D-line has......there is size, and run stopping ability. We got exploited with a young secondary, and am puzzled with where we are with linebacker pass coverage. It's like our game plan was deep prevent defense. We got hurt with Hampton's screen passes.

Special teams was lacking seriously. Bad kick off coverage, missed extra point, 32yard "on side" kick.......can you believe we fell asleep on that one? Why do we not use our punters.?.....they have scholarships.

Offensive line was good at times and then flat footed at others.

Thank goodness for the running game in the second half.

TH was poised, yet he never looked like he was trying as hard as he has in past games. That may have been the game plan.

Hats off to Hampton. They played a great game. And got a little injured along the way. Yet, like a good team (that they are for sure) never ever gave up.

(08-31-2014 07:22 AM)gilla Wrote:  It's only one game. Yet we all heard how much the D had improved. Yes for sure the D-line has......there is size, and run stopping ability. We got exploited with a young secondary, and am puzzled with where we are with linebacker pass coverage. It's like our game plan was deep prevent defense. We got hurt with Hampton's screen passes.

I will say this about the defense they looked demonstrably faster.

Agree with your other points.

My one word description for the game is "inconsistent". I saw lots to like, much crisper tackling, more d speed, O line opened huge holes for Johnson, d line much improved, stuffed their run and rushed their QB alot. Four turnovers is unheard of from an ODU team,
all with playing 13 true freshmen and 26 over all new players. I guess as a glass half full guy I see a team with tons of potential that simply needs experience. Obviously special teams and pass coverage needs work, but I expect this team to get better week after week.I think the raw talent is there.
As for TH not running, I can't help but think that was by design. He could have single handidly turned this game into a rout by taking off on some of those pass plays.It seemed as though he had 10 minutes in the pocket some plays and just never took off.TH did not just become lead footed his senior year. He was either trying to give new receivers a chance to get open or simply not showing NC State a part of his game.
I won't pass judgement on this team until probably mid season or later. They are extremely young. If I see great improvement game to game I'll be satisfied. We all knew this was gonna be a rough year.

(08-30-2014 07:50 PM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  I too thought DL stood out. Our linebackers can't cover pass routes. Tired of the defensive backfield. We have all those talented freshmen. Play them can't be any worse then the current cornerbacks and safeties. All that size we recruited and mini me are playing cornerbacks.

I thought our defensive backfield coverage was horrible. The rest of the defense didn't do too bad.

(08-30-2014 08:08 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  Guess we should have worked Breon Key out when he was an ODU student. He intercepted both of TH throws.

Breon Key obviously had an axe to grind and probably was the most motivated player on the field.