UNH 142.2
Mizzou 193.33
UCinn 203.37
BSU 134.76
CMU 165.69
WMU 176.03
ISU 144.12
UMass 138.39
Kent State 88.13

It is a wonder why teams even bother running against Toledo.

(10-28-2014 12:21 PM)FtLauderdaleRocket Wrote:  It is a wonder why teams even bother running against Toledo.

If I was a coach I would throw every single play. Only reason I'd have a RB in the game would be to block. Heck, most of the time we don't get enough pressure to even require that.

I know our defense isn't very good, but isn't some of the pass defense numbers due to our strong run defense? Just asking.

(10-28-2014 12:21 PM)FtLauderdaleRocket Wrote:  It is a wonder why teams even bother running against Toledo.

Exactly!! 4-0 in the MAC or not, if we can't find ways to improve pass defense, this season will end in disappointment. Except for our secondary, this is a very solid team. But... you're only as strong as your weakest point...

(10-28-2014 05:10 PM)rockytop Wrote:  I know our defense isn't very good, but isn't some of the pass defense numbers due to our strong run defense? Just asking.

Typically having a strong run defense benefits the pass defense. They work hand and hand. It is a lot easier to cover when your D stuffing the run game and you continually put the opposing team in third and long situations. The problem is we can't get off the field on 3rd and long. I think on the first drive against Umass, they converted 4 - 3 and long situations... I think one was 3rd and 20. That is just beyond awful!

(10-29-2014 10:47 AM)BDV27 Wrote:  

(10-28-2014 05:10 PM)rockytop Wrote:  I know our defense isn't very good, but isn't some of the pass defense numbers due to our strong run defense? Just asking.

Typically having a strong run defense benefits the pass defense. They work hand and hand. It is a lot easier to cover when your D stuffing the run game and you continually put the opposing team in third and long situations. The problem is we can't get off the field on 3rd and long. I think on the first drive against Umass, they converted 4 - 3 and long situations... I think one was 3rd and 20. That is just beyond awful!

UMass was 6 of 14 on 3rd down conversions, 4 of 5 on 4th down.
I hate 3 man rush and dropping 8 into coverage

So umass was 10/15 on situations if getting off the field.

I think Umass not really being able to stop our offense had to play into some of their high risk decisions too. It doesn't really make much sense to try to play field position against us unless it's pouring down rain or you're from a place that's better than the mid-American conference. I'm surprised Umass punted on 4th and whatever from our ~40 yard line on their last possession too.

The previous possession Toledo punted to UMass. It was 4th and 14 from about midfield. That's pretty risky if you don't get it giving Toledo 2:40 to go half way down the field and score. Plus there is always a chance Jones muffs it, or Toledo turns in back over if they have to go the length. Keeping JD out of field goal range was their thought. I'm sure UMass D staff wasn't counting on Mike Roberts catching a 40 yard pass on 3rd and long to keep that drive going under 2 minutes.

(10-29-2014 03:04 PM)therockets046 Wrote:  I think Umass not really being able to stop our offense had to play into some of their high risk decisions too. It doesn't really make much sense to try to play field position against us unless it's pouring down rain or you're from a place that's better than the mid-American conference. I'm surprised Umass punted on 4th and whatever from our ~40 yard line on their last possession too.

Agree. They knew they were going to have to take some chances. We do the same thing against better opponents whom we are trying to beat. When we are trying to beat them.

No matter how much we dislike the way the defense has performed - the one thing that cannot be overlooked is we have won the games that mean the most to get to the post season. The effect of coming through when it matters to pull out games will continue to build on itself and our confidence will continue to rise if we keep doing that. There have been a number of teams that have just been able to win - even if they only played to the level of the competition and didn't dominate the weaker teams. I refuse to complain any further until we lose a game the rest of the season. We should win out - and if we do not, it does not support my point. I am now beginning to believe that unless we have unfortunate injuries or some even more horrid officiating, that we have the talent and ability to win every game - even if they are not in convincing fashion. I'm ok with that.

(10-29-2014 11:37 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  

(10-29-2014 10:47 AM)BDV27 Wrote:  

(10-28-2014 05:10 PM)rockytop Wrote:  I know our defense isn't very good, but isn't some of the pass defense numbers due to our strong run defense? Just asking.

Typically having a strong run defense benefits the pass defense. They work hand and hand. It is a lot easier to cover when your D stuffing the run game and you continually put the opposing team in third and long situations. The problem is we can't get off the field on 3rd and long. I think on the first drive against Umass, they converted 4 - 3 and long situations... I think one was 3rd and 20. That is just beyond awful!

UMass was 6 of 14 on 3rd down conversions, 4 of 5 on 4th down.
I hate 3 man rush and dropping 8 into coverage

I don't care about the stats, we keep winning games. That is all that counts. If you look at the rest of our schedule, nobody will pass like UMASS. Keep the faith, the defense is playing a look of freshmen and sophs, they are getting better.

Bg may pass like umass. They have some options to throw to at least. Greene is a decent back also.

(10-30-2014 03:03 PM)FrickerRon Wrote:  If you look at the rest of our schedule, nobody will pass like UMASS.

Yes, this might be true, but that school down south is currently 25th overall in D1 passing yards. Not quite UMass as you say, but decent enough none-the-less if you look at our track record. They will be stupid if they do not come out with a full force aerial attack to see if we can stop it. This game makes me more nervous than does NIU.

The other great thing about our remaining schedule is the extra rest before the Tuesday game as this should help us mend. And, if we have a couple guys still banged up, we should be able to handle Kent and allow them to rest for the NIU and BG games. We also get one more day of rest than BG before our home game with them. Finally, we get 9 days rest before heading up to EMU to hopefully put some icing on the cake!

UMASS QB was pressured most of the second half resulting in high throws. When he has been off target this season it has been high. Rockets defense did a very good job of making him uncomfortable and, as a result, missing on a number of passes high including the last pass of the game.

Technically we could still lose the BG game and we'd still be alright. They are all important, but the NIU game is the most important. We lose that one and we're sunk.

(10-29-2014 09:35 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  No matter how much we dislike the way the defense has performed - the one thing that cannot be overlooked is we have won the games that mean the most to get to the post season. The effect of coming through when it matters to pull out games will continue to build on itself and our confidence will continue to rise if we keep doing that. There have been a number of teams that have just been able to win - even if they only played to the level of the competition and didn't dominate the weaker teams. I refuse to complain any further until we lose a game the rest of the season. We should win out - and if we do not, it does not support my point. I am now beginning to believe that unless we have unfortunate injuries or some even more horrid officiating, that we have the talent and ability to win every game - even if they are not in convincing fashion. I'm ok with that.

I tend to agree with you that at this point in the season continuing to complain about the defense is pretty much pointless. We are closing in on the end of the season and if there was going to be any significant improvement, we would have probably already seen it by now. So far they are doing enough to get by in the MAC and we will pretty much know for sure in about a week and a half because recently it seems that every year it all comes down to the NIU game. Hopefully this D is good enough to allow the Rockets to win the West and the MACC as well this year as there are no really strong teams in the conference this year.

We lose to NIU and we're sunk? IMO there is a very very slim chance they beat Ball State and WMU. Idk, they're really not overly impressive in any part of their game but the run game...which happens to be what we've stunted best so far. They're not as versatile as before so they won't be "AS" successful with their scramble and pass game. Sure, like everyone they'll have yards on us but if the RB's stay under 4.5 ypc we should win. No dumb turnovers, and force like one!! JUST ONE! haha. If we struggle with Kent State I'll get worried, but Wednesday NIU vs. BSU... that could end the NIU MAC run.

Kent State's # is now included.