(10-02-2015 12:32 PM)AeroCat Wrote:  The Tubs we had last night is the guy I've been looking for since he got here. The team was clearly prepared and focused. The game plan was sound. Adjustments were made and were effective. And he showed some energy on the sideline arguing calls.

The staff has had a good plan for all the teams we have played except for Miami of Ohio. Even with 4 turnovers against both Memphis and Temple they were still within a score of winning. The only thing stopping us from being 5-0 are some awful decisions by our QB and some mental mistakes by guys with the ball.

The coaches were caught off guard by the play calling of Miami, and they made adjustments and stopped the outside sweeps in the second half. People want to blame the defense and call for Clinks head, but our defense has kept us in every game. They may not be great but they are much further ahead compared to last year.

Does anyone remember last years defense? Teams just ran the ball right up the middle and gained 7+ yards every game. This year teams are finding it hard to gain yards through the middle on us, and that is with a fairly inexperienced front 4. I would have killed to see some of the tackles for loss last year, and this year we actually have guys breaking into the backfield to blow up a screen.

I am optimistic for Clinkscale as a defensive coordinator, and really hope the D continues to improve, because I would love to see what this guy can do in year two. I also will go out on a limb and say that Eddie Gran has improved a lot in terms of play calling and managing the clock. The way they went down and got that field goal to end the first half was a great.

(10-02-2015 12:42 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Give me that same fire week in and week out and everything else will be fine. This team looks up to him and feeds off of him and seems to be way more focused and dialed in when he is emotional. People don't have to believe in that stuff but I think it's very real.

Agreed.

The thing that stood out to me most was the defensive staff last night. They made some really good in-game adjustments.

They came out much more aggressive in the second half and really took advantage of Kaaya's weaknesses.

Am I wrong in that they pulled the starting MLB after the first quarter and a half? It looked like they did and it was very much needed. Nothing against him but he was getting absolutely destroyed last night. I didn't see him again after a series or two in the 2nd quarter and immediately the defense seemed to improve.

Also, it was really good to see Alex Thomas get a chance to play some. He needs to be out there a lot more than he's been.

(10-02-2015 01:09 PM)Banter Wrote:  The only thing stopping us from being 5-0 are some awful decisions by our QB and some mental mistakes by guys with the ball.

Special Teams and Penalties were huge issues in the three previous games as well.

(09-23-2015 11:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Folks, it's year 3...80+ guys on this roster were brought in by this staff including 15+ Jucos. Even Obama thinks it's time to take responsibility and stop blaming the prior administration.

Valid point. We have a lot of youth on the field right now on D: freshmen, red shirt freshmen, and sophomores. I think Butch's last year and Tub's first year didn't give us a lot, and we're paying for it. That's not just on Butch.

(10-02-2015 01:29 PM)Dannyboy Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Folks, it's year 3...80+ guys on this roster were brought in by this staff including 15+ Jucos. Even Obama thinks it's time to take responsibility and stop blaming the prior administration.

Valid point. We have a lot of youth on the field right now on D: freshmen, red shirt freshmen, and sophomores. I think Butch's last year and Tub's first year didn't give us a lot, and we're paying for it. That's not just on Butch.

It has gone virtually unmentioned but I think the OL left behind was very talented though. I really think Ehinger, Murray and Bond all have legit shots at playing on Sunday's. All of them have tremendous athleticism and footwork.

Butch recruited well on offense. OL and WR are stacked.

(10-02-2015 12:42 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Give me that same fire week in and week out and everything else will be fine. This team looks up to him and feeds off of him and seems to be way more focused and dialed in when he is emotional. People don't have to believe in that stuff but I think it's very real.

Couldn't agree more. It started at the press conference and continued to the game...nice to see that fire, enthusiasm and a big win!

(10-02-2015 01:37 PM)Dannyboy Wrote:  Butch recruited well on offense. OL and WR are stacked.

WR yes, offensive lineButch recruited 6 offensive linemen in three classes, all of those guys became contributors and some became great players, but UC was walking a knifes edge with their offensive line depth for Tubs first two years. Only now do they have sufficient numbers where they can weather an injury here or there

(10-02-2015 01:36 PM)Marcus Wrote:  

(10-02-2015 01:29 PM)Dannyboy Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:44 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Folks, it's year 3...80+ guys on this roster were brought in by this staff including 15+ Jucos. Even Obama thinks it's time to take responsibility and stop blaming the prior administration.

Valid point. We have a lot of youth on the field right now on D: freshmen, red shirt freshmen, and sophomores. I think Butch's last year and Tub's first year didn't give us a lot, and we're paying for it. That's not just on Butch.

It has gone virtually unmentioned but I think the OL left behind was very talented though. I really think Ehinger, Murray and Bond all have legit shots at playing on Sunday's. All of them have tremendous athleticism and footwork.

Been very impressed with the steady improvement of the O line. In particular, the pass blocking and set up of a nice pocket has been impressive. Bond is "quietly" becoming a stud at center and he has NFL ability written all over him IMO. He still has another year to develop and improve which is a good thing for his potential draft status and for the team.