(09-03-2017 11:03 PM)CincoDosAdios Wrote: Game replay is on right now (11:45 pm ET), and just noticing little things that I didn't while watching at Monelli's on Saturday:
Cornerback play: When not being hamstrung by being in zone coverage, Western's corners played outstanding ball. Beal and Phillips may BOTH be All-MAC level this year.
Leadership After Grant missed the first FG attempt, Jarvion was immediately at his side offering encouragement, and telling him that he'd be needed later. THAT is what makes talented teams great teams.
Running Game Holy CRAP. We have an absolute embarrassment of riches when it comes to O-Line and running backs. I remember back in the day when we would play against P5 teams, but poor Brandon West, or Robert Sanford, or any of our other RB's would have to make their first move a yard behind the line of scrimmage because our line just wasn't quite up to the level of Big 10 or SEC D-Lines. Here, Bellamy, Bogan, and Franklin didn't have to make their first cut for 2 to 4 yards. The push they were getting was extremely impressive...and the cuts the RB's DID have to make we're incredible. Bellamy and Bogan have extremely good vision when finding holes. So that's Wisconsin and USC that we've run ALL over in consecutive games...are you up to the task, Sparty?
Am re-watching as well. I recognized the same from Jarvion as Grant walked off following his first college attempt, great leadership.
Reading Sparty fans comments following this game, they look at the stat line and believe Western has no passing attack. As I thought, we'd go to ernsberger more often and he had 3 catches and was targeted a couple more, should've had a first half TD. But Curtis and Watson both made difficult catches and showed good hands. I think the lack of passing had more to do with the limited playbook for our new QB & receivers, success of the run game and the quality defense from the #4 team. As we implement more wrinkles and face inferior defenses we'll see the 300yd+ 3TD passing attack.
Our O line played a great game, often winning the line of scrimmage and moving the scrum for 6 to 9 yd runs. 34:33 TOP, grinding it out was crucial to success last season. True Wassink didn't have a lot of time in the pocket but that was probably the best pass rush we will face and they only had 1 sack. MSU had a total of 1 sack versus that vaunted BGSU O-line and one of there best DEs left that game early.
The DBs are a strength with a couple very good CBs but there's also a lot of depth in that backfield. Tranquil led with 8 tackles. I've seen Claiborne several times in high school and he's a very good athlete and a playmaker, was very glad when he committed. He showed up with the 3rd most tackles with 5 total. Ginwright & Obbie Jackson are experienced backups/nickel.
Most importantly we seem to have gotten through it without many injuries. Someone on mlive commented that Assoua was injured but I didn't see that. I think Doyle went down with a leg injury 1st half. Our team seems to be very fit considering the weather and physicality of the game.
Grant came back to kick his first FG when the game was tight. Needed to redeem himself before going into the next hostile environment.
Just watched Jake Olson's moment in the Coliseum again. That was awesome.
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USC Game Re-watch
