As others have pointed out, y'all have what seems to be a stellar defense

Let's see how conference play goes for y'all, as that should give a better idea of where the team is at

(09-11-2023 10:41 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 10:17 AM)Orange Fury Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 08:46 AM)Kat1990 Wrote:  Our fanbase losing its mind after 2 games in FBS has been something to see and hear
The OL play in particular has not been very good
Bye week is here and hopefully we can improve that and it show up against UH

Yeah its been laughable. Our offense has been terrible, but we also came into the season fully expecting to go 0-3. It's frustrating with how good our defense has been, but I have to keep reminding myself that our offense got blanked by a Big 12 defense, and held to 3 by a MW defense.

I'm not thrilled with our offense, and I still don't think we've found our QB, but the whole "sky is falling" thing from our fanbase is stupid.

No way in the world can anyone sugar coat the SHSU offense. I'm not saying that to put SHSU down because I knew your defense would be good and was actually hoping the offense would at least be middle point between the high scoring and this awful offense. I thought with that SHSU would be top 4 this year....

BYU gave up 16 to fcs Utah St and at least the FCS school scored a TD vs Air Force. They usually give up around 14 ppg in their ball control slow it down offense.

The fact the coach is not willing to give another QB a chance to see if they could do better would piss me off

Some of those points came in garbage time with 2nds on the field
AF it was 42-0 when the scored on 2s
We never had seconds on the field in either game from BYU and AF

(09-11-2023 10:21 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  Losing one’s mind over an 0-2 start shows caring . . .

. . . at least you’re not hearing the apathy of crickets . . .

There aren’t many of us, but we’re a pretty dedicated group… maybe a bit too reactionary though. Losing used to be normal but we’ve truly been spoiled recently and that’s coming out a bit right now. We’re not a .500 program that expects nothing anymore.

I’m very proud of the Kat defense and in no way concerned about our ability to contend in CUSA from the jump. They looked outstanding again this weekend despite missing some key players. We just expected a bit more out of the offense, to not look so hapless for a second consecutive year after changing coordinators and bringing back redshirted players. SHSU might have a Big 12 win if they’re fielding even an average FCS offense. That makes the Ls sting a bit more, IMO.

I don’t think sticking Ward or Gunnell back there does Sam much good honestly. The offensive line just stinks right now, sadly. We’re really young up there so that was always a possibility. We’ve got great skill talent but the holes haven’t been there. Not excusing poor play from Shoemaker but how much does a different QB really change?

I’d give him a few more chances.

(09-11-2023 11:49 AM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  I don’t think sticking Ward or Gunnell back there does Sam much good honestly. The offensive line just stinks right now, sadly. We’re really young up there so that was always a possibility. We’ve got great skill talent but the holes haven’t been there. Not excusing poor play from Shoemaker but how much does a different QB really change?

I’d give him a few more chances.

I dont have a clue about SHSU talent on the bench but a QB that can put the ball where it needs to be. Make the quick reads. Makes the correct decisions can be the difference in what looks like a long season with very few wins into a winning season....

or at least it has at Western, twice with this head coach. Western was sitting at 1-2 in Helton's first season and no hint of changing QBs. The starter went down late in game 3 and Western won the next 4 and after 2 close losses won their last 4 including a bowl win

COVID year Western started what must be the worse QB in the schools history and could not score points. Next QB put up 44ppg

In the G5 the two most important things that dictate winning...

coach/system
QB play

Its probably 1a and 1b and while a great defense can overcome bad QB play (not awful like SHSU) as Marshall saw a great QB can put up 66 points on that defense

Absolutely agree with most of your assessment. I’ve heard from multiple people that the difference between an elite G5 team and an average G5 team is a solid quarterback and that seems to ring true so far.

I just think there are enough external factors in play right now as it pertains to the QB position (conservative playcalling from new OC, terrible OL, strong opponents, shaky backup position) that make it difficult to pull the starter after just two games. Shoemaker has proven to be effective enough with a quality team around him that I think you ride it out for a bit longer. There are other positions to make changes at first if a statement is to be made about the poor performance thus far.

Things NEED to be different against Houston after BYE.

Feel there's a bit of an overreaction in some corners of the Sam Houston fan base to the 0-2 start.

To have two games in which Sam Houston was competitive in is reassuring in many respects. A few of the recent bandwagon jumpers who have come out of the woodworks as of late probably were expecting the team to be throttled.

Yes, the offense has been lousy but the defense is top 20.

I get the feeling a lot of the blame has been placed on QB Keegan Shoemaker when there's ample blame to go around on the offense. The O-Line and the lack of a running game have made the Sam Houston offense inept. It seems like KC Keeler is giving Shoemaker some time and does not think he has been terrible based on the challenge(s) he is lined up behind.

Most of the blame on offense can be on who ever keeps calling off tackle right and off tackle left for what seems like 2/3 of the plays. If the line is as bad as fans are saying the last thing you want is to basically 1st and 2nd down running up the gut.

If there are skill players on offense use the edges instead of up the gut. Hell if you cant pass put in a option that spreads out the defense. Then pick and pop over the middle for the 6 to 10 yard pass plays that will be open if the other team has to defend the edge. Run misdirection screen plays. Double passes. Anything but up the gut 2 out of every 3 plays

I've watch both of SHSU games or 85 to 90% of each and I've seen Jr high school football with a more developed offense. Isn't this the same coach that SHSU put up big numbers on the score board with? Which doesn't make sense because if so he should know how to put a offense together. He should know if his line is going to be shite the coming season. He should know this QB doesn't look to have the skill set to put points on the board.

Very confusing to me

(09-11-2023 07:25 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  Most of the blame on offense can be on who ever keeps calling off tackle right and off tackle left for what seems like 2/3 of the plays. If the line is as bad as fans are saying the last thing you want is to basically 1st and 2nd down running up the gut.

If there are skill players on offense use the edges instead of up the gut. Hell if you cant pass put in a option that spreads out the defense. Then pick and pop over the middle for the 6 to 10 yard pass plays that will be open if the other team has to defend the edge. Run misdirection screen plays. Double passes. Anything but up the gut 2 out of every 3 plays

I've watch both of SHSU games or 85 to 90% of each and I've seen Jr high school football with a more developed offense. Isn't this the same coach that SHSU put up big numbers on the score board with? Which doesn't make sense because if so he should know how to put a offense together. He should know if his line is going to be shite the coming season. He should know this QB doesn't look to have the skill set to put points on the board.

Very confusing to me

The OC you are referring to left for the head coaching job at Delaware.

Our current OC is the old Virginia Tech OC. This is his first year with this squad. Brand new O-Line coach as well.

It's just disappointing to see our offense struggle after having so much success the last ten years or more.

Let the record show that the OC was run out of Blacksburg on a rail. But even the best playcallers need some talent.

(09-11-2023 12:02 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(09-11-2023 11:49 AM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  I don’t think sticking Ward or Gunnell back there does Sam much good honestly. The offensive line just stinks right now, sadly. We’re really young up there so that was always a possibility. We’ve got great skill talent but the holes haven’t been there. Not excusing poor play from Shoemaker but how much does a different QB really change?

I’d give him a few more chances.

I dont have a clue about SHSU talent on the bench but a QB that can put the ball where it needs to be. Make the quick reads. Makes the correct decisions can be the difference in what looks like a long season with very few wins into a winning season....

or at least it has at Western, twice with this head coach. Western was sitting at 1-2 in Helton's first season and no hint of changing QBs. The starter went down late in game 3 and Western won the next 4 and after 2 close losses won their last 4 including a bowl win

COVID year Western started what must be the worse QB in the schools history and could not score points. Next QB put up 44ppg

In the G5 the two most important things that dictate winning...

coach/system
QB play

Its probably 1a and 1b and while a great defense can overcome bad QB play (not awful like SHSU) as Marshall saw a great QB can put up 66 points on that defense

I think you are 100% correct.
But as mentioned, we have a 4* NFL-style QB who is 6'7" on the bench, and IMO, I think they are not playing him because of the discrepancies with the O-line. The plays they have been running are some of the most basic things, so knowing the playbook can't be the reason. Because as you would think, a 6'7" guy is likely not a scrambler, but one who can fling it 40 yards. We're also down a stud WR with a broken foot that went out the week of the BYU game in practice, so that also doesn't help. They'll eventually figure out the Offense, but it'll probably take a few more games. I would be surprised to see a QB change for U-Houston this quickly, otherwise, they would have made the change while we were down in the 4th against Air Force.

On a positive note, referring to NCAA Total Defense rankings this morning, BYU and U-Houston will only play three other B12 teams with a stronger defense than Sam.
Texas
Kansas State
Iowa State.

If we ever learn Offense, it could be a fun team to watch.

(09-11-2023 08:37 PM)SlyFox Wrote:  Let the record show that the OC was run out of Blacksburg on a rail. But even the best playcallers need some talent.

One of our members did a breakdown on our O-Line over on KatFans.com. I encourage everyone to go read it. But the point from it I want to bring up is that if I remember correctly he mentioned our offense was down a man to the AF defense, 7-6 and had their safeties playing down the whole game knowing they weren't needed in the secondary. He said that's an OC problem not putting more guys on the line. Other than that the O-line did their job, they were just unevenly matched due to OC play calling

(09-11-2023 06:15 PM)TexasTerror Wrote:  Feel there's a bit of an overreaction in some corners of the Sam Houston fan base to the 0-2 start.

To have two games in which Sam Houston was competitive in is reassuring in many respects. A few of the recent bandwagon jumpers who have come out of the woodworks as of late probably were expecting the team to be throttled.

Yes, the offense has been lousy but the defense is top 20.

I get the feeling a lot of the blame has been placed on QB Keegan Shoemaker when there's ample blame to go around on the offense. The O-Line and the lack of a running game have made the Sam Houston offense inept. It seems like KC Keeler is giving Shoemaker some time and does not think he has been terrible based on the challenge(s) he is lined up behind.

App State started 1-5 before hitting 7-5 at the end of their first FBS season. When your offense clicks, y’all will be a formidable team to face and could come away top 3 in CUSA your first season.