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Defense......!!!!!!

I saw the start, found the rum, then came back. Not a terrible game by the Monarchs, but this brings to prevalence more than ever the need for improvement on defense. Maryland will be a challenge, knowing that they can and will run the read option when they need to. If our defense learns from tonight, I feel that we can indeed Nerf the Terps as I have endorsed.

It was pretty evident tonight we have problems picking up inside blitzes. We can expect to see a lot more of them this year until we prove we can pick them up.

So who is Maryland's Heisman candidate? I'm sure ECU didn't know they had one until we showed up.

Until we can develop some semblance of a college football defense, these games are just going to be unpleasant.

So for now goodnight or morning.

To be fair, they did better than last years defense would've. We definitely got better at tackling. The main problem was a lack of speed compared to ECU's wideouts.

(09-01-2013 01:22 AM)TheDancinMonarch Wrote:  So who is Maryland's Heisman candidate? I'm sure ECU didn't know they had one until we showed up.

Until we can develop some semblance of a college football defense, these games are just going to be unpleasant.

So for now goodnight or morning.

Shane Cardin is the #1 or #2 qb in CUSA, depending on who you ask, and ECU was picked the win the East division. I believe of our five FBS opponents this season, ECU's passing game is the best (not sure about UNC.) To me the trouble was just as much because for the most part our defense didn't get much penetration, so that Cardin had plenty of time to spot his open guys. When the qb has that kind of time the coverageas break down. ECU's O-line was pretty stout.

(09-01-2013 01:22 AM)TheDancinMonarch Wrote:  So who is Maryland's Heisman candidate? I'm sure ECU didn't know they had one until we showed up.

Until we can develop some semblance of a college football defense, these games are just going to be unpleasant.

So for now goodnight or morning.

They actually have one, his name is Stefon Diggs. He's the truth.

Today's game reminded me of the game against W&M. Am I the only one? That game showed all of us that ODU was close to being able to compete w/ the CAA. The next year, ODU made the playoffs and was a miraculous fourth play from winning the conference. Tonight, we learned if our defense gets better, ODU can play with anyone and beat them. Today is a good day to be a Monarch, tomorrow will be even better.

Carden nickled and dimed us to death. Majority of his passes were less than 10 yds deep. mostly flair passes and run after the catch. We needed to move our backs up and force them to go deep. Also, this is not two hand touch football, it is tackle. Our defensive linemen couldn't tackle last year and if last night was any indication, they still don't know how even with a new defensive coach. Defensive backs looked really good with their tackling, maybe they can show the line how!

Just thinking our run defense wasn't too bad. We couldn't get off the field on 3rd down in the 1st half. They were 9 for 11 on 3rd down conversions in the 1st half, with many of those being 3rd and long suituations. We have lots of room for improvement but I was extremely pleased with our willingness to compete.

Let's wait and see how the defense does against FCS teams before we accuse them of not improving. This was a major step up in talent and it was probably too much too soon. East Carolina put up big numbers last year with this offense and they brought everyone back this season. ODU will not be the only team to get burned by that offense.

Welp, can't rush three and expect to get pressure on an all-conference QB. Hopefully we implement some blitz packages. Our run defense stopped a damn good RB last night, that's for sure, but our pass defense looked very porous. No need to worry too much...ECU doesn't get enough credit for their offensive fire power. The bottom line from last night: I'm super impressed with TH; he was incredible last night. His footwork is certainly improved, and it was clear last night that his arm strength is improved. And yes, he still throws a good deep ball.

Great job, Monarchs. It was perfectly done because not only were they humbled, but it was close enough to where they can also be pissed, not sad, that they lost. That's how you spell motivation.

We played with them. My only criticism was the 4th down punt from Taylor. It was a negotiable defense and we were down a score. Instead he punted it 12 yards and they go down and score.

Lets scratch that play against FBS teams

In sum we played well enough to where we should have only lost by a touchdown. (sorry for some spelling issues, typing on iPad)

Postives about the game:
-we can hold our own against anyone we play this season
-our D is much improved against the run
-our kicking game....we only allowed one ECU return all other kicks were thru the end zone or forced a touchback
-our penalties are way down......a tribute to coaching and player smarts
-our offensive line is very strong
-Taylor Heinecke is incredible when pressured (sacked only twice against a very tough D)......passing was accurate and threaded the needle where you could tell ECU overall was stunned
-our fans in the stands were loud and I was amazed SB Ballard/Foreman Field is as loud when we are at home than RowdyDowdy Stadium is and they have well over twice the capacity
-ECU (I thought) had friendly fans that didn't act obnoxious before or after the game.....their tailgating experience was amazing. A really good football game day town.

Negatives about the game:
-our D is still somewhat vulnerable and sometimes weak against the pass
-our punting game was nearly awful
-running game was not a threat at all.....many times we could and did get tackled for a loss
-we looked a bit confused on player transtioning between plays.....not knowing where to be
-we can never be a come from behind team without a shut you down D......we don't have that yet......3rd and 15 and it's even money at best we hold
-ECU got away with some cheap shots by the ref not calling till that blatant hit on TH at the end. Why did we get that unnecessary roughness call when tackling that receiver up the middle??....the man did not appear to be down (sorry don't recall names). I was also amazed there was no holding on that play at the end of the first half......that one could have been a good no call as I am a beiever of let the players play on a critical time running out instance, yet it was real close to holding from my vantage point.
-it was hard to find a congregation of monarchs in the sea of purple......come on if we are going to build the brand of Old Dominion Football let's pick a game day color and stick with it. People had gray, blue, pink, green, yellow, and it didn't look like a common image. ECU had so much purple on.....the women had sundresses that were purple for crying out loud

Another positive, Colby Goodwyn was our second best player on offense. He is way ahead of Boyd and Johnson right now.

It's something to remember that our defense is 1/2 FCS and 1/2 FBS going against a very good, experienced FBS offense. That FBS offense scored 45 offensive points.

Our offense is 1/2 FCS and 1/2 FBS going against a full FBS defense and scored 38 offensive points.

We had never played a full FBS team. No matter what the players were told, until they experienced it, it's not the same. Now they now. ECU is going to drop points on a lot of schools. I'll take yesterday over a home came against Central Connecticut any day.

I'm encouraged--this entire season is a learning experience. Next year is going to be awesome.

No Wilder quotes in game article in Pilot?

Am I missing something?

We are spoiled bc of our once in a generation QB. This defense is what you expect first year in FBS and only 5 years of football today. We played one of the best offenses in the country. The plan was to bend and stop on 3rddown hoping for field goals or a turnover. We just couldn't get off the field on third down and they recovered their own fumble.

We are going to see huge improvements next week I think. The guys know they can hang with the big boys and they know they had a shot to win.

In reality, we played a lot better than I expected with the youth and lack of FBS games. I agre with Wopilder, if this was week 8, I think we have a good shot beating ECU

Heinicke is going to need a building on campus named after him. He's helped this process move quicker than it should, and if he can help us pull an upset or two this year he's going to help get the recruits in here because we can use it as a selling point.

Overall, have to be pleased with the performance last night. I wish they could have picked up a final TD and made the score match the stats a little better. ECU definitely knows Old Dominion was there and came to play. ODU fans have been spoiled by their success and easily forget this is still a "baby" football team just beginning their 5th season. Most of their players are still FCS recruits. Only one player, the Vandy transfer, had ever played a down in FBS before last night. There is still work to do, but this team has made huge steps forward each year. Look at what Georgia State has done and be glad that isn't us. If ECU is the best of CUSA, then I think next year looks very good for ODU.

Most of the ECU fans were very cordial and welcoming. Many went out of their way to greet us and thank us for coming down for the game. I didn't think Dowdy-Ficklen was as loud as it was at James Madison last year. The ODU fans sounded pretty good on TV. And, that cannon was A-Dor-Able! I think I saw one just like it at Toys R Us.