The defense had a hell of a day. We held a team that averaged just under 40 points per game in the second half of last year to only 17, and one of the better RBs in the SEC to under 70 yards. The LBs still need to get smarter, and but for that, the score would've been even lower, but the improvement on that side of the ball from '16 to '17 looks huge.

Griggs is the real deal in terms of ability. He threaded the needle a couple of times, put some balls where only our guys could get them, tucked-and-ran pretty well when needed, and impressed the hell of of me throwing on the run. He's not going to be the decision-maker Mullens was as a 4-year starter, but he's more athletically gifted. He stays healthy, and there may not be as big a drop off in QB production as we feared.

Despite being a giant unknown, the O-line played well enough to win against what were supposed to be better athletes. Speaking of...

I don't know about y'all, but to me, UK did not look significantly more physically talented than we did, which should mean something in a comparison with a team coming off a winning season in the almighty SEC and with votes in the preseason polls. That reflects well upon our current recruiting & development.

We appeared to be better conditioned than Kentucky. Home field surely played a role, but UK's D looked tired at times & ours never did.

We gave the game away yesterday, and that sucks, but we all felt just as sh**y after losing to Marshall in 2011, and look how that season turned out. This team has a legit shot at being pretty darned good. The pieces are there. The biggest threats are injuries and Hopson's lapses in judgment.

(09-03-2017 03:29 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  The defense had a hell of a day. We held a team that averaged just under 40 points per game in the second half of last year to only 17, and one of the better RBs in the SEC to under 70 yards. The LBs still need to get smarter, and but for that, the score would've been even lower, but the improvement on that side of the ball from '16 to '17 looks huge.

Griggs is the real deal in terms of ability. He threaded the needle a couple of times, put some balls where only our guys could get them, tucked-and-ran pretty well when needed, and impressed the hell of of me throwing on the run. He's not going to be the decision-maker Mullens was as a 4-year starter, but he's more athletically gifted. He stays healthy, and there may not be as big a drop off in QB production as we feared.

Despite being a giant unknown, the O-line played well enough to win against what were supposed to be better athletes. Speaking of...

I don't know about y'all, but to me, UK did not look significantly more physically talented than we did, which should mean something in a comparison with a team coming off a winning season in the almighty SEC and with votes in the preseason polls. That reflects well upon our current recruiting & development.

We appeared to be better conditioned than Kentucky. Home field surely played a role, but UK's D looked tired at times & ours never did.

We gave the game away yesterday, and that sucks, but we all felt just as sh**y after losing to Marshall in 2011, and look how that season turned out. This team has a legit shot at being pretty darned good. The pieces are there. The biggest threats are injuries and Hopson's lapses in judgment.

a simple "ditto" is all that is req'd....

you nailed it.

Couldn't agree more.

(09-03-2017 03:29 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  The defense had a hell of a day. We held a team that averaged just under 40 points per game in the second half of last year to only 17, and one of the better RBs in the SEC to under 70 yards. The LBs still need to get smarter, and but for that, the score would've been even lower, but the improvement on that side of the ball from '16 to '17 looks huge.

Griggs is the real deal in terms of ability. He threaded the needle a couple of times, put some balls where only our guys could get them, tucked-and-ran pretty well when needed, and impressed the hell of of me throwing on the run. He's not going to be the decision-maker Mullens was as a 4-year starter, but he's more athletically gifted. He stays healthy, and there may not be as big a drop off in QB production as we feared.

Despite being a giant unknown, the O-line played well enough to win against what were supposed to be better athletes. Speaking of...

I don't know about y'all, but to me, UK did not look significantly more physically talented than we did, which should mean something in a comparison with a team coming off a winning season in the almighty SEC and with votes in the preseason polls. That reflects well upon our current recruiting & development.

We appeared to be better conditioned than Kentucky. Home field surely played a role, but UK's D looked tired at times & ours never did.

We gave the game away yesterday, and that sucks, but we all felt just as sh**y after losing to Marshall in 2011, and look how that season turned out. This team has a legit shot at being pretty darned good. The pieces are there. The biggest threats are injuries and Hopson's lapses in judgment.

Unbelievable for me, I only have a short reply-------->

I'm sorry but I'm still not over giving a half away on Howard. We win the game despite the TOs without that.

(09-03-2017 09:02 PM)imajeep Wrote:  I'm sorry but I'm still not over giving a half away on Howard. We win the game despite the TOs without that.

im with ya brother

Kentucky definitely was not better than us at any position group other than oline. They had size, but that's it. Our D line was spectacular against them.

(09-03-2017 09:02 PM)imajeep Wrote:  I'm sorry but I'm still not over giving a half away on Howard. We win the game despite the TOs without that.

No need to apologize for not getting over it. Everyone agrees that was a massive negative from yesterday.

Looks like our coaching staff is hell-bent on signing local players, which SHOULD help with attendance down the road. H'burg, OG, Petal and lots of local schools are LOADED, and while some of the kids think they are too good (literally and figuratively) for USM, hopefully we'll get a nice bounty.

Thought if Howard was our QB it would spur other local players (and local fans) to join the bandwagon. Local players might STILL follow, but the 22K butts in the stands showed Pine Belt fans weren't exactly curious or interested.

(OP/MSUcks both playing at home didn't help much either folks.)

Penalties, turnovers, boneheaded plays, and boneheaded starting QB decision.

That game was the 2017 "If" Classic

(09-04-2017 08:29 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Penalties, turnovers, boneheaded plays, and boneheaded starting QB decision.

That game was the 2017 "If" Classic

*"Hope"son Bowl. FTFY.