RE: Official Game Thread: Wofford
I was at the game yesterday, after watching games on TV. I was impressed by the overall atmosphere and all the improvements and changes to the campus.
I have made comments on the poor playcalling or game planning by what I saw on TV. Being about 30 yds away from the action on the field and
observing the game live, I am more convinced than ever that the offense is handcuffed by atrocious playcalling.
The first quarter playcalling was awful, total of six plays, four runs off tackle, two pass plays with QB being blitzed. Defense held for three series but finally started to wear out as the offense only had the ball four minutes. Same playcalling in second quarter, same results, Wofford 28-3. Bucs managed 53 yds and it wasn't because of QB play. Wofford had eleven guys within 6 yrds of line of scrimmage. There was no way to run right at that defense and yet Sanders continued to call off tackle plays.
After getting halftime rest, defense completely shut down Wofford the third quarter. Sanders finally started to throw the ball on some 1st and 2nd downs for good yardage and that opened up the run game and the Bucs scored to twoTD's to get within 11 points. D stopped Wofford again and Bucs had the ball at midfield early in fourth quarter. The Bucs had scored on two straight possessions by abandoning the totally non produvtive run, run, pass game plan to an aggresive, pass on 1st or 2nd, or both but for some reason, with the ball at midfield and the Wofford D on their heels, Sanders went back to the non produvtive run between the tackles on the first two plays and lost one yd, short pass on third down for a yard , terrible play calls, Bucs rally killed, game over.
For those of you that continue to think the QB is the problem, I still disagree, especially since I saw the game in person. Sanders has said repeatedly on his coaches show that he has to get the ball into playmakers hands, he has a package for McQue and teams are daring the Bucs to throw. Well yesterday, his play calling once again was the opposite and it put the Bucs in a huge hole and wore out the defensive.
As for the QB, even under constant pressure and in 3rd and long situations, he put the ball on the money except for one high throw, the receivers dropped five balls and fumbled one after a catch. Bucs threw only one deep ball and that went for 42 yds, one throw to Holmes for a 26 yd TD and one sweep to Saylors for 15 yds. Other than those, nothing but short outs and off tackle runs.
Fans around me were disgusted, some left at halftime, most left after that awful early fourth quarter series. Couple of fans continually yelled at Sanders to "run the ball in the middle, that will surprise them".
All and all was disappointed in Sanders playcalling and his refusal to adjust to the defense.
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