Quarter by quarter

[ZachTheZip]

So, how does Akron's play break down by quarter? If you've watched them at all in the JD era, the answer will not be a surprise.1st: 20 - 212nd: 37 - 303rd: 3 - 354th: 45 - 24What does it mean? It means that we play about even with our opponents for the first half, but then right after half time the bottom falls out and we are forced to play catch up in the fourth. Why can't we score anything in the 3rd quarter? Is it because the other team has adjusted on defense but our offense sticks to the same plays? That doesn't work, and we have seen it not work for years now. UA seems to make a name for itself on being a comeback team. I would rather not have to be desperately clawing back into a game before we win. Maybe the discrepancy is mental. Jacq always fades after two quarters, but putting him in a hurry-up offense seems to wake him up again. We should play a 2-minute offense all game, it's what the playbook and players are best suited for. So what if the defense is out on the field more often if we're winning.Why do you think we suck so badly in the 3rd quarter?

[Lee Adams]

So, how does Akron's play break down by quarter? If you've watched them at all in the JD era, the answer will not be a surprise.1st: 20 - 212nd: 37 - 303rd: 3 - 354th: 45 - 24What does it mean? It means that we play about even with our opponents for the first half, but then right after half time the bottom falls out and we are forced to play catch up in the fourth. Why can't we score anything in the 3rd quarter? Is it because the other team has adjusted on defense but our offense sticks to the same plays? That doesn't work, and we have seen it not work for years now. UA seems to make a name for itself on being a comeback team. I would rather not have to be desperately clawing back into a game before we win. Maybe the discrepancy is mental. Jacq always fades after two quarters, but putting him in a hurry-up offense seems to wake him up again. We should play a 2-minute offense all game, it's what the playbook and players are best suited for. So what if the defense is out on the field more often if we're winning.Why do you think we suck so badly in the 3rd quarter?

ouch! her's hopin' you're wrong and my gut feeling is off or.......

[uafan]

You hit the nail on the head! JD and his staff have not shown the ability to adjust at halftime. I have been saying this for a couple of years, along with a few other posters.

[GP1]

So, how does Akron's play break down by quarter? If you've watched them at all in the JD era, the answer will not be a surprise.1st: 20 - 212nd: 37 - 303rd: 3 - 354th: 45 - 24What does it mean? It means that we play about even with our opponents for the first half, but then right after half time the bottom falls out and we are forced to play catch up in the fourth. Why can't we score anything in the 3rd quarter? Is it because the other team has adjusted on defense but our offense sticks to the same plays? That doesn't work, and we have seen it not work for years now. UA seems to make a name for itself on being a comeback team. I would rather not have to be desperately clawing back into a game before we win. Maybe the discrepancy is mental. Jacq always fades after two quarters, but putting him in a hurry-up offense seems to wake him up again. We should play a 2-minute offense all game, it's what the playbook and players are best suited for. So what if the defense is out on the field more often if we're winning.Why do you think we suck so badly in the 3rd quarter?

First, let's discuss halftime adjustments. Our third quarter performance is horrible, but I'm not certain that there is a direct correlation to halftime adjustments and third quarter scoring. I read a lot about this on this board and in regards to the Browns and there is something you guys need to understand. Adjustments are made the entire game and not just at one point in the game. There is not as much time as you guys think to make adjustments at halftime in a 20 minutes(college halftime should be limited to 12 minutes.....if you can't crown a homecoming queen in 12 minutes, you don't deserve to be a university) or 12 minute (NFL). If it takes five minutes to get everyone in the locker room and five minutes to get them out and warmed up, that only gives them ten minutes on the low end and maybe up to fifteen minutes if you are really quick about things. Be open minded for a second and think about ten minutes. If a team goes on a 6 minute scoring drive against you, it takes at least ten minutes of real time with clock stoppage. There is in fact no difference between the real coaching time at halftime and the on field coaching time. Coaches are making adjustments with the players at all time. It takes a little over three hours to play a college football game. The clock time is only 60 minutes or roughly 1/3 of the real time it takes to play the game. If time of possession is equal, that means that each team has 1.5 hours to make adjustments during a game. How important is that ten minutes in the middle of it compared to the rest of the down time? Hint, it is only 10% of the down time.The always popular fan call to run the hurry-up offense. Like the 3-3-5 defense, running the hurry-up offense is gimmick that really does not work long term. In fact, it is a way to get your butt kicked week in and week out. Why? Because it puts the defense on the field all day long. Time of possession is a major indicator of who wins a game or not and keeping the defense on the field all day is an excellent way to lose the TOP statistic. Games are won by a balanced offense that controls the field position and the clock. Winning a college football game is very simple. First, get an early lead...Second, run a balanced offense that gives good field position...Third, maintain good field positon with a good punting game...Fourth, keep your defense off the field with a clock eating offense...Fifth, field a defense (something other than the 3-3-5) that can keep the other team under 24 points (defense really doesn't win championship...offense does).The next time someone tells you the answer to a football problem is running the hurry up offense the whole game, look at that person and say, "If that is the answer, it sure was a stupid question."

[Dr Z]

If anybody has ever heard our coach say this let me know.This quote is from coach Tomlin yesterday:He accepted blame for that. "As coaches, we could have done a better job of adjusting and putting these guys in a position to be successful."

[goodthts]

If anybody has ever heard our coach say this let me know.This quote is from coach Tomlin yesterday:He accepted blame for that. "As coaches, we could have done a better job of adjusting and putting these guys in a position to be successful."

I think its just an illusion, because its always about midway through the 3rd quarter my buzz wears off and I get sleepy. Maybe the same thing happens to the Zips?

[3rd&twenty]

If anybody has ever heard our coach say this let me know.This quote is from coach Tomlin yesterday:He accepted blame for that. "As coaches, we could have done a better job of adjusting and putting these guys in a position to be successful."

I think its just an illusion, because its always about midway through the 3rd quarter my buzz wears off and I get sleepy. Maybe the same thing happens to the Zips?

If you're like me, you get sleepy watching the 3rd quarter offense, not necessarily that your buzz is wearing off. I think, and this is a much simplified answer, they get lazy in the 3rd. How many times have we gone into halftime leading or close on the scoreboard only to come out in the 3rd and fall flat? The stats above prove this to an extent. I think they go into cruise control a bit and then say, "oh, crap" we're getting beat". Then they perk up in the 4th. That's all coaching. You have to keep the players motivated and up the entire game. Like I said, a much simplified answer.

[GP1]

Being tired in the third quarter probably has more to do with the boring eternity that is college halftimes. I think teams would have more energy coming out of the locker room if they shortened the halftime misery. Someone has to look this up for me because I am too lazy to do so. How many times did the Zips score the first drive of the second half and how many times did the other team score the first drive of the second half? If it is lopsided, I will admit we don't make good halftime adjustments that result in a second half opening drive score or stop.From the looks of the stats though, it appears as if the Zips make good adjustments throughout the game with the exception of the third. Remember, it is a four quarter game and adjustments are made throughout the gameAlso, keep in mind that the Zips have beaten one team they should have beaten, beat one team that was a toss up at the beginning of the season and lost to two very good teams. The season really isn't going as bad as some of you make it out to be.

[uafan]

I have to disagree with you about halftime adjustments, GP1.....when I played in college, my coach my freshman year was very active at halftime. His biggest changes were on D, changing to what the other team was doing. On offense, he only tried to set up a first drive. You can't change a whole offensive scheme at half, but you can change a lot on D. He also changed a thing or two on special teams, if needed. Of course, he would rely on his coordinators and listen to them. He went on to be the heade coach for two pro teams. His successor was not nearly as active, not nearly as good of a coach, and is now out of football.

[GP1]

I have to disagree with you about halftime adjustments, GP1.....when I played in college, my coach my freshman year was very active at halftime. His biggest changes were on D, changing to what the other team was doing. On offense, he only tried to set up a first drive. You can't change a whole offensive scheme at half, but you can change a lot on D. He also changed a thing or two on special teams, if needed. Of course, he would rely on his coordinators and listen to them. He went on to be the heade coach for two pro teams. His successor was not nearly as active, not nearly as good of a coach, and is now out of football.

I understand what you are saying, and I don't think we disagree. My point is that halftime adjustments are a small part of the ongoing adjustments that must take place during a football game. Setting up the first drive of the half is about all the time a team has at half to adjust. Setting up the next drive is about all the time you have to make adjustments when the other team goes on a long drive against you. Defensive adjustments are much more difficult to make because of low IQ of most defensive players. They really can't grasp complex ideas quickly so it takes a while for them to adjust. Defensive players are more like monkeys or dogs than humans.If the quarter-by-quarter score is the ultimate indicator, then it doesn't look like JD makes good halftime adjustments. It also looks as if he does well providing in game adjustments. Every sport requires deviations from the original game plan, IMHO, basketball requires the most. I think the Zips have other problems than halftime adjustments (ie: play calling that results in running on third and long, poor red zone execution, etc).

[Dr Z]

If the coaches are making halftime adjustments, the players are not executing them.If there have been halftime adjustments that the players have executed, then they were not very good halftime adjustments.I'm going to try to pay specific attention to see if any "adjusting" is going on during the game this week.PS Getting Rodgers snaps in a fourth quarter blowout is not considered an "adjustment" (this is not a prediction)

[ZippyAlum]

I believe that we get too conservative in our play calling in the third quarter. If we have a close game or a lead we play it safe. I hate it! Play to win EVERY down. I would also like to see redzone statistics. It seems like we go to the pass, have 3 incompletions and then kick the field goal (or try to). It is a game of downs. Get the first down no matter how close to the endzone. Don't always go for the gold. I know everyone talks about Getsy and Fry but I remember seeing a lot of incompletes, sacks, run around so you're not sacked, complete a pass for a first down or TD. Even then it seemed like we never "worked" our way down the field with a balanced running and passing attack. This year we have been able to hammer the ball in from within the 5 yd. line with the fullback leading the blocking. Why don't we do that out in the middle of the field when we need a couple of yards for the first down??

[uafan]

I believe that we get too conservative in our play calling in the third quarter. If we have a close game or a lead we play it safe. I hate it! Play to win EVERY down. AMEN!!!

[Captain Kangaroo]

I would also like to see redzone statistics. It seems like we go to the pass, have 3 incompletions and then kick the field goal (or try to).

Read for RedZone Statistics

[GP1]

I would also like to see redzone statistics. It seems like we go to the pass, have 3 incompletions and then kick the field goal (or try to).

Read for RedZone Statistics

Excellent pick up Captain. If anyone is looking for signs the Zips are improving over last year, this is good proof. My biggest concern from last week in the red zone was a couple of penalties. A penalty is a good way to turn a TD into a FG. They really need to score TDs this week against a good Cincy team.

[Dr Z]

Read for RedZone Statistics

Nice find CK, I pulled a screen capture out of the pdf for fans:I also found these two things of interest that I thought I would share with others:

[zipdiehard]

You don't realize how small our defense is until you see it spelled out like that. As they say "size isn't everything", but it sure doesn't hurt to have a little of it to go against those 300 lb lineman that most schools have these days.

[johnnyzip84]

Wow, the ex bobsledder Viktor Rajek might get some PT this week. Wouldn't it be something if he made a play or two! JD/Fleming started both Marcoux and Pendleton against Army. Perhaps they feel like they need to keep one fresh "big" out there at all times against Cincy's no-huddle. The Zip D-Line situation (injuries) would seem to beg the opponent to run the ball more than pass. But Kelly's teams (though balanced) don't seem to FAVOR the run too often regardless of match-ups.

[HELLOZIPS]

Wow, the ex bobsledder Viktor Rajek might get some PT this week. Wouldn't it be something if he made a play or two! JD/Fleming started both Marcoux and Pendleton against Army. Perhaps they feel like they need to keep one fresh "big" out there at all times against Cincy's no-huddle. The Zip D-Line situation (injuries) would seem to beg the opponent to run the ball more than pass. But Kelly's teams (though balanced) don't seem to FAVOR the run too often regardless of match-ups.

Isn't Harvey is back? If so, Rajek or Pendleton may be out depending on where they put Harvey. They may move Marcoux over to where Lemon is and start Harvey in the middle. I can't see them moving Lemon - he did a great job against Army. My bet is Pendleton is out since Fleming/Chambers don't like the kid. Why? It would be nice to know. He did plug up the hole agaisnt Army, but no tackles.

[GP1]

As they say "size isn't everything"

That's just what our wives tell us to make us feel better.

[ZippyAlum]

A few thoughts: 1) These redzone statistics don't really tell the whole story. I want to know. Do we pass more than run when we're in the red zone? Say, throw three passes that are incomplete and then kick the field goal. I guess I need to look at the drive chart to make that determination. 2) I know that Bruce has had some drops lately but he was stellar against Syracuse. I liked how he could get yards after catching the ball. 3) I hope Poindexter gets over his drops. He is a guy who needs to step it up this Sat. 4) I want to see our guys HIT. It seems like they are too gentle. Maybe they hit too much during camp and injured too many of our own players and now they're playing soft. I've always thought that when someone goes up in the air with his arms above his head to make a catch you HIT him. The next time he may hear footsteps and be a little more hesitant to make that catch. (please note that I'm not talking anything dirty just good old hitting) And no arm tackles! Hit them, take them to the ground! Good basic tackling. 5) Just like the defense needs to hit, our runners need to slam through that line. I want to see stiff arms to the defenders and guys getting run over. Break some tackles. Unlike many college football fans I'm not in love with the speed. I want to see smash mouth football. 6) Don't stop blocking until you hear the whistle. Keep running down field and HIT someone. Don't look back. Don't collect 200 dollars. Go down field and (you got it) HIT someone! 7) I think sometimes I'm more fired up than the players. For most of the players on the team these college years are their last years on the field. Get excited! Show some spirit! Get pumped up! Maybe college football is becoming too much of a business and not about pride and loyalty. I can hardly wait for the Saturday games. I don't want to feel like "what if?" when I walk away from the stadium. And I think all of us want the coaches and players to think, "have I done everything I can do?"