Week 2 (Morgan State) Thoughts

[catdaddyp]

The good, the bad, and the ugly. 

 

OFFENSE:

 

QB - The problem position that no one saw coming. Undercuffler came in and looked like the QB that played in the spring game. Then the issues crept in. I won’t hammer home the 3 interceptions that were bad decisions and poorly thrown. I also understand what he was trying to do on the last INT by putting it far back corner in the endzone for his receiver to run under. Unfortunately, it was under thrown. I’m not sure where the staff goes from here, but the offense at least moved up and down the field with Undercuffler. The overall decision making has to get better and I feel if there is a heavier focus on the run game then it will make things easier on the QB.

 

RB - I’m still at a loss why Lingard and Anderson are not receiving more touches. I counted only a handful of carries that went for 2 yards or less and two of those were at the beginning of the game when Lingard tripped on the turf. There was one carry where Morgan State had 8 in the box and Lingard still managed a run over 5 yards. The duo combined for 13 rushes for 51 yards, which is a 3.9 average.

 

WR - The receivers did their part catching the ball. Although, I can’t always see what’s happening downfield on their routes when watching on tv. There were a few missed blocks on the perimeter that caused some decent play calls to be blown up.

 

OL - The offensive line could have been better, but they weren’t bad. I believe Blanchard played the entire game at LT. If he didn’t take every snap, he was close to it. In my opinion Lyons and Kilbane have been our best options at LG and RG, respectively, though two games. 
 

QB - Irons (Bullock) (Undercuffler)

RB - Lingard (Anderson)

TE - Banks (Newell)

WR - George (Wilson)

WR - Adams (Golden) (Walker)

WR - Gathings (Anderson)

TE - Banks (Newell)

LT - Blanchard

LG - Frank (Lyons)

C - T. Williams (Georges)

RG - Chambers (Kilbane)

RT - Kindred (Chambers)

 

 

DEFENSE:

 

DL - It looked like an FBS DL vs an FCS OL. Jones and Nunnally were dominant as the DL collected 4 sacks. That’s following a week where just creating pressure was an issue.

 

LB - McCoy and Fish are dynamite. No other way to put it. The duo had over 20 tackles combined and McCoy iced the game on a fumble return for a touchdown. Cooper was also solid for the second week in a row.

 

DB - Lewis had one of his best games as a Zip. He was active in coverage and especially effective when coming up for run support. He nearly had a few sacks himself off blitzes. 

- Golden-Nelson may have had his best game as a Zip with solid coverage and an interception return for a touchdown.

- Martin had to sit a half, but his presence was felt on his return. He also had an interception.

- N. Thompson played a major role coming up in run support. That being said, either he or Woods took a few bad angles on a couple of plays. I couldn’t tell who by the number.

- The other DBs didn’t do much noteworthy statistically, but coverage was usually solid.

- Hence, Hunter, and Thompson(?) gave up the passing TDs.

 

DE - Nunnally (Jackson) 

DT - Lavea (Thomas) (Adler)

DT - Jones (Robinson)

DE -Johnson (Smith)

LB - Fish (Behm)

LB - McCoy (Cooper)

NB - Lewis (Thomas)

CB - Durant (Hunter) (Hence)

CB - Tallandier (Golden-Nelson)

S - Thomas (Woods)

S - Thompson (Johnson) (Martin)

 

Special Teams:

Mixed bag here. Not where we need to be yet, but can see signs of what this unit can be.

 

 

No, it was not pretty but the team got it done. Sometimes all it takes is a spark and the fire gets lit. Am I saying this team will come out and beat UK and Indiana? No, although I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a catalyst for much better play. The staff showed last night they are not afraid to make a change at QB, so that tells me they are willing to make the necessary changes to get this offense back on track. This team is 1-1 with plenty left to play for. The defense ramped it up, now the offense needs to join the party.

 

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by catdaddyp

[Blue & Gold]

 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[Lee Adams]

1 hour ago, catdaddyp said:

The good, the bad, and the ugly. 

 

OFFENSE:

 

QB - The problem position that no one saw coming. Undercuffler came in and looked like the QB that played in the spring game. Then the issues crept in. I won’t hammer home the 3 interceptions that were bad decisions and poorly thrown. I also understand what he was trying to do on the last INT by putting it far back corner in the endzone for his receiver to run under. Unfortunately, it was under thrown. I’m not sure where the staff goes from here, but the offense at least moved up and down the field with Undercuffler. The overall decision making has to get better and I feel if there is a heavier focus on the run game then it will make things easier on the QB.

 

RB - I’m still at a loss why Lingard and Anderson are not receiving more touches. I counted only a handful of carries that went for 2 yards or less and two of those were at the beginning of the game when Lingard tripped on the turf. There was one carry where Morgan State had 8 in the box and Lingard still managed a run over 5 yards. The duo combined for 13 rushes for 51 yards, which is a 3.9 average.

 

WR - The receivers did their part catching the ball. Although, I can’t always see what’s happening downfield on their routes when watching on tv. There were a few missed blocks on the perimeter that caused some decent play calls to be blown up.

 

OL - The offensive line could have been better, but they weren’t bad. I believe Blanchard played the entire game at LT. If he didn’t take every snap, he was close to it. In my opinion Lyons and Kilbane have been our best options at LG and RG, respectively, though two games. 
 

QB - Irons (Bullock) (Undercuffler)

RB - Lingard (Anderson)

TE - Banks (Newell)

WR - George (Wilson)

WR - Adams (Golden) (Walker)

WR - Gathings (Anderson)

TE - Banks (Newell)

LT - Blanchard

LG - Frank (Lyons)

C -T. Williams (Georges)

RG - N. Williams (Kilbane)

RT - Kindred (Chambers)

 

 

DEFENSE:

 

DL - It looked like an FBS DL vs an FCS OL. Jones and Nunnally were dominant as the DL collected 4 sacks. That’s following a week where just creating pressure was an issue.

 

LB - McCoy and Fish are dynamite. No other way to put it. The duo had over 20 tackles combined and McCoy iced the game on a fumble return for a touchdown. Cooper was also solid for the second week in a row.

 

DB - Lewis had one of his best games as a Zip. He was active in coverage and especially effective when coming up for run support. He nearly had a few sacks himself off blitzes. 

- Golden-Nelson may have had his best game as a Zip with solid coverage and an interception return for a touchdown.

- Martin had to sit a half, but his presence was felt on his return. He also had an interception.

- N. Thompson played a major role coming up in run support. That being said, either he or Woods took a few bad angles on a couple of plays. I couldn’t tell who by the number.

- The other DBs didn’t do much noteworthy statistically, but coverage was usually solid.

- Hence, Hunter, and Thompson(?) gave up the passing TDs.

 

DE - Nunnally (Jackson) 

DT - Lavea (Thomas) (Adler)

DT - Jones (Robinson)

DE -Johnson (Smith)

LB - Fish (Behm)

LB - McCoy (Cooper)

NB - Lewis (Thomas)

CB - Durant (Hunter) (Hence)

CB - Tallandier (Golden-Nelson)

S - Thomas (Woods)

S - Thompson (Johnson) (Martin)

 

Special Teams:

Mixed bag here. Not where we need to be yet, but can see signs of what this unit can be.

 

 

No, it was not pretty but the team got it done. Sometimes all it takes is a spark and the fire gets lit. Am I saying this team will come out and beat UK and Indiana? No, although I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a catalyst for much better play. The staff showed last night they are not afraid to make a change at QB, so that tells me they are willing to make the necessary changes to get this offense back on track. This team is 1-1 with plenty left to play for. The defense ramped it up, now the offense needs to join the party.

 

 

One of my other suggestions is that Moorehead go back and look at some tape from the 2005/2006 teams.

[catdaddyp]

28 minutes ago, Lee Adams said:

One of my other suggestions is that Moorehead go back and look at some tape from the 2005/2006 teams.

I’m good with however coach chooses to do it as long as it works. The one thing I’m sure about is the RBs need more touches. Can’t go away from running the ball for what seems like 5+ plays if one run doesn’t work. Here’s a crazy stat, Undercuffler went 18 of 22 for 209 yards and a TD if the 3 interceptions were removed from the equation. Get a run game going and convince Undercuffler to play within himself (like he did at the spring game) and the offense will be fine. 

[dirtyolcrowe]

There are 12 paragraphs to talk about this game when it should be one sentence.  
 

akron barely wins against FCS Morgan St. 

 

#armchairQB’s

[Lee Adams]

21 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

I’m good with however coach chooses to do it as long as it works. The one thing I’m sure about is the RBs need more touches. Can’t go away from running the ball for what seems like 5+ plays if one run doesn’t work. Here’s a crazy stat, Undercuffler went 18 of 22 for 209 yards and a TD if the 3 interceptions were removed from the equation. Get a run game going and convince Undercuffler to play within himself (like he did at the spring game) and the offense will be fine. 

Would like to see more commit to the run also. Think others do also, Make the D respect it to help slow penetration. Still would like to see some 2 back. Run a screen and/or a draw once in a while. Morgan State burned Akron with a perfectly executed middle screen. Haven't seen that very often. Let Undercuffler play from here on out. He won't make plays with his feet, but I think will take care of the ball better if he is allowed to play and the coaching staff calls a game that looks like something more than randomness at times.

In the meantime, if the D-line can continue to generate pressure which we haven't seen forever the backend will get its share of turnovers.

[LoyalZIP]

This week's Advanced Box Score: https://collegefootballdata.com/boxscore/401532399

 

When I was looking at it yesterday morning, it had postgame win expectancy at Morgan State-92%. Now, it's Akron-59% after the rest of the advanced numbers came out. Interesting. Defensive TDs will do that.

 

Anyway, Akron got the football inside the MSU 40 on 8 different occasions and only mustered 10 points from it. Very concerning. I was shocked when Joe opted for the FG after the quick 3&out after the blocked punt. Maybe just wanted to get that unit a rep? Red zone scoring was an enormous struggle last year, and they finished those drives last week. Against MSU, the Zips didn't find themselves in the red zone often, but I think it's safe to say everyone was a little uneasy when they weren't able to punch it in from 1st&Goal to start the ballgame.

 

Another spot that jumps out to me is defensive havoc. This was the first time under Moorhead where the Akron defense really dictated the game. They were not perfect and allowed the TE to get loose too any times, but Akron won this game because the defense created opportunities. I talk a lot about doing more than just making stops. When the defense just gets stops, we get the Temple game, which is just fine. But when the defense can create havoc and force turnovers, the wins will begin to come. 

 

Akron was more penalized and lost the turnover battle. In so many ways, we were lucky to win that game. Here's to hoping it helps everyone's mentality and they start to believe they can win no matter what instead of always expecting the worst. Temple was like watching your own death slowly happen, Morgan State was too--until they came back to life. Practice this week will have much better energy being 1-1 than had they opened 0-2. Go Zips!

[Captain Kangaroo]

CJ Nunnally definitely deserved the MAC PoTY award this week, but Bryan McCoy put forth an absolutely heroic effort. He puked at least twice...maybe three times...voluminous releases too...not just a little phlegm...and hardly missed any PT. Game winning scoop-n-score TD. Fantastic game by the kid. 

 

@MDZip said it best...this was payback for CMU last season. Or, Buffalo...take your pick. Nice to see God is fair, and offset one of our improbable, impossible 2022 losses. 

[Blue & Gold]

18 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Bryan McCoy put forth an absolutely heroic effort. He puked at least twice...maybe three times...voluminous releases too...not just a little phlegm...and hardly missed any PT. Game winning scoop-n-score TD. Fantastic game by the kid. 

 

That's amazing. I saw 3 times he was down on his knees but I thought he got his bell rung or something... I was worried he was banged up... didn't know he was puking. Crazy! Rock on! ✊🤘

[Blue & Gold]

I thrilled with our LB play. After losing Bubba I thought it'd take our youngins a handful of games to get up to speed. No way. Our LB's are STUDS!

[Blue & Gold]