End of Season Thoughts

[catdaddyp]

What went Right and what went Wrong?

 

Quarterback:

Unbeknownst to much of the fanbase, DJI had offseason shoulder surgery and was not the same QB coming into 2023. He finally settled into a groove against Indiana, but even during that game it was DJI’s running ability that stood out as opposed to what would he considered a prolific passing day. JU was put in a tough position and expected to do more than he was capable of with the exception of 3 games (Kent, EMU, and Ohio). In those 3 games, the offense used more max protects in the passing game and relied heavily on the run. JU was 58 of 92 (63%) for 624 yards and 2 touchdowns versus 1 interception during that span. The biggest difference in those 3 games was the limited amount of turnovers as he still completed around 60% the rest of the season. Bullock simply was not ready and it seemed his accuracy issues stemmed from processing too slowly. He has all the tools physically to be a premier QB in the MAC, but he is not where he needs to be mentally at this point.

 

Running Back:

Lorenzo Lingard was as good as advertised and criminally underused during the first half of the season. This year’s offense needed a big back who could break tackles and potentially provide an explosive play at any given time. Lingard was that back. Despite the lack of touches earlier in the season, Lingard still finished close to 1,000 yards total (rushing and receiving combined). Drake Anderson was underutilized to some extent as well. The better offenses figure out ways to get players like Anderson the ball on the perimeter and in space, whether that be moved into the slot, screens, sweeps, etc. Something we did not do much of this year.

 

Wide Receiver:

Adams never seemed quite right and it was later confirmed he attempted to play through an injury. Losing one of, if not the best, WR in the MAC will hurt any offense. Gathings really came into his own and if he can keep his emotions in check, should continue to develop and become a legitimate weapon in the future. George was unable to improve on his 2022 season statistically, but a lot of that had to do with the issues at QB. Same could be said about Caleb Anderson, just to a lesser extent. Walker and Golden provided solid options from the slot, while Adrian Norton seems like a star in the making and will be exciting to watch in the coming years. 

 

Tight End:

It was thought TJ Banks would take a larger role in the offense and provide a threat across the middle of the field. Although Banks was solid, it was Newell who really surprised. Newell continued to improve as the year progressed and he has the potential to be as good as any TE in the MAC. This year’s offense was most effective when Banks and Newell were on the field at the same time.

 

Offensive Line:

Although the OL showed improvement by end of year and gave up less sacks than 2022, they were still subpar as a unit. Blanchard, Kindred, and K. Davis missed substantial time due to injuries. All started at points in the season. Chambers was shifted from the right side and ended up receiving the most starts at LT. Frank nailed down LG and is now out of eligibility. T. Williams was inconsistent at C, which is to be expected from a redshirt freshman. The RG spot saw a number of different faces before Lyons became the starter in the last few games. Nate Williams was moved back to RT and played really well the last 3 games. This unit had more depth this year, but unfortunately not enough quality depth to lose starters for significant time. The 2022 and 2023 classes brought in a substantial upgrade in athleticism. Unfortunately, outside of T. Williams (2022 freshman) and Frank (transfer portal), we didn’t get to see much of that improved athleticism this season.

 

Interior DL:

There was some concern coming into the year with Holt and Harper moving on. Terray Jones stepped in and was just as good as either player. He was also the only pass rush threat on the interior. Lavea was a load against the run and provided a solid combo with Jones. Robinson never lived up to his 3 star rating coming out of high school, yet became a key contributor as a backup. Freshman Marcus Moore looks to be another star in the making and should only get better from here. JUCO Tyler Carter (I believe he should be listed as a redshirt senior, not redshirt sophomore) did not contribute much and his claim to fame as a Zip will be getting ejected on back to back penalties with under a minute to go to finish out the season. Kiawan Murphy did not show much and will need to improve in the offseason to at least provide depth going into 2024.

 

Edge:

Ryan Johnson was the only for sure starter heading into the season and he transferred out after 4 games. CJ Nunnally burst onto the scene from the JUCO ranks and was one of the MAC leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. It’s not easy to find a lineman that is equally strong against the run and pass rush, but Nunnally is. LaJoshua Jackson and Antonio Smith were also JUCOs who flashed some pass rush ability in backup roles. JUCO Kabbash Richards was hurt for a portion of the season and did not contribute much. Bennett Adler came on as the year progressed and became more than just a run stuffer. He displayed a bull rush against Ohio, exhibiting some pass rush ability.

 

Linebacker:

Despite losing Bubba before the year began, linebacker proved to be the strongest position on defense. Former JUCO Antavious Fish flashed his hard hitting prowess in 2022 and the lightbulb came on in 2023. He and sophomore Bryan McCoy finished the year with just under 100 total tackles a piece. Transfer Shammond Cooper proved to be the best blitzer of the bunch and graded out the highest amongst the LBs. Jaharon Griffin moved into a bigger role with the injury to Andrew Behm and may not relinquish that role going into 2024.

 

Cornerback:

While not considered a top unit in the MAC, this group was much improved from 2022. Durant again made it difficult for anyone to beat out him out and ended up starting 10 games. Judson Tallandier had an up and down season in pass coverage, but was excellent in run support. Joey Hunter and Golden-Nelson had their moments and also missed substantial time with injuries. Cam Threatt did not play much of a role and may be moving on as it sounds like he already has his degree.

 

Safety: 

I expected this unit to take a significant leap and become one of the better units in the MAC. That did not happen, yet this group was still solid. Nate Thompson was inconsistent, but did finish the season strongly. Although KJ Martin does not have the stats to back up, I thought he had a better year than 2022. Corey Thomas was the biggest surprise and proved to be extremely versatile. Thomas also finished the year as the highest rated player on defense. Lewis was one of the reasons why the defense was improved in 2023 as he was a major factor at the nickel position. 

 

Special Teams:

The punting unit was strong and Dante Jackson was an upgrade over the previous punter. Kickoff and kickoff return were also solid. Field goal kicking was a disappointment until the final few games and part of that has to be placed on the coaching staff. It’s difficult for any kicker to be replaced from game to game and in some cases kick to kick. There has to be some consistency with the unit.

 

Coaching:

The offensive play-calling was maddening for most of the season. As much as the staff deserves credit for last year, they also deserve just as much criticism this year. The majority of the season it felt like round pegs were being forced into square holes and the staff did not adapt to their personnel until the end of the season. On the other hand, the defense was much better than some probably realize as they were forced into bad positions time after time. Tim Tibesar and his staff did an excellent job on that side of the ball.

 

Recruiting and Wrap-up:

I still 100% believe this staff is recruiting at a high level and had the best class in the MAC this past offseason. I also 100% believe the offensive staff badly underperformed with the talent at hand as mentioned above. I was wrong in that 2023 would be the turnaround year. There were 7 games decided by one score. This program is close to turning the corner and should have already done it. I expect another strong recruiting class will be brought in, which will finally give the program several strong classes stacked. That being the case, 2024 must be the turnaround year. Talent gap will no longer be an excuse and it probably shouldn’t have been an excuse this year outside of Kentucky, Miami, and Ohio. There was enough talent in place, with good coaching, to make a bowl game. Portal opens in December and I think our last commitment came in June, so we have about 7 months of roster transition ahead.

Edited November 25, 2023 by catdaddyp

[72 Roo]

Brilliant review Catdaddy. I always appreciate your perspective. There are two points I'd like to offer a different view.

1. I feel you were optimistic with the OL review. I do not feel we have depth or quality. We keep hoping that with time the young players will get better. That has been a mantra with the OL for the last 10 years. They are what they are, and that's not very good.
2. We have discipline issues that showed in the first game and repeated in every game of the season to the end. An example: everyone knows Gaithings mouth is a ticking time bomb. Yet the coaches have been ineffective in addressing it. That tells me the coaches either tolerate it or don't consider it an issue. 

Regardless, the season is mercilessly done. Joe talks about the path Miami took to return to respectability. I hope we follow it, but, frankly, I expect better. Coaching matters. They have to do a better job. I continue to hope they will.

[Reslife4Life]

Thank God its basketball season

[clarkwgriswold]

I wonder about how good the young recruits actually are when I see so many questionable starters and the young kids never seeing the field.

[catdaddyp]

4 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

Brilliant review Catdaddy. I always appreciate your perspective. There are two points I'd like to offer a different view.

1. I feel you were optimistic with the OL review. I do not feel we have depth or quality. We keep hoping that with time the young players will get better. That has been a mantra with the OL for the last 10 years. They are what they are, and that's not very good.
2. We have discipline issues that showed in the first game and repeated in every game of the season to the end. An example: everyone knows Gaithings mouth is a ticking time bomb. Yet the coaches have been ineffective in addressing it. That tells me the coaches either tolerate it or don't consider it an issue. 

Regardless, the season is mercilessly done. Joe talks about the path Miami took to return to respectability. I hope we follow it, but, frankly, I expect better. Coaching matters. They have to do a better job. I continue to hope they will.

The OL and DL are almost always the biggest issues in turnaround situations. We were fortunate to land some solid DL that could contribute immediately in the last two cycles. OL is harder to come by. We hit a home run in the portal with Whigan, but were unable to replace his production after he ran out of eligibility. Landers was also a home run as a freshman before we lost him for whatever issues (grades?) and didn’t really have an adequate replacement. Blanchard seemed to be coming on before his injury. T. Williams, K. Davis, James, Morris, and Mann are all athletic and have plenty of upside. Unfortunately, T. Williams was the only one of the young bunch to fully contribute this year. I think Blanchard and Kindred will turn out to be portal successes, but injuries hampered them this season. For the most part, outside of Frank and T. Williams, we were still heavily reliant on the previous staff’s OL recruits in 2023. I know it’s an old mantra, but that’s basically where we’re at unless we somehow land a few plug and plays out the portal.

 

Agree the discipline isn’t always where it needs to be. So many dumb penalties this year. It has to be cleaned up.
 

 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[catdaddyp]

7 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

 

I don’t subscribe to the Beacon. Did the article have anything beyond what was said at the press conference? 
 

I went back and compared records under the previous staff:

2019-2021:

30 games played

3 games decided by 1 score or less

3 wins

Compared to:

2022-2023:

24 games played

13 games decided by 1 score or less

4 wins

 

Being competitive is no longer an issue, but the wins need to come in 2024. Otherwise the support question may have some legs by the end of next season. 

 

[Blue & Gold]

1 hour ago, catdaddyp said:

I don’t subscribe to the Beacon. Did the article have anything beyond what was said at the press conference? 
 

I went back and compared records under the previous staff:

2019-2021:

30 games played

3 games decided by 1 score or less

3 wins

Compared to:

2022-2023:

24 games played

13 games decided by 1 score or less

4 wins

 

Being competitive is no longer an issue, but the wins need to come in 2024. Otherwise the support question may have some legs by the end of next season. 

 

No, if you watched the presser the article was woven together (accurately and fairly, IMHO) with postgame press conference quotes.

 

Edit: Oops, actually there were also quotes from DJI and Alex Adams:

“Tahj, for next year, he's going to be like another DJ, but he might be better,” said UA junior wide receiver Alex Adams, a first-team All-MAC selection in 2022 who dealt with injuries throughout the 2023 season and missed five games, including the final three.

“[Bullock has] got the [ability to] run. He's got the throwing, too. Everybody just ain't seen that yet. But I ain't going to say too much. They've just got to come to the game and see.”

 

A Zips captain who's aiming for a shot in the NFL, Irons said Bullock has “a great, great future.”

Irons said he's also convinced the UA program is in good hands with Moorhead, though everyone involved must “buy in” to capitalize.

“There's definitely progress being made,” Irons said. “It's just I feel we have to learn how to finish together by playing complementary football. One time, it'd be the defense doing great and the offense wouldn't be, or special teams doing great and the offense and defense wouldn't be or vice versa. I feel like it's just that one little hump we've just got to get over, but once that happens, Akron, it'll be turned around.”

Edited November 26, 2023 by Blue & Gold

[Blue & Gold]

I think the staff & players are too optimistic about Tahj.  Of course I hope I'm dead wrong. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Blue & Gold

[Let'sGoZips94]

14 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

I think the staff & players are too optimistic about Tahj.  Of course I hope I'm dead wrong. 

 

How much more accurate can a college junior become? If you're watching from the camera's angle in this GIF, you're probably thinking Tahj is a future NFL Hall of Famer. Zoom out for the full picture and none of these throws would be in vicinity of a WR, which is Tahj's issue. 

 

[Zipped Up]

Comparing prior and current staff records was not exactly apples to apples comparison. Although I’m not a fan of Arth, Covid screwed up 2020 and skewed how he handled 2021 personnel. 
 

So let’s throw out ‘20 and compare two years v two years. Arth (and staff) 

2-22 JoMo 4-20. Arth got the two wins and lost 2 of the last 4 to Ball St and Western on last minute plays. Progress was coming (albeit slowly). I would also argue the 2021 schedule was a hell of a lot tougher (both OOC and within the MAC) than this year. So only two wins, but one vs a Bryant team that made the FCS playoffs ( or maybe just missed) and BG on the road, while not a very good team, they were coming off a win vs Minnesota just a couple weeks earlier. 
 

Last year JoMo needed OT to beat an average FCS team and the worst NIU in 20 years and this year needed two miracles to beat the worst team in FCS and the worst in FBS. 

Frankly, they were both failures in relatively comparable time frames, yet only one is heralded as an offensive guru and keeps telling everyone how he could be somewhere bigger and better. 

 

[GP1]

3 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

 

 

Being competitive is no longer an issue, but the wins need to come in 2024. Otherwise the support question may have some legs by the end of next season. 

 

I think you are largely right, but there are degrees of competitiveness. Akron is on the low end. We can compete for a couple of quarters against good MAC schools, but not nearly enough for four quarters. 

 

When I think of competitiveness, I think about more than talent. I don't know how many have watched the Netflix series about the Florida Gators during the Tebow years, but there was an almost psychotic level of competitiveness on their team. It isn't something any fan could see because the competitiveness was being developed away from and out of sight of the fans at times when most fans are asleep or in bars. The competitiveness translated into wins. Florida won not because they learned how to win. "Learning how to win" is a stupid phrase because winning isn't learned, it's earned away from gameday. They won because they competed hard on every play at a level the average person couldn't imagine during practice, off season workouts and games. That's where Akron needs to get to. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by GP1

[catdaddyp]

2 hours ago, GP1 said:

I think you are largely right, but there are degrees of competitiveness. Akron is on the low end. We can compete for a couple of quarters against good MAC schools, but not nearly enough for four quarters. 

 

When I think of competitiveness, I think about more than talent. I don't know how many have watched the Netflix series about the Florida Gators during the Tebow years, but there was an almost psychotic level of competitiveness on their team. It isn't something any fan could see because the competitiveness was being developed away from and out of sight of the fans at times when most fans are asleep or in bars. The competitiveness translated into wins. Florida won not because they learned how to win. "Learning how to win" is a stupid phrase because winning isn't learned, it's earned away from gameday. They won because they competed hard on every play at a level the average person couldn't imagine during practice, off season workouts and games. That's where Akron needs to get to. 

I didn’t see the documentary (I stay away from all football documentaries and football tv shows/movies) and I get the point being made, but Joe Moorhead did not step into a situation anywhere close to what Urban Meyer inherited at Florida. Meyer also had Chris Leak at QB before the version of Tim Tebow that everyone now knows stepped into the limelight. 

 

I think the staff got just about everything they could out of the team in year 1 (or what JoeMo is now referring to as year 0) and did an excellent job defensively in year 2. Outside of the NIU game, I thought the team left it all on the field in just about every contest this season. I’m not sure what the NCAA record is, but 3 OT losses in a season must be somewhere near the top. 
 

Like I mentioned earlier, the only games I felt we were outmatched talent wise was against Kentucky, Miami, and Ohio. If recruiting continues at the current rate, I don’t see that being the case next year. Better talent, especially at QB, can cover up a lot of mistakes. I hope we see a high level of effort, reduced dumb penalties, and better coaching to complement next year’s talent.

[Zippy87]

You absolutely cannot go into 2024 without at least bringing in someone to compete with Bullock. 

[GP1]

12 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

You absolutely cannot go into 2024 without at least bringing in someone to compete with Bullock. 

Don't you mean "replace"?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Pittsburgh writer wants Joe at Pitt’s OC

[GP1]

2 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Pittsburgh writer wants Joe at Pitt’s OC

Joe should be hesitant. Actually, he should be thoughtful. Nine years is enough for any coach to be at any school, unless you're a hall of fame coach, which their current meathead isn't. Wait the situation out. 

 

His play, assuming he wants to coach at another historically bad program, should be to wait for Narduzzi to get fired after what will be a horrible season next year and go after the job. Joe would be the lazy Yinzer pick because he's from the area which would put him at the top of the candidates for their meager fan base. If losing at Akron won't hurt him this year, it won't hurt him next year. 

[Akron1]

I am just shocked that it took until the Kent game to run a two TE set.  The line struggled all season, and they needed some blocking help.  

 

 

 

 

 

[LoyalZIP]

Great, the Melissa Jackson COVID excuse now being used in the football thread. And now Arth gets credit for playing close against WMU, the first game after he was fired. Does that mean he gets credit for losing to Kent and Toledo by a combined 87-14 the last two games? 
 

Moorhead has failed at Akron, so far. He has also fielded the two best Akron teams since Bowden was fired. And I would even argue the last two teams could probably beat the 2nd half of the year 2018 team. 
 

We are far from where we came and still way too far from where we need to be. 

[Blue & Gold]

I still feel we were just a mediocre QB away from 5, maybe even 6 wins.

[LZIp]

8 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

I still feel we were just a mediocre QB away from 5, maybe even 6 wins.

Agreed

[catdaddyp]

23 hours ago, Zipped Up said:

Comparing prior and current staff records was not exactly apples to apples comparison. Although I’m not a fan of Arth, Covid screwed up 2020 and skewed how he handled 2021 personnel. 
 

So let’s throw out ‘20 and compare two years v two years. Arth (and staff) 

2-22 JoMo 4-20. Arth got the two wins and lost 2 of the last 4 to Ball St and Western on last minute plays. Progress was coming (albeit slowly). I would also argue the 2021 schedule was a hell of a lot tougher (both OOC and within the MAC) than this year. So only two wins, but one vs a Bryant team that made the FCS playoffs ( or maybe just missed) and BG on the road, while not a very good team, they were coming off a win vs Minnesota just a couple weeks earlier. 
 

Last year JoMo needed OT to beat an average FCS team and the worst NIU in 20 years and this year needed two miracles to beat the worst team in FCS and the worst in FBS. 

Frankly, they were both failures in relatively comparable time frames, yet only one is heralded as an offensive guru and keeps telling everyone how he could be somewhere bigger and better. 

 

I would argue Moorhead may have taken over a roster in worse shape than Arth and I can only imagine how bad Arth’s final recruiting class would have finished had there not been a change. I don’t believe there would have been any progress had Arth been retained. 
 

There are a number of reasons we’ve covered that made the 2023 season a disappointment. My point was this program is actually competitive as opposed to the previous staff’s teams. Let’s not forget the many blowouts under Arth. We can look at a number of games this season where one less dumb penalty, or one less poor decision at QB, or one more made FG could have changed the outcome of the season. The same can’t be said during Arth’s years.

 

All that being said, the only thing that matters is wins and enough of those have not happened. 

 

Moorhead isn’t wrong. He could be getting paid a lot more somewhere else as an OC. He doesn’t need to keep saying it though.

 

 

[Lee Adams]

2 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

I still feel we were just a mediocre QB away from 5, maybe even 6 wins.

Again, I feel it is very difficult to analyze for next season until the dust settles over the winter.  My concern is that there may be some key players who transfer out and potential recruits are going to hesitate coming here due to the condition of the program. Also, if Pittsburgh tries to go after Moorehead potential recruits are going to hesitate to come here if they think Moorehead might bail. I have no idea whether he will or not. Some key players are out of eligibility and some who played didn't exhibit the ability to play at this level. 

As far as the QB is concerned looks like Moorehead has for now made Bullock the front runner. We will see how that plays out. And, as others have pointed out, coaching on the offensive side of the ball left a lot to be desired all too often. Does that change? How? The defense as a group did an acceptable job generally with minimal support from the offense.

Before this season even though I wasn't an Irons fan, I thought the program might get to 5-6 wins. Man that was way too optimistic.

2024 is either a turnaround or off the cliff season.

Edited November 27, 2023 by Lee Adams
Original post in error

[Blue & Gold]

6 minutes ago, Lee Adams said:

Looks like Moorehead has made Bullock at least the leader in the clubhouse going into next season.

I've gotten that vibe as well... which leaves me feeling very empty inside 😶

[LZIp]

32 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

I've gotten that vibe as well... which leaves me feeling very empty inside 😶

Leader right now maybe. It would be gross negligence not to bring in competition.