Week 4 (South Carolina) Thoughts

[catdaddyp]

QB - Finley was a different player after being hit by #17 & #44. I don’t think he completed more than two passes after that. His immediate two throws after the hit were badly off. At one point, Finley came off the field and it looked like Moorhead said “what the **** was that?”

 

RB - Simmons and Kellom did fine with their opportunities. Not much to say here.

 

WR - Norton was really the only one that did much. Our receivers had a really tough time blocking Carolina’s DBs. 

 

TE - Newell again collected all the meaningful snaps. Cravaack caught two passes for a handful of yards.

 

OL - Moorhead tried to limit Carolina’s pass rush with a number of quick passes and screens. For the most part it worked, but that’s no way to sustain a meaningful drive. 

James actually played well. In my opinion, RT should be his spot to lose at this point. Morris once again came off the bench and played really well. Blanchard and Seymore were fine at LT and LG, respectively.

 

DL - We didn’t get much of a pass rush from our DTs this week, which is not surprising considering the strength of Carolina’s OL is on the interior. However, our DEs won their fair share of battles against Carolina’s OTs. Kapongo had his best game..again. Nunnally and Adler had sacks. Richards, Cheatom, and Dall were all very active.

 

LB - There were alot of missed tackles from the LBs and the secondary. Fish and McCoy battled, but despite the high amount of tackles they collected, there were still plenty left out there. Benenge and Spriggs played significant snaps and were in by the 2nd quarter.

 

CB - Carolina’s speed at WR hurt us and so did all the misdirection. Some of the players with a lesser amount of experience like Reed and R. Hunter (S) got fooled on some of the misdirection “eye candy.”

 

S - Anderson got the start after not playing last week. I thought he did enough to deserve another shot at starting next week. R. Hunter also saw significant snaps. That said, defensive back play, in general, was not up to par. There were coverage busts along with poor angles when coming up to tackle.

 

ST - Overall, special teams continued to play well. 

 

Coaching - We weren’t aggressive offensively and there were too many players that looked lost on defense. This almost looked like an OOC game where the staff just wanted to see what we have. There was a point in the 2nd quarter where Cheatom, Richards, Benenge, White, R. Hunter, and D. Jonson were all in together. Of course, Carolina ended up scoring. I honestly don’t have an issue with that if the goal was to get as many players as much significant experience as possible. Except, I don’t know if that was actually the goal.

 

Thankfully, all the pay day games are over. Just so happens the P4s we played are probably the best teams each school has had under their current coaches. Now we head to conference play and finally get to see how this team fares against a similar talent level. For those that missed it, UK beat Ohio 41-6.

 

 

QB:

Finley

Bullock

 

RB:

Simmons

Kellom

 

WR:

Norton

Campbell

 

WR:

Polk

P. Davis

 

WR:

Golden

Walker

Rush

 

TE:

Newell

Cravaack

 

LT:

Blanchard

Shor

 

LG:

Seymore

Morris

George

 

C

T. Williams

Morris

 

RG:

Davis

Burrell

 

RT:

James

Thomas

 

 

DE:

Nunnally

Cheatom

Richards

 

DT:

Kapongo

Murphy

 

DT:

Lavea

Moore

Proffitt 

 

DE:

Adler

Ball

 

LB:

McCoy

Spriggs

 

LB:

Fish

Benenge

Summers

 

NB:

D. Lewis

Greenwood

 

CB:

Hunter

White

DeWalt

 

CB:

Golden-Nelson

Reed

Jarmon

 

S:

P. Lewis

R. Hunter

 

S:

Anderson

D. Johnson

Roach

 

Top Offensive Players (25 or more snaps)

WR - Norton

RT - James

TE - Newell

OG - Morris

RB - Kellom

 

Top Defensive Players (25 or more snaps)

DT - Kapongo

DE - Adler

CB - Golden-Nelson

DE - Nunnally

DE - Richards

 

Special Teams 

TBA

Edited September 22 by catdaddyp

[Blue & Gold]

Fortunately this insanely brutal scheduling is behind us for the foreseeable future.

2025:

-Wyoming

-@ Nebraska

-@ UAB

-Duquesne

2026:

-@ Wake Forest

-Robert Morris

-@ Minnesota

-UNLV

2027:

-@ Rutgers

-@ UNLV

-Maine

2028:

-Lafayette

-@ Wyoming

 

That is sane OOC scheduling & I'm looking forward to seeing Wyoming & UNLV @ the Info. (Not to mention James Madison in 2029.)

Edited September 22 by Blue & Gold

[MangoZip]

I feel like this team just isn’t really improving. The defense does still show some promise but being on the field as much as they were, in that heat, and against that team, it was just a matter of time until the wheels came off. The offense is still pretty much a disaster. Finley looked terrible, he missed so many easy throws. I still say they need to establish the run. It actually was working some but Joe just kept going to that horizontal passing game. Looking forward to playing MAC teams but it will not be easy. Several MAC teams on this schedule played with the P5’s so much better than the Zips. I hate to say it but I really only see maybe 2 more wins coming. 

Edited September 22 by MangoZip

[GP1]

9 minutes ago, MangoZip said:

I feel like this team just isn’t really improving. The defense does still show some promise but being on the field as much as they were, in that heat, and against that team, it was just a matter of time until the wheels came off. The offense is still pretty much a disaster. Finley looked terrible, he missed so many easy throws. I still say they need to establish the run. It actually was working some but Joe just kept going to that horizontal passing game. Looking forward to playing MAC teams but it will not be easy. Several MAC teams on this schedule played with the P5’s so much better than the Zips. I hate to say it but I really only see maybe 2 more wins coming. 

You are mostly correct. I would say the team is flat. They have taken a beating the past four weeks and it looked like it. They need a momentum boost early in the game this week. JoeMo needs to be aggressive on defense in a way that forces some turnovers and take some big play shots down field early. Trying to sleepwalk through a game the way they did last night won't cut it. 

 

If they can do these things, they can win. If they don't, you are correct that there are only two more winnable games on the schedule. 

[csims0917]

This team needs bye week. They are super beat up and it showed yesterday

[GP1]

2 minutes ago, csims0917 said:

This team needs bye week. They are super beat up and it showed yesterday

And a home game. One of my brothers sent me a note last night basically saying and asking.... Akron played OSU, USC and Rutgers. Four of their first five games are on the road. Does their athletic director hate the football program?  Can anyone give me a reason to say no to the question?  

[clarkwgriswold]

I think this week starts to tell us whether the program is making progress.  Competition against similar competition will be telling.

[MangoZip]

9 minutes ago, GP1 said:

And a home game. One of my brothers sent me a note last night basically saying and asking.... Akron played OSU, USC and Rutgers. Four of their first five games are on the road. Does their athletic director hate the football program?  Can anyone give me a reason to say no to the question?  

Well, OSU, USC, and Rutgers are not playing at Akron. Very rare any P5 team plays at any MAC stadium. I get the point but no, the AD does not hate the football program. That’s a little dramatic. The football program is the only thing keeping the athletic department afloat. 

[GP1]

Just now, MangoZip said:

Well, OSU, USC, and Rutgers are not playing at Akron. Very rare any P5 team plays at any MAC stadium. I get the point but no, the AD does not hate the football program. That’s a little dramatic. The football program is the only thing keeping the athletic department afloat. 

Why can't he find another way to mismanage the athletic department other than destroying the football program?

[Lee Adams]

2 hours ago, csims0917 said:

This team needs bye week. They are super beat up and it showed yesterday

None coming any time soon.

[Lee Adams]

2 hours ago, GP1 said:

You are mostly correct. I would say the team is flat. They have taken a beating the past four weeks and it looked like it. They need a momentum boost early in the game this week. JoeMo needs to be aggressive on defense in a way that forces some turnovers and take some big play shots down field early. Trying to sleepwalk through a game the way they did last night won't cut it. 

 

If they can do these things, they can win. If they don't, you are correct that there are only two more winnable games on the schedule. 

Don't blame Finley. Moorehead allowed him to get beat up!! I said last week Moorehead should have considered not playing him or at least removed him from the game before he got beat up anymore. Agree, this team is beaten physically and mentally. I still refer to Gary Danielson's comment during the OSU game. The most important game on the schedule would be Ohio U. Now I am afraid there isn't enough gas in the tank to beat, not just compete against OU. Point the finger at Moorehead for getting Finley beat up. Without Finley Moorehead hasn't got the QB to run his offense. And, the way this defense is playing, its not gonna win them a game.

If they surprise and win at Athens they can save the season. BUT...

[LZIp]

8 minutes ago, Lee Adams said:

Don't blame Finley. Moorehead allowed him to get beat up!! I said last week Moorehead should have considered not playing him or at least removed him from the game before he got beat up anymore. Agree, this team is beaten physically and mentally. I still refer to Gary Danielson's comment during the OSU game. The most important game on the schedule would be Ohio U. Now I am afraid there isn't enough gas in the tank to beat, not just compete against OU. Point the finger at Moorehead for getting Finley beat up. Without Finley Moorehead hasn't got the QB to run his offense. And, the way this defense is playing, its not gonna win them a game.

If they surprise and win at Athens they can save the season. BUT...

I think Moorhead called the game last night with the intent of protecting Finley (OSU game on the otherhand..). He’s either healthy enough to play or he isn’t. Toughen up and don’t play scared if you’re good enough to play.

 

Schockingly, assuming Cooper and David’s injuries aren’t long term (which my assumption is they arent), I think we’re coming out of this guantlet relatively healthy. Obviously played some tough teams that took it to us, but all those games the starters didn’t play the whole time and we rotated in and out a lot more than I think we normally would.

[MangoZip]

1 hour ago, Lee Adams said:

Don't blame Finley. Moorehead allowed him to get beat up!! I said last week Moorehead should have considered not playing him or at least removed him from the game before he got beat up anymore. Agree, this team is beaten physically and mentally. I still refer to Gary Danielson's comment during the OSU game. The most important game on the schedule would be Ohio U. Now I am afraid there isn't enough gas in the tank to beat, not just compete against OU. Point the finger at Moorehead for getting Finley beat up. Without Finley Moorehead hasn't got the QB to run his offense. And, the way this defense is playing, its not gonna win them a game.

If they surprise and win at Athens they can save the season. BUT...

There is plenty of blame to go around but Finley does deserve some. I remember several times he had a surprisingly clean pocket and made some really bad throws. QB’s get hit, it’s part of the game, you don’t just get a free pass to play poorly just because you’ve taken some hits. Not trying to pick on him, I think he has a lot of potential and has shown that he can play well but he deserves blame for playing bad.

[Zipmeister]

4 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

Fortunately this insanely brutal scheduling is behind us for the foreseeable future.

2025:

-Wyoming

-@ Nebraska

-@ UAB

-Duquesne

2026:

-@ Wake Forest

-Robert Morris

-@ Minnesota

-UNLV

2027:

-@ Rutgers

-@ UNLV

-Maine

2028:

-Lafayette

-@ Wyoming

 

That is sane OOC scheduling & I'm looking forward to seeing Wyoming & UNLV @ the Info. (Not to mention James Madison in 2029.)

 

I'm glad you decided not to mention James Madison. It would have upset me to think that a team that just decided to play big time ball moved to 3-0 on the year by edging North Carolina 70-50 last Saturday. 

[Zipmeister]

4 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

I think this week starts to tell us whether the program is making progress.  Competition against similar competition will be telling.

 

Did the Zips leave the MAC and join the MEAC?

[kreed5120]

11 hours ago, GP1 said:

Why can't he find another way to mismanage the athletic department other than destroying the football program?

This football program has been destroyed since I-Coach, maybe even longer.

[Zippy87]

I don't follow football as closely as hoops, is Alex Adams going to play?

[exit322]

12 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

I think this week starts to tell us whether the program is making progress.  Competition against similar competition will be telling.

Gotta wait awhile before the Kent game.

[Jumping kangaroo]

Worse coached game I ever witnessed.  First play we go for 12 yards with the run and we never go back to it besides him spreading the tackles out on the perimeter leaving us 3 linemen in the box to their 6 defenders. Establish the run, Finley is not a 50 attempt a game passer. With a more balance offense we slow the game down, rest the defense, build confidence on both sides of the ball and win. Our QB had a tough night at the office, but the poor play calling did not help. Hopefully we are saving all the good plays for this week (fingers crossed)!!!!!

[Lee Adams]

On 9/22/2024 at 1:35 PM, LZIp said:

I think Moorhead called the game last night with the intent of protecting Finley (OSU game on the otherhand..). He’s either healthy enough to play or he isn’t. Toughen up and don’t play scared if you’re good enough to play.

 

Schockingly, assuming Cooper and David’s injuries aren’t long term (which my assumption is they arent), I think we’re coming out of this guantlet relatively healthy. Obviously played some tough teams that took it to us, but all those games the starters didn’t play the whole time and we rotated in and out a lot more than I think we normally would.

Agree to disagree. We will see what happens in Athens.

[Lee Adams]

23 hours ago, MangoZip said:

There is plenty of blame to go around but Finley does deserve some. I remember several times he had a surprisingly clean pocket and made some really bad throws. QB’s get hit, it’s part of the game, you don’t just get a free pass to play poorly just because you’ve taken some hits. Not trying to pick on him, I think he has a lot of potential and has shown that he can play well but he deserves blame for playing bad.

As you know, when QB's continually get hit and chased, most of them develop bad habits. Your ribs are hurting, your shoulders are sore etc.,etc. After 3 beatings, he is now anticipating those hits. Throws start going off the back foot. They get out too early. Too many throws on the run. That leads to missing targets even when there is a 'surprisingly' clean pocket. And with this O line and lack of a consistent run game a clean pocket is as you say, surprising.

Here is hoping it all comes together in Athens.

[GP1]

2 hours ago, Lee Adams said:

As you know, when QB's continually get hit and chased, most of them develop bad habits. Your ribs are hurting, your shoulders are sore etc.,etc. After 3 beatings, he is now anticipating those hits. Throws start going off the back foot. They get out too early. Too many throws on the run. That leads to missing targets even when there is a 'surprisingly' clean pocket. And with this O line and lack of a consistent run game a clean pocket is as you say, surprising.

Here is hoping it all comes together in Athens.

Nice human approach to viewing football. We've reached a point in society where too many thinks football is a video game or just a jumble of statistics. The QB never gets hurt or has emotion in a video game. 

[zippy5]

Someone hasn't seen the new Wear and Tear system in CFB25

[GP1]

35 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

Someone hasn't seen the new Wear and Tear system in CFB25

I know what it is. It's a bad attempt to gauge how players are impacted throughout a game and then impacts their performance. Isolated to five areas. Doesn't take psychological impact on players.