Week 6 (BGSU) Thoughts

[catdaddyp]

QB:

Finley only missed on a handful of throws (not counting the ones where he was pressured and had no chance) and was much better this week. He moved around well in the pocket and usually got the ball out quickly. Finley zipped a few passes that we haven’t seen a QB do since 2022 DJI. If Finley continues to play at this level, we’ll have a chance in the rest of our games.

 

RB:

Simmons made the most of his opportunities in both the pass and run game. I would have liked to have seen him get more touches (9 rushing attempts and 5 receiving). Kellom didn’t have as many opportunities this game.

 

WR:

I can only recall one drop. The WRs did a solid job blocking on the perimeter and caught almost everything that came their way. Norton had substantial yards after the catch. Golden played every snap due to Adams, Rush, and Walker being out.

 

TE:

Newell again played almost every snap. It’s too bad he wasn’t expecting the pass on the last series, as Finley put it right on him.

 

OL:

That was the best showing by the OL to date. Morris got the start at LG with Seymore listed as out. D. Thomas surprisingly got the start at RT, despite James’ recent play. (LG) Morris and (C) Williams played every snap. 

 

DL:

That was also the DL’s best pass rush showing to date. Pressure came from all over. Nunnally, Adler, Dall, and Brockington each had sacks and the defense collected 9 tackles for loss.

 

LB:

McCoy and Fish were excellent. The defense as a whole tackled much better than last week. They had 20+ misses against Ohio and less than 10 this week. Spriggs and Benenge saw early snaps. Spriggs looked explosive and the light may be coming on for him.

 

DB:

There were a few glaring busts that led to explosive plays, but outside of that, the secondary was solid. 

Only 3 safeties played (P. Lewis, D. Lewis, Anderson). When either P. Lewis or Anderson came out the game, D. Lewis slid from NB to safety. Greenwood or T. Thomas filled in at NB.

Reed and DeWalt backed up Golden-Nelson and Hunter. 

 

ST:

Outside of a shanked punt, special teams were excellent again - even scoring a touchdown this game.

 

Coaching:

Unfortunately, it’s the same old song and dance. The team played well enough to win and had the lead/ were tied for a period of time. That’s now 11 games lost by a single score (slightly over 1/3 of total games played) during Moorhead’s tenure. He has to find a way to get this team over the hump.

 

 

 

QB:

Finley

Bullock

 

RB:

Simmons

Kellom

 

WR:

Norton

P. Davis

 

WR:

Golden

 

WR:

Polk

Granger

 

TE:

Newell

Cravaack

 

LT:

Blanchard

Shor

 

LG:

Morris

 

C

Williams

 

RG:

K. Davis

Burrell

 

RT:

Thomas

James

 

 

DE:

Adler

Dall

 

DE:

Nunnally

Richards

 

DT:

Lavea

Kapongo 

Madden

 

DT:

Moore

Brockington 

 

LB:

Fish

Benenge

 

LB:

McCoy

Spriggs

 

NB:

D. Lewis

Greenwood 

Thomas

 

CB:

Golden-Nelson

DeWalt

 

CB:

Hunter 

Reed

 

S:

P. Lewis

D. Lewis

 

S:

Anderson

D. Lewis

 

 

Top Players on Offense (25 Plays or more):

RT - James (was RT D. Thomas)

WR - Norton (was RG K. Davis)

LT - Blanchard

RT - D. Thomas (was WR Norton)

RG - K. Davis (was QB Finley)

 

Top Rated Players on Defense (25 Plays or more):

DE - Dall

LB - Fish

DT - Brockington (was DT Kapongo)

S - D. Lewis (was DE Nunnally)

CB - Hunter

 

Top Rated players on Special Teams:

LS - Reardon

S - P. Lewis

CB - DeWalt

WR - P. Davis

WR - Golden

 

Edited October 9 by catdaddyp

[Blue & Gold]

So many feelings about Finley bonking Newell straight in the head at the goal line.  

1. So embarrassing for Newell and

2. he doesn't deserve that as

3. he's been our offensive MVP so far in the season.

4. That was at such a critical juncture in the game and

5. could have been legendary, but 

6. became such a tragically comical, downright laughable blunder

7. which, sadly,  is perfectly on brand for what this program has become over the last decade

8. an unbelievable but not-at-all surprising sequence

9. what would have been surprising to me... downright shocking, actually... is if we had rallied to pulled out the W

10. I feel sick

 

[Hilltopper]

I think Finley thought Newel was going to stop and turn on that route. 

[LZIp]

1st half, more of the same. 2nd half might have been our best half of offense against FBS competition this year. Still need to clean up some inexcusable stuff,  but in spite of that, its really just coming out behind on 3-4 plays a game. Catch the touchdown pass at the end, don't shank the punt. Doesn't feel like there's that big of a gap from where we are to being at least an average program. 

[Akron1]

If there has ever been a football team that needs a Fullback or if JOMO would play two Tight Ends - it is this one.  Ben Finley looks like the best true QB that we have had in 20 years.  All Ben needs is time and a FB or an extra TE would assist with the pass protection and the running game.   

 

Also, Jordon Simmons needs 20 or more touches per game!

 

[gozips19]

Good- only 2 penalties 

Bad - 3rd down D 

Good - 2nd half o line/Finley's footwork 

Bad- 1st half o line

Good - punter/kicker

Bad - shanked punt 

 

 

The team took a step in the right direction but it's still not enough. Coach's frustration during the post-game was noticeable.  

 

I feel for the TE but man does that sum up this team. 

Edited October 7 by gozips19

[MarkWiley]

A small thing that bothers me, I think the team needs to go to the band with the cheerleaders for the alma matter after a game win or lose.  

[GP1]

11 minutes ago, MarkWiley said:

A small thing that bothers me, I think the team needs to go to the band with the cheerleaders for the alma matter after a game win or lose.  

Why? With the transfer portal, half will never graduate from Akron. 

[MarkWiley]

15 minutes ago, GP1 said:

Why? With the transfer portal, half will never graduate from Akron. 

It's bigger than the individual players, it fosters a connection with the football team, the school, the band, TRADITION... maybe if these things were addressed and a sense of tradition and connection started they'd be a few less portal transfers.  Regardless of all that, you are playing for the school, the football teams are typically the face of the school, show some pride.

[GP1]

1 hour ago, MarkWiley said:

It's bigger than the individual players, it fosters a connection with the football team, the school, the band, TRADITION... maybe if these things were addressed and a sense of tradition and connection started they'd be a few less portal transfers.  Regardless of all that, you are playing for the school, the football teams are typically the face of the school, show some pride.

There is no more tradition in college athletics, only money. 

[MarkWiley]

21 minutes ago, GP1 said:

There is no more tradition in college athletics, only money. 

that's a cynical view.  Every away game we see loads of tradition at other schools.  The way the players take the field, school chants, coordinated mascot cheers, etc.  I think it seems small or insignificant but those things build a tradition and build pride.

[GP1]

1 minute ago, MarkWiley said:

that's a cynical view.  Every away game we see loads of tradition at other schools.  The way the players take the field, school chants, coordinated mascot cheers, etc.  I think it seems small or insignificant but those things build a tradition and build pride.

Those are all for the fans and students. The players don't care anymore. I wish I was wrong. 

[MarkWiley]

Just now, GP1 said:

Those are all for the fans and students. The players don't care anymore. I wish I was wrong. 

I can tell we are on different sides of this conversation, so no need to continue it, however I can tell you from first hand knowledge, a lot of players are looking for that kind of tradition and connection.  Especially those that understand that they are not going pro.  

[catdaddyp]

Bump for Top Ratings update.

 

- 4 out of 5 players on offense were on the OL. Also, Blanchard is now the top rated pass protector in the MAC at OT.

 

- Each position had a player in the top 5 on defense.

Edited October 9 by catdaddyp

[Blue & Gold]

How were we able to move the ball so well in the 4th quarter?

[Ham]

This was my first and probably only game I've seen in person.  It was easy to see why our RB's don't get many carries at least in this game.  BG was packing it in for most every play.  For that reason, l give the coaches a poor grade.  I don't think RPO works too well when the D is over loaded.  When we ran a quick hitter, we had success in spite of the D crowding the line of scrimmage.  We didn't need to throw long; we just needed to throw over the LB's.  On D, our aggressiveness cost us.  Missed tackles led to chunk plays.  

 

If the team keeps focused, they can turn this season around.  Well get to 4 maybe 5 wins.

[Blue & Gold]

On 10/9/2024 at 9:23 PM, Ham said:

This was my first and probably only game I've seen in person.  It was easy to see why our RB's don't get many carries at least in this game.  BG was packing it in for most every play.  For that reason, l give the coaches a poor grade.  I don't think RPO works too well when the D is over loaded.  When we ran a quick hitter, we had success in spite of the D crowding the line of scrimmage.  We didn't need to throw long; we just needed to throw over the LB's.  On D, our aggressiveness cost us.  Missed tackles led to chunk plays.  

 

If the team keeps focused, they can turn this season around.  Well get to 4 maybe 5 wins.

This is the momentum we need. Our cruel and unusual schedule guaranteed us failure to start this year... but the next few years have sane scheduling where we can compete for W's. So if we can finish this season strong and gain that precious, exciting momentum heading into next season... 💪💪💪💪

Edited October 11 by Blue & Gold

[Blue & Gold]

On 10/9/2024 at 9:12 PM, Blue & Gold said:

How were we able to move the ball so well in the 4th quarter?

Anyone?

Was it our OL play?

Was BUGS' D simply tired?

 

What'd you guys think of JoeMo slowing down the tempo of the offense?  I think I liked it.  IMO our offense looked more composed & besides, it's ancient football wisdom to use all the play clock to give the defense more rest, even if you go 3-and-out.  I love running more up tempo to completely gas the opponent's D... if your offense is a buzzsaw... which ours definitively currently (🤞) is not. 

 

Edited October 11 by Blue & Gold

[catdaddyp]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

Anyone?

Was it our OL play?

Was BUGS' D simply tired?

 

What'd you guys think of JoeMo slowing down the tempo of the offense?  I think I liked it.  IMO our offense looked more composed & besides, it's ancient football wisdom to use all the play clock to give the defense more rest, even if you go 3-and-out.  I love running more up tempo to completely gas the opponent's D... if your offense is a buzzsaw... which ours definitively currently (🤞) is not. 

 

OL played well most of the game. Looked like BGSU adjusted their defense some after halftime and JoeMo adjusted his playcalling in the 4th. I didn’t see any plays we haven’t run before, but some plays work better against certain alignments. Execution always helps too. Finley made some beautiful throws and reads in the run game.