Why don't we try passing the ball down the field against these teams?

[bigdaddyg]

We tried on 1st and 4th in OT, and see where it got us. I was a little upset that we used two plays to basically go for the endzone when all we needed was a first down. Not the right person to determine whether it was a bad play call or it just didn't execute as planned. We are not really a vertical passing team, and didn't need to be last night.

My biggest issue last night was the clock management to end the 4th quarter. Had the ball around mid field with a minute, and we looked lost. Maybe not as much time was spent practicing that scenario because we didn't expect to be in that situation? Not sure. Will the team learn from it? APPsolutely. Game plan was great, and if we play that way for the remaining games we will finish 11-1.

Very pleased with offense and defense last night. Made a name for ourselves on a national stage against a team projected to win the SEC East.

As for anyone blaming Rubino for the loss, that's not how sports work. We had 60 minutes and then some with OT to win. Can't blame his two single plays for the loss. Said this on another thread, but Lamb threw a pick as we were driving, and there were other minor mistakes.

We had opportunities to not let the game be won by our kicker. I mean no slight against the young man. I know that kicking is an important aspect of football but in a game like this in front of 100k fans it can't come down to that. I could not believe we went for the 4th down play early in the game. Nothing has bee said about that call. That was nice. Seeing us try that had me wondering why we went somewhat conservative in other spots. oh well. It was a helluva effort and we appear to have gotten out of there injury free. Let's beat the hell out of ODU.

[diehardapp18]

I get we were running the ball well, but I don't get how you guys can say what we were doing on offense was "working" when we only scored 13 points and none in the second half. Someone brought up that first play in OT. Lamb dropped back, had time and Meadors was open it was just a bad throw. It was a throw we've seen Taylor make time and time again. I just think we should have tried a few more passes

[bigdaddyg]

I get we were running the ball well, but I don't get how you guys can say what we were doing on offense was "working" when we only scored 13 points and none in the second half. Someone brought up that first play in OT. Lamb dropped back, had time and Meadors was open it was just a bad throw. It was a throw we've seen Taylor make time and time again. I just think we should have tried a few more passes

We are a run oriented team and obviously the game plan was to establish the run, manage the clock, shorten the game and keep them off the field. All of that worked the entire game.

[skjellyfetti]

Derek Barnett is a beast.

Need time in the pocket to throw down field.

[AppStateNews]

I get we were running the ball well, but I don't get how you guys can say what we were doing on offense was "working" when we only scored 13 points and none in the second half. Someone brought up that first play in OT. Lamb dropped back, had time and Meadors was open it was just a bad throw. It was a throw we've seen Taylor make time and time again. I just think we should have tried a few more passes

That play to Meadors was actually a smart throw by Lamb. If he throws it in front of Meadors, it's picked by the safety. Looked like Lamb was expecting Meadors to sit based on where the safety was and Meadors kept going. These are miscues that will be fixed as the season goes on.

[t4pizza]

I think the short answer to the question is that Sat realized we couldn't successfully pass against them so he devised a game plan based on the run. Our team hardly resembles the spread of years past. In fact on most series, our offensive alignment wasn't a spread at all. Sat has adjusted to our talent and called a game plan accordingly. And it almost worked. I give him a ton of credit for the game plan and having the kids buy in. I also give him some grief for the clock management at the end of the game. Call the time out and give us time to set something up at least, running out of time with a timeout in your pocket is just unacceptable. Sat knows our teams capabilities, if I can see that TL has issues throwing the ball than I am sure Sat knows it and that's why we are run first, run second, and mostly run third offense. TL throws the ball well against lesser competition with easier to read defensive schemes and less talent in the secondary, not so much against top flight defenses. I am sure we will see him throw the ball a lot more in conference play.

[GreatAppSt]

We are a run oriented team and obviously the game plan was to establish the run, manage the clock, shorten the game .

We apparently shortened the game a few seconds to much.

[bigdaddyg]

We are a run oriented team and obviously the game plan was to establish the run, manage the clock, shorten the game .

We apparently shortened the game a few seconds to much.

Yep

[EastHallApp]

I get we were running the ball well, but I don't get how you guys can say what we were doing on offense was "working" when we only scored 13 points and none in the second half. Someone brought up that first play in OT. Lamb dropped back, had time and Meadors was open it was just a bad throw. It was a throw we've seen Taylor make time and time again. I just think we should have tried a few more passes

That play to Meadors was actually a smart throw by Lamb. If he throws it in front of Meadors, it's picked by the safety. Looked like Lamb was expecting Meadors to sit based on where the safety was and Meadors kept going. These are miscues that will be fixed as the season goes on.

Agreed. Just needed slightly better timing and we're looking at 1st and goal. Now, as for the first two options being covered on the 4th down throw, Burns in particular looked a lot more open than Meadors to me. But of course, easy to say when watching from the chair at home.

Hard to argue with the game plan overall, but I was surprised we didn't take even one or two deep shots.

[bigdaddyg]

I get we were running the ball well, but I don't get how you guys can say what we were doing on offense was "working" when we only scored 13 points and none in the second half. Someone brought up that first play in OT. Lamb dropped back, had time and Meadors was open it was just a bad throw. It was a throw we've seen Taylor make time and time again. I just think we should have tried a few more passes

That play to Meadors was actually a smart throw by Lamb. If he throws it in front of Meadors, it's picked by the safety. Looked like Lamb was expecting Meadors to sit based on where the safety was and Meadors kept going. These are miscues that will be fixed as the season goes on.

Agreed. Just needed slightly better timing and we're looking at 1st and goal. Now, as for the first two options being covered on the 4th down throw, Burns in particular looked a lot more open than Meadors to me. But of course, easy to say when watching from the chair at home.

Hard to argue with the game plan overall, but I was surprised we didn't take even one or two deep shots.

Yeah and you don't have a bunch of dudes in orange trying to kill you, 100,000 screaming and you have a second to make a decision.

[AppStateNews]

I get we were running the ball well, but I don't get how you guys can say what we were doing on offense was "working" when we only scored 13 points and none in the second half. Someone brought up that first play in OT. Lamb dropped back, had time and Meadors was open it was just a bad throw. It was a throw we've seen Taylor make time and time again. I just think we should have tried a few more passes

That play to Meadors was actually a smart throw by Lamb. If he throws it in front of Meadors, it's picked by the safety. Looked like Lamb was expecting Meadors to sit based on where the safety was and Meadors kept going. These are miscues that will be fixed as the season goes on.

Agreed. Just needed slightly better timing and we're looking at 1st and goal. Now, as for the first two options being covered on the 4th down throw, Burns in particular looked a lot more open than Meadors to me. But of course, easy to say when watching from the chair at home.

Hard to argue with the game plan overall, but I was surprised we didn't take even one or two deep shots.

Yup, I also thought Burns looked open looking at the replay. But like you said, thats a lot easier to say sitting in a chair at home while not being pressured!

Overall, the game plan was great. I was wanting/hoping for a play action deep pass while up 13-3 with 4 minutes left in the first half. But, I am sure the coaches saw (or know) something we didn't and thought it was best not to.

[EastHallApp]

To be fair, I also wanted us to throw deep the first play after they muffed the punt, and I thought it was a mistake to go for that 4th and 2. And both those drives ended in TDs. So it's *possible* that, on balance, I don't know as much about football as our coaches.

[bcoach]

If he kicked the winning FG on the final play he would be heralded as a hero. So, a PAT should be routine. The circumstances and environment had much to do with his performance. But, I don't think unfair to be critical of the PAT miss. The FG was no gimme but there wasn't a lot of pressure on the PAT at that point. Of course, we failed to take advantage of a number of opportunities. So, the loss doesn't fall directly on his shoulders but he did fail to perform.

Taylor said that the pass to Meadors in the end zone on the final play of the game, was the third option. The first two were covered.

That pass was also a little short. You are right on with the PAT.

[bcoach]

I get we were running the ball well, but I don't get how you guys can say what we were doing on offense was "working" when we only scored 13 points and none in the second half. Someone brought up that first play in OT. Lamb dropped back, had time and Meadors was open it was just a bad throw. It was a throw we've seen Taylor make time and time again. I just think we should have tried a few more passes

I am afraid that would have led to more interceptions. Coach knows we can't throw against that team. He put together a great game plan. We make the PAT and there is no overtime and we win. We lost on execution not on game plan.

[Bearboy]

Going vertical on a couple of the 3rd and longs would have changed the whole game. They had 8-9 stepping up in the box most of the night. Meadors was in single coverage. I will never understand why we didn't give him a chance to go get a long ball.

[AppinVA]

Quick is open!!!!!!!!!

[bigdaddyg]

I'm willing to bet that we will see some verticality this Saturday! Lol