I want to know

[MrCraig]

Why was there so much blue in the stands. Bad look.

It’s rather difficult to hide the presence of 3500 visiting fans in a 30,000 seat stadium.

I would have been happier if there were only 3500 in the crowd of 40K.

We turned out well there in '19. How is this different?

It's different because this is our place. That is the difference.

There seemed to be a lot of blue on TV because the “visitors” side is the side the camera faces. Whenever they showed shots of the hill or the “home” side, all I saw was black and yellow.

[MountaineerNation]

I was there. It was probably around 70 or 75% black and gold.

[Howard Street Hooligan]

Here are the numbers ---
• Going into last year’s bowl game, App State ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense (No. 16,
19.3 points), total defense (No. 18, 325.5 yards), pass efficiency defense (No. 12, 114.7), INTs (No. 10, 15),
defensive TDs (No. 6, four), red zone defense (No. 15, 73.7%) and rushing defense (No. 19, 118.8).

Here’s another number:

Clark is now 2-8 is games where App isn’t favored by 7.5 or more

Great record at winning the lopsided ones, 2-8 in the toss up games.

I don’t really have any issues with coaching today.

This will be by far the best offense we face this year but you’re cool with giving up 60? This defense has been declining year after year.

[WVAPPeer]

What is it about those numbers you can't grasp????????

[Seattleapp]

Here are the numbers ---
• Going into last year’s bowl game, App State ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense (No. 16,
19.3 points), total defense (No. 18, 325.5 yards), pass efficiency defense (No. 12, 114.7), INTs (No. 10, 15),
defensive TDs (No. 6, four), red zone defense (No. 15, 73.7%) and rushing defense (No. 19, 118.8).

Here’s another number:

Clark is now 2-8 is games where App isn’t favored by 7.5 or more

Great record at winning the lopsided ones, 2-8 in the toss up games.

I don’t really have any issues with coaching today.

This will be by far the best offense we face this year but you’re cool with giving up 60? This defense has been declining year after year.

You just contradicted yourself but flame on

[njcarr]

I want to know:
1)why during pre-game show and fight song, the band spelled out APP instead of ASU (and fans yell out the letters when spelled out) - is that a tradition lost?

2)what happened to student's having CLASS. Too much chanting of "FU..UNC" and variations there of (visitors should be looked at with respect, as we expect when we are on the road); also taking of the cloths left on seats for fans in the West stands - not leaving them for the patrons coming in throughout the pre-game hours.

3)why some posts even mention firing of coaches. Comparing current defense to previous teams - most of previous defense has been replaced and will learn from this game. I hate losing, especially this game. It's not the end of anything; the program is not in shambles nor has it collapsed -- ridiculous to think that!!!!!

4)did others see the potential that I saw; the drive and determination not to lose by the players, the lessening of penalties by the team, the execution on the offensive side, especially Qtrs 1 & 4 -- I am very optimistic!!! Defense will come around!!!

Best to all loyal, die-hard Appalachian State fans. Go APPs!!!!

[AppSt94]

Here are the numbers ---
• Going into last year’s bowl game, App State ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense (No. 16,
19.3 points), total defense (No. 18, 325.5 yards), pass efficiency defense (No. 12, 114.7), INTs (No. 10, 15),
defensive TDs (No. 6, four), red zone defense (No. 15, 73.7%) and rushing defense (No. 19, 118.8).

Here’s another number:

Clark is now 2-8 is games where App isn’t favored by 7.5 or more

Great record at winning the lopsided ones, 2-8 in the toss up games.

I don’t really have any issues with coaching today.

This will be by far the best offense we face this year but you’re cool with giving up 60? This defense has been declining year after year.

When you experience a consistent turnover in coaching at a position, missed on some guys that just didn’t have what it takes, both mentally and or physically to play FBS football then it can affect results. Look, we have a mixture of young guys and veterans that are transfers playing together for the first time. There is going to be some inconsistencies in communication. It has looked really bad the last two games against a guy currently on a NFL roster and a guy who will likely be on a NFL roster. We will be fine.

[bigdaddyg]

Some guys need to look back at the 2 Fire Roof threads that went nuts a few years ago- I believe after we "gave up" a bunch of points to Charlotte. If I recall that group turned it around and was pretty darn good.

I completely agree with the respect comments. As is typical there were a boatload of drunk ass students at noon. As I was walking through a lot I saw one young man throwing up in a garage can. No excuse but lots of liquid courage leads to stupid behavior.

The one aspect of our fans (small segment) that never ceases to amaze me is the late 3rd quarter exodus. The ones that came flooding back in late in the 4th should have been kept out! You purchased an expensive ticket, waited for years, drove to the game, tailgated, spent a bunch of money and you LEAVE with 2:00 on the 3rd quarter clock? I'll admit with us down 38-21 it didn't look good but I'll be damn if I ever considered leaving.

[Rekdiver]

We lost a few NFL defensive players this past year…I’m disappointed in the defensive scheme and execution no doubt but the D is rebuilding and we’ve got a season to improve. Then I’ll get fired up if necessary

[Saint3333]

We lost three players that are now on NFL rosters and 5 of our top 7 tacklers.

Does anyone remember the warning that the first half of the season could be rough on defense? I’ll start being really concerned versus Troy. Also it was our week one and their week two, people were discounting this headed into the week.

[AppStFan1]

We lost three players that are now on NFL rosters and 5 of our top 7 tacklers.

Does anyone remember the warning that the first half of the season could be rough on defense? I’ll start being really concerned versus Troy. Also it was our week one and their week two, people were discounting this headed into the week.

Agreed here. I think safety play needs to improve, as said before, but the defense is going to get better. I think it is fair if someone questions a certain call but to say our defense is going to be a joke all year is just not fair. Coaches will even admit that they took a chance and wish they could have a call back sometimes. If we are giving up 50 a game over the next 3-4 games then I will have some concern. I believe we will see a lot of improvements.

[hapapp]

The truth about our defense is somewhere in between we are terrible and everything will be ok. There is still plenty of talent on that side of the ball and as was demonstrated Saturday we were particularly stout against the planned runs (minus the one long one). The fear coming into this season was that, while we felt there was plenty of talent to step up to take over, we lost a lot of experience and that it could take time for things to jell. Of course, no one can guarantee that things will be fine. We do have a track record of rounding into a sound defense, so there is reason to believe that things will improve. We'll see if this week gives rise to that hope.

[AppSt94]

The truth about our defense is somewhere in between we are terrible and everything will be ok. There is still plenty of talent on that side of the ball and as was demonstrated Saturday we were particularly stout against the planned runs (minus the one long one). The fear coming into this season was that, while we felt there was plenty of talent to step up to take over, we lost a lot of experience and that it could take time for things to jell. Of course, no one can guarantee that things will be fine. We do have a track record of rounding into a sound defense, so there is reason to believe that things will improve. We'll see if this week gives rise to that hope.

Perfectly stated Sir!

[bigdaddyg]

We also spent fall camp going up against ourselves. We aren't the only team that needs some adjustments. Great point about the loss of players and the additions. Some folks act like we are a reload program. We have an Arkansas transfer at linebacker who never played here and we have secondary guys who haven't played much. I always want to temper expectations after hearing how great a guy looks in practice (empty stadium against his own team).

There is obviously a huge reason why good teams open against crap teams.

[AppSt94]

We also spent fall camp going up against ourselves. We aren't the only team that needs some adjustments. Great point about the loss of players and the additions. Some folks act like we are a reload program. We have an Arkansas transfer at linebacker who never played here and we have secondary guys who haven't played much. I always want to temper expectations after hearing how great a guy looks in practice (empty stadium against his own team).

There is obviously a huge reason why good teams open against crap teams.

In a sense we are a reload team. I think there is some expectations that whoever steps in is just like the guy that they are replacing and it doesn’t work like that. McKnight and DDP are Spurlin and Taylor. Parker isn’t Jackson and Lawson/Johnson aren’t Jolly. They’re different players with different skill sets.

[bigdaddyg]

We also spent fall camp going up against ourselves. We aren't the only team that needs some adjustments. Great point about the loss of players and the additions. Some folks act like we are a reload program. We have an Arkansas transfer at linebacker who never played here and we have secondary guys who haven't played much. I always want to temper expectations after hearing how great a guy looks in practice (empty stadium against his own team).

There is obviously a huge reason why good teams open against crap teams.

In a sense we are a reload team. I think there is some expectations that whoever steps in is just like the guy that they are replacing and it doesn’t work like that. McKnight and DDP are Spurlin and Taylor. Parker isn’t Jackson and Lawson/Johnson aren’t Jolly. They’re different players with different skill sets.

I meant reload like a Georgia who doesn't skip a beat. I feel like we are established enough to avoid rebuild but we can somewhat reload but still need some time to gel.

[ah59396]

I actually thought the students were pretty good as a whole. I was really worried early on because many were drunk as skunks. But aside from a couple chants here and there it seemed like UNC fans were treated well. I was skimming their bord yesterday and the consensus was “rowdy but fun natured”, which is pretty much exactly what we want.

[T-Dog]

Some guys need to look back at the 2 Fire Roof threads that went nuts a few years ago- I believe after we "gave up" a bunch of points to Charlotte. If I recall that group turned it around and was pretty darn good.

If we didn't care as fans, I don't know if there's the pressure to make sure Drinkwitz and Roof made the defensive changes needed after trying a pseudo four-man front versus Charlotte. Drinkwitz refused to talk about defense in that Mondays presser and barred all defensive coaches from talking to the media that week. If we always went "oh darn, I think everything is wonderful anyway," then we end up like Texas State.

[bigdaddyg]

Some guys need to look back at the 2 Fire Roof threads that went nuts a few years ago- I believe after we "gave up" a bunch of points to Charlotte. If I recall that group turned it around and was pretty darn good.

If we didn't care as fans, I don't know if there's the pressure to make sure Drinkwitz and Roof made the defensive changes needed after trying a pseudo four-man front versus Charlotte. Drinkwitz refused to talk about defense in that Mondays presser and barred all defensive coaches from talking to the media that week. If we always went "oh darn, I think everything is wonderful anyway," then we end up like Texas State.

I'm not sure if you are agreeing or disagreeing. My only point was to avoid going crazy as a fan base after a game and to start yelling for coaching changes. For one we can't afford buyouts and multiple coaches and two it's ridiculous to think any program can bring in a different coordinator once the season starts and the play on the one side of the ball will magically improve. I really think we see a different defense Saturday- not necessarily one that gets us a W but not one that gets diced up on pass play after pass play.

[AppStateNews]

The reason our defensive scheme isn't ran at a lot of places is because it's difficult to learn. It takes an insane amount of communication, trust, and experience running it together for it to come full circle.

Defense played pretty damn good in the first 20 minutes of the game. Really, for me, the turning point was the swing pass on 3rd down where we had a safety flying in to make the tackle near the LOS (possibly a loss) and he doesn't wrap up. RB takes it's nearly to the end zone. If we wrap up there, it's a 2 score game, we can run the clock out and possibly score another before half. That's not what happened. That's what happens with inexperience on the field. You bet your ass those safety's will be working on nothing but wrapping up this week.

Also, we were forced to play more man defense than we have in years. Really, as far as I can remember, since we brought this scheme in. We had a guy that walked on, just got a scholarship, trying to man up a 5 star receiver that will be in the NFL some day. Against a good QB, that's going to be exploited. Not to discredit Jackson Greene -- he performed really well and I believe was the highest graded safety.

Safety's have to get it fixed and they will. UNC benefited from having the FAMU game. According to the two tar holes that sat in front of us (actually really nice guys), Mack Brown purposely moved the FAMU game to week 0 for that reason. Your biggest improvement during the season always comes from game 1 and 2. You get game speed film. You see where the communication issues were. You how you should have lined up for various offensive alignments. You see what gap was missed. You see what calls should have been made pre snap. These are all things you can simulate in practice, but with minimal full padded, full contact practices now, the first real game speed film makes a world of difference.

Yes, defense needs to improve -- mainly in the secondary. Front 7 played very admirably. Got a lot of pressure and made Maye make elite plays. McCall (and possibly Grainger) will be the only other QB we play than can make most of the throws he made. Difference is, they won't have the weapons Maye had to throw to.

We outplayed the Holes for 75% of the game. The only stat line that went in their favor was the only one that mattered -- the final score. But, to be doom and gloom after week 1 against a P5 program that was playing their second game is not the move.
Were we the better team? Yes.
Should we have won? Yes.
Should coaches be fired after one game? No.

You can say all you want about Dale Jones and the defensive performance against WKU and UNC. It's an apples to oranges comparison. Against WKU, we had WRs playing CB. We had CBs playing safety. We had a star CB who couldn't make the grades to be eligible so he declared for the draft instead of playing. Against an air raid offense, that's a recipe for disaster.

Jones knows it needs to be fixed. Clark knows it needs to be fixed. The entire secondary knows it needs to be fixed. It'll get fixed.