Moving On to ECU

[proasu89]

The RB rotation under Haines and Clark remains baffling.

Castle is not an RB1. He doesn't move his feet when hit on these stretch run plays. He's the back you bring in after getting those dirty runs and bashes holes running downhill, like he did in the fourth quarter. Especially when ball security is paramount.

If not Kanye, then Ahmani Marshall should start. Experience in big games and gets good dirty yards.

It seemed Kanye was in the doghouse either for those two kickoff mistakes versus Clemson or for something else. Didn't see the field until late second quarter and then only saw limited action, plus Haywood was taking kickoff. I felt this could have been a good game for him given his skill set. Clark and Haines love making RBs dissappear after a mistake. They did it to Peoples, Noel and now Kanye.

At one point we had Castle in to run for nothing, subbed in Kanye and had him pass pro, then brought back Castle for a play designed for him. That made no sense. Castle is the better pass pro RB.

Kanye did have a key blitz pickup in the second half that resulted in a good gain. He got blew up but he squared the blitzer up and gave Joey time to make the throw.

[AppSt94]

Castle and Marshall are more down hill, no cut runners that are more suited to the OL’s blocking issues at the moment. The OL is struggling with getting to off their primary blocks and getting to the LBs. That limits what a guy like Kanye can do with a one cut move. Having guys like Castle and Marshall banging into guys over and over slows them down over the game that allows Kanye to handle LBs who are now a step slower.

[Bootsy]

Still felt like we were holding on to a few offensive plays tonight… you can see at the end with the pulls to quick throws to the TE.. curious to see what we can do to help the run game. Seems very stagnant and stale at the moment. But also not sure the revolving door at RB works. Just wanna see some App State run it down your throat football again.

So you think App should win every game by 3 scores? Bro, A WIN IS A WIN. Seasons are more often defined by tough wins than by blowing out the other team. And this was a tough win for our program.

And for those who couldn’t make it yesterday, DFS was loud and hostile yesterday. App was coming off our worst loss in, well, forever. Key defensive players were missing before the game. Questionable targeting calls led to ejections of other key players. We quickly found ourselves down to an improved team with a lot of momentum.

Why do I say all of this? Adversity reveals character. Our players and coaches answered the call. And got it done. So y’all stop living in 2007 and celebrate how this team responded to the adversity and got the job done.

[AppSt94]

I’m a hater and have concerns.

ECU scored 1 offensive TD and it came 40 seconds in.

If we didn’t turn it over we would have ran them off their own field.

Tighten up and I’m happy ish. We HAVE to figure out how to run the ball though

[Saint3333]

Run game struggles are troubling and honestly puts more pressure than necessary on Joey and the defense.

If we don’t have to call that timeout and Johnson stays in the game we likely double our sacks about their offense.

The game begins with 15 minutes on the clock, these slow starts continue to be a point of frustration.

Ugly wins are still wins, gritty performance from the defense!

Not sure if you were there but ECU was stuffing the box and sending pressure nearly every play. App didn’t struggle to run because they couldn’t block, they struggled to run because, sometimes, the other team just had more numbers. It wasn’t a matter of push, or technique. It was just they had more hats, and when ECU finally took guys out of the box, some longer runs began to happen.

Watched it all…

80 yards rushing is terrible no matter the spin. Plenty of sets where the numbers were even and still struggled.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Castle and Marshall are more down hill, no cut runners that are more suited to the OL’s blocking issues at the moment. The OL is struggling with getting to off their primary blocks and getting to the LBs. That limits what a guy like Kanye can do with a one cut move. Having guys like Castle and Marshall banging into guys over and over slows them down over the game that allows Kanye to handle LBs who are now a step slower.

I’ve been of the opinion over the years that offensive linemen in particular at different levels are there for a reason- I could be completely wrong. For the most part they are all roughly the same size at the G5 and many P5 schools. Not a tremendous difference in our 6’4” 300 lb guys and those 6’5” 320 lb guys at Alabama but the intangibles are key.
Can our guys get off those blocks and move down hill to the next level? Can our guards and tackles pull and move quickly for outside runs? I’ve tried to watch some of the various line play over the years mainly for our team and our peers. Many G5 teams I see simply have fat dudes who aren’t mobile enough. Overall I was pleased with protection yesterday and Joey had plenty of time to throw. When they blitzed that was obviously a different story and we still did pretty good. As was mentioned if a team decides to stuff the box it’s just hard to find running lanes.

[311neers]

Castle and Marshall are more down hill, no cut runners that are more suited to the OL’s blocking issues at the moment. The OL is struggling with getting to off their primary blocks and getting to the LBs. That limits what a guy like Kanye can do with a one cut move. Having guys like Castle and Marshall banging into guys over and over slows them down over the game that allows Kanye to handle LBs who are now a step slower.

I’ve been of the opinion over the years that offensive linemen in particular at different levels are there for a reason- I could be completely wrong. For the most part they are all roughly the same size at the G5 and many P5 schools. Not a tremendous difference in our 6’4” 300 lb guys and those 6’5” 320 lb guys at Alabama but the intangibles are key.
Can our guys get off those blocks and move down hill to the next level? Can our guards and tackles pull and move quickly for outside runs? I’ve tried to watch some of the various line play over the years mainly for our team and our peers. Many G5 teams I see simply have fat dudes who aren’t mobile enough. Overall I was pleased with protection yesterday and Joey had plenty of time to throw. When they blitzed that was obviously a different story and we still did pretty good. As was mentioned if a team decides to stuff the box it’s just hard to find running lanes.

It happens. Georgia has one of the best OL in the country and they couldn’t run on Kentucky at all, but South Carolina ran all over Kentucky last week. I’ve got a good feeling it’s about to click for our guys upfront against S Alabama and we will run all over them.

[ericsaid]

Run game struggles are troubling and honestly puts more pressure than necessary on Joey and the defense.

If we don’t have to call that timeout and Johnson stays in the game we likely double our sacks about their offense.

The game begins with 15 minutes on the clock, these slow starts continue to be a point of frustration.

Ugly wins are still wins, gritty performance from the defense!

Not sure if you were there but ECU was stuffing the box and sending pressure nearly every play. App didn’t struggle to run because they couldn’t block, they struggled to run because, sometimes, the other team just had more numbers. It wasn’t a matter of push, or technique. It was just they had more hats, and when ECU finally took guys out of the box, some longer runs began to happen.

Watched it all…

80 yards rushing is terrible no matter the spin. Plenty of sets where the numbers were even and still struggled.

You can call it whatever you want, it wasn’t spin. Even App94 agreed with me and HE NEVER agrees with me.

I was there, I rewatched the game, ECU was running with 9 men in the box and safeties within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage almost all night and Joey made them pay.

Mike Houston in his post game press conference said “there is a reason Joey was the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He made the right throws, and the right reads against our defensive calls.” I’m paraphrasing but they sold out to stop the outside zone which killed them the first two match-ups and in doing so, Joey had a career night.

The run game will be fine because not every team will sell out to “make Joey beat them”.

The game plans were as follows:

1. ECU - force App to throw the ball, get pressure to Joey and stick to the receivers downfield to force tight window throws. That goal was accomplished by them but, as Houston said, “he was the OPOY for a reason”

2. App - Limit ECU’s offensive possessions. Many people here whining about App running down the play clock clearly didnt understand what ECU’s new philosophy is. They have three plays called in succession and will run those three in rapid succession. Apps offensive plan was to take field length drives and take as much time as possible for each one to give the defense a break.

Both teams executed their game plans. Both teams made mistakes but the mistakes App made were far less critical.

Also, let’s make a Makai Jackson appreciation thread. Kaedin, and rightfully so, gets a ton of praise and attention. However, Makai’s ball skills on that touchdown and then the first down conversion on the tipped pass were next level. He is blossoming into a star and I’m not sure fans have realized that yet.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

With the receivers and tight ends that we have, I’m not as concerned about the run game. We’re so good at passing, we need to lean on that to open the run game. I’m more concerned about our targeting. Seems to be a trend now.

[DenverOfTheEast]

Take the under. Apps by 6 -- defense with 2 INT's today.

(And then all of you clowns will be typing, where was that vs Clemson)

#TeamClark at his best when people doubt him.

So you're saying he can't he be his best when no one doubts him? Just be the best all the time!

[DenverOfTheEast]

Take the under. Apps by 6 -- defense with 2 INT's today.

(And then all of you clowns will be typing, where was that vs Clemson)

#TeamClark at his best when people doubt him.

So you're saying he can't he be his best when no one doubts him? Just be the best all the time!

I just wonder what the issue was? Safeties took some horrendous angles, jumped on underneath routes, and App’s defense paid for it, several times.

How bout Clemson is just better and they should be better than App State

[ericsaid]

Take the under. Apps by 6 -- defense with 2 INT's today.

(And then all of you clowns will be typing, where was that vs Clemson)

#TeamClark at his best when people doubt him.

So you're saying he can't he be his best when no one doubts him? Just be the best all the time!

I just wonder what the issue was? Safeties took some horrendous angles, jumped on underneath routes, and App’s defense paid for it, several times.

How bout Clemson is just better and they should be better than App State

Was Clemson 8 touchdown drives in a row better, though? Unless Clemson goes 11-1 and wins a playoff game or two, I’d say no.

Something was clearly wrong in that game.

[ericsaid]

Also, whomever said that Joey was a bad QB and should be benched or something can go pound sand.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Run game struggles are troubling and honestly puts more pressure than necessary on Joey and the defense.

If we don’t have to call that timeout and Johnson stays in the game we likely double our sacks about their offense.

The game begins with 15 minutes on the clock, these slow starts continue to be a point of frustration.

Ugly wins are still wins, gritty performance from the defense!

Not sure if you were there but ECU was stuffing the box and sending pressure nearly every play. App didn’t struggle to run because they couldn’t block, they struggled to run because, sometimes, the other team just had more numbers. It wasn’t a matter of push, or technique. It was just they had more hats, and when ECU finally took guys out of the box, some longer runs began to happen.

Watched it all…

80 yards rushing is terrible no matter the spin. Plenty of sets where the numbers were even and still struggled.

You can call it whatever you want, it wasn’t spin. Even App94 agreed with me and HE NEVER agrees with me.

I was there, I rewatched the game, ECU was running with 9 men in the box and safeties within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage almost all night and Joey made them pay.

Mike Houston in his post game press conference said “there is a reason Joey was the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He made the right throws, and the right reads against our defensive calls.” I’m paraphrasing but they sold out to stop the outside zone which killed them the first two match-ups and in doing so, Joey had a career night.

The run game will be fine because not every team will sell out to “make Joey beat them”.

The game plans were as follows:

1. ECU - force App to throw the ball, get pressure to Joey and stick to the receivers downfield to force tight window throws. That goal was accomplished by them but, as Houston said, “he was the OPOY for a reason”

2. App - Limit ECU’s offensive possessions. Many people here whining about App running down the play clock clearly didnt understand what ECU’s new philosophy is. They have three plays called in succession and will run those three in rapid succession. Apps offensive plan was to take field length drives and take as much time as possible for each one to give the defense a break.

Both teams executed their game plans. Both teams made mistakes but the mistakes App made were far less critical.

Also, let’s make a Makai Jackson appreciation thread. Kaedin, and rightfully so, gets a ton of praise and attention. However, Makai’s ball skills on that touchdown and then the first down conversion on the tipped pass were next level. He is blossoming into a star and I’m not sure fans have realized that yet.

Great takes. I had commented (probably ignorantly so) about us routinely getting to the line with 10 seconds on the play clock. My only observation was that it doesn’t appear that we are allowing any time to check out of a certain defensive look. That being said I’ve coached a total of zero my entire life so I’m not necessarily complaining or offering up half assed recliner coaching. Bottom line is we need to relax during games and let the highly paid dudes do their jobs.

[Saint3333]

Eric - here’s a little secret if you disagree with me 94 will like your post. It’s personal for him.

Plenty of even sets, watch a third time. 80 yards is not the standard at App, hope we get our timing right and quickly.

[App_in_Maiden]

Their offense can be DEADLY if it is clicking. We took that away. Outside of the first touchdown, we shut their offense down on the defensive side AND by what our offense did. Yes, Joey made some bad reads that resulted in interceptions, with one being a pick 6, but we did what we needed to do against that turbo offense.

As much as I would love to crush our opponents and blow them out, it’s not realistic. Coach says it all the time, it’s hard to win college football games. I don’t care how we get it done or what the score is, a win is a win and I’ll take that any day.

[DenverOfTheEast]

Game plans go out the window when you get punched in the face.

Coaches get paid to and stay in their positions, to adjust on the fly in the middle of the competition.


#TeamClark marches on!!

[Hambone09]

Still felt like we were holding on to a few offensive plays tonight… you can see at the end with the pulls to quick throws to the TE.. curious to see what we can do to help the run game. Seems very stagnant and stale at the moment. But also not sure the revolving door at RB works. Just wanna see some App State run it down your throat football again.

So you think App should win every game by 3 scores? Bro, A WIN IS A WIN. Seasons are more often defined by tough wins than by blowing out the other team. And this was a tough win for our program.

And for those who couldn’t make it yesterday, DFS was loud and hostile yesterday. App was coming off our worst loss in, well, forever. Key defensive players were missing before the game. Questionable targeting calls led to ejections of other key players. We quickly found ourselves down to an improved team with a lot of momentum.

Why do I say all of this? Adversity reveals character. Our players and coaches answered the call. And got it done. So y’all stop living in 2007 and celebrate how this team responded to the adversity and got the job done.

I’m not saying we need to win by 3 TD’s.. although it would lower my heart beat during the games lol all I’m saying is I’m curious to see if we have showed our whole play book.. also I’m not convinced about the rotating RB’s. I agree a win is a win and that game got chippy, dirty and we still came up on top.

[704App]

At this point, teams are begging us to throw the ball because they know we're historically a run first team. That's obviously going to impact our run game but open up our pass game.

Another 400+ bomb from Joey on Thursday and I doubt many teams will continue stacking the box knowing we are multiple dimensional and that's when the run game opens up.

[ericsaid]

Another thing, ETSU should have beat NDSU yesterday. They allowed two touchdowns in the final two minutes after being up 35-23.

I think this App team is better than you all think.