QB play has to catch up

[Yosef84]

It seemed to me that we tried to throw the ball fairly early in the game but got shut down. Just my opinion but I think we might have seen more aggressive play calling if the game hadn't gotten away from us in the 2nd quarter. We aren't built to come from behind against a Defense like Georgia. Some of those exciting plays we all love to see (wheel routes) where we attack the edges are less likely to work when lining up against a team that has superior (or even equal) speed. I would have loved to see a more aggressive game plan, but I also would have loved to see better execution (fewer penalties) on the game plan we used. In the end, Satterfield knows WAAAAAY more about football than I ever will and I trust his play calls. I'm ready to focus on the next game.

[Rick83]

I know people are frustrated and I was disappointed with the game Saturday also, but we didn't get embarrassed on the field. We got outplayed by a team that consistently recruits at the top of the P5 scale and who is a perennial top 20 team with frequent dips into the top 10. App is capable of competing with these types of teams but beating them is almost always going to require a perfect storm. We will have to play lights out (not shooting ourselves in the foot with 15 yard penalties would help), and our opponent will typically have to make some mistakes. That's why we are 14 point underdogs.

I think we will see more games against beatable P5 teams as our program matures in FBS. In case folks have forgotten, when we were FCS those teams wouldn't even talk to us about a game. It's the whole "nothing to gain and too much down side for a possible loss" argument. Now that we are FBS and establish ourselves as a good team, those teams will consider us. Wake is a great example and their admin even stated why he wouldn't continue our series while we were FCS. We have games against UNC on the books. More will happen.

Regarding next year, I think we got an excellent glimpse of our future on Saturday. Zac Thomas looked excellent in his short debut. By all accounts, Huesman is competitive and at the same level (perhaps different strengths). I feel good about the future. I was also very impresses with Hennigan's debut at WR. App is still building, but should be ecstatic with our accomplishments so far. That's not to say we can't discuss where we need to improve....just don't get the edge some folks put on it.

Wake played other FCS teams during that time.

They played other FCS teams they knew they'd beat...our games were way too close and we were winning too many of them to take losses against an FCS...if they were going to play an FCS team it had to be a win.

[Yosef84]

I know people are frustrated and I was disappointed with the game Saturday also, but we didn't get embarrassed on the field. We got outplayed by a team that consistently recruits at the top of the P5 scale and who is a perennial top 20 team with frequent dips into the top 10. App is capable of competing with these types of teams but beating them is almost always going to require a perfect storm. We will have to play lights out (not shooting ourselves in the foot with 15 yard penalties would help), and our opponent will typically have to make some mistakes. That's why we are 14 point underdogs.

I think we will see more games against beatable P5 teams as our program matures in FBS. In case folks have forgotten, when we were FCS those teams wouldn't even talk to us about a game. It's the whole "nothing to gain and too much down side for a possible loss" argument. Now that we are FBS and establish ourselves as a good team, those teams will consider us. Wake is a great example and their admin even stated why he wouldn't continue our series while we were FCS. We have games against UNC on the books. More will happen.

Regarding next year, I think we got an excellent glimpse of our future on Saturday. Zac Thomas looked excellent in his short debut. By all accounts, Huesman is competitive and at the same level (perhaps different strengths). I feel good about the future. I was also very impresses with Hennigan's debut at WR. App is still building, but should be ecstatic with our accomplishments so far. That's not to say we can't discuss where we need to improve....just don't get the edge some folks put on it.

Wake played other FCS teams during that time.

They played other FCS teams they knew they'd beat...our games were way too close and we were winning too many of them to take losses against an FCS...if they were going to play an FCS team it had to be a win.

Exactly. The comment their AD made was specifically about App, not about FCS in general.

[WVAPPeer]

I believe the initial announcement was that they would not play anymore "FCS teams" - once that changed I believe it was Jim Grobe who said he wouldn't play APP while he was the head coach

[bcoach]

I believe the initial announcement was that they would not play anymore "FCS teams" - once that changed I believe it was Jim Grobe who said he wouldn't play APP while he was the head coach

Pretty Close. Actually Grobe said he would not play APP as long as Jerry Moore was coach. I heard him say it and it was meant as the highest complement to Coach Moore.

[AppSt94]

Just for point of reference, Will Grier, a prolific passer in his own right and a 4 star recruit from NC was a paltry 1 for 8 on pass attempts over 20' yards through 3 quarters the other night against Va. Tech. I don't know his final numbers but they weren't good. Showing that you can throw the ball 20 yards isn't that big of a deal and likely won't do much for you if you can't complete a respectable amount of them.

[moonshine]

I'm not really sure what some of you are expecting out of TL. Sure, I felt he could have made some better decisions but overall he had a decent day.

Comparatively speaking, this was probably TL's best performance against a power program despite missing 2 key WR's.

UGA (2017)
18-27 (66%) 128 passing yards, 66 yards rushing 1 TD

UT (2016)
15-23 (65%) 108 passing yards 1TD/1INT, 28 yards rushing

Miami (2016)
10-21 (47%) 115 passing yards, -6 yards rushing

Clemson (2015)
9-28 (32%) 95 passing yards 1TD/3INT, 8 yards rushing

As to his decision making, on the second possession he should have thrown the ball away after picking up 32 yards on the previous play instead of taking a 22 yard sack. I also thought he could have kept the ball a little more on the read option, as it looked like on TV that he could've picked up more yards than handing it off on several plays. However, this could have been by design as I'm sure Ponce and Satt did not want him to take unnecessary shots.

The offense managed to make it into UGA territory 4 times in the 1st half. Only 1 time out of 4 did the offense manage to stay in UGA territory where the offense turned it over on downs. The first time they crossed the 50 (2nd offensive possession), TL promptly took a 22 yard sack. The second time they crossed the 50, JMoore takes a 4 yards loss back into App territory, followed by an incomplete pass and a delay of game penalty. The third time the offense turned it over on downs instead of punting. The fourth time in UGA territory, the offense completes 1 pass down to the UGA 45 where the offense picks up back to back 15 yard face mask penalties.

Missing 2 starting WR's, starting a (RS) freshman center and playing behind the chains is not conducive to aggressive play calling. We must tip our cap to UGA's defense as I'm sure we'll see several SEC offenses struggle to move the ball against the Dawgs this season. Take solace in the fact that our offense will not see a better D all season.

[TheMackAttack]

Two years ago Taylor Lamb was able to make throws down the field as needed to open up the offense. His arm strength didn't get miraculously worse, that team had Malachi Jones, Simms McElfresh, Montez McGuire, Bobo Beathard, and Shaedon Meadors as its top five receivers. What happened is simple, the guys that Stepp recruited may have been great athletes but they didn't have what it takes to be successful at App, with Meadors being the only exception.

[bigdaddyg]

Two years ago Taylor Lamb was able to make throws down the field as needed to open up the offense. His arm strength didn't get miraculously worse, that team had Malachi Jones, Simms McElfresh, Montez McGuire, Bobo Beathard, and Shaedon Meadors as its top five receivers. What happened is simple, the guys that Stepp recruited may have been great athletes but they didn't have what it takes to be successful at App, with Meadors being the only exception.

I do some baseball coaching and have a personal policy. I don't get overly excited about a kid who crushes balls in a cage or by a kid who can really "pitch" inside to a catcher. Something happens when the lights come on, a batter gets in the box and people are watching. Same goes for practice superstars. We read all preseason about how great our receivers looked and how fantastic their catches were. I'm not selling any of them short or writing anyone off at all. It's just way different when it counts especially in front of 70,000 people and knowing the cameras are on. Same goes for a punter. We had two KIDS punting for real for the first time. I give both credit for simply catching the balls and punting without fumbling or shanking any.

[bcoach]

Two years ago Taylor Lamb was able to make throws down the field as needed to open up the offense. His arm strength didn't get miraculously worse, that team had Malachi Jones, Simms McElfresh, Montez McGuire, Bobo Beathard, and Shaedon Meadors as its top five receivers. What happened is simple, the guys that Stepp recruited may have been great athletes but they didn't have what it takes to be successful at App, with Meadors being the only exception.

I do some baseball coaching and have a personal policy. I don't get overly excited about a kid who crushes balls in a cage or by a kid who can really "pitch" inside to a catcher. Something happens when the lights come on, a batter gets in the box and people are watching. Same goes for practice superstars. We read all preseason about how great our receivers looked and how fantastic their catches were. I'm not selling any of them short or writing anyone off at all. It's just way different when it counts especially in front of 70,000 people and knowing the cameras are on. Same goes for a punter. We had two KIDS punting for real for the first time. I give both credit for simply catching the balls and punting without fumbling or shanking any.

That is a very good point.

[WVAPPeer]

Just for point of reference, Will Grier, a prolific passer in his own right and a 4 star recruit from NC was a paltry 1 for 8 on pass attempts over 20' yards through 3 quarters the other night against Va. Tech. I don't know his final numbers but they weren't good. Showing that you can throw the ball 20 yards isn't that big of a deal and likely won't do much for you if you can't complete a respectable amount of them.

Don't remember what his final numbers were for 20+ yards but he did hit some long ones and his final stats were 31-53 - 371yds and 3 TDs - and remember he hadn't played a game in over 1 1/2 years --- as a fan of the "other" Mountaineers as well, Grier is going to be really good ---

[moonshine]

Same goes for a punter. We had two KIDS punting for real for the first time. I give both credit for simply catching the balls and punting without fumbling or shanking any.

Not to derail the QB thread but I thought the punters did well too. They averaged right at 38 yards with really no significant returns. Let's just hope those guys don't have to punt 9 times in another game all season.

[bigdaddyg]

Same goes for a punter. We had two KIDS punting for real for the first time. I give both credit for simply catching the balls and punting without fumbling or shanking any.

Not to derail the QB thread but I thought the punters did well too. They averaged right at 38 yards with really no significant returns. Let's just hope those guys don't have to punt 9 times in another game all season.

I hear ya! We have guys here who expect punters to boom every kick 60 yards with no return and for our QB to toss bombs every other pass. Does Jeff George ring a bell? Huge arm...

[bcoach]

There really is a solution to all of this. Schedule the teams that we can be competitive with. The Marshals and ECUs, etc

[WVAPPeer]

There really is a solution to all of this. Schedule the teams that we can be competitive with. The Marshals and ECUs, etc

I agree with you and it seems that is the track our AD department is taking - I have no problem with playing 1 top P5 team yearly but we all must realize we are still not even close to those programs with talent on the field - doesn't mean we shouldn't play well or even possibly win on occasion ---

[bigdaddyg]

There really is a solution to all of this. Schedule the teams that we can be competitive with. The Marshals and ECUs, etc

I agree with you and it seems that is the track our AD department is taking - I have no problem with playing 1 top P5 team yearly but we all must realize we are still not even close to those programs with talent on the field - doesn't mean we shouldn't play well or even possibly win on occasion ---

Completely agree. Play teams in our realm of possibility for a win. Nothing wrong with that unless we simply want the big check. Doubt the payout is much if we go up to Marshall or even to Greenville- it's a catch 22. Games against "regular" teams would be more competitive and more exciting. Everyone is so butt hurt that we don't beat these top 15 teams. I mean who from our world does?

[WVAPPeer]

I believe if it's a home/home against a Marshall, etc., then there is no payout ---

[bcoach]

There really is a solution to all of this. Schedule the teams that we can be competitive with. The Marshals and ECUs, etc

I agree with you and it seems that is the track our AD department is taking - I have no problem with playing 1 top P5 team yearly but we all must realize we are still not even close to those programs with talent on the field - doesn't mean we shouldn't play well or even possibly win on occasion ---

Completely agree. Play teams in our realm of possibility for a win. Nothing wrong with that unless we simply want the big check. Doubt the payout is much if we go up to Marshall or even to Greenville- it's a catch 22. Games against "regular" teams would be more competitive and more exciting. Everyone is so butt hurt that we don't beat these top 15 teams. I mean who from our world does?

I understand the money aspect but have never been a fan of it. You can't pay the players which I agree with ,oops now you can pay the players. Well let's put it this way you can only pay the players a minimal amount to play, BUT you can pay the department a million dollars for them to play so that staff and coaches can make way too much money. I much prefer playing good teams that are at our level. Let's beat ECU before we take on Alabama. Well bottom line is I don't get a vote so see you in Boone

[bcoach]

I believe if it's a home/home against a Marshall, etc., then there is no payout ---

I think that is true. I would like to see us schedule those games, fill our place every home game and live off of that.

[AppSt94]

Just for point of reference, Will Grier, a prolific passer in his own right and a 4 star recruit from NC was a paltry 1 for 8 on pass attempts over 20' yards through 3 quarters the other night against Va. Tech. I don't know his final numbers but they weren't good. Showing that you can throw the ball 20 yards isn't that big of a deal and likely won't do much for you if you can't complete a respectable amount of them.

Don't remember what his final numbers were for 20+ yards but he did hit some long ones and his final stats were 31-53 - 371yds and 3 TDs - and remember he hadn't played a game in over 1 1/2 years --- as a fan of the "other" Mountaineers as well, Grier is going to be really good ---

I think he hit a couple, at least, in the 4th qtr but I didn't see his pass chart. I just remember the stat guy saying something about it. He is a good QB but man that family is a reality television show away from being the next Kardashians.