My thoughts on the Youngstown State game...

[new sycamore fan]

I wasn't disagreeing, I just said the coaches tried to play more ball control in the 2nd half, and the offense was not successful. Cook had 8 carries of 5 or more yards, and 4 of his other carries were short yardage for touchdowns or 1st downs. So on a little over half of his carries, we did a pretty good job. YSU had no completions of over 16 yards; they had 11 completions of 10 yards or less (including 6 for 1st downs), and 11 completions between 11 and 16 yards. My point in this is that because we are pressuring the QB by blitzing, we should probably press cover more. Also, the short passes are indicative of the LBs not covering their drops. These are the things that I feel made the defense be on the field for so long.

 

[Bluesier]

I feel like at times we take "the pedal off the metal." When we pounce on a team like that in the first quarter we need to keep piling it on. Bell is running like a beast, there has to be more openings for Spencer and Hilton. Fouch is a senior, I want to utilize our passing game as much as we can while we have him!! I don't want to stray against the run, but with Bell's attack, I would think the passing game would be open, especially 15+ down the field.

 

[SycamoreFan317]

I agree with you on managing plays better, not going to the long ball as much as we seemed to in that game, but I think we were trying to exploit their D and attempts to stop the run. You can't blame it all on the offense though. The D has to execute on third downs and get the opponent off the field. I've yet to see you acknowledge that and it's a very basic principle of the game. As for how you were treated in the game thread, some of us simply disagreed with you. We're allowed to do that.

It went beyond disagreement and I yet see you acknowledge that.

 

[bent20]

It went beyond disagreement and I yet see you acknowledge that.

It did?

 

[TJames]

Isn't it much more fun to argue about why ISU didn't beat teams more efficiently....

than to argue back and forth why they lost????? Yes, the Sycamores need to be more consistent with how they play. Trent talked about that to the team immediately after the game. He said that shows how far this program has come in a short time. First you are simply trying to win a game. Now you win but aren't happy with your performance because you know that you can do so much more. This program has matured quickly since Trent took over. But they're not exactly there just yet. Getting closer every day in practice, in every game. The Sycamores played as close to a complete game in the win at Western Kentucky, but there were some warts there too. I am enjoying watching this team and this program recharge themselves. I'm just happy to be along for the ride.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

than to argue back and forth why they lost????? Yes, the Sycamores need to be more consistent with how they play. Trent talked about that to the team immediately after the game. He said that shows how far this program has come in a short time. First you are simply trying to win a game. Now you win but aren't happy with your performance because you know that you can do so much more. This program has matured quickly since Trent took over. But they're not exactly there just yet. Getting closer every day in practice, in every game. The Sycamores played as close to a complete game in the win at Western Kentucky, but there were some warts there too. I am enjoying watching this team and this program recharge themselves. I'm just happy to be along for the ride.

Without a doubt!

One more thing that I forgot. I was looking up and down the sidelines yesterday and we've got some very big freshmen. Even our freshman receivers are big guys. Hopefully they're using their redshirt years to soak up everything they can so they can hit the ground running next year.

 

[hans1950]

I totally agree with tjames,2 years ago we couldn't get out of our own way.We are so much better and have so much potential now .Trent and his staff have done a great job and I'm confident they will make the needed adjustments the rest of this season.After that it's on the players to make it happen.

 

[bent20]

Without a doubt!

One more thing that I forgot. I was looking up and down the sidelines yesterday and we've got some very big freshmen. Even our freshman receivers are big guys. Hopefully they're using their redshirt years to soak up everything they can so they can hit the ground running next year.

The offensive linemen alone are enormous. We have more 300+ pound guys than most Big 10 rosters.