Box Score
Final
1 2 3 4 T
IDHO 7 7 14 0 28
WMU 3 3 13 18 37
Just looking at the score per quarter, it shows me that the Broncos were either slow to start or just started to wear down the Vandals, both on offense and on defense. They came out in the second half and if it wasn't for a missed PAT the 3rd quarter would have been evenly played. After the mass exodus of fans at the end of the 3rd quarter, the Broncos defense stiffened up and the offense finally grabbed control of the game. In the 4th quarter of this game, it was the first time all season that all three fazes of the Broncos game was finally clicking like a well oiled machine. The offense but 18 on the board, the defense pitched a shutout and the special teams did their thing giving the Broncos good field position and the Vandals poor field position.
Matchup ID WMU
1st Downs 15 20
3rd down efficiency 3-12 8-17
4th down efficiency 0-0 0-0
Total Yards 399 347
Passing 229 212
Comp-Att 16-26 21-31
Yards per pass 8.8 6.8
Interceptions thrown 1 0
Rushing 170 135
Rushing Attempts 34 42
Yards per rush 5.0 3.2
Penalties 6-44 6-70
Turnovers 3 1
Fumbles lost 2 1
Interceptions thrown 1 0
Possession 28:11 31:49
Looking at the box score, we are becoming a more balanced team. For the first time since probably the Cotton Bowl, we gained more yards (212) through the air than on the ground (135). I watched the highlight videos and in the video of Wassink's first collegiate touchdown pass which made the score 14-13 after the PAT, the commentators also noticed the change in Wassink's body language and his confidence. That must have been the moment that it finally clicked in his mind and the game finally slowed down for Jon.
Now that our quarterback gets it, we need to stop being so predictable. 3.2 yards per carry on the ground is not going to get it. Let's evolve our coaching strategy. Yes, the first 2 games we needed to run, but, this game against Idaho, showed us, we can now pass the ball. Let's get the wideouts some experience now too. Help them develop their confidence. Of the 10 incompletions Wassink through I believe I counted 6 or 7 that went through the hands or off the fingertips of the receivers. Jon did a great job of limiting his lame duck throws to 3 or 4.
While we are winning the turnover battle, we are becoming an undisciplined team. I am not an X's and O's guy, but I don't think discipline is X's and O's. It would appear to me that this is a coaching and a leadership thing. The biggest penalty that hurt us yesterday was the 4th and long deep in Vandal territory. DO NOT RUSH THE PUNTER when you have Darius Phillips back at the 40-50 yard line.
Because teams are stacking the box, due to the previous lack of a passing game, our T.O.P. has dwindled to a small margin in our favor. With Wassink's confidence growing that should get better.
With that said, I like where this program is right now. I was hoping to be 2-1 or 3-0 right now, but, with the amount of change in the offseason, with the lack of experience the returning players had and with the change in coaching schemes, I will take 1-2 heading into the contest against Wagner.
(This post was last modified: 09-17-2017 11:45 AM by John52168.)
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Box Score
