(09-27-2015 10:01 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(09-27-2015 09:16 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  and yet the anouncers also mentioned the overthrown on several occasions, calling it "adrenalin." Two tipped and a third intercepted (though followed with a nice tackle). Of the first five, three to Cody Thompson: back shoulder causing the WR to stop and do a 180, two jump fingertips at best, 3 yds past in which the WR lay-out but couldn't reach it, one on-target. The drive that ended in the first FG was similar, including a couple past the end-zone line.

[snark] Maybe they're dropping because they're surprised the pass got there? [\snark]

There were a couple drops that the receiver tried to catch in the chest and a couple off the hands but BY FAR most tough catches in this game and last. It's not a rocket science film breakdown. Just watch and count.

Timing is off. Ely going for the highlight throws instead of the ball control throws, which is good on occasion to stretch the D vertically but not as much as he's numbering.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread I also think there might be a problem with balls coming out of lights of that video board. It's big but it occurred to me because the Glass Bowl is smaller than most stadiums with that size board, it is lower than in most stadiums. The bright white is hard even on my eyes sitting in the stadium. Could it be an issue?

Are we dropping more balls going south or north?

Balls are being dropped going north, south, east, and west...
At this point Cody Thompson seems to have emerged as the more sure handed receiver...

LOL, only two things to discuss after the nice win. The story of the two D's. Defense good, Drops bad. I'd prefer to only talk about the former and trust they do their best to correct the latter. But yeah, the defense played lights out last night, unbelievable turnaround from seasons past. A similar formula to seasons past, stop the run first, but our safeties and secondary are now much better and we are deeper, quicker, and more aggressive up front. Linebackers are pulling even if not a notch up this year. What a game by all those young men last night on defense and special teams. If we can get the offense rolling properly, and we see some glimpses, then we'll really be talking, and perhaps I will even feel sorry for the first MAC team that gets to first witness all the pieces put together!

(09-27-2015 09:16 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  and yet the anouncers also mentioned the overthrown on several occasions, calling it "adrenalin." Two tipped and a third intercepted (though followed with a nice tackle). Of the first five, three to Cody Thompson: back shoulder causing the WR to stop and do a 180, two jump fingertips at best, 3 yds past in which the WR lay-out but couldn't reach it, one on-target. The drive that ended in the first FG was similar, including a couple past the end-zone line.

[snark] Maybe they're dropping because they're surprised the pass got there? [\snark]

There were a couple drops that the receiver tried to catch in the chest and a couple off the hands but BY FAR most tough catches in this game and last. It's not a rocket science film breakdown. Just watch and count.

Timing is off. Ely going for the highlight throws instead of the ball control throws, which is good on occasion to stretch the D vertically but not as much as he's numbering.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread I also think there might be a problem with balls coming out of lights of that video board. It's big but it occurred to me because the Glass Bowl is smaller than most stadiums with that size board, it is lower than in most stadiums. The bright white is hard even on my eyes sitting in the stadium. Could it be an issue?

Both teams have to deal with the same conditions. And we get to play in it 6 or 7 times a year. I don't recall seeing blatant drops by AState, granted they didn't throw the ball nearly as much.

(09-27-2015 10:40 AM)bpusate9 Wrote:  

(09-27-2015 09:16 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  As I mentioned earlier in the thread I also think there might be a problem with balls coming out of lights of that video board. It's big but it occurred to me because the Glass Bowl is smaller than most stadiums with that size board, it is lower than in most stadiums. The bright white is hard even on my eyes sitting in the stadium. Could it be an issue?

Both teams have to deal with the same conditions. And we get to play in it 6 or 7 times a year. I don't recall seeing blatant drops by AState, granted they didn't throw the ball nearly as much.

I just watched the game and yeah, they also had their share but also had a nice one that would have been directly in line of the board. I bit tighter pass than Ely throws but still. It was just a though came up as something to consider. Can't solve a problem by saying, "don't drop." Have to find why they're dropping and practice.

Do they have night practice? Practice catching balls behind.... Can't imagine how you train that QB-receiver combo for game conditions.


On the plus side, what was it, eight different receivers by half-time? That could be another reason. Fewer receivers, more practice? I like the distribution for it's long term potential but would like them to spend more time on ball control passing and ditch the frequent long balls until some aspect of the game is reliable.

I just saw the new polls. The AP poll shows Toledo as the next team listed outside the top 25. The USA Today/Coaches poll shows Toledo listed as the 15th team listed outside of the top 25. Although in the AP poll, Florida is 25th with 140 votes and Toledo is next, but with only 68 points.

With the win-loss of our opponents, not unexpected. With OOC over it's going to be a tough road into the top 25. MAC didn't get the wins. We don't have the voter history of NIU. MACC is the goal anyhow but even undefeated, I think the conference and OOC just didn't get the wins needed for access. Hope I'm wrong. All the team can do is what they can do.

In the eyes of voters Toledo is also only 3-0 as Stony Brook doesn't count. That could hurt.

Toledo will be like ranked 14th if they win out....
We will go to something big at 12-0 with a MACC. It wont be an easy toad tho. Memphis is our competitor at this time.

Let's not talk 12-0 crazy yet. Lots of sreas to improve. Defense is ranked at the MAC bottom in some areas. Offense can't run the ball and receivers can't catch it. We can't count on the D scoring or putting us in scoring position every game. No MAC teamis rolling over because we beat the state of Arkansas, who have combined for two wins, IIRC. I'menjoying this but until we straightenout our offense and tighten up the pass defense I'm not calling for 12-0.

(09-27-2015 03:19 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Let's not talk 12-0 crazy yet. Lots of sreas to improve. Defense is ranked at the MAC bottom in some areas. Offense can't run the ball and receivers can't catch it. We can't count on the D scoring or putting us in scoring position every game. No MAC teamis rolling over because we beat the state of Arkansas, who have combined for two wins, IIRC. I'menjoying this but until we straightenout our offense and tighten up the pass defense I'm not calling for 12-0.

Yep. Need to keep getting better, starting with our trip to Muncie.

Phillip Ely MAC West Offensive Player of the Week, Orion Jones Co-Defensive Player of the Week in the MAC West for their performances against Arkansas State. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!



Link to the Ely story -

http://www.utrockets.com/news/2015/9/28/...h=football

to the Jones story -

http://www.utrockets.com/news/2015/9/28/...h=football

Ely is a bit of a surprise unless the coaches/voters saw sll the drops. Even counting the easy drops I didn't feel he was as sharp as he has been.

There were not a lot of stellar offensive performances from MAC players this week, so that might be why Ely got it, as proxy for the big win. I'd argue that Rush and Roback probably had better QB performances this week.