RE: GAME THREAD: ODU @ Marshall - September 30 - 3:30PM ESPN+
I keep reading the argument that our offense is the reason that the defense was on the field so much. Granted, they share in some of the blame. But, the defense also has to take the majority of the blame. And claiming they were tired is a weak excuse, there best drives were late in the game. We hit big plays against Louisiana with low T.O.P, but the defense were able to get some stops.
The passing game needs to be better for sure and that will help everyone out. Gaining first downs is better than a punt or a turnover so we need more of those and less turnovers. If our defense plays better, along with the offense scoring, it would allow us to take more time off the clock and use the running game (we are going to run the ball more with a lead).
But, the defense is still the primary culprit here. I will give them credit for getting 2 stops late that gave our offense a chance.
Marshalls drives:
-11 plays, 50 yards, 6:19 off the clock. This is the first drive of the game, we cannot blame the offense here.
-6 plays, 23 yards field goal 1:40
-9 plays, 48 yards 3:46 off the clock
-1 play fumble
-3 and out
- 4 plays 57 yards, 2 mins TD
- 7 plays 60 yards, 3:03 TD
- Half
-9 plays 94 yards, 4:42 off the clock TD. This is the first drive out of the second half, can we really blame the offense for that?
- 3 plays fumble (not really anything the defense did)
- 10 plays, 68 yards 4:44 TD
- 3 plays 1:34
- 8 plays, 54 yards 4:59 FG
- 3 plays 1:56
-5 plays 16 yards 1:52
- End of Game
Marshall has 14 real drives this game (excluding kneel downs). Here are the number of plays the drives had:
11
10
9
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
1
Of note, their first drives of the 1st and 2nd half went for 11 and 9 plays, burning 11 minute of clock. We cant reasonably blame this on the offense. Marshalls first 3 drives were 11, 6, and 9 plays; are we blaming the defense being tired from the offense for that?
Interesting that we had only 2, 3-and outs on offense and 2, 4-and out. On all other drives we had a first down (or multiple) or a TD. But, we also had 3 touchdowns of 1 play, 1 touchdown of 2 plays, and 1 TD of 3 plays.
The offense needs to be consistent in running and passing in the same game. Seems we do a good job of exploiting one or the other in every game, but we haven't really been able to do both except for Louisiana. Cut out the turnovers and quick drives and convert some of them for first downs. The defense needs to make significant improvements. I think the run defense has been respectable but we need more turnovers and we need to be better in the passing game.
|
/
GAME THREAD: ODU @ Marshall - September 30 - 3:30PM ESPN+
