Duke Game: A 2nd Viewing

[Overly_Invested_Cat]

I watched the Duke game again and had new impressions:

1) Clayton Thorson's game didn't look as rough as it did when I was in Durham. In the first half, there were a few drops that would have made his stat line look much better - to Buckley, to Nagel - along with a few throws that missed going into tight windows - a tip trying to connect with Shuler.
2) I think the biggest change he needs to make is stepping up in the pocket, instead of scrambling to his right. With Duke's team speed, he either got caught from behind or had to throw it away out of bounds. If he steps up, he still has pocket protection and is in a better position to take off running if he see's daylight. Moving backward and to his right yields very little.
3) The improvement in the run game was significant in the second half. Yes, the team benefited from the Vault return and the Long breakaway, but the team moved the ball much better - especially Justin Jackson. Coaches made nice adjustments at the half.

Overall, I feel much better about the offensive effort. It wasn't a barn burner, but I think we would have won without either of the two big plays.

 

[shakes3858]

2) I think the biggest change he needs to make is stepping up in the pocket, instead of scrambling to his right. With Duke's team speed, he either got caught from behind or had to throw it away out of bounds. If he steps up, he still has pocket protection and is in a better position to take off running if he see's daylight. Moving backward and to his right yields very little.

Don't you know, we have to move the pocket because some ESPN commentator said it in 2 different games. (sarcasm alert)

 

[villox]

Don't you know, we have to move the pocket because some ESPN commentator said it in 2 different games. (sarcasm alert)

Hey shakes. Since you're such a fan of sarcasm, I've seen /s as a shorthand used on other message boards. Maybe by using that it will give you more time to focus on increasing the quality of your posts.

/s

 

[shakes3858]

Hey shakes. Since you're such a fan of sarcasm, I've seen /s as a shorthand used on other message boards. Maybe by using that it will give you more time to focus on increasing the quality of your posts.

/s

No. I'm using (sarcasm alert). It's my thing. And whatever bro. My posts are awesome and you know it.

Additionally, are you cooking this weekend? May I suggest making some Rocky Mountain Oysters? You get it?

 

[villox]

No. I'm using (sarcasm alert). It's my thing. And whatever bro. My posts are awesome and you know it.

Additionally, are you cooking this weekend? May I suggest making some Rocky Mountain Oysters? You get it?

I'm doing a gay pride themed tailgate. Both because of the obvious, and because after that Indiana religious freedom law I said I was going to make this the gayest tailgate ever.

 

[spartcat]

I'm into the 2nd half of the game, version 2, and find Thorson's first half performance to be just as awful. Missing short passes to the flat, including screens, throwing into coverage, dubious option decisions, etc. 2nd half wasn't great either. This is probably another prime "flush it" moment, but if there isn't significant improvement soon it may be time to start at QB controversy here. Why let the Bucknuts have all the fun?

OTOH, it's only fair to note that things looked decent last week, so this might be a perigee for Clayton's season. Perhaps it's Dukes fault for being good on D. I'll be very interested in how they do against Ga. Tech, and even more interested in how our O looks against Ball State. However, at this point Minnesota looks like a major problem for us. At least with the overtime rule someone will have to score eventually... I hope it will be us.

 

[JournCat]

I do get it. I loved that show. However, I'm doing a gay pride themed tailgate. Both because of the obvious, and because after that Indiana religious freedom law I said I was going to make this the gayest tailgate ever.

The fact that we're playing Ball State almost makes it too easy.

 

[shakes3858]

I do get it. I loved that show. However, I'm doing a gay pride themed tailgate. Both because of the obvious, and because after that Indiana religious freedom law I said I was going to make this the gayest tailgate ever.

I still think you can go with Rocky Mountain Oysters. If putting testicles in your mouth isn't gay, I don't know what is.

 

[villox]

I still think you can go with Rocky Mountain Oysters. If putting testicles in your mouth isn't gay, I don't know what is.

this is why I shouldn't respond to posts while in the middle of a work meeting. I "got it" at first but not really but was thinking of a different show, Blue Mountain State, and confusing that with Ball State, and for some reason was confusing "Blue Mountains" with "Rocky Mountains" and now I'm just very confused. I am familiar with Rocky mountain oysters too.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I'm into the 2nd half of the game, version 2, and find Thorson's first half performance to be just as awful. Missing short passes to the flat, including screens, throwing into coverage, dubious option decisions, etc. 2nd half wasn't great either. This is probably another prime "flush it" moment, but if there isn't significant improvement soon it may be time to start at QB controversy here. Why let the Bucknuts have all the fun?

OTOH, it's only fair to note that things looked decent last week, so this might be a perigee for Clayton's season. Perhaps it's Dukes fault for being good on D. I'll be very interested in how they do against Ga. Tech, and even more interested in how our O looks against Ball State. However, at this point Minnesota looks like a major problem for us. At least with the overtime rule someone will have to score eventually... I hope it will be us.

Thorson was so quick with his option pitches, I'm wondering if they were "automatics" and essentially intended as a pitch play to get to the outside.

But I don't see the cause for concern in the passing game that others did. He had a couple of great throws dropped (Shuler on an underneath route for a first down, Nagel in the seam) and a couple of other drops where the ball was put where it had to be even if it was a more difficult catch for the receiver (Buckley over the middle, Vault on a rollout comeback). Of course the decisions that led to the picks weren't great, but that's coachable. All in all, Thorson had enough good throws/decisions that I'm confident he will continue developing.

 

[shakes3858]

this is why I shouldn't respond to posts while in the middle of a work meeting. I "got it" at first but not really but was thinking of a different show, Blue Mountain State, and confusing that with Ball State, and for some reason was confusing "Blue Mountains" with "Rocky Mountains" and now I'm just very confused. I am familiar with Rocky mountain oysters too.

Blue Mountain State was awesome. I can't wait for the movie. I'm a little disappointed with Netflix streaming, but that show was well worth it.

 

[shakes3858]

Blue Mountain State was awesome. I can't wait for the movie. I'm a little disappointed with Netflix streaming, but that show was well worth it.

Apparently, I could wait... because it's out and free online.. I know what i'll be doing after work today.

 

[Figrating]

I watched it again, too, which was tough duty.

One lasting impression was the Duke D. They have some really good players and they were really well coached to STOP NU's O. The first half they were especially effective. I'm unsure wtf they were doing, but you can often see the LBs creep up to the line on both sides as the plays start, confident that these plays will not be passes. As one announcer observed, it's gonna take some mid-range and deep completed passes from either side to open up the game, and as it happened, there were none. Count on future opponents to copy Duke's fine effort. The NU O needs to become less predictable.

IMO, the two big plays were the margin of victory. The game remained in doubt until the Duke punt returner fumbled as NU kicked from it's own goal line with about 5 minutes remaining. Only after that did JJ break 100 as the will to win slipped away from Duke.

The game was very close and hard-fought on both sides and NU was fortunate to get the W.

This is the kind of game that NU would find a way to lose last season.

GO CARDIAC CATS!

 

[Williesfan]

Villox and Shakes may I suggest an assortment of teabags for the tailgate.

 

[phatcat]

I

This is the kind of game that NU would find a way to lose last season.

Not just last season but many seasons. Try to hold a two score lead, have difficulty moving but ball, stay conservative, etc. The difference seems to be the defense. Didn't matter how many times Duke got the ball, they just couldn't score.

I watched the Toledo game Sat. night (my wife's alma mater/my hometown), and it was like NU games from recent past. Get a lead, try to protect it, make this mediocre opposing QB look all-world because they could neither pressure nor cover, end up going to OT. They finally did sack the QB on the last play of the game in OT, but the guy had like 15 seconds to throw. Exasperating. I hope those days are behind us, as they appear to be.

 

[Fitz51]

I still think you can go with Rocky Mountain Oysters. If putting testicles in your mouth isn't gay, I don't know what is.

All those women on Brazzers are gay?

 

[Just Gary]

Villox and Shakes may I suggest an assortment of teabags for the tailgate.

Testicles in the mouth? Tea bagging at the tailgate? What kind of board is this turning into?

 

[villox]

Testicles in the mouth? Tea bagging at the tailgate? What kind of board is this turning into?

Very mature people reflecting upon our next opponent. We are known for being classy, after all.

 

[shakes3858]

Really? My post about the difference between men and women's sexuality is the only thing here that crossed the line?

 

[Walker Fan]

Freshmen or RS Freshmen struggle. Teams throw blitzes and change looks at them and they make errors on reads and their fundamentals get shaky. (E.g. Thorsen under-throwing wide open WRs) Take UCLA FR QB 5-star Josh Rosen who had a good first game and played BYU last week and 11-23, 106 yds. and had 3 INTs. UCLA used him a game manager and ran the ball in the 4th Quarter and won 24-23.

BTW, Duke's safety, Jeremy Cash, is projected as a top 15 NFL pick and is a 2-time all-American. So Duke secondary was skilled enough to give Thorson and our WR crew big time problems.

 

[NUCat320]

I watched the Duke game again and had new impressions:

1) Clayton Thorson's game didn't look as rough as it did when I was in Durham. In the first half, there were a few drops that would have made his stat line look much better - to Buckley, to Nagel - along with a few throws that missed going into tight windows - a tip trying to connect with Shuler.
2) I think the biggest change he needs to make is stepping up in the pocket, instead of scrambling to his right. With Duke's team speed, he either got caught from behind or had to throw it away out of bounds. If he steps up, he still has pocket protection and is in a better position to take off running if he see's daylight. Moving backward and to his right yields very little.
3) The improvement in the run game was significant in the second half. Yes, the team benefited from the Vault return and the Long breakaway, but the team moved the ball much better - especially Justin Jackson. Coaches made nice adjustments at the half.

Overall, I feel much better about the offensive effort. It wasn't a barn burner, but I think we would have won without either of the two big plays.

That's a wonderful screen name, OIC. You and everyone else. Welcome.

 

[EvanstonCat]

I watched it again, too, which was tough duty.

One lasting impression was the Duke D. They have some really good players and they were really well coached to STOP NU's O. The first half they were especially effective. I'm unsure wtf they were doing, but you can often see the LBs creep up to the line on both sides as the plays start, confident that these plays will not be passes. As one announcer observed, it's gonna take some mid-range and deep completed passes from either side to open up the game, and as it happened, there were none. Count on future opponents to copy Duke's fine effort. The NU O needs to become less predictable.

IMO, the two big plays were the margin of victory. The game remained in doubt until the Duke punt returner fumbled as NU kicked from it's own goal line with about 5 minutes remaining. Only after that did JJ break 100 as the will to win slipped away from Duke.

The game was very close and hard-fought on both sides and NU was fortunate to get the W.

This is the kind of game that NU would find a way to lose last season.

GO CARDIAC CATS!

Doubt is a strong word. You could say Duke still had a snowball's chance in hell until that fumble, but down 9 points going against our D that average 5.3 ppg with 5 minutes to go isn't much of a chance at all.

 

[TheC]

Very mature people reflecting upon our next opponent. We are known for being classy, after all.

/s

 

[hdhntr1]

Not just last season but many seasons. Try to hold a two score lead, have difficulty moving but ball, stay conservative, etc. The difference seems to be the defense. Didn't matter how many times Duke got the ball, they just couldn't score.

I watched the Toledo game Sat. night (my wife's alma mater/my hometown), and it was like NU games from recent past. Get a lead, try to protect it, make this mediocre opposing QB look all-world because they could neither pressure nor cover, end up going to OT. They finally did sack the QB on the last play of the game in OT, but the guy had like 15 seconds to throw. Exasperating. I hope those days are behind us, as they appear to be.

It is also about depth. Everyone played and the D was still relatively fresh and it was less than predictable. Makes a big difference down the stretch.