Stream of consciousness style…
I actually left the rewatch feeling better than leaving the game. The defense can/could/should keep us in most games, plus should only get better once our #2 and #3 DT are back on the field. Offensively we are clearly still trying to find our sea legs, hopefully a long week headed into EIU is a “get right” situation to clean up the offensive execution a bit (we aren’t really that far away from being at least consistently competitive, IMO). Washington on the road is clearly a test for a multitude of reasons, but then we have a bye before the real meat of the schedule.
Still a team that will have to fight for bowl eligibility, but not BAD.
2-2 after 4 games is about what I would have guessed. Now let’s see how Braun and his reworked staff can adjust (especially on offense). Fingers crossed.
- Tyler Gant is a big dude but has a LOT of work to do, especially in the run game
- We have a lot of very interesting young DBs. They’re young and inconsistent, but do some good things. Primarily Fussell, Evan Smith, and Braeden Turner.
- Wright is a half-beat slow on a lot of his throws. Really hurts him when he tries to throw 1- or 2-balls into the hole shots. Seems to be playing a little tight, second-guessing himself. Hopefully some room for natural improvement as he gets more reps in the system. Not yet sound in his footwork.
- Murphy has a REALLY live arm
- Komolafe is going to be good
- Saka with another year in the weight room and another 10-ish pounds is gonna be fun
- Tiernan is still not nearly physical enough, especially in the run game. Disappointing.
- Not getting 7 off the blocked punt was an absolute killer. Getting 0 was an unmitigated disaster. That sequence decided the game. Had a chance to take full control of the game, handed it right back to Duke. Add in the pick immediately thereafter that we handed back via fumble… oof. The entire OL got blown up on that play, Komolafe had no shot.
- I think Henning needs to be involved even more. Good things happen when he touches the ball.
- Gotta love the Akers kicker tackle, even if wiped out by penalty
- I feel like we need to see more of Kenny Soares. Good things happen when he’s on the field.
- There were a lot of low snaps that seemed to throw off in-play rhythm
- Letting Duke wriggle out of 1st and 20 with about 7:00 minutes left was another huge missed opportunity
- I’m a complete homer, but the overturn of the Murphy fumble was 100% wrong. There’s no chance there’s enough on that film to overturn the call on the field. That feels like a “call stands.”
- Holy smokes Duke tried to pull the game tying FG wide left.
- The OT 3rd down playcall is actually worse in retrospect. Porter had consistently ripped off 4-5 yards every touch going back to the early 4th quarter. You know you have two shots at 3rd and 1 because you need a TD. Inexcusable.
- Duke figured out how to scheme some middle-of-the-field shots starting at the beginning of 4Q. Our safeties and slot corners gave up inside leverage WAAYYYY too easily. Particularly #9 Braden Turner.
- Despite all that, turning away Duke’s 2-point attempt still gave us a chance to win the ballgame.
- Yeah… the OT play call is just awful. There are 7 Duke players on that side of the ball. I don’t buy Braun’s claim that we had a leverage advantage. That play had no chance from inception.
- The failed 4th down afterwards was closer than I thought in person. Covey actually broke somewhat open, Wright was a bit off and the play didn’t work. Funny how the entire narrative today could have been different if that ball was thrown 6 inches further right.
I actually left the rewatch feeling better than leaving the game. The defense can/could/should keep us in most games, plus should only get better once our #2 and #3 DT are back on the field. Offensively we are clearly still trying to find our sea legs, hopefully a long week headed into EIU is a “get right” situation to clean up the offensive execution a bit (we aren’t really that far away from being at least consistently competitive, IMO). Washington on the road is clearly a test for a multitude of reasons, but then we have a bye before the real meat of the schedule.
Still a team that will have to fight for bowl eligibility, but not BAD.
2-2 after 4 games is about what I would have guessed. Now let’s see how Braun and his reworked staff can adjust (especially on offense). Fingers crossed.
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