Official second-half thread

[lou v]

Well, outside of those two seam routes to Alex Ellis (which looked like Hall both times), NU's defense is playing pretty well. They're tackling extremely well, and I think they've matched Tennessee's speed.

NU's offense, on the other hand, is...well...NU's offense. Other than that drive after the fourth-and-1 call -- and let's give some love to Fitz for that one -- they haven't done much, other than collect personal foul penalty yardage. They're going to need some help from the defense in the second half. Thorson is also going to have to make a couple plays downfield to loosen things up. NU has 129 total yards at the half, and only 46 passing.

Looking at the the bright side...Ohio State 14 Notre Dame 0.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

Continued...

Dropped pass count:

1...2...3...4

Eyes glued, single option passing disasters: 2

Idiotic non play calls: 10

Plenty of time to pass but nobody open: 4

Preprogrammed chickensh*t special teams calls: 4

Super predictable first down plays: 8

 

[TejasCat]

WTF was that? Ok let's get some momentum now

 

[BFDCat]

Well, so much for momentum.

 

[TejasCat]

We get almost 20 running the ball then we throw 3 straight passes?

 

[stpaulcat]

Is Tennessee that good, or is our offense just pathetic? WHERE the heck is Vitale?

 

[Fitz51]

Passing calls are befuddling. Punting is almost comical.

 

[xxjfgxx]

Can't wait for Riley Lees!

 

[Hungry Jack]

Hurd has looked the part running the ball. Tackling has been pretty good, but the UT runners really have impressive feet.

Cats can get back in with a turnover or two.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

How McCall maintains a job is beyond me. A month? For THIS?

 

[beetlemania74]

We get almost 20 running the ball then we throw 3 straight passes?

Absolutely terrible play calling, especially on 2nd and 3rd downs! We're establishing the run, so we go back to our weakness? And on top of that, the pass plays are simple drop back plays, resulting in two sacks? Thorson's only chance as a passer is quick screens or roll out plays. When he drops back, nothing good happens.

 

[PaHICat]

Looking bleak. Offense is confused, trying to do what they can't.

 

[Turk]

Is Tennessee that good, or is our offense just pathetic? WHERE the heck is Vitale?

Vitale has been on the bench for several 3rd downs. IMO, keep feeding Jackson with blocking TE's. It appeared we adjusted and gave Olson help by having Dickerson blocking and it appeared successful but then we abandoned it. Thorson has a panicked look on his face but I've learned that doesn't mean much as he has made plays before. Today he has to. He has to have a better clock and pocket presence.

 

[Fitz51]

Tennessee doesn't seem inclined to turn it over, and we do t seem inclined to run on offense. Without a change there, game, set, match.

 

[PaHICat]

I feel the wheels coming off the cart...

 

[RhabdoWildcat]

We just don't have the horses on offense. Defense starting to wear down.

Momentum all with UT. Not a very compelling game.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Well, outside of those two seam routes to Alex Ellis (which looked like Hall both times), NU's defense is playing pretty well. They're tackling extremely well, and I think they've matched Tennessee's speed.

NU's offense, on the other hand, is...well...NU's offense. Other than that drive after the fourth-and-1 call -- and let's give some love to Fitz for that one -- they haven't done much, other than collect personal foul penalty yardage. They're going to need some help from the defense in the second half. Thorson is also going to have to make a couple plays downfield to loosen things up. NU has 129 total yards at the half, and only 46 passing.

Looking at the the bright side...Ohio State 14 Notre Dame 0.

Dobbs is no better than Alviti! We need Alviti's speed put there

 

[curtis b.]

In

 

[Justballin1966]

Is Tennessee that good, or is our offense just pathetic? WHERE the heck is Vitale?

you really didnt ask that did ya - we all know the offense is just that pathetic

 

[Hungry Jack]

Watkins got it in the berries

 

[Fitz51]

We just don't have the horses on offense. Defense starting to wear down.

Momentum all with UT. Not a very compelling game.

It's pretty much what all the prognosticators saw coming. We just hoped they were wrong.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Impressive work by UT.

 

[Justballin1966]

over boys

 

[BFDCat]

They are certainly a good team, but seriously, any offense at all and we are in this game. Our terrible offense bas finally caught up with us. Fitz had better change something next year because I don't think the defense will be as good next year, we are going to need points.

 

[Turk]

Lowry and Walker are totally gassed at this point. If our offense can't score, then I hope at least it can get a first down or two to give our D a brether, otherwise this may be MSU/Alabama all over again. We need a long drive to give defense rest and score but not sure there is enough time at this point. We also need Tennessee to throw the ball and hope for a turnover.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We gave em a first down on third and eleven! Air ball time. Five wideouts

 

[PaHICat]

Looks like this one is about done.
If we don't get some points this possession it's over.

 

[Turk]

They are certainly a good team, but seriously, any offense at all and we are in this game. Our terrible offense bas finally caught up with us. Fitz had better change something next year because I don't think the defense will be as good next year, we are going to need points.

Not sure if you will agree but I feel our OL has done a decent job and has won the battle, believe it or not. Although we are getting no help from the QB or play calling.

 

[Turk]

Stick to running right now, we still have time.

 

[Turk]

Why the hell are we throwing???? OMG

 

[Turk]

Hall is missing tackles, left and right

 

[Hungry Jack]

Growing pains of a RS frosh QB. Sigh.

 

[Turk]

what is the time of possession?

 

[Mr. Stupor]

Not sure if you will agree but I feel our OL has done a decent job and has won the battle, believe it or not. Although we are getting no help from the QB or play calling.

. Yes. They have been adequate. But adequate doesn't cut it. Cushing needs to go. He's in over his head.

 

[NTCAT]

Besides his penalty, Watkins has looked really good

 

[Justballin1966]

Why the hell are we throwing???? OMG

apperantly mcall and fitz think we can do something we havent done all year - PASS EFFECTIVELY cant wait till next year when we have 2 real qbs in camp (green and smith)

 

[Fitz51]

This is offense has been a joke all year. Did anybody really expect we could score against these guys when we couldn't score all year against worse teams? We've been getting killed in the field posession and time of posession the whole game. This passing game is a joke and the ENTIRE offensive staff should be fired except for the RB coach. We used to be AWESOME at passing. Now we suck at it. Fitz's loyalty is - at this point- stupidity.

This is exactly right. And had like one play at the end of the Wisconsin game gone differently, this would have been the board discussion for over a month now.

 

[Turk]

. Yes. They have been adequate. But adequate doesn't cut it. Cushing needs to go. He's in over his head.

True, Cushing isn't an OL coach but he is a great recruiter, same with Springer. is there a way to keep them but just don't let them coach?

 

[Hungry Jack]

Besides his penalty, Watkins has looked really good

Yes. He looks quite ready out there.

 

[Turk]

apperantly mcall and fitz think we can do something we havent done all year - PASS EFFECTIVELY cant wait till next year when we have 2 real qbs in camp (green and smith)

Thank God, Tenn is passing now. Stops the clock and plus Hurd is a beast. Best player we have is the Tenn Offensive coordinator. Watkins is playing great. We need to run the ball.