A stat that really bears some analysis for the Cats this year, I think, is sacks allowed. The Cats have allowed 7 in 6 games, the third fewest per game in conference behind OSU and Minnesota. In sacks per passing attempt, they are second best after OSU.
Part of that number has to be the high level of skill of Skoronski protecting the blind side. I would be willing to bet the larger part, though, is the design of the routes being run, the number of times Hilinski rolls out, and the decisions he has made to check down or throw the ball away. I have to wonder if decisions by him, or route design, that doubled the number of sacks but forced safeties to play deeper might open up the running game and lead to more overall success. I think there is a good chance that the offense designed to almost always get the ball out of Hilinski’s hands quickly might be setting the offense up for failure.
Part of that number has to be the high level of skill of Skoronski protecting the blind side. I would be willing to bet the larger part, though, is the design of the routes being run, the number of times Hilinski rolls out, and the decisions he has made to check down or throw the ball away. I have to wonder if decisions by him, or route design, that doubled the number of sacks but forced safeties to play deeper might open up the running game and lead to more overall success. I think there is a good chance that the offense designed to almost always get the ball out of Hilinski’s hands quickly might be setting the offense up for failure.
