I loved that game on multiple levels. Overall, this team has a fighting spirit for each other and the coaches that is real. They never give up, and that level of effort to the end is going to pay big dividends down the road when we actually close out a big game for a big win. I also like the conditioning that I see with this team... It is amazing to see so many freshmen playing the minutes that they are playing at this level. The whole team seems to be well conditioned for four quarters.
Offense:
Just what I thought would happen, happened. And for as many times as I have been wrong in the past about certain issues, I was overwhelmingly confident that the offense would finally break through in the Pitt game, because of what I believed was the blue print which was laid down during in the second half of the Notre Dame Game... That Notre Dame loss was so frustrating, but amidst all the frustration, I saw what I thought was a breakthrough in our offense during those second half thirty minutes- and it clearly carried over into practice this past week and ultimately into the Pitt Game.
Richt came out first drive of the Pitt game and called the following plays:
- HB Screen
- WR Screen
- Shotgun Draw
- Shotgun Go Route
- Play Action Rollout Left to Njoku for the TD
There was I-Formation, a Weak I-Formation, and Shotgun... Lots of variety out of the gate. Magnifico- everything early was quick hitting and designed to get the ball out of Kaaya's hand in quick fashion and into the hands of receivers, tight ends, and running backs in open space... It seems so basic, so "duh" type obvious, that some of you were wondering why that didn't happen three games ago... I don't know the answer to that. Maybe it Richt's rustiness as a play caller; maybe it was blind faith that the offensive line would get going in the power running game; maybe it was something the coaches saw on film... We can speculate all we want and cry "shoulda woulda coulda", or we can instead be content that this offense is starting to turn the corner. We aren't where we need to be on offense, but we are at least seeing positive signs.
Clearly, Richt is using the short passing game (and mostly the screen game) to set up the run. Some teams use the run to set up the pass, and other teams use the pass to set up the run. As we know, Richt would prefer the former, but has PROVEN that he can use the latter. Once the quick hitting passing game got going early, we were more effective in the run game. Not consistent; not great; but at least MORE EFFECTIVE, and frankly until the cavalry arrives on the offensive line in the form of stud recruits and JUCOs, that is the best that we can hope.
So, hats off to Richt for putting together a great game plan that allowed Kaaya to be at his absolute BEST yesterday, which he was. The harmony and relationship between Brad and Richt has grown a LOT the last six quarters on the field.
Defense:
The Defense only gave up 21 points. That's not great but in college football, if your defense only gives up 20-21 points, then you're going to be in more games than not. Yesterday, our Defense more than did its job. We only gave up 7 points in the second half, which allowed us to comfortably pull away from Pitt for the win. Coming into yesterday's game, Pitt was averaging 39.6 points per game. So, in a stretch which saw a tough 5-3 Pitt team scoring almost 40 points per game, our defense held them to almost HALF of that average (21)...
Yet some people were bitching about the defense... What a joke.
THREE Freshmen linebackers, and we are a Corn Elder injury away from being a total disaster in the secondary. Hell, when Corn leaves, we are REALLY going to feel it... Someone in that secondary has to develop into a solid cornerback, and double time. In the meantime Chad and Trent continue to do a solid job on the defensive line.
Defense will be fine with Diaz. Pay him his money and let him do his thing.
Special Teams:
The kickoff return for a TD is inexcusable, but through nine games this season, I think that our coverage on BOTH kickoffs and punts has been solid. Probably a B+ for me. That kickoff return for a TD yesterday was more of an outlier in my opinion... Kicking game looked good... Badge hitting some big time Field Goals yesterday in ugly conditions. Vogel continues to be lethal with his punting, and Berrios is sure handed fielding punts... So, Special Teams has held its own for most of the season apart from that fiasco against Florida State.
Overall:
Have to feel VERY good heading into these last three games... NC State is going to be a tough road test for this team. The Wolfpack played a solid game last night against Florida State and had that game within reach late in the Fourth Quarter... They're going to be pissed when they play us, so we better bring our A Game- but at least we had an A Game type performance yesterday.
I feel good about where we are now, and I hope we can carbon copy that effort in the Pitt game for the last three games.
Just my honest opinion.
Go Canes...!!!
Offense:
Just what I thought would happen, happened. And for as many times as I have been wrong in the past about certain issues, I was overwhelmingly confident that the offense would finally break through in the Pitt game, because of what I believed was the blue print which was laid down during in the second half of the Notre Dame Game... That Notre Dame loss was so frustrating, but amidst all the frustration, I saw what I thought was a breakthrough in our offense during those second half thirty minutes- and it clearly carried over into practice this past week and ultimately into the Pitt Game.
Richt came out first drive of the Pitt game and called the following plays:
- HB Screen
- WR Screen
- Shotgun Draw
- Shotgun Go Route
- Play Action Rollout Left to Njoku for the TD
There was I-Formation, a Weak I-Formation, and Shotgun... Lots of variety out of the gate. Magnifico- everything early was quick hitting and designed to get the ball out of Kaaya's hand in quick fashion and into the hands of receivers, tight ends, and running backs in open space... It seems so basic, so "duh" type obvious, that some of you were wondering why that didn't happen three games ago... I don't know the answer to that. Maybe it Richt's rustiness as a play caller; maybe it was blind faith that the offensive line would get going in the power running game; maybe it was something the coaches saw on film... We can speculate all we want and cry "shoulda woulda coulda", or we can instead be content that this offense is starting to turn the corner. We aren't where we need to be on offense, but we are at least seeing positive signs.
Clearly, Richt is using the short passing game (and mostly the screen game) to set up the run. Some teams use the run to set up the pass, and other teams use the pass to set up the run. As we know, Richt would prefer the former, but has PROVEN that he can use the latter. Once the quick hitting passing game got going early, we were more effective in the run game. Not consistent; not great; but at least MORE EFFECTIVE, and frankly until the cavalry arrives on the offensive line in the form of stud recruits and JUCOs, that is the best that we can hope.
So, hats off to Richt for putting together a great game plan that allowed Kaaya to be at his absolute BEST yesterday, which he was. The harmony and relationship between Brad and Richt has grown a LOT the last six quarters on the field.
Defense:
The Defense only gave up 21 points. That's not great but in college football, if your defense only gives up 20-21 points, then you're going to be in more games than not. Yesterday, our Defense more than did its job. We only gave up 7 points in the second half, which allowed us to comfortably pull away from Pitt for the win. Coming into yesterday's game, Pitt was averaging 39.6 points per game. So, in a stretch which saw a tough 5-3 Pitt team scoring almost 40 points per game, our defense held them to almost HALF of that average (21)...
Yet some people were bitching about the defense... What a joke.
THREE Freshmen linebackers, and we are a Corn Elder injury away from being a total disaster in the secondary. Hell, when Corn leaves, we are REALLY going to feel it... Someone in that secondary has to develop into a solid cornerback, and double time. In the meantime Chad and Trent continue to do a solid job on the defensive line.
Defense will be fine with Diaz. Pay him his money and let him do his thing.
Special Teams:
The kickoff return for a TD is inexcusable, but through nine games this season, I think that our coverage on BOTH kickoffs and punts has been solid. Probably a B+ for me. That kickoff return for a TD yesterday was more of an outlier in my opinion... Kicking game looked good... Badge hitting some big time Field Goals yesterday in ugly conditions. Vogel continues to be lethal with his punting, and Berrios is sure handed fielding punts... So, Special Teams has held its own for most of the season apart from that fiasco against Florida State.
Overall:
Have to feel VERY good heading into these last three games... NC State is going to be a tough road test for this team. The Wolfpack played a solid game last night against Florida State and had that game within reach late in the Fourth Quarter... They're going to be pissed when they play us, so we better bring our A Game- but at least we had an A Game type performance yesterday.
I feel good about where we are now, and I hope we can carbon copy that effort in the Pitt game for the last three games.
Just my honest opinion.
Go Canes...!!!
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