'21 Recruiting Forum: Official Bowling Green Pregame/Game Thread

[RikidyBones]

You're never as good or as bad as you think you are.

Lots of room for improvement.

You greatest improvement comes from the first game to the second game.

Milton wasn't as good as I was expecting. He's big and athletic and has a huge arm but I'm not sure he's a great passer. I told the 5* texting group last night that I needed to work with old Joe. I would have him watch me throw it as hard as I could and tell him to "throw it like that". I'm not sure the man knows the word touch. I don't think he's seeing the field. Left a lot of passing yards out there. You'd think with him having all that time that he could find one of them. I'm not convinced he's the answer.

The receivers were a disappointment, especially Hyatt. Can't believe he had the two drops. I think he'll have much better outings than last night. Not sure where in the world VJ was.

While we rushed for a lot of yards, it was very workman like. Nothing really spectacular. I like all of our backs. I'm excited to see the big bruiser come in to see what he can do. I don't think we saw much of the passing game to the running backs or even tight ends. I expect that to change.

Oline was about what I expected.

The dline was about what I expected. I loved they way they were substituting the entire unit. I think it will get better when BY joins the ranks.

Did the line backers make any significant plays? I saw Banks a couple of times but for the most part they didn't really shine. That's definitely a concern.

The secondary surprised me, in a bad way. I really thought that unit was going to be a strength. Maybe scheme had something to do with it. They seemed to adjust and take so e of that away. Their coach said something about changing the play after we showed our hand. I think we may have started disguising our coverages a bit which may have helped.


All in all about what I expected game wise. Lots of room for improvement. My biggest disappointment was not having a big enough lead to give Bailey and Hooker meaningful reps. I think it helps to have the extra time to prepare for Pitt. I think it's the biggest game of the year from a momentum perspective.

GBO

Tl;dr

 

[VolGee4]

It’s so cool to go on YouTube and see fans of other teams like South Carolina just mock us to death. Isn’t great to be the running joke of CF?

Who cares? South Carolina, historically, is an abysmal program. I don’t care what other people say.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Who cares? South Carolina, historically, is an abysmal program. I don’t care what other people say.

who would say otherwise? I mean one if their greatest QB's was known for a mullet.

Nuff said.

 

[InVOLuntary]

who would say otherwise? I mean one if their greatest QB's was known for a mullet.

Nuff said.

Not that I disagree about SC but where is this mullet hate coming from. I'm leaning communist again.

 

[itsme]

It’s so cool to go on YouTube and see fans of other teams like South Carolina just mock us to death. Isn’t great to be the running joke of CF?

I could care less what any fan of any other college thinks about us honestly. I don't care if it's 50 years from now and I'm 90 but when we become good again I will be unbearable for every other fanbase.

 

[butchna]

It’s so cool to go on YouTube and see fans of other teams like South Carolina just mock us to death. Isn’t great to be the running joke of CF?

Stand up on the Titanic before the iceberg.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Not that I disagree about SC but where is this mullet hate coming from. I'm leaning communist again.

Juss sayin', prolly has a Sasquatch sticker next to hanging ballsack on his dually he uses to deliver pizzas.

 

[Kingston Vol]

I would bet Heupel’s biggest beef is Milton stopped taking what the offense gives him in the passing game. And I say it that way intentionally - this offense is built on a one read system because it goes so fast.

It seemed to me Milton got in trouble when he started to freelance and it lead to slow/bad decisions and bad throws.

If they can clean that up this offense will look far more consistent.

 

[NMVol]

Juss sayin', prolly has a Sasquatch sticker next to hanging ballsack on his dually he uses to deliver pizzas.
View attachment 391775

.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Juss sayin', prolly has a Sasquatch sticker next to hanging ballsack on his dually he uses to deliver pizzas.
View attachment 391775

When did Gundy grow a stashe?

 

[pierce60]

I would bet Heupel’s biggest beef is Milton stopped taking what the offense gives him in the passing game. And I say it that way intentionally - this offense is built on a one read system because it goes so fast.

It seemed to me Milton got in trouble when he started to freelance and it lead to slow/bad decisions and bad throws.

If they can clean that up this offense will look far more consistent.

Exactly. Take the 5-7 yard check down instead of 15-20 sideline route in coverage.

 

[Jackcrevol]

When did Gundy grow a stashe?

i laughed.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

You're never as good or as bad as you think you are.

Lots of room for improvement.

You greatest improvement comes from the first game to the second game.

Milton wasn't as good as I was expecting. He's big and athletic and has a huge arm but I'm not sure he's a great passer. I told the 5* texting group last night that I needed to work with old Joe. I would have him watch me throw it as hard as I could and tell him to "throw it like that". I'm not sure the man knows the word touch. I don't think he's seeing the field. Left a lot of passing yards out there. You'd think with him having all that time that he could find one of them. I'm not convinced he's the answer.

The receivers were a disappointment, especially Hyatt. Can't believe he had the two drops. I think he'll have much better outings than last night. Not sure where in the world VJ was.

While we rushed for a lot of yards, it was very workman like. Nothing really spectacular. I like all of our backs. I'm excited to see the big bruiser come in to see what he can do. I don't think we saw much of the passing game to the running backs or even tight ends. I expect that to change.

Oline was about what I expected.

The dline was about what I expected. I loved they way they were substituting the entire unit. I think it will get better when BY joins the ranks.

Did the line backers make any significant plays? I saw Banks a couple of times but for the most part they didn't really shine. That's definitely a concern.

The secondary surprised me, in a bad way. I really thought that unit was going to be a strength. Maybe scheme had something to do with it. They seemed to adjust and take so e of that away. Their coach said something about changing the play after we showed our hand. I think we may have started disguising our coverages a bit which may have helped.


All in all about what I expected game wise. Lots of room for improvement. My biggest disappointment was not having a big enough lead to give Bailey and Hooker meaningful reps. I think it helps to have the extra time to prepare for Pitt. I think it's the biggest game of the year from a momentum perspective.

GBO

I don't think the problem outside of Hyatts two drops were the recievers..they were getting open, but Milton was not seeing or anticipating them...at all. Milton could have had four hundred yards last night if he had pulled the trigger on all those inside routes.

 

[Vols4us]

Agree with all that, I think we have a good staff. It's great that we won, but it was a glorified HS team...and Milton has to play better if we are going to get to 6-7 wins.

It's that simple. My take FWIW...

There is enough talent, depth being developed, and quality schemes on both sides of the ball to get to 7+ wins. On O they've got a real SEC style RB in T-Evans. Small is a good change-up with some good moves, but goes down by hand tackles like Gray. They have some real SEC O-linemen and TE's that can get it done. Injuries will determine just how far it goes outside of the QB play. But if you don't have quality QB play - yer dun as a team.

Really like what Banks is doing on D and he made some quality halftime adjustments. Development of players looks good. They worked on their depth a lot last night.

It does not matter how hard a QB can throw the ball if his receivers cannot catch it. People are getting enamored with the zip without the results that win games. The QB has to deliver balls the receivers can catch. The receivers are who they are. Yes, they need to get better. But, to be the QB and not recognize what your receivers need to be successful, which makes the whole team successful, and then deliver the ball that way is the fault of the QB and the coaching staff that keeps him on the field if he cannot do it. How it goes in practice - is practice. When the lights come on it is different. I hoped some on here and in our fanbase would have learned that lesson with #2, but apparently not.

Not giving up on Milton at all. Just want to see him do things successful QB's do at an SEC level and counting on Heup and his QB coach to get that done. At this point he's starting out as our version of Emory Jones, who posters on here ridicule. Heup's got two more games before UF to get that done with #7 or make a switch if he really wants to "frickin' win".

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

My Bowing Green day after randoms:

• It’s rare you win a game by 32 points and am still frustrated- yet that’s where I am. Maybe it’s because I get sucked in every year. The homers curse. Maybe it’s because I heard for weeks just how baaaaad BG was supposed to be. (They didn’t look that bad btw). Ultimately I think it was the realization that yeah, we’re very likely a six win team at best this year. Which is fine for growth all things considered, yet kind of painful to endure in the here and now.
• Milton like many have said have flashbacks of JG. I get his big and can throw on a rope and offers something in the run game. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear he can scan the field, he stands flat footed way too much, and doesn’t have touch. I’ll give this staff time to develop him, but you can’t tell me the offense wouldn’t have been more efficient with Bailey behind center.
• As a slow skinny white kid I always wanted to play RB in football at school. Always moved to safety. Middle and high school coaches kept me from being the next Craig James/Christian McCaffrey. I’m delusional and convinced of that. Which is a long winded way of saying RB has always been my favorite position. With that in mind - I LOOOVED what Small and Evans gave us on the ground last night. That was so fun to watch. Might be a pipe dream but rooting for both to get 1k yards this year.
• Shocked that Marcus Pierce Jr (a walk on iirc) got snaps before Lenneth and Dee. Specifically Dee, because the staff has talked about him at RB whereas I’m sure they deep down probably want Whitehead to move to Lb. That should be a wake up call to both players. Maybe some sort of positional switch is in order.
• Ollie Lane getting snaps! Props to the local kid who I had all but written off. Been here four years and put his time in. Seeing the field. And looked like he did well.
• Jerome Carvin - back to back holding penalties killed that drive. Took a touchdown off the board. Personally I thought the holding call on the touchdown in self was ticky tacky. But it was a penalty nonetheless.
• I don’t know if I posted this on this forum or in another chat I visit but Theo Jackson has been nothing but a role player during his time here and it looks like Martinez is gonna get him drafted. Kid played real well. I was really impressed with him.
• Banks is another player that really stood out to me. Showed good instincts.
• Solon Page - not so much.
• Caleb Trembley, Dijon Terry, Thomas flashed several times on the DL.
• Ive never bought into the Velus Jones hype. I just don’t see what anyone else does in him. Save for him blowing up vs a terrrible Vanderbilt team last year he’s never done much here. Or at USC. Didn’t last night either. Grant Frerkering had more receptions (1) than did Velus.
• Javonta Payton targeted three times the opening drive and then I never saw him on the field again. But the QB play was so bad he might’ve been there wide open all game and I just never saw it.

Overall, I’m gonna enjoy the win. I mean, we all know about Georgia state but it wasn’t that long ago we struggled mightily against Charlotte and UMass etc. barely etching out wins. Last night was never really in doubt and that should be appreciated. That said, I have almost no confidence rolling into the Pittsburgh game. But it’s still 8 days away. In 5 or so days I’ll be talking myself into a win and come Saturday morning I’ll be convinced WGWTFA.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I don't think the problem outside of Hyatts two drops were the recievers..they were getting open, but Milton was not seeing or anticipating them...at all. Milton could have had four hundred yards last night if he had pulled the trigger on all those inside routes.

I can't argue with that. I think he was definitely trying for that ESPN top 10 throw for the score. He needs to learn that taking what the defense gives him will eventually lead to the long ball. If he doesn't learn the skill of putting air under the ball, I don't think he'll ever succeed at the QB position. There are throwers and there are qbs. A hard thrower doesn't equate to a great qb (see Peyton Manning, Danny Wueffel etc.). I don't think we know yet whether he's a thrower or a qb.

 

[RikidyBones]

I can't argue with that. I think he was definitely trying for that ESPN top 10 throw for the score. He needs to learn that taking what the defense gives him will eventually lead to the long ball. If he doesn't learn the skill of putting air under the ball, I don't think he'll ever succeed at the QB position. There are throwers and there are qbs. A hard thrower doesn't equate to a great qb (see Peyton Manning, Danny Wueffel etc.). I don't think we know yet whether he's a thrower or a qb.

Had the long ball but he overshot it twice. Hit my shed out back on the first one. I hope we can get that corrected. Even a small improvement would be substantial imo.

 

[BisonVol]

Upon reflection takeaways:
1 the defensive line had a nice night. Tyler Baron was disruptive on several occasions as was Caleb Tremblay. Until Byron Young returns, nobody on this unit is going to make your jaw drop physically speaking, but there are several solid players who should make for an effective unit under Rodney Gardner's leadership.

2 Small and Evans should make for a really good running back duo. Small led the team in carries, but I could see that changing soon. Evans looked so smooth and just seems to have an "it" factor. Gotta give credit to the offensive line as well. A little surprised Jaylen Wright didn't get more carries once the game was well out of reach, but I think he will get more opportunities as the season progresses.

3 The backup linebackers were shaky to say the least. Mitchell and Banks both were solid last night, but the same can't be said for Beasley and Page. Most of Bowling Green's offensive success seemed to come when those two were on the field. Hopefully a couple of other guys emerge at that position soon because SEC offenses will feast on Beasley and Page.

4 Theo Jackson had a nice night as did a couple of others in the secondary. They dropped a couple of interceptions that they will need to capitalize on going forward, but overall, this unit played faster and more confidently than I've seen them over the last couple of seasons.

5 The passing game was...well, ugly. Milton started out hot completing 9 of his first 11 passes, but he would go on to only complete 2 of his next 12. His line did a really good job protecting him for most of the night I thought, but he was guilty of holding the ball way too long on multiple occasions and misfired on a couple of deep balls that were sure touchdowns. There were a few drops along the way that weren't on Milton, but he's going to have to be better going forward if we're going to get to 6 wins.

 

[NMVol]

Had the long ball but he overshot it twice. Hit my shed out back on the first one. I hope we can get that corrected. Even a small improvement would be substantial imo.

Hope your homeowner's policy is strong.

 

[reVOLution33]

If we didn’t look like complete **** in the 2nd and scored once or twice. I don’t think anyone would be complaining about tonight.

We move way too fast on offense to make mistakes. Can’t gas our oline.

Overall, I had more fun watching the game tonight then I did at any point the previous 3 years.

Well Milton sucked. That's where I am with the game.

Offense
Ol: B-
Qb: D+
Wr: C+
Rb: A

Defense
Dl: B+
Lb: B-
Db: B

 

[reVOLution33]

Tee Martin has some crappy games too, we had a stable of backs and an awesome DL. Looks familiar. Relatively nowhere near the same caliber… but some good ingredients. I thought our passing game left a lot out there but looking back it seems like we only threw to Tillman or Hyatt. Payton and Fant are sleeping giants for the offense IMO. Got to get them the ball.

Tee Martin was never a great quarterback. He gets more credit than I believe he should.

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

I would bet Heupel’s biggest beef is Milton stopped taking what the offense gives him in the passing game. And I say it that way intentionally - this offense is built on a one read system because it goes so fast.

It seemed to me Milton got in trouble when he started to freelance and it lead to slow/bad decisions and bad throws.

If they can clean that up this offense will look far more consistent.

This. Huepel was very agitated talking about it during his presser. Milton will have to fix that or he won’t be playing very long.

 

[ClasslessVol]

My Bowing Green day after randoms:

• It’s rare you win a game by 32 points and am still frustrated- yet that’s where I am. Maybe it’s because I get sucked in every year. The homers curse. Maybe it’s because I heard for weeks just how baaaaad BG was supposed to be. (They didn’t look that bad btw). Ultimately I think it was the realization that yeah, we’re very likely a six win team at best this year. Which is fine for growth all things considered, yet kind of painful to endure in the here and now.
• Milton like many have said have flashbacks of JG. I get his big and can throw on a rope and offers something in the run game. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear he can scan the field, he stands flat footed way too much, and doesn’t have touch. I’ll give this staff time to develop him, but you can’t tell me the offense wouldn’t have been more efficient with Bailey behind center.
• As a slow skinny white kid I always wanted to play RB in football at school. Always moved to safety. Middle and high school coaches kept me from being the next Craig James/Christian McCaffrey. I’m delusional and convinced of that. Which is a long winded way of saying RB has always been my favorite position. With that in mind - I LOOOVED what Small and Evans gave us on the ground last night. That was so fun to watch. Might be a pipe dream but rooting for both to get 1k yards this year.
• Shocked that Marcus Pierce Jr (a walk on iirc) got snaps before Lenneth and Dee. Specifically Dee, because the staff has talked about him at RB whereas I’m sure they deep down probably want Whitehead to move to Lb. That should be a wake up call to both players. Maybe some sort of positional switch is in order.
• Ollie Lane getting snaps! Props to the local kid who I had all but written off. Been here four years and put his time in. Seeing the field. And looked like he did well.
• Jerome Carvin - back to back holding penalties killed that drive. Took a touchdown off the board. Personally I thought the holding call on the touchdown in self was ticky tacky. But it was a penalty nonetheless.
• I don’t know if I posted this on this forum or in another chat I visit but Theo Jackson has been nothing but a role player during his time here and it looks like Martinez is gonna get him drafted. Kid played real well. I was really impressed with him.
• Banks is another player that really stood out to me. Showed good instincts.
• Solon Page - not so much.
• Caleb Trembley, Dijon Terry, Thomas flashed several times on the DL.
• Ive never bought into the Velus Jones hype. I just don’t see what anyone else does in him. Save for him blowing up vs a terrrible Vanderbilt team last year he’s never done much here. Or at USC. Didn’t last night either. Grant Frerkering had more receptions (1) than did Velus.
• Javonta Payton targeted three times the opening drive and then I never saw him on the field again. But the QB play was so bad he might’ve been there wide open all game and I just never saw it.

Overall, I’m gonna enjoy the win. I mean, we all know about Georgia state but it wasn’t that long ago we struggled mightily against Charlotte and UMass etc. barely etching out wins. Last night was never really in doubt and that should be appreciated. That said, I have almost no confidence rolling into the Pittsburgh game. But it’s still 8 days away. In 5 or so days I’ll be talking myself into a win and come Saturday morning I’ll be convinced WGWTFA.

Velus was hurt. That’s why he didn’t do much

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

This. Huepel was very agitated talking about it during his presser. Milton will have to fix that or he won’t be playing very long.

I am sure Milton was feeling the pressure from the getgo and it ramped up as we sputtered a bit. A few holding calls, and a couple of significant drops by Hyatt and his one obvious overthrow on the bomb changed the final score for sure. But he will have to develop snap and clear or life will be tough. It was one game, his first game, every bodies first game with the new systems in place. I think wiser folks will sit back and see how we trend next week as we step up in class. You cannot have a trend with one data point.

I was encouraged he did not get happy feet after counting to three on his drop backs and was at least scanning the field even though he missed some guys down the middle. I am hoping he was overreacting to the age old adage don't throw late over the middle and film study will fix that and other problems. He obviously has all the tools but that inventory will not win us ballgames unless applied. I also hope he learned to get to the sticks on third down when scrambling.

 

[KB5252]

Upon reflection takeaways:
1 the defensive line had a nice night. Tyler Baron was disruptive on several occasions as was Caleb Tremblay. Until Byron Young returns, nobody on this unit is going to make your jaw drop physically speaking, but there are several solid players who should make for an effective unit under Rodney Gardner's leadership.

2 Small and Evans should make for a really good running back duo. Small led the team in carries, but I could see that changing soon. Evans looked so smooth and just seems to have an "it" factor. Gotta give credit to the offensive line as well. A little surprised Jaylen Wright didn't get more carries once the game was well out of reach, but I think he will get more opportunities as the season progresses.

3 The backup linebackers were shaky to say the least. Mitchell and Banks both were solid last night, but the same can't be said for Beasley and Page. Most of Bowling Green's offensive success seemed to come when those two were on the field. Hopefully a couple of other guys emerge at that position soon because SEC offenses will feast on Beasley and Page.

4 Theo Jackson had a nice night as did a couple of others in the secondary. They dropped a couple of interceptions that they will need to capitalize on going forward, but overall, this unit played faster and more confidently than I've seen them over the last couple of seasons.

5 The passing game was...well, ugly. Milton started out hot completing 9 of his first 11 passes, but he would go on to only complete 2 of his next 12. His line did a really good job protecting him for most of the night I thought, but he was guilty of holding the ball way too long on multiple occasions and misfired on a couple of deep balls that were sure touchdowns. There were a few drops along the way that weren't on Milton, but he's going to have to be better going forward if we're going to get to 6 wins.

The o line and running backs success last night could be misleading. Easy to run against a defense selling out for the pass.