Thoughts on the game

[NickZ4UT]

Seeing a lot of posts over reacting, so I wanted to step in and give my two cents.

The offense was kind of vanilla after the last touchdown and I believe that was by design. What I noticed was a bit more consistency late in the game from the running game, again it wasn't great but we started getting 4-6 yards a carry. What threw us off on those drives were some dropped passes which really weren't anyone's fault, just some vanilla pass plays. The o-line protection in the second half was MUCH better than the first and they didn't really have any false starts or holding calls against them, so that's improvement. The O-line will improve as the year goes on and we should start seeing the fruits of reps and practice by mid-season

On the defensive side of the ball things continued to get better. ASU was a better offensive team than USU was and it showed but even while being more potent they never REALLY threatened our lead once we went up 24-12. Tackling was still very solid and second half adjustments saw the defense taking better angles in QB containment. We pressured the QB in the second half and basically lived in the backfield. Keep in mind that for two of their scores they NEEDED trick plays to get there. This defense will get much better as the season goes on.

Special teams was a pretty big eye sore today, punt returns and kick returns flipped field position and we damn near gave away the ball on an onside kick. Medley needs to get his head on straight and I'm really glad they let him take that field goal at the end of the game, he's got the leg he just needs to settle down. Having said that, we had a good return or two and I think this unit will get better but this is the one area that could really kill us in a close game.

So there you have it, we are young and lack experience, that's not going to translate to a lot of wins but by the year's end we should see some pretty good football. I wouldn't jump off the ledge at all this season, there are going to be bumps and growing pains but we should be just good enough to get to a bowl game and that is good enough for me.

 

[Vols033]

My thoughts exactly. We went completely vanilla in the second half, and I'm alright with that. Our running game needs to get better, which I'm sure it will as the season progresses. Defense looked really good today after some adjustments were made. Special teams is a big area of concern as the field positron we gave up at times today could cost us against big time opponents.

All in all, we are extremely young and probably weren't as up for this game as we were last week, but we have a lot of potential that you can clearly see on the field. Good start to the season against two above average opponents. Next week will be difficult, but there's a reason we play the games. Oklahoma has a tendency to lay down at times. If we go in and play over our heads, you never know.

 

[dduncan4163]

Great post

 

[aRmo]

Yea i noticed this aswell, Expect a great game in Norman next week boys!

 

[bcartervol98]

Seeing a lot of posts over reacting, so I wanted to step in and give my two cents.

The offense was kind of vanilla after the last touchdown and I believe that was by design. What I noticed was a bit more consistency late in the game from the running game, again it wasn't great but we started getting 4-6 yards a carry. What threw us off on those drives were some dropped passes which really weren't anyone's fault, just some vanilla pass plays. The o-line protection in the second half was MUCH better than the first and they didn't really have any false starts or holding calls against them, so that's improvement. The O-line will improve as the year goes on and we should start seeing the fruits of reps and practice by mid-season

On the defensive side of the ball things continued to get better. ASU was a better offensive team than USU was and it showed but even while being more potent they never REALLY threatened our lead once we went up 24-12. Tackling was still very solid and second half adjustments saw the defense taking better angles in QB containment. We pressured the QB in the second half and basically lived in the backfield. Keep in mind that for two of their scores they NEEDED trick plays to get there. This defense will get much better as the season goes on.

Special teams was a pretty big eye sore today, punt returns and kick returns flipped field position and we damn near gave away the ball on an onside kick. Medley needs to get his head on straight and I'm really glad they let him take that field goal at the end of the game, he's got the leg he just needs to settle down. Having said that, we had a good return or two and I think this unit will get better but this is the one area that could really kill us in a close game.

So there you have it, we are young and lack experience, that's not going to translate to a lot of wins but by the year's end we should see some pretty good football. I wouldn't jump off the ledge at all this season, there are going to be bumps and growing pains but we should be just good enough to get to a bowl game and that is good enough for me.

I could not agree more with this. Very good summation of what I saw today.

 

[CountVolcula]

Anytime a better team looks bad on the field its because the Vanilla beans that went to create the Ice Cream offense were bad

 

[dduncan4163]

The only unit that scares me right now is the O-Line. The Defense looks really good.

 

[TAF]

My thoughts...?

I'm goin' to Norman...

And...

Wheegonnawhipdeyazz!!!

GBO!

 

[RollerVol]

Seeing a lot of posts over reacting, so I wanted to step in and give my two cents.

The offense was kind of vanilla after the last touchdown and I believe that was by design. What I noticed was a bit more consistency late in the game from the running game, again it wasn't great but we started getting 4-6 yards a carry. What threw us off on those drives were some dropped passes which really weren't anyone's fault, just some vanilla pass plays. The o-line protection in the second half was MUCH better than the first and they didn't really have any false starts or holding calls against them, so that's improvement. The O-line will improve as the year goes on and we should start seeing the fruits of reps and practice by mid-season

On the defensive side of the ball things continued to get better. ASU was a better offensive team than USU was and it showed but even while being more potent they never REALLY threatened our lead once we went up 24-12. Tackling was still very solid and second half adjustments saw the defense taking better angles in QB containment. We pressured the QB in the second half and basically lived in the backfield. Keep in mind that for two of their scores they NEEDED trick plays to get there. This defense will get much better as the season goes on.

Special teams was a pretty big eye sore today, punt returns and kick returns flipped field position and we damn near gave away the ball on an onside kick. Medley needs to get his head on straight and I'm really glad they let him take that field goal at the end of the game, he's got the leg he just needs to settle down. Having said that, we had a good return or two and I think this unit will get better but this is the one area that could really kill us in a close game.

So there you have it, we are young and lack experience, that's not going to translate to a lot of wins but by the year's end we should see some pretty good football. I wouldn't jump off the ledge at all this season, there are going to be bumps and growing pains but we should be just good enough to get to a bowl game and that is good enough for me.

:lolabove:
Exactly, and I agree on everything you said.
I would like to see Worley go through his progressions a little quicker but, I thought he threw much better.
These young men are pretty tough and overall the team is much better this year. Love the toughness.
GO VOLS!

 

[OrangeIsLife]

Freshmen playing like Freshmen. Nothing more, nothing less. We will be a little up and down until later in the season. We won the two games we had to win. Now we only have to win 4 out of the next 10 and we go bowling. Be happy people!

 

[Vol_Doc]

Seemed more flat than last week, but were in control the whole game. Never seemed like Arky St had a shot. Sure, it wasn't the blowout that they had last week. It was a short week, though, and this team looked better than USU-not just because of Tennessee's play either.

 

[Catbone]

I just want to get out without anymore injuries.

 

[thunderfoot63]

After reading a bit from angry and dejected posters and then those with more positive attitudes I think I discovered something, and my friends, who coaches, agrees with me.

I was a little "wth?" with some of the play calls, but to me it looks like Coach Jones' intentions may have been along the line of "repitition" as if in practice.. with the ecpetion being he wanted real time practice.. if that makes sense.

I could be completely wrong, but I still feel there was a reason we aren't seeing behind osme of those calls.

 

[stewart6600]

I wish we would kick some of these kickoffs through the endzone. It might get ugly in SEC play with those short kicks.

 

[musolfmj]

Lots of fire in the belly last week -- team and fans. Not so much this week -- team and fans.

Peeking at Oklahoma one week hence? Probably. We won what could have been a bad trap game. Let's enjoy it an move forward, and hope to heck Wolfe and Pearson can be part of it soon.

 

[tnwayback]

Very good thoughts, we showed some improvement from last week to this week. Worley was the reason for our win because he came through and used the teams abilities and managed the game well. If the injuries don't pile up on us we will see a stronger team later in the year. The coaching was very good especially on D, I would like to see the offense get more aggressive and I can see that happening when we start playing in the conference. GO VOLS

 

[DERELICK_MY_VOLS]

Our extended run game....the screen game...was non existent today. I'm sure by design to focus on running the ball better since we had such a lead. If we use it today we score 3 more times most likely. Saving it for Norman next week I guess. Go Vols!

 

[Ez_Vol]

My only opposition with playing vanilla for the first two games is this, we as a team do not know if the actual real game plan will actually work. When I look at OU and Alabama they just play football and don't care if others see their game plan because they are going to do what they want anyway. We should be the same, we are not sure if we can get the big play or any of our "real" plays will work.

But, all in all, I like the game plan, I just wish we would go out and play our brand of football regardless of the opponent.

 

[Advol]

It continues to amaaaze me how many plays go through the formality of an option with a QB that doesn't run the ball. The opposing D is begging for him to run it and we continue to show option........just don't get it?? :hi:

 

[mpfvol]

My thoughts exactly. We went completely vanilla in the second half, and I'm alright with that. Our running game needs to get better, which I'm sure it will as the season progresses. Defense looked really good today after some adjustments were made. Special teams is a big area of concern as the field positron we gave up at times today could cost us against big time opponents.

All in all, we are extremely young and probably weren't as up for this game as we were last week, but we have a lot of potential that you can clearly see on the field. Good start to the season against two above average opponents. Next week will be difficult, but there's a reason we play the games. Oklahoma has a tendency to lay down at times. If we go in and play over our heads, you never know.

Stoops hate's the SEC he will be ready to beat UT by as many points as possible. Would be nice to keep it close or beat them.

 

[ToptheTerrible]

Might be a stretch but Worley might be this years Palardy. Both came in highly touted (Worley was Gatorade player of year) and struggled as juniors and lower. Perhaps Worley can go out on the same high as Palardy did with one caveat- a bowl game.

 

[valoisvol]

I didn't see a lot of pass rush off the edge today. Don't take this the wrong way, but C Vereen is a lot slower than I thought. I like his toughness, but he didn't look quick off the ball today. Go look at the replay and see what you guys think

 

[armchair]

On that long catch/run by Pearson, I thought he perhaps could have scored if he'd stuck to the sideline and not cut back inside toward a defender. That was a nice crossing route, though, and exactly what we should be doing with Pearson and North and even Pig--get it to them in space while they are on the run. I also thought Lane could have got more yardage on that 18-yard gain of his. He seemed to go down rather easily.

 

[VFLinFL]

At the end of the day we won & that's what matters the most. We are growing & will get better with more game experience. My most concern is our offensive line but they will get better the more this unit plays together with game experience. I see us tough to beat later in the season & next year as a Darkhorse in the SEC. We as VolNation need to show the best support possible & make the best home field advantage in the United States of America.

 

[jkleno]

Any chance we might use Pig Howard similarly to how the Seahawks use Percy Harvin? That might be a wrinkle we have in store for Oklahoma.