1st/2nd half defense so far

Submitted by moredamnsound on

Yesterday I was unable to watch the game, but I was receiving score updates throughout. When we were down 24-14 at the half, I told my Dad I wasn't too worried because they seem to be a 2nd half team. When I said this, I was mainly thinking about the defense. I couldn't think of any one thing to attribute it to, maybe Mattison had been making good adjustments or maybe the team just seemed to be playing better. What started off as a general statement (from someone who admittedly has a limited knowledge about football) made me want to look in to what I said, maybe back it up with stats, so I looked into it. These are just stats so take from it what you will, but I spent time looking the stuff up so I figured I would share it.

WMU (not a full game)
1st: 10, 194 yards, 1 punt, 1 turnover (interception)
2nd: 0, 60 yards, 1 punt, 2 turnovers (2 fumbles)

ND
1st: 17, 251 yards, 1 punt, 2 turnovers (2 interceptions)
2nd: 14, 270 yards, 3 punts, 2 turnovers (2 fumbles)
EMU
1st: 3, 172 yards, 2 punts, 3 turnovers (1 on downs, 1 interception, 1 fumble)
2nd: 0, 36 yards, 3 punts
SDSU
1st: 0, 138 yards, 2 punts, 3 turnovers (1 on downs, 2 fumbles)
2nd: 7, 207 yards, 3 punts, 4 turnovers ( 2 on downs, 2 fumbles)
MINN
1st: 0, 68 yards, 4 punts, 1 turnover (fumble)
2nd: 0, 107 yards, 6 punts, 1 turnover (fumble)
NW
1st: 24, 307 yards, 2 punts, 1 turnover (on downs)
2nd: 0, 161 yards, 1 punt, 3 turnovers (1 on downs, 1 interception, 1 fumble)

Total with WMU game counted:
1st half: 44 points, 1,130 yds, 12 punts, 11 turnovers (3 on downs, 4 interceptions, 4 fumbles)
2nd half: 21 points, 841 yds, 17 punts, 12 turnovers (3 on downs, 1 interception, 8 fumbles)

Without WMU:
1st half: 34 points, 936 yds, 11 punts, 10 turnovers (3 on downs, 3 interceptions, 4 fumbles)
2nd half: 21 points, 781 yds, 16 punts, 10 turnovers (3 on downs, 1 interception, 6 fumbles)

go16blue

October 9th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^

lol @ 12 fumbles recovered already.

But what I think is important to remember in these stats is that the opposing offenses are making adjustments, too. This makes the fact that we have allowed half the points in the 2nd half as we do in the 1st half even more impressive, because thats not just Mattison making adjustments, thats Mattison making much better adjustments than the opposing offensive coordinator.

I would be curious to see if teams normally score more in the 1st half of games, or 2nd half (the latter would imply that offensive adjustments are typically more influential).

dennisblundon

October 9th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^

Hard to deny our 2nd half adjustments haven't helped this year's defense tremondously. Also our pressure is causing turnovers finally. Our offense is helping our defense as well. Most of our turnovers have been almost like long punts and haven't really set up our defense with a short field. It's been a perfect storm, headed toward EL on Saturday.

Blazefire

October 9th, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^

But I still worry about the results when we get in against an offensive juggernaught (Wisky?) that can really have the team demoralized at halftime. 24-14 looks doable. 35-14 does not.

BlueManballGroup

October 9th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^

Has anyone else taken note of how the defense has looked conditioning wise?  I feel like they play hard through the end of the game.  Improved TOP is probably a factor in that as well.