The Snowflake Thread: Defense
September 20th, 2014 at 7:13 PM ^
September 20th, 2014 at 7:14 PM ^
I pray for this team, this program, the mods, Brian and Ace, and last but not least,
Sam, Ira and Jamie Morris. WTKA is going to be armageddon.
Oh, the defense did well in the first half. But the game is not over yet. For some reason.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:14 PM ^
Lot of individual bright spots (Lewis and Henry, notably). Two major busts and wore down some in the second half. Not bad.
With any support from the other 2 units, that's an effort you can win a football game with. Still only a B/B+ though. We really needed an A/A- squad this year.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:21 PM ^
One bust in the first half when we blitzed into a screen, and one horrible sequence at the beginning of the second half, but apart from that the D got the better of Utah. Unfortunately, the offense isn't even up to the level of a train wreck and we gifted Utah another TD on special teams.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:23 PM ^
We almost killed a guy.
Wait, that's probably bad.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^
because i've had a few, or maybe it's because I'm so frustrated with the game - but I really think "snowflake" threads are really stupid.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^
because i've had a few, or maybe it's because I'm so frustrated with the game - but I really think "snowflake" threads are really stupid.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^
Lewis was a bright light. DL was getting some pressure. Defense looked ready for first half. Looks like Utah made changes at half and we had no answers. That was sad.
I made a comment on live blog is our team is MSU after 2 games in 2013 - bad offense combined with a good defense. Not quite as good as theirs but with a decent offense this defense is good enough to compete in the Big 10. But I was disappointed at the energy after the half. Not sure what happened - Utah made some changes and suddenly dudes were wide open and run game came alive.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:30 PM ^
isn't remotely as good as MSU's last year.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:32 PM ^
Again, I put these threads up now in the event this game does not resume, which given the weather moving through is a realistic possibility. In any case, to this point, we've given up on 261 yards to Utah across 54 plays (26 passing, 28 rushing, so fairly balanced), so that's an average of 4.83 yards per play overall, but only 2.1 yards per play rushing. Again, the defense - save for a few instances - has been doing what we would expect them to do.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:39 PM ^
70 of those on one screen pass we blitzed into and Hill fucked up. 30 on the second bust, which is probably on Thomas? Reserve safeties!
September 20th, 2014 at 7:32 PM ^
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September 20th, 2014 at 7:34 PM ^
September 20th, 2014 at 7:36 PM ^
September 21st, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^
It seems Mattison gets credit for the solid defense and gets a pass for the big plays given up. There was no reason to blitz in that situation. Also, the blitzes are rarely disguised. Most QBs, unless it is their 1st time playing, can see the blitzes coming an make an adjustment. In the case of the screen that busted for 70 yards, no point in sending an all out blitz, especially when it is 3rd and long IIRC.
I recall a few other instances where we showed blitz, the offense recognized it, made checks, and we still blitzed, giving up an easy completion on 3rd down. That being said, the defense is not the problem, or actually a problem. Perhaps some of Mattison's jawing with Hoke is because he knows that they need to pitch a shutout or give up zero TDs to stay in games.
I liked seeing the fire from Mattison. Would have liked seeing more from Hoke.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:34 PM ^
September 20th, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^
I thought the defense played well. However, I think the biggest drive of the game was immediately after our defense scored. Utah drove down the field on the defense and kicked a field goal and left no time for our offense to cross midfield and punt. I think Utah took that confidence into the locker room, some adjustments at half and they scored again. Game. Over.
Also only 2 turnovers forced all year. With our POS offense you need to give them a short field to work with.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^
I thought the defense played well. However, I think the biggest drive of the game was immediately after our defense scored. Utah drove down the field on the defense and kicked a field goal and left no time for our offense to cross midfield and punt. I think Utah took that confidence into the locker room, some adjustments at half and they scored again. Game. Over.
Also only 2 turnovers forced all year. With our POS offense you need to give them a short field to work with.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^
I'm less anxious about the corners after this game. They went against some good WRs today and came away fine. There was some dinking and dunking that's essentially fine, and one bust that was on Dymonte on a crossing route. Other than that Lewis locked his side down and Countess and Peppers were at least close enough to tackle right away. Safety play is still a bit sketchy, Dymonte didn't have a very good game from what I could see. Our DL is legit and living up to the hype, that Clark sack was as impressive as I've seen. Linebackers were ok, good against the run, kinda iffy when asked to cover.
Just wasn't enough to compensate for an offense that can't get past the 25 though.
September 20th, 2014 at 7:44 PM ^
the opening drive following halftime sucked, but they have been stout otherwise. When the offense does NOTHING after the first drive, the D will eventually break
September 20th, 2014 at 7:47 PM ^
September 20th, 2014 at 7:52 PM ^
Defense is fair. Didn't appreciate the lack of adjustments though.
September 20th, 2014 at 8:00 PM ^
Defense is 2011-12 good. They aren't as quality as I thought they would be this year. I was thinking they'd leap into a top 10 nationally ranked unit and be battling Sparty for best in the conference.
September 20th, 2014 at 8:42 PM ^
Aside from a couple of busted plays, the defense looked good. Our run D is very good. Pass D is where the gaps are. How much is due to injuries... I can't say for sure.
Step off from the ledge on this side of the ball.
September 20th, 2014 at 8:43 PM ^
September 20th, 2014 at 8:42 PM ^
Aside from a couple of busted plays, the defense looked good. Our run D is very good. Pass D is where the gaps are. How much is due to injuries... I can't say for sure.
Step off from the ledge on this side of the ball.