Game 5

Previously:

Game 4

Game 3

Game 2

Game 1

 

Since this is a cupcake game in the tradition of ESS EEE CEE schools only playing cupcakes in non-conference, there won't be a lot of to glean from this.  And there might be a lot more random off topic comments

• I'm sick of these stupid text message polls.  Polls are fun in and of themselves, but I hate that it says "message and data rates MAY apply".  When it's more appropriate to say, "YOU DUMB BITCHES ARE GONNA GET CHARGED AT LEAST 400% ABOVE COST FOR EACH TEXT MWAHAHAHAH!"
• I think this is the first appearance of the wildcat with Relf split out and Bumphis taking the snap
• Relf can throw the 8 yard flat, but he often puts it on the wrong shoulder, if we had more experienced corners, we could get some tip drill type interceptions.
• On some passing downs, the 4 LB's are lined up in the gaps around the 3 DL.  so all 7 players are in an alternating line of two point and three point rushers.  So it becomes a guessing game for the O-line as to which 3,4, 5, or even 6! of them are actually rushing. Depending on where the backs are, the 2 guys who will take coverage actually start with a couple of rush steps before peeling off or dropping back.
• Russell is playing again after sitting the week before, looks pretty accurate but misread a quarters for a cover two and almost got picked off.
• SWEEEET, Alcorn's QB just broke a long one for a TD.  #5 took a bad angle, #4 is not fast. That Alcorn kid can run.  But so can Denard of course. (Dissected below)
• Alcorn is giving them soft corners, so MSU is throwing a lot of bubble screens.
• #8 WR, has good height, dropped an underthrown ball when he was wide open deep.
• When they bring heat, there will be people open, but we gotta be carefull about zone blitzes and dropping linemen.  The hot routes probably need to be a little bit deeper to avoid interceptions.
• Ugh, Relf's passing seems to be improving, he threw a fastball in the redzone for their 3rd TD, and he threw a pretty good corner route on a double move, the guy was wide open tho'.
• #26 CB got beat on a deep fly, this could be good for us with the speed we have at that position.  Have to see if we get much bump and run.
• #5 got beat deep when he was unsure where to lineup at and was in man coverage.
• #9 Berry WR, starting to have more of an impact.  Good size, hard to bring down for a WR.
• 35-16 at the half, Berry had a KO return TD
• #27 perkins also took a wildcat snap.  Expect to see him take on most of bumphis's roles on trick plays.
• Relf will hold the ball longer than he should on passing plays if the coverage is good.
• Alcorn caused a fumble when the MSU left tackle picked up the blitzing OLB letting the DE get a free run and he hit the QB/HB right during the mesh
• Alcorn is having some success pressuring the left side of MSU's o-line, not sure if there're subs in the game.
• #90 DL is pretty quick off the ball. 
• #34 with yet another batted ball on a blitz where he was dropping into coverage.
• #28 Ballard reminds me of MSU's rb's.  Not a lot of change of direction, but if they bust through the second level, they're gone.
• 42-16 with 14 minutes to go, game over.

Alcorn's first TD

This is an encouraging play since it's something we run.

MSU is in a true 4-3 which they often do on 1st down or 2nd down if they expect a run. Usually they're in a 3-4, but with the way their DE's play, it's not much difference. Twin Flankers to the right, the safety is hanging back to invite the short pass or bubble screen. #10, the OLB is flexed out to take the TE.

But then they shift into a more aggressive defense to take that away. The safety rolls up even with the corner, and the OLB's shift into the line and now it looks more like a 5-2 with the blitzer in the left tackle/guard gap.  They also have the short side corner in bump in run and the wide side playing softer as many teams do against the spread. The tackle picks it up and calls out the blitzer.

MSU likes to bring pressure off the edges.  (We hope they will) And the blitzer is unblocked. The right tackle is pulling and he does an awesome job of getting just enough of the blitzer to put him down. This is a QB keeper all the way, even though there is the fake handoff.

Because the LG didn't pick up the blitzer, he's free to clean up the MLB. The Alcorn linemen are happy to let the DE's take themselves out of the play, and there's a huge lane inside of the pulling tackles block.

Once the QB gets past the line #50, and #4 have a chance to run him down, but they don't have the speed. #5 comes up at too sharp of an angle, gets juked, and gives up the outside.

And then he just outruns them all.  It's nice to see that #50 and #4 don't give up on the play, but it's also interesting that they have about the same speed.  #5 just could not recover or accelerate enough to stay with them.