Thoughts on the Memphis game
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:07 pmThis one comes a bit early, because I was sick all week and couldn't go to the game.
Honestly, what a great, gutsy win.
When the defensive line got absolutely pulverized the first two drives of the game, it was really disheartening. And then when Tanner gets hurt... there were a lot of reasons for the whole team to throw in the towel. The disappointment of the season, the performance at Tulane... everything seemed to be building up for a horrible performance in front of a small crowd in nasty weather. But the team really pulled together and fought to get a win to close out the season. Really a ton of credit has to go out to the players and coaching staff for pulling that out. A great way to set a tone going into bowl practices and the offseason.
I know there have been some frustrations this year. But really, we are 7-5 and all 5 losses are against teams that will finish in the top 25 (except Maryland, who would have been top 25 if the QB had stayed healthy all year). This was the hardest schedule we have played in quite a long time, and under Sonny I don't think we would have won the Houston or Memphis games.
Tanner - comes out that he has actually been playing through a broken rib since the TCU game. So I think we are learning that we need to listen to this coaching staff when they talk about folks playing through injury. Gutty performance to come back in today, and really to fight through the whole season. Fantastic TD pass to Rice. I won't blame Tanner if he sits out the bowl in order to prep for the draft. But I really, really want him to play and set the program record for TD passes in a career. He deserves to have his name in the record books.
Rashee - now it comes out that he had a broken toe, not turf toe. Wow. Still led the country in receiving. What a great year and just a great guy destined for great things. Looking forward to seeing his name called on day 1 or day 2.
The offensive line didn't do well at all early in the game, but performed much better as the game went along. We had a half speed Lavine and WR at running back, and we still managed to keep a running threat, and that says a lot about their performance. As usually, Tanner was kept pretty clean in the pocket. This may actually be the best pass blocking group in college football this year. Lavine you can't say enough about how much he gutted things out. And while I know that Daniels as a running back is the emergency button, I'm glad we saw it because it really highlighted how explosive he is.
You know, another bit about Daniels. After his muff in the Tulane game, and the disaster non-fair catch in this one, it would have been really easy for that guy to sulk, get his head down, and just trudge back to the bench. But for that dude to pick his head up, run for 3 for 25, catch 2 more, and end up with both a nice kickoff return and punt return.... kuddos! He has really had a lot of stuff this year happening to him, and to fight through it all and end the season with this game, that just says awesome things about a young man's character. I really, really hope that he doesn't transfer, but even if he does, I'll root for him wherever he goes.
Defensively, the defensive line had a really rough day. I'm still disappointed that we don't see enough 4 man line play and we send the 4th guy out in coverage a lot. Would love to see us get after the QB more, but I guess we are hiding coverage deficiencies. But you know the team really shaped up as the game went along. Phillips was good. J Burns continues to flash from time to time. Moses was running all over the place early when he started for Massey. Nice to see Crossley get an interception, because he was having a pretty good day with a couple of PBU until he got fooled on that 4th down call on the quick snap. And the PBU that Rogers had was one of the most instinctive corner plays he has made since he got here, turning around when he saw the receiver look up so that he could make a play on the ball and not get an interference call.
I know the game may have been frustrating at points, but that was a good Memphis team that we beat. Great team effort and proud of the players and coaches for fighting through a lot of adversity.
Honestly, what a great, gutsy win.
When the defensive line got absolutely pulverized the first two drives of the game, it was really disheartening. And then when Tanner gets hurt... there were a lot of reasons for the whole team to throw in the towel. The disappointment of the season, the performance at Tulane... everything seemed to be building up for a horrible performance in front of a small crowd in nasty weather. But the team really pulled together and fought to get a win to close out the season. Really a ton of credit has to go out to the players and coaching staff for pulling that out. A great way to set a tone going into bowl practices and the offseason.
I know there have been some frustrations this year. But really, we are 7-5 and all 5 losses are against teams that will finish in the top 25 (except Maryland, who would have been top 25 if the QB had stayed healthy all year). This was the hardest schedule we have played in quite a long time, and under Sonny I don't think we would have won the Houston or Memphis games.
Tanner - comes out that he has actually been playing through a broken rib since the TCU game. So I think we are learning that we need to listen to this coaching staff when they talk about folks playing through injury. Gutty performance to come back in today, and really to fight through the whole season. Fantastic TD pass to Rice. I won't blame Tanner if he sits out the bowl in order to prep for the draft. But I really, really want him to play and set the program record for TD passes in a career. He deserves to have his name in the record books.
Rashee - now it comes out that he had a broken toe, not turf toe. Wow. Still led the country in receiving. What a great year and just a great guy destined for great things. Looking forward to seeing his name called on day 1 or day 2.
The offensive line didn't do well at all early in the game, but performed much better as the game went along. We had a half speed Lavine and WR at running back, and we still managed to keep a running threat, and that says a lot about their performance. As usually, Tanner was kept pretty clean in the pocket. This may actually be the best pass blocking group in college football this year. Lavine you can't say enough about how much he gutted things out. And while I know that Daniels as a running back is the emergency button, I'm glad we saw it because it really highlighted how explosive he is.
You know, another bit about Daniels. After his muff in the Tulane game, and the disaster non-fair catch in this one, it would have been really easy for that guy to sulk, get his head down, and just trudge back to the bench. But for that dude to pick his head up, run for 3 for 25, catch 2 more, and end up with both a nice kickoff return and punt return.... kuddos! He has really had a lot of stuff this year happening to him, and to fight through it all and end the season with this game, that just says awesome things about a young man's character. I really, really hope that he doesn't transfer, but even if he does, I'll root for him wherever he goes.
Defensively, the defensive line had a really rough day. I'm still disappointed that we don't see enough 4 man line play and we send the 4th guy out in coverage a lot. Would love to see us get after the QB more, but I guess we are hiding coverage deficiencies. But you know the team really shaped up as the game went along. Phillips was good. J Burns continues to flash from time to time. Moses was running all over the place early when he started for Massey. Nice to see Crossley get an interception, because he was having a pretty good day with a couple of PBU until he got fooled on that 4th down call on the quick snap. And the PBU that Rogers had was one of the most instinctive corner plays he has made since he got here, turning around when he saw the receiver look up so that he could make a play on the ball and not get an interference call.
I know the game may have been frustrating at points, but that was a good Memphis team that we beat. Great team effort and proud of the players and coaches for fighting through a lot of adversity.