Where's the D

[mrydel]

There is a point where too many plays comes into play. We used a "bend don't break" and were on the field for quite a while on one drive. Then block a FG and return it 77 yards (all the D was running those 77 yards) and then have to go right back on D again. Onside kick keeps them on the field also. Then the offense scores quickly on a couple of occasions.

I am not saying they need to be forgiven for what they gave up. 3 and out would solve that problem. But with our lack of depth, we will continue to have this problem. Remember that we are still a year ahead of Jones' schedule. Jones himself said early on that in the beginning we would have to outscore the opponents and that the defense would get very little rest if the offense was successful. Our defense was on the field almost the entire 3rd quarter.

Next year should be the "breakout" year. Last year we got good breaks. This year we should make some of our own breaks, and next year hopefully we can start dictating breaks.

[PerunaPunch]

Two problems with June's offense.

#1 it doesn't work very well in the rain (and snow).

#2 it wears out your defense. Yesterday, it wore them out in a good way... When you score in 80 seconds, you don't give your D much of a break. I hope with all these defensive ends we're recruiting that we should be able to rotate a bunch of D-monsters in the years ahead.

[Dutch]

Two problems with June's offense.

#1 it doesn't work very well in the rain (and snow).

#2 it wears out your defense. Yesterday, it wore them out in a good way... When you score in 80 seconds, you don't give your D much of a break. I hope with all these defensive ends we're recruiting that we should be able to rotate a bunch of D-monsters in the years ahead.

that's why he preaches attacking the ball and forcing turnovers. i know all coaches want this, but it seems to be the primary focus whenever i hear him talk D. force the turnover so the offense can get back on the field.

[The PonyGrad]

Sounded like a lot of injuries at DT and DE. Players getting helped off the field. Were there a lot of chop blocks going on or cramps or what?

[Dutch]

Sounded like a lot of injuries at DT and DE. Players getting helped off the field. Were there a lot of chop blocks going on or cramps or what?

in the post game interview, june eluded to cramps.

[35straight]

It’s probably already been said, but I’ll say it anyway. I don’t see us winning seven games, conference championship, or a bowl game if our pass defense doesn’t dramatically improve. Rice threw the ball up and down the field. I love the win, but damn. 12 for 19 on 3rd down. Most of which were 10yd passes. 276 passing total. We have to improve.

[SMU 86]

It’s probably already been said, but I’ll say it anyway. I don’t see us winning seven games, conference championship, or a bowl game if our pass defense doesn’t dramatically improve. Rice threw the ball up and down the field. I love the win, but damn. 12 for 19 on 3rd down. Most of which were 10yd passes. 276 passing total. We have go to improve.

We will definitely be tested this week against Tulsa.

[George S. Patton]

SMU led Rice 42-17 with about 7:45 to play in the game. The game was out of reach. Rice was at 269 yards of total offense.

Knowing that the game was essentially done, we appeared to change the defensive approach with the prevent business. At least, that's what I believed to be the case.

In Rice's final two scoring -- AND MEANINGLESS -- drives, the Owls picked up 127 yards of total offense to give them 396 and make the score more respectable than it really was.

This was the same thing against Washington St. where the Cougars got about 82 yards in the final 3 minutes when that thing was over.

We haven't had to play a 4 quarter game in the 3 wins. These things have been over after 3. So these chunks of yards we are allowing need some perspective. It would be one thing if we were playing 4 quarters and having these issues.

The SMU front 7 is fine. Thompson, Hunt and Frazier are physical enough to where they can push the pocket. The DL should create enough problems for CUSA QBs to take the heat off the secondary. Not always. But enough. We also need some depth.

If that unit does that against Kinne on Saturday, we'll be fine. I don't think some of you give this defense enough credit. It's better than you think it is.

[gostangs]

we need more of a killer instinct on D. The let ups will come back to haunt us eventually vs a Houston or Tulsa.

I dont want to give up 130 yrds in the last 5 minutes....when you have a bad team on the ropes you clamp down. Rankings matter when we get to the end of the season..so lets try to move up the ladder a bit. D is good but not as good as we all seem to think. Just because it is better then the last few years does not mean we are where we need to be.

[George S. Patton]

we need more of a killer instinct on D. The let ups will come back to haunt us eventually vs a Houston or Tulsa.

I dont want to give up 130 yrds in the last 5 minutes....when you have a bad team on the ropes you clamp down. Rankings matter when we get to the end of the season..so lets try to move up the ladder a bit. D is good but not as good as we all seem to think. Just because it is better then the last few years does not mean we are where we need to be.

Theoretically, you're right. In my opinion, I think this is a part of the process in the construction of this program. This first line is pretty stinking good. We were all aware that the depth has a ways to go. Thus, you aren't finishing authoritatively as you would like. That's probably the last step for an outstanding program. We're not an outstanding program yet. But we are in that direction.

If you look at where we were from last year -- hanging on or rallying in the fourth quarter -- we're presently not having to do that. I would suspect this will be a 4 quarter game against Tulsa. That's where the depth will be needed.

But Mason and Jones know that. That's why they were sneaking second teamers in there against UAB and Wahington

Here's where I think we are -- good enought to put away the Rice's and UABs and Wazzus by the end of the third quarter, a quarter short against the likes of TCU and probably a mid-4th quarter thing that can go either way against the likes of Tulsa, Houston, ECU, So. Miss and so forth.

The program continues to build. It's fun to watch.

[JackSon 3]

Where was Fraiser? He was suited up, but I didn't see him play. Injury? Could have used him up front last night. NT's were pretty worn down.