1 play, McCann, and Switzer

[JasonB]

- The game came down to one play. ON the 3rd and 18 at the 1, I turned to everyone in my section and told them the game comes down to this play - they get it, we lose, we stop them, we win. Just heartbreaking to not make that tackle.

- McCann is a fantastic cover guy. But his tackling skills make Deion Sanders look like Lawrence Taylor. The kid can't tackle. The purposely ran that quick power sweep right at him every time. We never adjusted, and never stopped the play. IN the middle, injuries killed us. No Haywood and Bonds at 50% killed us inside on the FB run. Also, the safties were so busy moving over to protect against the power sweep that they weren't there when the ball went up the middle, so it results from McCann not tackling again. It also shows you how good Sturdivant is against hte run - we didn't bring him up this game and this is what happens.

- Bennet's conversion rate on 3rd and 4th down is worse than Switzer. I am not down on any coaching decisions except this one They tried to throw the ball downfield, but Willis hung on to it a bit too much, especially in the second half. But last week, in the press conference, Bennett said they were going to do a better job of getting the ball int he best palyers hands on 3rd and 4th and short. To me, and everyone else on this board, that meant Wilis. It never happened. That is a coaching mistake. He wimped out on the short yardage calls.

I think Phil is probably gone if we don't win out. 6-6 most likely doesn't get us a bowl, and with this schedule this year, Orsini is the type of guy who is going to demand success. The nice thing is that this year, there are a lot of good coaches that should be available to pick up.

[ponyfan84]

Good post man. Did you notice that Houston converted every single 3rd and short? How pathetic is that? Then again, not having our DTs up there probably hurt but that was ridiculous. Open up that playbook against Tulsa, or start dusting off that resume Phil.

[RE Tycoon]

According to the ticket, UH hadn't converted a 3rd down until well into the 2nd half. Not sure what their 3rd and short rate was but I'm betting it wasn't 100%.

[PonyPride]

According to the ticket, UH hadn't converted a 3rd down until well into the 2nd half. Not sure what their 3rd and short rate was but I'm betting it wasn't 100%.

That's true. Ponies did a lot of good things on defense, including snuffing the Cougars' first several third downs (maybe all in the first half? I don't remember). Obviously didn't do enough good things, and that third-and-18 was a killer.

[78pony]

JasonB, you are right on the money with this post. Maybe PB forgot to tell RB what he told the luncheon crowd last Monday about crucial situations and who would have the ball.

[ALEX LIFESON]

After that one sack, the ball was on the Houston 2ft line. #22 ran left to the 5yd line, then Kolb slips out of Carringtons grasp to convert a 3rd and 19! How many times in the last few years, have we seen our defense give up the 3rd and forever play? One of the previous posters was right, our ability to tackle has been very poor all year.

[Ponymon]

I think Phil is probably gone if we don't win out. 6-6 most likely doesn't get us a bowl, and with this schedule this year, Orsini is the type of guy who is going to demand success. The nice thing is that this year, there are a lot of good coaches that should be available to pick up.

I'll believe it when I see it. I believe he will be back next year, but that will be it, if there is no improvement.