Two delightful developments

[ponyte]

I missed the first half except for the blocked field goal/TD so my comments are limited to the second half and one stat that covers the entire game.

First, the Defense did something we have not seen in years. They made a late game stop to preserve the win after a turnover. In the past, our D would not have stopped an opponent and the score would be tied. This time, not only did the D stop ECU, but pushed them back.

There were goal line stances that kept SMU in the game while the O flounder. There were great plays on Defense that put points on the board (Int, block FG for TD). These too have not happen in decades.

The second is BLM didn't throw a pick and the receivers didn't let a pass bounce off them to the defense. Imagine if one pic was thrown during the entire game. It could have been a real game breaker. He did engineer a nice late game TD drive that took time and didn't contain any major mishaps. That TD drive was hugh and if our KO team could tackle, it could have been the door shut score for ECU.

ECU is a solid team. They have good talent and solid coaching. This is a good victory and with wins at home, perhaps the beginning of a real home field advantage.

Navy next week. The team has solid accomplishments to build on and play another solid team in Navy. It will be interesting to see how the kids react to their recent accomplishment as they prepare for Navy.

[rich59]

Did not see or hear the game, being in AZ, so all I know is what I read online but I thought your summation was excellent. Your points are well made. That game was a step in the right direction.

[GoRedGoBlue]

Well...the holding call and intentional grounding "pushed" ecu back, but it was nice at least that those kinds of penalties were in our favor this time.

[ponyte]

The holding was a take down at the point of attack. No holding and perhaps there is a stuff in the hole. The grounding was created by a rusher literally blowing up the blocker, running over him and in the process of dropping Pinkney for a big lose. That penalty was the result of a great defensive play. Bottom line, the D made the plays they needed to when the game was on the line.

[Pony!Poni!Pone'!]

One thing that is noticeable is the defense swarming to the ball...when a player makes a play at the point of attack, his teammates swarm to the ball. This is something that was missing and commented on by Craig James the last time he called an SMU game (vs UAB on Halloween a couple of years ago).

[03Mustang]

The holding was a take down at the point of attack. No holding and perhaps there is a stuff in the hole. The grounding was created by a rusher literally blowing up the blocker, running over him and in the process of dropping Pinkney for a big lose. That penalty was the result of a great defensive play. Bottom line, the D made the plays they needed to when the game was on the line.

Also, if you swarm the QB and consistently get into the backfield you are going to end up being the beneficiary of quite a few holding calls on the opposing O-Line as they try to stop you. Guys like Thompson, Frazier, Fleming, and Yenga are definitely doing their job and doing it well.

[SMU2007]

First, the Defense did something we have not seen in years. They made a late game stop to preserve the win after a turnover. In the past, our D would not have stopped an opponent and the score would be tied. This time, not only did the D stop ECU, but pushed them back.

That is the truth. I have to admit, when they scored off that kickoff return - I was sure it was setting up for another heartbreaking OT loss. Glad I was wrong.