Keys to beating Tulsa
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:30 am1. Shawnbrey McNeal and Zach Line have to be able to run the ball. With TU playing a 3-3-5, there should be room up front to run, and if we can move the ball on the ground, it accomplishes several things:
• Eats up clock and keeps the Tulsa offense off the field
• Eventually softens up the TU defense by forcing them to bring another safety forward — at which point, Mitchell or Padron can go over the top with the pass.
• Wears down the Tulsa defensive front, which has good-but-not-great size.
2. Defensive line must contain Kinne to keep him in the pocket. Hopefully we can pressure him in the pocket and force some errant throws.
3. Win the turnover battle. After leading the country in picks for the first few weeks of the season, Ponies have tailed off a little. If we try to trade scores all day — especially if Padron gets the start — that's a lot to ask. We need to get some takeaways.
4. Special teams — we need to win the field position battle and hopefully create at least one takeaway in the kicking game.
5. Shadow Damaris Johnson everywhere. If he leaves the field to go to the bathroom, we need to send someone with him. He's tiny, but an unbelievable athlete who can score any time he touches the ball. Let Sterling Moore fight Slick Shelley all day, put Bryan McCann on Johnson and add some safety help to bracket him with two defenders.
See you at 1st & 10 — GO PONIES!
• Eats up clock and keeps the Tulsa offense off the field
• Eventually softens up the TU defense by forcing them to bring another safety forward — at which point, Mitchell or Padron can go over the top with the pass.
• Wears down the Tulsa defensive front, which has good-but-not-great size.
2. Defensive line must contain Kinne to keep him in the pocket. Hopefully we can pressure him in the pocket and force some errant throws.
3. Win the turnover battle. After leading the country in picks for the first few weeks of the season, Ponies have tailed off a little. If we try to trade scores all day — especially if Padron gets the start — that's a lot to ask. We need to get some takeaways.
4. Special teams — we need to win the field position battle and hopefully create at least one takeaway in the kicking game.
5. Shadow Damaris Johnson everywhere. If he leaves the field to go to the bathroom, we need to send someone with him. He's tiny, but an unbelievable athlete who can score any time he touches the ball. Let Sterling Moore fight Slick Shelley all day, put Bryan McCann on Johnson and add some safety help to bracket him with two defenders.
See you at 1st & 10 — GO PONIES!
