SFA Game Takeaway

[WorldStang]

SFA finished 5th in their conference last year.. I'm sure that makes everyone feel much better.

[westexSMU]

That was the worst performance by an SMU team Ive seen since 1989-1991 including the 0-12 team of 2003.We won because JJ figured out BLM couldn't pass tonight and McNeel did the rest. Why he wouldn't give Smith or someone else a chance is beyond me, but we won. Without alot of improvement in our passing game, it will be hard to win again against anyone else on our schedule.

[smupony]

Defense is way better than last year. They only called one real blitz the whole game (yes, they rush Yenga every down, but that just makes it a 4 man rush), and that was at the end of the game on the sack. DL did very well for most of the night, and QB was pressured even though not sacked.

IF (and maybe it is a big if) BLM plays a halfway decent game, this is a 52-9 whooping. R&S teams simply can't win when a QB plays THAT poorly. Period. It is an absolutle miracle that we were able to win this game when he played that bad. Because of it, the D was absolutley gassed when the other team went hurryup at the end of the second quarter. add to that they started throwing the screens, they wore those corners out and they didn't recover the whole game.

Speaking of the D being gassed, did anyone else see McCann on the sidelines in the 4th quarter? He was sitting on the bench, and it looked like he may have been throwing up, or getting ready to. One guy actually brought the large trash can over to him but he waived him off.

It was reported that McCann had the flu as well. He decided to play because he got sick earlier in th week than Brooks and Bell.

[Big Hoss]

Defense is way better than last year. They only called one real blitz the whole game (yes, they rush Yenga every down, but that just makes it a 4 man rush), and that was at the end of the game on the sack. DL did very well for most of the night, and QB was pressured even though not sacked.

IF (and maybe it is a big if) BLM plays a halfway decent game, this is a 52-9 whooping. R&S teams simply can't win when a QB plays THAT poorly. Period. It is an absolutle miracle that we were able to win this game when he played that bad. Because of it, the D was absolutley gassed when the other team went hurryup at the end of the second quarter. add to that they started throwing the screens, they wore those corners out and they didn't recover the whole game.

Speaking of the D being gassed, did anyone else see McCann on the sidelines in the 4th quarter? He was sitting on the bench, and it looked like he may have been throwing up, or getting ready to. One guy actually brought the large trash can over to him but he waived him off.

It was reported that McCann had the flu as well. He decided to play because he got sick earlier in th week than Brooks and Bell.

Ah, that explains it. I would hate to think what our D would be like this year if McCann's conditioning was questionable.

[bagice]

No way anyone can state the defense is better with our only game being against a non FBS school that is not even that good in their own conference. As many have stated, and I concur, this team looked as bad as any team back in the post DP days, including the 1989 team...

I hope we were just flat and didn't take them seriously and can turn it around, but if you can't get up to play the first game of the season, regardless of the opponent, that makes you have to question the team's makeup.

Before we go proclaiming this defense better than last year, lets see how they do at UAB, who just hung 44 on Rice.

[JasonB]

No way anyone can state the defense is better with our only game being against a non FBS school that is not even that good in their own conference. As many have stated, and I concur, this team looked as bad as any team back in the post DP days, including the 1989 team...

I hope we were just flat and didn't take them seriously and can turn it around, but if you can't get up to play the first game of the season, regardless of the opponent, that makes you have to question the team's makeup.

Before we go proclaiming this defense better than last year, lets see how they do at UAB, who just hung 44 on Rice.

The D last night looked much better than they did against the same level of opponent last season. I don't think you remember how we absolutely could not stop sam houston.

[bagice]

I am still going to withhold judgement, seems to me they moved the ball pretty good against us, they just had a lot of turnovers...During crunch time, they tore up some good chunks..one drive they fumbled while in field goal range, another drive they missed a FG that was less than 40 yards.

[davidpaul123]

If we dont have Shawnbrey and make some plays in the kicking game we dont win this game. I like the fact that Jones ran the ball more than you would normally think when he realized Bo was off. I am hopeful this was just a bad outing by Bo but thank goodness we have a stud running back.

The defense looked improved over last years squad. I think they still need to find a way to get more pressure on the QB. Kennemer had a nice game.

[Goose Egg]

Someone earlier mentioned even an ugly win is still a win. Sometimes an ugly win can be a humbling reality check for coaches and players, and be a wake up call to better prepare for the next game, or take game preparation more serious.

Clock management was poor, personnel management poor, sideline management poor, dropped passes, poor play selection at times, lack of intensity, etc. etc. etc. Players have to execute and play, but, coaches have to prepare players and themselves. They weren't ready. SFA was!!!
I hope this "ugly win" wakes everyone up, or, the other comments on this strand will become a true 1-11 reality very soon. But, as Coach Jones would put it, the boys just don't know my system yet. It's always the players fault and not the coaches. Not this game. I hang it on the coaches.