Character counts

[George S. Patton]

First of all, glad my 45-13 prediction missed badly. However, I did say the way this game went is the ultimate scenario this program needed to show its validation.

But here's what we know:

* This team plays for June Jones -- probably the biggest element a football team needs.

* You learn more about your quarterback -- and your ballclub for that matter -- when it's going sideways. As bad as it was for Padron, he kept it together and never gave up on himself. That's what I like about him more than anything else. And, his receivers didn't give up on him either. Hence, Beasley's second TD catch.

* This defense has a chance to get even better.

* You make your greatest growth from Game 1 to Game 2

* As an aside, when you watch our size and athleticism on TV, there's no comparison to what we saw three years ago. Not even last year.

* I'm not trying to kneejerk here, but in my judgment, you can really see it's coming. When you're driving the ball in the final minutes in a very quiet Jones Stadium with a chance to tie -- driving 94 yards is a bit much to ask -- this ballclub should feel like, "Hey, if we can go to Lubbock, play stinko football for 2 quarters, and still be in it, then yes, we're going to be good.''

Typically, vists to Lubbock have been a disaster. This visit should make all fans believe the corner is about to turned in another direction.

[mrydel]

I totally agree.

[jtstang]

Ditto.

[skyscraper]

Thoughtful summary of today. Well done.

* You make your greatest growth from Game 1 to Game 2

This is what has me really excited to head out to Ford on Saturday. Can't wait to see how the team learns and improves on their mistakes.

[RedTapestry]

I'll fifth all of that. The one thing I thought was a certainty was that physically Tech would wear us down by the 3rd quarter and slowly pull away to a large margin of victory. None of those things happened. We belonged on the field with those guys.

My only complaint was that the body language was terrible in the 2nd quarter.

[peruna81]

spot on General-

To have played that poorly for the first 35 minutes and to fight back doesn't give me hope for the rest of the year, it gives me the certainty that 2009 was NOT an anomaly.

This started out as we have seen so many times, SMU in a hole early-instead of a collapse, and in spite of the body posture of many on the sideline, you had LEADERSHIP from players and coaches that didn't let it turn into the rout it could have become at 28-7.

I hate losing to the sand aggies again...but my seminary roomate and Tech grad just called and commented that THEY were the lucky ones to escape this time with a win..."SMU just wouldn't go away."

[I<3 Peruna!]

If the game was a little longer we would have come back! The game shows the class and character of the boys! They supported each other even during the bad plays along with the coaching staff. Kyle showed why he is such a great quarterback...by continuing to fight. Great job by the defense! They played their hearts out and kept pushing! Our Estonian man showed us what he is made of! (thats one big good lookin dude out there!"). What a kick!!!!!!! Go Mustangs!!!

[cutter]

I agree with all the above.
the best part of the game was the fear on the tech sideline and in the stands during the final drive.

it will still be a good year.

[Arkpony]

Amen to all the above! See everyone Saturday at the BUS STOP!

GO PONIES!

[Alaric]

the General's best post...

[SMU89]

Bottom line, all quiet from my Tech "friends". Lots of noise early on, but nothing at the end ( not because they are gracious)

Props to everyone on the team for showing up. More games to come. Learn and grow. Lots of fans behind you.

BEAT UAB

[Pweesey]

My random thoughts:

we were down 3-0 in turnovers in the first half, and that usually means you're dead. We dropped 2 pretty easy INTs, Padron had a couple of god awful interceptions, yet we were only a few seconds from getting out of that half 14-7. After dodging a lot of bullets, that tipped ball they somehow caught started that drive and it got worse from there. We finally got our own luck on a tipped ball in the 4th.

We defended Tech pretty well. You have to tackle on the spot against them and for the most part that's what we did. They didn't complete a bomb to my memory.

We missed on a couple of long balls that would have made a big difference. Especially the one going in to the wind that Padron hung up. That was a touchdown.

Our FG blocking team changes games. Just a fantastic unit. We were in their head.

June is WAY too careless with timeouts. A 5 yard delay of game is, in most situations, worth sacrificing to save a timeout. I would love some of the sabermetrics baseball nerds to study that, and I'd guarantee the right call most of the time is to take the penalty. 5 yards is not worth 40 seconds of game time, especially when you're losing. In June's defense I know at least once he did it to keep Padron in the game, which makes it a closer call.

The pass call after Padron first came out was a poor idea. It was first down; hand the ball off. Tech smelled blood and that killed a drive.

I will never understand Tuberville's decision to go for it on that 4th down. Even if no fumble, Potts got blown up short. Almost one of the all-time idiotic decisions.

[Arkpony]

One thing that really impressed me was the sure tackling of our defense! I have'nt seen that in a long long long time! No arm tackles..just sure, grab-em-by-the knees and pull them down tackles. Impressive!

[CA Mustang]

I will never understand Tuberville's decision to go for it on that 4th down. Even if no fumble, Potts got blown up short. Almost one of the all-time idiotic decisions.

In his post-game comments with the TTU radio team, he admitted he made a mistake and should have punted the ball. Apparently he forgot that his QB isn't used to taking snaps from under center! When was the last time you saw a team use the shotgun in victory formation?

[ALEX LIFESON]

Kyle was off today, 4 turnovers, and Tech ran 84, yes 84 offensive plays today. I just got back from Lubbock, a little sunburned, but, saw some bright spots too, like holding Tech to 72 yards rushing.