Texas Tech Recap

[expony18]

QB: C-
I'm the first to give Padron props, but he just didnt have his A game yesterday. To be fair TT deserves a lot of credit. The defense did a good job of mixing up coverages/ disguising coverages/ jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage. all of this led to a lot of indecisive decisions by Padron. TT was also able to put pressure on Padron with 4 guys instead of bringing the house. By getting pressure with only 4 guys tech was able to blanket the receivers down the field. Padron did a good job of finding time when the pocket broke down, but he also didn't step up in the pocket. a number of times he was sliding in the pocket when he didnt need to. All of that being said, it was apparent the Padron has put a lot of pressure on himself to carry this team (which may have resulted in him forcing throws or not having his ususal touch). This game will be a big learning experience for a QB with only 7 Division 1 starts. The biggest thing I took away from this game was that Padron is a competitor and a winner. While the score may not have been in his favor, he fought to the very end. Positive statistic mustangs scored on 5 of their last 7 possessions.

RB: A
Line + Butler: 17 carries for 101 yards and one TD. Line did a great job in pass protection, running, and receiving. Line was in my opinion the MVP of the game for SMU. While he might not see as many snaps towards the end of the season, he definitely proved his value and that he will have an impact all season long.

OL: B
Probably the most dificult position to grade on this game because of the difference in talent. TT size and talent is far superior to SMU, and should be the second best that we see (TCU). That being said the OL performed well based on the talent. Padron was sacked 5 times, whether it was bc of coverage or not, 5 is too many. That doesnt include the number of times Padron scrambled for a gain. The number of sacks may also be attributed to Padron's indeciveness. I would expect to see a big improvement next week.

WR's: C-
Drops. Drops. Drops. Too many times the WR's tipped/dropped/didnt come back to the ball. When your QB isnt on his A game you cant afford drops, and you must make every effort to battle for the ball. DJ showed flashes of his potential. Haynes looked good and his size is definitely a plus. Cole and AR were big let downs. I know everyone is hyped on both of them, but yesterday they didnt show up. Even though Padron wasn't putting the ball in the perfect spot, these guys need to step up. With no ES these guys need to make big plays even if the ball is not perfectly placed. Also I noticed a number of times AR struggling with press coverage. If he wants to be the man he needs to get off the ball better and create separation

DL: C-
The only positive of the DL was there stops against the run.... There was no pressure on Potts all day. Again there is a big gap in the size and talent from our DL and Techs OL. I expect to see a better pass rush once we get in to CUSA play. However, if we don't get better pressure, we will be screwed. Tulsa/ECU/Houston/Rice... we need to be able to get to the QB with 3 or 4 guys if we want to have a chance in those games.

LB: B
Best set of linebackers I have seen at SMU in a long time. These guys are fast and bringing the wood. i'm not sure Tech thought that SMU was going to come out and hit them the way they did. I am extremely excited about the potential of this group. One negative was that I felt they werent make enough plays on balls thrown in the hook zones. Yenga/Fleps/Davis are all studs...

Sterling Moore: A-
great game. dude has the attitude to be the leader of the D. he is undersized and slow. but the guy just makes plays. Tech tried to throw on him early and he quickly shut them down.

DBs: F
not even worth posting much here. Tech made them look silly. Crawford is going to have a rough day in the film room

Special Teams: A+ (except acker)
2 blocked FG's
2/2 FG (61 yards with 5 yards to spare)
Fields is going to be special. he may break all of jonas' records

Overall:
The team played their hearts out. I know there is a lot of disappointment today. This is not going to be an easy one to digest when they see how many points they left on the field yesterday. But after film is over its back to work on UAB. These next two weeks are huge. This team has as much potential as any team we've seen since the Pony Express

[SMU 86]

Let's go get UAB.

[BUS]

Nice review and I agree with most of it.
BEAT uab.

[stc9]

Great review,

Hats off to the entire "D" unit. They showed a lot of heart and fighting spirit all day, especially early in the game when the "O" was going 3 and out or turning the ball over. They kept us in the game.

[SApony]

The 2 things I was worried about for this season turned out fine. We ran the ball effectively and stopped the run. I think Tech only averaged 2.5 ypc. Padron's decision making was poor, but I believe he will bounce back. I loved the fight in our boys. I was at the game and the thing that stood out to me the most was the lack of a major playmaker at receiver. AR could not get off the line and he had the opportunity to make some plays but did not. That being said, the corner that was on AR was probably one of the best he will see all season. Speaking of corners, Sterling Moore was awesome and Crawford scares the crap out of me. Crawford seemed to be in position, but never had a clue where the ball was. Overall, I left the game feeling okay about the rest of the season. I think special teams will be huge again for us this year and will probably win us some games.

[jimhagle]

Crawford was ok in his first start but would he even be on the field if our other corners make their grades? It appeared JJ didn't have our receivers prepared for the variety of schemes TT played-hard to figure.

[RGV Pony]

Crawford was ok in his first start but would he even be on the field if our other corners make their grades? It appeared JJ didn't have our receivers prepared for the variety of schemes TT played-hard to figure.

Gamble wouldve been the other starter, I believe, and McConico wouldve been right there as well

[The PonyGrad]

I liked our RB play but to me they get a B+. They were well ahead of expectations but I would not grade on that. An A means a dominating running game, one that would take pressure off the WRs and QB.

[ponyinNC]

does parks start game number 2?? Crawford really struggled out there, but like previous posters have said, there is a talent gap b/w Big 12 and CUSA, and hopefully we cover UAB receivers better.

[ponyboy]

Man, I don't know on Crawford. The plays the Tech receiver made all seem to involve a perfectly placed ball. Crawford seemed to me to always be in position.

[ponynut]

I think you are correct. Crawford got a poorer grade that he should have. The balls were perfectily thrown which always makes the CB look defenseless. I personally am proud of the guys and the team is a heck of lot better in the past. So, is it also fun to criticized and discuss. Padron will be OK as will all the others now that the first game is under their belt. Go Mustangs, beat UAB.

[ponynut]

Oops, should have had that 3rd coffee. Meant to say "a heck of a lot better than in the past." Thanks for the phone call pointing out my mistake. Go Ponies.

[Stallion]

I think Crawford is going to be ok-man we've had (backup) corners in the very recent past who couldn't even get in the same zip code as the receiver. Crawford was outjumped on several perfectly executed timing plays by one of the best overall athletes in the country in Leong(7.1 High Jump-25 ft LJ) He will get worked over each week since teams will stay away from Moore until he makes them pay. At JUCO he had a bunch of Ints and I believe returned several for TDs. It really hurts these JUCOs when they aren't here for the Spring Semester. It doesn't appear like UAB throws much so maybe he'll get his confidence up.

[Treadway21]

He made some good open field tackles. The fact that he was there and did not make the play is better than him getting juked out of his jock. Plus they really went after him, and had some great timing routes that would be tough for anyone to defend.

[Big Hoss]

He made some good open field tackles. The fact that he was there and did not make the play is better than him getting juked out of his jock. Plus they really went after him, and had some great timing routes that would be tough for anyone to defend.

Agreed. While Crawford had a rough day, all in, he just needs more time to be coached up to get him to make plays because he was right with the receiver all game. He had a tough assignment, and he was simply outmatched against a QB-WR combo that have been together since high school (I believe that's what the announcers said), and a WR that is very athletic.