Scatter Shooting While Wondering.....

[Stallion]

I thought the 3 things stood out tonite. 1) SMU's very young offensive line dominated SJSU tonite which made both the passing and running game effective. This was a BIG step up for that unit tonite. They created holes all nite and cemented the victory in the 4th Q with a dominating long drive. This was an excellent performance by such a young unit 2) SMU's defense had excellent pursuit and hustled to the ball all nite long and generally had 3, 4 and 5 men around the ball all Nite. 3) hats off to both the offensive and defensive coordinators. I thought defensively SMU was in the right position to make almost every play tonite. A couple of times the play wasn't made but they were in position all nite. SMU's offensive coordinator did a great job of putting the game in Munlin's hand to take pressure off its inexperienced QBs. We got lucky a couple of times when Eckert threw a potential INT for a TD and Eckert failed to pick up a weak side blitz and fumbled which we recovered. But in general SMU's coordinator took what was availiable. Plus he threw in a couple of wrinkles with the WR pass, the throw back and the swinging gate. He rolled aces tonite. Other thoughts-Lindley made an outstanding TD saving pass breakup-great technique-he found the receiver-put his big body in the WRs lap and then made a nice turn to bat the ball away-he was offside on the play but it saved a TD nonetheless. Unfortunately, Lindley had about three penalities tonite-two on special teams-but the TD saving play was encouraging. Chris Foster really earned his starting job tonite. He could be a reliable possession receiver. Generally I thought the receivers played well but it could have been a superlative performance except that Cortley Blackmon and Bobby Chase failed to come up with what looked to be sure TD passes. It appeared Chase lost his ball in lights. Blacknon just drop a definite TD toss. The QBs made nice plays on both drops and deserved better.

[ponyte]

There is one area that needs immediate improvement...penalties. SMU had way too many flags. In a close games that can make or break the Ponies. We need better discipline form our players to decrease the number of penalties. One huge area of improvement was no turnovers. When was the last time we didn't turn the ball over? We had good field position and make SJSU go a long way for any points. The O has a better chance of opening up and moving the ball since we had good field position. That is a testament to the Defense's play. A fine performance by the entire team. And thank goodness that monkey is off their backs.

[PerunaPunch]

IMHO

Chris Foster deserves a game ball. Comes out of obscurity behind a bunch of more highly touted kids and lights it up. I guess all that speed and athleticism doesn’t do much good until you actually make the catch.

And speaking of... Cortley Blackmon needs to learn that you’re only allowed to high step once you actually MAKE a catch and cross the plane of the end zone. Didn’t these kids ever watch watch the Cowboys when growing up? Remember Leon Lett, or am I getting too old?? Nuff said.

Game balls also to Rusty Burns, Rushbrook and Romo. Rushbrook has a ton of athleticism if not size. Glad to finally see that athleticism finally applied in a manner detrimental to our opponents.

Tremendous job by the OL. When Kieschnick got dinged up, Turner slid to center, Peveto came it at LG, and the machine continued to roll without a hiccup. Poynter continued to sub back and forth with Darrin Johnson, who is also a bit dinged up. Later, when Guidry came out (not sure if it was for an injury or what), Boren came in at RG and drove his man straight back into the secondary the rest of the night. Nice!!

The only thing I was disappointed about was the DL. San Jose's OL was huge, but we didn't get a bit of pressure on their QB all night. This same unit was laying licks on Tech's QB ever other play it seemed. SJSU's OL can't be that good. So what gives?

[04stang]

so eckert got "lucky" on a couple of throws huh stallion? it has finally occured to me, you have no clue WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!! why do you even post replies on this site? a little bitter because the truth behind the game is that eckert was going to beat out phillips anyways, so get over it stallion!!! eckert was on point all night long, he got hot quick and san jose didnt know how to stop him. on the sprint out that eckert got hit weakside wasnt AT ALL his fault, he should have had a lineman pull out to get that guy. GROW UP STALLION AND GIVE THE KID CREDIT...he is 1-0 as a starter and phillips was 0-8. its eckert and romos time to shine now, and if you cant accept that stallion then stay out of this sight and DONT write anymore, because you have no clue what you are talking about.

[PerunaPunch]

I've got to agree with 04stang on this one. Both QB's looked great. If not for a couple of drops on the WRs part, Eckert's numbers would have been outrageous! The offense broke down a little in the second half, but Eckert was basically having his way with SJSU most of the night.

I didn't see Eckert trying to force anything ill advised, which has been my only gripe about him in the past.

[PonySnob]

2) SMU's defense had excellent pursuit and hustled to the ball all nite long and generally had 3, 4 and 5 men around the ball all Nite.

At some point, our defense is going to have to force a turnover. We did drop at least 2 interceptions last night. That one PI call towards the end of the game was total BS. Somehow, there has got to be a pass rush from the front four. All in all, the defense looked much improved but there is definately work to be done to get ready for Boise St.

Much better play on the offensive side of the ball as well, but WR's have to make catches when they get the chance. Both Chase and Blackmon should have caught those two TD passes!

[GrapevineMustang]

Very good points, fellas.

First things first: Stallion hit the nail on the proverbial head: the offensive line was sensational. Darrin Johnson hung tough on that bad wheel (ankle). Chris Urbanus was terrific on the other side, against the nation's leader in tackles for loss. Bryan Turner, Caleb Peveto, Martin Guidry and Justin Boren just mauled people and got really good push. Terrific job but that YOUNG group. Build on this and get better. (IMPORTANT: anyone know an update on Kieschnick?)

The WRs had a great game. Best catch of the night: Rushbrook's first pass to Chris Foster, who laid out and got his toes inbounds before crashing into the sideline. I didn't think he had a shot at it. Yes, Bobby Chase lost the ball in the lights, so I have no problem with that. He blocked very well downfield, and the ball was being spread around - good game, despite a lack of catches (and yes, he was several yards behind the DB - that was six points.) Only mistake of the night was Blackmon's braincramp on that shoulda-been TD, which thankfully was covered by Foster's second TD on the next (I think) play.

DTs laid an egg last night. However, the DEs were very good. Justin Rogers was absolutely everywhere - defensive player of the night. Brent Karrington and Charlie Berry also had very strong games - my favorite play was when Berry fought through the block of the (huge) SJSU quarterback and brought down that WR on a reverse. Tremendous single-effort play. Kudos to Charlie.

Ryan Kennedy is a MAN.

Great play-calling by Coach Burns. Obviously the coaches saw on film that SJS blitzed on almost every play - half the time, our OLs actually turned to LET THEM THROUGH, only to have Eckert/Romo dump the ball over the line to an open receiver. The screen game looked better than I can ever remember.

Jonathan Lindley is going to be a good one - a very good one - but he had two silly flags that have to be erased. Better next time.

All that was missing from the running game was a flashback to SportsCenter circa 1998 with Keith Olbermann showing the highlight of Munlin's touchdown hurdle/run and shouting "happy happy Foy Foy."

[GoRedGoBlue]

so eckert got "lucky" on a couple of throws huh stallion? it has finally occured to me, you have no clue WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!! why do you even post replies on this site? a little bitter because the truth behind the game is that eckert was going to beat out phillips anyways, so get over it stallion!!! eckert was on point all night long, he got hot quick and san jose didnt know how to stop him. on the sprint out that eckert got hit weakside wasnt AT ALL his fault, he should have had a lineman pull out to get that guy. GROW UP STALLION AND GIVE THE KID CREDIT...he is 1-0 as a starter and phillips was 0-8. its eckert and romos time to shine now, and if you cant accept that stallion then stay out of this sight and DONT write anymore, because you have no clue what you are talking about.

You are taking that out of context...he isn't dissin' Eckert, just saying that he got lucky on a few plays - meaning, they could have been INTs, not that his good plays were 'lucky'

... Eckert threw a LOT of great balls, no question, especially a few that were right on the money on swing passes before the RB had even turned around and boom, it was right there.

[Sam I Am]

Stallion is no Balckie Sherrod when it comes to sport writing is he. But I do appreciate his opinionated insights even when I don't agree with them. Still I miss style with substance, don't you. Sherrod, please come back. We misss you.

[BleedingRed+Blue]

.... That one PI call towards the end of the game was total BS....

Actually, it was a good call. The replay shower that Joey Sturdivant ran that dude over before the ball got there. Not long before, but it was PI. Would have been a perfect time for a non-call, though. And while he has to avoid that flag, I like the fact that Joey was playing aggressive and trying to make that play.

Outside of that, I agree with just about everything you said.

[mrydel]

First let me say I am an eternal optimist, and I agree with most of Stallion's assessment, but I saw some glaring problems last night that still need to be addressed. Our special teams were not good. Especially kickoff coverage, punting, and punt return (yes there was one good one but 2 or 3 near disaters). Granted we have not had much practice on kickoff coverage, but even though there were some deep stops due to the ignorance of the returner coming out of the end zone, there were a few that almost broke due to a combination of poor coverage and poor tackling. I thought the Offensive line did a good job on run blocking but the QBs were under heavy pressure all night. Some good reads and throws were made, but some were just a case of breaks finally going our way. There needs to be about 1 or 2 more seconds for the QB to read.

Foster was amazing. Not only do I sit behing Munlin's Dad, last night, sitting next to me was Foster's long time and best friend who had gone to Minn. with him and returned with him. He goes to NTSU but attends our games to watch Chris. He gave me a heads up to watch for him and he was not hard to find. Good move by the coaches to put him in there.

Finally the touchdown drop was a huge mistake. That is how you lose 15 in a row, BUT to come back and score on the next play is how you keep it from happening again.

All in all it was a great game and tremendous progress was made, especially on offense. It appears the kids are beginning to gel a little with the offense, and there is hope for the future. I do not know if we are ready to "crush" Boise and Fresno. but the right kind of progress for a future in CUSA is being made.

[The PonyGrad]

Regarding the DL, to me there were plusses and minuses. Several have mentioned the lack of pressure but Rogers (SJSU QB) was forced to run on several occasions. Now some of that is good coverage but some is pressure from the line.

[ClassOf81]

Justin Rogers was a monster.
Do it again next week!

[GoRedGoBlue]

One more note, that may have been mentioned...

It looks like we TACKLED well.

We wrapped up and stopped them (other than the flying one-armed attempted DB tackles on that Bucky Richardson QB, which is really sort of expected).

[dandyfan]

i am thinking that maybe phillips shoulder took a turn for the worse this weekend....hello medical redshirt. and justin rogers always plays harder than anyone i have seen.