TLDR - combination of odd coaching decisions and a couple of players that need to step up or step aside.
I took a few evenings this week and rewatched the game multiple times, looking at where the offense stumbled so much.
I realize a lot has been discussed here, so I tried to look for additional things of note. I saw a few: would be curious if any of the bored coaches or other interested folks saw these things:
Coaching
AU came out very vanilla (run, run, pass) early to see if we could just run over Cal. I’m fine with them trying it. They did put in some swing passes late in the 1st that opened things up.
The coaches got into play calling patterns that made them predictable. Examples: 9 runs, zero passes in the 3rd quarter. Then 7 passes in a row in the 4th quarter. The first 7 running plays were all to the right.
There were some really weird calls. Cal had great success rushing only 3 or 4 for most of the game. That means they are dropping 7-8, and they played a couple of guys in short zone like spies. We ran a screen into that. Yes. A screen.
Another one, we kept a TE and RB in to help block their rush (again, they’re only sending 3 or 4 guys). So everyone was well covered. No release valve on the play. Just a bunch of guys double covered way down the field. Gotta have a release valve there.
We never threw a single deep ball. The 25 yard back shoulder to Rivaldo was the only pass over 20 yards. They were stacking the box a lot on runs, and we never loosened them up. Not once.
The obvious one: QB Rotation circus. Wasted 3 timeouts during the game. The TOs always happened when Ashford was in, and it was as if we hadn’t thought about what to do with him in there. There were at least 13 QB swaps in just over 50 plays. And the timing really kept Thorne from finding a rhythm. Even on the last TD pass, they subbed Robby in, then back out before the play. Constantly screwing with Thorne.
The coaches did make some good adjustments. In the first Q, we averaged 3.3 yards/run. After that, we averaged 5.8 yards/run. A lot of it was using more TEs in the run game. I didn’t include sacks – looking at intended runs. Also, In the first Q, Thorne averaged 2.25 yards/pass attempt. After that he averaged 7.3 yards/pass (included Sacks in the passing #s).
Players
I hate to pick on them, but here’s what I saw:
Miller – had real issues with quick guys, he got burned 5+ times in the game, where it ended the play. In a couple of cases, it ended a series for us.
Fairweather – yeah, he’s a great receiver. He also ended a couple drives with embarrassing effort on his blocks. On the 4th and 2 that Robby barely missed, he gently touched the defender’s jersey as he ran by him. I think the guy was actually shocked that Fairweather didn’t attempt to block him.
Thorne – 2 dumb turnovers, looked overwhelmed several times, and could not stay in the pocket, even with very little blitzing from Cal. The few times they sent extra players, he was great. He’s clearly learned to feel the blitz and throw over it. He just gets too anxious in the pocket. Coaches need to quit screwing with his head by randomly sending Robby out there.
Robby – passing was atrocious. Cal put 9+ in the box and dared him to throw, which basically negated his skillset completely. He should not have gone on the field after the first half; it was obvious he was not going to get to run.
Avery Jones - had real issues with their primary 2 inside DTs. He got pushed back several times. Fortunately, they seemed to wear down and he won the 2nd half against them.
General Observations
Cal got steady pressure with 3 or 4 guys, and controlled us early, but their guys wore down and they didn’t have an answer.
We had a ton more success once we went to 2 TEs (11) and Thorne in the Run game. Thorne mattered because they crowded the box when Robby was in, but had to respect the pass when Thorne was back there. Kudos to the coaches for the TE sets which wore down the DL. We were hitting over 6 yds/carry by the 4th, and they were not going to stop us any more.
I realize the narrative is that AU should have lost, but Cal had zero red zone offense and horrible kicking execution, both the blocking and kicking. Both teams made mistakes. AU pushed through theirs, and Cal didn’t. And the AU D played lights out.
The offense is not that far off. We can adjust on the OL personnel. The coaches are trying to learn the teams, and how different guys play under the lights. Lots of room to grow. The Weeks 4-7 are gonna be tough, but they’ll be a solid team before the year is over. JMHO.
I took a few evenings this week and rewatched the game multiple times, looking at where the offense stumbled so much.
I realize a lot has been discussed here, so I tried to look for additional things of note. I saw a few: would be curious if any of the bored coaches or other interested folks saw these things:
Coaching
AU came out very vanilla (run, run, pass) early to see if we could just run over Cal. I’m fine with them trying it. They did put in some swing passes late in the 1st that opened things up.
The coaches got into play calling patterns that made them predictable. Examples: 9 runs, zero passes in the 3rd quarter. Then 7 passes in a row in the 4th quarter. The first 7 running plays were all to the right.
There were some really weird calls. Cal had great success rushing only 3 or 4 for most of the game. That means they are dropping 7-8, and they played a couple of guys in short zone like spies. We ran a screen into that. Yes. A screen.
Another one, we kept a TE and RB in to help block their rush (again, they’re only sending 3 or 4 guys). So everyone was well covered. No release valve on the play. Just a bunch of guys double covered way down the field. Gotta have a release valve there.
We never threw a single deep ball. The 25 yard back shoulder to Rivaldo was the only pass over 20 yards. They were stacking the box a lot on runs, and we never loosened them up. Not once.
The obvious one: QB Rotation circus. Wasted 3 timeouts during the game. The TOs always happened when Ashford was in, and it was as if we hadn’t thought about what to do with him in there. There were at least 13 QB swaps in just over 50 plays. And the timing really kept Thorne from finding a rhythm. Even on the last TD pass, they subbed Robby in, then back out before the play. Constantly screwing with Thorne.
The coaches did make some good adjustments. In the first Q, we averaged 3.3 yards/run. After that, we averaged 5.8 yards/run. A lot of it was using more TEs in the run game. I didn’t include sacks – looking at intended runs. Also, In the first Q, Thorne averaged 2.25 yards/pass attempt. After that he averaged 7.3 yards/pass (included Sacks in the passing #s).
Players
I hate to pick on them, but here’s what I saw:
Miller – had real issues with quick guys, he got burned 5+ times in the game, where it ended the play. In a couple of cases, it ended a series for us.
Fairweather – yeah, he’s a great receiver. He also ended a couple drives with embarrassing effort on his blocks. On the 4th and 2 that Robby barely missed, he gently touched the defender’s jersey as he ran by him. I think the guy was actually shocked that Fairweather didn’t attempt to block him.
Thorne – 2 dumb turnovers, looked overwhelmed several times, and could not stay in the pocket, even with very little blitzing from Cal. The few times they sent extra players, he was great. He’s clearly learned to feel the blitz and throw over it. He just gets too anxious in the pocket. Coaches need to quit screwing with his head by randomly sending Robby out there.
Robby – passing was atrocious. Cal put 9+ in the box and dared him to throw, which basically negated his skillset completely. He should not have gone on the field after the first half; it was obvious he was not going to get to run.
Avery Jones - had real issues with their primary 2 inside DTs. He got pushed back several times. Fortunately, they seemed to wear down and he won the 2nd half against them.
General Observations
Cal got steady pressure with 3 or 4 guys, and controlled us early, but their guys wore down and they didn’t have an answer.
We had a ton more success once we went to 2 TEs (11) and Thorne in the Run game. Thorne mattered because they crowded the box when Robby was in, but had to respect the pass when Thorne was back there. Kudos to the coaches for the TE sets which wore down the DL. We were hitting over 6 yds/carry by the 4th, and they were not going to stop us any more.
I realize the narrative is that AU should have lost, but Cal had zero red zone offense and horrible kicking execution, both the blocking and kicking. Both teams made mistakes. AU pushed through theirs, and Cal didn’t. And the AU D played lights out.
The offense is not that far off. We can adjust on the OL personnel. The coaches are trying to learn the teams, and how different guys play under the lights. Lots of room to grow. The Weeks 4-7 are gonna be tough, but they’ll be a solid team before the year is over. JMHO.
