PSU @ MSU, Post-Game Thoughts

[kmax]

PSU was able to move the ball against the Cats and picked up several first downs. The quarterback got 83 yards and two touchdowns and the Cats struggled on occasion when he took off and ran. They will need to get that fixed as there are more running quarterbacks coming up on our schedule. PSU has an improved team from last year and I'm interested to see how they fare next week against an improving Northern Arizona squad. NA of course beat the Griz and played a close game with Sac State on Saturday. I watched the Griz game and while it was close, I thought Idaho State played some good football and have good athletes - they have a good passing game. There's just no free passes in the Big Sky-love how these teams stay competitive-it's a great conference.

Biggest thing I noticed is that they identified that wide split on the D-line and were ready for designed QB run up through that a couple times. I still hate that alignment. He was in shotgun, we were split wide. A slight hesitation to freeze linebackers in case of a pass and then took off right up the wide hole in the middle of the line. Was actually what the play was on the Askelson targeting.

[luckyirishguy25]

PSU was able to move the ball against the Cats and picked up several first downs. The quarterback got 83 yards and two touchdowns and the Cats struggled on occasion when he took off and ran. They will need to get that fixed as there are more running quarterbacks coming up on our schedule. PSU has an improved team from last year and I'm interested to see how they fare next week against an improving Northern Arizona squad. NA of course beat the Griz and played a close game with Sac State on Saturday. I watched the Griz game and while it was close, I thought Idaho State played some good football and have good athletes - they have a good passing game. There's just no free passes in the Big Sky-love how these teams stay competitive-it's a great conference.

Biggest thing I noticed is that they identified that wide split on the D-line and were ready for designed QB run up through that a couple times. I still hate that alignment. He was in shotgun, we were split wide. A slight hesitation to freeze linebackers in case of a pass and then took off right up the wide hole in the middle of the line. Was actually what the play was on the Askelson targeting.

They lined up like that a few times, not my favorite either especially against a burner QB. IF a defense shows that to Sean and he should take the middle every time, instant 5 yard gain at the least.

[Lord Vigo]

PSU was able to move the ball against the Cats and picked up several first downs. The quarterback got 83 yards and two touchdowns and the Cats struggled on occasion when he took off and ran. They will need to get that fixed as there are more running quarterbacks coming up on our schedule. PSU has an improved team from last year and I'm interested to see how they fare next week against an improving Northern Arizona squad. NA of course beat the Griz and played a close game with Sac State on Saturday. I watched the Griz game and while it was close, I thought Idaho State played some good football and have good athletes - they have a good passing game. There's just no free passes in the Big Sky-love how these teams stay competitive-it's a great conference.

Biggest thing I noticed is that they identified that wide split on the D-line and were ready for designed QB run up through that a couple times. I still hate that alignment. He was in shotgun, we were split wide. A slight hesitation to freeze linebackers in case of a pass and then took off right up the wide hole in the middle of the line. Was actually what the play was on the Askelson targeting.

I can't say this for certain, but I wonder if that wide alignment is a way of keeping a mobile QB inside the pocket. If an athletic QB is escapable and can damage you with scrambles, it's better that he would be forced up the A gaps into the teeth of your linebackers than that he's loose on the outside. I've also noticed that most of the time, the first move of the DL in that alignment is to crash inside. They start outside, but they work inside.

[Lord Vigo]

This is interesting to me:

The Cats only had 9 possessions against PSU and they scored touchdowns on 5. They clearly could have on a 6th as well, if they had chosen to. That's 67% of drives ending in a touchdown.

Against Weber, they had 12 true possessions and they scored 6 touchdowns, which is obviously a rate of 50%.

Despite the perception that they struggled more in the PSU game, the offense was actually more dominant/efficient.

[kmax]

PSU was able to move the ball against the Cats and picked up several first downs. The quarterback got 83 yards and two touchdowns and the Cats struggled on occasion when he took off and ran. They will need to get that fixed as there are more running quarterbacks coming up on our schedule. PSU has an improved team from last year and I'm interested to see how they fare next week against an improving Northern Arizona squad. NA of course beat the Griz and played a close game with Sac State on Saturday. I watched the Griz game and while it was close, I thought Idaho State played some good football and have good athletes - they have a good passing game. There's just no free passes in the Big Sky-love how these teams stay competitive-it's a great conference.

Biggest thing I noticed is that they identified that wide split on the D-line and were ready for designed QB run up through that a couple times. I still hate that alignment. He was in shotgun, we were split wide. A slight hesitation to freeze linebackers in case of a pass and then took off right up the wide hole in the middle of the line. Was actually what the play was on the Askelson targeting.

I can't say this for certain, but I wonder if that wide alignment is a way of keeping a mobile QB inside the pocket. If an athletic QB is escapable and can damage you with scrambles, it's better that he would be forced up the A gaps into the teeth of your linebackers than that he's loose on the outside. I've also noticed that most of the time, the first move of the DL in that alignment is to crash inside. They start outside, but they work inside.

I do agree that I think that is likely the reasoning. But if a fast and mobile QB can audible out to that and the line is able to get a push to the outside then as irishguy said it is a pretty quick and easy 5 yards before the lb's get there.

[coloradocat]

This is interesting to me:

The Cats only had 9 possessions against PSU and they scored touchdowns on 5. They clearly could have on a 6th as well, if they had chosen to. That's 67% of drives ending in a touchdown.

Against Weber, they had 12 true possessions and they scored 6 touchdowns, which is obviously a rate of 50%.

Despite the perception that they struggled more in the PSU game, the offense was actually more dominant/efficient.

I think it comes down to expectations. We assumed their dominance against Geography U and Cal Poly was meaningless because of the opponent and we'd roll them without any trouble. They're a little better than expected but not by much when you take the referee impact into account. As disappointing as Weber has been the last two weeks I think they'd beat PSU no matter where the game is played. We are also opening up the playbook with Chambers, which won't be as successful immediately as our standard super run heavy offense has been.

[cats2506]

PSU was able to move the ball against the Cats and picked up several first downs. The quarterback got 83 yards and two touchdowns and the Cats struggled on occasion when he took off and ran. They will need to get that fixed as there are more running quarterbacks coming up on our schedule. PSU has an improved team from last year and I'm interested to see how they fare next week against an improving Northern Arizona squad. NA of course beat the Griz and played a close game with Sac State on Saturday. I watched the Griz game and while it was close, I thought Idaho State played some good football and have good athletes - they have a good passing game. There's just no free passes in the Big Sky-love how these teams stay competitive-it's a great conference.

Biggest thing I noticed is that they identified that wide split on the D-line and were ready for designed QB run up through that a couple times. I still hate that alignment. He was in shotgun, we were split wide. A slight hesitation to freeze linebackers in case of a pass and then took off right up the wide hole in the middle of the line. Was actually what the play was on the Askelson targeting.

I can't say this for certain, but I wonder if that wide alignment is a way of keeping a mobile QB inside the pocket. If an athletic QB is escapable and can damage you with scrambles, it's better that he would be forced up the A gaps into the teeth of your linebackers than that he's loose on the outside. I've also noticed that most of the time, the first move of the DL in that alignment is to crash inside. They start outside, but they work inside.

I do agree that I think that is likely the reasoning. But if a fast and mobile QB can audible out to that and the line is able to get a push to the outside then as irishguy said it is a pretty quick and easy 5 yards before the lb's get there.

A lot of times when they are wide at least one of the DE's and a DT will twist, so the DE is coming up the middle where the gap is

[luckyirishguy25]

PSU was able to move the ball against the Cats and picked up several first downs. The quarterback got 83 yards and two touchdowns and the Cats struggled on occasion when he took off and ran. They will need to get that fixed as there are more running quarterbacks coming up on our schedule. PSU has an improved team from last year and I'm interested to see how they fare next week against an improving Northern Arizona squad. NA of course beat the Griz and played a close game with Sac State on Saturday. I watched the Griz game and while it was close, I thought Idaho State played some good football and have good athletes - they have a good passing game. There's just no free passes in the Big Sky-love how these teams stay competitive-it's a great conference.

Biggest thing I noticed is that they identified that wide split on the D-line and were ready for designed QB run up through that a couple times. I still hate that alignment. He was in shotgun, we were split wide. A slight hesitation to freeze linebackers in case of a pass and then took off right up the wide hole in the middle of the line. Was actually what the play was on the Askelson targeting.

I can't say this for certain, but I wonder if that wide alignment is a way of keeping a mobile QB inside the pocket. If an athletic QB is escapable and can damage you with scrambles, it's better that he would be forced up the A gaps into the teeth of your linebackers than that he's loose on the outside. I've also noticed that most of the time, the first move of the DL in that alignment is to crash inside. They start outside, but they work inside.

I do agree that I think that is likely the reasoning. But if a fast and mobile QB can audible out to that and the line is able to get a push to the outside then as irishguy said it is a pretty quick and easy 5 yards before the lb's get there.

A lot of times when they are wide at least one of the DE's and a DT will twist, so the DE is coming up the middle where the gap is

It's easier for the o line to get into position and make that hole if its open from the start though, its not impossible to defend but you give up a lot of leverage in the middle going wide like that.

[luckyirishguy25]

I think the single thing I really didn't like about this game was the couple of times PSU's O-line was able to washout our line and break some big runs, I really hate seeing that.

[Lord Vigo]

PSU was able to move the ball against the Cats and picked up several first downs. The quarterback got 83 yards and two touchdowns and the Cats struggled on occasion when he took off and ran. They will need to get that fixed as there are more running quarterbacks coming up on our schedule. PSU has an improved team from last year and I'm interested to see how they fare next week against an improving Northern Arizona squad. NA of course beat the Griz and played a close game with Sac State on Saturday. I watched the Griz game and while it was close, I thought Idaho State played some good football and have good athletes - they have a good passing game. There's just no free passes in the Big Sky-love how these teams stay competitive-it's a great conference.

Biggest thing I noticed is that they identified that wide split on the D-line and were ready for designed QB run up through that a couple times. I still hate that alignment. He was in shotgun, we were split wide. A slight hesitation to freeze linebackers in case of a pass and then took off right up the wide hole in the middle of the line. Was actually what the play was on the Askelson targeting.

I can't say this for certain, but I wonder if that wide alignment is a way of keeping a mobile QB inside the pocket. If an athletic QB is escapable and can damage you with scrambles, it's better that he would be forced up the A gaps into the teeth of your linebackers than that he's loose on the outside. I've also noticed that most of the time, the first move of the DL in that alignment is to crash inside. They start outside, but they work inside.

I do agree that I think that is likely the reasoning. But if a fast and mobile QB can audible out to that and the line is able to get a push to the outside then as irishguy said it is a pretty quick and easy 5 yards before the lb's get there.

Didn't seem to be that easy for them on Saturday.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Giving up 5 yards to a scrambling QB isn’t a big deal. It’s not like they’ll do it the whole way down the field.

Defense gave up 3.8 ypp when the starters were in. Some of you are complaining to complain.

[luckyirishguy25]

Giving up 5 yards to a scrambling QB isn’t a big deal. It’s not like they’ll do it the whole way down the field.

Defense gave up 3.8 ypp when the starters were in. Some of you are complaining to complain.

Pot meet Kettle.

God forbid there's a civil discussion about line formations on a fan forum.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Giving up 5 yards to a scrambling QB isn’t a big deal. It’s not like they’ll do it the whole way down the field.

Defense gave up 3.8 ypp when the starters were in. Some of you are complaining to complain.

Pot meet Kettle.

God forbid there's a civil discussion about line formations on a fan forum.

I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t civil, I just disagree with you. Unfortunately, offenses are going to get yards. While the wide splits look funny, most of the time the line is staying gap sound. That’s what matters.

[GoCats18]

I just hope PSU can stay healthy until the week before the Brawl. PSU could very easily beat UM and a couple other teams along the way.

[luckyirishguy25]

Giving up 5 yards to a scrambling QB isn’t a big deal. It’s not like they’ll do it the whole way down the field.

Defense gave up 3.8 ypp when the starters were in. Some of you are complaining to complain.

Pot meet Kettle.

God forbid there's a civil discussion about line formations on a fan forum.

I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t civil, I just disagree with you. Unfortunately, offenses are going to get yards. While the wide splits look funny, most of the time the line is staying gap sound. That’s what matters.

Indeed, but when you end with complaining about people complaining. When people are just saying huh, I'm not a fan of wide splits and here's why, I don't see that as complaining. This is actually one of the better threads on the site, nobody is trashing players or coaches... I mean ******, what do you want from a fan board?

[BelligerentBobcat]

Giving up 5 yards to a scrambling QB isn’t a big deal. It’s not like they’ll do it the whole way down the field.

Defense gave up 3.8 ypp when the starters were in. Some of you are complaining to complain.

Pot meet Kettle.

God forbid there's a civil discussion about line formations on a fan forum.

I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t civil, I just disagree with you. Unfortunately, offenses are going to get yards. While the wide splits look funny, most of the time the line is staying gap sound. That’s what matters.

Indeed, but when you end with complaining about people complaining. When people are just saying huh, I'm not a fan of wide splits and here's why, I don't see that as complaining. This is actually one of the better threads on the site, nobody is trashing players or coaches... I mean ******, what do you want from a fan board?

Ever so slightly more drama.

[Pecos24]

never saw it posted, what was the official tackle stats for robbie?

LOL! Not sure how many tackles he got credited for, but what I can tell you is that he kept his winless streak in Bobcat Stadium alive...

I believe he was given an assist on every tackle.

There was a student on Saturday who had a sign “Robby Hauck has 37 tackles in this game!”

[Lord Vigo]

I just hope PSU can stay healthy until the week before the Brawl. PSU could very easily beat UM and a couple other teams along the way.

I want UM to beat them and everyone else they can on their way to the brawl. I want them to believe when the stomping takes place!

[luckyirishguy25]

Giving up 5 yards to a scrambling QB isn’t a big deal. It’s not like they’ll do it the whole way down the field.

Defense gave up 3.8 ypp when the starters were in. Some of you are complaining to complain.

Pot meet Kettle.

God forbid there's a civil discussion about line formations on a fan forum.

I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t civil, I just disagree with you. Unfortunately, offenses are going to get yards. While the wide splits look funny, most of the time the line is staying gap sound. That’s what matters.

Indeed, but when you end with complaining about people complaining. When people are just saying huh, I'm not a fan of wide splits and here's why, I don't see that as complaining. This is actually one of the better threads on the site, nobody is trashing players or coaches... I mean ******, what do you want from a fan board?

Ever so slightly more drama.

Why? Football discussion isn't enough for you so you want people flying off the rails? I mean there's already plenty of threads like that.

[coloradocat]

never saw it posted, what was the official tackle stats for robbie?

LOL! Not sure how many tackles he got credited for, but what I can tell you is that he kept his winless streak in Bobcat Stadium alive...

I believe he was given an assist on every tackle.

There was a student on Saturday who had a sign “Robby Hauck has 37 tackles in this game!”

That's one old student! @rfischer94