Some Positives From Last Night (Besides the W)

#1
TNHopeful505

TNHopeful505

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#1
1. Penalties - We did fantastic about staying disciplined in the snap count, both on offense and defense. Only one false start on Jack Jones that I remembered, and no offsides. Definitely played disciplined football in that regard, no stupid P.I's, or personal fouls. Didn't give them any yards they didn't earn.

2. No Turnovers - This was the difference. Say what you want about QD, but overall, he took care of the football. He made some bone-headed decisions that could have easily been interceptions, but they weren't. No interceptions, no fumbles. That's how you put yourself in a position to win games.

3. Special teams - Had good solid returns from Berry when they kicked to him, and when they didn't, we still were set up with good field position. Trevor Daniel drilling a 70 yard punt hasn't been mentioned at all, dude is a absolute monster. Of course the field goal block was huge at the end as well.

4. Marquez Freaking Calloway.

5. I thought QD did a good job overall once he settled in. Dobbs gave him the best advice of "let the game come to you." I felt like he tried to do too much to fast and forced some throws that weren't there. When you feel like someone else is breathing down your neck to take your spot, maybe even in the same game, that can happen. I'm glad that Butch stuck with him. Because once he realized he was still in the second half, he calmed down and made safer throws that turned into big gains. And when he DID pull it on the option, he was fairly successful.

6. Ty Chandler had one carry. ONE. But it was a solid one carry. I have a feeling they're keeping him in the back pocket a bit. Gained 7 yards, and looked good doing it. I have a good feeling about him.

7. John Kelly looked fantastic as well. Dude has heart and runs hard. Really hope he stays healthy all year. Definitely could be a 1,000 yard rusher.

8. I'm not discouraged by this game. Georgia Tech knew that it was gonna take our offense a bit to break in a new QB, and they wanted to play keep away from us as much as possible, and they did. They wore us down defensively (96 offensive plays), and kept the offense off the field, and then counted on us struggling offensively with a new QB. You cannot judge anything off of how they perform against the triple option. GT is a dangerous team to anyone they play, and I don't ever want to play them again. Marshall had a heck of a debut, and he played his heart out. That team is gonna have a good year. We do need to get better, but we won't see anything like that again this year, and we just need to move on and get ready for Indiana State.
 
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#2
#2
I think there's several positives from last night and I think we will see the offense take huge strides next week.

Last night was a win, lucky yes but Tennessee survived. Move on and NEVER schedule those bastards again
 
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#3
#3
In every good season, there are always games that you feel you "stole". In '98 it was Syracuse (FG at end to win), Florida (missed FG) and Arkansas (miracle fumble).

I'll take 'em all day long.
 
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#4
#4
Volsfaninva917 said:
I think there's several positives from last night and I think we will see the offense take huge strides next week.

Last night was a win, lucky yes but Tennessee survived. Move on and NEVER schedule those bastards again
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QFT, heh, man I never want to see Ga Tech in our front windshield again.

And I mean that as a huge compliment to them. Nothing to do with chop blocks or injuries: they flat out can play, in a frustrate-you-till-you-pull-all-your-hair-out way.
 
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#6
#6
It was good to actually be the team to get lucky. Seems like we're always on the other side of that luck.
 
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#7
#7
Nationdom said:
Chandler looks like one of the best backs in the country. Good lord.
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Yeah, that one carry for seven yards....that was elite stuff man. I've never seen anyone carry the ball seven yards on one try all game like that...
 
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#11
#11
Other positives:

1. Daniel Bituli - GROWN MAN. Player of the game on defense IMO. No question he should be the starting middle linebacker moving forward when we go to our more conventional 4-2-5 formation. Say hello to the bench once again Mr. Jumper.

2. Darrell Taylor - Another guy who was making plays out there tonight. Forced a big loss early on a bad pitch. He also made the game-ending tackle on the 2-point conversion. Also several other big plays throughout the night. He definitely showed up more than Jonathan Kongbo. Not a perfect game but very good overall. He looks like he'll be a good one.

3. The Freshmen - You hit on Ty Chandler who looked good in his only carry but I was also impressed with Trey Smith and Josh Palmer. Trey Smith is a GROWN MAN already. He was moving people out there. Also very nasty. The kid will be a pro-bowl guard in the NFL. Josh Palmer also quitely had a good night. He was out there for some significant snaps. He showed good hands on a nice little out pass early in the game. He also drew a pass interference late in the redzone. And he was great blocking all night on run plays for John Kelly. Very impressed with this freshmen class early on.

4. Micah Abernathy and Nigel Warrior - Not so much for anything they did on the field but I was happy to see both of them starting the game and playing a majority of the snaps. Hate to say it but TKjr is more of a liability out there than an aide. He simply lacks the athleticism to be as good as Warrior and Abernathy. Hopefully we see them playing most of the snaps at safety for the rest of the year. I think they can develop into a really nice duo.
 
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#12
#12
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Other positives:

1. Daniel Bituli - GROWN MAN. Player of the game on defense IMO. No question he should be the starting middle linebacker moving forward when we go to our more conventional 4-2-5 formation. Say hello to the bench once again Mr. Jumper.

2. Darrell Taylor - Another guy who was making plays out there tonight. Forced a big loss early on a bad pitch. He also made the game-ending tackle on the 2-point conversion. Also several other big plays throughout the night. He definitely showed up more than Jonathan Kongbo. Not a perfect game but very good overall. He looks like he'll be a good one.

3. The Freshmen - You hit on Ty Chandler who looked good in his only carry but I was also impressed with Trey Smith and Josh Palmer. Trey Smith is a GROWN MAN already. He was moving people out there. Also very nasty. The kid will be a pro-bowl guard in the NFL. Josh Palmer also quitely had a good night. He was out there for some significant snaps. He showed good hands on a nice little out pass early in the game. He also drew a pass interference late in the redzone. And he was great blocking all night on run plays for John Kelly. Very impressed with this freshmen class early on.

4. Micah Abernathy and Nigel Warrior - Not so much for anything they did on the field but I was happy to see both of them starting the game and playing a majority of the snaps. Hate to say it but TKjr is more of a liability out there than an aide. He simply lacks the athleticism to be as good as Warrior and Abernathy. Hopefully we see them playing most of the snaps at safety for the rest of the year. I think they can develop into a really nice duo.
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I agree with you on this one. Palmer was the target of another potential TD, but it was the one where there was a bad snap and QD just managed to get it off. But good to see him out there (he had one catch for 7 yards, btw).

Trey Smith is a MAN, no doubt. My goodness, if Cade Mays is as good as he is, we will be just fine on OL for the next 3 years. And yes, Bituli looked great, was happy to see his name pop up quite a bit.
 
#13
#13
Our center snapped the ball too high on numerous plays last night. We're lucky Dormady did such a good job of grabbing the ball. WAY too many bad snaps.
 
#14
#14
Defense came up with a stop to win the game, Taylor shed 2 blocks to get to the QB but I think there is a lot of reason to pleased with the NEVER QUIT TEAM.

ITS way to early but its going to be a fun season when QD gets settled in and he can get his feet set correctly before the pass, several was on his heels or his step was offline. Nerves for the 1st start, now the team can rally around him.
 
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#16
#16
No offsides penalties. Much harder to get them when you line your D two or three yards back from the LOS.
 
#17
#17
TNHopeful505 said:
1. Penalties - We did fantastic about staying disciplined in the snap count, both on offense and defense. Only one false start on Jack Jones that I remembered, and no offsides. Definitely played disciplined football in that regard, no stupid P.I's, or personal fouls. Didn't give them any yards they didn't earn.

2. No Turnovers - This was the difference. Say what you want about QD, but overall, he took care of the football. He made some bone-headed decisions that could have easily been interceptions, but they weren't. No interceptions, no fumbles. That's how you put yourself in a position to win games.

3. Special teams - Had good solid returns from Berry when they kicked to him, and when they didn't, we still were set up with good field position. Trevor Daniel drilling a 70 yard punt hasn't been mentioned at all, dude is a absolute monster. Of course the field goal block was huge at the end as well.

4. Marquez Freaking Calloway.

5. I thought QD did a good job overall once he settled in. Dobbs gave him the best advice of "let the game come to you." I felt like he tried to do too much to fast and forced some throws that weren't there. When you feel like someone else is breathing down your neck to take your spot, maybe even in the same game, that can happen. I'm glad that Butch stuck with him. Because once he realized he was still in the second half, he calmed down and made safer throws that turned into big gains. And when he DID pull it on the option, he was fairly successful.

6. Ty Chandler had one carry. ONE. But it was a solid one carry. I have a feeling they're keeping him in the back pocket a bit. Gained 7 yards, and looked good doing it. I have a good feeling about him.

7. John Kelly looked fantastic as well. Dude has heart and runs hard. Really hope he stays healthy all year. Definitely could be a 1,000 yard rusher.

8. I'm not discouraged by this game. Georgia Tech knew that it was gonna take our offense a bit to break in a new QB, and they wanted to play keep away from us as much as possible, and they did. They wore us down defensively (96 offensive plays), and kept the offense off the field, and then counted on us struggling offensively with a new QB. You cannot judge anything off of how they perform against the triple option. GT is a dangerous team to anyone they play, and I don't ever want to play them again. Marshall had a heck of a debut, and he played his heart out. That team is gonna have a good year. We do need to get better, but we won't see anything like that again this year, and we just need to move on and get ready for Indiana State.
Click to expand...

9. darrell taylor
 
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#18
#18
armchair said:
Our center snapped the ball too high on numerous plays last night. We're lucky Dormady did such a good job of grabbing the ball. WAY too many bad snaps.
Click to expand...

And not only that, but managed to stay composed and most times make a decent decision. He had a good sense of composure about him, was impressed by that.
 
#19
#19
I'll take it. It was a gimmick offense and we really can't truly judge our D just yet. People forget Clemson won the national title last year with a loss to Pitt, and what should have been a loss to NC state. Georgia tech will beat both of those teams handily this year (If they play both). When it all boils down there's wins and losses. Not how you got the W.
 
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#20
#20
VFL-82-JP said:
QFT, heh, man I never want to see Ga Tech in our front windshield again.

And I mean that as a huge compliment to them. Nothing to do with chop blocks or injuries: they flat out can play, in a frustrate-you-till-you-pull-all-your-hair-out way.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. Paul Johnson is a mastermind and his kids executed those plays with efficiency and effort.

The two pulling linemen diving at your D-line's knees all night is maddening to watch, but perfectly legal in the current rules.

In the end, we won by honoring The Maxims:

1/2) We took the ball away from them twice and only had two penalties and no turnovers. We shortened the field and took advantage.

3) Darrell Taylor made a winning play by defeating a cut block perfectly in the second overtime - pure heart and will and the correct technique at the right moment.

4) Protection was fine. No sacks in the stat line and only one tackle for loss. There was some pressure early but the O-line was good.

5) Our defense struggled, but didn't quit. We gave up 28 in regulation which is frankly less than I expected.

6) We destroyed them in the special teams phase with 51 and 35 yard returns, with pinning them inside the 20 5 times, blocked a field goal and saw another miss. They marched down a long field and came away with no points several times. Neyland would have been proud here.

7) Heck, we took the fight to them for 70 minutes, not just the standard 60!
 
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#21
#21
In 2011 Alabama played Georgia Southern at home in Tuscaloosa. Alabama was undefeated and would have played for the national championship except this was Cam Newton and Auburn's year. In addition, Georgia Southern was a FCS team. Alabama won, but this is the game where Nick Saban famously said "they ran through us like sh*t through a tin horn."

Here are the rushing stats from that game for Georgia Southern:

Georgia Southern Rushing
CAR YDS AVG TD LONG
Dominique Swope 18 153 8.5 1 82
Jerick McKinnon 5 48 9.6 0 26
Ezayi Youyoute 2 35 17 .5 0 37
Jaybo Shaw 8 26 3.3 0 22
Nico Hickey 3 25 8.3 0 14
Darreion Robinson 2 15 7.5 0 8
Robert Brown 1 0 0.0 0 0
TEAM 39 302 7.7 1 82

Think about that; this is Alabama, at home, against and FCS team, and they were in line to play for the national championship. Alabama's starters played deep into the 4th quarter, and though they led all game (their offense showed up in the first half), Alabama could not put them away. And they would have had a lot more but Alabama's offense did score and hold they ball. There was a meltdown in Tuscaloosa.

I know, we are not Alabama and we are not playing for the national championship, but we do have to keep some perspective. That Ga. Tech team last night was very good, and we were fortunate. But as others have pointed out we did some things right including no turnovers and getting some turnovers ourselves. I believe Ga Tech will beat some good teams this year. Georgia will have nightmares looking at that tape after losing last year. This year Tech is better. And that young quarterback Marshall is the real deal.

This was a very fortunate win, as someone else said, "don't schedule those bast**** again".

edit: sorry the stat table did not format but they averaged over 7 ypc and totaled over 300 yards rushing.
 
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