1st Half
Special Teams: Not special at all (except CP). First half alone we had a 13 yard shank by Darr, a kickoff out of bounds by Palardy, ran into the kicker on a FG (luckily Mullen declined penalty), and Young muffed a punt (that we were fortunate enough to recover), and last but not least Rivera didn't catch a pooch kickoff and allowed State to recover. How the *&%$ does that that happen??? I have never seen that before in my life. Great KO return by Patterson.
Defense: One word, horrible. Beginning to remind me of Fulmer's last year when he hired Clawson, which I think is what did him in. Had a great D, but couldn't score on a high school team. Seems exactly the opposiate side of the ball this year. Dooley hires Sunseri, we have a really good offense but his defense couldn't stop a high school team. It's everything, blown coverages, continued getting beat on one-one coverages, no pressure from front 3 (or four), and if they play zone seems there are holes to throw in everywhere. Only forced one punt in first half and thats only because State was deep in own territory at the end of 2nd quater and played it safe.
Sunseri also shows his hand way too early. I am not a quaterback but I can tell if they are in zone or man pre-snap most the time. And when he does blitz, they show it way too early and the Offense adjusts. Bad play calling and seems the players don't have very good play discipline, which is also on the coaches.
Offense: Looked great first drive of game, then three 3 and outs and an interception. Patterson just watched safety Intercept the ball, could've fought for it and didn't. Chaney calls passes on 2nd and one and third and one, and on 3rd went deep at a corner and safety.
2nd Half
Special Teams: Complete turn around, a Jeckyl and Hyde. Made a FG, good coverages, Palardy had a 54 yard punt and a KO for a touchback.
Defense: Also a complete turn around and played much better second half. Sunseri made good halftime adjustments, and the defense had three 3 and outs. Moore dropped an Int. but they forced a punt anyway. BUT, they didn't hold State to a FG after the Young fumble. On the final drive, a missed tackle by Lathers allowed a first down, and allowed their best WR Bumphis to convert 2 other first downs. Again this is on Sunseri. The knock on Brewer is he can't cover, and he matched Bumphis on the 3rd and 8 via one on one coverage. Completely a dumb move by Sunseri.
Offense: The negatives is Neal got knocked out, status unknown at this time. The Young fumble was the game changing play of the second half. Down 3 and driving the ball effectively and Young gets stripped. Otherwise the offense played very good the second half.
SUMMARY: Defense and special teams again cost us another game. Its possible we could have only one loss right now if Wilcox was still here and he and Dooley could've worked together. I didn't really like Wilcox's still but you hav to admit it was way more effective than what we have to date. The first half, multiple errors on special teams and the defense just flat out getting it handed to them the first half proved too much to overcome. I am still not a believer in Sunseri. He may end up being Dooley's Clawson if they don't upset Alabama or USCe. 7-5 may keep him his job, IDK. But I don't think 6-6 does if he loses to any of the other 4. The offense is good enough to win all games, but not great enough or consistent enough to just outscore everyone.
Play of the game for TN: Patterson's KO return
Bone Head play of the game: Rivera for not fielding the KO
Play of the Game Overall: Banks strip on Young ultimately ended our comeback.
