Topic: Why am I Still Skeptical?

[Mako]

The scoreboard makes this look like a blowout.  It wasn't.  We were down 13-10 with about 11 minutes to go.  I was listening on the radio and just before Ali broke his 56 yard TD run, he had 14 carries for six yards.  Minus that one carry, he had 17 carries for 29 yards.  That's less than two yards per carry which is not exactly a stellar output.  Fancher went 15-28 for 178 yards.  6.4 yards per attempt.  Again, not exactly stellar output.  Of course, some of that low output stems from several dropped passes.  Maybe more than several.  It's not as if the receivers helped him out much.  Without a couple of big plays though, the Ali run and the double pass, we probably lose this game.  We showed an utter inability to string together sustained drives. 

OTOH, the defense was awesome!  Even if ECU is not the type of team to put 45 points on the board, we held them to 13 and a grand total of 269 yards.  There are no negatives about that.

So, I think this team has potential.  The question is whether they can execute consistently.  Yes, we are now 2-0 but it's more accurate to say that we have executed occasionally rather than consistently.  We have the talent to still have a decent season if we execute occasionally but we could have a special season if we can execute consistently.  Can we do so?  I'm skeptical.  Nothing I have seen to date tells me we can but I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

[2xBison]

Genetics?


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[marshallz13]

I think that skeptical feeling you have is for good reason and very valid. This offensive ineptitude for Halves and Quarters at a time isn't going to fly playing NC States and some of our Conference opponents.

[goherd24]

The scoreboard makes this look like a blowout.  It wasn't.  We were down 13-10 with about 11 minutes to go.  I was listening on the radio and just before Ali broke his 56 yard TD run, he had 14 carries for six yards.  Minus that one carry, he had 17 carries for 29 yards.  That's less than two yards per carry which is not exactly a stellar output.  Fancher went 15-28 for 178 yards.  6.4 yards per attempt.  Again, not exactly stellar output.  Of course, some of that low output stems from several dropped passes.  Maybe more than several.  It's not as if the receivers helped him out much.  Without a couple of big plays though, the Ali run and the double pass, we probably lose this game.  We showed an utter inability to string together sustained drives. 

OTOH, the defense was awesome!  Even if ECU is not the type of team to put 45 points on the board, we held them to 13 and a grand total of 269 yards.  There are no negatives about that.

So, I think this team has potential.  The question is whether they can execute consistently.  Yes, we are now 2-0 but it's more accurate to say that we have executed occasionally rather than consistently.  We have the talent to still have a decent season if we execute occasionally but we could have a special season if we can execute consistently.  Can we do so?  I'm skeptical.  Nothing I have seen to date tells me we can but I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

You're skeptical because you have a brain, and can see that we are a bad offensive football team. It's very clear. It's why ECU sold out to stop the run. Our WR, Oline, and QB positions have to be better.

Our defense is stellar and has won 2 games for us so far. We can't always put all the pressure on them. Va tech has a solid defense. Great D line, and while their offense is inconsistent (with wells obviously), they have the capability to make plays at times. Even on Wells inconsistent and bad games, he is as good as Fancher on his average day.

We will need to really fix our entire offensive scheme, and have Fancher throw mid range passes (10-15 yards at a minimum) consistently accurately and have our WR play better. If we can do that, we will force VTech to back off Ali and that'll allow him to hit some holes.

If I'm a DC, I'm selling out on the run and leaving my DBs on islands all game.

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[2xBison]

That DC lost today.  You said so yourself.


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[Johnnyherd]

You're skeptical because we beat a team that doesn't have a decent quarterback plus they had a ton of penalties that benefited us greatly.  It's a great win over a really good defense and a bad offense.  We'll take it and it's an awesome thing, but it doesn't mean we can beat everyone, still lots of improvement needed.

[Herdalum83]

The scoreboard makes this look like a blowout.  It wasn't.  We were down 13-10 with about 11 minutes to go.  I was listening on the radio and just before Ali broke his 56 yard TD run, he had 14 carries for six yards.  Minus that one carry, he had 17 carries for 29 yards.  That's less than two yards per carry which is not exactly a stellar output.  Fancher went 15-28 for 178 yards.  6.4 yards per attempt.  Again, not exactly stellar output.  Of course, some of that low output stems from several dropped passes.  Maybe more than several.  It's not as if the receivers helped him out much.  Without a couple of big plays though, the Ali run and the double pass, we probably lose this game.  We showed an utter inability to string together sustained drives. 

OTOH, the defense was awesome!  Even if ECU is not the type of team to put 45 points on the board, we held them to 13 and a grand total of 269 yards.  There are no negatives about that.

So, I think this team has potential.  The question is whether they can execute consistently.  Yes, we are now 2-0 but it's more accurate to say that we have executed occasionally rather than consistently.  We have the talent to still have a decent season if we execute occasionally but we could have a special season if we can execute consistently.  Can we do so?  I'm skeptical.  Nothing I have seen to date tells me we can but I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

Really the defense only gave up 6... ECU was gifted their TD and damn near couldn't even get the 3 yards to capitalize on it.

[herdfan129]

Plus we missed a FG, had a long pass play called back, and terrible play calling inside the 5 yard line forced us to settle for a FG.

In some ways the game was closer than the score and in other ways we could have beaten them 41-3

[herdorbust2]

I guess some people are never satisfied. We played an ECU team that a lot of people said we couldn't win on the road yet we one going away. And it could have been even worse. I'll tell you what some of you have a problem with. You are waiting on the next Pennington or Leftwich and that probably isn't going to happen. Plus we have a better defense than those days except for the 99 team. Or some have bashed Fancher so bad that they don't want to be wrong and will pinpoint every mistake no matter how many games we win.

[herdfifteen]

Plus we missed a FG, had a long pass play called back, and terrible play calling inside the 5 yard line forced us to settle for a FG.

In some ways the game was closer than the score and in other ways we could have beaten them 41-3

Agree with your thoughts inside the five, it appeared we had simply settled on a field goal.

[Herdiowa]

Genetics?


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I do t know either of you but that was a good one 😂

[GreenSteve]

One of these days, we're going to strap up against a team that comes out of the gate firing on all cylinders.

When we wake up late in the third quarter, which is what we've done in both games this season, the hole is going to be too deep to dig out of.

GS.

[CharlestonHerdGuy]

Just feel good about this win. Nothing lasts forever. Just look at Boise State. They aren't even really that good anymore. Even Alabama seems to be losing ground the last couple of seasons. Feel good about the wins and look forward to the next win after a loss. You just have to take it week by week.

[coalherd]

Well, as some have noted, suggested or hinted, ECU's defense was very strong and perhaps as good, or better, than any other D we might face the rest of this season.  If that proves to be accurate, then I find a good reason to be more "optimistic" than "skeptical" about the remaining games to be played!!

[Garbanjo]

Great win!

We have a terrific defense, but a weak offense that has to improve

[svherd]

It's a win. Every team since '99 has had questions. Yeah, we have O issues, everyone knows it. It's on Huff to fix it. The kids play hard, believe in Huff and seemingly stay out of trouble. I'll take that.

I do think a change in OC is needed.

[whf]

In a way, I'm glad our coaches don't panic quite as fast as us fans do.... just saying.