NorthTexan95

Both our coaches do a great job representing our school.

Seems like most weeks he's out of the game by the 2nd quarter because they are blowing out the opponent.

Define big games. I think you're doing some amazing cherry picking. 2016: Consider the awful roster Seth had his first season and the fact he was starting a true freshman QB, I'd consider the Rice OT game, the road win at Army, and the Southern Miss game as huge. We lost the bowl game to Army in OT with Fine out with an injury. This roster had no business winning 5 games but they did due to the coaching. 2017: UAB, @USM, @LaTech, Army ... they were all big game wins. We were outclassed by FAU and Troy but we were still a very young team that won more than anyone should have expected. 2018: Arkansas and USM were both big games. How well does the team do in close games? In games decided by 8 points or less, under Seth we are 8-3. Stop the cherry picking.

We also need to get the power play going.

After the La Tech loss so many on the board blamed in on us not running the ball enough. Now after this loss so many are blaming the loss on running too much. *sigh* So is this a valid issue? Let's take a look at the second half drives versus UAB. Second Half - First Drive: We take the 2nd half kickoff. The first two plays were runs for 6 and 7 yards. Then we passed three straight plays until we had third and 3 at UAB's 43 which we ran for 1 yard. I didn't mind running on 3rd down as long as you were determined to go for it on 4th. I hated the run on 4th down. Even though we had success running on this drive I didn't think we could get the needed push when they were expecting the run. If it was me I would have passed on 3rd down and if not successful punted on 4th to pin UAB back. Second Half - Second Drive: One play from the one yard line: Fine basically sacked for a safety. The offensive line blew the protection. I wish we had never recovered that fumble at the one. Second Half - Third Drive: Three passes fail to get 10 yards so we punt. Second Half - Fourth Drive: We start at our 25 yard line. We run for 13, run for -1, pass for 5, run for 4, pass for 5. It's now second and 5 a the UAB 43. We run for 4. On 3rd and 1 we rush for no gain. On 4th and 1 the pass is knocked down. Ball turned over on downs. I don't mind this sequence of play calls at all. We could have passed on 3rd down instead. Second Half - Fifth Drive: We start at our 18 and pass, pass, pass until reaching the UAB 23. Mason runs for 12. Then Mason runs for 7 and fumbles. Second Half - Sixth drive: Except for one Mason Fine 6 yard run, we pass our way down to the UAB 27 before turning the ball over on down. Conclusions: 1. It's not reflected in the stats above but UAB was getting a lot more pressure on Fine in the second half. They found some match ups against our offensive line that worked. Passing on every play was not going to succeed like it had in the first half. 2. When did we run the ball too much in the second half? I believe the 4th down play on the first drive of the second half was a bad call for the reasons that I state above. The fourth drive of the second half you could say we should have passed on third and one but it's definitely debatable. That's it. Two plays. If you're complaining about running too much then you're complaining about two plays. Those two plays didn't kill us. Instead, it was was the time of possession. (see next point) 3. We had the ball for only four minutes in the 3rd quarter (FOUR MINUTES!!!). We only had the ball for just less than 6 minutes (SIX MINUTES!!!) in the fourth quarter. The issue in the second half is that our offense was on the field for just less ten minutes (TEN MINUTES!!!). Just look at the third quarter. Our three drives were: 7 plays turnover on downs, 1 play safety, 3 plays punt. Meanwhile, UAB went 8 plays fumble (which immediately led to the safety), 8 plays touchdown, 7 plays touchdown (drive ended at the beginning of the fourth quarter). We scored zero points while UAB scored 16. Our offense couldn't make a play and neither could our defense. Our offense could not get into a rhythm while our defense was worn down.

This is incorrect. The real plan is this: 1. La Tech: Recruit a DE who will go in the 1st or 2nd round of the NFL draft and who can single handily carry his team to multiple wins. or 2. UAB: Recruit four good defensive linemen (some of who don't academically qualify for your school) and let them play till they are in the mid 20's. Our offensive line isn't great but it's not like La Tech and UAB are running backups. Those are the top two defensive lines in the conference and we still could (should) have won those games.

Great post. A 10 win season is still attainable. We're really still rebuilding the offensive line and it really shows at times. I disagree that UAB deserved the benefits NCAA gave them. I suspect their APR will be horrible in a few years unless the NCAA gave them a waiver for that as well. I think recovering that fumble at the one turned out to be the worst play for us. If UAB had just scored there then we don't give up a safety and leave our defense out to dry and get worn out.

I can't believe how truly horrible the announcers were tonight. They've always been bad but tonight they were even more horrible with missed names, missed calls, etc. Fortunately, we don't have them again this year.

If you want to complain take it to the NCAA who gave them unbelievable accommodations when they returned. They basically allowed them to build a semi-pro team.

My big issue is the NCAA really screwed up when they allowed UAB basically unlimited scholarships and allowed them to take non qualifiers. I wonder what their APR is going to look like in a few years.

Yes it is.

Awful play call on 4th down.

These announcers are truly horrible.

If we make them work that hard on offense every time they have the ball, they won't be scoring much .

Without Ferguson they would have only one conference win.

The sack was on 3rd down. The 4th down play was into the endzone but way over thrown. Brought back memories of Derek Thompson.

There has been a video about the competition. There's one from early in the year or maybe last year ... maybe a BTG spot? ... and another a few weeks a go where a girl reporter challenges Mason (spoiler alert: Mason wins).

It's about 75:25 Mason. It's well worth ten minutes to listen to. I said this about Rome's interview with Littrell a few weeks ago and I'll say it again: I'm not a Rome fan but these have been great interviews. Rome does his homework and asks great questions.

I'd take the under. I don't think UAB will score enough to reach the over.

Done. So far it appears the Marshall fans are voting early and often.

I just caught the last 5 seconds of the interview. That part sounded great. I hope the rest did as well. 🙂

Your logic confuses me. So if a kid sacks a quarterback and tea bags him, is that ok? After every first down should the offense be able to run some choreographed dance? If you allow kids to do whatever, they will do whatever. It can easily get out of control. "Penalize the prepared and justify the lucky." What does luck have to do with on field celebrations?

I agree. There's a difference between spontaneous celebrations and choreographed celebrations.

This!

It was right to be penalized. It broke two of the three core values of the team: it was neither selfless nor disciplined. Also, if you're going to have a celebration move, do something that doesn't make you look like a couple of 5 year girls doing ballerina.