OLine vs Army

BTG_Fan1 · October 24, 2016

Did it stay the same OLine the entire game, I didn't even think to see if it did or if we were still juggling guys around.. also, if they did stay the same is this a carry over from Marshall?

this offense will go as far as they let us, because Wilson can run it and fine can throw when needed at times.

wardly · October 24, 2016

Don't know. The 1st half we probably had zero rushing yards, but came out smoking in the 2nd.

THOR · October 24, 2016

-2 yards rushing in the first half...

Cerebus · October 24, 2016

1 minute ago, wardly said:

Don't know. The 1st half we probably had zero rushing yards, but came out smoking in the 2nd.

It was -2, but that was counting sacks.

We only handed the ball off to Wilson twice in the first half. SL admitted that they just didn't call the run enough the first half.

Ben Gooding · October 24, 2016

I was pretty p'd off at halftime due to Wilson's 2 touches. That's inexcusable. It was refreshing to hear Littrell own his f up in his post presser though.

MeanGreenMailbox aka TFLF · October 24, 2016

We tried to throw in the first half. Switched to run-based attack in the second half and it popped the game open.

We don't have the personnel right now for a pass-based offense. But, this line does a great job run blocking. And, we have a great weapons back there in Jeffrey Wilson and his back up Willy Ivery.

untcampbell · October 25, 2016

At the half, Army West Point had the ball 22+ minutes and something like 183 yard offense. Good guys: 7+ and about 56 yards.

Amazing seeing those statistics flashed up on the stadium board, and being ahead at half.

BTW, with all due respect to the hosts of my favorite road trip, you would think all of those defense contract sponsors at West Point would pony up for a legitimate video board.

GMG

GreenFlag · October 26, 2016

On October 24, 2016 at 10:27 AM, MeanGreenMailbox said:

We tried to throw in the first half. Switched to run-based attack in the second half and it popped the game open.

We don't have the personnel right now for a pass-based offense. But, this line does a great job run blocking. And, we have a great weapons back there in Jeffrey Wilson and his back up Willy Ivery.

Mailbox loves the running game.

Dude, there isn't a team in the country that could have passed effectively that day - the wind was atrocious.

The mere threat of a passing game opened up the rushing game.

In college football today you have to have both to be effective. Army doesn't, we shut that down and that is why we won.

Please Mailbox, quit the McCarney mantra because it's bullsh.

This isn't a Todd Dodge coached team.

PlummMeanGreen · October 27, 2016

19 minutes ago, GreenFlag said:

Mailbox loves the running game.

Dude, there isn't a team in the country that could have passed effectively that day - the wind was atrocious.

The mere threat of a passing game opened up the rushing game.

In college football today you have to have both to be effective. Army doesn't, we shut that down and that is why we won.

Please Mailbox, quit the McCarney mantra because it's bullsh.

This isn't a Todd Dodge coached team.

And the TV broadcasters said something to the effect that we didn't bring heaters for the sideline, too? Didn't know we were supposed to bring our own heaters since I thought the host provided those?

GMG24 · October 27, 2016

Guys, we ran like 25 plays in the first half... I am sure every play we send in is both a Run or Pass based on alignment. Army muddles a ton of crap with their front 7, we had a Pup playing QB probably made some mistakes Littrell took the hit because he's that kind of coach. Bottom line, our D kept us in the game and our Offense found a rhythm.

To address the heater issue, I believe you take everything in your arsenal to every game (if possible) and be prepared for anything. Learned this the hard way one year coaching when it was suppose to be 60 and beautiful and it ended up being 95+ and guestimation of 70% humidity, no fans or coolers because we left them at school. That never happened again.

MeanGreenMailbox aka TFLF · October 27, 2016

15 hours ago, GreenFlag said:

Mailbox loves the running game.

Dude, there isn't a team in the country that could have passed effectively that day - the wind was atrocious.

The mere threat of a passing game opened up the rushing game.

In college football today you have to have both to be effective. Army doesn't, we shut that down and that is why we won.

Please Mailbox, quit the McCarney mantra because it's bullsh.

This isn't a Todd Dodge coached team.

Dickey Era as well. Actually, any post-rejoining I-A level mantra that has gotten us into a bowl game. Sorry. Littrell discovered that he doesn't have the personnel to run a spread/Air Raid yet. He already tried earlier in the season.

He has a roster of OLs who do a great job of run blocking, and two very good tailbacks. He's sticking with it, and we're winning as a result. If he stays the course, we'll be in a bowl game - riding the back of Jeffrey Wilson, Willy Ivery, good defense, and excellent special teams.

greenminer · October 27, 2016

1 hour ago, MeanGreenMailbox said:

Dickey Era as well. Actually, any post-rejoining I-A level mantra that has gotten us into a bowl game. Sorry. Littrell discovered that he doesn't have the personnel to run a spread/Air Raid yet. He already tried earlier in the season.

He has a roster of OLs who do a great job of run blocking, and two very good tailbacks. He's sticking with it, and we're winning as a result. If he stays the course, we'll be in a bowl game - riding the back of Jeffrey Wilson, Willy Ivery, good defense, and excellent special teams.

I love me some good running schemes, and our history at RB, but those titles came because of our defense.

Edited October 27, 2016 by greenminer

Green Crazy · October 27, 2016

didn't i read somewhere that rice had to move to center at half, after barr got banged up?

Cerebus · October 27, 2016

Just now, greenminer said:

I love me some good running schemes, and our history at RB, but those titles came because of our defense.

You sure the run game didn't have a lot to do with it?

2001 - Kevin Galbreath 1119 YDS
2002 - Kevin Galbreath 1168 YDS / Patrick Cobbs 732 TDS
2003 - Patrick Cobbs 1570 YDS
2004 - Jamario Thomas 1801 YDS

Those wins were team efforts. Defense played outstanding but they benefited from a lot of rest while the offense wore down the game clock.

PS: I think we are all a little guilty of forgetting what a great back Kevin Galbreath was.

MeanGreenTexan · October 27, 2016

2 minutes ago, Cerebus said:

You sure the run game didn't have a lot to do with it?

2001 - Kevin Galbreath 1119 YDS

2002 - Kevin Galbreath 1168 YDS / Patrick Cobbs 732 TDS

2003 - Patrick Cobbs 1570 YDS

2004 - Jamario Thomas 1801 YDS

Those wins were team efforts. Defense played outstanding but they benefited from a lot of rest while the offense wore down the game clock.

PS: I think we are all a little guilty of forgetting what a great back Kevin Galbreath was.

Absolutely. He was one of my favorites. I was bummed to see J'Quay graduate because I wasn't sure who would be toting the rock. In comes Galbreath from NEOK, and he blew it up! His legacy is forgotten since the guys who came after him were both National Rushing Champs.

GreenGonzo · October 27, 2016

Yes; Galbreath dominated Cincinnati in the New Orleans Bowl we won.

Aldo · October 27, 2016

4 hours ago, MeanGreenMailbox said:

Dickey Era as well. Actually, any post-rejoining I-A level mantra that has gotten us into a bowl game. Sorry. Littrell discovered that he doesn't have the personnel to run a spread/Air Raid yet. He already tried earlier in the season.

He has a roster of OLs who do a great job of run blocking, and two very good tailbacks. He's sticking with it, and we're winning as a result. If he stays the course, we'll be in a bowl game - riding the back of Jeffrey Wilson, Willy Ivery, good defense, and excellent special teams.

I'll half agree with you there. Like you said, our run game is our best aspect, and Littrell knows that. As an OC, his teams' pass/run ratios varied based on personnel.

Littrell wanted to attack the Army defense through the air (air force joke in there) bc of something they saw on film. Smiley, Willie were getting open. The plays were working, Fine was just off. The previous 3 games, Fine was 61.3%, 3TD, 0 INT, 244 yards/g. So I don't think it was lack of faith in personnel (going into the game).

It's possible that Littrell forced the script in the first half, but they only had a few minutes to do so. Just glad the staff is aware/good enough and made the [proper] adjustments.

Edited October 27, 2016 by Aldo

Cr1028 · October 27, 2016

3 hours ago, Cerebus said:

You sure the run game didn't have a lot to do with it?

2001 - Kevin Galbreath 1119 YDS

2002 - Kevin Galbreath 1168 YDS / Patrick Cobbs 732 TDS

2003 - Patrick Cobbs 1570 YDS

2004 - Jamario Thomas 1801 YDS

Those wins were team efforts. Defense played outstanding but they benefited from a lot of rest while the offense wore down the game clock.

PS: I think we are all a little guilty of forgetting what a great back Kevin Galbreath was.

2013 Brandin Byrd 1075 YDS / Antoinne Jimmerson 446 YDS / Reggie Pegram 338 YDS

But let's not kid ourselves, our all-time leading rusher got the bulk of his yards playing for Todd Dodge. It is interesting to look at the history. Todd Dodge actually adjusted his playcalling but it was difficult to notice in the moment. In '07, he was 59.2% pass, year 2 58.1% pass. By 2009 (his last full season), he was 50.4% rush. Through the 7 games he coached in '10, he was 59.8% rush. The major difference between Littrell and Dodge, from what I can see, is Littrell has adjusted his scheme to the personnel much faster than Dodge did. Dodge tried to force his system to work with Dickey players, it didn't work, he realized it and adjusted but it was too late. Littrell/Harrell have adjusted their system to get the most results out of the McCarney players left on the team.

Other than that, I think if Todd Dodge had been able to bring in a Coach Ek/Reffett from the beginning, he may have ended up being very successful at our school. He didn't learn fast enough and we didn't have the patience (rightfully so) to open a new stadium with a coach holding such a poor win/loss record. We'll never know what would've happened if the injury bug hadn't bitten so hard in '10. If Tune doesn't dislocate his hip on the final drive vs Rice, do we get that win rather than a 1 point loss? If Tune or Thompson starts vs ULL and the Red Wolves, do those 1 and 5 point losses turn to Ws? If anybody but a walkon wide receiver has to start at qb vs FIU, do we have a chance to win that game? If those 3 losses by less than 4 points each turn to Ws, we are sitting at 4-3 in 2010, Dodge isn't getting fired and we are talking about bowling. Just weird to me to think that if Todd Dodge had brought a heralded college DC with him from the get-go, he may've still been our coach today, or even been hired away by a P5. Defense just crushed that dude's career. Praise Ekeler and Reffett!

Edited October 27, 2016 by Cr1028

Cr1028 · October 27, 2016

This year, we are averaging 346.0 yards per game in total offense and scoring 27.1 points per game(25.1 excluding pick 6s).

In 2007, we averaged 408.4 and scored 24.8 points per game(23.7 excluding pick 6s).

In 2008, we averaged 363.0 and scored 20.0 points per game(19.4 excluding pick 6s).

In 2009, we averaged 408.7 and scored 26.6 points per game(no pick 6s).

In 2010, through the first 7 games we averaged 348.7(462 vs Clemson and 420 vs Rice before Tune went down) and scored 16.9 points per game.

The major difference has been defense. This year's defense is better than anything Dodge ever had. Defense wins football games, ask Tech.

MeanGreenMailbox aka TFLF · October 28, 2016

21 hours ago, Cerebus said:

You sure the run game didn't have a lot to do with it?

2001 - Kevin Galbreath 1119 YDS

2002 - Kevin Galbreath 1168 YDS / Patrick Cobbs 732 TDS

2003 - Patrick Cobbs 1570 YDS

2004 - Jamario Thomas 1801 YDS

Those wins were team efforts. Defense played outstanding but they benefited from a lot of rest while the offense wore down the game clock.

PS: I think we are all a little guilty of forgetting what a great back Kevin Galbreath was.

Thank you. And, really good special teams, then, as well.

FirefightnRick · October 28, 2016

19 hours ago, Cr1028 said:

2013 Brandin Byrd 1075 YDS / Antoinne Jimmerson 446 YDS / Reggie Pegram 338 YDS

But let's not kid ourselves, our all-time leading rusher got the bulk of his yards playing for Todd Dodge. It is interesting to look at the history. Todd Dodge actually adjusted his playcalling but it was difficult to notice in the moment. In '07, he was 59.2% pass, year 2 58.1% pass. By 2009 (his last full season), he was 50.4% rush. Through the 7 games he coached in '10, he was 59.8% rush. The major difference between Littrell and Dodge, from what I can see, is Littrell has adjusted his scheme to the personnel much faster than Dodge did. Dodge tried to force his system to work with Dickey players, it didn't work, he realized it and adjusted but it was too late. Littrell/Harrell have adjusted their system to get the most results out of the McCarney players left on the team.

Other than that, I think if Todd Dodge had been able to bring in a Coach Ek/Reffett from the beginning, he may have ended up being very successful at our school. He didn't learn fast enough and we didn't have the patience (rightfully so) to open a new stadium with a coach holding such a poor win/loss record. We'll never know what would've happened if the injury bug hadn't bitten so hard in '10. If Tune doesn't dislocate his hip on the final drive vs Rice, do we get that win rather than a 1 point loss? If Tune or Thompson starts vs ULL and the Red Wolves, do those 1 and 5 point losses turn to Ws? If anybody but a walkon wide receiver has to start at qb vs FIU, do we have a chance to win that game? If those 3 losses by less than 4 points each turn to Ws, we are sitting at 4-3 in 2010, Dodge isn't getting fired and we are talking about bowling. Just weird to me to think that if Todd Dodge had brought a heralded college DC with him from the get-go, he may've still been our coach today, or even been hired away by a P5. Defense just crushed that dude's career. Praise Ekeler and Reffett!

Great post.

Rick