Kent State at BG game thread

[Falconfreak90]

This was not a pretty win, but I did think Knapke looked good making deep throws in a way I had not noticed before. In that last drive, those deep passes to Ryan Burbrink and Roger Lewis? That impressed me.

Knapke made some VERY nice deep passes in this game, and also missed quite a few, unfortunately. That pass down the sidelines on the very first drive was a thing of beauty, dropped it right into the bucket between the CB & S in a cover-2. The long TD to Lewis was also a perfect pass, although I have no idea what the hell the safeties were doing...sitting in cover 2 deep but let Lewis split them and when they turned to follow they were both running in quicksand by comparison.

The throws on that final drive to Burbrink & Lewis were also absolute Money.


Unfortunately, folks criticizing the playcalling, it's NOT the playcalling throughout the game. Knapke is looking very limited right now...it's either a quick hitter/screen, or he's looking deep. There were intermediate routes being run all game long (often by Ronnie Moore who somehow managed only 2 catches). Our QB either doesn't look at those routes, doesn't see them coming open (and they were), or cannot make accurate throws. Those routes also rely on perfect timing between the QB and WR, and other than a few instances where he seemed to find a rhythm that is not a strong suit either.

Knapke is doing as good a job as we could have hoped filling in for Johnson, but he looked VERY limited to me last night. He hit a few deep balls, which is great because it should at least open up the run game (when we have our RBs), but he just cannot hit those timing patterns the way Johnson did. Thankfully, he hit enough of those deep passes to get us a double digit win and lock up our division.

Given the insane amount of injuries this season, and acclimating to entirely different systems on both sides of the ball, I cannot complain about 7-3 and MAC East Champs.

Couldn't agree more, hammb. One thing I'd like to see...stop the bubble screen. That play has been overused across the nation teams know how to defend it. Kman was lofting some bombs last night. I wonder if the staff kept things more simple so Campbell doesn't have as much to view on film.

[Globetrotter]

This was not a pretty win, but I did think Knapke looked good making deep throws in a way I had not noticed before. In that last drive, those deep passes to Ryan Burbrink and Roger Lewis? That impressed me.

Knapke made some VERY nice deep passes in this game, and also missed quite a few, unfortunately. That pass down the sidelines on the very first drive was a thing of beauty, dropped it right into the bucket between the CB & S in a cover-2. The long TD to Lewis was also a perfect pass, although I have no idea what the hell the safeties were doing...sitting in cover 2 deep but let Lewis split them and when they turned to follow they were both running in quicksand by comparison.

The throws on that final drive to Burbrink & Lewis were also absolute Money.


Unfortunately, folks criticizing the playcalling, it's NOT the playcalling throughout the game. Knapke is looking very limited right now...it's either a quick hitter/screen, or he's looking deep. There were intermediate routes being run all game long (often by Ronnie Moore who somehow managed only 2 catches). Our QB either doesn't look at those routes, doesn't see them coming open (and they were), or cannot make accurate throws. Those routes also rely on perfect timing between the QB and WR, and other than a few instances where he seemed to find a rhythm that is not a strong suit either.

Knapke is doing as good a job as we could have hoped filling in for Johnson, but he looked VERY limited to me last night. He hit a few deep balls, which is great because it should at least open up the run game (when we have our RBs), but he just cannot hit those timing patterns the way Johnson did. Thankfully, he hit enough of those deep passes to get us a double digit win and lock up our division.

Given the insane amount of injuries this season, and acclimating to entirely different systems on both sides of the ball, I cannot complain about 7-3 and MAC East Champs.

Completely agree. I think both sides have room for improvement but back to back MAC East Champs with a defense that looked like a Junior High team in the first game is really exciting.

[Redwingtom]

Boy, that overloaded screen pass didn't work at all last night. I was trying to notice but I couldn't really tell on TV, were they using that screen formation on some plays to set up a different throw, or a play to the other side of the field? If not, we really need to use it a lot less.

[mscarn]

This is a team of gritty, resilient winners. From seniors to true freshmen, starters to backups and former walk-ons to highly touted recruits, they make the plays when they need to make them and find a way to victory.

There are four games (2 regular season, MAC title game and bowl game) remaining. Think of how good this team can be when we're willing and/or able to run more than five offensive plays: run up the middle, RB screen, bubble screen, sideline WR pass and deep ball. Our offense takes about 5 minutes to scout and prepare for and they're still able to put up 30 a game.

We're 7-3, 5-1 in the league and still can improve in so many ways. That's the mark of a great program.

[Beaker]

Honestly, I don't rate our chances of winning next week as being terribly high, but what I do like is that we have wrapped up the East, while the scuds are in a must win situation to stay alive for the West. I'm hoping that leads to us playing loose and stress free and them being tight. If we can stay in it late, there's a better chance they might pucker up and we can finally break this agonizing dry spell. We have Deiter back and making good contributions, which helps us out. We need Green and Coppet to be ready to go 100% and Moore and Lewis to break some big plays. Heath Jackson is an excellent receiver and hasn't been utilized a great deal lately. Would love to see him get involved in a bigger way next week. Burbrink has been rock solid for us. Who knows what the QB situation will be for TSUN?

If we can play a complete game for 4 quarters, minimal mistakes and balanced, well timed play calling, we can win it. Would be nothing sweeter than putting a dagger in their season.

[Globetrotter]

This is a team of gritty, resilient winners. From seniors to true freshmen, starters to backups and former walk-ons to highly touted recruits, they make the plays when they need to make them and find a way to victory.

We're 7-3, 5-1 in the league and still can improve in so many ways. That's the mark of a great program.

Lots of cliches here.

This board is getting super cliche'e lately.

I bet we give 110% next game. You can't get to the top unless you start climbing. Defense wins championships.

[mscarn]

Pointing out clichés is so cliché.

[Globetrotter]

Pointing out clichés is so cliché.

lol

[Class of 61]

I've thought about the playcalling and have a theory... Wanting to run 3 plays per minute not only limits your QB as many have stated from time to time, but also seems to limit the off. Coordinater(s) . I was calling plays based on what I saw on the previous playcall. Was pretty close to accurate many times. Have a good run "up the gut"? Run it again . Throw a good pass tp Dieter? Throw to him THREE times in a row. Maybe different pattern, but same WR. I could be wrong and off base, but it does seem to limit what we run. Seems like the KSU coach alluded to this PRIOR to playing the game.

[jpfalcon09]

I've thought about the playcalling and have a theory... Wanting to run 3 plays per minute not only limits your QB as many have stated from time to time, but also seems to limit the off. Coordinater(s) . I was calling plays based on what I saw on the previous playcall. Was pretty close to accurate many times. Have a good run "up the gut"? Run it again . Throw a good pass tp Dieter? Throw to him THREE times in a row. Maybe different pattern, but same WR. I could be wrong and off base, but it does seem to limit what we run. Seems like the KSU coach alluded to this PRIOR to playing the game.

Holley last night was crashing down on almost every play and had a couple TFLs, that tells you the offense is telegraphing their plays. I'd like to see them attack the middle of the field more, seems like Knapke loves attacking the sidelines. I agree though that when you run 80-90 plays a game that the variety is going to lack.

[Flipper]

This is a team of gritty, resilient winners. From seniors to true freshmen, starters to backups and former walk-ons to highly touted recruits, they make the plays when they need to make them and find a way to victory.

There are four games (2 regular season, MAC title game and bowl game) remaining. Think of how good this team can be when we're willing and/or able to run more than five offensive plays: run up the middle, RB screen, bubble screen, sideline WR pass and deep ball. Our offense takes about 5 minutes to scout and prepare for and they're still able to put up 30 a game.

We're 7-3, 5-1 in the league and still can improve in so many ways. That's the mark of a great program.

[poltergeist]

E. OSU's Band is great. We should strive to be like them. Maybe Hire John Waters.

only if it's this one.