I know I know... complaining about the officiating is very lame, but the PI on this play was huge. Yet we get no call on the long pass down the sideline on 3rd and 10 at our own 2 (or whatever yardline it was). These things actually matter.
Horns-Raiders Game Thread
- Thread starter Dionysus
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I know I know... complaining about the officiating is very lame, but the PI on this play was huge. Yet we get no call on the long pass down the sideline on 3rd and 10 at our own 2 (or whatever yardline it was). These things actually matter.
What difference does this make? Do the games only count if we're at full strength?
MeatHeadHorn
1,000+ Posts
Do you think we run wildcat up the middle over and over with Quinn? Do you think we don’t take and complete more shots and have more vertical threat with Ewers? You think we only run 60 plays with Ewers?
Didn’t watch game, but we do this every 6-7 years vs Tech. I had hoped this wasn’t the year.
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Your Wrong
500+ Posts
I wouldn’t say 3 times is over and over. The wildcat should be a part of this offense. But I think Tech showed they were ready for it. So don’t force it.
There is no doubt, there hasn’t been success going deep with Card. But, there were two chances yesterday that easily could have been caught. Not great throws but play makers make plays right?
It may be time to consider Worthy has some limitations. Outside of the face mask catch versus Bama, we have 14 games with quite a few drops and really no “great” catches. And I’m not saying he doesn’t have some great plays. He missed two opportunities yesterday. He could have easily caught a TD versus Bama. He also has seemed to poorly adjust to deep throws too. And has Whitt ever caught a deep one?
Sark didn’t account for Tech trying 8 4th downs. Or a 17 play opening drive. Or a QB has shown some poor decisions for Tech not making any.
In the sense that Sark will open up the offense more with Ewers, I’d agree with that. I also think that’s not exactly smart.
I have been out of pocket the last couple of weeks so didn't see the Bama or UTSA game. From what I read about the Bama game our OL and DL play was superb. But yesterday I thought we just looked like the same old, same old. No pass rush. Poor pass protection. And no real consistent running game. Maybe Ewers is the second coming of VY and will save us. But I'm not impressed. I had us losing 4-5 games this year and I think now its 5-6. Very disappointing.
MeatHeadHorn
1,000+ Posts
I forced myself to rewatch the game. Where on earth does Sark’s play calling go after half time?!? I really need an answer here. I want to see him play a full competitive game with Ewers. But my gosh. He was picking Tech apart first half. Looked like he had them perfectly scouted. Where were the RPO slants to Whittington in second half? Passes to backs on swings or wheels. Crossing routes and seems to Sanders? It’s a total team loss. O-line run blocking is bad and our backs deserve much better. Pass blocking is good enough, not great but enough. Card had pockets to throw in and step up into much of the game. There is no pass rush. None. And even when extra pressure gets home, we slip or run into own guy or something. Unless PK adjusts fast, teams are going to dink and dunk our zone and then hit us in RPOs over the middle for forever. The weakness of this defense is 3rd down. There’s some black magic or something. And 4th down. I just can’t. No complimentary football. Sark has to keep offense moving in second half to keep defense off field. Total fail. No turnovers. Against a turnover happy QB. And then Bijan fumbles. Cream on top. Let’s see if Ewers and Xavier are back, but this was a game that would’ve built on momentum and given Texas breathing room later on in schedule. Much less room for error. And now, when you loose a game in exact same fashion as worst ones of last year, this allows doubt to creep back in. Bert Auburn is that dude tho. I’ve water in the veins. Do we see more 4th madness from other OC’s on the schedule?
TTU was 6 of 8 on 4th down conversions. Just ONE more stop and we win that game. I'm not understanding how the defense is set up to give 7+ yards on almost all of those conversions.
I think Sark may have been too worried about a "balanced" attack. We ended with 30 passing attempts and 30 rushes. We averaged 9.2 yds per pass attempt yet I felt like he was trying to force the run game to control the clock which failed miserably with Tech ending with a 35-25 time of possession edge. They ran 100 plays while we ran 60 plays. They were supposedly a turnover machine yet we had 2 and they had none. Just terrible.
I think Sark may have been too worried about a "balanced" attack. We ended with 30 passing attempts and 30 rushes. We averaged 9.2 yds per pass attempt yet I felt like he was trying to force the run game to control the clock which failed miserably with Tech ending with a 35-25 time of possession edge. They ran 100 plays while we ran 60 plays. They were supposedly a turnover machine yet we had 2 and they had none. Just terrible.
Agree. Big threat, but his hands are suspect. In fact, the drops have really hurt this team. He needs to step up. Hope he can.
That record doesn’t lie. What’s Sark, 1-8 in Big 12 play? I’m
Yes, record says we are the bottom of Big 12. They can fix it but we just lost to a team we beat by 35 points last year. Don’t see it unless Quinn is Jesus.
Those 3 off sides penalties were so Charlie Strongish. Just stupid players. No football IQ.
I wish NIL was paid on performance. Bijan, Worthy and O need to be writing some checks.
Tech had a great strategy, great motivation and won the game in OT because of a spectacular hit on our best player
Be as miserable and pessimistic as you want. But a team of quitters wouldn't have driven the field in a few seconds to force OT. I care greatly for this team and still have high expectations.
Be as miserable and pessimistic as you want. But a team of quitters wouldn't have driven the field in a few seconds to force OT. I care greatly for this team and still have high expectations.
beijinghorn1
500+ Posts
Sorry but do you realize Tech was playing with their back up QB. Again injuries and official excuses are for Aggies. We are better than that. The best team won. Congratulations to their players and coaches. Time to get better, that is all.
beijinghorn1
500+ Posts
My recollection of the game, on third and fourth down, when Tech tried to run they pushed the D-line about 3 yards off the ball. They ignored all of our guys who were under 200 lbs (good reason, even their QB easily ran over them). If you can get a 3 yard push when needed, dam the playbook opens up and only a fool would not go for it on 4th down.
Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your point, but I think you're saying you need to see Sark call a full game (or two) with Ewers to make up your mind about him (Sark) as a play caller and coach. Fair enough, but I'm saying that at any particular time, Sark will likely not have a full strength team. It's his responsibility to find a way to win whether at full strength, half strength, 1/4 strength, etc.
As has been mentioned several times, the first half play calling was quite good (without Ewers). Why did it change? Why does it continue to change?
Clearly a horrible lack of review by the refs but we cant force that. Given what we have already dealt with this year, its pretty obvious the big12 is happy to screw over Texas and probably ou as well. Lubbock is a crappy town and their fans have been horrible for 20+ years. This isnt going to change. You think the conference will do anything about the fans pushing and shoving the Texas players on the field on Saturday. The answer is no and that doesnt matter if we were leaving or not. Not a worse run conference in America!
Bravo!! This team didnt quit and that say a lot.
Your Wrong
500+ Posts
This will be the last miserable post of mine in this thread.
I watched the offense again. Not sure Techs defense ever did anything markedly different in 2nd half versus the 1st.
Some things that caught my eye. The TD throw to Keilan was out of the diamond formation, which is the same formation we ran the play fake then dump off to Roschon (think vs Bama for big gain except for the penalty). I’m not sure we saw that formation again.
On a 3rd down, we ran a trips bunch formation to the left. As best I can remember we’ve run it twice on 3rd down this year. Both very easy completions for 1st downs. I would have liked to see that on 3rd and 3 late in the game rather than a sprint out.
Our 2nd series. The throw to Bijan in the end zone with Helm underneath. I see why he threw it. He got the single coverage. Bijan was even with the defender early, but the defender bumped him about 5 yards wider. As a QB, you get the look you want on your first look. What do you do? You throw it. Ironically for the he waits too long to throw crowd had he waited a second longer, he either makes a more accurate throw or chooses differently.
On 1st goal after our goal line stand, we could have had a big play on play action roll left. Instead their backside safety blitzes and makes the play. Not an Oline issue. I didn’t care for our play call or the formation here.
In my opinion, second half issues are more a matter of play calling/usage of resources rather than adjustments. Card could have made some better throws but several were catchable. I do not believe we had any rushing first downs in the 2nd half, save Bijans TD. Yet we continued to attempt to establish the run.
I was less concerned about Neyor and Angilaus injuries when they occurred. But they’ve been critical. We need a dude who can catch 50/50 balls. Angilau shores up the run game.
I watched the offense again. Not sure Techs defense ever did anything markedly different in 2nd half versus the 1st.
Some things that caught my eye. The TD throw to Keilan was out of the diamond formation, which is the same formation we ran the play fake then dump off to Roschon (think vs Bama for big gain except for the penalty). I’m not sure we saw that formation again.
On a 3rd down, we ran a trips bunch formation to the left. As best I can remember we’ve run it twice on 3rd down this year. Both very easy completions for 1st downs. I would have liked to see that on 3rd and 3 late in the game rather than a sprint out.
Our 2nd series. The throw to Bijan in the end zone with Helm underneath. I see why he threw it. He got the single coverage. Bijan was even with the defender early, but the defender bumped him about 5 yards wider. As a QB, you get the look you want on your first look. What do you do? You throw it. Ironically for the he waits too long to throw crowd had he waited a second longer, he either makes a more accurate throw or chooses differently.
On 1st goal after our goal line stand, we could have had a big play on play action roll left. Instead their backside safety blitzes and makes the play. Not an Oline issue. I didn’t care for our play call or the formation here.
In my opinion, second half issues are more a matter of play calling/usage of resources rather than adjustments. Card could have made some better throws but several were catchable. I do not believe we had any rushing first downs in the 2nd half, save Bijans TD. Yet we continued to attempt to establish the run.
I was less concerned about Neyor and Angilaus injuries when they occurred. But they’ve been critical. We need a dude who can catch 50/50 balls. Angilau shores up the run game.
Again, I'm still on board, but, Sark seems a lot like the 2nd coming of John Mackovic, without the condescending tone. He's supposed to be this offensive guru, and his initial game plans are spot-on, but, in the 2nd half, if what he has planned does not work, he has no Plan B and no ability or at least no desire to change things on the fly based on what the defense is doing. It's like he thinks his plan is perfect it has to work - sound familiar old-timers? Plus he does not prioritize defense, the very thing that killed Mackovic's career in Austin.
Our run blocking has been generally atrocious in all 3 games. Only Bijans creativity and RJs toughness has given the occassional illusion of anything otherwise.
I told my son at 31-17 (even after Bijans touchdown run which was a fortunate combination of luck, poor spacing, and poor tackling) we may have problems because tech was going to continue to move the ball and we couldn't control possession due to inability to run block.
And on a related note, we need more RB screens and some options or pitchouts (what happened to the "pitch"??) to get our backs in space to mitigate this.
Just looked like a timid, too conservative and predictable approach in the second half when everything about the play (especially by the oline) was screaming "You better get out of the box and get creative/break schedule!"
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MeatHeadHorn
1,000+ Posts
Yes, that's my point. He still manages usually to call a good first half with Card starting (1st half was great against Tech). But even when Card came in against Bama, Sark turtled up, so something tells me there is an issue with trust in Card that kicks in. I just want to see how he would call a competitive game with his hand picked QB. I have same question burning me up as you. Why does the play calling change and why can we not play complimentary football in second half? I am ok with not having full strength, because we have a ton of young talent at skill positions that need to be developed. Good teams should be able to find a way to win. Every team in Big 12 would kill for Ajai Hall or Brennen Thompson. Figure it out.
Sark is an excellent judge of QB talent. He knows what Card can do comfortably, and where he still needs to grow. He builds the game plan around that, but with that said, I don't understand why passes to the flat, or swing passes to Bijan or Roschon haven't been on the menu more. We've run plenty of WR screens. Seems we could utilize our best runners in the same fashion more often.
I stand corrected, at least partially. tech got fined 50k for the shove/storm the field. Will anything change in lubbock, doubtful but glad they got fined. Been going on for years so doubt this will alter anything!
moondog_LFZ
5,000+ Posts
Police in Lubbock are asking for the identity of the student that pushed our player.
I just dont understand the people here still supporting pk. We have a year and 4 games and have only played 1 respectable game of defense. The guy gets paid 2m+ and we get jack squat out of him. I dont believe our dl is this bad. I actually think with a dc they are probably way better than good. I got pooped on numerous comments but you have to ask if you dont like the facts, at what point will you finally open your eyes to what he brings.
3 games - 20 points against or less
1 game - over 20 points scored against
This represents significant improvement from last season, but there is still plenty more room to improve.
You do not WANT to acknowledge any improvement, and if you ever do so, you will lay the improvement 100% on Patterson. Your posts about PK are worthless, because anything bad about the defense is all on him, and anything good is all on somebody else. Since that is your preconditioned mindset, there is no value to any of your commentary regarding the defense and defensive coaching.
1 game - over 20 points scored against
This represents significant improvement from last season, but there is still plenty more room to improve.
You do not WANT to acknowledge any improvement, and if you ever do so, you will lay the improvement 100% on Patterson. Your posts about PK are worthless, because anything bad about the defense is all on him, and anything good is all on somebody else. Since that is your preconditioned mindset, there is no value to any of your commentary regarding the defense and defensive coaching.
Apparently you will be pk's cheerleader regardless of what he produces. Like I said, I just dont believe out DL is this bad but we continue to fail at lane integrity and setting the edge. We blitzed a lot with Bama and it helped generate pressure to help offset our 10 yard cushion on the wr. We blitzed a little in the 2nd qtr at tech and it put pressure on the qb and then it disappeared. I dont know what the relationship is with PK and GP on the coaching aspect but neither do you unless you are Sark in disguise. We have 1 year of almost the worst d in UT history (says a lot considering mackovic years) and that alone is painful to almost all Texas fans, with the exception of you. Keep cheerleading pk and perhaps your esp will somehow will him to produce. If he continues with what we have seen, he wont last the year.
Your Wrong
500+ Posts
It was PK that missed the tackle on Young. And he missed the tackle on Smith on Saturday on 4th down too.
Of all the losses in Sarks tenure, there’s only been one that couldn’t have gone our way. Our team certainly has much to do with it, but we really haven’t had much luck either. Pretty blatant calls missed not in our favor. Injuries. Suspension of DMO.
Then there are the missed tackles. The crazy play calls on O and D. The misthrows. The failure to make a key catch.
I was critical of Sarks 1st down play call after our stop on the 2. There’s a screenshot out there, I assume legit, that shows Bijan and likely Bijan alone blew the play. At best it changed the sequence of play calls and at worst it’s a TD. It was a huge hole running away from a blitzing safety.
It is no one in particular, but it is everyone. Somebody make that play when it counts. Other than Bert of course because he’s doing it. Offense, defense who cares. It’s coaches too.
We are getting close to getting over the hump on some of these games.
Of all the losses in Sarks tenure, there’s only been one that couldn’t have gone our way. Our team certainly has much to do with it, but we really haven’t had much luck either. Pretty blatant calls missed not in our favor. Injuries. Suspension of DMO.
Then there are the missed tackles. The crazy play calls on O and D. The misthrows. The failure to make a key catch.
I was critical of Sarks 1st down play call after our stop on the 2. There’s a screenshot out there, I assume legit, that shows Bijan and likely Bijan alone blew the play. At best it changed the sequence of play calls and at worst it’s a TD. It was a huge hole running away from a blitzing safety.
It is no one in particular, but it is everyone. Somebody make that play when it counts. Other than Bert of course because he’s doing it. Offense, defense who cares. It’s coaches too.
We are getting close to getting over the hump on some of these games.
As I have said before, we are still a team full of Mr. Almosts.
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