I was at the game. This is what I saw that concerns me. It seemed to me that we gave up WAY too many 3rd and longs. Also, our OL isnt cutting it and I dont see things changing in the bye week. But my biggest concern was our 3rd down efficiency on defense. When I got home I looked up Pitt's play by play and this is what I found: Pit had 15 third down plays and made 7 of them. The 7 they converted were as follows:
3&11
3&6
PI
PI
3&11
3&15
3&10
Pitt was also 3 for 3 on fourth down attempts in the second half. In summation, they converted on 4 of 9 3rd down attempts in the 2nd half and then made 3 of 3 4th down attempts. That could come back to bite us in the butt when we play the big boys.
Also, YGM doesnt look like he's in playing shape just yet. It could be me, but he didnt seem to be double teamed at all yet he was a non-factor. I tried to key on him for a few plays and didnt think he had much steam. Any thoughts from you guys that watched on TV??
One more thing: It was 3rd and 8 and 3rd and 10 on the two PI plays.
That’s what I saw and that will kill the defense. Clifford was off on the long ball today or we would’ve had 2 more TD’s but we got the Win and that’s all that matters
Our receivers had a step or two on their defenders and Cliff couldnt hook up with them. I recall two for sure and maybe a third one.
I will throw my nickel in...I think the defense is fine. They gave up 10 pts. in spite of being on the field all day because the offense couldn't put together a controlled drive. I am concerned that the defensive front 4 can't get any pressure on their own. That's about it from the defensive side of the ball.
The offense is a totally different story...The play calling is stale. The offensive line is well...OFFENSIVE...they can't block a lawn chair...Clifford was under pressure most of the game. They can't pass block...They can't run block...Most of the yardage they gained was chunk yardage on a few big plays and the rest was terrible...
Say what you want about Maryland getting beat today by Temple...They are a dangerous team that put a whooping on Syracuse...I think they almost put up 63 on em and Clemson right now is up 34-6...
My feeling is that if Penn State doesn't start blocking people and opening up the offense a little bit they are gonna lose 4 or 5 games. I honestly am concerned and don't like what I am seeing. The defense is on the field way too long and that has to change....
Let me say this, I am not too concerned because I went back to what I wrote in the beginning of the season. I wrote that our defense will have to carry us through the first 5 games or so, but our offense better be ready by Iowa.
Well, that's what is happening. Our defense is holding teams to 13 or less, and our offense is showing flashes but needs consistency.
Here is what I am not concerned about: Clifford. He is fine, missed a lot of deep shots but he is young. He isn't making INT mistakes. The WRs look fine too, better than last year. TE is a beast. Tackles on the OL look solid, the pressure isn't coming from the outside.
Here is what I am concerned about: Interior of the line. Both guards and the center look lost when the defense swaps or stunts. They aren't adjusting. It's more of a blown assignment problem than a straight up blocking problem. This goes into the other thing that concerns me... rotation. At this point, what are we doing? Noah Cain is obviously our best inside runner. Play him. Journey Brown and him should be the 1/2 punch, Slade just isn't getting it done.
Mennet is center, wasn't he a five star gotta have'm recruit?
I have posted over and over again. OLine is terrible. DLine needs to get a pass rush from it's front 4 and when it's all said and done Cain is going to be the lead back when it shakes out. I rank this impressive stable of running backs 1. Cain 2. Brown 3. Ford 4. Slade...I am down on Slade for the obvious reason...Ball security...Whoever totes the rock needs to hang on to the dag gum thing and Slade has struggled with that.
The team has a lot of work to do to be considered a championship caliber ballclub
Mennet is center, wasn't he a five star gotta have'm recruit?
He was a 4 star, and a guard not center.
Our receivers had a step or two on their defenders and Cliff couldnt hook up with them. I recall two for sure and maybe a third one.
Just 1 more second of line protection and those passes are probably completed, again it falls back to the Oline.
