Just a few observations after watching the replay over and over in slow-mo, now that I have DVR:
1. It's only a matter of time before Eric Hawkins takes a KO to the house. That kid can fly. He's lightweight, but if he finds a seam, it's over. He had a good return early in the 2nd quarter that looked good. He returned another later in the 2nd quarter where he should have taken a knee, but stutter-stepped and brought it out anyway, and he still managed to get to the 25 on speed alone.
2. Frank Ragnow got laid on his backside more than once.
3. BA's ability to make accurate throws from weird body angles is rather interesting. I don't know if it's his first year as a starter where he had to survive with little pass pro or what, but he gained a unique skillset along the way. Would much rather him not have to do that at all, but when passpro breaks down, it's not over.
4. May not sound like a earth-shattering observation, but our WR screens are very well executed. I wasn't just impressed with the fact that they resulted in 2 TDs, but watching them over and over in slow-mo, everyone on the field executed very clean and very precise. The play calls were on the money, too. Each time we ran them we had a very favorable match-up / blitz package coming our way that opened up the perimeter. And props to our WRs (particularly Drew Morgan and Keon Hatcher) who are well-coached stalk blockers. Contrary to popular belief, Stalk Blocking is a tough thing to do, and they do it well. I know we all were hoping to have a deep threat to open up our run game, but I would add that respecting these WR screens will do the same.
5. Josh Williams played a good game, but he needs some work in Pass Coverage, especially routes up the middle coming out of the backfield. He seemed to recognize them too late in the route and not be able to catch up. I'm sure yall remember the floater to the RB up the middle that went for 20+. I'm sure RobbSmith is all over that this week.
6. Props to UTEP and their staff, particularly Patrick Higgins, their OC. Their Time of Possession was very respectable, and they moved the ball down the field on two drives very clean and very methodical. We have to tighten up our D in 3rd down situations, there were multiple plays where we should have ended the drive with either a forced punt or FG but we gave up a 10+ yd play that kept it going. This will happen against SEC competition, but shouldn't against Conf USA teams.
7. Speaking of Sean Kugler, he was mentored by Andy Reid. Was actually a UTEP grad himself, so it's always good to see guys returning to their alma mater for a HC gig. Based on his post-game presser, I think he's a solid guy with a good scheme. Impressed by UTEP and the way they operated.
8. I've read multiple posters say how AC isn't an elite back and isn't gonna break away for a big run, and while the break-away part may be true, that kid has serious vision that is hard to teach. He makes cuts that gain an extra 3-5 yards. Not only that, but seems to me that he's running harder this year than in the past. He will have a great year with some extra reps, and if our OL gets a few things figured out, AC will have over 1200 with the way he's running the ball.
9. Kody Walker will be a short yardage/goal line guy that we've needed. We had a 4th and 1 late in the second quarter (if you remember, we struggled with 3rd/4th and 1 last year) that he got based solely on his size and ability to hit the hole hard and fall forward. I think he's taking his role as the 2-back seriously, almost a second life late in his college career when at one time it looked like he would be buried behind JW and AC for good. Happy for him.
10. This is just my opinion, but I don't think we saw enough of RWIII to make an accurate assessment. It was his first collegiate game so we know there's some adjusting that has to happen. But I'm reserving my opinion of RWIII for another game or two. More to follow.
11. Keon Hatcher needs to shave his head. Poor guy.
WoooPig, Beat Toledo
1. It's only a matter of time before Eric Hawkins takes a KO to the house. That kid can fly. He's lightweight, but if he finds a seam, it's over. He had a good return early in the 2nd quarter that looked good. He returned another later in the 2nd quarter where he should have taken a knee, but stutter-stepped and brought it out anyway, and he still managed to get to the 25 on speed alone.
2. Frank Ragnow got laid on his backside more than once.
3. BA's ability to make accurate throws from weird body angles is rather interesting. I don't know if it's his first year as a starter where he had to survive with little pass pro or what, but he gained a unique skillset along the way. Would much rather him not have to do that at all, but when passpro breaks down, it's not over.
4. May not sound like a earth-shattering observation, but our WR screens are very well executed. I wasn't just impressed with the fact that they resulted in 2 TDs, but watching them over and over in slow-mo, everyone on the field executed very clean and very precise. The play calls were on the money, too. Each time we ran them we had a very favorable match-up / blitz package coming our way that opened up the perimeter. And props to our WRs (particularly Drew Morgan and Keon Hatcher) who are well-coached stalk blockers. Contrary to popular belief, Stalk Blocking is a tough thing to do, and they do it well. I know we all were hoping to have a deep threat to open up our run game, but I would add that respecting these WR screens will do the same.
5. Josh Williams played a good game, but he needs some work in Pass Coverage, especially routes up the middle coming out of the backfield. He seemed to recognize them too late in the route and not be able to catch up. I'm sure yall remember the floater to the RB up the middle that went for 20+. I'm sure RobbSmith is all over that this week.
6. Props to UTEP and their staff, particularly Patrick Higgins, their OC. Their Time of Possession was very respectable, and they moved the ball down the field on two drives very clean and very methodical. We have to tighten up our D in 3rd down situations, there were multiple plays where we should have ended the drive with either a forced punt or FG but we gave up a 10+ yd play that kept it going. This will happen against SEC competition, but shouldn't against Conf USA teams.
7. Speaking of Sean Kugler, he was mentored by Andy Reid. Was actually a UTEP grad himself, so it's always good to see guys returning to their alma mater for a HC gig. Based on his post-game presser, I think he's a solid guy with a good scheme. Impressed by UTEP and the way they operated.
8. I've read multiple posters say how AC isn't an elite back and isn't gonna break away for a big run, and while the break-away part may be true, that kid has serious vision that is hard to teach. He makes cuts that gain an extra 3-5 yards. Not only that, but seems to me that he's running harder this year than in the past. He will have a great year with some extra reps, and if our OL gets a few things figured out, AC will have over 1200 with the way he's running the ball.
9. Kody Walker will be a short yardage/goal line guy that we've needed. We had a 4th and 1 late in the second quarter (if you remember, we struggled with 3rd/4th and 1 last year) that he got based solely on his size and ability to hit the hole hard and fall forward. I think he's taking his role as the 2-back seriously, almost a second life late in his college career when at one time it looked like he would be buried behind JW and AC for good. Happy for him.
10. This is just my opinion, but I don't think we saw enough of RWIII to make an accurate assessment. It was his first collegiate game so we know there's some adjusting that has to happen. But I'm reserving my opinion of RWIII for another game or two. More to follow.
11. Keon Hatcher needs to shave his head. Poor guy.
WoooPig, Beat Toledo
