Other random thoughts I had throughout the game:
Offense
- Ran into stacked 8 man fronts like it was the goal or something. Supremely stubborn by Donovan. It set up some nice plays to Otton, but the amount of 2nd and long runs into a stacked from that set UW up for a 3rd and long was frustrating
- It's the first time this season that the offense behind schedule and put the defense on short fields
- Only converted 4-13 third downs after converting 51% on the season
- Big mistakes by Morris in the first half, quite honestly it was the first time he looked shook this year
- Wattenburg getting blown back on multiple plays right into Morris' face, including the really bad first interception
- Didn’t hold the ball at all first half, 5 drives - 2 turnovers and 2 3 and outs, didn't give the defense any breathers
- In the second half, UW got big plays by big players when it mattered most
Defense
- First time the defense got burned through the air, in particular Taylor down the sideline early
- First time missing tackles, and boy did they miss a lot of fucking tackles. Not typical for this team, expected better
- Defense didn’t look like they expected Bentley to run, he killed us with his scrambling which extended drives, converted third downs, and broke tackles
- Gave up 6-13 third downs, doing much better in the second half
- Not having Bowman was a big deal, made guys play out of position and it took awhile to figure it out
- Tuitele and Bandes were getting a lot of penetration, really showed flashes which is great for RS Frosh DL
- Excited to get Tuli back in there, and he was a part of that wall on the 4th down stuff. Huge to get him back to fill that DL depth back up
- ZTF is full God-mode. He’s getting double teamed yet still making it to the QB. Bull rushed two guys, split them, drug one around his waist, still came up with the sack, 7 sacks in 3 games, all the forced fumbles, just fucking everything
- ZTF DIDN'T HEAR NO BELL, just kept fighting and fighting no matter the game situation
- Ulofohio had 14 tackles, playing like an All-American
- Sirmon was back to guessing where the run was going (and guessing wrong) and missing tackles and sacks that were right in front of him
- Huge stops in the 2nd half, most important part of the game
Special Teams
- Henry is in his head. This can really fuck us at some point. He needs to figure it out
Overall, I really enjoy the excitement and exuberance from the team and coaches. Harris running on the field after the interception to ice the game, taking pictures with his players despite the penalty. The celebrations from the players after big plays. ZTF, Ulofoshio, Molden, Puka, hell even Morris with the ice in his veins motions. Then, in Jimmy’s interview you could tell he could hardly contain himself. Excitement and exuberance. He loves this team, and it's good to see it.
Kwat made second half adjustments like he always does, and the defense gave the team a fighting chance. Offense played better when it went quick tempo. If Donovan wants to adjust game plans based on opponent, then realize Utah has a stout run D and you need to open up the field a bit. Running into stacked boxes again and again for no gain isn't establishing the run. Use the passing game to open up those run games. Keep them off balance. Really disappointed after he had such a good game plan last week.
The team came out so flat. It was a Petersen special, no energy, no offensive momentum, defense getting beat and not adjusting. In the game thread I mentioned that the 2nd half would decide what Lake can do. Could he get his team back in it, get them to fight, and get his coaches to put them in positions to succeed? He did, and they did, and the game was won. They wanted to win. They had a 12 play game winning drive with a QB who stayed calm and made plays despite a shit game, Puka made a diving catch despite earlier drops, Otton was the God he is, and at no point did they look scared or nervous or look to shit down their leg on that drive (except that weird quick snap by Watty).
That’s a step forward, and I'll take what I can get. But there is still a lot to work on. Tonight revealed a lot of warts by both the players and the coaches. Get to it guys.
