How did our coaching staff do this season?

[UgaBlows]

I disagree with those lofty grades. With a bit better coaching job, we could have won the Syracuse, Louisville, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech games. We also had a shot at Georgia that our play calling cost us and we could have been more competitive against Notre Dame. Great coaches make a big difference in the outcome of games. Our staff is still learning and will get better. That is the good news. The bad news is we probably have a few more years to get where we need to in this area.

Go Jackets!

Some of these losses were when “run the bawl” was just not working (Syracuse come to mind) and the coaches just stubbornly kept doing the same damned thing, even after halftime adjustments

 

[Root4GT]

Some of these losses were when “run the bawl” was just not working (Syracuse come to mind) and the coaches just stubbornly kept doing the same damned thing, even after halftime adjustments

We ran the ball 12 times in the second half. Two were for TDs and 4 were King scrambles. That means we had 6 actual running plays in a half that were not for TDs or QB scrambles.

 

[iceeater1969]

We ran the ball 12 times in the second half. Two were for TDs and 4 were King scrambles. That means we had 6 actual running plays in a half that were not for TDs or QB scrambles.

So thier qb had 300 yards at half time and with 9 minutes left in game the score is 31-14. Iirc, we stopped running and passsd the ball .

 

[Root4GT]

So thier qb had 300 yards at half time and with 9 minutes left in game the score is 31-14. Iirc, we stopped running and passsd the ball .

I agree. The comment we kept trying to run is well overstated from that game. We had little success sustaining drives regardless until we were in a big hole.

Syracuse was clearly the better team that day. Turns out they were a pretty good team with a QB who had a very good season. He torched GT’s defense but he did the same to several teams.

Our defense got their butts kicked that game.

One of the few really bad games for the team.

 

[stinger78]

Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. That day we were the bug. They had our number. Rather than debate why we did what we did, it seems reasonable rather to debate what they did and how not to let it happen again.

 

[slugboy]

Here's the play by play

Syracuse 31-28 Georgia Tech (Sep 7, 2024) Play-by-Play - ESPN

Play-by-play action for the Syracuse Orange vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets NCAAF game from September 7, 2024 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Syracuse goes 75 yards in two and a half minutes. 0-7

We run for 2, miss a pass, and throw for 19 (first down). We run for nothing but Syracuse is offsides. We spend three plays running for 5 yards. We throw for 16, then for 8, then King scrambles for 21 to score on a passing play. 7-7

Syracuse drives 49 yards and misses a FG. 7-7

We have our chance to create an advantage. Run for 1, throw for 4, throw incomplete, weak punt. 7-7

Syracuse TD. 3:18, 70 yards. We're chasing again. 7-14.

We throw for 12, throw for 7, run for 1, throw incomplete, and punt. Run game is not working. 7-7

Syracuse 9 plays, 89 yards, 4:18. We're getting boat raced. 7-21.

Pass to Singleton for 45, runs for 5 and -1, then a scramble for 26. Still chasing, but not dead. Standard run game is not working. 14-21.

Defense holds and Syracuse punts. 14-21

GT: Two runs for a first down. Then the run game stalls. King throws a 14-yard pass to Singleton on 4th and 3. We miss a 45 yard FG.

14-21 at the half.

GT: we receive to start the third. We run for 1, pass incomplete, and throw for 3. Offense has failed to get us back in the game. Passing game is OK; run game is AWOL. 14-21.

Syracuse FG. 14-24.

GT: we see the traditional run game isn't working. Bubble screen for 0 yards. Throw for 15. Throw for 3. Penalty -5. Throw for 8. Incomplete on 3rd and 4. Punt. 14-24

Syracuse punt. 14-24

GT: 7 plays, 21 yards. Aside from King, the yards are mostly through the air. We lose three yards running on 4th and 1. Turnover on downs. 14-24.

Run game is totally not working.

Syracuse: 7 plays, 32 yards, 4:01, TD. 14-31.

GT: backs against the wall. 75 yards, mainly through the air. All downs are passing downs. Throws for a TD. 21-31.

onside kick.

GT: runs are basically trick plays at this point, because Syracuse is finally favoring pass defense. 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:35, TD. 28-31

Syracuse gets the kick and runs out the clock.

Defense was one reason we lost this game. Over commitment to the run game was another. We waited way too long to sling it, and when we did, we threw short a lot, where Syracuse was still cheating up. If we played most of the game like the 4th quarter, we probably win.

 

[BleedGoldNWhite21]

I’m not going to pretend to have the knowledge to give in-depth analysis on every position, but I do have to express something that I have been thinking about a lot.

Offensive stats:

2023: 424.6 YPG, 31.1 PPG
2024: 424.5 YPG, 28.9 PPG

Our offense slightly regressed, averaging a whopping .1 less YPG and 2.2 PPG. However, it felt like, IMO, that we more than slightly regressed. Perhaps because of the injuries. Perhaps we missed having a more physical runner like Dontae Smith. However, I think the biggest reason it felt like such a large regression(and it’s not just me, people talked about it here throughout the season in the game chat and in various topics) is because of expectations. We had very high expectations for our offense this year and many of those expectations were born, not in Dublin, but in Atlanta against the mutts last November. I fear the same thing could happen this coming year. We put 40+ on them, giving all of us a lot of hope, despite the offense looking meh against Vanderbilt.

What is my point? I think Buster calls his best games against Kirby for obvious reasons and because that’s the last game of the season, we automatically assume the offense is simply going to play like that from here on out, which is not realistic. Some matchups are better than others and teams(especially college teams) eb and flow throughout the year. Let’s not set ourselves up for disappointment, or allow one game to have such an impact on how we view a whole unit simply because we happen to be a good matchup against our biggest, toughest opponent. Our offense has been very good overall with Buster. I’m not sure it’s been elite yet. Maybe with less injuries we can get there.

On this same topic, I’d really like to take advantage of this matchup and get a dub against the mutts while Buster is still calling plays here.

 

[leatherneckjacket]

I would give the team a C+, maybe a B-. They did ok, but not great. The schedule was tough, but not as tough as we first expected. We had to overcome an injury to our starting QB, which raises it a little. However, I do not think we were properly prepared for three winnable games (Louisville, Syracuse and Vandy), which keeps it around a C.

 

[Root4GT]

Here's the play by play

Syracuse 31-28 Georgia Tech (Sep 7, 2024) Play-by-Play - ESPN

Play-by-play action for the Syracuse Orange vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets NCAAF game from September 7, 2024 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Syracuse goes 75 yards in two and a half minutes. 0-7

We run for 2, miss a pass, and throw for 19 (first down). We run for nothing but Syracuse is offsides. We spend three plays running for 5 yards. We throw for 16, then for 8, then King scrambles for 21 to score on a passing play. 7-7

Syracuse drives 49 yards and misses a FG. 7-7

We have our chance to create an advantage. Run for 1, throw for 4, throw incomplete, weak punt. 7-7

Syracuse TD. 3:18, 70 yards. We're chasing again. 7-14.

We throw for 12, throw for 7, run for 1, throw incomplete, and punt. Run game is not working. 7-7

Syracuse 9 plays, 89 yards, 4:18. We're getting boat raced. 7-21.

Pass to Singleton for 45, runs for 5 and -1, then a scramble for 26. Still chasing, but not dead. Standard run game is not working. 14-21.

Defense holds and Syracuse punts. 14-21

GT: Two runs for a first down. Then the run game stalls. King throws a 14-yard pass to Singleton on 4th and 3. We miss a 45 yard FG.

14-21 at the half.

GT: we receive to start the third. We run for 1, pass incomplete, and throw for 3. Offense has failed to get us back in the game. Passing game is OK; run game is AWOL. 14-21.

Syracuse FG. 14-24.

GT: we see the traditional run game isn't working. Bubble screen for 0 yards. Throw for 15. Throw for 3. Penalty -5. Throw for 8. Incomplete on 3rd and 4. Punt. 14-24

Syracuse punt. 14-24

GT: 7 plays, 21 yards. Aside from King, the yards are mostly through the air. We lose three yards running on 4th and 1. Turnover on downs. 14-24.

Run game is totally not working.

Syracuse: 7 plays, 32 yards, 4:01, TD. 14-31.

GT: backs against the wall. 75 yards, mainly through the air. All downs are passing downs. Throws for a TD. 21-31.

onside kick.

GT: runs are basically trick plays at this point, because Syracuse is finally favoring pass defense. 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:35, TD. 28-31

Syracuse gets the kick and runs out the clock.

Defense was one reason we lost this game. Over commitment to the run game was another. We waited way too long to sling it, and when we did, we threw short a lot, where Syracuse was still cheating up. If we played most of the game like the 4th quarter, we probably win.

There are degrees of truth in staying with the run game too long. The passing game didn’t do much until we were down 3 scores. At that point Syracuse goes into everyone’s favorite prevent defense and gives up lots of yards and 2 TDs. We score 2 TDs in the last 5:30 minutes.

This was not a close game. Syracuse had 515 yards, 27 first downs and possessed the ball 37 minutes.

The defense was bad and McCord was great. The offense was not good until it was too late to matter.

 

[stinger78]

Here's the play by play

Syracuse 31-28 Georgia Tech (Sep 7, 2024) Play-by-Play - ESPN

Play-by-play action for the Syracuse Orange vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets NCAAF game from September 7, 2024 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Syracuse goes 75 yards in two and a half minutes. 0-7

We run for 2, miss a pass, and throw for 19 (first down). We run for nothing but Syracuse is offsides. We spend three plays running for 5 yards. We throw for 16, then for 8, then King scrambles for 21 to score on a passing play. 7-7

Syracuse drives 49 yards and misses a FG. 7-7

We have our chance to create an advantage. Run for 1, throw for 4, throw incomplete, weak punt. 7-7

Syracuse TD. 3:18, 70 yards. We're chasing again. 7-14.

We throw for 12, throw for 7, run for 1, throw incomplete, and punt. Run game is not working. 7-7

Syracuse 9 plays, 89 yards, 4:18. We're getting boat raced. 7-21.

Pass to Singleton for 45, runs for 5 and -1, then a scramble for 26. Still chasing, but not dead. Standard run game is not working. 14-21.

Defense holds and Syracuse punts. 14-21

GT: Two runs for a first down. Then the run game stalls. King throws a 14-yard pass to Singleton on 4th and 3. We miss a 45 yard FG.

14-21 at the half.

GT: we receive to start the third. We run for 1, pass incomplete, and throw for 3. Offense has failed to get us back in the game. Passing game is OK; run game is AWOL. 14-21.

Syracuse FG. 14-24.

GT: we see the traditional run game isn't working. Bubble screen for 0 yards. Throw for 15. Throw for 3. Penalty -5. Throw for 8. Incomplete on 3rd and 4. Punt. 14-24

Syracuse punt. 14-24

GT: 7 plays, 21 yards. Aside from King, the yards are mostly through the air. We lose three yards running on 4th and 1. Turnover on downs. 14-24.

Run game is totally not working.

Syracuse: 7 plays, 32 yards, 4:01, TD. 14-31.

GT: backs against the wall. 75 yards, mainly through the air. All downs are passing downs. Throws for a TD. 21-31.

onside kick.

GT: runs are basically trick plays at this point, because Syracuse is finally favoring pass defense. 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:35, TD. 28-31

Syracuse gets the kick and runs out the clock.

Defense was one reason we lost this game. Over commitment to the run game was another. We waited way too long to sling it, and when we did, we threw short a lot, where Syracuse was still cheating up. If we played most of the game like the 4th quarter, we probably win.

Yes, but what did they do to stop the run game and disrupt the pass game? Was it their cheating up? That seems fairly simple to defeat. Was HK’s wing bad and couldn't throw deep?

 

[Root4GT]

Yes, but what did they do to stop the run game and disrupt the pass game? Was it their cheating up? That seems fairly simple to defeat. Was HK’s wing bad and couldn't throw deep?

A couple teams played a 3 man front against GT this season. We seemed to struggle against that front in most of the games we faced it.

No idea if it was scheme or talent by the opponent.

 

[alagold]

I’m not going to pretend to have the knowledge to give in-depth analysis on every position, but I do have to express something that I have been thinking about a lot.

Offensive stats:

2023: 424.6 YPG, 31.1 PPG
2024: 424.5 YPG, 28.9 PPG

Our offense slightly regressed, averaging a whopping .1 less YPG and 2.2 PPG. However, it felt like, IMO, that we more than slightly regressed. Perhaps because of the injuries. Perhaps we missed having a more physical runner like Dontae Smith. However, I think the biggest reason it felt like such a large regression(and it’s not just me, people talked about it here throughout the season in the game chat and in various topics) is because of expectations. We had very high expectations for our offense this year and many of those expectations were born, not in Dublin, but in Atlanta against the mutts last November. I fear the same thing could happen this coming year. We put 40+ on them, giving all of us a lot of hope, despite the offense looking meh against Vanderbilt.

What is my point? I think Buster calls his best games against Kirby for obvious reasons and because that’s the last game of the season, we automatically assume the offense is simply going to play like that from here on out, which is not realistic. Some matchups are better than others and teams(especially college teams) eb and flow throughout the year. Let’s not set ourselves up for disappointment, or allow one game to have such an impact on how we view a whole unit simply because we happen to be a good matchup against our biggest, toughest opponent. Our offense has been very good overall with Buster. I’m not sure it’s been elite yet. Maybe with less injuries we can get there.

On this same topic, I’d really like to take advantage of this matchup and get a dub against the mutts while Buster is still calling plays here.

The schedule was tougher this yr but we did have some strange let-downs at times.

 

[slugboy]

There are degrees of truth in staying with the run game too long. The passing game didn’t do much until we were down 3 scores. At that point Syracuse goes into everyone’s favorite prevent defense and gives up lots of yards and 2 TDs. We score 2 TDs in the last 5:30 minutes.

This was not a close game. Syracuse had 515 yards, 27 first downs and possessed the ball 37 minutes.

The defense was bad and McCord was great. The offense was not good until it was too late to matter.

If you look at which plays were successful—which ones moved the chains—it was overwhelmingly through the air for all four quarters.

Part of why they had a ton of yards and minutes was also because we didn’t. Punting quickly doesn’t help your defense

Yes, but what did they do to stop the run game and disrupt the pass game? Was it their cheating up? That seems fairly simple to defeat. Was HK’s wing bad and couldn't throw deep?

I can pull up the replay again. They keyed like hell off the RBs, though

 

[iceeater1969]

Yes, but what did they do to stop the run game and disrupt the pass game? Was it their cheating up? That seems fairly simple to defeat. Was HK’s wing bad and couldn't throw deep?

When its late in the quarter and when its long yardage we did a max protect , send Singleton long. He got behind safety and king threw from 37 to the 4 yard line 59 yds.

 

[UgaBlows]

I’m not going to pretend to have the knowledge to give in-depth analysis on every position, but I do have to express something that I have been thinking about a lot.

Offensive stats:

2023: 424.6 YPG, 31.1 PPG
2024: 424.5 YPG, 28.9 PPG

Our offense slightly regressed, averaging a whopping .1 less YPG and 2.2 PPG. However, it felt like, IMO, that we more than slightly regressed. Perhaps because of the injuries. Perhaps we missed having a more physical runner like Dontae Smith. However, I think the biggest reason it felt like such a large regression(and it’s not just me, people talked about it here throughout the season in the game chat and in various topics) is because of expectations. We had very high expectations for our offense this year and many of those expectations were born, not in Dublin, but in Atlanta against the mutts last November. I fear the same thing could happen this coming year. We put 40+ on them, giving all of us a lot of hope, despite the offense looking meh against Vanderbilt.

2023- we caught a lot of ACC defenses unprepared for Buster’s scheme and ran ALL over them on the ground
2024- ACC DC’s prepped for our running attack, we kept doing the same thing, plus QB injuries limited deep passing

 

[FlatsLander]

I’m not going to pretend to have the knowledge to give in-depth analysis on every position, but I do have to express something that I have been thinking about a lot.

Offensive stats:

2023: 424.6 YPG, 31.1 PPG
2024: 424.5 YPG, 28.9 PPG

Our offense slightly regressed, averaging a whopping .1 less YPG and 2.2 PPG. However, it felt like, IMO, that we more than slightly regressed. Perhaps because of the injuries. Perhaps we missed having a more physical runner like Dontae Smith. However, I think the biggest reason it felt like such a large regression(and it’s not just me, people talked about it here throughout the season in the game chat and in various topics) is because of expectations. We had very high expectations for our offense this year and many of those expectations were born, not in Dublin, but in Atlanta against the mutts last November. I fear the same thing could happen this coming year. We put 40+ on them, giving all of us a lot of hope, despite the offense looking meh against Vanderbilt.

What is my point? I think Buster calls his best games against Kirby for obvious reasons and because that’s the last game of the season, we automatically assume the offense is simply going to play like that from here on out, which is not realistic. Some matchups are better than others and teams(especially college teams) eb and flow throughout the year. Let’s not set ourselves up for disappointment, or allow one game to have such an impact on how we view a whole unit simply because we happen to be a good matchup against our biggest, toughest opponent. Our offense has been very good overall with Buster. I’m not sure it’s been elite yet. Maybe with less injuries we can get there.

On this same topic, I’d really like to take advantage of this matchup and get a dub against the mutts while Buster is still calling plays here.

How did our PPDrive look?

 

[g0lftime]

2023- we caught a lot of ACC defenses unprepared for Buster’s scheme and ran ALL over them on the ground
2024- ACC DC’s prepped for our running attack, we kept doing the same thing, plus QB injuries limited deep passing

We had Dontae last half of 2023 as well. He was good at yards after contact. Jamal got explosive running plays with backside traps. He was not a power runner.