Well, I said that the one thing you could predict was that the game would be ugly. It wasn't, particularly; it was a prototypical first game, but Tech didn't look too bad and we almost won. I only saw the first half - thanks, Disney - and read the box score, but here are some impressions, good and bad.
The Good:
• The WRs are pretty good, especially, as said above, Singleton. Tech did a decent job getting the ball to them and they (usually) caught it. Even the TEs (gasp!) looked ok.
• Ok, King isn't the next coming, but he appears to be a decent P5 QB. He can throw and handle himself under duress. He can also run and we ought to put in more option plays and QB draws to let him do it. Let's hope that happens.
• Pass blocking was ok. I understand the UL DL changed tactics in the second half, but it must have held up.
The Bad:
• The run blocking was atrocious. Why did UL win the game? UL = 227 yards rushing, Tech 175. That 52 yards goes a long way in an opening game. Tech ought to be aiming at 200 yards on the ground every game. We have decent RBs. They need, you know, like holes to show it. I know the OL was without Williams, but this was supposed to be the year we had an experienced OL out there and good overall blocking.
• The DL got no push at all. The DTs especially were stood up regularly by the UL OL. Again, losing Yondjouen didn't help, but he can't do it alone. What I most noticed was that the DL lacks speed. The LBs and DBs played ok, bu I expected better coverage.
• And better tackling. Why is this still a problem? After - what - four years under Thacker? It is obvious that he can't fix this and that we need for him to find someone who can. And, btw while I hate poor run blocking with a vengeance, I really, really hate poor tackling. This has to stop.
The Blah:
• Yes we had problems on special teams again. I don't blame Stewart for the missed FGs. The first was out of his usual range and the second was just a miss. No reason to panic, but we need to get this problem fixed. Something everybody who watches Tech football has been calling for for - what? - 5 years.