Game Thoughts TCU

[clonehome]

I think #0 Zach Lovett needs to play a lot more. 6’2 245 and he can really move. He seems to be our best pass rusher when they bring him from LB. RS So and already transferred (from Mizzou) so he could be a player the next 2 1/2 years.

I’d also like to see more #s 88 and 89, Ezeogu and Jones, at DE. They seem to come in as a pair on a lot of pass rushing downs and do a good job. Both look the part — good size and athleticism.

And Freyler and Verdon are dawgs. They clean a lot up on defense all over the field. I think we really missed Verdon when he was injured.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Hope that OHIO loss does not come to bite us at the end of the season. Really hope 3 points does not keep us out of a bowl game.

If the OHIO loss is what made Matt Campbell decide to stop imitating Kirk Ferentz, bowl or no bowl I can live with that.

 

[CloneIce]

Great win, but you should win with 4 INTS and you block a punt. Like I said yesterday, we still have the same problems we had in the second half against OU, we are running on first down, with LBers coming up to fill and getting stoned at the LOS or taking a loss, we refuse to repeatedly blitz, even when we were going against the TCU backup QB.

We have to start throwing the ball more on first down out of play action and we have to start running the QB more off of fakes. Many times, Rocco would be running free if he kept the ball and just turned the corner after faking it to the running back going the other way. It seems like we only try to run the QB when the defense knows we are going to run the ball and everyone is staying at home, not flowing on 3rd downs.

This offense could be very good if we would just open it up, I like our young running backs, we have a couple good receivers and TEs but none of that is going to happen if we continue to pound the ball against teams that are playing run and run blitzing on first down.

I agree in principal, but we averaged 5.8 yards per carry yesterday. And we had a solid lead against a team who has their backup QB in and he was struggling. I see no issues with the play calling yesterday.

 

[madguy30]

I agree in principal, but we averaged 5.8 yards per carry yesterday. And we had a solid lead against a team who has their backup QB in and he was struggling. I see no issues with the play calling yesterday.

I thought there was a bit more urgency and the guys seemed determined to go out and make a play. Sometimes that's a schematic thing, sometimes it's a confidence thing.

Becht didn't light the world on fire but he didn't lose the ball either.

 

[dafarmer]

Noticed a lot of what I call chippyness last night with the TCU players.

 

[Cfinnerty16]

Have the PFF grades for last night come out yet?

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I agree in principal, but we averaged 5.8 yards per carry yesterday. And we had a solid lead against a team who has their backup QB in and he was struggling. I see no issues with the play calling yesterday.

We looked better, but the two long runs of 55 and 29 really padded those stats, we also had 4 TFL. We are never going to be a great running team when the defense is run blitzing on first down and attacking the LOS. The only way to back that off is do what we did in the first quarter against OU and throw the ball to the open middle of the field, backing them off.

 

[Cupped]

Strange statistic: more yards per carry than yards per completion (5.8-4.9). Not criticizing, just saying...

 

[BCClone]

We looked better, but the two long runs of 55 and 29 really padded those stats, we also had 4 TFL. We are never going to be a great running team when the defense is run blitzing on first down and attacking the LOS. The only way to back that off is do what we did in the first quarter against OU and throw the ball to the open middle of the field, backing them off.

Our tackling irritated me. The one TD came off two guesses trying to rip the QBs head off instead of just grabbing and taking him down. A lot of our guys were trying to tackle too high last night.

 

[isufbcurt]

What’s it been? 20 years since we’ve blocked a kick?

Considering Porter has 3 punt blocks it's a little less than that

 

[madguy30]

Our tackling irritated me. The one TD came off two guesses trying to rip the QBs head off instead of just grabbing and taking him down. A lot of our guys were trying to tackle too high last night.

Imo that's been the case at ISU for as long as I can remember.

It got better in the 2nd half which was a good sign.

 

[heitclone]

Kind of an odd game, TCUs running back went for over 150 yards on over 7 yards a carry and they basically lost by 3 scores. You don't see that very often.

Our offense bogged down at times but we seen to have a big play ability we didn't have last year to help bust out of those funks. Scheelhaase seems to be developing a knack for dialing those plays up that his predassaor did not.

 

[Dgilbertson]

Concerned we’re turning into Bears/Iowa fans.

Majority of analysis seemed to focus on whether or not the defense was fixed.

If you look at the numbers, turnovers and special teams block, and Sommy Dykes timeouts and end of game score. This easily could’ve been ~40-7 pt game.

Offense is looking better. Line in particular, but to my eyes last night defense was not the concern. (I missed the first quarter and a half, but those drives ended up being shut down by the same D we’re concerned with). LB seem to need more development, but as a unit, last night was a great game by the D

This young crew is forcing turnovers, which is something that’s been missing the last few seasons.

Excited for what’s ahead, just hope we’re not setting expectations that D needs to hold opponents to 7-10 or less to be successful.

 

[c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s]

Pro:
- In-game management was much stronger tonight. They didn’t go into a shell once they had a lead (going for it on 4th and 3). I also loved Heacock laying into the D after our worst defensive possession of the year. They appeared to respond well after that. My only nitpick was timeout preservation. We are using too many timeouts to try and draw offsides or because the play clock is running down.
- OL and running game: agree with everyone here they had a good game. Keep it up!

Con:
- The tackling from our D was awful. The TCU RB absolutely gashed us. The DL had trouble finishing sacks, 2 times it led to a TD and a 4th and 12 conversion. Way too many arm tackles from our LBs and safeties too. On one Chandler Morris run, Cooper (who I love) just kind of threw an arm out there to try and trip him rather than try to tackle.
- Kickoffs. We need to get our kickoffs to the end zone. They had a couple big returns (at least one was called back for a hold fortunately). Just remove that possibility by blasting it through the end zone.

For those that were there, how was the wind? Wondering if the short kicks and going for it on 4th and 3 were both wind related.

 

[BCClone]

Considering Porter has 3 punt blocks it's a little less than that

Think I heard we had one against OSU last year.

 

[AirWalke]

Last night was a lot of fun but I have to make a comment on the game atmosphere.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to an ISU game in person. Certainly my first game coached by CMC. (Life has gotten in the way!) … but on top of that, it was my first night game in almost a decade, and the first night game WIN in … well, a time even longer than that.

Maybe people here have gotten used to it by now, but the atmosphere at Jack Trice has come a LOOONG way since I was last here. Bravo and kudos to the AD, the coaches, players, and FANS. Last night was really special.

 

[BCClone]

For those that were there, how was the wind? Wondering if the short kicks and going for it on 4th and 3 were both wind related.

It looked like the punter was trying to spin the ball on each punt, basically not allow the return. His halftime warm ups he only did the spin punt and no regular just boom them.

 

[AirWalke]

For those that were there, how was the wind? Wondering if the short kicks and going for it on 4th and 3 were both wind related.

We were up high in the stands and really didn’t feel any wind. Perfect night.

 

[atlantacyclone]

First time in a while we just beat up on someone, really fun to see. Feels like we finally took a step forward on offense, and have seemed to shore up our defensive issues (after a shaky first half). A win next week would be huge

The first half of the game felt a bit like the Nebraska game a few years ago… they were better but we took advantage of opportunity. The second half we felt like the better team as well.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

The oline played straight nasty last night. Black and Bonifas looked great. Neal came down the line on some nice fold blocks and sealed the edge. Just really happy with that unit last night. The Sama run was some really nice blocking. The double team was absolutely perfect. Sama hit the hold right were he should have and blew by the contain player. Just loved seeing good old fashioned power blocking.

Conversely TCU was double pulling and those guards were dominating us. Glad to see the defense could bend but not break against a strong running attack from TCU.

Also, shout out to McLaughlin. Played a really nice game. Freyler might have played his best game last night as well. Verdon looked sharp. Petersen got decent pressure. Good things to see moving forward in general.