4th quarter play calling

[eaglesfootball]

is it just me, or did anyone else find our play calling in the 4th qtr odd? Up 42 to 17 and we are still trying to pass the ball which resulted in a second int and some incompletions that stopped the clock. when you have a huge lead run the ball, even if it it isnt working that well. you either take as much time off of the clock as possible or force them to burn time outs. really questionable to continue throwing in that situation.

 

[EWU98]

is it just me, or did anyone else find our play calling in the 4th qtr odd? Up 42 to 17 and we are still trying to pass the ball which resulted in a second int and some incompletions that stopped the clock. when you have a huge lead run the ball, even if it it isnt working that well. you either take as much time off of the clock as possible or force them to burn time outs. really questionable to continue throwing in that situation.

no actually I thought it became too conservative and way to blatant of watching the clock.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

is it just me, or did anyone else find our play calling in the 4th qtr odd? Up 42 to 17 and we are still trying to pass the ball which resulted in a second int and some incompletions that stopped the clock. when you have a huge lead run the ball, even if it it isnt working that well. you either take as much time off of the clock as possible or force them to burn time outs. really questionable to continue throwing in that situation.

no actually I thought it became too conservative and way to blatant of watching the clock.

Exactly.

 

[kalm]

is it just me, or did anyone else find our play calling in the 4th qtr odd? Up 42 to 17 and we are still trying to pass the ball which resulted in a second int and some incompletions that stopped the clock. when you have a huge lead run the ball, even if it it isnt working that well. you either take as much time off of the clock as possible or force them to burn time outs. really questionable to continue throwing in that situation.

no actually I thought it became too conservative and way to blatant of watching the clock.

Exactly.

+2

We went conservative that first series and you could almost here Beau going 'screw' that. Especially since Montana was burning T.O.'s early. Go with the offense that already put up 42.

 

[LDopaPDX]

is it just me, or did anyone else find our play calling in the 4th qtr odd? Up 42 to 17 and we are still trying to pass the ball which resulted in a second int and some incompletions that stopped the clock. when you have a huge lead run the ball, even if it it isnt working that well. you either take as much time off of the clock as possible or force them to burn time outs. really questionable to continue throwing in that situation.

no actually I thought it became too conservative and way to blatant of watching the clock.

Exactly.

+2

We went conservative that first series and you could almost here Beau going 'screw' that. Especially since Montana was burning T.O.'s early. Go with the offense that already put up 42.

I wasn't so much worried about what we were doing offensively as what started to happen defensively. We had completely stonewalled them in the third quarter with pressure and dropping a DT back to cover whatever came out of the backfield. Then we went up big and suddenly started playing deep, deep zone coverage. I was like, man, there's 12 minutes left and that's too long to be playing prevent. Plus, our safety play was really poor late in that game... not sure what was up with personnel at that point.

 

[Dozy]

is it just me, or did anyone else find our play calling in the 4th qtr odd? Up 42 to 17 and we are still trying to pass the ball which resulted in a second int and some incompletions that stopped the clock. when you have a huge lead run the ball, even if it it isnt working that well. you either take as much time off of the clock as possible or force them to burn time outs. really questionable to continue throwing in that situation.

no actually I thought it became too conservative and way to blatant of watching the clock.

Exactly.

+2

We went conservative that first series and you could almost here Beau going 'screw' that. Especially since Montana was burning T.O.'s early. Go with the offense that already put up 42.

I wasn't so much worried about what we were doing offensively as what started to happen defensively. We had completely stonewalled them in the third quarter with pressure and dropping a DT back to cover whatever came out of the backfield. Then we went up big and suddenly started playing deep, deep zone coverage. I was like, man, there's 12 minutes left and that's too long to be playing prevent. Plus, our safety play was really poor late in that game... not sure what was up with personnel at that point.

Longest 12 minutes EVER!

We had some injuries and had to call on some young fellas deep. They're gonna be good but that was a tough place to be baptized...

 

[FormerEag]

The only thing that concerns me is the defensive play calling. As my friend ewuEag said, we're just not built to run out the clock. I'm a afraid Graham may be cut from the same cloth as Sears. :?

 

[Obzerver]

Funny you should say that...been thinking the same thing for some time.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Hopefully both Baldwin and Graham learned their lessons and will keep the foot on the gas next time.

 

[eagleclaw]

I thought we became too complacent also, too worried about clock management and lost our focus and drive to finish them off. Shouldn't have been within 20 at the end. A couple plays could have totally turned this game into a monumental comeback for the Griz. To close for comfort at the end.

 

[kalm]

Given what I've now learned about the injuries, I think it probably played out about what you'd expect.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Given what I've now learned about the injuries, I think it probably played out about what you'd expect.

That bad?

 

[clawman1]

The only thing that concerns me is the defensive play calling. As my friend ewuEag said, we're just not built to run out the clock. I'm a afraid Graham may be cut from the same cloth as Sears. :?

WOW that's quite an insult!!

 

[luckyintheorder]

Couldn't get the game on TV, but listening it was apparent the D came out aggressively in the first half and set the tone for the offense to pull away. Was shocked as Weir and Sorenson started talking about 3 and 4 man rushes going into the fourth quarter. They never mentioned the deep drops or why Henderson wasn't being bracketed in the red zone. The Montana games I saw, showed he was their go to, red zone guy.

Hard to know what caused the offense to sputter on radio, guessing Beau thought Montana's defense was stacked against the run in the fourth so wanted to throw over the top. Did VA lose a little focus? Seemed like he was holding the ball longer. Still just a sophomore. Wanted to see EWU run the ball in the fourth and slow down the rush. Glad we held on for the victory.

Graham isn't going anywhere IMO (see his bio) as long as Beau is the head coach. Any take on Beau's future? Long may he reign is my stance.

 

[clawman1]

And I am glad he is not. To question his skill as DC is absurd. Most any other school in the BSC if not all of FCS would love to have a coach with his skill and experience. His job and responsibility goes far beyond a mid game strategy. How do you think these outstanding players got to Cheney? How did they develop into the athletes they are? Who put together the defensive game plan? IMO Graham has done an outstanding job and hope he is around for years to come.

 

[sammamisheag]

Felt like Beau started running the ball too early out of 2TE sets where it was obvious what was coming.

Agreed on getting away from the no huddle and working the clock, but stay in the spread. Without their best CB, they flat out couldn't cover EWUs WRs. If they went zone, Adams picked them apart, if UM went press and blitzed EWU had mismatches all over the field. Case in point the TD to Hill where they had a LB on him.

Saturday was a great learning experience that no lead is ever safe on the road against a quality opponent. Cal Poly will be another road test.

Having said that, was waiting for UM to make their run and they did in the 4th. The missed FG was huge.

So much for EWU having issues with young WRs this year. Kupp could end up breaking Kaufman's records by the time he's done.

GO EAGS

 

[HannahO]

Love that we can all second guess the coaching decisions and strategies after a win... Baldwin's 50th in less than 6 seasons! It's ok to have an opinion and express it but let's acknowledge there's a reason they're doing what they're doing and we're on a message board.

 

[JoinTheEAA]

Unbeaten in league play, special teams greatly improve each season, depth, PAC-12 win, it is a long list of the great things this staff has made happen. At the Coaches Show our head coach diplomatically explained that a win in Missoula isn't easy. Style points mean nothing, wins are what matter, that is my take. Awesome to see us win in Missoula without playing a perfect game. Go Eagles.

 

[EWU98]

You know something stuck me funny yesterday watching the turd of a game that was Monday night football.
Both of us run similar styles of offenses, but the one thing that seemed to be missing in the 4th quarter and most of the game last night (MNF) was the no huddle running up to the line and getting the next play off. It seems we are a rhythm team and to slow down gears and huddle up definitely seems to throw us off.
Definitely have noticed that with the Hawks the last few weeks.

Just arm chair QB'ing here.

Go EAGS!

 

[luckyintheorder]

And I am glad he is not. To question his skill as DC is absurd. Most any other school in the BSC if not all of FCS would love to have a coach with his skill and experience. His job and responsibility goes far beyond a mid game strategy. How do you think these outstanding players got to Cheney? How did they develop into the athletes they are? Who put together the defensive game plan? IMO Graham has done an outstanding job and hope he is around for years to come.

clawman, not sure that the DC is sacrosanct here and cannot be questioned for breakdowns in scheme. What else should he be doing mid game? Any questioning of the DC by anyone on this board is not a knee jerk reaction to one game or quarter. Montana was certainly due to make a play or two. I still remember giving up huge YPG on the ground to several teams in 2012 that ran very similar read option type offenses with a largely upperclass D line and linebackers. It is frustrating to watch the apparent lack of game plan. Situational awareness has got to improve in a bend don't break defense (yes, I am talking about giving up three TD's to the key playmaker, Henderson, in the redzone) and this same philosophy can apply to all down and distance situations, opponent tendencies and game time disposition. All that said, Graham seems like a very nice and relatable guy and perhaps the best EWU can do at his salary range.

Montana was a good win. Not looking past any one team left on the schedule, but can't wait to get MSU on the inferno now. EWU is a dominant team and needs to play like it 4 quarters. See everyone in Frisco