We haven't talked enough about Dre Jacobs and that's on us.
Full disclosure now that we've seen Jacobs play: he was banged up in camp with a lingering issue that was slowing him down. For a guy whose whole game is speed, it's everything. That's the real reason he wasn't a bigger part of the rotation early.
Against FAMU you saw what happens when he's right. He ran past the defense.
This is not a project. He produced in the SEC at South Carolina last year and put up real numbers. And from everything I'm hearing, he's one of the most well-liked guys in that room. Look at the photo from his touchdown: Somourian Wingo is right there cheering him on, Daylyn Upshaw in the background.
Darian Mensah was the first one to bring his name up this week, along with getting Cooper Barkate more involved. When your quarterback does that, pay attention.
The timing matters. Losing Joshua Moore stings. Receivers who weren't penciled into the deep rotation now have to move up, and Jacobs is an intriguing answer.
Central Michigan is the perfect spot for it. They're going to run the ball and shorten the game, so possessions will be limited. Get Malachi Toney his three or four catches, maybe a touchdown, and put him on layaway.
If we can't push people around in the run game and grind the way we did last year, we need another way to move the ball. Jacobs and Vance Spafford give us real speed outside. That changes how a defense has to line up.
It doesn't fix the interior line, but it makes that problem easier to live with.
One deep ball to Jacobs Saturday night gets the whole stadium going. More importantly, it gets him ready for Clemson.
We broke down the receiver room, the Central Michigan game plan and more on the full show. Watch it below, and subscribe to the CanesInsight channel while you're at it
Agree. Pringle has to be the guy in the backfield when we need a catching RB. Nothing against Mallory but I would have liked to see Pringle in on some of those 4th Q drives.
Less Lofton targets!
More Upshaw in the slot when Toney isn't in.
More Jacobs on deep routes
More Barkate as the primary target
The screen to Lofton, I think the defense played it well.
Both of the long 3rd down throws to Lofton should've worked.
On the first, he was covered and Mensah still threw it, DB never turned and ran into Lofton (should've been a very clear PI call).
On the 2nd, he ran a good route and had nothing but grass in front of him, but Mensah was under pressure and just barely overthrew him.
Getting our TE's involved in the passing game is a plus.
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