Slow starts must be corrected.

[Moonman]

Last season we were outscored *99-139 in the first half against P5 opponents. *Defensive scores are not counted towards this total as this issue was primarily, but not exclusively on the offensive side of the ball.

In those 10 games, we went 1-5 when trailing at halftime.

In five losses we gave up 34 first half points off of a combined 8 turnovers.

It wasn't just the offense. In the BC game, a slow start on D allowed BC to take a 3 point lead into halftime. Then, two second half turnovers led to 10 points. The result was a 13 point loss.

We have to do a better job of capitalizing on early opportunities.

Against UVA we failed to take advantage of THREE first half interceptions by our D...coming away with only 3 points.

Against GT we scored on a short field after a fumbled punt by GT. However, they had already scored 10 points as a result of our two first half fumbles.

I think there's reason to believe these slow starts will be less common this season, based on the 180° shift in demeanor and energy from the top.

There's no questioning the fact that Richt was simply uninspiring. Which couldn't be less true when speaking of El Jefe.

I'm hopeful this season we see a fired up team come out of the tunnel and an end to the slow starts.

 

[TheEye]

Meh. The game is won in the 4th.

 

[KevinCaneFace]

Our offense didn’t turn it on late either lol

 

[CFLCane]

Im sure Enos will be doing more scripting early than the previous regime.

 

[AllAboutDaU]

We all know the problems with the offense but the slow starts on defense were very annoying too. Manny and Blake have to fix that. Manny seems to be great at adjusting but needs to get better at the initial game planning.

 

[brcane1]

 

[Moonman]

Meh. The game is won in the 4th.

 

[reg]

Meh. The game is won in the 4th.

The game is actually won at the end of the 4th quarter, unless, of course, if overtime is necessary.

 

[Moonman]

That four fingers crap is played out and hasn't been relevant in almost two decades. We need to get real. That was from a time when we talked **** and backed it up.

 

[theibisrules]

LMAO

 

[NC_Canes_11]

We all know the problems with the offense but the slow starts on defense were very annoying too. Manny and Blake have to fix that. Manny seems to be great at adjusting but needs to get better at the initial game planning.

This. I feel like it got overlooked bc of how bad our offense was. But Manny got out coached in most first halves last year. Now that he’s the head man, he absolutely can’t let that happen anymore

 

[NJshoreCane]

My comment about our starts from a previous thread:

We did make it a habit of starting out slowly on D....

LSU- Opening drive FG & 50 yard TD run, 10 points in the 1st qtr.
UNC- Opening drive FG, 9 first downs, 89 yards rushing, 10 points in the 1st.
FSU- Opening drive TD
BC- Opening drive TD, TD on second drive, 11 first downs, 152 yards passing, 14 points in the 1st.
Duke- Opening play 75 yard TD run.
GT- Opening drive TD, 73 rushing yards, 14 points in the 1st (7 converted on Dallas' KO return fumble).
VT- Opening drive TD.
UW- Opening drive TD, 122 yards rushing, 14 points in the first (7 set up by Rosier gift).

The only 2 P5 teams that didn't score on their opening drive was UVA and Pitt, who ranked 82nd, and 98th in total O last year.

 

[Cane6]

Meh. The game is won in the 4th.

I’d be okay with coming out gangbusters and winning the game in the first quarter

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

Meh. The game is won in the 4th.

Think Brian Kelly said that in November 2017?

 

[JD08]

I'm good with jumping out in front and keeping your foot on the gas until it's over.

Of course, how many times did Al Golden have a game won just to give it up in the fourth?

 

[streetja]

Slow starts was a Richt thing. Now that he's gone it should be too. And while starting slow wasn't a rare thing to do on defense, it was usually limited to the first couple drives of the game.

One thing I wonder if it will be gone too is the inexplicable mass substitutions thing we did on both offense and defense. Wonder if Manny was being ordered by Richt to do that.

 

[Hurracanes]

My comment about our starts from a previous thread:

We did make it a habit of starting out slowly on D....

LSU- Opening drive FG & 50 yard TD run, 10 points in the 1st qtr.
UNC- Opening drive FG, 9 first downs, 89 yards rushing, 10 points in the 1st.
FSU- Opening drive TD
BC- Opening drive TD, TD on second drive, 11 first downs, 152 yards passing, 14 points in the 1st.
Duke- Opening play 75 yard TD run.
GT- Opening drive TD, 73 rushing yards, 14 points in the 1st (7 converted on Dallas' KO return fumble).
VT- Opening drive TD.
UW- Opening drive TD, 122 yards rushing, 14 points in the first (7 set up by Rosier gift).

The only 2 P5 teams that didn't score on their opening drive was UVA and Pitt, who ranked 82nd, and 98th in total O last year.

Fans conveniently ignore this.

 

[Moonman]

This. I feel like it got overlooked bc of how bad our offense was. But Manny got out coached in most first halves last year. Now that he’s the head man, he absolutely can’t let that happen anymore

Did he though? Or did the offense and special teams consistently put us in bad spots? Our opponents had amazing field position most games.

 

[Captain Uberpants]

Who cares if the D gave up first half points or 2nd half points. The offense scores 28 points a game we are 11-1 going into the ACC title.

 

[RBhurricane87]

My comment about our starts from a previous thread:

We did make it a habit of starting out slowly on D....

LSU- Opening drive FG & 50 yard TD run, 10 points in the 1st qtr.
UNC- Opening drive FG, 9 first downs, 89 yards rushing, 10 points in the 1st.
FSU- Opening drive TD
BC- Opening drive TD, TD on second drive, 11 first downs, 152 yards passing, 14 points in the 1st.
Duke- Opening play 75 yard TD run.
GT- Opening drive TD, 73 rushing yards, 14 points in the 1st (7 converted on Dallas' KO return fumble).
VT- Opening drive TD.
UW- Opening drive TD, 122 yards rushing, 14 points in the first (7 set up by Rosier gift).

The only 2 P5 teams that didn't score on their opening drive was UVA and Pitt, who ranked 82nd, and 98th in total O last year.

This.

Didn't help that our D was putting our already ****** offense at a disadvantage to start the game.