Some thoughts on the Clemson game...

[OldhamA]

That rarely doesn't happen to any team. Other team adjusts. Sometimes leader gets complacent. Sometimes OCs get bored and unlike the HS oc won't call the same thing over and over again.

And maybe the man prefers to be an OC than start as a HC at a crap school. As you move up you do less and less of what you like. At north of $2 mil per year and no state taxes it's not bad work if you can get it.

Yes it happens as the other team adjusts, but you can basically set your watch by us spinning our wheels somewhere in the 2Q after marching down the field and looking imperious in the first.

We have so many ways to beat you, it's baffling that Dawson has never preempted it.

 

[Lance Roffers]

Barkate had a good game but he dropped an easy pass and then had that dumb penalty to call that td back on the same drive.

I can't say for certain, but it looked like Lofton was late on his motion, which meant Barkate was still moving to reset when Lofton went to motion. That's just to my eyes and could be completely wrong.

 

[NC_Canes_11]

As was discussed in the game thread, it felt like Dawson kept the offense in a box. Likely to try to protect the O line. But it certainly didn’t give Toney and Barkate much room or time to operate and create separation.

 

[mr.h]

I can't say for certain, but it looked like Lofton was late on his motion, which meant Barkate was still moving to reset when Lofton went to motion. That's just to my eyes and could be completely wrong.

Toney was covered. JMO but we had a better receiving corp last year. We definitely have a better QB. Heatherman knows how to adjust. We swarm and wear you down.

 

[canes_226]

I am not usually one to complain about the announcers… but Fowler/Herbstreit and the entire broadcast last night was awful.

Mistakenly showing a graphic with Clemson’s QB when they were intending to introduce Mensah.

Herbstreit multiple times indicating that Mendoza was on UM last season.

Fowler being off on multiple ball spots, including the stuffed 4th and short play by UM’s defense that was obviously short (Fowler claiming that it looked “close”).

Herbstreit thinking that was a Mensah fumble, when clearly his arm was moving forward with the ball still in his control.

And both Fowler/Herbstreit clearly rooting for Clemson to make it a close game.

These takes got to stop. Herbie showed us a ton of love, even at one point comparing us to the Alabama teams of old, just going on the road and treating it like a business trip, with the goal of seeing the fans exiting the stadium in the fourth quarter

Mentioned multiple times of how we look “really good”

The Mendoza stuff is a head scratcher though, lol. I’m not sure what was up with that. He said it multiple times.

 

[RobertHiteWasAlright]

I know they don't want to give up big plays, but I wished Heatherman would have sold out for a screen or two and tried to get Fitzgerald or Poyser to Keionte Scott a WR screen to the house.

 

[NC_Canes_11]

I think Dawson is a solid OC, but it's telling he's never really been seriously considered for HC jobs.

He tends to completely lose the pulse of the game every week at some point in the middle of the game.

He's seriously, seriously benefitted from the talent Cristobal has acquired - it makes him look much more competent than he actually is.

In his 45-50 games here, you can count on 2 hands how many times he’s drawn up something that the defense had no answer for. The other 99% of time the it’s all about execution, not scheme. He’s much better off as an OC for a recruiter and big money school, than he is doing it on his own where he doesn’t have the talent advantage.

 

[edge]

Some interesting things about Clemson.

1. They exited warmups 35 minutes before kickoff. They have to do this so they can go get on a bus and do their hill thing. If I am a player that’s too long to wait after warming up. And it showed in first quarter. I am not sure if that is normal.

2. Great turn out by the Canes fans. Also, the Clemson fans demeanor before the game showed they knew they had little hope. That got me excited.

3. We get mad at having to play at Hard Rock. But it’s nice as a fan going into a pro stadium. This stadium was terrible. Pathetic parking options, pathetic entrance situation, lousy food options. The difference in going Clemson stadium is a glorified high school setting versus a pro setting like the Rock.

 

[mr.h]

Why would anyone wear orange @ Clemson when they wear orange?? You’ll get your wish for orange however as the FSU game is an “orange out”....(team & fans).

There were a lot of Miami fans….a lot….the bandwagon junkies are here.

 

[Salt]

Never thought I’d say it but I welcomed the caveman bludgeoning of our run game for a change. That is the championship level balance we need along with the explosives.

Sustain that and we will be hard to beat. And getting back to reasonable health!

 

[CANEMC]

Can we officially take Lofton off the Greentree All-American list?

 

[Tinman64]

Not a complaint but there are times when mensah should tuck and run . He does have some wheels.

 

[hurricaneman]

Not a complaint but there are times when mensah should tuck and run . He does have some wheels.

Yea, I don't know if we have a lot of slow developing plays but he holds the ball like Cam used to. I think he could have checked down a lot more than he did in this game.

 

[Canemang]

We should not be letting Mensah get hit like that no matter how young the OL is plus unable to run our complete offense because of OL challenges. This roster is too explosive to turtle shell for half a game vs every marginally decent opponent

What? Nothing about last night was a turtle shell.

 

[BS85]

I can't say for certain, but it looked like Lofton was late on his motion, which meant Barkate was still moving to reset when Lofton went to motion. That's just to my eyes and could be completely wrong.

You're probably right, i just saw someone say it was Barkate in the game thread. I was at a 2 year old's bday with my son so i didn't even see it.

 

[WesternMDCane]

Can we officially take Lofton off the Greentree All-American list?

Honestly dont mind the young fella, seems every game he had 3-4 good plays here and there, could be better… sure but dont know why people were writing him off.

 

[ben]

Their qb reminds me a little of the A&M guy we played against (weigman). Gutsy.

 

[Allabouttheu95]

I'll have a lot of thoughts on Miami when I write this one up, but Mensah is playing QB on a level that is going to be talked about on par with anyone this school has seen if he continues the whole season.

Can’t wait for your write up as always. But to this point about mensah, as good as he’s playing, have you seen a dude who is hesitating to pull the trigger/let it rip? I feel like he’s in his head a bit right now if the 1st read isn’t there. Could be the hits, could be great coverage, poor route concepts, etc. But I’m curious to know if you’re seeing the same thing when you do your review

Look forward to it