Syracuse vs. Toledo - Student Section Impressions
by Dan Lyons on Sep 26, 2011 9:41 AM EDT
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PrintIt's a shame that a huge portion of Syracuse fanbase sits so firmly upon the bandwagon, unwilling to come out to anything short of a "big game", because SU went out and beat a team that could definitely finish fourth or fifth in the Big East. We heard about how good Toledo was for weeks, especially following their close loss at Ohio State, and that was accurate. The Rockets can play.
Credit Toledo's coaches, they went out and really targeted our weaknesses. Our cornerbacks haven't been 100% since the beginning of the season. Ri'Shard Anderson and Keon Lyn have left every game this season with some sort of physical issue. The loss of Shamarko was a big one as well; he's probably the best tackler on the team, and would have definitely helped with the screens Toledo threw at us all game. Our d-backs have struggled with tackling in the open field all year, and that's what Toledo made us do. While we gave up a lot of easy yards, I thought overall we did a decent job of not allowing them to break it for a big play most of the time.
I'm cautiously optimistic that Chandler and Shamarko will both be back this week. Begin practicing that fetal position now Chas.
Ryan Nassib probably had his 'worst' game of the season, and was 16-24 for 213 Yards and 2 TD, with no interceptions. I don't know if he can keep up this performance through the Big East season, but the way he's played against quality opponents is a good sign. Ryan's season statline: 90-126 (71.4%), 939 Yards, 9 TDs, 1 Int. Here's what the rest of the Big East is working with:
BJ Daniels (USF): 82-124 (66.1%), 1071 Yds, 8 TDs, 1 Int
Zach Collaros (Cincy): 68-103 (66%), 784 Yds, 9 TDs, 1 Int
Geno Smith (WVU): 120-183 (65.3%), 1471 Yds, 9 TDs, 3 Int
Will Stein ('Ville): 49-79 (62%), 615 Yds, 5 TDs, 1 Int
Chas Dodd (Rutgers): 55-96 (57.3%), 588 Yds, 6 TDs, 2 Int
Tino Sunseri (Pitt): 82-126 (65.1%), 823 Yds, 4 TDs, 4 Int
??? (UConn): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKwtNahCmF8
The Big East is actually getting some really solid QB play this year, especially from Nassib, Daniels, Collaros and Smith, and I think Nassib could conceivably be the First Team All-Big East selection.
Nassib's game against Toledo wasn't without flaws. I really wish he would've hit Van Chew on that play where he was wide open down the sideline, and he made a few other errant throws, but he's really been incredible all season. Completing passes to nine different receivers is especially impressive.
It was nice to see us establish the run better than we have all season. Antwon Bailey broke 100 yards again, and ran hard all game, and Prince-Tyson Gulley was a revelation when he got the ball. He looks absolutely explosive, and made some really key plays. I really like how the two compliment each other, it's not as night and day as Delone and Antwon were, but they do have different approaches, and I hope we continue to mix it up down the stretch.
I agree with those who say that Coach Hackett probably tried to force the run a little too often, but they really worked on establishing the rushing game this week which is something that they really need going forward, especially if we want Nassib to have success going forward.
I think it's fair to assume at this point, that Adonis Ameen-Moore is going to redshirt. That's fine with me, he'll be more effective in 2015 than 2011 anyway.
Toledo did a really nice job of containing both Chew and Alec Lemon. Both receivers saw double teams at times. It was nice to see some secondary options like Nick Provo and Jarrod West have nice games. The one Provo catch, where he dragged the guy for 10+ yards, looked quite John Mackey-esque.
The offensive line had its best game by far. Nassib was only sacked once, and he didn't seem to be under too much pressure, and we finally had some holes opened for our backs. Macky, in particular, had one awesome block on Bailey's touchdown run.
The defensive line continues to miss Chandler Jones. We've been very good against the run, but the front four really struggle to get any pressure on their own. I think that the fact that Chandler was suited up this week means that next week is looking good. Hats off to Torrey Ball though. He's been our best defensive end this year, and has quietly made some huge plays for this team.
For someone who was not supposed to get too much action due to injury, Marquis Spruill was really impressive. Siriki Diabate played hard while he was out there, but he doesn't have that instinctual reaction time that Spruill's developed, and he got abused a few times. Our linebackers were put in a tough spot because with the lack of depth in the defensive backfield, we had guys like Dyshawn Davis, Cam Lynch and Dom Anene covering the fast Toledo receivers in the slot, and that just didn't work out too well for us. If Shamarko was playing, and our corners were 100%, I don't think this game probably wouldn't have been as close, but that's part of football.
Phil Thomas had his best game of the season, and he picked up a lot of the slack left behind by Shamarko. He's been putting up big tackle numbers all year, including 10 on Saturdays, but this week he was making plays in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage. The one stop on fourth down was absolutely huge.
I'm not going to talk about the extra point debacle here, that's going to get its own post. I'm not ignoring it.
I'm very confident about next week's game. Marrone has Schiano's number, and Rutgers literally can't do anything on offense that doesn't involve Mohamed Sanu. I'm not sure if it's Shafer's style, but I'd like to just see us double him all game and make Dodd and their running game try to beat us. I don't think they can do it if we blanket Sanu all game.
Doug Marrone is now 7-2 in games decided by 7 points or less. If I remember correctly off the top of my head, the two losses were against Minnesota in his first game, and that slop-fest against Louisville later that season. We may think he plays things too conservatively sometimes, or that he thinks he's coaching in the NFL, but the guy knows how to play the averages and win football games.
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What student section?
I had no idea empty aluminum benches had the ability to gain the sentience and manual dexterity needed to write a column.
This must be another one of Sean’s parody posts, right?
If you're trying to be funny
You’re failing miserably.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
Maybe the reason why the refs got the XP call wrong is because they were blinded by the lights bouncing off the empty benches in the student section.
Careful with that rapier wit
You might cut yourself.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
I haven't seen you make a single quality post in the past week
Step back and come back when you actually can contribute something.
by Nick Petrilli on Sep 26, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
As the Nunes Student section represenative
I am holding you personally responsible for the poor student section showing Dan ;-P
good write up. Yours have been better than the Post Standards in most cases from a fan perspective.
Keep up the good work!
Ummmmm not really.
There were students waiting in their section before the game. Probably in a percentage way higher than the rest of the weak ass crap SU fans this town has. The attendance was crap for the whole dome. I just has to be said, the whole town is fair weather. I get it all the time after I leave games from people in local bars, the same old people with the same old question. “Did we win?” A moderately surprised look if we did, and a see I told you they suck if we don’t. It’s really not that the team isn’t good enough to have the fans… the people there aren’t good enough for that team. Needs to shape up, starting to look as bad as philly fans.
This year
They have in higher numbers. The first game had a great student turnout. For the amount of kids that were there at a 12 game braving hangovers and getting their buts out and up to the dome it wasn’t bad.
Solution
Moar tailgating.
Cheaper or free student tickets.
If you’re going to be only getting 30-35k at the game, start fucking giving fistfuls of tickets away to Boys and Girls clubs and shit like that.
by Nick Petrilli on Sep 26, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Both groups of fans aren't showing up
To me, the lack of students is especially appalling. SU has 20k students, maybe 500 of them were in attendance, or 3% of all students. The Syracuse MSA has roughly 650k residents, and I’ll estimate 30k showed up, or 5%. The university is to blame for the lack of attendance. The locals are what they are, mostly fair-weather fans. If you can’t make more money off of the locals, the goal should be to fill the place up with students, who can help with the atmosphere – that would help recruiting, and probably bring more locals to the games as well. Having the place empty only deters people.
$99 isn’t that much to ask for season tickets, but student tix should be part of tuition/fees. Also, setting up some sort of pre-game/tailgating festivities catered directly towards the students would help. Maybe the cash windfall from the move to the ACC would allow DOCTOR Daryl Gross to provide free tickets for students.
Good points tommyt330. I have been thinking that tickets have to be extremely discounted or given to students too as part of their tuition.
Heck even if you give them the tickets only a certain % will show up for every game. I totally agree on the “local” fans point and that bothers me to no end. I get mocked because I cheer for our team during the game and not just on 3rd down when the fucking stupid Bell ringing sound effect tells me I should. It is an aging fan base and that isn’t good. Kudos to all the folks on here that do attend the games and support our teams.
The lack of students at the game on Saturday had nothing to do with ticket price
and everything to do with them not bothering to show up. The student sections were jammed full for the Wake Forest game.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
I fully disagree with this. Giving students tickets in their tuition prices causes dumb shit like the UNC lottery system. So a game like this, the exact same numbers of die-hards will show up and then when we have a big game that everyone wants to go to (like because Dennis Quaid is going to be there), they’ll run some lottery and the die hard fans who showed up for every game won’t get to go to the big game because the fair weather fans just remembered we have a football team. I’d rather pay my $99 for tickets and be guaranteed a seat than risk not getting a seat because students who only care about the game because they might get on TV all have free seat for the game and have suddenly decided to show up.
Michigan charges $240 JUST for football. It’s not the prices that are keeping people away.
'Cuse 2010, Michigan 2012
One thing Nassib didn't do that irked me
I don’t remember exactly when in the game this was, but there a forth and one and Marrone opted to go for it and Nassib handed off to Bailey who was stuffed. I distinctly recall that there was a huge hole in the Toledo D line right off Mackey’s left hip. What I don’t remember is if there was a linebacker there to cover, but if Nassib had just kept the ball and plunged ahead in the left center/guard gap I think he’s two, three yards and the first down.
Ah well, such is life. Bring on Rut-Girls.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
I think thats more on Bailey
He tends to do that. He doesn’t have a good eye for holes on the line. He just goes where he was supposed to and runs right into the back of a lineman. He did it several times that game. One more half second of decision and he would be off to the left or right, but instead he plows into a pile and tries to make his little ass move it… Hope they get him looking at the film about that.
Well, to be fair to Bailey
Like I said, I didn’t see if there was a ’backer there, and while the hole was there for Nassib to exploit on a quick sneak, no idea where the blocking is going and if that hole would still be open by the time he gets the hand off and towards the line.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
Defense
I know they’re banged up, but I’m not sure if I love or hate the D. I love the fact that, when it’s time to stiffen up and preserve a W, they get the job done. Lyn got the INT in OT against Toledo and Spruill got those two monster back-to-back sacks at the end of the URI game. But, at the same time, why they hell can’t thay stop anybody for the first 55-minutes of the game? Hopefully once all the starters are back in the lineup, things will improve.
Part of me, though, thinks it might be the coaching. Yeah, the players have to execute, but it’s the coaches calling soft coverages on 3rd and long, leaving gaps that make picking up 1st downs relatively easy for opponents. Again, maybe it’s just due to the personnel available, but I’d like to see the coaching staff trust whoever is out there enough to play a tough press or blitz on long 3rd downs instead of playing those soft zones.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Sep 26, 2011 10:42 AM EDT reply actions
It's not like Shafer forgot how to coach over the summer
No one was griping about his coaching of the defense last year. I think what we’re going through this year is mostly a combination of injuries and inexperience. A lot of first line players have gone down and are being replaced by first year players (Lynch, Diabate, Desir and Reddish) among others. The performance of the defense was already a concern going into the season due to having to replace a lot of departing seniors.
I’d be surprised if those two factors aren’t affecting the calls at least on some level. The soft zone stuff may be Shafer’s way of trying to compensate for a weak rush and an inexperienced secondary by trying to keep things in front of them. Dunno, not an expert on such things.
I do think that by the end of the year if they can get these kids healthy they’ll be a lot better and into next year with all the PT the underclassmen are getting.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
True
and it doesn’t help that the biggest holes from last year were from departing LBs. Most of the bige plays were on those screens and right in the middle of the zone on 3rd down, both of which are plays the LBs are responsible for. More experienced guys might have sniffed out those plays and been in better position. Not that I’m complaining too much. I’ll take W’s. But, eventually, it’s going to bite them in the ass and cost them a game they could/should win. I dunno. I know they they’re not recruiting Ray Lewises or Troy Polamalus every year, but I still think you have to have some measure of trust in how you’ve coached and prepared your guys and trust them to make the right read instead of trying to proctect them too much.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Sep 26, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
We played a lot of zone
because these guys are not ready to play tight yet. We gave their WRs a lot of respect and they used it against us by creating a natural pick, sending the inside guy to the far sideline and having him one on one in space with our sluffing corner. We are going to see a lot of that play all season.
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
This play killed us
Because it took advantage of our deep coverage on their WRs. We really respected their speed and didnt want to keep giving up the big play, so they took this for 8 yards every time. It allows their best player to match up against our deep covering CB one on one in space. Simple spread concept. The pick gets the guy playing him tight off and he cant help but get picked in case he crosses into the middle. The outside corner has to play deep so as to not get burned. We will see a lot of this so long as we keep playing zone wine banged up corners.
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
Yeah
Even as drunk as I was, even I could see that the bubble screen was killing them. That’s where I’m coming from with the inexperience at linebacker. After a time or two, the LBs need to pick up on that read and snuff it.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Sep 26, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
was that considered a bubble screen?
Since usually they ran it with just two WRs lined up as far away as they could get them. I always thought a bubble screen would have a guy coming out from just off tackle and going around both WRs, with the pass catcher usually being a RB who motions into that position. But I cant say I know too much about it… my high school ran the Wing T.
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
Bubble screen
I generally consider any screen play where a the reciever isn’t coming out of the backfield a bubble screen. A traditional RB screen is a pretty slow developing play, with selling the RB blocking and getting the O-line out in front. A bubble screen is a quick hitter with other receivers providing blocking. But you’re right, it worked because the wide CB was playing too deep and the slot CB/LBs didn’t pick up the read. Doesn’t reallt matter what you call it. It was skill killing them.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Sep 26, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice diagram, BTW
But it also shows what I’m talking about. After the first two or three times you see that same formation, the D needs to adjust. Whether its the players themselves to doing it or the coaches screaming like crazy from the sideline. You see that formation, and the wide CB needs to creep up and the safety on that side needs to chade that side. Either that, or the strong side LB needs to crowd the line to either make the QB think twice about that play, or at least be is a position to get off that block and make a play near the line of scrimmage, not 8 yards down the field. I know it easier said than done, but as the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me 6 times for 100 yards…” Even for young players
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Sep 26, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Phil, Ri’Shard and Keon have all had “lower body injuries” this year as well. None of them are running at their full potential. I’d rather get dinked and dunked for 7 yards than have receivers burning us down the field. Some of those UT WRs had legit speed.
I agree
and until we heal up and show it, we are going to get dinked and dunked all season.
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
My bad
Scott, not Lyn got the OT INT
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Sep 26, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Did anyone else
think Toledo looked MUCH bigger than us? Those guys were huge. Even my girlfriend who has never been to a football game commented on it.
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
They're just Midwesterny.
I call it the Wisconsin effect.
by Nick Petrilli on Sep 26, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
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