5 Thoughts Following The Win Over KSU

[DMAC]

There was no need to go for it on 4th down in the 1 st Quarter.  We were down by 3 at the time with a chance to tie it, granted Rowland was all but automatic but hell that was PAT range.  Besides if he had gotten a FG there we never go into OT.  Thats Hermans style but he did the same thing vs USC.  I understand it during USC when you have nothing to lose vs top 5 team in their house, but he should go FG when down by 3 at home.

I think Seahorn said it best in the game thread it seems a little early to be chasing points.

 

[Embrey]

And what is funny in light of Herman's apparent willingness to forego the sure thing for the whole enchilada was that he didn't go for 2 and the win at USC.  I am not trying to break his balls.  I just don't have a clear read on him yet.

 

[DMAC]

Very good point.

 

[Jameson McCausland]

There was no need to go for it on 4th down in the 1 st Quarter.  We were down by 3 at the time with a chance to tie it, granted Rowland was all but automatic but hell that was PAT range.  Besides if he had gotten a FG there we never go into OT.  Thats Hermans style but he did the same thing vs USC.  I understand it during USC when you have nothing to lose vs top 5 team in their house, but he should go FG when down by 3 at home.

I actually didn’t mind the call. At that point of the game I think it was 3-0 and it looked like touchdowns were going to be at a premium. Herman’s style is that you don’t drive the ball all the way inside the 5 to kick a field goal. Texas didn’t get it, but it backed up K State to the 3 yard line to start their next drive.

Now if you told Herman after the game that both offenses would end up actually dominating the game, he probably would have taken the points. Hindsight is 50/50.

 

[Jameson McCausland]

And what is funny in light of Herman's apparent willingness to forego the sure thing for the whole enchilada was that he didn't go for 2 and the win at USC.  I am not trying to break his balls.  I just don't have a clear read on him yet.

Ha, very true. It’s easy to play with the “nothing to lose mentality” when you are on the road against USC until you actually have to say “hey let’s go for 2 and risk everything”

 

[DMAC]

I actually didn’t mind the call. At that point of the game I think it was 3-0 and it looked like touchdowns were going to be at a premium. Herman’s style is that you don’t drive the ball all the way inside the 5 to kick a field goal. Texas didn’t get it, but it backed up K State to the 3 yard line to start their next drive.

Now if you told Herman after the game that both offenses would end up actually dominating the game, he probably would have taken the points. Hindsight is 50/50.

It was our second offensive series.  Yes backing them up to the 3 yard is a good trade off but they drove 97 yards from their 3 for a TD.  They went up 2 scores at that point.  Hindsight but I take the 3 points at home to tie the game on the second offensive series of the game.

 

[Embrey]

Ha, very true. It’s easy to play with the “nothing to lose mentality” when you are on the road against USC until you actually have to say “hey let’s go for 2 and risk everything”

You and DMAC both made interesting points regarding Herman and when, why (or why not) to take these risks.  In that light my working hypothesis is that Herman is a risk taker provided he has time remaining in the game to adjust his game plan in case his risks fail.  The sample size is small for now so I assume my theory will change as I receive more info.  I appreciate y'alls input.

 

[tejasrulz]

That early in the game and with the way your defense has been playing, I have no problem going for it. If it had worked, we'd all be talking about what a great call it was but it didn't so we aren't.

 

[Harrison Wier]

Daniel,

For about four years now, I have nary heard a positive word about Terrell Cuney.  All I did is watch the game as a fan, but it seemed that this kid competed, was composed, made the calls and hit Sam in the chest with every snap right on time.  Maybe I have missed something, but I think we have our Center for the next year and a half?  Shack, when healthy, can compete at Guard and back up at Center - giving us desperately needed depth along with Nickelson. 

Am I jumping off sides with just one good performance? 

I’m not Daniel, and maybe he has a better perspective, but I think Cuney could be serviceable. K State has a quick DL and Cuney held his own. He got beat several times, but that happens. All his snaps were clean. If he can continue, the staff might consider moving Shack over to G/T to help with depth. Maybe gets a look at LT. 

 

[DMAC]

How many of us were feeling the anxiety when KSU went up 10-0 and we skipped the PAT FG?  I was for sure.  I thought this would be a low scoring game so you take the FG.  Pretty simple.  Besides our defense was hardly stellar after that.

 

[Bear19]

Regarding Carter,I have heard/read that he has not been doing a good job in practice picking up blitzers/pass rushers in practice. That fits with his being moved outside on several pass plays last night. They were just not ever able to get him the ball on those pass plays. 

I agree he is our best runner. But apparently he needs to improve his blocking.

 

[prosfromdover]

OL is the story of the game to me. We all knew Sam could do what he did. We had no idea the OL could do what it did with those guys. I mean, a true freshman, a true sophmore, a center who's never played a snap, a former defensive lineman, and the guy from Moana.

Pretty incredible job. Hats off to them and the OL coaches.

 

[Bear19]

Was Foreman hurt last night?

 

[drgilbert]

I believe we should have gone for 3. The downside of ending a great drive with 0 points is too great. We finally started throwing the ball over the middle and had great success. I was telling my brother after that horrible series where we started on our 1 yard line, gotta throw in the middle. That was bad play calling on that series. Great win and I can’t wait to get to Dallas. 

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Was Foreman hurt last night?

No. But from what I read of how he acted during and after the game, he does not have the greatest attitude. And his Father is not doing him any favors. Don't think Tom is going to put up with it. 

 

[DMAC]

Regarding Carter,I have heard/read that he has not been doing a good job in practice picking up blitzers/pass rushers in practice. That fits with his being moved outside on several pass plays last night. They were just not ever able to get him the ball on those pass plays. 

I agree he is our best runner. But apparently he needs to improve his blocking.

I did notice Warren actually blocked better last night.  About time.

I know Porter is a good blocker and consistent.  Yes he scored 2 TD's but if he is touched he is tackled.  Carter makes people miss and hes quick, fast, and reckless.  When he runs the ball there is a chance he will break it.

I think it has more to do with TH philosophy of trusting the freshman.  Herman has mentioned numerous times in PC.  

My bet, Carter is gonna break one vs HoeU

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Daniel,

For about four years now, I have nary heard a positive word about Terrell Cuney.  All I did is watch the game as a fan, but it seemed that this kid competed, was composed, made the calls and hit Sam in the chest with every snap right on time.  Maybe I have missed something, but I think we have our Center for the next year and a half?  Shack, when healthy, can compete at Guard and back up at Center - giving us desperately needed depth along with Nickelson. 

Am I jumping off sides with just one good performance? 

He filled in admirably without a doubt, but I don’t think you make this decision based off of one game. If Shack continues to get banged up we could see more of Cuney, but I need to see consistency from week to week.

 

[Embrey]

I believe we should have gone for 3. The downside of ending a great drive with 0 points is too great. We finally started throwing the ball over the middle and had great success. I was telling my brother after that horrible series where we started on our 1 yard line, gotta throw in the middle. That was bad play calling on that series. Great win and I can’t wait to get to Dallas. 

For the record I thought we should have gone for 3 at the time and I was projecting Tom Herman's answers at the post game press conference after our kicker missed the FG attempt at a distance where we expect a make.  There was no guarantee at that point we would get the ball back.

But he went for the TD and Texas won anyway.  I am not questioning him like I know better.  I simply am trying to understand the guy.  

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

No mention of Sam running over that KSU player in the 2nd OT? That was the play of the night and just shows what kind of heart that kid has!

Was probably one of my favorite plays of the night from him. He isn’t going to give guys an easy out.,

 

[MikeV73]

I watched the winning TD run on highlites  today and it was awesome watching Sam help push the herd into the end zone to make the TD.  Great effort and team play!

Also props to Terrell Cuney for playing a solid game.  No bad snaps, held his own, amazingly no false starts by the OL that I can remember.  He has been the butt of jokes for never playing or developing over the years (some by me), but I thought he was great today at an important position at center.