Coach Dawson stealing signs at 2nd half?

Sep 2, 2012
2,264
473
83
On todays KSR show Matt Jones said the defense was using the same signals as they used last year in the game... Dawson caught on at the half, then that is how the adjustments and the ensuing slaughter came about. If that were the case, why the hell wouldn't we at the very minimum, use different signals vs. last years OC for our own team.
 

Mikey Likes It

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2007
11,247
3,776
0
Wouldn't be any different than the time Tennessee did it against us during the Woodson years. Thankfully we caught on in the second half and started hiding the signals and amazingly we made a huge comeback only to lose in OT.
 
Apr 13, 2002
44,001
97,149
0
Incredibly stupid, even for an already inept defensive staff. However, I dont think that was it. We destroyed them in the first half.

Then Dawson started running the same 2 plays over and over. 2 plays. Over and over. With a 3rd sprinkled in a handful of times.

He didnt need to steal signals. He didnt even need a play sheet. Stealing signs had nothing to do with it.
 

Katwatcher

Sophomore
Feb 17, 2003
563
153
0
Yep. Talk about having a very stupid coaching staff. Why on earth would you use the same signals from the previous year when the other teams coach was on our staff??? Dumb. Good for Dawson. I'm really starting to think it wasn't Dawson but stoops
Don't know which is worse, for taking Dawson the first half to recognize the signals, or Stoops for not changing the signals.

This is almost beyond believable to be true. lol
 

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
5,396
13,585
78
On todays KSR show Matt Jones said the defense was using the same signals as they used last year in the game... Dawson caught on at the half, then that is how the adjustments and the ensuing slaughter came about. If that were the case, why the hell wouldn't we at the very minimum, use different signals vs. last years OC for our own team.
That doesn't make much sense. Why would the staff use the same signals with Dawson on the other side line? It wasn't like Dawson ran anything complicated the second half. I think that's just an excuse for losing the first game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LeonThe Camel

brianpoe

Heisman
Mar 25, 2009
27,769
21,825
113
Makes no sense, defenses can adjust and change after seeing offensive alignment.

An OC has his head buried in the play card and is scrambling like heck just to get the play called in time.

This is not madden where you can wait until the clock winds down select your play and snap the ball.

The play is called within 10-15 seconds.

QB has to give team the play in the huddle.

Oline has to have time to point out assignments.

QB has to perform pre-snap reads.

And then snap the ball within 40 seconds.


Seems like a bad excuse from folks who never actually played the game.
 

Comebakatz3

Heisman
Aug 8, 2008
41,350
31,357
113
Incredibly stupid, even for an already inept defensive staff. However, I dont think that was it. We destroyed them in the first half.

Then Dawson started running the same 2 plays over and over. 2 plays. Over and over. With a 3rd sprinkled in a handful of times.

He didnt need to steal signals. He didnt even need a play sheet. Stealing signs had nothing to do with it.

This. I don't think that Dawson needed to steal any signs at all. Plain and simple, the head coach came up to him and said, 'Run the damn ball.' Dawson followed orders and we couldn't stop them.

Even if it was the case, it still doesn't excuse our offense for becoming entirely inept and not just simply outscoring them in the second half.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brianpoe

Kattopper

Senior
Oct 7, 2004
1,830
795
0
If that is the case the staff is more inept than thought. If they didn't change the signals then it's the staff's fault not Dawson's for noticing it and using it against us.
 

bbnfan4life

Senior
Jul 18, 2014
359
417
58
If you can re-watch the game in the 2nd half Dawson would look at UK sideline or hudle then call his play
 
Apr 13, 2002
44,001
97,149
0
If you can re-watch the game in the 2nd half Dawson would look at UK sideline or hudle then call his play

I doubt it. If you're running power, then counter over and over; what's it matter the defense they're running?

If he was constantly adjusting his play call, or sending in audibles from the sidelines; yes I'm on board. But that's hardly what happened.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brianpoe

BigBlueTuckian

Sophomore
Jan 9, 2016
309
198
0
On todays KSR show Matt Jones said the defense was using the same signals as they used last year in the game... Dawson caught on at the half, then that is how the adjustments and the ensuing slaughter came about. If that were the case, why the hell wouldn't we at the very minimum, use different signals vs. last years OC for our own team.

Someone on our coaching staff had to foresee this and change our signals. They can't be THAT clueless. Methinks Jones is just stirring the pot.
 

BlueRunner11

Heisman
Mar 26, 2011
11,563
35,624
0
Not sure I'm buying this. Not that our staff is incapable of doing something so dumb because they definitely are.

On the other hand, could be why Dawson was giggling like a school girl on the sidelines.
 

WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
7,390
0
Is this Matt Jones showing his understanding of football?

Why would Gran and his offense use the same signals as Dawson and his offense? Apparently Dawson changed his signals otherwise UK's sharp defensive staff would have picked them up. [winking]

Peace
 
  • Like
Reactions: mattrudd

JHB4UK

Heisman
May 29, 2001
31,836
11,258
0
That would be so Kentucky football
ha, deja vu all over again

2007 critical final game against Tennessee they stone our offense most of the first 3 quarters. then suddenly the staff figures out that UT is stealing Randy Sanders signals - the same ones he used when he was previously their OC. Suddenly we break out a towel tent around the signal caller on our sideline & are able to move the ball & score some points.
 

Bluesnky

All-American
Jan 24, 2013
6,363
9,715
0
Makes no sense, defenses can adjust and change after seeing offensive alignment.

An OC has his head buried in the play card and is scrambling like heck just to get the play called in time.

This is not madden where you can wait until the clock winds down select your play and snap the ball.

The play is called within 10-15 seconds.

QB has to give team the play in the huddle.

Oline has to have time to point out assignments.

QB has to perform pre-snap reads.

And then snap the ball within 40 seconds.


Seems like a bad excuse from folks who never actually played the game.
... all of these things that have to happen in a short time period become much easier if you only run two or three different plays the entire half.

I think this is real.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brianpoe

TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
10,331
0
I think it's possible for them to steal signals but unlikely that this happened. I didn't keep track of how many times they checked to the sideline before running the play but it can happen. Still it's not very likely. The bulk of the evidence is that we stayed in the same defense all night so what reason would they have to steal anything.
 

olblue

All-Conference
Aug 17, 2011
3,129
1,383
113
Incredibly stupid, even for an already inept defensive staff. However, I dont think that was it. We destroyed them in the first half.

Then Dawson started running the same 2 plays over and over. 2 plays. Over and over. With a 3rd sprinkled in a handful of times.

He didnt need to steal signals. He didnt even need a play sheet. Stealing signs had nothing to do with it.

You touched on my question - exactly what adjustments did USM make in the second half?
 
Apr 13, 2002
44,001
97,149
0
You touched on my question - exactly what adjustments did USM make in the second half?

They just found a play that finally worked, and ran it till we stopped it. We never did. So they ran a counter action too. Never stopped that either. Rinse and repeat.

Which highlighted the bigger problem: no way a division 1 program can allow an opposing team to run the same 2 plays all half and get dominated. It's unbelievable that we couldn't adjust AT ALL.
 

brianpoe

Heisman
Mar 25, 2009
27,769
21,825
113
Just curious what the truth was.


Who knows?

But my take:

A college team doesn't have the time to wait for the defense to send signals and then call their own play.

A pro team with a bunch of resources focused on the other sideline (looking at you Patriots) could, but not well, as we have seen.


Also, why do people think the OC knows all of the defensive scheme signals?

Has anyone ever been to a practice or a meeting room?

Offensive and defensive units are so separate they might as well be different teams.

And during a game offensive players are usually on the bench with the OC, not watching the defense.

There is absolutely no reason for an OC to try and learn defensive signals.

This isnt baseball where everyone on the team has the same take/bunt/steal signals.
 

Kats23

All-American
Nov 21, 2007
8,682
5,910
63
He went from throwing the ball to running the ball. Still, pretty stupid to use the same signals from year to year. Not just bc of an old OC but I would think most coaches could pick up tendencies and signals from video before. Just another sign how inept our staff is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fcats and brianpoe

CrustyCat

Senior
Sep 20, 2005
1,572
733
0
Who knows with this staff? Just sayin.
I don't believe it, but as X posted...that would so be Kentucky football...foolsball...fools all

It could have been as simple as Dawson knew just enough quickly to know whether the defense was set for run or pass and just called the opposite. Or, they're set up for run right so we'll run left ....
 

Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
If you can re-watch the game in the 2nd half Dawson would look at UK sideline or hudle then call his play


Honestly all I saw was a defense that couldn't stop the run. I could have coached S Miss in the second half and beat UK. Unless Dawson took a Superior's attitude and stop running the ball, that was the only way we were going to win.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brianpoe

Phantom

All-Conference
Dec 7, 2005
6,335
2,052
0
If our coaching staff was so touching stupid as to use the same signals as last year, then I'm proud of Dawson to read them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rawrrr

Xception

Heisman
Apr 17, 2007
26,407
22,344
0
Honestly all I saw was a defense that couldn't stop the run. I could have coached S Miss in the second half and beat UK. Unless Dawson took a Superior's attitude and stop running the ball, that was the only way we were going to win.
Not even Dawson could touch it up , that is sad
 
  • Like
Reactions: brianpoe