Day after Pitt thoughts

[Cardinal_Cash]

The good:

I think the team really settled in once we got points on the board. After that gift for our first TD (which still feels a bit cheap). I think the guys calmed down and started commanding the game. Bringing it back to a tie and subsequently getting the win.

This started with the special teams play and defense. The special teams has been the most consistent unit for this team. Return TD’s, good coverage, good kicking. That didn’t change yesterday.

The defense has been solid as well. Getting key stops when needed and only giving up 20 points yesterday. I believe they are averaging 17 pts allowed.

Eventually the offense followed suit. Brohm knew he wasn’t going to run the ball with Pitt’s game plan and a battered RB room. So he put the game on the shoulders (specifically the right one) of Miller Moss. Moss favored Chris Bell and Bell was the workhorse that brought us back in the game. We need Bell to continue that consistency.

The bad:
Offensive line play has been consistently underwhelming. We aren’t blocking the run well enough to open up holes and we can’t rely on our backs to make big plays when they are injured. I think the OL was better when pass blocking the 4-man rush (naturally) but they need to figure out how to handle the blitz.

The ugly:
This was the ugliest first quarter I’ve seen Louisville play in a while. Slow starts have been the M.O. for this team, and that has to change as we face better competition for the remainder of the year.

 

[KozmasAgain]

The first quarter of the game was so bad I didn’t enjoy watching us play. I even almost turned the station it was so bad. Luckily I stayed with the game and the team rewarded the fans with a victory. I agree we have to do better against better opponents we can’t expect to do that against better opponents and win.

I also agree that our offensive line is not doing their part. I felt sorry for the running backs and that might be why so many backs are banged up. We had no choice but to go to a pass dominant offense. We run so much of our offense between tackles which is not working because of the offensive line. I would like to see us create more plays going outside the tackles.

 

[beantowncard]

It’s hard to know what’s off with the running game. I don’t think the OL is getting physically dominated. It might be scheme, or maybe just timing. It’s likely just numbers- the defense simply brings more players than we can block. Whatever it is, they need to fix it quick. Virginia is coming to town.

 

[cocoa]

Going to echo what Coach said post-game presser! Expect this every game in League play. The ACC is very balanced this year. Going to see a lot of one score games. Miami is hanging their hat a win at home against an under whelming ND Team, and a Top 50 SF squad that had wins over Boise, and the Gators. Now UVA comes to town off a under whelming FSU squad. Cards just need to play one game at a time. Take care of business at home against UVA! No excuses for the Fans not showing up big, and pack the house for a 330 pm kick. Little league games mostly played in the morning on Saturday. Perfect weather forecast Sunny High in 70-s low 80-s. A win at home against the Hoos! will propel into the top 25. Setting the stage for a huge game in Miami next Friday night! That game will give the winner the inside trac to the ACC Title game, and a College Playff berth too! Go Cards!!

 

[Louis III]

I expected us to be 5-0 heading into the Miami, but we need to be better in all aspects of the game to beat UVA. Special teams appears to be our best unit, although I am still not impressed with our punter. Defense is hanging in there, but I wouldn't call PITT's O great either. UVA is going to challenge our D big time!

Does anyone know what Isaac Brown's injury is??

 

[William-McDermott]

I expected us to be 5-0 heading into the Miami, but we need to be better in all aspects of the game to beat UVA. Special teams appears to be our best unit, although I am still not impressed with our punter. Defense is hanging in there, but I wouldn't call PITT's O great either. UVA is going to challenge our D big time!

Does anyone know what Isaac Brown's injury is??

Lower leg, both him and Watson are fine

 

[Smithereen]

I haven't had a chance to re-watch the game, but i see way too many times where the defensive lineman crosses our OL's face and shuts down the running lanes. One time we pulled and wiffed on the DL he was to block. If he made the block (should've been easy to do but had poor balance and lunged at him instead of just sealing him off) Watson would've been in the secondary. You don't need to blow people up, just seal them off and give them an opening. I also don't think the backs can hit the holes when they are there. They clearly aren't as explosive as the earlier games. We need them to get healthy and to clean up the mistakes and poor technique on the OL.

Lastly, sometimes you need to set up the run with the pass. Brohm is old school and stubborn, he forces the running game to set up the pass game and that's fine if you are getting somewhere on the ground but when we aren't, just throw until they stretch out on defense and give us more running room.

Just a few observations......