That was a very satisfying win

[Todd4State]

We beat a team once again the way we should. They have a good offense, and they're going to put points on people, so I wasn't too upset with the defense.

When Robert Elliott is getting chunks of yardage, you suck. We had absolutely the right gameplan for them. We ran it, dominated at the LOS and we took control of the clock, scored a lot and we got the hell out of there. I like how we are working in a lot of young players into the mix and trying to get them action.

The only things that I didn't like were Berry getting hurt, as well as Brignone getting banged up. And the special teams. Once again, we were horrible on kick offs, and we're very lucky that they didn't take one to the house on us. We had two FG's blocked, and even though the guy for Houston is good at blocking kicks, that's still unacceptable. I loved it when Dan went off on the officials on the running into the kicker call. Amazingly, I get a lot less upset when the head coach actually looks like he cares about our team getting screwed over.

Back to special teams- we need a special teams coach. I know that means either A. getting rid of someone on our staff or B. adding that responsibility to someone. At any rate, I nominate Scott Sallach for special teams coach. And I will admit that I have no idea if he can actually coach special teams, and he could turn out to be Reed Stringer II, but coaching tight ends is fairly pointless. I'm sure that Jackie Sherrill could help him learn the ways of special teams, and would be a very valuable resource to Sallach, which is something that Reed didn't have. We also could send Sallach to clinics on special teams and things like that- like send him up to Virginia Tech- to get some pointers. Whatever we are doing with our guys isn't working out all that well, and could be a LOT better. And I think that Sallach could handle both special teams duties and coaching tight ends.

 

[coach66]

We were lucky they were without some of their key players but in the end we may have still won the game but it would have been alot tougher. If they could put together a defense they would give people fits. Of course they need to actually play a real schedule too.</p>

 

[Dawgzilla]

Pretty much for all the reasons already discussed in this thread. The pass defense still looks pretty bad, and I think this clearly would have been a different type of game if Houston's QBs and best receiver were playing. Special teams were a disaster, and losing Berry as a returner just made special teams even worse. Doesn't help the offense to lose a receiver, either.

Cannot really complain about the offense, except that I don't think they should have been stopped at all in the game. Three FG attempts was too many, since at least 2 of those drives should have been TDs. Personally, I was quite concerned when MSU was punting down 7-0, but by the end of the 1st quarter it was just a question of what the final score would be.

Still, I never really celebrated during the game. Houston is just a shell of the team they were at the start of the season. The real test for MSU comes this week....

 

[Griffdawg]

and we gave their receivers WAY too much cushion for most of the night.However, that being said, don't discount the fact thatwe won a game fairly handily on the road with a really young team. That will give us a lot of confidence going forward. Our guysnow know they can win away from the friendly confines of DW Stadium. We still have tons of work to do especially on D and special teams but we are on track to go bowling and our in-state rival is struggling. Speaking of them, their real season starts next Saturday against Bama. They are going to take some real ***-whippings over the next few weeks. We should be playing KY at homefor bowl eligibility in 2 weeks. I may have to make the drive over for that one.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

they didn't look good at all the rest of the half. In the second half the defense was on cruise control. Houston is going to throw it....alot. No matter who they play they will have a ton of attempts and passing yards.

 

[markymark.sixpack]

on the 2nd block. i thought he climbed up a guys back to get to that one.</p>