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Vandy, Mason's clock management

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gamecockcat

Heisman
Oct 29, 2004
10,524
13,501
0
Vandy, being Vandy, basically let that game slip away to a pretty bad USCjr team. Although USCjr did look better on offense the 2nd half, Vandy just played so conservatively and really couldn't muster much offense.

I have no idea why Mason switched QBs in the 2nd quarter for a couple of series - just when Shurmur seemed to be getting in a rhythm. Sometimes coaches just plain out-think themselves.

I do not understand Mason's management of the clock on USCjr's last drive. 4th and long from VU's 36 or 37. They are obviously going to try to kick a field goal. And Mason, wanting to conserve timeouts, lets USCjr run about 25 seconds off the clock. So, when VU does get the ball back, they've only got about 25 seconds to try to get down field.

Now I understand that you want to preserve timeouts whenever possible. But, with VU's offense, why give yourself no time on the clock? With 50+ seconds to go, VU could work the middle, kill the clock and still have time. Instead, you're forced to throw a homerun ball (which they didn't/couldn't do) or try to work the sidelines. It just seemed like another bad coaching decision to me. Probably wouldn't have won anyway.

But, what if USCjr had missed the FG (and it WAS from 55 yards)? VU would've been on their own 37 with only 40 seconds to go. Instead of with 1:00 to go. It just made no sense at all.

BTW, I absolutely hate USCjr and their fans and Will Muschamp. Pulling hard for VU all the way.
 
R

Rickman

All-Conference
Jul 18, 2005
4,951
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66
Both teams look putrid.

UK should be able to beat both comfortably this year.
 
R

Rickman

All-Conference
Jul 18, 2005
4,951
4,617
66
And yes, not calling a TO there was beyond stupid. These coaches are paid millions, but so often make horribly bad game management decisions.
 
G

gamecockcat

Heisman
Oct 29, 2004
10,524
13,501
0
The decision was Joker-esque, imo. Absolutely gave your team no chance to win in regulation regardless of the outcome of the FG attempt. Playing for OT when the other team has all the momentum is a great strategy for getting fired after your third year as head coach.
 
JDHoss

JDHoss

Heisman
Jan 1, 2003
16,462
40,037
113
It's really bad when a 56 year old hill jack like me has better clock management skills.
 
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G

gobigblue812_rivals29381

Heisman
Jun 11, 2012
15,051
15,723
0
I was waiting for Mason to call a TO but he just kept staring off into space. According to the announcers he was saying this was a statement game. Not really sure what the statement was.
 
C

Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,713
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Vandy had many, many chances to win the game and of course they let it slip away. Neither team looked good but it's really hard to determine which team was really any good.
 
P

Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
gamecockcat said:
Vandy, being Vandy, basically let that game slip away to a pretty bad USCjr team. Although USCjr did look better on offense the 2nd half, Vandy just played so conservatively and really couldn't muster much offense.

I have no idea why Mason switched QBs in the 2nd quarter for a couple of series - just when Shurmur seemed to be getting in a rhythm. Sometimes coaches just plain out-think themselves.

I do not understand Mason's management of the clock on USCjr's last drive. 4th and long from VU's 36 or 37. They are obviously going to try to kick a field goal. And Mason, wanting to conserve timeouts, lets USCjr run about 25 seconds off the clock. So, when VU does get the ball back, they've only got about 25 seconds to try to get down field.

Now I understand that you want to preserve timeouts whenever possible. But, with VU's offense, why give yourself no time on the clock? With 50+ seconds to go, VU could work the middle, kill the clock and still have time. Instead, you're forced to throw a homerun ball (which they didn't/couldn't do) or try to work the sidelines. It just seemed like another bad coaching decision to me. Probably wouldn't have won anyway.

But, what if USCjr had missed the FG (and it WAS from 55 yards)? VU would've been on their own 37 with only 40 seconds to go. Instead of with 1:00 to go. It just made no sense at all.

BTW, I absolutely hate USCjr and their fans and Will Muschamp. Pulling hard for VU all the way.
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Switching QBs might have been the biggest momentum changer in the history of the world. Inside the TEN? Mason is probably only a season away from being terminated. If he had maintained that play on the field, Vandy could very well have had a much different season. I know there is 11 games for sure left with them but decisions like that, have a tendency to destroy the team's spirit and their closeness.
 
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G

GGCAT

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
2,784
1,871
113
I posted a thread earlier this week comparing Mason to Joker on certain levels, (basically being WAY over his head as an HC) and got a good bit of push back about the statement.

Have mercy, if last nights game wasn't a testament for that statement, well I don't know what was.

Once Vandy got up 10-0, Mason had his team basically playing out the rest of the game as if the result was in hand and started almost treating it like it was a scrimmage by exploring other options and personnel.

I don't care how bad the team is youre playing, 10 points is rarely enough to win a game, and when you play not to lose, lose is what you most certainly are going to do.

Even a team coached by another "savant" in Muschamp.

And then the just the overall decision making and clock management, brutal, just brutal.

For those who say Vandy has an identity and we don't....is this really what your looking for?
 
S

sg24_

All-Conference
Mar 13, 2006
2,697
1,047
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TXCatFBFan said:
Mason is a dead man walking
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I think so too. I listened to him on the radio a couple of days ago talking about how Vandy was the show in Nashville Thursday. Well that show was a dud.

I am not sure if he makes it to season end if he lays the same dud against WKU. Western looked good last night. Mason is not going to last.
 
S

Sin The

All-Conference
Apr 24, 2007
4,295
3,784
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Western will destroy Vandy. Mason is a dead man walking IMO. At least half the stadium was SCar fans which tells me the Vandy fan base has already given up on him.
 
M

mhroe1984

Heisman
Dec 16, 2007
14,060
10,627
0
I didn't think Western would be able to beat Vandy this year but after what I saw last night it could definitely happen. An SEC team coming to Smith Stadium at WKU is going to be huge. Would love to see the toppers roll them!
 
LadyCaytIL

LadyCaytIL

Heisman
Oct 28, 2012
32,021
32,808
113
Vandy's offense is just absolutey atrocious. So was USC's up until they switched to the mobile freshman.

IF we cant win those games at home, Stoops should be fired immediately.
 
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STUCKNBIG10

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2006
7,302
2,861
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Terrible job by Mason, almost as bad as the Appy State coach at the end of the UT game. It always amazes me that you have guys making $3-4MM per year and many of them fail to even manage a game clock in crucial situations.

Regarding the game itself, I think South Carolina is bad on both sides of the ball (but gritty on D). I think Vandy is a terrible offensive team and a pretty good defensive team.
 
LadyCaytIL

LadyCaytIL

Heisman
Oct 28, 2012
32,021
32,808
113
Mason was a moron. No matter what happens with the FG... call a time out with 1:20 seconds on the clock.. Give your team time whether its a make or miss.

The app State coach..... I think he was happy with the $$$$ from the game and it being close. Those play calls are not from a coach who really wanted the win.
 
S

STUCKNBIG10

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2006
7,302
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Wildcat-in-STL said:
Mason was a moron. No matter what happens with the FG... call a time out with 1:20 seconds on the clock.. Give your team time whether its a make or miss.

The app State coach..... I think he was happy with the $$$$ from the game and it being close. Those play calls are not from a coach who really wanted the win.
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Agreed. Mind-boggling by APSU coach. He took two meaningless timeouts to OT.
 
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J

jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
0
Where is Andrei to tell us how smart Stanford coaches are and that Stoops is the only one that makes bad decisions?
 
B

BlueRattie_rivals

All-Conference
Feb 6, 2014
1,052
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Just shows you how much difference there is between being a HC and being a DC / OC. The really tough, in-game choices that a coach must make (pulling players, TO's, do/don't go for it) are generally reserved for the HC. Some guys are great at training kids, drawing up schemes, and understanding the opponent, but having the weight of the whole team on your shoulders is just a level some coaches never get used to.
 
K

KYCAT78

All-American
May 24, 2006
7,858
6,073
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FieldstoneWarrior said:
Will Mason make it to the end of season?

WKU might embarrass them in Bowling Green in a couple of weeks.
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If WKU beats Vandy it will may be the nail in the coffin for Mason at the end of this season. If that were to happen Stoop's needs to be on the phone offering him a job.
 
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