Another "close" loss - what needs to change?

[HogDawg]

I guess we'll just have to add this close Arkansas loss to the MUCH TOO LONG LIST of close losses (in OT, or by 3 pts or less) that LA Tech has experienced in the last 6 years.

Arkansas 21-20 in 2016
Kansas St 39-33 (3OT) in 2015
W Kentucky 41-38 in 2015
Marshall 26-23 in 2014
NSU 30-27 in 2014
ODU 30-27 (OT) in 2014
Kansas 13-10 in 2013
TX A&M 59-57 in 2012
Utah State 48-41 (OT) in 2012
Mississippi St 26-20 (OT) in 2011
Southern Miss 19-17 in 2011
Houston 35-34 in 2011
Southern Miss 13-12 in 2010

That's 13 "close" games that LA Tech lost in overtime or by 3 pts or less. And quite honestly, I thought LA Tech had the better team in all but the TX A&M game. And I didn't include our 6-point loss at Fresno St (in 2010).

By contrast, LA Tech has won only 3 games by 3 points or less over that same time period.

UTEP 38-35 in 2013
UTSA 34-31 in 2015
UTEP 17-15 in 2015


The statistics say this program isn't winning its fair share (only 18.75%) of close football games. My question to each of you is, what does LA Tech need to change in order to start winning more of these "close" games?

[faninmonroe]

We are developing into a very powerful and dangerous G5 team - that can hang with or beat many P5 schools.

In some situations we need to trust our playmakers and let them do their thing....like Arkansas on their last TD - they went to their best overall athlete on the play and he made the catch.

[DogsWin]

Vegas sure didn't have us "favored" over any of those P5 opponents on the road and we were definitely underdogs playing at Marshall in the CUSA Championship Game. Take those out and we won and lost about the same number of evenly matched games.

Tech could have won yesterday, but we were 26 point underdogs! My Arkansas and Texas Tech road trips are now fully reimbursed by Vegas due to that silly spread.

Go Dawgs!!! And Lord help South Carolina State.

[Soonerdawg]

We need a more active BB&B and coaches who will listen.

[johnnylightnin]

We need a more active BB&B and coaches who will listen.

Wrong...we need to focus.

[Geaux Dawgs]

Make 1 of the 2 FGs and we are talking about a top 20 win in program history.

Honestly, I feel a lot better about the season now after watching the DAWGS yesterday

[Black]

Hang on to the ball and get 7 instead of settling for field goal attempts. In the Holtz era that is what stands out in these close games.

[HogDawg]

Hang on to the ball and get 7 instead of settling for field goal attempts. In the Holtz era that is what stands out in these close games.

Yep, the last 7 of these close losses have happened on Holtz's watch.

[markay714]

Settling for field goals was the issue yesterday. The Dawgs played well, and I'm encouraged for a great season. And, I expect we may have found our quarterback.

[Soonerdawg]

Wrong...we need to focus.

Dang, I just knew I had the right answer.

[OLDBLUE]

Hang on to the ball and get 7 instead of settling for field goal attempts. In the Holtz era that is what stands out in these close games.

Considering our "re-load" we have a team, or Razorbacks better call for relief.

[Amos Moses]

We need to start playing to win and quit playing not to lose.

[glm47]

We need to start playing to win and quit playing not to lose.

Bingo, this is one of Holtz's major weaknesses. And probably the main reason he'll never get us to a major bowl. You have to step on an opponent's neck when you have them down.

[Soonerdawg]

We need to start playing to win and quit playing not to lose.

What does that even mean?

[glm47]

What does that even mean?

It means when you have 4th and goal at the 2 yard line, maybe you go for it instead of kicking a FG.