Hardy was kept on the sidelines because of "the coach's reason." I assume that means he did something wrong and was being disciplined. Graham got hurt fairly early in the game, left under his own power. Saw him on the sideline, helmet off, but jumping around and apparently not too hurt. Don't know about Smoke and Dancy, other than they didn't play.
Smith runs better? Ah, I'm not so sure about that. Abraham was more impressive on his runs...including the TD when he spiked it. Smith is too tentative when he runs.
As for comparing the two, well, just consider this...Abraham was facing a WAY BETTER secondary than Smith was. USM absolutely sucks back there. Their DBs are jokes. Tech has one for sure, and maybe a couple of DBs who will be playing on Sundays. I also thought our Front 3 played lights out yesterday!
When comparing QBs keep in mind they are not on the field at the same time.
J’Mar was only 2 yards shy of Abraham in total passing yards. On 19 fewer attempts. That was the cleanest game I have seen Smith play. There were a couple of underthrown balls I know he wished he could have back. I have been critical of J’Mar and Holtz this year because I know they are capable of more than we have gotten thus far. Yesterday showed us what we can expect going forward. I’m happy to eat a large helping of crow.
I wouldn’t be too hasty to crown Holtz and Smith as some sort of newly fashioned great head coach and ‘rock star’. For me, one good game doesn’t instantly undo the underachieving performances I’ve seen from the two of them in the past. One step forward followed by two steps back and we’ll be right back where we were. Having said that, I’m very optimistic that we’ve turned a corner with these two and we’ll finish this regular season like we’re capable of doing, going undefeated! I’m very pleased that ‘Daddy’ is no more.
Hardy was out with hamstring problems according to call-in show.
Sportdawg Jr called in again to talk about the Amik & Malik show
I noticed that too. It's not showing in any of the highlights from any source. I have to think that they omit that due to the receiving player of that hit was injured and it would be bad form to "highlight" that. That said, that was a stick of a career right there: clean, hard, and retired an opponent from the contest (with recoverable injury).
So, I have a question. This is something that has bugged me since it happened:
- LA Tech won the coin toss yesterday......
- Knowing that USM has one of the best kick return teams in the nation.....
- and knowing that USM has one of the best offenses (statistically) in the nation.....
- WHY did Holtz choose to start the game by kicking off to USM?
Seems like the dumbest decision he could have made all day. Don't you want to keep the ball AWAY from a team like that?
Kicking to the back men was a mistake. Deferring was not.