Jeff Bower USM

[PawDawg]

Even there, it worked to the extent that they had to get a freak play in order to win...incredibly low probability.

Not sure if serious. They EASILY got to a point on the field that the QB could reach the end zone with a pass. It's as if we spotted the ball for them.

[johnnylightnin]

Not sure if serious. They EASILY got to a point on the field that the QB could reach the end zone with a pass. It's as if we spotted the ball for them.

You just called it a freak play…and it was. They had to throw a Hail Mary…they almost never work.

[FriscoDawg]

You just called it a freak play…and it was. They had to throw a Hail Mary…they almost never work.

They work better when you practice them like SMU did and does. That should be added to Skippy's weekly practice routine both on offense and defense.

[Rama Jama]

Echo chamber

The Miss State game and the SMU game were vastly different. Miss State gifted us the ball a few times and shot themselves in the foot--until they didn't. Still could've won it on the field goal. I would have like to have seen us try to get closer but I understood why he ran it.

As for SMU, I think the offensive plays were correctly called down the stretch. In fact, I thought the offensive calls were good all game. On our last possession, the holding call really hurt us. I never saw the replay but getting backed up like that made the field goal an appropriate choice.

We needed to keep them in front of us on their last possession but yielding easy first downs (which allowed stopped the clock momentarily) was too passive imo. Allowed them to throw up a prayer--which got answered. I brought a friend to the game (LSU alum) who has no ties to Tech and no rooting interest. He thought Tech coaches called a good game and SMU got lucky at the end (sometimes happens).

To act like Skip made bad coaching decisions at the end of this game is a dull take imo. If anything, Skip should be commended for a well called and executed offensive game plan.

Now, yall can go back to saying the same things and affirming each others' outrage.

Well said and I agree. Skip called a good offensive game especially in the last two minutes. And what about the double reverse flea flicker earlier in the game? Skip Holtz call?!

Im just as frustrated as anyone but we need to call balls and strikes. We played an equally good team what a good QB and stung by a well designed, practiced Hail Mary. Our defense made key stops, we have ourselves a tough, talented QB, we have receivers that can absolutely fly and will fight for the ball. When we have a solid QB like the current AK or formers (Driskell) Holtz calls more aggressively.

I like our chances for conference this year. I HOPE our guys play pissed the rest of the year. We do need a 4th quarter consultant/strategist.

[johnnylightnin]

They work better when you practice them like SMU did and does. That should be added to Skippy's weekly practice routine both on offense and defense.

Yeah...I heard they say that they practice it. Every team practices tip drills. Our guys tipped the ball...just bad luck.

[PawDawg]

You just called it a freak play…and it was. They had to throw a Hail Mary…they almost never work.

not nearly as freak as it would have been had we not walked down and spotted it on the 33 for them using prevent

[FriscoDawg]

Yeah...I heard they say that they practice it. Every team practices tip drills. Our guys tipped the ball...just bad luck.

The SMU receiver slapped the ball directly toward the receiver who caught it. Totally designed play that had been practiced numerous times. Five guys trying to jump for the ball showed that we had not practiced it.

Put the three best jumpers in there trying to knock the ball down because they get in each other's way with more than that. Other deep defenders need to be defending away from the pile to stop exactly what happened.

[PawDawg]

The SMU receiver slapped the ball directly toward the receiver who caught it. Totally designed play that had been practiced numerous times. Five guys trying to jump for the ball showed that we had not practiced it.

Put the three best jumpers in there trying to knock the ball down because they get in each other's way with more than that. Other deep defenders need to be defending away from the pile to stop exactly what happened.

How 'bout just trying to keep them outside the 40 or 45 instead of just giving them down to the 33?

[techman05]

How 'bout just trying to keep them outside the 40 or 45 instead of just giving them down to the 33?

Because a 50+ yard Hail Mary is harder than a 30 yarder. Holtz was being a good host.

[Tech52]

How 'bout just trying to keep them outside the 40 or 45 instead of just giving them down to the 33?

Or don’t leave their receivers open to be able to swat the ball from our pile of players. What they pulled probably would have worked out from the 45 too because nobody was on that guy.

[Lotsudo]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nca...cid=uxbndlbing

[boxerdog]

not nearly as freak as it would have been had we not walked down and spotted it on the 33 for them using prevent

I agree. We were way too soft in that prevent. I'd imagine Holtz agrees too. I HATE losing, especially games we should win. Of course, it's ultimately on Holtz but I wouldn't collar him with this loss.

[FriscoDawg]

How 'bout just trying to keep them outside the 40 or 45 instead of just giving them down to the 33?

I don't disagree that the biggest failure on the whole drive was not laying a hand on any receiver after completions until well after first down yardage was gained. The middle level of the defense is too deep if they can't move up to have a shot to make a play short of the sticks in that situation. Even one tackle short of a first down would have significantly changed the last drive.

But putting every endzone defender where the last pass came down and allowing a wide-open catch five yards away after the tip play still can't be ignored.

[Dawgonit]

Back to the topic of Bower. I could reiterate what others have already said and say Skip Hiltz seems to be the great value version. He has similar above average to great seasons but hasn’t won anything and that’s in a weaker league also.

As for USM, they made a good hire after Bower with Fedora. However their infamous mistake is hiring Ellis Johnson after who had almost no head coaching experience (the little he did was a losing record in FCS) and had a completely different coaching style. His year set the program back and arguably they still haven’t recovered from his 0-12 season.

That mistake should be easily avoidable. Our AD should have a list of head coach candidates from FCS or Div 2 schools now. Hire a coach with a sustained winning record and I’m not even worried about coaching style because it can’t get much more boring.

[Dawgonit]

If Skip wins the conference this year though, he has earned himself another year.