Lmfao I'm so happy but..

[devoted2ru]

Have a lot of respect for Washington after that game. It was hard fought by both teams.

Washington unquestionably shot themselves in the foot on several occasions. RU had its less than stellar moments too,.

-But in the end all that matter is that we came away with the "W", and if the Huskies beat themselves, well, that's on them. They failed to execute at critical junctures and RU did come through when it counted.

To be sure, it wasn't a thing of beauty, but I'll take an ugly win, (even a "lucky" win), over a "moral victory loss" any day.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Got it. I guess you are a statistician? Since no game is played in a vacuum I guess weather, temperature etc have an impact on every game even if it’s almost 0.

Didn't we have a player slip? A couple times.. once with the ball. We also had 2 very weird drops.

 

[ashokan]

I just don't understand why the mesh RPO "always" gives the ball to the RB these last 2 games. Make them account for QB runs or don't bother with the RPO.... if the QB will not keep then how about some pitch-outs.. get Monagai outside the tackles.. or a jet sweep every now and then.

I want to see the RPO really run to its full potential.

Last year and this year QB and RB stay in mesh as they move-up to LOS for quite a ways. How could a QB essentially dance with a meshed RB and then have to throw with defense in his face. I just assume QB isn't passing.

I saw Wake Forest's mesh at Army with Sam Hartman and it was quick and mostly stationary - no traveling a couple yards locked-up. I never liked the look of RU's mesh

 

[ashokan]

Have a lot of respect for Washington after that game. It was hard fought by both teams.

Washington unquestionably shot themselves in the foot on several occasions. RU had its less than stellar moments too,.

-But in the end all that matter is that we came away with the "W", and if the Huskies beat themselves, well, that's on them. They failed to execute at critical junctures and RU did come through when it counted.

To be sure, it wasn't a thing of beauty, but I'll take an ugly win, (even a "lucky" win), over a "moral victory loss" any day.

Indeed, Washington had leader in every category but kicker lol.

 

[needmorecowbell]

That was the most absurdly lucky win I have ever seen. I would like to know what the expected score would be based on the stats.

I wouldn’t say lucky. Washington made stupid mistakes and Rutgers didn’t. Washington has better talent and moved the ball well all game. Then they made bonehead mistakes and couldn’t convert when it counted most. Rutgers performed well on 3rd down and in the red zone. That was the difference.

 

[Shelby65]

I could have sworn the refs called and illegal substitution, I'm not sure though.....so you think if they're playing Ohio State or Alabama they would have went for the TD instead of taking the points? Not really something I was stating as a fact, was just a joke tbh but I'm willing to bet they take the points in that same situation against a OSU or Georgia type team.

But that’s not disrespect. Its strategy. Lots of variables and opponent is one of them.

 

[RUboston]

I realize KM is our main offensive weapon and we have to ride him, but aren't there other things to do that would help him be even more effective? Can't we open the offense a little more? I'm not saying double reverses or flea flickers, but we seem very one dimensional and easy to predict and defend. It seems like the D puts 8 in the box and we just say here he comes up the middle. I don't recall a single deep throw all game and maybe one run to the outside.

 

[RUboston]

Or use the occasional two back set with KM and Brown.

 

[Shelby65]

I realize KM is our main offensive weapon and we have to ride him, but aren't there other things to do that would help him be even more effective? Can't we open the offense a little more? I'm not saying double reverses or flea flickers, but we seem very one dimensional and easy to predict and defend. It seems like the D puts 8 in the box and we just say here he comes up the middle. I don't recall a single deep throw all game and maybe one run to the outside.

Because Schiano. Punt returns, post routes too. Probably has ramps and railings instead of stairs in his house to ensure no one slips and falls.

But he sure loves the stupid punt formation shift which always costs us penalties or timeouts. He’s infatuated with that abomination like a two year old playing in mud.

 

[rutobs]

I just don't understand why the mesh RPO "always" gives the ball to the RB these last 2 games. Make them account for QB runs or don't bother with the RPO.... if the QB will not keep then how about some pitch-outs.. get Monagai outside the tackles.. or a jet sweep every now and then.

I want to see the RPO really run to its full potential.

Totally agree with this; don’t understand why Athan didn’t keep it a few times

 

[ashokan]

I realize KM is our main offensive weapon and we have to ride him, but aren't there other things to do that would help him be even more effective? Can't we open the offense a little more? I'm not saying double reverses or flea flickers, but we seem very one dimensional and easy to predict and defend. It seems like the D puts 8 in the box and we just say here he comes up the middle. I don't recall a single deep throw all game and maybe one run to the outside.

Ohio St, LSU, GA, Clemson and other title teams usually throw long passes to open the field. Ohio St usually has one burner WR that sprints the long routes.

In 2014 (NC title year) OSU had Devin Smith who was also a track team sprinter and jumper. He was a 6' WR who cleared 7' in high jump. He had 12 TDs in 2014 and defenses had to play the whole field (with Zeke tearing it up too).

Michigan is one of the rare title teams that didn't throw a lot. But with all 5 OL making All-B1G and a RB with almost 30 TDs they didn't need to pass long much.

If GS could go Michigan's route he would but RU's OL isn't All-B1G down the line. Sooner or later RU should try to make more than high % nickel and dime passes. If RU gets behind a good team, coming back might be too hard as currently configured.

Minnesota has same offensive DNA as Rutgers. Gopher media has long criticized offense for not have a more reaching pass game.

"The Gopher offense is predicated on taking very few risks, running the ball really well and then relying on your defense and special teams to do their jobs well....The lack of a mid-range passing attack is infuriating. And more than anything, it would be refreshing to have an offense that is capable of winning a game, not, not losing one."

Sooner or later RU probably ends-up behind an eight ball with the "prevent offense" (play not to lose) strategy. Washington probably gets to OT (at least) with a reliable kicker.

The Monday Perspective thinks changing your best applies to everyone, including the head coach

Time for some hard conversations about the Gopher offensive philosophy and it starts with the head coach.

www.thedailygopher.com

 

[RU#1fan]

I realize KM is our main offensive weapon and we have to ride him, but aren't there other things to do that would help him be even more effective? Can't we open the offense a little more? I'm not saying double reverses or flea flickers, but we seem very one dimensional and easy to predict and defend. It seems like the D puts 8 in the box and we just say here he comes up the middle. I don't recall a single deep throw all game and maybe one run to the outside.

Nebraska will be stacking the box and daring us to run.
Yes we will need to be creative and hopefully see Screen passes, slants, TE in the flat, etc.
And for g-d sake’s no easy passes dropped by our 2 receivers: Duff and Fletcher ( and no fumbles). Can change the outcome.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Or use the occasional two back set with KM and Brown.

If we are going to pack it in tight.. like we do on occasion.. why not do this.. send one for swing passes or pitchouts. Putting a WR in motion to add a blocker in the middle is not as good as threatening teh edge with one of those backs. Think of Rice and Leonard.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Nebraska will be stacking the box and daring us to run.
Yes we will need to be creative and hopefully see Screen passes, slants, TE in the flat, etc.
And for g-d sake’s no easy passes dropped by our 2 receivers: Duff and Fletcher ( and no fumbles). Can change the outcome.

Fletch is pretty new to this... he had one drop with his pinkies in.. shame on him.. thumbs in for the win!

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Winning solves everything.

Still, I really hope we fix some of the issues between now and next weekend.

The offense's skill players all need to spend time with that throwing machine Sanu or Carroo (or both) used, catching 1000 hard thrown passes with zero drops per day. Not during practice, on their own time. If it were me, I'd set out to catch 250 passes without a single drop. Miss one, and you start back at zero. If it takes 10 hours, so be it.

That sort of single player exercise (starting over if a mistake is made) helps cultivate strong player focus at critical moments in games.

I don't know enough about football to know what kind of exercises can be done to get D backfield players to fit their gaps with more composure. But we need to do something. Gotta stop the run.

“If it takes 10hrs”

You do realize these are college kids right with academic assignments to do and classes to attend…

 

[mildone]

“If it takes 10yrs”

You do realize these are college kids right with academic assignments to do and classes to attend…

They’re young. They can sleep when they are done playing sports. 😉

 

[RU#1fan]

Or use the occasional two back set with KM and Brown.

One would think Kirk would try this . WTF Kirk.

 

[mildone]

One would think Kirk would try this . WTF Kirk.

 

[RU from Jersey]

If the defense doesn't improve this will be a 6 and 6 season at best.

I said this back in September and some agreed with this and some laughed at this. Maybe those who laughed were laughing at the fact that I thought RU could go 6-6. It is now looking like 4-8 and mainly because of the defense.