re: game plan against Kansas - would you have done anything differently?

[lighty]

The game plan against Kansas was obviously run, run, and run as much as possible. And it worked. We had dozens of first downs, owned the time of possession, and came away with a rather comfortable win.

I'm curious as to how others would have run the game if they were coach. To me, playing Kansas was a glorified scrimmage. There was little doubt we would win and there shouldn't have been more than a little doubt in anyone's minds. I could care less than talking heads on ESPN or other places predicted Kansas would win. Those predictions were likely based as much as knocking Rutgers while it's down (based on the arrests and suspensions) or trying to make the Big Ten look bad (because networks like ESPN have other conferences to push).

Would you have gone with the "conservative" way of running since it was definitely working? Or would you have used the game as a good opportunity to get Laviano more involved in the medium and long passing game?

Am I the only person who thought Rutgers wasted a golden opportunity to test the passing game in a real game situation?

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

I would have started Rettig the entire game to see what he can do against a weak team.

 

[lighty]

well, I think getting Rettig in the game or starting would have been part of the game plan for most. But even if Flood ordered you NOT to put Rettig in, wouldn't you have used this game to maybe help build a little confidence in the passing game for Laviano?

I think even the biggest Laviano supporters noticed him being hesitant to make passes outside of a relatively small comfort zone. Whether it's arm strength or fear of being picked off, virtually every time he scrambled he chose not to throw to someone open down the field.

IMO, this was the PERFECT game to have him try passes that he might not have confidence in making right now. It's unlikely we'll have an opportunity like this again for the rest of the year.

 

[MADHAT1]

:popcorn:

 

[REDRICH65]

We played them to a 7 - 7 tie in the second half. Too much running to eat clock. Should have passed more to run u the score and give Laviano more passing reps.

 

[mildone]

I know my game plan would've done more to hook me up with the dance team.

 

[Ru2bnj]

I have no problem with the game plan. It was sound. The staff thought ;they had a personnel advantage and played like it. I would like them to periodically take some 1st down shots down the field. The important thing is to clean up the game, too many penalties, mistakes and turnovers. If they played a very clean game, they would have won the game by 4 TDs.

 

[RU4Real]

Flanker screen.

Jet sweep.

Fake the jet sweep and throw to the opposite side of the field.

Like I said in a previous thread, if we can't spread the field vertically, we have to spread it horizontally.

 

[DocRU]

1. Give Rettig 1 half at least.
2. Only run the jet sweep to the wide side of the field.
3. Did I mention playing Rettig?

 

[WhiteBus]

I would have started Rettig the entire game to see what he can do against a weak team.

This

 

[lighty]

I'm not doubting that the game plan worked. We ran it nearly at will. I'm just saying it's highly unlikely we will be able to run the ball this well against conference teams. We're going to need the passing game to be a factor. So, why simply do what is working time and time again (once it looked like RU was in control of the game)?

Did you really feel that RU was in danger of losing the game?

Even though they were only a score and an onside kick away I never felt RU was in trouble. That's why I would have looked towards the games down the road and tried a few passing plays. I think we tried maybe two passes in the second half?

 

[Caliknight]

Give Rettig real reps and opportunity to see what we have.
Work on pass plays longer than 5-10 yards. We aren't going to beat real teams by manhandling them like we did Kansas.

That game was never really close. Let's face it. It was the perfect opportunity to work on a number of things, not just those listed.

Instead we play meathead football. I get it, its our style, but we aren't going to out-meathead most of the teams in our division.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Anything downfield would have been nice. That was simply one of the most boring games I have ever been to. Glad to see us run and win, but when the hell are we going to go downfield?
And we should have stay aggressive and put Rettig in for the 4th.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Anything downfield would have been nice. That was simply one of the most boring games I have ever been to. Glad to see us run and win, but when the hell are we going to go downfield?
And we should have stay aggressive and put Rettig in for the 4th.

We NEED to throw downfield to complete in the B1G. We didn't throw down field against PSU and they stacked the box. We are going to get slaughtered if we don't open up the game. My fear is that we don't have the right QB to make downfield throws.

 

[MidwestKnights]

The game plan against Kansas was obviously run, run, and run as much as possible. And it worked. We had dozens of first downs, owned the time of possession, and came away with a rather comfortable win.

I'm curious as to how others would have run the game if they were coach. To me, playing Kansas was a glorified scrimmage. There was little doubt we would win and there shouldn't have been more than a little doubt in anyone's minds. I could care less than talking heads on ESPN or other places predicted Kansas would win. Those predictions were likely based as much as knocking Rutgers while it's down (based on the arrests and suspensions) or trying to make the Big Ten look bad (because networks like ESPN have other conferences to push).

Would you have gone with the "conservative" way of running since it was definitely working? Or would you have used the game as a good opportunity to get Laviano more involved in the medium and long passing game?

Am I the only person who thought Rutgers wasted a golden opportunity to test the passing game in a real game situation?

Agree. After establishing the run (mostly to get the O-line in synch) I would have tried out a passing attack for a lot of the game. We;re going to need quick strike capabilities the rest of the season to keep it competitive.

 

[RUich]

PSU pretty much shut down our running game. I'm not even sure we have a passing game based on what I have seen on the field. We stand virtually no chance in the next six games unless we can get their D's off the line. Makes no sense to me to start to look for a passing attack when we can't run the ball.

 

[RU1977]

Yes, we went 1-0 this week, but it didn't help us looking down the road at teams we will have to pass against.... Need to look not only at the current opponent (a weak one), but also to practice plays that we will need to run against more formidable opponents down the road... Too short-sighted in my opinion....

 

[bitnez]

RU went into the half leading 20-7. on the first drive of the 3rd quarter we came out and ran the ball down their throat. 12 play drive where we ran 10 times and CL dropped back twice (running once and passing the other). it was 27-7. we had taken control of the game. what is the justification for not playing Rettig there? the kid still only has 1/2 of football against a 1AA opponent. college isn't the pros. you develop a program -- not a team. even the most ardent supporters of Flood and/or CL can't deny that there is a benefit to getting your backup QB reps in real game action. that was the spot to do it.

 

[Shoeless Joe #1]

I would have started Rettig the entire game to see what he can do against a weak team.

When we had the ball near midfield right before halftime bring in Rettig and let him heave the ball to the end zone a few times- that would have given Michigan State something to look at. Also would have pushed the tempo a bit faster and incorporate a few play action passes and screens to the FB and RB's.

 

[miketd1]

I'm conflicted.

While it makes logical sense to run and play defense against an inferior squad, the fan in me desperately wants to see what Rettig can do.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

No confliction here.
Would have mixed the run and pass, like we did in first half. But, more sweeps in the running game.
2nd half start Rettig(regardless of what Flood told me to do), Wilson is auditioning for a full time coaching position in Div. I, and doesn't even know it. Open the game up more in the second half, more 15+ yard passes/routes. And, yes I wouldn't have cared about running up the score. This team needs to break out, and get more confidence. Running the ball for 300 yards against this team is nothing to brag about. Mixing the plays, successfully would have elevated confidence level for MS.
On D, lets start bringing both the corners and safeties up withing 4 to 7 yards on the WR, blitz more from those positions. More, and constant pressure from everywhere. If we get beat because of it, so what, have to get back to Rutgers Football!
Special teams, especially the punt block team, is not going ALL OUT! Need to get back to that!
Take #77 out of the game. Very weak over there.

 

[PaKnight]

RU went into the half leading 20-7. on the first drive of the 3rd quarter we came out and ran the ball down their throat. 12 play drive where we ran 10 times and CL dropped back twice (running once and passing the other). it was 27-7. we had taken control of the game. what is the justification for not playing Rettig there? the kid still only has 1/2 of football against a 1AA opponent. college isn't the pros. you develop a program -- not a team. even the most ardent supporters of Flood and/or CL can't deny that there is a benefit to getting your backup QB reps in real game action. that was the spot to do it.

I guessed I missed Hackenburg getting pulled midway through the 3rd quarter under similar circumstances.

I can understand people wanting to see what Rettig can do, I would too. But I do wonder that if the situation was reversed, would people be calling for Laviano to get reps as the backup?

 

[RUsSKii]

I guessed I missed Hackenburg getting pulled midway through the 3rd quarter under similar circumstances.

I can understand people wanting to see what Rettig can do, I would too. But I do wonder that if the situation was reversed, would people be calling for Laviano to get reps as the backup?

Absolutely yes. I've lost count of how many times, under both Schiano and Flood, that the starting QB has been left in for arguably too long during otherwise dominating wins. The chosen back-up is always one injury away from having to lead the team, and needs as much in-game experience as possible.

 

[DHajekRC84]

We NEED to throw downfield to complete in the B1G. We didn't throw down field against PSU and they stacked the box. We are going to get slaughtered if we don't open up the game. My fear is that we don't have the right QB to make downfield throws.

pre-game tailgating with the wind blowing pretty good I was wondering if CL had the arm strength to deal with it. When the weather turns November I think we will really see why Rettig's arm will matter. I think CL is a fine QB and really improved over last year. I don't know if he is the best one to be out there exclusive. Hard to tell when they won't play Rettig or let CL throw deep and see what he really has there. So far I have seen under throws. I DO love his ability to run though. So I hope we take advantage of that in the future.

Shame, I think they BOTH give us something and would just like to see us use them both to keep the other team guessing.

 

[PaKnight]

Absolutely yes. I've lost count of how many times, under both Schiano and Flood, that the starting QB has been left in for arguably too long during otherwise dominating wins. The chosen back-up is always one injury away from having to lead the team, and needs as much in-game experience as possible.

Cardale Jones did not throw one pass against us in a game where it was over even earlier. When Savage was a senior at Pitt, his backup threw 6 passes, with 4 coming in the bowl game after Tom was hurt. Nassib's backup threw 1 pass when Nassib was senior. It is not the case where it is only at RU that backups don't get a lot of reps.

 

[RUMBA-JK]

I guessed I missed Hackenburg getting pulled midway through the 3rd quarter under similar circumstances.

I can understand people wanting to see what Rettig can do, I would too. But I do wonder that if the situation was reversed, would people be calling for Laviano to get reps as the backup?

If Rettig was performing in the same hesitant & lackluster way as Laviano did - YES!

The Kansas game was a gift! It was not simply an opportunity to get a win - that was a pretty good certainty -
As a 'gift' it was far far more than just a chance to put a 'W' into the season record - it was an opportunity to learn, stretch, be aggressive, test various plays and players - it is lunacy to take a 'gift' like this and simply turn it into a grind it out methodical victory.

 

[bitnez]

I guessed I missed Hackenburg getting pulled midway through the 3rd quarter under similar circumstances.

I can understand people wanting to see what Rettig can do, I would too. But I do wonder that if the situation was reversed, would people be calling for Laviano to get reps as the backup?

Just off the top of my head I believe that Alabama, Auburn, OSU and Oregon have all switched QBs this year. I also know that ND, BYU and Florida have been forced to play a backup QB because of injury. I'm sure there are more teams. A lot of teams play more than one QB. We were told that it was a very close QB competition. If these other schools can play more than one QB (regardless of the reason), why is it that our HC is unwilling to do it? As for Hack, it is a very different (and difficult) situation. He was viewed as a top 10 NFL pick coming into the season. He has played poorly. A strong coach may have had him sit here or there. Franklin isn't that guy.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

Cardale Jones did not throw one pass against us in a game where it was over even earlier. When Savage was a senior at Pitt, his backup threw 6 passes, with 4 coming in the bowl game after Tom was hurt. Nassib's backup threw 1 pass when Nassib was senior. It is not the case where it is only at RU that backups don't get a lot of reps.

Please stop! Stop trying to look for the spin, or justification. I don't care what any other team, coach or program has done in the past! This is what SHOULD be done, the backup should play at ANY position when the game is out of reach, or with comfortable lead. That's it! It's about preparing the whole team, it's about getting everyone as involved as possible. Any coach worth his salary knows that! So, stop the crap!

 

[brucelaw8]

RU went into the half leading 20-7. on the first drive of the 3rd quarter we came out and ran the ball down their throat. 12 play drive where we ran 10 times and CL dropped back twice (running once and passing the other). it was 27-7. we had taken control of the game. what is the justification for not playing Rettig there? the kid still only has 1/2 of football against a 1AA opponent. college isn't the pros. you develop a program -- not a team. even the most ardent supporters of Flood and/or CL can't deny that there is a benefit to getting your backup QB reps in real game action. that was the spot to do it.

They totally fear that Rettig will play well.To be not seen is to be not feared.