Here are some random thoughts after rewatching the MSU game from DVR - not as long as many of my posts:
1) On MSU's 1st drive of the 2nd half, on 2nd and 9 or 10 yards to go, on the 1st set of downs after the kick-off, on the play where Cook completed a 25-yard pass, Turay really beat the OT, and was CLEARLY held, as the OT grabbed the FRONT of Turay's jersey (you could clearly see the jersey pulled, and Turay being pulled back), taking away from Turay at least 1, if not 2 steps, as he rushed Cook ... Cook barely escaped Turay on that play, and used that time to complete that big pass.
2) The 1st quarter play right before the MSU TD play was clearly intentional grounding - not simply "being hit while throwing." But the call in the 3rd quarter, on the screen attempt, by rule was clearly NOT intentional grounding (the running back was bumped and partly knocked down, plus the pass was thrown roughly in line with where the running back was on the field, even if well short).
3) The MSU receivers showed spectacular hands, generally. Yes, there were 3 drops, one of which would have been a TD (but instead ended up a blocked FG). But the degree of difficulty on many of the catches was fantastic. That 4th quarter 3rd and 9 pass was not even the most difficult catch, but was a very, very good one ... anyone have any doubt that if RU stopped MSU there that with how RU was moving the ball RU had a really good chance to get at least a decent distance FG attempt to maybe win the game? Give MSu a lot of credit there.
4) While there were several cases of MSU receivers running free, especially in the middle of RU's zone, when RU played zone, still, RU's DB's showed absolutely terrific coverage skills in this game. Hopefully this continues.
5) RU's running games was very inconsistent, only showing consistency late in the 3rd quarter and the 4th quarter.
6) JJ Denamn (sorry to pick him out) had a LOT of issues with MSU's DE's, as he has had all year, and last seaosn also, with rush DE's.
7) RU's interior DT's and LB's were REALLY good, even if it was against a less experienced and somewhat injured MSU OL ... RU has plenty of injuries also.
8) RU's running back are ALL good ... all 3 of them. It is tough sometimes to describe them as consistent because of the rotation system (each takes turns one series at a time, though Hicks also gets almost all the power.short yardage situations), but each produces when the OL gives ANY daylight at all. Each can cut (even though there are 3 different styles), each can accelerate, each can break tackles and each can move the pile (though Martin the least of the 3 in that regard), each runs HARD.
9) RU's TE's are only okay - they are just not athletic enough against better teams. They will still get catches, but that is more the nature of the offensive system. They seem sure-handed (good), but none are great blockers, and none are really that dangerous as receivers. Arcidiacono has got to stop holding - that is 4 or 5 holds on the season, I think.
10) Laviano did well. Period. yes, Caroo made him look better than he likely is. Still, he did well. I do not think he threw more than 1 or 2 bad passes, though his bad handling of the snap (did not really hurt RU in the end) and his bad hand-off exchange/fumbling of the ball on RU's 1st drive of the 2nd half should be considered mistakes. And that fumble/hand-off exchange mistake really hurt.
1) On MSU's 1st drive of the 2nd half, on 2nd and 9 or 10 yards to go, on the 1st set of downs after the kick-off, on the play where Cook completed a 25-yard pass, Turay really beat the OT, and was CLEARLY held, as the OT grabbed the FRONT of Turay's jersey (you could clearly see the jersey pulled, and Turay being pulled back), taking away from Turay at least 1, if not 2 steps, as he rushed Cook ... Cook barely escaped Turay on that play, and used that time to complete that big pass.
2) The 1st quarter play right before the MSU TD play was clearly intentional grounding - not simply "being hit while throwing." But the call in the 3rd quarter, on the screen attempt, by rule was clearly NOT intentional grounding (the running back was bumped and partly knocked down, plus the pass was thrown roughly in line with where the running back was on the field, even if well short).
3) The MSU receivers showed spectacular hands, generally. Yes, there were 3 drops, one of which would have been a TD (but instead ended up a blocked FG). But the degree of difficulty on many of the catches was fantastic. That 4th quarter 3rd and 9 pass was not even the most difficult catch, but was a very, very good one ... anyone have any doubt that if RU stopped MSU there that with how RU was moving the ball RU had a really good chance to get at least a decent distance FG attempt to maybe win the game? Give MSu a lot of credit there.
4) While there were several cases of MSU receivers running free, especially in the middle of RU's zone, when RU played zone, still, RU's DB's showed absolutely terrific coverage skills in this game. Hopefully this continues.
5) RU's running games was very inconsistent, only showing consistency late in the 3rd quarter and the 4th quarter.
6) JJ Denamn (sorry to pick him out) had a LOT of issues with MSU's DE's, as he has had all year, and last seaosn also, with rush DE's.
7) RU's interior DT's and LB's were REALLY good, even if it was against a less experienced and somewhat injured MSU OL ... RU has plenty of injuries also.
8) RU's running back are ALL good ... all 3 of them. It is tough sometimes to describe them as consistent because of the rotation system (each takes turns one series at a time, though Hicks also gets almost all the power.short yardage situations), but each produces when the OL gives ANY daylight at all. Each can cut (even though there are 3 different styles), each can accelerate, each can break tackles and each can move the pile (though Martin the least of the 3 in that regard), each runs HARD.
9) RU's TE's are only okay - they are just not athletic enough against better teams. They will still get catches, but that is more the nature of the offensive system. They seem sure-handed (good), but none are great blockers, and none are really that dangerous as receivers. Arcidiacono has got to stop holding - that is 4 or 5 holds on the season, I think.
10) Laviano did well. Period. yes, Caroo made him look better than he likely is. Still, he did well. I do not think he threw more than 1 or 2 bad passes, though his bad handling of the snap (did not really hurt RU in the end) and his bad hand-off exchange/fumbling of the ball on RU's 1st drive of the 2nd half should be considered mistakes. And that fumble/hand-off exchange mistake really hurt.
