Rutgers vs Wisconsin: The Jellyman Perspective - Short and Simple

[jellyman]

I have not read anything on the message boards prior to posting this Sunday morning.

I actually have very little to say for me - just 3 points to make:

First, this game for me, quite simply, was one of the most disappointing and poorly played games of the Flood head coaching era. This game was as poorly played (or more) than any game I can remember, with the possible - but not certain - exception of 1 or 2 games in 2013 (maybe the Houston or Cincy game?). And this game was as disappointing to me (for different reasons) than any game since the back to back 2012 losses to Pitt and Louisville.

Second, I have only 3 remotely positive comments about individual players - and I had to really think to come up with these:

1) Hicks ran pretty well, maybe very well.

2) Austin made a really nice defensive play on the pick six.

3) Rettig made a nice footwork move in the pocket to escape a sack on an incomplete pass (I think he was in the end zone or close, on that play), and a good deep throw to Agudosi late when an RU QB finally got some protection.

Third, I see no other plays, series of plays, individual performances, strategies, execution of strategies on offense, defense or special teams, by either players or coaches, that were worthy of any positive comments.

 

[jmc11201]

Agree that the game was terrible. Without really knowing, it seemed like Longa played well also. Otherwise a bad, bad day.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Agree that the game was terrible. Without really knowing, it seemed like Longa played well also. Otherwise a bad, bad day.

Longa reminds me a little bit of George Johnson, who was a physical specimen who, imo, under-performed here in an odd way. His physical abilities actually took him out of position to make plays.

I think Longa has the same issue.. like an RB who doesn't let holes open.. a bit too impatient. Still.. he has a ton of tackles and when things go right you can see how special he is. Like Johnson, he will have an NFL career. I think he needs to spend more time "seeing" things happen rather than trying to make things happen.


It might be interesting to re-read the post-OSU game criticisms of the offense.. because this Wisky game illustrated those criticisms quite well.

 

[RURM85]

One drive, the second drive of the game resulting in a field goal where we needed a TD. 13 plays, 55+ yards and almost 7 minutes of clock time. That was our defining moment. After that Wisconsin defense adjusted. They stacked the box with what seemed the entire defense playing the run. They contained the outside, taking away the counter run. The Rutgers offense did absolutely nothing to adjust to Wisconsin's adjustments. Instead of trying something different to counter what was not working, we kept on running the same rushing plays with a coaching staff too stubborn to do anything other than what they thought was the offense's strengths. Makes no sense. The play calling was atrocious.

Of course, it didn't help to have Wisconsin playing on a short field the entire day due to our punting, but that's a different story.

 

[RUich]

This game was one of the worst I can remember in terms of our kickers and that is saying something.

 

[knightfan7]

Every Unit played poorly yesterday. Other than early, the O couldn't move the ball. Special teams, especially punting, compounded it giving Wisky great field position all day, D couldn't get off the field, and coaches made WTF decisions all day.

When you have to go to a few individual plays to find anything positive, you're in deep doo-doo. Other than Austin's Int, a run or two by Hicks, and some teeth rattling stops by Longa, I've got nothing.

 

[DHajekRC84]

well un-said

 

[MORRISCOUNTY]

The players looked defeated in the first Quarter. Maybe the Ohio State loss crushed their confidence.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Austin made a good play but that was a very poorly thrown pass as well (fortunately for us lol).

 

[ScarletNut]

Save this thread, copy and paste the title of thread and insert Michigan instead of Wisconsin and repost the the whole thing next Sunday.

 

[knightfan7]

Austin made a good play but that was a very poorly thrown pass as well (fortunately for us lol).

It's a very small point Nuts but Austin had the receiver blanketed on that play. IMHO, he was in perfect position to defend. Even if he hadn't made the pick, he would likely have knocked away a better pass.

The better statement may be Stave shouldn't have tried to squeeze it in there

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Austin made a good play but that was a very poorly thrown pass as well (fortunately for us lol).

Stave is not Connor and it puzzles me why Rossi wanted to play zone 99% of the time against UW. Stave can't put the ball on spot 99% of times. How many times did we see UW receivers go free through the zone for easy catches... a ton all day. Stave has 1 to 1 TD to INT ratio, yet Rutgers never tried to make that an issue. Instead, Rutgers allowed UW to call plays they "WANT" to protect itself from Stave mistakes. Austin's INT was the one time result of Stave being forced to throw the perfect pass. He just can't 99% of the time.

 

[jonS]

In addition to the 3 positives cited, I recall Cioffi's catching from behind a Wisky back about to cross the goal line after a long run. I was very impressed by Cioffi's speed. Beyond that , absolutely nothing to praise. It was one of the worst coaching and team performances I've ever seen . And yes it did remind me of the horror game against Houston on homecoming when Rutgers made Houston's freshman QB from Florida looked like the next coming of Johnny Unitas.

 

[jakeknight]

Jellyman, to the point and right on the money.
One aspect that puzzles me is kick offs that go out of bounds, we have done this a number of times this year trying to put the ball on the far sideline. It seems to me if you can't do it consistently then don't do it. be satisfied with putting the ball somewhere to the left or right of center without trying to make perfect Kick on the sideline. Small point but it seems so obvious that I can't believe we continue to kickoff out of bounds.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

In addition to the 3 positives cited, I recall Cioffi's catching from behind a Wisky back about to cross the goal line after a long run. I was very impressed by Cioffi's speed. Beyond that , absolutely nothing to praise. It was one of the worst coaching and team performances I've ever seen . And yes it did remind me of the horror game against Houston on homecoming when Rutgers made Houston's freshman QB from Florida looked like the next coming of Johnny Unitas.

Cory Clement was at the end of a long run, after not playing since the 1st game of the season, having hernia surgery, and let up just enough for Cioffi to catch up to him. GREAT job by Cioffi, not giving up, but it had a lot do to with CC himself.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Stave is not Connor and it puzzles me why Rossi wanted to play zone 99% of the time against UW. Stave can't put the ball on spot 99% of times. How many times did we see UW receivers go free through the zone for easy catches... a ton all day. Stave has 1 to 1 TD to INT ratio, yet Rutgers never tried to make that an issue. Instead, Rutgers allowed UW to call plays they "WANT" to protect itself from Stave mistakes. Austin's INT was the one time result of Stave being forced to throw the perfect pass. He just can't 99% of the time.

Excellent post Doug!

 

[ruhudsonfan]

Longa played well, imo.

Austin will eventually be a good one, but that pick 6 covers up a lot of mistakes he made yesterday.

Kicking game is unacceptably bad at this level and it surprises me more people don't bring it up.

 

[newell138]

Watching on TV, seeing the fans sitting in the cold rain during an RU blowout loss brought back memories of the Terry Shea years.

 

[brgossRU90]

Watching on TV, seeing the fans sitting in the cold rain during an RU blowout loss brought back memories of the Terry Shea years.

Or Elmer Fludd ' s first year. Or his second year. Or his third year.