Game notes: USF vs Bama

USF vs Bama

An ugly win is better than a pretty loss. It was not a pretty game last night, but Bama came away with the victory. Most of the ugliness, in my opinion was on the offensive side of the ball. IF the OL doesn’t improve drastically, I could see this team with multiple losses this season.

OFFFENSE: The offense was hindered by an ineffective OL. I know people are complaining about the play calling, but I don’t know how good or bad the play calling is mainly because of the OL play. By the way, the USF defense came into the game ranked 110th, I believe. Bama also had great starting field position 4 times last night as they started on the 50 twice, the USF 49, and the USF 25 and only came away with a field goal. Also, again with the inability to stretch the field in the passing game, it allows safeties to be more involved in the running game. Does Bama have a screen package that could maybe help slow down the pass rush?

Yards: 310 total, 107passing (87 came on 2 plays), and 203 rushing. Most of those rushing yards came in the 2nd half.

Negative plays: 3 tackles for losses and 5 sacks.

3 and outs: Bama had 2 three and outs, 1 each half.

Plays for 10+ yards: 3 passing and 11 running.

Scoring: Got into the red zone 3 times last night and came away with 1 field goal and 2 touchdowns.

QB: It is hard to evaluate the QB when they are running for their life. I will say Buchner was 5 for 14 and I am not sure one of his passes was on the money or hit the receiver in stride. Simpson did better, he was 5 for 9 and actually threw a couple of good balls. I know that Buchner was hurt by what looked like a safety blitz at least twice, but I could be wrong and one of the times it was Simpson.

RB: The running backs ran hard, but again McClellan lack of blocking resulted in a sack. Williams had a good night and had some big and tough runs.

REC: This is hard to evaluate also, as there were only 10 completions. What is hard to see from the tv angles is the separation or lack thereof when running routes. I did see the Simpson scramble and keep looking down field, what I didn’t see is a scramble drill from the receivers to come back or move to help.

OL: They did nothing to improve my attitude about this being a major concern for the success of this team. Back-to-back games with 5 sacks and as I stated, USF defense was ranked 110th in the nation. I my stats are correct, I know the QB was pressured at least 5 times to go along with the 5 sacks. The center’s snaps are inconsistent. Too hard, too soft on the ground and every once in a while, just right. Isn’t this the same center coaches were praising last year? Pretty sure, that 74, 71, and 65 each gave up sacks last night. Footwork must improve as well as their setup getting ready to pass block. I saw OL downfield but looking back. Your job is to find someone to block until you hear the whistle, don’t look back. Saw this more than once last night. Bama got lucky on the last touchdown as, I think it was the right tackle, should have been called for holding on the play. They seem to catch blocks rather than deliver them.

DEF: The defense, overall, played a decent game. Actually, looking at the stats, they gave up more rushing yards than I realized. That being said, and I grade harshly, I have Bama for at least 10 missed tackles, some of them from behind the LOS.

NEG: 5 tackles for losses, 5 sacks, forced 1 fumble and the recovery led to a field goal.

3-OUTS: 2

Plays 10+ yards: 2 passing plays and 6 running plays, at least 2 of those runs were because of loss of contain on passing plays as well as losing their rushing lane assignment.

Scoring: they kicked one field goal from outside the red zone resulting from a loss fumble on the punt.

DL: I just don’t see the consistency of getting of blocks. I don’t think they use their hands very well and allow the OL to get into their body. They have a problem every game with passing lane integrity as well as losing contain of the QB.

LB: They played well, but I thought Lawson had a very good game.

DB: They only gave up 87 yards passing. The longest reception was 15 yards. Wait for it, there were no PI calls. McKinstry had and interception that was disallowed because of offsetting penalties.

Special Teams: The biggest mistake or problem here was the fumble on the punt return. I will say, he was trying to save yardage for the offense as the ball was rolling towards the Bama goal line. Twice Bama didn’t have the proper personnel on the field for the punt.

Penalties: Penalties cost Bama another touchdown with a holding call on the kickoff return. Offside, by the D give USF a 4th and 1 instead of a 4th and 6. False start puts Bama in a 3rd and 10 instead of 3rd and 5. Personal foul, ended up being an offsetting penalty and Bama lost an interception. Delay of game, because Bama didn’t have the proper personnel on the field for the punt. Holding negated a 16-yard touchdown run, however they overcame this one and still scored the TD. Breakdown of penalties, 2 on special teams, 2 on the offense and 2 on the defense.

Finally, people are not going to like this, but if Bama is to be a contender, they have to clean up the OL. We can blame the QB, but the main reason for the lack of consistency is the OL.

18 and Counting