09-03-2018, 05:54 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-03-2018, 05:58 AM by OutsiderFan.)
(09-03-2018, 05:16 AM)Hulk01 Wrote: I've rewatched the game. The rookie looked good and called a good game. The line was well synced for a game one, particularly in pass protection.
Our OLs weren't outplayed. They were outnumbered.
I re-watched a bit of the game and have to agree. The blockers were routinely making their blocks, but there was always a free SDSU defender or two. Another thing I noticed was the second level of the defense was never lined up right at the LOS. They mostly crept up as the play clock wound down and ran forward when the ball was snapped (which suggests using more tempo to make snap times less predictable would be a good idea in the future). This gave Stanford more guys than could be blocked but also ensured there would never be one hole the RB could go through and be off to the races.
That said, it's borderline coaching malpractice to have not run any play action passing. It would have been so easy to get the WRs and TEs behind the Safeties off play action fakes in that game given the amazing pass protection Stanford got (including from Love) against all the blitzing.
Still, I did see one play on the first drive, where Herbig was tripped up trying to run around Little. He fell and missed his block. Had he not fallen, the play was otherwise perfectly blocked and probably would have been a big run for Love.
Oh, and given USC gave up 300 yards rushing and over 7 YPC to UNLV, it probably won't matter who plays Center for Stanford.