[BostonCard]

So, separation only counts if it's obtained by outrunning the DB with pure speed?

Or scheming separation.  Look, that play was the one time, arguably, a Stanford receiver had "separation" from SC defender(s).  I don't think that one example disproves the basic point.  (Though I seem to recall another pass over the middle (to Higgins) where he had a bit of room (of course, McKee was so on last night than any space was sufficient . . . it really was a remarkable performance by the QB).

There were two straight passes to relatively open Higgins.  Higgins dropped the first, but caught the second, turned upfield and got another five or so yards before he was tackled.

In fact, we had a few passes to relatively open receivers in the middle of the field (including, of course, the big play to Jones on our last dive of the first half).  Yes, the throws to the sidelines seemed more numerous (perhaps the back-to-back PIs drew attention to them), but the focus on those detracts from the fact that SC was having trouble covering our guys.

And I still maintain that good coaching is playing to your strengths.  I mean, McKee was 16/23, and at least two of the incompletions were drops.  It is hard to do that without some open receivers.

BC

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Add… SC recorded 2 pass break ups in 23 passes (one every 11.5 passes).  In contrast, our DB’s recorded 7 PBU’s (plus one INT) against Slovis in 42 passes. That’s a defended pass once every 5.25, more than twice the rate of SC’s defensive backs.

Obviously, it is strongly influenced by the defensive style (SC tried man, while we dropped seven or eight into coverage most downs), but does suggest that our receivers had no trouble getting open.

BC

[BostonCard]

So, separation only counts if it's obtained by outrunning the DB with pure speed?

Or scheming separation.  Look, that play was the one time, arguably, a Stanford receiver had "separation" from SC defender(s).  I don't think that one example disproves the basic point.  (Though I seem to recall another pass over the middle (to Higgins) where he had a bit of room (of course, McKee was so on last night than any space was sufficient . . . it really was a remarkable performance by the QB).

There were two straight passes to relatively open Higgins.  Higgins dropped the first, but caught the second, turned upfield and got another five or so yards before he was tackled.

In fact, we had a few passes to relatively open receivers in the middle of the field (including, of course, the big play to Jones on our last dive of the first half).  Yes, the throws to the sidelines seemed more numerous (perhaps the back-to-back PIs drew attention to them), but the focus on those detracts from the fact that SC was having trouble covering our guys.

And I still maintain that good coaching is playing to your strengths.  I mean, McKee was 16/23, and at least two of the incompletions were drops.  It is hard to do that without some open receivers.

BC

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Add… SC recorded 2 pass break ups in 23 passes (one every 11.5 passes).  In contrast, our DB’s recorded 7 PBU’s (plus one INT) against Slovis in 42 passes. That’s a defended pass once every 5.25, more than twice the rate of SC’s defensive backs.

Obviously, it is strongly influenced by the defensive style (SC tried man, while we dropped seven or eight into coverage most downs), but does suggest that our receivers had no trouble getting open.

BC