[OutsiderFan]

So many times we have lamented Shaw being stubborn, too resistant to change what isn't working, etc.  Today was a masterful job of shaking things up and finding a different way to win.  I was giving him an A+ and the best coaching job I've seen him do in a game as a Stanford head coach.

Then, he declined that holding penalty that would have made it 2nd and 20 after Stanford scored the go-ahead TD.  I get that it sets up a 3rd and 10, but 2nd and 20 is more difficult to make a first down from than 3rd and 10.  Plus, if they made 8-9 yards, Leach probably goes for it on 4th anyway.  Stanford DL was really starting to get to Falk, and they would have loved to get after him on 2nd and 20.  So they convert on 4th and 10, go down and score go-ahead TD.

So he goes from A+ to A-.  But then he ices the kicker.  But he only used one of two timeouts, which to me is smart, because you make the kicker think there might be another one coming in that instance.  You call your second one and then the kicker knows there isn't another one coming and can just relax.

So Shaw goes from A- to A.  Brilliant in-game adjustments and game management today.

The football gods intervened to send that kick wide, because that was TOTALLY a fumble on the Thomas SACK.  Moreover, the next play was also a fumble too, so it was poetic justice that the kick was missed at the gun.

[OutsiderFan]

So many times we have lamented Shaw being stubborn, too resistant to change what isn't working, etc.  Today was a masterful job of shaking things up and finding a different way to win.  I was giving him an A+ and the best coaching job I've seen him do in a game as a Stanford head coach.

Then, he declined that holding penalty that would have made it 2nd and 20 after Stanford scored the go-ahead TD.  I get that it sets up a 3rd and 10, but 2nd and 20 is more difficult to make a first down from than 3rd and 10.  Plus, if they made 8-9 yards, Leach probably goes for it on 4th anyway.  Stanford DL was really starting to get to Falk, and they would have loved to get after him on 2nd and 20.  So they convert on 4th and 10, go down and score go-ahead TD.

So he goes from A+ to A-.  But then he ices the kicker.  But he only used one of two timeouts, which to me is smart, because you make the kicker think there might be another one coming in that instance.  You call your second one and then the kicker knows there isn't another one coming and can just relax.

So Shaw goes from A- to A.  Brilliant in-game adjustments and game management today.

The football gods intervened to send that kick wide, because that was TOTALLY a fumble on the Thomas SACK.  Moreover, the next play was also a fumble too, so it was poetic justice that the kick was missed at the gun.

[BostonCard]

I agree that if you have two time outs, it is worth only icing the kicker with one, for the reason you mentioned.

On second and 20 versus third and 10, it's more of a toss-up.  With a tired line, and a QB like Falk, do you really want to give him another chance, even if the distance is behind?

I'm not sure if it was the best job of coaching I've seen.  We looked unprepared on offense for most of the game, and while the designed runs for Hogan were smart, we tried a lot of stuff that didn't work before we got there.  But a lot of that success was just a superior effort by Hogan.

The play I take points off for is lining up with a jumbo package on third and goal from the four.  Unless a tight end is sneaking out into the flat for a play fake, that's not a formation designed to get four yards off of; it's a formation you get one or two yards from.  And to have done that right after a time out (that we took after WSU took a time out)... yuck.

I'm just happy for the win.

BC

[BostonCard]

I agree that if you have two time outs, it is worth only icing the kicker with one, for the reason you mentioned.

On second and 20 versus third and 10, it's more of a toss-up.  With a tired line, and a QB like Falk, do you really want to give him another chance, even if the distance is behind?

I'm not sure if it was the best job of coaching I've seen.  We looked unprepared on offense for most of the game, and while the designed runs for Hogan were smart, we tried a lot of stuff that didn't work before we got there.  But a lot of that success was just a superior effort by Hogan.

The play I take points off for is lining up with a jumbo package on third and goal from the four.  Unless a tight end is sneaking out into the flat for a play fake, that's not a formation designed to get four yards off of; it's a formation you get one or two yards from.  And to have done that right after a time out (that we took after WSU took a time out)... yuck.

I'm just happy for the win.

BC

[fullmetal]

Took us a whole half to realize that the WSU defense had written off Hogan as an offensive threat and was flowing to the first ball carrier with abandon.  A reverse late in the game would have been interesting.  But good job for not realizing too late (barely) that Hogan had space to run if he could get past the line.  Holy crap.

[fullmetal]

Took us a whole half to realize that the WSU defense had written off Hogan as an offensive threat and was flowing to the first ball carrier with abandon.  A reverse late in the game would have been interesting.  But good job for not realizing too late (barely) that Hogan had space to run if he could get past the line.  Holy crap.

[dabigv13]

Well he gets an F for the first half, so lets average out to a C.

And I agree with BC, that 3rd down play call on our last drive was just uninspired. Maybe if they have less timeouts or there is less time on the clock, running the ball and having time off the clock is reasonable. But even then, run from a pro set with wideouts so your RB at least has a bit of room, which he'll need to get 4 yards.

[dabigv13]

Well he gets an F for the first half, so lets average out to a C.

And I agree with BC, that 3rd down play call on our last drive was just uninspired. Maybe if they have less timeouts or there is less time on the clock, running the ball and having time off the clock is reasonable. But even then, run from a pro set with wideouts so your RB at least has a bit of room, which he'll need to get 4 yards.

[martyup]

What grade would you give Leach?  His clock management at the end of the game saved us.

[martyup]

What grade would you give Leach?  His clock management at the end of the game saved us.

[dabigv13]

Did it?

It actually helped him because it left more time for their drive.

[dabigv13]

Did it?

It actually helped him because it left more time for their drive.

[OutsiderFan]

Yes, that last play was lame, especially considering how much time was left.  But where were the OL to push CMac into the EZ?

Stanford had the look of a losing team until the 4th quarter.  They played really well in the 4th quarter. 

You have to give WSU a lot of credit for the first half.  And I don't have an issue with how the plays were called.  They tried things a certain way in the first half and they didn't work.  They tried the first drive of the second just seeing if maybe they could get things going following the game plan.  That didn't work, and that's when they started running Hogan.

I was calling for bootlegs and reverses, but the zone reads worked really well too.  The same concept; make them pay for keying on CMac so much.

[OutsiderFan]

Yes, that last play was lame, especially considering how much time was left.  But where were the OL to push CMac into the EZ?

Stanford had the look of a losing team until the 4th quarter.  They played really well in the 4th quarter. 

You have to give WSU a lot of credit for the first half.  And I don't have an issue with how the plays were called.  They tried things a certain way in the first half and they didn't work.  They tried the first drive of the second just seeing if maybe they could get things going following the game plan.  That didn't work, and that's when they started running Hogan.

I was calling for bootlegs and reverses, but the zone reads worked really well too.  The same concept; make them pay for keying on CMac so much.

[fullmetal]

They probably noticed what I noticed all season long--Hogan never looks like he's a threat to run for the zone read (probably a threat to pass however). 

We cashed in big on that tonight.

[fullmetal]

They probably noticed what I noticed all season long--Hogan never looks like he's a threat to run for the zone read (probably a threat to pass however). 

We cashed in big on that tonight.