We lost almost every single statistical category today, but we still had a chance to win. (Stats are for losers) I thought that the defense played about as good as they could considering the difference in TOP. They were on the field the entire 3rd quarter, but played their butts off with the offensive issues. I thought that we went way too conservative with Robbie Ashford when he first came in. I realize that he is a "run first" QB, but he has spent some time throwing the ball in the SEC. Why run the ball on 1st and 2nd down, only to have him drop back on a 3rd and long with a sure passing situation? He had no chance with the blitz coming. We should have mixed it up and passed on 1st down. (Quick slant, tight end drag, tight end flat that worked perfectly twice for Sellers.) I think that the coaches went way too conservative with him early. That killed his confidence. After their fumble in inside their 35, we should have thrown it to the endzone.
Usually I don't complain about officiating. I call it like I see it. The overturned incompletion to our 4 was absolutely correct. However, the offensive pass interference that called back a long first down, was awful. The blindside block on their QB was absolutely questionable and had no bearing on that play. (Keep the flag in your pocket/swallow the whistle.) With the questionable horse collar call on the first pick six, I would think that we would have gotten the benefit of the doubt on the second one. To call back two pick sixes, that is interjecting yourself way too much in a game. We're not blue bloods. We'll never be. They will get those calls over us most times. This loss hurts. I hope that our team learns from it and turns the corner. After Akron, we have murderers row coming up. Things are never easy in the SEC, it would be nice to have a little "home cooking" at some point.
Usually I don't complain about officiating. I call it like I see it. The overturned incompletion to our 4 was absolutely correct. However, the offensive pass interference that called back a long first down, was awful. The blindside block on their QB was absolutely questionable and had no bearing on that play. (Keep the flag in your pocket/swallow the whistle.) With the questionable horse collar call on the first pick six, I would think that we would have gotten the benefit of the doubt on the second one. To call back two pick sixes, that is interjecting yourself way too much in a game. We're not blue bloods. We'll never be. They will get those calls over us most times. This loss hurts. I hope that our team learns from it and turns the corner. After Akron, we have murderers row coming up. Things are never easy in the SEC, it would be nice to have a little "home cooking" at some point.
