The team goes three and out on the first offensive series of the game. Before studying the film, my initial impression was that Hawaii had done something to throw us off our game and cause the three and out. After studying the film, this does not appear to be the case though one or two key trends do emerge from this series.
The first trend is that Jon Huckins had his struggles in this game. The struggles were a wide array of miscues and blunders, some self inflicted and others a result of the tactics of the Hawaii defense. Part and parcel with some of these foul-ups appear to be a lack of communication or chemistry with the remaining offensive linemen, in particular Alex Kelley. Many times when pressure came, it was through the A-gap (between guard and center) and it often appeared the Kelley was expecting Huckins to assist as the rushers often came across the face of Huckins.
The second trend, as most of us have already observed, is Sefo Liufau just had a poor game. He missed throws, he does not see open guys, began to look for the pass rush instead keeping his eyes down field, did not step up in the pocket, locked onto his first target, in the case of blitzes he did not identify the voids that the rushers vacated, and worst of all, he played the game with no sense of anticipation. Part of these struggles probably had to do with Huckins/Kelley's early struggles which rattled Liufau's composure. Regardless, he needs to improve a ton if we are going to have any chance of success with the balance of the games.
Given the above, those trying throw blame on Lindgren's playcalling are probably reaching a little there. As we will see (in later posts) the execution on even the most fundamental plays was just not there. Even in occasions when he had time, Liufau left about three or four TDs on the field (will show those in subsequent posts). My only critique of Lindgren with this game would be a lack of misdirection and an inability to try to get Ross or Fields the ball other than on throws.
Okay, that was a long digression but just keep those first two trends in mind as we go through these plays.
Series1, Play 1
Down: 1, Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun 3WR, 1TE and 1RB. (11 personnel grouping)
To start, Ross motions across the formation pre-snap. The defense does not appear to adjust indicating a zone coverage scheme. As he is approaching the center of the formation, the ball is snapped. This motion freezes the defense because it is unclear if Ross or Powell is getting ball. The play is actually a trap and Jon Huckins is pulling to kickout the front side defensive end or OLB. As he pulls, notice that he trips over the leg of Alex Kelley.
Here Huckins is stumbling forward toward his assignment, who easily sidesteps the falling big man. All the other blockers are well engaged with their assignments. Sean Irwin runs past this guy as well, probably heading for his assignment.
Huckins man has now engaged the ball carrier Powell at this LoS. Powell still plows ahead. Everyone else is still engaged on their assignment. Kelley and Kough have all but knocked down the DT, as Kough now moves to the second level. Notice how small the Hawaii players look compared to ours.
Other Hawaii defenders have now reached Powell and gang tackle him after a two yard gain. If Huckins had not tripped, Powell would not have been touched for two to three yards, as opposed to pulling the first defender two to three yards. Consider the difference in net yardage had this play been executed correctly. Huckins can be seen at the backside of the ball re-orienting himself.
Series1, Play 2
Down: 2, Distance: 8
Formation: Under center 2WR, 2TE and 1RB. (12 personnel grouping)
Buffs shifted personnel here and bring in another TE, and also run the play from under center in a single back formation.
This appears to be a blast, which is running between the guard and tackle, Huckins and Nembot in this case. The line gets great push off the snap and drives the hawaii defenders off of the ball.
A large hole forms and Powell squares up to the LoS.
Powell has decent forward line here but could probably still stand to get a little bit more behind his pads. Notice the bubble created in the defense with all the defenders sealed off.
This is a solid 4 - 5 yard again. Only critique is perhaps Powell could have pushed the pile a bit more if he had a lower pad level. Maybe a faster back spurts through the seams more quickly?
Series1, Play 3
Down: 3, Distance: 4
Formation: Shotgun 4WR, 0TE and 1RB. (01 personnel grouping)
Buffs again switch out personnel and come out in a 4 wide shotgun set with 2 wr flanked to each side of the formation.
Powell motions behind Liufau with the LB / nickel following, indicating a man to man coverage scheme. Notice how far both defenders are playing off of Spruce and Ross at the top of the screen (wide side of the field). As Powell motions away, this creates even more space up there. This is a good scheme / play call!
Ross runs a quick-in at three yards. This is interesting because typically ins/digs at five or six yards and quick slants stem at 3 yards as Ross did. Ross did not get the depth he needed to catch the ball for first down yardage. However, he does have plenty of separation to run after the catch. Spruce is also open at the top of the screen. Look how well Spruce drops his hips into his break. Also notice how clean the pocket is for Liufau.
Even in this frame, the overthrow by Liufau appears obvious. However, referring to the above observation, did Ross run his route too short? My guess is that Liufau should have put this right on the money, even if Ross ran his route a little short. It was a bad overthrow.
4th down. Damn.
On this series, we appeared to have two plays that failed because of execution and one play that went well because of execution. Hawaii did not do anything here to cause us to fail to convert. Just about everyone on all three plays did what they were suppose to do. One mistake by one player on each player limited the effectiveness of the play. We definitely looked like the bigger, faster team here just could not execute. Had nothing to with the play calling, improper personnel or being out-matched with the scheme.
The first trend is that Jon Huckins had his struggles in this game. The struggles were a wide array of miscues and blunders, some self inflicted and others a result of the tactics of the Hawaii defense. Part and parcel with some of these foul-ups appear to be a lack of communication or chemistry with the remaining offensive linemen, in particular Alex Kelley. Many times when pressure came, it was through the A-gap (between guard and center) and it often appeared the Kelley was expecting Huckins to assist as the rushers often came across the face of Huckins.
The second trend, as most of us have already observed, is Sefo Liufau just had a poor game. He missed throws, he does not see open guys, began to look for the pass rush instead keeping his eyes down field, did not step up in the pocket, locked onto his first target, in the case of blitzes he did not identify the voids that the rushers vacated, and worst of all, he played the game with no sense of anticipation. Part of these struggles probably had to do with Huckins/Kelley's early struggles which rattled Liufau's composure. Regardless, he needs to improve a ton if we are going to have any chance of success with the balance of the games.
Given the above, those trying throw blame on Lindgren's playcalling are probably reaching a little there. As we will see (in later posts) the execution on even the most fundamental plays was just not there. Even in occasions when he had time, Liufau left about three or four TDs on the field (will show those in subsequent posts). My only critique of Lindgren with this game would be a lack of misdirection and an inability to try to get Ross or Fields the ball other than on throws.
Okay, that was a long digression but just keep those first two trends in mind as we go through these plays.
Series1, Play 1
Down: 1, Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun 3WR, 1TE and 1RB. (11 personnel grouping)
To start, Ross motions across the formation pre-snap. The defense does not appear to adjust indicating a zone coverage scheme. As he is approaching the center of the formation, the ball is snapped. This motion freezes the defense because it is unclear if Ross or Powell is getting ball. The play is actually a trap and Jon Huckins is pulling to kickout the front side defensive end or OLB. As he pulls, notice that he trips over the leg of Alex Kelley.
Here Huckins is stumbling forward toward his assignment, who easily sidesteps the falling big man. All the other blockers are well engaged with their assignments. Sean Irwin runs past this guy as well, probably heading for his assignment.
Huckins man has now engaged the ball carrier Powell at this LoS. Powell still plows ahead. Everyone else is still engaged on their assignment. Kelley and Kough have all but knocked down the DT, as Kough now moves to the second level. Notice how small the Hawaii players look compared to ours.
Other Hawaii defenders have now reached Powell and gang tackle him after a two yard gain. If Huckins had not tripped, Powell would not have been touched for two to three yards, as opposed to pulling the first defender two to three yards. Consider the difference in net yardage had this play been executed correctly. Huckins can be seen at the backside of the ball re-orienting himself.
Series1, Play 2
Down: 2, Distance: 8
Formation: Under center 2WR, 2TE and 1RB. (12 personnel grouping)
Buffs shifted personnel here and bring in another TE, and also run the play from under center in a single back formation.
This appears to be a blast, which is running between the guard and tackle, Huckins and Nembot in this case. The line gets great push off the snap and drives the hawaii defenders off of the ball.
A large hole forms and Powell squares up to the LoS.
Powell has decent forward line here but could probably still stand to get a little bit more behind his pads. Notice the bubble created in the defense with all the defenders sealed off.
This is a solid 4 - 5 yard again. Only critique is perhaps Powell could have pushed the pile a bit more if he had a lower pad level. Maybe a faster back spurts through the seams more quickly?
Series1, Play 3
Down: 3, Distance: 4
Formation: Shotgun 4WR, 0TE and 1RB. (01 personnel grouping)
Buffs again switch out personnel and come out in a 4 wide shotgun set with 2 wr flanked to each side of the formation.
Powell motions behind Liufau with the LB / nickel following, indicating a man to man coverage scheme. Notice how far both defenders are playing off of Spruce and Ross at the top of the screen (wide side of the field). As Powell motions away, this creates even more space up there. This is a good scheme / play call!
Ross runs a quick-in at three yards. This is interesting because typically ins/digs at five or six yards and quick slants stem at 3 yards as Ross did. Ross did not get the depth he needed to catch the ball for first down yardage. However, he does have plenty of separation to run after the catch. Spruce is also open at the top of the screen. Look how well Spruce drops his hips into his break. Also notice how clean the pocket is for Liufau.
Even in this frame, the overthrow by Liufau appears obvious. However, referring to the above observation, did Ross run his route too short? My guess is that Liufau should have put this right on the money, even if Ross ran his route a little short. It was a bad overthrow.
4th down. Damn.
On this series, we appeared to have two plays that failed because of execution and one play that went well because of execution. Hawaii did not do anything here to cause us to fail to convert. Just about everyone on all three plays did what they were suppose to do. One mistake by one player on each player limited the effectiveness of the play. We definitely looked like the bigger, faster team here just could not execute. Had nothing to with the play calling, improper personnel or being out-matched with the scheme.
