Well we would be 3-1 if the games ended at half time. Obviously that doesn't mean anything but in all three of those games we went into half either in control of the game or with a good amount of momentum and for a multitude of reasons we just completely shit the bed in the 3rd quarter. Difference in this game was the two quick TDs South Carolina scored in the 3rd and our inability to get anything on offense in the 2nd half.
Studs: I think we had a few this week, maybe in prior seasons these performances aren't quite studs but for this season I think they qualify...
Conclusion: I 100% expected us to lose this game and I actually thought it would be worse then it was so I do not feel that bad about the loss. What I wanted to see was the team still fighting to win, the offense progressing and no major injuries. I think all of that happened in the 1st half and if I would have just saw more from the offense in the 2nd (even if we still lost) I would be very content. With all of that said we have a winnable game, even without Holman, at Tulane next week. If we can win this game and get Holman back for a winnable home game with UCONN we can still have hope in the conference. In the beginning of the season my goals for this team was to compete for conference, be bowl eligible and beat USF. Technically those are all still on the table and we are lucky to open conference play with Tulane vs Temple or Memphis or Cincy so just keep the dream alive until Holman gets back and then I think we will be dangerous enough to at least keep each game interesting.
Studs: I think we had a few this week, maybe in prior seasons these performances aren't quite studs but for this season I think they qualify...
- Gibson: Played a solid game, especially in run support, made several open field tackles for loss. Good to see him coming into his own.
- Caleb: Probably is out MVP after 4 games. He is kicking great.
- Burkett: I thought he really separated himself today from the other lbs out there. Looked like he was involved or around most of the defensive plays.
- Trequan: Loved him week one and thought he disappeared the last two weeks (probably due to QB issues) but really stepped up today. Looked like a number 1 out there, didn't drop anything bad. A lot probably has to do with Bo looking better.
- Offensive Line: They had some great pass blocking plays where a great pocket formed for Bo but overall they couldn't move anyone on running plays. The safety play was way to easy for South Carolina. I actually think the offensive line has played better then last year (which isn't saying that much) but is encouraging. Just thought they had some really bad plays today collectively but South Carolina has some serious athletes up front.
- Drico: Hands down the worst dropped interception I have ever seen in my career watching football. I do NOT say that lightly. it was a gift from God that throw. A lob pass (no speed on it) with no South Carolina WR in the area, to a former WIDE RECIEVER turned defensive back and the ball hits his chest and both arms and he drops it. Would have been huge to have had that pick. He may actually score on the play or at the very least puts us in FG position. I went berserk when he dropped that. Not saying everything he did today was dud worthy but this one play was enough, BRUTAL.
- Half Time Speech (second half entire team & coaches): Whatever we are doing or saying at half time should be destroyed. Really head scratching to me how we can come out so flat after the way the first half ended. Maybe it was South Carolina getting the better of the coaching adjustments or the team just being flat. I knew our depth would be an issue later in the game but most of this damage was done pretty quickly in the 3rd. We have seen this before at UCF (hell twice this season) but it still amazes me. I thought Key did a GREAT job in the first half with the play calls and Bo looked solid which of course helps the coach look good and vice versa but how we do that 93 yard drive and make it look so easy and then put up no other scoring drive beside the gift one yard run by Patti is very disappointing.
Conclusion: I 100% expected us to lose this game and I actually thought it would be worse then it was so I do not feel that bad about the loss. What I wanted to see was the team still fighting to win, the offense progressing and no major injuries. I think all of that happened in the 1st half and if I would have just saw more from the offense in the 2nd (even if we still lost) I would be very content. With all of that said we have a winnable game, even without Holman, at Tulane next week. If we can win this game and get Holman back for a winnable home game with UCONN we can still have hope in the conference. In the beginning of the season my goals for this team was to compete for conference, be bowl eligible and beat USF. Technically those are all still on the table and we are lucky to open conference play with Tulane vs Temple or Memphis or Cincy so just keep the dream alive until Holman gets back and then I think we will be dangerous enough to at least keep each game interesting.
