Dukes game- IN/POST game thread
- Thread starter LetsGoRomo2
- Start date
Nice to see D might be able to put a stop or two together, though Duquesne took advantage of that turnover and took the lead.
Be smart with the football and get the lead back before halftime
Be smart with the football and get the lead back before halftime
Welp, losing Wollet is a gamebreaker. He's one of the only legit starters on that defense.
Crap call. All for taking head hits out of the game, but not sure what a defender is supposed to do in a split second decision.
Crap call. All for taking head hits out of the game, but not sure what a defender is supposed to do in a split second decision.
Matt Gonzalez has 23 catches for 360 yards and seven TDs this season.
He had 22 catches for 268 yards and one TD in his first two seasons. Love how they're using him this season.
He had 22 catches for 268 yards and one TD in his first two seasons. Love how they're using him this season.
D is still the D. Couple stops which were nice but bottom line.. 31 points given up in first half, and could not make a stand to end half. Something needs changed, drastically, with this D.
400+ yards of offense should win you a lot of games.
I just don't think there are any fixes for this defense right now. Gonna need time in the weight room and a strong recruiting class.
I just don't think there are any fixes for this defense right now. Gonna need time in the weight room and a strong recruiting class.
Just curious... The O has been pretty bad recently, new coaches, new system, doing great.
Why is the D so bad? There is some talent there. Do most people think the DC is OK and needs "his guys"? The OC does not have "his guys" but is making it work.
Just do not understand how one can work so well, and the other is historically bad.
Unless you switch from a triple option offense like Army runs to a wide open pass heavy offense like Texas Tech or Washington State, you've usually got the personnel to do some things on offense. We knew RMU had a quarterback with some talent in Jimmy Walker. We knew RMU had a decent receiver in Tim Vecchio. Then you got a transfer at running back in Terence Stephens and some younger guys (Matt Gonzalez, Alijah Jackson) stepped up.
That's pretty typical of a coaching change. Guys start fresh, a new gameplan suits them, and they get some confidence. You also had a very young offensive line - two juniors, a redshirt sophomore, and two true sophomores. They were bound to take a step forward.
The problem is on defense, if you don't have the personnel, it's much harder to change schemes. The previous staff recruited for a 3-4 defense. Coach Clark has always run a 4-3 and really doesn't have the personnel to truly try a real 3-4 anyway. And that's because there were a TON of departures on D, either to graduation or transfer.
The secondary lost four starters, including three to graduation.
The DL lost eight guys, such a huge hit that they had to move two linebackers and two tight ends to the line.
The linebacker group lost three starting caliber players, two to graduation. Three other guys left.
There were just too many departures to fill in over the course of one offseason. I don't think you can even evaluate the scheme right now because they don't have the guys needed to run it right.
CI, thank you for detailed response. Guess I did not know how many guys left, non graduates I mean. Thankfully there was not such a departure on O.
I would argue that there is not a huge difference between personepeat at the FCS level between a 43 and a 34. The guys than can play one can play another. Football player can play football if coached up. But again, I had no clue about the high attrition rate.
I expect to see emphasis on D transfers this year.
I would argue that there is not a huge difference between personepeat at the FCS level between a 43 and a 34. The guys than can play one can play another. Football player can play football if coached up. But again, I had no clue about the high attrition rate.
I expect to see emphasis on D transfers this year.
Guys are at the FCS level because they have some warts. Sometimes it's just size. But in RMU's case, some of the defensive guys are one-dimensional. Thimons and Antuono can't cover, which is why I think they were moved from linebacker to defensive line in the off-season. Lamica isn't great in coverage either, which is why he moved to a stand-up defensive end role and really didn't play much tonight. Mason and Romanchak can cover so we're seeing more of them, but they're not great at stopping the run.
They're trying things. Darley didn't play. Stanford was back, which is good. Matt Holmes played the most he has in a while and was around the ball. It's just not enough.
Here's what I think RMU ideally wants to do on defense under Coach Clark:
They want to play a 4-3, with the one outside backer being fast and capable in coverage so they don't always have to bring in a nickel corner. They want that linebacker to be able to cover backs out the backfield or good receiving tight end or a possession receiver. It's what TJ Neal is supposed to be but hasn't been able to do a lot of.
You can do more disguised pass rushes and run blitzes out of your base D. But it needs two physical, strong tackles and guys with speed and agility on the edge. Fenwick could be one of those DTs, but they don't have a second one and they definitely don't have the speed on the edge.
What I'm thinking is what Pitt did under Dave Wannstedt. Wannstedt was Clark's defensive coordinator back when Clark played at Miami U. In fact, I think Adam Wollet shares a lot of mental traits with Scott McKillop, who flourished at middle linebacker under Wannstedt. RMU just doesn't have the FCS versions of Greg Romeus, Jabaal Sheard, and Mick Williams around.
They want to play a 4-3, with the one outside backer being fast and capable in coverage so they don't always have to bring in a nickel corner. They want that linebacker to be able to cover backs out the backfield or good receiving tight end or a possession receiver. It's what TJ Neal is supposed to be but hasn't been able to do a lot of.
You can do more disguised pass rushes and run blitzes out of your base D. But it needs two physical, strong tackles and guys with speed and agility on the edge. Fenwick could be one of those DTs, but they don't have a second one and they definitely don't have the speed on the edge.
What I'm thinking is what Pitt did under Dave Wannstedt. Wannstedt was Clark's defensive coordinator back when Clark played at Miami U. In fact, I think Adam Wollet shares a lot of mental traits with Scott McKillop, who flourished at middle linebacker under Wannstedt. RMU just doesn't have the FCS versions of Greg Romeus, Jabaal Sheard, and Mick Williams around.
This probably will not be a popular thought, but QB is pretty thin next year as it stands. Jimmy has played great, and not a reflection on him, but I think it is time to look to future and see what George can do. I was happy he was brought in late, but all he did was hand off.
I think he should get some more game reps if he is gonna be the guy next year.
I think he should get some more game reps if he is gonna be the guy next year.
I understand the thought process and you're probably not alone in thinking that way.
Here's my argument against it - Jimmy's the only senior starter on offense. Everyone other start should theoretically be back next season. I think it's important to get them as many snaps with a stable QB as possible so they can continue to grow. That way they can all act like vets in the spring and in training camp when George steps in at QB.
I agree with you, truly. But when the game gets away from them, let George play. If you are punting when down 17 you have essentially given up, white flag. When it gets to that piint, let George go in and get some reps.
He is the only QB next year as the roster stands. I am sure they can get a transfer or another freshman, but right now he is the future. I have heard a lot of good things about him, and just want him to be able to get some reps.
He is the only QB next year as the roster stands. I am sure they can get a transfer or another freshman, but right now he is the future. I have heard a lot of good things about him, and just want him to be able to get some reps.
That's correct. He's got two years.
I bet they bring in two freshmen to round things out. Caleb and George battle for the job, the other backs up. Freshmen battle for third string with one redshirting.
Thanks gius, didn't realize CL had another year. Again, I think if things are close, you play the young guy and truly develop him. Seems like we have some great O coaches now.
Do not be surprised to see another QB transfer in. In today's world of constant offensive turnover -HC & OC - QB's move around more than ever before.
Coach Clark's biggest mistake to date? Not retaining the defensive staff from a year ago. Coleman and Fairson could coach power 5 top 10.
Clark is a solid defensive guy and he may have thought he could groom a young Plungas too soon. Regardless, our dline play is atrocious. We should be FAR better with Pulley, Fenwick, Stanford, Thimmons. It all starts up front and their technique is awful. I'd like to see more aggressiveness as well. When you have inexperienced guys at backer (aside from Wollett) bring some heat and put those guys in motion so they are no longer thinking but rather just playing.
Anyone know where Coleman wound up? Just curious?
Coach Clark's biggest mistake to date? Not retaining the defensive staff from a year ago. Coleman and Fairson could coach power 5 top 10.
Clark is a solid defensive guy and he may have thought he could groom a young Plungas too soon. Regardless, our dline play is atrocious. We should be FAR better with Pulley, Fenwick, Stanford, Thimmons. It all starts up front and their technique is awful. I'd like to see more aggressiveness as well. When you have inexperienced guys at backer (aside from Wollett) bring some heat and put those guys in motion so they are no longer thinking but rather just playing.
Anyone know where Coleman wound up? Just curious?
Think he is at St Vincent
Edit to include link: https://athletics.stvincent.edu/roster.aspx?path=football#
Edit to include link: https://athletics.stvincent.edu/roster.aspx?path=football#
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