New-look linebackers a success

[CajunRage]

We were impressive, there is no doubt. But I'd say that was the most one deminsional team we've played in a long while. The passing game was never an option for Tx St. That was evident from the jump.

Where do you get one dimensional? They are about as balanced as they come. We may have made them one dimensional, but they throw 30+ times per game and have had multiple 300yd passing games.

[ManAboutTown]

Tx St has the 3rd fewest pass attempts (including Ga Sou who almost exclusively runs) and the 2nd fewest yards in the conference. That's one demensional.

[CajunRage]

I don't understand your logic. One dimensional has nothing to do with how they compare to the rest of the conference. They average roughly 230yds/gm both rushing and passing. If you want to go on attempts, they run the ball 60% of the time. Are teams that throw the ball 60% of the time one dimensional? They run more than they throw but not to the point that they can't do both. The reason they didn't throw on us was because we put pressure on their qb.

[KajunKrazy]

I'm surprised this isn't one of the most discussed threads on here. It's football season, we've had 8000 posts on improvement requirements primarily on defense, with only a handful of cheerleader knuckleheads getting their panties in a wad over fans being critical, and many of us are seeing precisely what we've been asking for materialize on the football field. This is the absolute best thing that's happened to our football program since we made and won our first bowl game. This is it. This is where a newer, better Cajun program takes shape.

If you are a UL football fan, and not just a UL clothing, restaurant, brick fan... I sure hope you take stock in what's happening with our football team. We just broke through a major barrier. If you have any clue whatsoever about college football, you can be very comforted in knowing that regardless of how well we did in the past 3 years... we actually have a chance now of taking on better programs and competing. It may only be an early showing of promise to some. Quite to the contrary for those with vision beyond the obvious. This is HUGE.

I partially agree. Txst played against a scheme they had not seen on film. I am going to reserve judgment until this week. If we can come out and hold down ark st and get the win after they've studied it on film, then I'll start talking about possibly running the table.

[ManAboutTown]

I don't understand your logic. One dimensional has nothing to do with how they compare to the rest of the conference. They average roughly 230yds/gm both rushing and passing. If you want to go on attempts, they run the ball 60% of the time. Are teams that throw the ball 60% of the time one dimensional? They run more than they throw but not to the point that they can't do both. The reason they didn't throw on us was because we put pressure on their qb.

So you're telling me that you watched that QB operate in the pocket and thought "man, that guy can hurt teams with his ability"? You watched those reviewers drop ball after ball and though "they have a legit passing threat"?

[ULGrad@HOU]

I'm surprised this isn't one of the most discussed threads on here. It's football season, we've had 8000 posts on improvement requirements primarily on defense, with only a handful of cheerleader knuckleheads getting their panties in a wad over fans being critical, and many of us are seeing precisely what we've been asking for materialize on the football field. This is the absolute best thing that's happened to our football program since we made and won our first bowl game. This is it. This is where a newer, better Cajun program takes shape.

If you are a UL football fan, and not just a UL clothing, restaurant, brick fan... I sure hope you take stock in what's happening with our football team. We just broke through a major barrier. If you have any clue whatsoever about college football, you can be very comforted in knowing that regardless of how well we did in the past 3 years... we actually have a chance now of taking on better programs and competing. It may only be an early showing of promise to some. Quite to the contrary for those with vision beyond the obvious. This is HUGE.

I think it's a huge positive too J1M, and was glad to see they were departing from the past to try something new, because what was used before was not getting it done. I think it's still a work in progress, and not a completed task by any means (I know you didn't say that it was). I want to see more and see if they truly have made strides forward. I am optimistic, but cautious.

[Ragin4U]

I agree with the posters who are cautious before crowning this new look as the cure. I'm encouraged as well but it was only one game. Show me some of the same against Arkystate and I'll be fully convinced.

[CrazyCajun]

Not crowning anything, we made progress...keep progressing and we will be fine.

[Just1More]

I partially agree. Txst played against a scheme they had not seen on film. I am going to reserve judgment until this week. If we can come out and hold down ark st and get the win after they've studied it on film, then I'll start talking about possibly running the table.

That scheme is standard stuff. We didn't introduce a defense others are unfamiliar with. Quite the opposite. We are now operating a defense similar to other programs. Our program is the one least familiar with it. Each week that passes, our defense (players) will get better at it. I can't forecast how we'll do against Ark State. But, there's no film advantage going up against this defense. We're operating assignment football. That "8 men lost in space" was our downfall. Preparing against it was a joke. We can now make truly valid assessments of our defensive athletes... and I think we're going to be impressed. I have no problem with waiting to see proof on the field.

[Just1More]

I'd like you to elaborate on these adjustments proving this staff can have success going forward, with regards to how important the abilities to evolve are.

I elaborated on our prior scheme faults and the benefits of our new defensive scheme adjustments, at length, in prior posts, well before the GA State game, where they finally began to materialize. My comment about this thread not taking off... was not about it being massively active... but that it should trump the activity of any other thread right now.

And even what Hud and staff did and/or attempted to do offensively against TX State, was very much in line with what I believe capitalizes on our available talent... and seriously spread the field this past Tuesday night. Our sideline to sideline game was double the trouble compared to any prior game this year, and we included and shuffled our play sequence in much much headier order. I wasn't just looking at TX State's athletic and/or scheme reaction to our operation Tues night... I was looking at what we did, when and how we did it... and the personnel we used. We truly utilized our offensive weapons very well, at the right times, for the first time this year.

[Square Head]

No one was "nay saying".. If your daughter comes home with a guy that has a spider tat on his face, chances are, you'll have some questions.. We were just asking questions..

All those questions didn't seem positive to me.

[Just1More]

I think it's a huge positive too J1M, and was glad to see they were departing from the past to try something new, because what was used before was not getting it done. I think it's still a work in progress, and not a completed task by any means (I know you didn't say that it was). I want to see more and see if they truly have made strides forward. I am optimistic, but cautious.

Totally understandable. But my biggest fear was not whether improvements to scheme would solve our issues (because I flat out know they will). My issue was whether Hud was too stubborn to make the right adjustments. My nightmare is over... whether others are still having theirs or not. Hud made the correct system modifications (or allowed others to make them) this past Tues. Regardless of everything and anything else... just the fact that he allowed the correct adjustments to be made... is monumental. Hud's prior rhetoric indicated that he was highly confident that he was right... no scheme or philosophy changes need be made... and "execution" was to blame. He converted... and we are on the road to success. And I'm stoked.