Hudspeth: Jennings did what was asked vs. Mountaineers

[CharlieK]

I agree for the most part. They are crucial to the flow and outcome of a game but you have to run your offense in attack mode. I rarely see truly successful teams that don't attack the defense. I would love to see us approach a game offensively like we did in 2011 in the NOLA bowl or 2012 for that matter. We came out slinging passes and holding little back in those games and they were some of the most exciting cajun games I've ever seen.

I agree, they can be crucial. So is not converting that third down when you really need to because you are afraid to turn it over....then punting. So is not scoring a TD in the red zone because you are scared to turn it over, and you run 3 times into the line. Turnovers can be crucial. So can any number of other factors. We magnify the consequences of turnovers when we allow them to dictate our offense.

[cajunhawk]

Turnovers are important to the end result of just about any game. You ask any coach or player and they will repeat that sentiment without hesitation. We all know your stance on them but you need to acknowledge the importance of possession of the football, particularly, for a team that thrives on possession and balance with little big play punch such as ours. Sure, a team with a stud defense or a team that can score from anywhere on the field at any time can overcome the occasional mishap but your chances of victory are ALWAYS much higher when you take care of the ball.

You can be shut out and completely dominated, and win the turnover battle. It happened to us twice this year. Possession only matter when you have something to work with.

[Turbine]

I think its quite clear that he asked him not to do too much. He didn't throw him under the bus. Not sure what the rant is about.

I know, huh?

I view App,State as a slow rollout rest button starting with turnovers.

This week will be fun.

[KajunKrazy]

I think its quite clear that he asked him not to do too much. He didn't throw him under the bus. Not sure what the rant is about.

The rant is probably about the quote "AJ did everything we asked him to do" he scored no points and it was obvious the coaches didn't trust him to take a shots deep or throw anything in the middle of the field. If that is what they continue to ask of there QB they won't win another game.

[zephyr]

You can be shut out and completely dominated, and win the turnover battle. It happened to us twice this year. Possession only matter when you have something to work with.

As I've said, I realize this which is why I was referencing "Attacking the defense". I'm just saying that turnovers statistically play a much larger role in winning and losing than some want to give it credit for. People look at the Tulane game and say that our anemic offense led us to lose but many of us here have stated that the turnovers cost us the most since they directly led to points. You could possibly say the same thing for the NMSU game especially with the pick 6 in there.

I would rather attack the defense and make mistakes along the way rather than dumb down everything on offense and give the defense the upper hand.

The answer likely lies somewhere in the middle and even HUD has to realize that good offense is a calculated risk. We can't run dives and bubble screens all the way to a 10 win season. I know our OL sucks but you can still get AJ out of the pocket and get him making plays with his feet if there is nothing there through the air. Playaction? What about RB screens to get Calais and Eli out in the open field?

[Just1More]

I believe Hud knew we didn't stand a chance against App State, and Jennings turning the ball over would have just made it worse. If Hud would have had Jennings play like this all season we would be 4-2 not 2-4. The only reason we lost to Tulane and NMST was bad turnovers. We are better or just as good as the rest of the teams on our schedule except Georgia. Hud knows that. If we can play turn over free or close to it, we can win out in conference play. App State was all and all a way better team.

BS. You coach to do 1000 things correctly... including a certain amount of "protecting the football". Turnovers are not a focal point of a contest. Smart coaches a long time ago used "turnover talk" to excuse losses, and to grab the attention of their players. Dumb coach, media and fans ate that crap up like hot soup on a cold day. It's STUPID to discuss and plan around "turnovers". There are 1000 details in a game that are there to be exploited. You DO NOT focus on turnovers, turnover battles... or any other BS topics that limit playing to win.

This is a race. No NASCAR winner ever said, "We won the race because I slowed down in the turns to limit the wear on the tires". You put that f'ng machine through the limits of its potential and you run the living ____ out of it. If you crash into the wall... you try not to the next time. But you DO NOT win the race by putting your ____ back in your pants.

If it wasn't so damaging to our program... I wish we'd go turnover free for the remainder of the season... and lose every contest.

Every team we face, if we're worried about "turnovers" is "all and all a way better team". Good grief. I knew we were going to lose to Boise State. But I sure as heck didn't know we'd pull out our mangina for App State. Hud knew "we didn't stand a chance against App State?". So we took "less risks"? That sure is a sad turn of affairs for the "Ragin" Cajuns. Yes... we certainly have gone from the national program with "lots of potential"... to "zero potency".

[zephyr]

The rant is probably about the quote "AJ did everything we asked him to do" he scored no points and it was obvious the coaches didn't trust him to take a shots deep or throw anything in the middle of the field. If that is what they continue to ask of there QB they won't win another game.

Ok, so you answered your own question then? Good.

[CharlieK]

I'm just saying that turnovers statistically play a much larger role in winning and losing than some want to give it credit for.

Correlation does not mean causation.

https://www.fastcodesign.com/3030529...isnt-causation

[cajunhawk]

As I've said, I realize this which is why I was referencing "Attacking the defense". I'm just saying that turnovers statistically play a much larger role in winning and losing than some want to give it credit for. People look at the Tulane game and say that our anemic offense led us to lose but many of us here have stated that the turnovers cost us the most since they directly led to points. You could possibly say the same thing for the NMSU game especially with the pick 6 in there.

I would rather attack the defense and make mistakes along the way rather than dumb down everything on offense and give the defense the upper hand.

The answer likely lies somewhere in the middle and even HUD has to realize that good offense is a calculated risk. We can't run dives and bubble screens all the way to a 10 win season. I know our OL sucks but you can still get AJ out of the pocket and get him making plays with his feet if there is nothing there through the air. Playaction? What about RB screens to get Calais and Eli out in the open field?

I think that is the massive crux of the matter. Hud doesn't want to take calculated risks for some reason. If this was a poker game, he would be folding every hand that isn't pocket Face Cards. Sometimes you pay to play. You pay the dues to see the flop. You never know when your suited low runners turn out to be a straight flush. I want to know why he is so risk averse.

[CajunNation]

The idea that by contracting the offense in on itself is going to limit turnovers and increase your chances of winning is ludicrous.

All you are doing by keeping your pass plays to the line of scrimmage is inviting the defense to creep up to the line. You are committing your offense to operate in a phone booth. Those quick passes to the wideouts are useless. This is only going to result tin more pick sixes.

Memo to Hud: An interception on a deep pass is not a turnover. It is a punt.