Positives on offense

[MetryCajun]

Although it was a bad loss and the defense will again be atrocious, there were some bright spots on offense.
First, the OL is improved from last year. That was a great front 7 and whey did a good job protecting Nunez and opening some holes.
Second, the screen game and check downs to the RB were well executed which brings us to the third point, Nunez was poised back there and made a lot of good decisions. Just wish he was a little better on the deep ball and 3/4th down. He missed a few big plays.
Lastly, the offense is not nearly as predictable. I really like they mix the short passing game with shots down the field. It would be nice to give Regas more touches, but it is difficult to run the ball when you defense can’t stop the other team.

The only positive on defense is Manac.

[Cajunsmike]

Who got the pick late in the game? That was a bright spot.

[MetryCajun]

Who got the pick late in the game? That was a bright spot.

Garrior. I think he is a Freshman. There is plenty of playing time available on defense. All you have to do is make a few plays and you are a starter.

[zephyr]

I thought the offense really moved the ball well at times. Our first drive we got the ball into playmakers hands and used the misdirection very well. I think that we started to go to the screen game too much though as they started jumping those routes after we kept going to it, especially in short yardage situations. I thought we did not use the more vertical passing game enough as we had success early with it but just didn't commit to it as a consistent weapon.

Defense just doesn't have the playmakers. We have no real true pass rush and we played base defense a lot. To me, you have to try to force their hand a bit more and put more guys in the box to stop the run and/or blitz more with a QB who will eat you up running and passing if you just let him stand there. The secondary is going to be an issue all year but we have to try to force some turnovers.

[Cajunfanatico]

We'll get a much clearer picture of where we stand this coming Saturday. Coastal can move the ball and seem to have momentum with their head coach back. I look for an interesting game but truly hope that we've got the athletes, game plan, and coaching that by the end of the 1st quarter, the final outcome will not be in doubt.

[zephyr]

We'll get a much clearer picture of where we stand this coming Saturday. Coastal can move the ball and seem to have momentum with their head coach back. I look for an interesting game but truly hope that we've got the athletes, game plan, and coaching that by the end of the 1st quarter, the final outcome will not be in doubt.

Are you thinking that Coastal is that much better than us? We've certainly got the athletes on offense to put points and yards up but I do think we have to get a bit more aggressive with our defense and take some chances.

[Just1More]

I have to agree with y'all. I'm not biting on the "is he the guy" thread. I was a big opponent of Hud going into games against good/great teams. Last night only resembled a Hud game on the scoreboard. The offensive plays were much more creative and well designed. We were up against a tremendous defense. We certainly overused the screen pass. I expected us to decoy it and set up some downfield shots. That was my only criticism.

As for defense, we are underpowered even at the SBC level. To put that defense against a top SEC offense... was exactly what you saw. I think most of us realize that we're a 6-6 program this year, with the wins against the SBC lineup requiring our offense to overcome our defense.

I am not going to criticize Napier like I did Hud... about how we stack up against great teams... until Napier has his system installed with more than athletes he inherited. I expect him to go after every team in every down until that happens. But I was not disappointed in Napier from last night.

[Cajunfanatico]

Are you thinking that Coastal is that much better than us? We've certainly got the athletes on offense to put points and yards up but I do think we have to get a bit more aggressive with our defense and take some chances.

I believe Coastal is probably better than most people think. Better than us? Doubt it, but we better take them seriously. They man-handled UAB that second half at their place. I don't know if that was a function of UAB thinking all they had to do was show up and they'd win, or that they were looking ahead to playing Tulane. Regardless, they've won 4 out of their last 5 going back to last year and will come into Cajun Field with some swagger.

I want to see us send them on their way to Troy, limping.

[Cajunfanatico]

I have to agree with y'all. I'm not biting on the "is he the guy" thread. I was a big opponent of Hud going into games against good/great teams. Last night only resembled a Hud game on the scoreboard. The offensive plays were much more creative and well designed. We were up against a tremendous defense. We certainly overused the screen pass. I expected us to decoy it and set up some downfield shots. That was my only criticism.

As for defense, we are underpowered even at the SBC level. To put that defense against a top SEC offense... was exactly what you saw. I think most of us realize that we're a 6-6 program this year, with the wins against the SBC lineup requiring our offense to overcome our defense.

I am not going to criticize Napier like I did Hud... about how we stack up against great teams... until Napier has his system installed with more than athletes he inherited. I expect him to go after every team in every down until that happens. But I was not disappointed in Napier from last night.

Very well-said.

[ManAboutTown]

I have to agree with y'all. I'm not biting on the "is he the guy" thread. I was a big opponent of Hud going into games against good/great teams. Last night only resembled a Hud game on the scoreboard. The offensive plays were much more creative and well designed. We were up against a tremendous defense. We certainly overused the screen pass. I expected us to decoy it and set up some downfield shots. That was my only criticism.

As for defense, we are underpowered even at the SBC level. To put that defense against a top SEC offense... was exactly what you saw. I think most of us realize that we're a 6-6 program this year, with the wins against the SBC lineup requiring our offense to overcome our defense.

I am not going to criticize Napier like I did Hud... about how we stack up against great teams... until Napier has his system installed with more than athletes he inherited. I expect him to go after every team in every down until that happens. But I was not disappointed in Napier from last night.

Agree. My only criticism was 2 of the 4 attempts to convert 4th downs, I hated. And I thought we could have attacked the middle more.

That being said, if our players execute, totally different football game.

[MetryCajun]

Agree. My only criticism was 2 of the 4 attempts to convert 4th downs, I hated. And I thought we could have attacked the middle more.

That being said, if our players execute, totally different football game.

Yes. We would have lost 63-24 then. They could have scored anytime they wanted.

[Just1More]

Agree. My only criticism was 2 of the 4 attempts to convert 4th downs, I hated. And I thought we could have attacked the middle more.

That being said, if our players execute, totally different football game.

Agree. It sucked to have Ragas pick up 9 on first down, only to play call our way out of a 1st down conversion. And I couldn't understand the short downs with Levi trying to sling it up field. That wasn't intelligent play calling. But I'm not concerned about our offense or the play calls going forward. I see a lot of positives... including the OL play. As much as I know we have some gaps in our defense... I don't think judging them against that Miss State offense is entirely fair. I think Miss State will prove they're a serious top 10 team if Fitzgerald stays healthy.