DEFENSE vs Buffalo

[Duckster]

I like how we complain bitterly after a win demonstrating our raised expectations. 15-20 years ago we'd be high as a kite at 3-1. Doesn't appear this year's team will dominate anyone but could keep improving scratching out wins giving us lots of legitimate close call complaining material.

[Cajunsmike]

Did the coaching staff change the defensive philosophy for the third and fourth, then finally clamp down and play regular defense on the last drive?

Seems like we purposely put no pressure on the quarterback, and played most likely prevent style defense. Or were they just tired?

They were tired, exhausted really. Big OL beating down on them whole game wore them down. Add that to having to go back on the field twice after just leaving the field is a recipe for poor results. The pick on sideline was basically same situation. Main issue last night was turnovers. I don’t expect that to continue.

[MetryCajun]

I know we ran for a lot of yards, but it was mostly on chunk plays. Seems like we had a lot of negative run plays. Why we had #8 in at RB on the last series was baffling. We had two 100yd rushers and you put
in a guy who had had no success running.
Right now I see a team where the players and coaches are learning on the job. Thankfully we have a schedule as soft as a marshmallow so we continue to bank wins. This week will tell a lot. A respectable showing will give me a lot more hope against the better SBC teams.

[shof]

If we could hold on to a damn football and stop with the turnovers there wouldn’t have been an issue in either game

BINGO! Have to stop giving the ball away; especially inside our own 20!! Special teams looked bad again. Muffed punts, kickoffs going out of bounds. Those mistakes in the second half meant our defense was on the field WAY too long. I recall seeing Chandler Fields warming up with about 7:30 left in 4th. Never had a chance to get on the field due to several mistakes.
Lots to clean up!!

P.S. Fortunate that Chriss recovered that fumble late or we might be talking about how we managed to lose after a 24 point lead!!!

[CharlieK]

I didn’t have “too many long runs” on my RP complaint card, but here we are.

[zeppelincajun]

I didn’t have “too many long runs” on my RP complaint card, but here we are.

You can call it a complaint, but I think it's fair to say our ground game was fairly feast or famine last night. For 269 yards with 7.1 ypc, we were more evenly split between runs of 2 or below and three and up than one might expect. I think right at 50% actually. I did like that we leaned heavily on our two most ball secure backs (aside from the most crucial drive of the game for some reason).

[CharlieK]

You can call it a complaint, but I think it's fair to say our ground game was fairly feast or famine last night. For 269 yards with 7.1 ypc, we were more evenly split between runs of 2 or below and three and up than one might expect. I think right at 50% actually. I did like that we leaned heavily on our two most ball secure backs (aside from the most crucial drive of the game for some reason).

Would you have rather had those long runs broken up into more shorter ones? That would have made your split look better. Your stat looking bad ignores the fact those long runs all ended up as scores….which is the point.

[zeppelincajun]

Would you have rather had those long runs broken up into more shorter ones? That would have made your split look better. Your stat looking bad ignores the fact those long runs all ended up as scores….which is the point.

I would've like to see us put up more than 10 points in the first half, especially given that we got the ball first. We could not establish the run early, and our 3rd and 4th down playcalling left a lot to be desired. Again...FEAST or famine. Obviously we gashed them plenty of times. We averaged 7.1 yards per carry because of long runs AND getting stuffed plenty of times. It's not a complaint to acknowledge that happened. It's a fact.

[CharlieK]

I would've like to see us put up more than 10 points in the first half, especially given that we got the ball first. We could not establish the run early, and our 3rd and 4th down playcalling left a lot to be desired. Again...FEAST or famine. Obviously we gashed them plenty of times. We averaged 7.1 yards per carry because of long runs AND getting stuffed plenty of times. It's not a complaint to acknowledge that happened. It's a fact.

What happened was the offense rolled up 500+ yards and 38 points. There is no award for scoring more in the 1st half.

[Duggie35]

At the end of the day or game, the only thing that matters is if you win or lose. The Cajuns are currently 3 - 1 and will attempt to get win #4 next week. I’ll take it!!!!