PSU's second half success....

[demlion]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could part of it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse and we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

Watt wore himself out cheesing and smack talking after every play.

 

[PennStateTurf2002]

We rotate so many people that it is almost like they punched themselves out. Every game has been like that for the most part since we got healthy on D. Time of possession in first half against Penn State might actually be a negative.

They dominate but get tired, as do most offensive lineman. When you remain fresh in front of them it takes a toll having to go 100% every play when you are wearing down.

 

[BBrown]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could part of it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

So your saying its a "rope a dope" technique?
I think that might be partially it on the DL. We just continue to rotate fresh people in and out that it
wears the OL down.
Why the difference from Wiscy's defense and others, INMO, are some really nice adjustments by the staff.

 

[BBrown]

Watt wore himself out cheesing and smack talking after every play.

Kind of like that fat slob Warren Sap in the Miami/Nebraska Orange bowl in '94.

 

[bjf1991]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could part of it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

Our offensive front - probably largely due to having to shift/replace so many guys, and playing three Freshman and a Sophomore up front - has often been very "jittery" early on.......and then settled down as the game gets rolllng.

For example, on Saturday:

On the first two series - only 6 plays, both three-and-outs:

Four complete FUBARs out of six snaps:

1 - Gaia completely whiffed on his pick up in the run game - play destroyed
2 - Bates gets "powned" in pass protection - play destroyed
3 - Gaia has a combo block assignment, never touches his man - play destroyed
4 - Miscommunication between Barkley and Bates on pass protection assignments - play destroyed.

The entire rest of the first half, a total of only 5 FUBARs up front:

1 - Gesicki gets "powned" on the edge, and Wright is late getting to the spot against a run blitz (largely a case of Wisky having the "right call")
2 - Gaia's bad snap (ugh)
3 - Gesicki whiffs in PassPro
4 - Both Barkley and Bates beaten in PassPro
5 - Gaia knocked back into his own backfield on run block (IIRC, this was by Wisky's big 330 lb NT)

The entire 2nd half - only TWO FUBARs....both at the end of PSU's FG drive in the 4th Q:

1 - Gesicki whiffed on an assignment against a run blitzer
2 - Gesicki whiffed on picking up his assignment on the slot-screen to Hamilton (that play should have been 6 points)

(Yes, in case anyone was keeping track, there was not a single FUBAR moment for either of the freshman guards - McGovern or Gonzo. That doesn't mean they never got beat - - - but that they never had a complete FUBAR that blew up the play)

Overall, the PassPro was excellent after the first two series (including a few nice PassPro pick-ups by Gesicki ).

FWIW, Wisky D didn't do anything fundamentally different from the first Q through the 4th.

Obviously, there were times when the Wisky defense simply "won" (those guys have good players too), and some occasions where the Wisky D simply had the right play call to stop whatever we were running. (They - Wisky - also nearly surrendered a TD run to Barkley when they "twisted" up front at the wrong time/place - - - creating a great opportunity, but Barkley was just tripped up by a shoelace as he was about to break clear - on what otherwise would have been a big gainer)

But this PSU team has the skill folks that will make a TON of plays when given half a chance (ie, when their is not a FUBAR up front)......they have skill guys that will make plays - even against a D as good as Wisconsin

The elimination/reduction of FUBARs up front, as the game gets a bit further along, has been the single most important aspect behind PSU being consistently so much more successful later in games.

Why such marked improvement?
Based on what PSU has had to deal with up front - all the youth, all the changes - just allowing the youngsters to get settled - - - and some calming reassurance from the staff (because it is NOT a matter of making any significant tactical adjustments) - - - would clearly seem to be the primary causes.

 

[Obliviax]

Our offensive front - probably largely due to having to shift/replace so many guys, and playing three Freshman and a Sophomore up front - has often been very "jittery" early on.......and then settled down as the game gets rolllng.

For example, on Saturday:

On the first two series - only 6 plays, both three-and-outs:

Four complete FUBARs out of six snaps:

1 - Gaia completely whiffed on his pick up in the run game - play destroyed
2 - Bates gets "powned" in pass protection - play destroyed
3 - Gaia has a combo block assignment, never touches his man - play destroyed
4 - Miscommunication between Barkley and Bates on pass protection assignments - play destroyed.

The entire rest of the first half, a total of only 5 FUBARs up front:

1 - Gesicki gets "powned" on the edge, and Wright is late getting to the spot against a run blitz (largely a case of Wisky having the "right call")
2 - Gaia's bad snap (ugh)
3 - Gesicki whiffs in PassPro
4 - Both Barkley and Bates beaten in PassPro
5 - Gaia knocked back into his own backfield on run block (IIRC, this was by Wisky's big 330 lb NT)

The entire 2nd half - only TWO FUBARs....both at the end of PSU's FG drive in the 4th Q:

1 - Gesicki whiffed on an assignment against a run blitzer
2 - Gesicki whiffed on picking up his assignment on the slot-screen to Hamilton (that play should have been 6 points)

(Yes, in case anyone was keeping track, there was not a single FUBAR moment for either of the freshman guards - McGovern or Gonzo. That doesn't mean they never got beat - - - but that they never had a complete FUBAR that blew up the play)

Overall, the PassPro was excellent after the first two series.

FWIW, Wisky D didn't do anything fundamentally different from the first Q through the 4th.

Obviously, there were times when the Wisky defense simply "won" (those guys have good players too), and some occasions where the Wisky D simply had the right play call to stop whatever we were running. (They - Wisky - also nearly surrendered a TD run to Barkley when they "twisted" up front at the wrong time/place - - - creating a great opportunity, but Barkley was just tripped up by a shoelace as he was about to break clear - on what otherwise would have been a big gainer)

But this PSU team has the skill folks that will make a TON of plays when given half a chance (ie, when their is not a FUBAR up front)......they have skill guys that will make plays - even against a D as good as Wisconsin

The elimination/reduction of FUBARs up front, as the game gets a bit further along, has been the single most important aspect behind PSU being consistently so much more successful later in games.

Why such marked improvement?
Based on what PSU has had to deal with up front - all the youth, all the changes - just allowing the youngsters to get settled - - - and some calming reassurance from the staff (because it is NOT a matter of making any significant tactical adjustments) - - - would clearly seem to be the primary causes.

I agree with this almost totally. My thoughts:

• Barkley's runs are like body blows in boxing. They may not appear to do anything, but they do.
• Wiscy was very experienced at playing this game. PSU, not so much. CJF alluded to "letting the kids settle down" and one of the players talked about some wrinkles they didn't see in film. We had a lot of kids with little real game experience and no B1G championship game experience. I think that played a part.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Our offensive front - probably largely due to having to shift/replace so many guys, and playing three Freshman and a Sophomore up front - has often been very "jittery" early on.......and then settled down as the game gets rolllng.

For example, on Saturday:

On the first two series - only 6 plays, both three-and-outs:

Four complete FUBARs out of six snaps:

1 - Gaia completely whiffed on his pick up in the run game - play destroyed
2 - Bates gets "powned" in pass protection - play destroyed
3 - Gaia has a combo block assignment, never touches his man - play destroyed
4 - Miscommunication between Barkley and Bates on pass protection assignments - play destroyed.

The entire rest of the first half, a total of only 5 FUBARs up front:

1 - Gesicki gets "powned" on the edge, and Wright is late getting to the spot against a run blitz (largely a case of Wisky having the "right call")
2 - Gaia's bad snap (ugh)
3 - Gesicki whiffs in PassPro
4 - Both Barkley and Bates beaten in PassPro
5 - Gaia knocked back into his own backfield on run block (IIRC, this was by Wisky's big 330 lb NT)

The entire 2nd half - only TWO FUBARs....both at the end of PSU's FG drive in the 4th Q:

1 - Gesicki whiffed on an assignment against a run blitzer
2 - Gesicki whiffed on picking up his assignment on the slot-screen to Hamilton (that play should have been 6 points)

(Yes, in case anyone was keeping track, there was not a single FUBAR moment for either of the freshman guards - McGovern or Gonzo. That doesn't mean they never got beat - - - but that they never had a complete FUBAR that blew up the play)

Overall, the PassPro was excellent after the first two series (including a few nice PassPro pick-ups by Gesicki ).

FWIW, Wisky D didn't do anything fundamentally different from the first Q through the 4th.

Obviously, there were times when the Wisky defense simply "won" (those guys have good players too), and some occasions where the Wisky D simply had the right play call to stop whatever we were running. (They - Wisky - also nearly surrendered a TD run to Barkley when they "twisted" up front at the wrong time/place - - - creating a great opportunity, but Barkley was just tripped up by a shoelace as he was about to break clear - on what otherwise would have been a big gainer)

But this PSU team has the skill folks that will make a TON of plays when given half a chance (ie, when their is not a FUBAR up front)......they have skill guys that will make plays - even against a D as good as Wisconsin

The elimination/reduction of FUBARs up front, as the game gets a bit further along, has been the single most important aspect behind PSU being consistently so much more successful later in games.

Why such marked improvement?
Based on what PSU has had to deal with up front - all the youth, all the changes - just allowing the youngsters to get settled - - - and some calming reassurance from the staff (because it is NOT a matter of making any significant tactical adjustments) - - - would clearly seem to be the primary causes.

It's 'pwnd' or 'pwned'; never an 'o'. Get leet bruh.

 

[LemonEars]

This is reminiscent of Joe's teams. The opposition would hang tough in the first half while we were beating them up. By mid-way through the 3rd quarter they just wanted to go home to stop the beating. Are we playing more physical than our opponents.?

 

[bjf1991]

It's 'pwnd' or 'pwned'; never an 'o'. Get leet bruh.

Apparently - despite my protestations to the contrary, which I often voice to my own progeny - I am NOT "hip with what the kids are into these days"

 

[BoulderFish]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could part of it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

I pretty much agree with you.

We rotate so many people on our defense -- especially the DL -- our defense gets relatively stronger in the second half. I'm sure there are also some adjustments, but IMO the main reason we're so much better in the second half is that as the opponent's offense is getting tired, we're not.

This is why Franklin hasn't been able to "fix" this problem.

 

[Obliviax]

I pretty much agree with you.

We rotate so many people on our defense -- especially the DL -- our defense gets relatively stronger in the second half. I'm sure there are also some adjustments, but IMO the main reason we're so much better in the second half is that as the opponent's offense is getting tired, we're not.

This is why Franklin hasn't been able to "fix" this problem.

SpinMeister had a good observation last week. He said that the o-line typically takes some time to size up their opponent. When they end up facing 1, 2, 3 or even 4 different guys, its hard to predict. Is you opponent a bull rush guy or an edge guy? is he good with his hands or is he a swim move guy. they the second quarter, you've typically seen your opponent's "move". And, because the O is involved more between plays, they don't know who is lining up against them until they get to the line (and, in the case of a shift, right before the ball is snapped).

 

[bjf1991]

I agree with this almost totally. My thoughts:

• Barkley's runs are like body blows in boxing. They may not appear to do anything, but they do.
• Wiscy was very experienced at playing this game. PSU, not so much. CJF alluded to "letting the kids settle down" and one of the players talked about some wrinkles they didn't see in film. We had a lot of kids with little real game experience and no B1G championship game experience. I think that played a part.

Any of those Barkley runs - even the 2 and 3 yarders - at least force the opposition to continue to play run D.....and, I agree, those are important.

Also, didn't talk about it, but the ability to rotate the defensive front - - - - - especially when we get a lead in the 4th Q - - - - and rotate in the fresh pass rush groups (Schwan, Sickles, Givens, Windsor, Miller, Bucholz) - - - very similar to the packages OSU uses (except PSU uses even MORE rotation throughout the game ....has really paid dividends.)

Not only does the roster allow PSU to play 4 guys together who all have the requisite pass rush skills - - - but none of them are going to be gassed in the 4th Q.

BTW, one of my favorite defensive plays of the game:

Givens - a RS FR:

1 - Showing the maturity and experience of a senior, in sniffing out the screen pass to #23.
AND
2 - Chasing down the Wisky TB from behind in the open field (THAT IS A DEFENSIVE TACKLE? Are you kidding me?)

I've had a "crush" on Givens (and B Smith) all year (maybe because I had expected him to really struggle against B1G offensive linemen...and he has been a very pleasant surprise - to me anyway). He doesn't play a ton of snaps - - - but he has been an absolute beast in the 4th Q throughout the conference schedule.

 

[lionville]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could part of it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

I saw a Wiscy defense that was getting gassed at the end of the first half and knew we would once again win the second half. I didn't see a lot of rotation either their front 7 which led to their demise.

 

[BoulderFish]

SpinMeister had a good observation last week. He said that the o-line typically takes some time to size up their opponent. When they end up facing 1, 2, 3 or even 4 different guys, its hard to predict. Is you opponent a bull rush guy or an edge guy? is he good with his hands or is he a swim move guy. they the second quarter, you've typically seen your opponent's "move". And, because the O is involved more between plays, they don't know who is lining up against them until they get to the line (and, in the case of a shift, right before the ball is snapped).

Yeah, I saw that thread. I think that's a good point -- as in an advantage to us -- but more so during the week of preparation leading up to the game. More film study, more guys to simulate on the foreign squad = less individual focus.

Once game time has arrived, I would think this would be a bigger advantage earlier in the game (trying to adjust to the reality of going against multiple players) and less as the game goes on.

 

[Woodpecker]

Chasing down the Wisky TB from behind in the open field (THAT IS A DEFENSIVE TACKLE? Are you kidding me?)

As a little aside on that play, I was watching the game with my son, a Wisconsin grad, and he commented on that play that he had never seen that player be caught from behind by a linebacker. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was a DL who ran him down.

 

[rohrmd9]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

This team has been incredibly resilient. Obviously, the ability to take the Badgers opening barrage and not fold, played a huge part in their defense being a lot more passive in the 2nd half....essentially the Badgers punched us right in the mouth but we got back up off the mat. That tends to demoralize the opposition and they had nothing left for the 2nd half except to try to hang on for dear life.

 

[royboy]

Koa Farmer has also been successful as a situational pass rusher. He had a big sack in the 2nd half; he's coming into game action fresher and faster than the opposition.

 

[bjf1991]

I saw a Wiscy defense that was getting gassed at the end of the first half and knew we would once again win the second half. I didn't see a lot of rotation either their front 7 which led to their demise.

Wisky does rotate some (they are not nearly as deep as PSU....don't use as many guys, anyway)
But they get their Big Boy (the big NT - Samoan dude? Polynesian) some time on the bench....and they rotate in #5 off of the bench to give their edge players an occasional blow.......but not the full unit swaps that PSU uses

Wisky only had to play about 30 snaps per half on defense (PSU's 3 TD drives to start the 2nd half only TOTALED 13 snaps....and then they only had one possession after that - aside from the clock burners in the final minute)......so there was no reason or excuse for them to be physically tired.......but I do think that as PSU got rolling - and it seemed to be an unstoppable Tsunami (4 straight possessions ending in TDs) that they appeared to be shell shocked and emotionally and psychologically shot.

 

[BoulderFish]

Koa Farmer has also been successful as a situational pass rusher. He had a big sack in the 2nd half; he's coming into game action fresher and faster than the opposition.

Yep. I can't wait to see how he progresses. He seems to have really relaxed and settled in, and he's playing so fast - and having fun -- because of it. Apparently -- based on the reports -- he was just having trouble "getting it" at either S or LB in practice. Probably thinking too much. Now that he's (apparently) over that hump, the sky might be the limit for this kid.

 

[BoulderFish]

Wisky does rotate some (they are not nearly as deep as PSU....don't use as many guys, anyway)
But they get their Big Boy (the big NT - Samoan dude? Polynesian) some time on the bench....and they rotate in #5 off of the bench to give their edge players an occasional blow.......but not the full unit swaps that PSU uses

Wisky only had to play about 30 snaps per half on defense (PSU's 3 TD drives to start the 2nd half only TOTALED 13 snaps....and then they only had one possession after that - aside from the clock burners in the final minute)......so there was no reason or excuse for them to be physically tired.......but I do think that as PSU got rolling - and it seemed to be an unstoppable Tsunami (4 straight possessions ending in TDs) that they appeared to be shell shocked and emotionally and psychologically shot.

We also started passing a little more. Running the ball down a gassed D's throat is great way to finish a tired D -- especially DL -- but pass plays get them to tired faster. Nothing wears out a defense like chasing a a scrambling QB all over the place, and then throwing the ball down to WRs stretching the field in every direction, all while stringing a few drives together.

 

[Mixolydian]

Wisky does rotate some (they are not nearly as deep as PSU....don't use as many guys, anyway)
But they get their Big Boy (the big NT - Samoan dude? Polynesian) some time on the bench....and they rotate in #5 off of the bench to give their edge players an occasional blow.......but not the full unit swaps that PSU uses

Wisky only had to play about 30 snaps per half on defense (PSU's 3 TD drives to start the 2nd half only TOTALED 13 snaps....and then they only had one possession after that - aside from the clock burners in the final minute)......so there was no reason or excuse for them to be physically tired.......but I do think that as PSU got rolling - and it seemed to be an unstoppable Tsunami (4 straight possessions ending in TDs) that they appeared to be shell shocked and emotionally and psychologically shot.

I can't remember if it was you or someone else who had studied them a bit and pointed out in the days before the game that people shouldn't be fooled by their interception totals and that their secondary was possibly suspect.

In any event, once Trace got some time he exposed them. They looked awful...slow, out of position, no ball awareness, etc. Almost reminded me of Pitt's secondary. Almost...

 

[bdgan]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could part of it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

Same thing happened vs. MSU, Purdue, and others. It seems like the PSU defense plays more cautious until the opponent starts running the ball successfully. Then they get more aggressive by sending more people to stop the run and forcing opponents to beat us with the pass. It's a mystery because you know in advance that teams like Wisconsin are run oriented, not pass.

 

[bwifan]

It's 'pwnd' or 'pwned'; never an 'o'. Get leet bruh.

Dang look at you throwin' some shade his way...

 

[Langmuir]

OMG leet. lol its 1337 d3wd.

 

[bjf1991]

I can't remember if it was you or someone else who had studied them a bit and pointed out in the days before the game that people shouldn't be fooled by their interception totals and that their secondary was possibly suspect.

In any event, once Trace got some time he exposed them. They looked awful...slow, out of position, no ball awareness, etc. Almost reminded me of Pitt's secondary. Almost...

The Wisky back four - at least what I saw and said last week - is very "smart", but not a great group of athletes.
Jim Leonard (who played for Wisky for about 8 years - or so it seemed)....has a couple guys just like him to coach. #8 is the only DB they have who has typical DB "skills"

The one time the Wisky defense really FUBARed based on what they normally do, is when PSU hit the 70 yarder to open the 2nd half. They like to keep those two safeties deep - - - and read the patterns and make the most of their opportunities.
That's the type of throw they have feasted on all year.....that ball was in the air far too long, and they were in the "right" defensive set - but #14 at safety just completely lost the ball.....and Blacknal outplayed him. That's the type of throw they had a lot of picks on this season.

Other than that, the skill guys outside for PSU just ate those guys up all day - especially the "other" corner (the guy opposite of #8).....and, as per usual, McSorley did a wonderful job of placing throws where he gave his guys the opportunity to make plays.

 

[bjf1991]

Same thing happened vs. MSU, Purdue, and others. It seems like the PSU defense plays more cautious until the opponent starts running the ball successfully. Then they get more aggressive by sending more people to stop the run and forcing opponents to beat us with the pass. It's a mystery because you know in advance that teams like Wisconsin are run oriented, not pass.

PSU did use a lot more 4-4 fronts in the second half (the D "adjusted" a lot more than the O....the PSU O basically just started to execute better after the first two series).

Wisky still made some decent plays in their run game....and beat the 4-4 a couple times by getting some balls out into the flats in the pass game (where PSU no longer had that 2nd safety available to "run the lane").....but, overall, it was - IMO - the right move, and a very successful adjustment, by Pry and the D staff.

 

[bjf1991]

We also started passing a little more. Running the ball down a gassed D's throat is great way to finish a tired D -- especially DL -- but pass plays get them to tired faster. Nothing wears out a defense like chasing a a scrambling QB all over the place, and then throwing the ball down to WRs stretching the field in every direction, all while stringing a few drives together.

It might be a bit of a surprise.....

But PSU play calls in the first half were 63% passes - - - 22 out of 35 - - - 37% runs.....

In the second half (not counting the final "kill clock" series) were 56% pass - - - 13 out of 23 - - - 44% run....(if including the final series, 48% pass - 52% run)

That said, PSU ran so few plays in the 2nd half (just 23, plus the final "kill clock" series).....largely because they hit so many plays for big yardage and quick scores (which kinda' shows how unimportant "time of possession" is )
PSU only converted three third downs all day (another "useless" stat - when you are converting a lot of 1st and 2nd downs into 1st downs)....and had the ball for all of 3 1/2 minutes in the 3rd Q (a quarter in which they scored 2 TDs, and moved into position to score a third TD at the beginning of the 4th Q)

Wisky D was only on the field for 23 plays the entire 2nd half, aside from the clock kills (a 2nd half that took real time of what - 90 minutes?)
If they were physically tired, they would have to be the most out of shape team of all time......but I do think they may have been playing "mentally tired" - ie, they started to think "WTF just hit us?"

 

[getmyjive11]

Moorhead tries to establish the run early and slowly shifts more towards the pass until the offense gets rolling. He has done this nearly every game this year and will likely do it again for our bowl. Having Barkley is huge... defenses respect him so much that they have to bite on our play-action and RPOs. This generally freezes the LBs and Safeties leaving 1 on 1 opportunities for our WRs, who all are adept at winning those opportunities. When teams start trying to combat this by bringing pressure from the outside, Moorhead then dials up the wheel route with Barkley who is usually then isolated on a LB. Of course, if the running game is working, we just stick with more RPOs, zone reads and read options.

On defense, Pry's willingness to adapt to the situation is a big change from Shoop. Shoop is a smart guy and a very good DC, but I don't see us making the necessary adjustments like Pry has done for us all year. Bringing the safety down to put 8 guys in the box was necessary with how their OL was dominating our front 7. Shoop would have likely kept calling exotic blitzes which would have resulted in big plays from the Wisky running game when they got past that first level of defense. I'm just very happy to have Pry.

 

[BoulderFish]

It might be a bit of a surprise.....

But PSU play calls in the first half were 63% passes - - - 22 out of 35 - - - 37% runs.....

In the second half (not counting the final "kill clock" series) were 56% pass - - - 13 out of 23 - - - 44% run....(if including the final series, 48% pass - 52% run)

That said, PSU ran so few plays in the 2nd half (just 23, plus the final "kill clock" series).....largely because they hit so many plays for big yardage and quick scores (which kinda' shows how unimportant "time of possession" is )

Wisky D was only on the field for 23 plays the entire 2nd half, aside from the clock kills (a 2nd half that took real time of what - 90 minutes?)
If they were physically tired, they would have to be the most out of shape team of all time......but I do think they may have been playing "mentally tired" - ie, they started to think "WTF just hit us?"

I'm not sure why those run/pass percentages would even be "a bit of" a surprise.

And again, a scrambling QB and WRs stretching the field in all directions is much more exhausting on a D -- especially when you can string together some first downs -- than your standard, methodical, pro-style drive.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

OMG leet. lol its 1337 d3wd.

GOML.

 

[canuckhal]

The Wisky back four - at least what I saw and said last week - is very "smart", but not a great group of athletes.
Jim Leonard (who played for Wisky for about 8 years - or so it seemed)....has a couple guys just like him to coach. #8 is the only DB they have who has typical DB "skills"

The one time the Wisky defense really FUBARed based on what they normally do, is when PSU hit the 70 yarder to open the 2nd half. They like to keep those two safeties deep - - - and read the patterns and make the most of their opportunities.
That's the type of throw they have feasted on all year.....that ball was in the air far too long, and they were in the "right" defensive set - but #14 at safety just completely lost the ball.....and Blacknal outplayed him. That's the type of throw they had a lot of picks on this season.

Other than that, the skill guys outside for PSU just ate those guys up all day - especially the "other" corner (the guy opposite of #8).....and, as per usual, McSorley did a wonderful job of placing throws where he gave his guys the opportunity to make plays.

PSU WRs and TE also had a huge height advantage on their smallish backs. Size, speed and strength gave WI problems. Even when they tried to pass interfere PSU still made plays.

 

[WPB_lion]

I know we say that the halftime adjustments are great and all that, but set aside how PSU plays in the 2d half. Focus on the other team. Wisconsin's D was frigging FEROCIOUS in the first half, and they lit the candle in the first series when the DRILLED TM after he handed off to Barkley.

in the second half they were much more passive, it seems, and it got worse as we got closer. I am sure there is no one explanation for all this, and it is a combination of things all known to drive winning football.

But could part of it be that our guys are just in better shape and get stronger as the other team gets weaker?

If I saw it once, that is one thing, but it seems to happen this way every single game. Is Franklin letting the other guy punch himself out?

I am sure there is more than one explanation for our second half performance and I think you are hitting on part of the explanation.

I believe another possible explanation is that our team and coaches seem to loosen up and "cut it loose" as soon as they start losing a game. In the begining of every game, we try to establish the run which we are almost invariably unable to do against good defenses as a result of an Offensive Line that is simply unable to dominate the line of scrimmage. Once we start losing, we abandon the run first mind frame, open up the offense and more successful in moving the ball. Perhaps if we open the offense up from the beginning, we would become more successful. I think the Defense is similarly non-aggressive at the beginning of the game.

 

[bjf1991]

I'm not sure why those run/pass percentages would even be "a bit of" a surprise.

And again, a scrambling QB and WRs stretching the field in all directions is much more exhausting on a D -- especially when you can string together some first downs -- than your standard, methodical, pro-style drive.

I agree (wrt the "tiring D out trying to pass rush" and what not)

I said I thought it might surprise some folks to see how heavy the pass ratio was in the 1st half....because I thought some folks might be surprised
I have no idea if you would or not. Maybe, maybe not...all depends on the individual.

Apparently WPB (just as a for instance) would be a bit surprised ["Once we start losing, we abandon the run first mind frame, open up the offense and more successful in moving the ball. Perhaps if we open the offense up from the beginning, we would become more successful']
I doubt he would be the only one.

In any event....it was just an observation/statement wrt how the PSU O play calling moved throughout the game.

 

[royboy]

PSU WRs and TE also had a huge height advantage on their smallish backs. Size, speed and strength gave WI problems. Even when they tried to pass interfere PSU still made plays.

I'm guessing Southern Cal may have faster, better athletes in the secondary, but don't know specifics?

Are they more likely to use man coverage and how do the matchups look?

 

[We Are . . .]

Our wide receivers and Gesicki ran the legs off their DBs in the second half.They didn't quit but their confidence had to be badly shaken.

 

[kgilbert78]

It might be a bit of a surprise.....

But PSU play calls in the first half were 63% passes - - - 22 out of 35 - - - 37% runs.....

In the second half (not counting the final "kill clock" series) were 56% pass - - - 13 out of 23 - - - 44% run....(if including the final series, 48% pass - 52% run)

That said, PSU ran so few plays in the 2nd half (just 23, plus the final "kill clock" series).....largely because they hit so many plays for big yardage and quick scores (which kinda' shows how unimportant "time of possession" is )
PSU only converted three third downs all day (another "useless" stat - when you are converting a lot of 1st and 2nd downs into 1st downs)....and had the ball for all of 3 1/2 minutes in the 3rd Q (a quarter in which they scored 2 TDs, and moved into position to score a third TD at the beginning of the 4th Q)

Wisky D was only on the field for 23 plays the entire 2nd half, aside from the clock kills (a 2nd half that took real time of what - 90 minutes?)
If they were physically tired, they would have to be the most out of shape team of all time......but I do think they may have been playing "mentally tired" - ie, they started to think "WTF just hit us?"

I recall the 1994 Northwestern game where we were up 21-0 and had about 65 seconds of possession. Usually, time of possession is a useful stat. But there are exceptions. This game was one.

 

[JoeLion]

Allow me to dream..... the success of the second half offense is also realized in the first half of a game. What would four quarters look like knowing they would take their foot off of the pedal is it got to far out of hand.

 

[bjf1991]

I'm guessing Southern Cal may have faster, better athletes in the secondary, but don't know specifics?

Are they more likely to use man coverage and how do the matchups look?

Without getting into details, right now, USC is the toughest team to beat in the country (this side of Alabama) - - - IMO

And I don't think the next club in line is even close.

If USC wins the Rose Bowl (and maybe even if they don't) I'd expect them to be a pre-season Top 5 going into 2017 (maybe Top 2)

 

[green2623]

During the second, somewhere about the 5 to 8 minute mark, Moorhead and Trace sat i front of me, with a dry erase board, A towel as held up to block anyone's view, and the markers went to work. As for adjustments, they were being done right there on the sideline. Meanwhile Limegrover was with the O-line; he appeared animated pointing and talking individually to each position. One could see adjustments being made in real time. Other times Barkley and McSorely could be seen together in discussion.

Just an observation.