The good news is: I thought the defense played very well

We out gained Utah, had more first downs, missed a FG, fielded a punt at the 5 yard line then our best receiver dropped a pass that led to int and them scoring, had 3 first downs called back due to penalties, had two #3s on a fourth down that gave them a first and a score. It sucked, but I feel like we could have won that game if we cleaned up the stupid stuff. I’m excited to see how we respond this week.

 

I still think Utah was the better team. We were 1/13 on 3rd down, and not all of those can be excused by self made errors. However, yes, I do think it should have been closer.

 

The special teams gaffes we saw on Thursday night CANNOT continue to happen. We gave up two TDs because of those (catching the punt inside our own 10 and the double roster numbers penalty). Combined with the lost redzone opportunities because of penalties....easy to dwell on just how different this game could have been. This team is not talented or old enough to overcome these mistakes, and I'm hoping Napier and staff are keyed in on that this week.

 

Yeah the numbers might tell a different story but it was pretty clear watching the game once Utah went up 14-3 it was obvious we weren’t going to be able to get our act together to score more than that. It was just running out the clock from there.

 

Utah definitely ran it up and then downshifted. We were never in the game. Even the mad rush at the end seemed like an attempt to make the score more respectable.

 

It may be tough to hire a good OC but it can’t be that hard to hire a good ST coordinator.

 

Defense was very good. Only thing is no sacks but I think Armstrong will get that fixed. Utah’s oline Is very good.

 

IMO, the defense looked effective. I beleive the D-line depth is apparent. But I am going to make a point about what I see, based on one game. And this is like after Game 1 last year, where I peed in the celebration punch bowl. I sort of have a gift.

Last year, I said AR had to be transcendent against the upper echelon teams, we had to win the turnover battle by a comfortable margin, or the other team just had to lose the game. Otherwise, we were going to lose. In this year's team, the defense is going to have to make some great plays (pick 6s come to mind) along with assisting in the turnover battle or the other team is going to have to lose it. I don't think the O-line is capable of running the ball well enough to keep from doing a conventional passing attack and keeping Mertz upright. It is what it is.

The defense did not do enough in this game. We shall see whether the offense, ST, and mainly the O-line can make some real strides.

 

Yes, special teams is an area of concern. CBN really need to re-evaluate how he approaches this phase of the game and changes need to be made IMO.

 

I saw a lot of positives that we couldn't take advantage of due to exactly what you state in your post. If we clean those up mistakes up, a big if, then we'll have a season that I think most here would be happy with. If not, it'll be a long year.

 

Just put ONE person in charge of STs. This coach by committee crap means there are too many people making decisions. The embarrassment of two number 3s on the field, alone, attests to that. My gawd, all of those people coaching the STs and not one of them noticed, or else they were waiting for someone else to say something.

 

Hell, if just the STs was better we are in the game.

 

That’s why ST needs to be fixed immediately

 

No turnovers either.

 

I agree with your thoughts. And cleaning up the penalties of the OL will help immensely! Frankly, the Gators beat themselves, because we could and should have left Utah with a win. What's hard for GN to accept, we were a more talented team, and we should not have lost. How the team, overall, played will be corrected. This has nothing to do with what you said, but the majority of our opponents are quite capable of beating us, Whether this team responds and plays more disciplined football remains to be seen. Watching the LSU/Criminoles game, it was only too apparent about the importance of a mobile quarterback. We don't have someone who can easily avoid a sack. Unless the OL can play better and protect the quarterback, we are looking at a very disappointing season. I, for one, can handle it and hopefully all of GN will. Oh, and unless we vastly improve, Free Sboes University will clobber us in our own crib!

 

Interception at beginning of 2nd half. Not really Mertz's fault although it was a risky throw, Pearsall had the ball but was being tackled and it popped out.

 

It wasn’t any more risky than any other slant. Ricky had position and the ball was on time and well placed, Ricky just wasn’t ready for it. He never had it, it bounced off of him.

 

I think what the poster was saying is that WE didn't have any takeaways and , therefore, lost the turnover battle...