#$@#% - Marshall Game Review

I don't know where to even begin. Every facet of this game was such a resounding WELP that there really isn't one part I can focus on to talk about improvement.

Joe is right, Beamerball is indeed back. In case we thought the first quarter blocked punt TD was a fluke, we went and blocked the potentially game-winning FG in overtime. In addition, Beamerball also entails scoring on defense, and our defense has now produced 9 interceptions on the year, with one being returned for a score. That is extreme improvement from last year. But ultimately, switching starters to special teams (aka Kyle Fuller, Kyle Fuller, and Kyle Fuller) has been the difference maker since Bama. I would like to see Jarrett be smarter on punt returns as far as catching the ball when he's INSIDE THE 5 YARD LINE. But other than that, Beamerball is quite a breath of fresh air.

Oh, and Knowles shouldn't return kicks anymore. It's painful to watch.

My Conclusion About Logan Thomas. I may have finally figured it out for sure. All this time, I've backed LT and defended him in the midst of crisis and turmoil (aka 2012-2013). I was always convinced he could be a really good quarterback. And I still think he can be. He has all of the tools to be successful, albeit with a decent set of playmakers around him. But what I've concluded is that he is simply not a smart quarterback (I would say a little bit of an idiot but I shouldn't be quite so harsh). His decisions to consistently throw into double-coverage to a 6-foot tall receiver are inexplicable and inexcusable. Today, sometimes all he needed to do was step up into the pocket to avoid pressure and make a good throw, but he didn't, and either got hit or made a poor, hurried throw as a result. He misses wide open checkdowns (aka Josh Stanford in the red zone on a drag route), and often sails or skips simple swing or screen passes. Logan has shown he can fit the ball into a tight window, that's no question, and that's a reason why he could be good. But it's his decision to throw to Demitri Knowles in double coverage down the sideline after the previous similar attempt was intercepted that keeps him from being really effective. I'm by no means calling for Leal, I think that's dumb. But I have a feeling we are going to have to play good football to cover up some of Logan's mistakes throughout the rest of the season.

Defensive Breakdowns. The D played fantastic in the second half and overtime, no doubt. They yielded an entire zero points after halftime. However, problems in the secondary which plagued them in the first half did continue into the second half. Detrick Bonner had a rough day in man coverage, and got beat for several first downs and I believe it was he who was in coverage on the last play of the game as well. Whoever it was got extremely lucky to say the least. Kyshoen Jarrett saved all of our asses at the end of regulation with the spectacular INT, but other than that, I was disappointed with the secondary play.

The d-line, however, was exceptional, especially after the first quarter. Early in the game, Marshall didn't give Tech time to get to Cato as he was throwing quick passes left and right, many within 5 or 10 yards. But even though those passes were complete, Gayle, Collins and Dadi were all within a step of Cato when he released the ball. In the second half, they started closing that gap, and Cato was holding on to the ball longer. The contain on running and scramble plays was poor, but the pass rush was phenomenal and the tackles (when they weren't eating a facemask with a fork and knife) got behind the LOS on running plays consistently.

I have little worries about the D going into Hate Week, as the secondary won't be called on quite as much against the triple option. GT, though, has passed the ball much more this season, which is something to look out for.

Should We Just Go For It On Every 4th Down? Keyserling's first miss was excused: first college game for a walk-on, raining, nerves, etc. The second, I don't care what your nerves are. You're on the football team for a reason, and we had just as much luck with field goals today as we would have if I was the kicker. Let's just hope Journell gets his sh*t together on and off the field and starts making kicks like he did last year when we needed them.

Next week, the linebackers will be getting a lot more action vs the triple option. I imagine the Fullers and the safeties will be counted on in run support as well, but again, Georgia Tech is passing the ball more this year. Vad Lee threw for (gasp) over 200 yards last week, and even though that was against Duke, it shows that they are willing to try it. We need to get ahead early, because GT will run that clock like it's no tomorrow and can't play from behind well since running is their strength.

It's Hate Week y'all.