Long Day at the Doyt

November opened the way October closed, with the Falcon football team drubbed once again and looking for their first post-Toledo win.  Or even solid performance. 

It was bad from the start.  UB started on their 26 and scored three plays later. BG returned the ball to the UB 48 (looking to hear from you "fair catch or die" guys).  From there, BG did not make a first down.  On 4th and 1 they went for it and made next to nothing and gave the ball up.

The defense rallied and got a stop and BG started on their own 15.  BG actually put together their best drive of the game, but starting so deep makes it hard.  We got to the 39, 4th and 8 have turned the ball over on downs again.

UB meanwhile moved 64 yards on 6 plays to go up 14-0.

BG took the kickoff at the 25, made one first down to the 50 and then turned the ball over on downs again.

BG would not make another first down until the second half.

Even so, we knew we were getting the ball to start the 3rd and it was only 14-0. BG got the ball back with 1:18 left in the half, planning to run the clock out.  Instead, BG fumbled, UB got it to the 6 and scored three plays later to make it 21-0.

BG ran 56 plays for 97 yards in the first half.  That's 1.7 yards per play.  And that's after a decent start.  There is no way to look at it other than we just don't have enough.

BG DID get the ball to open the half, went three and out (-7 net) and punted, only to have UB return it for a score and it was 28-0 and the game was truly over.

BG lost 28-3.

The sad fact is that we aren't a very good football team right now.  The defense is servicable.  They held UB to 2 TDS--though in fairness, Lembo was in major clock melting mode for most of the second half.  And why not?  Get to midfield, punt BG back and watch them try to drive to drive 75 yards. (It reminded me, in reverse, of the BG-UB game at Crew Stadium).  UB ended up with 5.5 yards per play, which is pretty average.  (MAC average is 5.3 YPP).

But the offense is just terrible.  BG had 3 yards per play and that's after making some yards during garbage time.

Our offense was struggling before.  You put a hobbled Pyne back there, take Pabst and Padgett out, and we aren't going to get better.  But we weren't great before.

UB loaded the box.  Even removing the sacks, BG ran for 3.7 yards per carry.

And there were five sacks.

I found myself agreeing with Todd and Gibby...the offense actually looked energized with Najm in there compared with Pyne.  And the same was true of May. Pyne is immobile, and doesn't have any confidence so he holds onto the ball and down he goes.

After the game, Coach did say they would re-evaluate the QB position.  It would not shock me to see Najm start.  According to the Coach, Pyne is able to play but unlikely to improve from week to week.

We're just not a functional football team right now, and its mostly on the offense. 

I am still behind our coaches, though.  Given the transition this year and the timing, it has not been a fair test.  As with any endeavor, success has to be proven.  But I'm still excited about the future.