Sweet Victory: The Offense

Now, to take a look at the offense.  Much like the defense, this was our first opportunity to look at the offense against someone they should be able to handle.

They did well, but I would submit that they are not at the level advertised.  We were kind of expecting a high-flying offense, mixing run and pass and darting down the field, putting pressure on the other team's offenses, forcing them out of the run, etc.  We haven't had that offense yet.

Yes, they scored 42 points.  However, that benefitted from two short fields on turnovers.  Against EKU, BG averaged 4.8 yards per play, a full yard less than they averaged in MAC games last year.  That's not where it needs to be if the plan is to outscore the opponent.

The biggest issue is that BG is not running the ball effectively.  BG had 4.2 yards per carry, sacks adjusted.  Last year in MAC play BG averaged nearly 5 per carry.  Coach said in the presser before the EKU game that he expected more out of the line, and from the way I saw it the line did not win enough battles at the line Saturday.  BG often had very little room to run, the line of scrimmage was often not moved at all, etc. 

Again, this was a line BG should have been able to handle.  The o-line play is going to have to open up more holes for BG's rush offense to get going and then open up matchups for the pass game.

Speaking of which.  Scotty Miller didn't play at all, first of all.  Here's the thing.  Doege had pretty good numbers.  He completed 72% of his passes and had 4 TDs over 1 pick.  However, BG had only 9 yards per completion, which is sort of a ball-control passing attack, but not the shock and awe stuff we thought we were going to get.

I guess I would just say this.  If you thought SO Jarett Doege was going to be SO Matt Johnson...he's not there yet.  First, Matt Johnson was a redshirt sophomore.  But, Doege still has a lot of room to improve.  He threw a pick where he tried to be Brett Farve and actually got away with something similar two other times.  He didn't see a WR receiver on a perfectly-executed flea flicker.  He tends to hold onto the ball too long.

I don't mean to be critical.  He's clearly effective.  But he can be better and BG will need him to be.

One last note.  With Hargrove out in the concussion protocol, BG brought true FR Rico Frye up and he was effective.  He carried 7 times for 37 yards and was getting carries while BG was trying to run the clock out.  He certainly looked good.  What's exciting is that with the new rules, BG can use him in 3 other games and still redshirt him.