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[Rick]

I don’t think sitting for a month and then expecting Rising to play what will need to be one of his best games is a good idea. Just my thinking. I know nothing of playing at his level but I’ve noted that even little league kids I’ve coached needed a few games after sitting for a few weeks to play well.

[Rick]

Proud,

I particularly share your opinion of the rushing offense. The O’line did not open the holes I expected tonight. I don’t remember more than a handful of rushes where the runningback didn’t have to deal with the first level. Perhaps I’ve expected too much. It’s been hard not to compare with last season and expect a prolific offense. I have to keep reminding myself that every season is a new team but I still think there’s so much to build upon – even without Kuithe.

I hope this group continues to improve – especially the rushing offense and red zone offense.

On to Oregon State. It’s going to be a good one.

[Rick]

JJ is here next year. Made a statement after Colorado that he’s all in at running back next season. It will be in his best interest to leave after next year if he has a strong season.

[Rick]

OnlyU,

I noticed two significant changes tonight – Simote Pepa started the game next to Tafuna. At least I think he did. Was Vaki playing the nickel? I didn’t see much of Mataale. Interesting if that’s the case – the decision to play with three safeties rather than three corners. You would know better than me but those were two personnel changes I noticed.

[Rick]

There’s a little more to the story. Remember, they began the play right as the whistle blew so the handoff to the runningback had been made, he just hadn’t turned and pitched the ball yet. When they went to the sideline, the coaches asked Rising what he was running at which point he said the Flea Flicker.

I love that story. The touchdown opened the floodgates.

The Phillips blitz story is a good one as well – especially because Hubert had the intelligence to recognize quickly what was happening and move from playing centerfield on the play to covering Phillips’ man. That’s great leadership and intelligence – attributes of a good to great team. We’re getting there.

[Rick]

Loved Rising running but that wasn’t because of the O’Line. I’ll quibble with you on great. Pass protect is great. Rushing blocking is mediocre at best. But I think they’ll continue to get better. That’s what is so terrific about this team – the team gets better as the season goes along most years.

[Rick]

Good perspective statement on OSU. If they don’t turn the ball over they win last week and we’re in a real close one this week. That said, their report card isn’t looking good so far and ours looks good, not great. Proud makes a good point. Neither of our lines are great. I think we’re good but the D’line got bullied a number of times and the linebackers were’nt filling gaps in cutback lanes very well. The O’line cannot generate lanes in the middle. I do think we keep improving week to week.

I thought Rising was strong today and Vele was terrific. Perhaps we need to throw to set up the run rather than the reverse for at least a few games. I thought pass protection was terrific.

Phillips is special.

[Rick]

Gabe Reid has added significantly to the D’line these last two weeks. Great motor and intelligence.

[Rick]

The statistics look good but I’m just not seeing the gashing runs we saw frequently last season. I may be expecting too much. Of course, there is plenty of time for context to settle in.

All I can write in my defense is the old Majerus quote – “statistics are like bikinis, they reveal as much as they conceal.”

[Rick]

I’m guessing/hoping they are about to unleash Logan Kendall in short yardage situations from the Fullback/Tight End position. There is some fun video out there of Logan running the ball. He fits the rhino description BD mentions above.