A lot of focus on the offensive game plan and I tend to agree. Came out passing to start both halves. For a coach who likes physical football, why not establish the run. And the Rocco sack when we have 2nd & goal at the 2- WTF. Don't be cute against Ark State, just spread them out and run Carson or Abu. TD guaranteed.
And although it worked at the end of the game, not a fan of the pass on 3rd & 5. There was 1:07 left, run it and even if ISU doesn't gain 5, after the punt Ark State gets the ball back with around 15 seconds. That pass is incomplete and Ark State gets the ball back with 55 seconds.
The coaches decision to go for a blocked punt was also a head-scratcher. Our offense was rolling, set up a punt-return and let Rocco do his work.
But my biggest frustration is our defense. Giving up 16 points and forcing 3 FG's is an OK effort. But our defense gave up 160 rush yards to a Sun-Belt team. It was very much like last year where Big12 teams with a mobile QB's had run lanes on the RPO & scrambles. And not being able to control the line/run game allowed Ark State to possess the ball for nearly 35 minutes.