Takeaways from the presser: UCF's quarterback situation, tablets, quicker starts

[Connor_Ferguson]

Takeaways from the presser: UCF's quarterback situation, sideline tablets & getting out to quicker starts

Takeaways from the presser: UCF's quarterbacks, tablets on sidelines & starting games

Oct 12, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images The head coaches have completed their w

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[Aclone]

Maybe it’s just me, but my definition of a “slow start” is when you begin the game with a three-and-out, not when your QB starts completing passes right off the bat, and you march down the field and just happen to not push it into the end zone.

That’s been both of the last two games. And to me, it’s a huge improvement over having a succession of three-and-outs.

 

[vortec22]

Maybe it’s just me, but my definition of a “slow start” is when you begin the game with a three-and-out, not when your QB starts completing passes right off the bat, and you march down the field and just happen to not push it into the end zone.

That’s been both of the last two games. And to me, it’s a huge improvement over having a succession of three-and-outs.

I agree, we have moved the ball to start the game, and been aggressive just haven't come away with points. I never want to start the game behind, but glad we haven't gone 3 and out and punted from our own 23 to start the games.

 

[Billups06]

Maybe it’s just me, but my definition of a “slow start” is when you begin the game with a three-and-out, not when your QB starts completing passes right off the bat, and you march down the field and just happen to not push it into the end zone.

That’s been both of the last two games. And to me, it’s a huge improvement over having a succession of three-and-outs.

Agreed. I also think it's amplified by giving up long touchdown drives to open the game on defense (then the offense not answering).

Heacock alluded to the defensive side in his presser saying they've had multiple opportunities to get off the field in those opening drives over the previous 2 games (3rd and longs, 3rd downs, 4th downs) but they just haven't stopped the opposing offense. Those games obviously look vastly different if we're not trailing 0-7 early.

 

[ScottyP]

Agreed. I also think it's amplified by giving up long touchdown drives to open the game on defense (then the offense not answering).

Heacock alluded to the defensive side in his presser saying they've had multiple opportunities to get off the field in those opening drives over the previous 2 games (3rd and longs, 3rd downs, 4th downs) but they just haven't stopped the opposing offense. Those games obviously look vastly different if we're not trailing 0-7 early.

As our linebackers get healthier and more experience, I think those numbers will improve. I think our third down defense is actually improved compared to the last couple of years. If Heacock thinks we can be even better, that is a great sign. The past couple of years, we gave up a lot of third and long conversions.

Beau Goodwin was making a lot of plays on Saturday and Kooper Ebel is slowly getting there.

 

[Billups06]

As our linebackers get healthier and more experience, I think those numbers will improve. I think our third down defense is actually improved compared to the last couple of years. If Heacock thinks we can be even better, that is a great sign. The past couple of years, we gave up a lot of third and long conversions.

Beau Goodwin was making a lot of plays on Saturday and Kooper Ebel is slowly getting there.

Bruns touched on this a bit too. Teams are attacking the LB's (2nd level middle of the field) on critical plays/situations and our young LB's are a tad slow reacting to plays, or are not dropping to the correct depth in passing situations. All correctable but frustrating when watching real-time!

The 3rd and long conversion trend was also frustrating, not that it always lead to points, but giving up critical field position in some games. We seem to bring more pressure, or take away certain parts of the field in those 3rd and long situations this year, not allowing the QB to sit in the pocket for 5 seconds.

 

[ClubCy]

Agreed. I also think it's amplified by giving up long touchdown drives to open the game on defense (then the offense not answering).

Heacock alluded to the defensive side in his presser saying they've had multiple opportunities to get off the field in those opening drives over the previous 2 games (3rd and longs, 3rd downs, 4th downs) but they just haven't stopped the opposing offense. Those games obviously look vastly different if we're not trailing 0-7 early.

We’ve only given up 2 touchdown drives to start a game this year and Baylor’s was after we had a 6 minute drive down the field and failed to convert a 4th down in the redzone.

I’ll echo what some others are saying…I just don’t feel like we getting off to as slow of starts as it’s being made out to be.

 

[Statefan10]

FWIW, West Virginia got 7 of their 9 3rd down conversions in the 1st half. In the 2nd half, both of their conversions came on the final drive of the game when the game was over and we weren't going to give up anything big.