I don’t know where to start. That game was abysmal. Like I said, the key to the offense having any success at all was going to be the play of the offensive line, who got pushed around all day. Paul McCall was scrambling for his life and often had to throw the ball prematurely. Wayne Younger had some success in the second half but that didn’t last long. It seemed like the Iowa defense was able to adjust to his mobility and soon he was scrambling for his life, too.
As far as individual play goes, Marquis Rolle left me scratching my head on a couple of occasions. One of those times he had a sure first down had he just kept running once he caught the ball. Instead, he chose to try to run around the defense in hopes of gaining extra yardage. What happened? The same thing that happens almost every time someone tries t get more than what is there, he lost yards. On a positive note, he was our leading receiver in the game.
Wayne Younger, as good as he looked on his first few series, took a sack on a fourth down late in the game, something that absolutely should never happen. You have to at least chuck that ball up. What’s the worst that could happen, an interception? You were going to lose possession anyways. That being said, until the offensive line can provide some protection, he may be the best quarterback for this offense.
Iowa’s mammoth offensive line was able to open holes big enough to drive a truck through all day. Shonn Green was over 100 rushing yards by halftime and Iowa called off the dogs in the second half, otherwise he might have run for two bills. Their O-line also prevented FIU’s defense from getting near their quarterbacks all day long. Some of FIU’s key defensive players on the day were: Scott Bryant, with seven total tackles; Robert Mitchell, who had six total tackles to go along with a fumble recovery and an interception; and Anthony Gaitor, who had five total tackles and two pass breakups.
In all fairness to both the offensive and defensive lines, these Iowa lines were probably the biggest they will face all season, so this game may be an unfair measuring stick. As far as coaching and intangibles go, I think Mario Cristobal is an excellent recruiter and a player’s coach, that being said, I question his ability to be tough on these players when he needs to be. When Marquis Rolle decided to run backwards and cost his team a sure first down, he didn’t need a pat on the ass and a “We’ll get ‘em next time” talk. He needed someone in his grill or to spend the next series or two on the bench.
As far as offensive play calling goes, why, other than because we fell behind so quickly, did Bill Legg abandon a running game that gained 13 and six yards on it’s first two attempts, respectively. I’m just a spectator and have no better ideas or methods to make this team successful so I’m speaking purely out of a fan’s right to be an armchair quarterback but, as I said in my game preview, the threat of a run game, which we may have been able to establish, opens up the passing game. So why, when you seem to be having early success, abandon it so quickly?
All in all, the game was dreadful to watch. I was so looking forward to a competitive game. Especially since it was the first FIU game I’ve ever watched. Actually, it was the first collegiate game I’ve ever watched as a student of that particular institution, so you can imagine my desire for the game to be a competitive one. We just seem light years away from being able to compete on the D-1 level. Some of our conference rivals have been able to be competitive with big conference schools. UL-Monroe, who beat Bama in Tuscaloosa last year, lost to Arkansas of the SEC on a last minute play and Middle Tennessee beat the ACC’s Maryland.
I’ll end this rant on a positive note. The opening of our beautiful on-campus stadium is now less than two weeks away. I hope to God that our boys defend “The Cage” with pride. USF, who has come along way in a very short time with their program, were taken to the limit by UCF this past weekend, squeaking out an overtime win against the Knights. Let’s hope they overlook the Golden Panthers and give this program the signature win it so desperately needs.
That’s all for now, see you on campus!
-ELI3
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