[NU Sports] In-game decisions

[Jonathan Hodges]

Field Goal Decision:

Walker made the right choice going for it on the final play of the
half.  The ball was on the 4 yard line and a TD would have tied the
game going into the half (NU received the kickoff after the half
anyways, so he knew the 'Cats would get the ball back - therefore it
was not an extremely risky move).  Plus, Howells missed an extra point
and had another extra point and a field goal blocked earlier on what
seemed to be very low kicks (remember Howells' collegiate debut
against Miami a few years back where he kicked it into the back of his
own O-line).  In any case I credit Walker for not going his normal
conservative route and for taking the risk to get the tie going into
the half (and trying to gain some momentum, of which we had none by
that point).

Running Game:

He should have established the running game earlier in the game,
although UCLA was bent on stopping the run by putting a lot of guys up
front (hence Baz' gaudy pass stats: 38-70, 416 yds).  The Sutton
fumble in the second half on NU's own 14 basically spotted UCLA a TD,
and Walker took him out in favor of Roberson for the next two drives,
which is acceptable given Sutton's mistake.

In any case, the offense was not balanced at all during the game (the
only offensive TD of the first half was the reverse run by Philmore),
and the passing attack only started clicking with almost no time left
in the game.  Despite the fact that UCLA was stacking the box, we
basically gave up on the run without trying it much and therefore
played right into their hands by becoming one dimensional.

I would not say that Walker made bad decisions except for the lack of
a running game early on, and in some cases he made really good calls
that were worth the risks (i.e. going for it at the end of half one). 
Unfortunately the special teams did not get it done no matter what
decision he made for them.

Jonathan

On 1/3/06, Sanford_Stein at rush.edu <Sanford_Stein at rush.edu> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Catching up on all the e-mails today, I am surprised to see no
> discussion of Walker's in-game strategy.
>
> Does anyone else think that going for the touchdown instead of
> the field goal at the end of the first half was a really poor decision?
> I know the kicker is struggling, but the chance of getting 3 points
> is probably > 95% and the chance of scoring on one play from
> the five yard line is probably < 50%.  Three points gives the team
> some momentum going into the locker room, changes the entire
> strategy in the fourth quarter, and perhaps restores the kicker's
> confidence.
>
> And what about the reduced use of Tyrell Sutton in the second half?
> He was struggling as well, but he still gives us our best chance for
> a big running play.  I've never coached football, but is it a good idea
> to change the formula that has worked all season in the middle of a
> big game?
>
>                         SS
>
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Jonathan W. Hodges
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