Posted By: Mr. Crimson <me@me.com>
Date: Wednesday, 5 September 2001, at 12:47 p.m.
I'm beginning to seriously wonder about this. Last week the Funner Brothers who sat behind me began bitching on the very first running play saying oh nothing has changed. After we had run 13 different varieties of running plays most successful the dynamic duo then complain that we're just running the same play like last year. Meanwhile our defense shut down the Aggies completely and not a happy word. Then the Rice overthrows just confirmed that we were going to suck.
On this board there has been much of the same. Our offense held the ball for 35 minutes thus keeping a decent Aggie offense off the field even more and giving our defense some rest, something they never saw last season.
We beat Utah St a team that always plays us tough, and we did it in a way so that the game was never in doubt. We did it without false starts, turnovers and we did it with effort. There were mistakes but they are all correctable.
This is a good football team that is going to play hard on both sides of the ball and is going to be much better than advertised. Enjoy it.
Crimson,
I was happy simply to be sitting in Rice Eccles with my wife and son watching
my second favorite Ute sport Saturday (hoops is #1 for me).
Like you, I was frustrated by fans who didn't realize the differences in the offense. I was very pleased with the play calling, time of possession and some of our athletes on defense.
My gripe is with the quarterback. I don't have a problem with Rice starting - seems to me he earned the nod during spring and fall camps. However, unlike many on this board who think Utah should pick a guy and stick with him, I think the Utes need to make sure they have the best quarterback on the field. When you have three quality qbs (that's seeing the glass half full I realize) that are all of similar class status and somewhat unproven in a game you need to give them a good look in a game - not just practice.
The only quarterback proven in a game situation is Rice and he didn't prove too good. Look at the games last year. Against UNLV we ran - very little passing. Wyoming is a division II team and will be again this season. That leaves BYU and Rice was awful against BYU. He had all my Y friends believing their defense was incredible. Do you remember the number of passes he failed to deliver to open receivers?
I point south to prove my point. Brandon Doman should have been BYU's quarterback for all of last year. If so, they would have gone bowling. Brandon's not going to wow anyone with his arm strength but he's a competitor - a gamer to add another cliche.
Both Elliot and Breska have been described this way while they were in high school. I realize D1 football is a big step up but I like what I've read particularly about Elliot regarding his ability to lead an offense and make clutch plays.
I was willing to witness a few losses (even against the Aggies) to see the Utes allow all three guys some time. This may be very impractical but I still expected two qbs to get a look the first two or three games. At that point, pick a starter but not before the season. I realize this opinion will be unpopular.
Is it fair for Breska or Elliot to get their first opportunity this week in Oregon if the Ducks are dominating our young Utes? The opportunity was in the 3rd and 4th quarter Saturday. In my opinion it was a win-win for the coaching staff. The game seemed to be in hand and yet the quarterback was struggling. What a perfect time to let Breska come in and take a shot at hitting a receiver in stride instead of inert in the flat which was Rice's lone proficiency.
I think it was LegalUte yesterday who wondered why the quarterback position was so different from any other - that is based on game performance. The running backs coach was quoted Saturday saying that Dameon Hunter had earned the right to go first not to be the only back carrying the ball. You saw the game. Hunter was effective, but I'm pleased Tate and Johnson saw the ball. I am oversimplifying the situation. Surely a quarterback needs some reps and some time to get comfortable. But I simply don't believe Lance should have received all the reps Saturday. His performance was not even average in my opinion.
That
said, I'll enjoy another football season regardless of wins and losses. Part
of my enjoyment is forming some opinions whether they be right or wrong.
'biq
How
could you leave the stadium feeling happy about that display. What if Kanishero
would have only made 50% of his kicks? I still have a bad taste in my mouth.
Call it spoiled or whatever.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I left with the Utes punting, get to my car, and find out people weren't cheering
for the game to get over. They were screaming for a TD by the Aggies, and or
screaming in horror(Ute fans). Bad coaching, and nice way to keep within the
spread. Does Mac fix games? The Utes rarely put a team away when they can. They
still don't know what sudden change is. When they get a turnover they should
have gone right to the end zone on first down after the two kickoff return fumbles.
The Utes have a +4 turnover margin, and only win by 4!? THey can posess the
ball all they want, but if the other team scores fast what does it matter? Also
if the other team gets 7 to the Utes 3.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Although I agree that 3 bad passes was the difference in being a blowout or
not. I heard the same things last year. "If we make a play here or there we
win." "It's that simple" Well if it is why has Mac, and Co. still not figured
it out. Also why does it seem every other college in the country has a good
QB?
GO UTES!!!!
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