So why do we struggle with short-to-medium throws?

[FeralFelidae]

Hardison is great on the deep ball (especially considering Cowing's height; Hardison is putting those throws right on the money).

So why is our overall completion percentage so low? Is it the routes the receivers are running? Are the receivers not getting open? Is Hardison having trouble reading defenses for the shorter throws?

It's the one aspect of our offense that worries me. I'd like to better understand why we're struggling when we're so good with the deep ball.

 

[axingfools1]

Hardison is great on the deep ball (especially considering Cowing's height; Hardison is putting those throws right on the money).

So why is our overall completion percentage so low? Is it the routes the receivers are running? Are the receivers not getting open? Is Hardison having trouble reading defenses for the shorter throws?

It's the one aspect of our offense that worries me. I'd like to better understand why we're struggling when we're so good with the deep ball.

Play calling? We have a couple of RBs that can catch. It's wasted potential offense.

 

[miner1liner]

I'm with you FF. I don't think we have a pass completion to a tight end at all and other than Flores nothing to running backs. Absolutely zero short passing games. No hitch or hook routes, slants, flat passes, crossing patterns or comeback routes. Including these options in the resume would have to add immeasurably our offensive output.
Right now the whole world knows how predictable we are; off tackle or pass 50 yards downfield or punt.
.

 

[utep-piggy]

Because the current offensive coordinator has never coached a prostyle offense until last year. He has always been a pistol/RPO offensive coach his entire career. The training wheels are still on.

 

[unihorn]

Hardison struggles with those throws. Without Cowing, it’d be much worse.

 

[JCorona]

Imo cuz that's not our style of offense. Hardison isn't an accurate passer. Our offense revolves around running the ball, eating up the clock and then connecting on the long bomb when the defense starts stacking the line and creeping their safety up.

Most of the times the rb stays to block and thats cuz of Hardison's inability to escape and use his feet.

We can blame the play calling all we want but we need to have the right players to make those types of calls. We're missing a tight end and a more accurate and or mobile passer.

Dimel has adjusted the offense to who we have on the team.

 

[TxRdKiller]

Play calling? We have a couple of RBs that can catch. It's wasted potential offense.

I think Hardison's issues with the short passing game are his issues. He's got too much hot sauce on those short passes. They're over the intended receiver's head most of the time.

I don't know if Cowing's speed makes up ground on the deep passes and makes them look like perfect passes but I don't really think the play calling is the problem. Hardison has to get his short passing game under control.

 

[unihorn]

I think Hardison's issues with the short passing game are his issues. He's got too much hot sauce on those short passes. They're over the intended receiver's head most of the time.

I don't know if Cowing's speed makes up ground on the deep passes and makes them look like perfect passes but I don't really think the play calling is the problem. Hardison has to get his short passing game under control.

This week would be a great time for him to flip the switch.

 

[JCorona]

This week would be a great time for him to flip the switch.

Watch him try and throw 3+ interceptions. Let's stick to the plan. Bore them to defeat.

 

[kickballpro]

I think Hardison's issues with the short passing game are his issues. He's got too much hot sauce on those short passes. They're over the intended receiver's head most of the time.

I don't know if Cowing's speed makes up ground on the deep passes and makes them look like perfect passes but I don't really think the play calling is the problem. Hardison has to get his short passing game under control.

This^^^^

There are guys open in the flats.

 

[UTEPMiners8106]

I think Hardison's issues with the short passing game are his issues. He's got too much hot sauce on those short passes. They're over the intended receiver's head most of the time.

I don't know if Cowing's speed makes up ground on the deep passes and makes them look like perfect passes but I don't really think the play calling is the problem. Hardison has to get his short passing game under control.

He skipped a couple of short throws this past game as well that stalled drives. He’s our Geoff George.

 

[nattybry]

This makes me wonder how many times have we thrown to a TE I can't remember many time or any off hand.

 

[develman]

This makes me wonder how many times have we thrown to a TE I can't remember many time or any off hand.

Do we have one? I know there are guys playing the TE position for us but I haven't seen a guy that looks like a TE. More like short fat Fullbacks.

 

[picks up]

A screen pass wouldn't hurt every now and then too. Have we even thrown one this year?

 

[miner1liner]

This makes me wonder how many times have we thrown to a TE I can't remember many time or any off hand.

I just reviewed the roster and there's around 6 or 7 TE's listed, but don't think there's been a pass thrown at 'em.

 

[MinerFan_18]

We have more of H-Back than TE. I think we need more crossing routes that have good separation to get our guys the ball. We play more vertical which is shown with Cowing and Smith. We need them to run across the field and get into space. Garrett is more of a guy to get you jump ball in a tight space or reliable to get a first down when needed. We need Awatt to be a flair out back in the passing game and make someone miss in the open field. I hope we see Eldridge develop into that when Awatt leaves. Hankins isn't a receiving type of back so we need him to develop his blocking to give Hardison some more time, but Hankins is athletic enough to catch a pass and do some damage, but has not shown that this year.

 

[FeralFelidae]

A screen pass wouldn't hurt every now and then too. Have we even thrown one this year?

Yes, we have.

https://utep.forums.rivals.com/threads/no-game-thread.10729/post-176888
https://utep.forums.rivals.com/threads/utep-bethune-cookman-game-thread.10746/post-177432

 

[jdubb66]

Dimel uses the run to set up the downfield pass. We don't have a pass first offense so it's difficult to run screens. The defense usually has 7 stacked in the box, sometimes 8.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Dimel uses the run to set up the downfield pass. We don't have a pass first offense so it's difficult to run screens. The defense usually has 7 stacked in the box, sometimes 8.

When we have run screens, they have worked. The thing about screens is that they're situational. They go for big gains if they catch the defense behaving a certain way (a blitz, etc.). But if you run a screen at the wrong time, it gets blown up.

The screen is in our arsenal and we seem to call them at the right time. Teams aren't having much success getting to Hardison (0 sacks from USM, just 1 from ODU).

Now, I haven't seen us run any bubble screens. I'm not usually a big fan of the bubble screen (max risk, min reward), but if teams are loading 8 in the box, they might work to keep the defenses honest.

 

[axingfools1]

Well our run game needs at least a little alternative aside from the deep pass. QB RPO, bootleg, TE quick cross or seem, screens. Something.

Where has Wadley disappeared too?

 

[UTEPDefense]

Where has Wadley disappeared too?

MCL tear. Might be back by the end of the year.

 

[MineroFanatico]

MCL tear. Might be back by the end of the year.

He just can’t stay healthy. 3 years ago I thought Wadley would go on to greatness. Now, even when healthy, I think he should back up Awatt, Hankins and maybe even Eldridge. Feel bad for the kid.