Last night there were no silver linings. It was a bad night. The worst part was once again UTEP had an opportunity to change the narrative and create excitement. Once again in a big spot UTEP s*** the bed. That's been a tradition since the UAB game in 2005. They had a chance to move the needle and didn't.
Offensively it was a tough night. We haven't ran the ball against bad teams and we didn't run it well vs UTSA. The only positive was before last night was UTSA hadn't given up a run of more than 20 yds all season. Awatt was able to break one for more than 20. The o-line got no push they had problems identifying blitzers all night. That's on the center. At this point I don't know that you can justify giving Hankins carries. He looks very slow.
Biggest problem with the offense is Hardison. We've seen him now almost 2 and a half seasons and he's regressing. His numbers didn't look bad but were propped up in garbage time like the Charlotte game last year. His mechanics are god awful. His accuracy especially in the short and intermediate game is terrible. He's struggles going through his progressions. When the defense bottles up the run the qb needs to be able to loosen them up through the air. Hardison can't do that. He's not good enough to beat good teams or compete for a conference title.
The defense struggled. They did a good job of bending but not breaking in the first half for a while. However they eventually broke. The pass rush was neutralized by a good oline much like the Boise game. We have struggled all year to defend quick slants. That's been hidden with a good pass rush. With no pass rush it was exposed. The corners technique was terrible and the UTSA receivers had no problems running right by them.
Last night the coaching was awful. UTSA's staff coach circles around our staff. Their staff recognized we had a weakness in the middle of the defense and McCormick exposed it for a quarter and a half before we adjusted. On big third downs they would simply dump it off to a wide open McCormick. I don't know how you don't account for the best player in CUSA in the game plan.
The offensive play calling was bad. Everybody except Dimel knew we couldn't control this game with the run. We tried and it failed. We don't have a good enough qb to play from behind or in a shoot out.
Alot of people on this board like promotions. Next home game we should have a promotion enter to be special teams coordinator for the game. Price should be fired immediately.
This really changes the feel of the season. The next two games are must wins and aren't gimmies. Rice is playing tough and UNT hasn't quit. I said before the season 6 wins should get Dimel to year five but no extension. I feel it's very important to win the next two to feel like this thing is going the right direction. Don't feel good after this one Dimel and Company were thoroughly out coached.
Offensively it was a tough night. We haven't ran the ball against bad teams and we didn't run it well vs UTSA. The only positive was before last night was UTSA hadn't given up a run of more than 20 yds all season. Awatt was able to break one for more than 20. The o-line got no push they had problems identifying blitzers all night. That's on the center. At this point I don't know that you can justify giving Hankins carries. He looks very slow.
Biggest problem with the offense is Hardison. We've seen him now almost 2 and a half seasons and he's regressing. His numbers didn't look bad but were propped up in garbage time like the Charlotte game last year. His mechanics are god awful. His accuracy especially in the short and intermediate game is terrible. He's struggles going through his progressions. When the defense bottles up the run the qb needs to be able to loosen them up through the air. Hardison can't do that. He's not good enough to beat good teams or compete for a conference title.
The defense struggled. They did a good job of bending but not breaking in the first half for a while. However they eventually broke. The pass rush was neutralized by a good oline much like the Boise game. We have struggled all year to defend quick slants. That's been hidden with a good pass rush. With no pass rush it was exposed. The corners technique was terrible and the UTSA receivers had no problems running right by them.
Last night the coaching was awful. UTSA's staff coach circles around our staff. Their staff recognized we had a weakness in the middle of the defense and McCormick exposed it for a quarter and a half before we adjusted. On big third downs they would simply dump it off to a wide open McCormick. I don't know how you don't account for the best player in CUSA in the game plan.
The offensive play calling was bad. Everybody except Dimel knew we couldn't control this game with the run. We tried and it failed. We don't have a good enough qb to play from behind or in a shoot out.
Alot of people on this board like promotions. Next home game we should have a promotion enter to be special teams coordinator for the game. Price should be fired immediately.
This really changes the feel of the season. The next two games are must wins and aren't gimmies. Rice is playing tough and UNT hasn't quit. I said before the season 6 wins should get Dimel to year five but no extension. I feel it's very important to win the next two to feel like this thing is going the right direction. Don't feel good after this one Dimel and Company were thoroughly out coached.
