I thought the boys did well most of the game- but also had spots where we just lost our discipline -and yes cost us valuable time we needed. The first series on D was ugly, and clearly they had our numbers on our Legion of Wolves. As someone else stated we give the short game passes up way too many times. Its almost 8 yards of non pressure on the receivers and on a normal team that is tough- but when you are playing the number one team in the country you have to make some adjustments.
#11 I hope gets some extra coaching in the offseason because he plays with his head not in front of the receiver, and he gets burned a lot on the out patterns and a couple of penalties (and its been evident all season).
The two main GOOFY plays that hurt us was #75 going offsides on the FG and really is a discipline/focus issue along with #2 throwing a cheap shot and getting thrown out. Others guys on the D line played well and pressured the QB a lot. That was awesome.
Linebackers were OUTSTANDING!
On Offense, clearly Carbone had a horrible day and showed he missed Bolden. I (and others in the stands) were puzzled as to where he was throwing the balls and he just looked really out of it. As to the five picks- three of them belong on him, but the other 2 were 50/50 balls, and their guys simply wanted to make the play more than we did. His throws down on the out patterns were not at all sharp.
The O line was great in at least Carbone had some time.
I hope Thompson (or someone else) can finally see that #5 does not belong back on Punt returns. On 4 occasions yesterday, he continued to NOT play a live ball in the air and hurt us in field position (and this has been going on most of the year), and on the other caught the ball at the 5-which seemed to be headed into the end zone.
Thompson needs to find SOMEONE anyone who can kick a FG in the 45 plus area. I counted 5 kickers on the team (two are schollys) and the WO- kicker is now the starter, but does not have a leg past 40? Or at least he has not convinced Coach P, or Coach T he can hit them in the game. We could have used that yesterday, if nothing more than to get some points on the board the first half. Any points against the number one team can only help.
For Carbone, I really don't see him wanting to come back next year (especially if he graduates this May) with the lack of personnel he will have to throw to he might just call it a day.
But all in all they did a great job all season long and what no one can take away from them was their record 10-3. To me if anyone would have "predicted" this back in August they would have been laughed off the board. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!