Intensity?

[John Galt]

This was the most troublesome issue I had with yesterday's game. In the second half against USC, we saw a team that came out fired up and ready to play. It seemed that they had confidence and swagger.

Yesterday's team looked tentative with a "here we go again" attitude after the first NMSU touchdown. I don't understand how they can come out flat for this game. The fans also need to do better. This is our team. Too many people in my section (237) sit on their hands waiting for something to happen. We need to be the 12th man.

A few other observations:

1. We need a pass rush. This is the main difference as to why their quarterback completes 66% of his throws for almost 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the Gopher QB's are a combined 18/40. The coaches are trying so hard to get a rush, I watched Tinsley line up at defensive end for several plays.

2. I have no idea how good our running backs are. I didn't see a running lane created all game long for them. Part of this stems from NMSU stacking 8 in the box and daring us to throw, but we still need to get some push from an O-line that outweighs them by an average of 30+ pounds.

3. Too many drops from receivers. If McKnight and Keise hold on to both passes, we win the game.

 

[TheLink]

This was the most troublesome issue I had with yesterday's game. In the second half against USC, we saw a team that came out fired up and ready to play. It seemed that they had confidence and swagger.

Yesterday's team looked tentative with a "here we go again" attitude after the first NMSU touchdown. I don't understand how they can come out flat for this game. The fans also need to do better. This is our team. Too many people in my section (237) sit on their hands waiting for something to happen. We need to be the 12th man.

The thing is the team needs to help make the 12th man. The first few 3rd down drives people were up and getting loud before the snap. It is a 50/50 deal where the players need to excite the fans to keep them interested and loud. You can't expect the fan base to continually stay energized with nothing to be excited about. I get tired of hearing how it is on the fans.

Everytime this team had an opportunity to take over the game and get he crowd into it they failed. To me the key point of the game was after McKnights impressive catch on the 2 yd line. I feel if the Gophers score there people are more into the game and show more excitement. Instead they throw a pick which leads to NMSU go ahead touchdown and then follow that up with 2 drives where they can't convert on 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1.

This is a very fragile fan base that sits and expects things to go wrong. Until they gain confidence in the players exectution you won't have any chance of a 12th man coming to life.