Rewatching the Rutgers game

[Schnauzer]

I've rewatched the most recent game a couple times and it is no different in terms of how I often come away with different conclusions than I do being at the game in section 135 where every play on the west side of the field is a loooooong way from me.

The thing that stood out to me most for this game was the multitude of missed passes and near interceptions from Kaliakmanis on Saturday. He was REALLY lucky he got away with some plays that could have been relatively easy interceptions. Kaliakmanis' usual array of poorly thrown balls, passes bouncing off of d-back hands, etc. were all very much obvious on the second viewing. Rutgers was REALLY lucky. On Saturday, it felt like we squeaked out with a fortunate win. On Wednesday it feels like it could have been much worse for Kaliakmanis and Rutgers.

Rutgers Kaliakmanis is improved but still often reminds me of Minnesota Kaliakmanis. His passes were a very sharp contrast to the balls Lindsey was throwing. Both QB's looked good on their completions (duh!) but the biggest difference was when Lindsey threw an incompletion, it was to spots where defenders couldn't hope to make a play.

My other take away from multiple re-watch is the Gopher D may be the worst we have seen in a few years. That was already a concern after the Cal game but the problems not only remained, some other issues (tackling) got worse for the Rutgers game.

 

[TNGophfan]

I've rewatched the most recent game a couple times and it is no different in terms of how I often come away with different conclusions than I do being at the game in section 135 where every play on the west side of the field is a loooooong way from me.

The thing that stood out to me most for this game was the multitude of missed passes and near interceptions from Kaliakmanis on Saturday. He was REALLY lucky he got away with some plays that could have been relatively easy interceptions. Kaliakmanis' usual array of poorly thrown balls, passes bouncing off of d-back hands, etc. were all very much obvious on the second viewing. Rutgers was REALLY lucky. On Saturday, it felt like we squeaked out with a fortunate win. On Wednesday it feels like it could have been much worse for Kaliakmanis and Rutgers.

Rutgers Kaliakmanis is improved but still often reminds me of Minnesota Kaliakmanis. His passes were a very sharp contrast to the balls Lindsey was throwing. Both QB's looked good on their completions (duh!) but the biggest difference was when Lindsey threw an incompletion, it was to spots where defenders couldn't hope to make a play.

My other take away from multiple re-watch is the Gopher D may be the worst we have seen in a few years. That was already a concern after the Cal game but the problems not only remained, some other issues (tackling) got worse for the Rutgers game.

Tackling, for sure, is a big issue. The State College of New Jersey running back (can't think of his name) ran for 1st downs about 3 times on 3rd and long. Inexcusable. TOSU will kill us if we don't wrap up and finish tackles better. They may, anyway.

 

[minnyrules11]

I have not seen replay.

Were the Gophers really out of pistol formation like Mike Grimm said on the 3rd and 4th and shorts and not shotgun? Regardless anything not under center in a close game is inexcusable.

Was Bryan pulled due to not being able to cover someone 8 inches taller or get injured? That was a mismatch from the get go.

 

[Schnauzer]

I have not seen replay.

Were the Gophers really out of pistol formation like Mike Grimm said on the 3rd and 4th and shorts and not shotgun? Regardless anything not under center in a close game is inexcusable.

Was Bryan pulled due to not being able to cover someone 8 inches taller or get injured? That was a mismatch from the get go.

Yes, the formations for short yardage continue to be a huge question mark. Fleck was asked about it on his weekly show and just sort of slid over it. I would have preferred "I don't know what we were thinking, going from a shotgun on fourth and inches"

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

AK seems prone to snap judgments / reads and just fires off the ball …. If it’s a good choice it’s awesome, but it’s sometimes very much not a good choice.

 

[GophersInIowa]

It seems to me AK's accuracy is better. He threw some really good passes in some tight windows. I think where he continues to struggle with is when the primary target is not open and he has to try to look for the #2 or #3 options on a play.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

The biggest weakness on the Gophers D is linebacker play. They need to pick it up in a hurry.

 

[PMWinSTP]

Tackling, for sure, is a big issue. The State College of New Jersey running back (can't think of his name) ran for 1st downs about 3 times on 3rd and long. Inexcusable. TOSU will kill us if we don't wrap up and finish tackles better. They may, anyway.

Yeh those missed tackles have to get cleaned up, and I think Fleck mentioned as much in his presser. The score would have been quite a bit different had the 2/3 critical tackles been made.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

The biggest weakness on the Gophers D is linebacker play. They need to pick it up in a hurry.

Tackling was an issue in the Rugers game.

Guys in position ... just not completing the tackle / misses ... we had a few Rutgers drives STOPPED on 3rd down and just missed one or even two tackles. No blocker involved, just dude with ball and our guy couldn't bring them down.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I have not seen replay.

Were the Gophers really out of pistol formation like Mike Grimm said on the 3rd and 4th and shorts and not shotgun? Regardless anything not under center in a close game is inexcusable.

Was Bryan pulled due to not being able to cover someone 8 inches taller or get injured? That was a mismatch from the get go.

Not sure on Bryan.

They were in pistol and on one of the short yardage plays the snap was bad which threw off the timing.

 

[touchdownvikings]

I've rewatched the most recent game a couple times and it is no different in terms of how I often come away with different conclusions than I do being at the game in section 135 where every play on the west side of the field is a loooooong way from me.

The thing that stood out to me most for this game was the multitude of missed passes and near interceptions from Kaliakmanis on Saturday. He was REALLY lucky he got away with some plays that could have been relatively easy interceptions. Kaliakmanis' usual array of poorly thrown balls, passes bouncing off of d-back hands, etc. were all very much obvious on the second viewing. Rutgers was REALLY lucky. On Saturday, it felt like we squeaked out with a fortunate win. On Wednesday it feels like it could have been much worse for Kaliakmanis and Rutgers.

Rutgers Kaliakmanis is improved but still often reminds me of Minnesota Kaliakmanis. His passes were a very sharp contrast to the balls Lindsey was throwing. Both QB's looked good on their completions (duh!) but the biggest difference was when Lindsey threw an incompletion, it was to spots where defenders couldn't hope to make a play.

My other take away from multiple re-watch is the Gopher D may be the worst we have seen in a few years. That was already a concern after the Cal game but the problems not only remained, some other issues (tackling) got worse for the Rutgers game.

Regarding the defense...

I have not re-watched the game, but -- that said -- my impression while watching live was that after Rutger's fast start, we concluded that we could not stop their receivers (they have three future NFL receivers on their squad). If you can't stop their receivers, then you stop their quarterback. So you bring pressure, prioritizing getting to the QB. Which worked: seven sacks.

But what's the problem with pass blitzing with a priority of getting to the QB?

Pass blitzing does not prioritize blitzing through gaps designed to close off running lanes. It prioritizes schemes permitting rush vectors to the QB.

Example: a linebacker may blitz through a particular gap to blow up a running back that picks him up, and a safety may follow through the same particular gap with no one to pick him up -- free rush vector to the QB. But now there will be a gap somewhere else, and that gap can be run through.

Rutgers saw that we were prioritizing getting to Kaliakmanas and responded by running through gaps left open by the blitzing scheme.

So you saw Rutgetrs' passing game stall when we started bringing blitz pressure, but their running game surged. Their success running the ball was brought on by their squad of three future NFL receivers.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Regarding the defense...

I have not re-watched the game, but -- that said -- my impression while watching live was that after Rutger's fast start, we concluded that we could not stop their receivers (they have three future NFL receivers on their squad). If you can't stop their receivers, then you stop their quarterback. So you bring pressure, prioritizing getting to the QB. Which worked: seven sacks.

But what's the problem with pass blitzing with a priority of getting to the QB?

Pass blitzing does not prioritize blitzing through gaps designed to close off running lanes. It prioritizes schemes permitting rush vectors to the QB.

Example: a linebacker may blitz through a particular gap to blow up a running back that picks him up, and a safety may follow through the same particular gap with no one to pick him up -- free rush vector to the QB. But now there will be a gap somewhere else, and that gap can be run through.

Rutgers saw that we were prioritizing getting to Kaliakmanas and responded by running through gaps left open by the blitzing scheme.

So you saw Rutgetrs' passing game stall when we started bringing blitz pressure, but their running game surged. Their success running the ball was brought on by their squad of three future NFL receivers.

Yep....after the fast start by Rutgers, Collins clearly adjusted his whole plan of attack. As has been pointed out by others, if the tackling had been better Rutgers would not have had nearly the same level of success as they did on the ground.

There are definite concerns with the D but still should be a solid unit if they can get the tackling cleaned up.

 

[FredCoxRocks]

I was away on Saturday so didn't get to go to the game or see it on TV, so I watched it Monday night while following along with the Gopherhole In-Game Thread just to read some old "hot takes". It was an entertaining way to watch a replay.

Anyway, I agree with Schnauzer. AK still reminds me of Minnesota AK. Early in the game he had all kinds of time with little pressure, an average college QB will have success with that poor pass rush. Glad the Gopher D got things figured out.
And, AK also had one of his trademark short range rifle throws that a receiver had little chance at catch. Oh, the memories.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I was away on Saturday so didn't get to go to the game or see it on TV, so I watched it Monday night while following along with the Gopherhole In-Game Thread just to read some old "hot takes". It was an entertaining way to watch a replay.

Anyway, I agree with Schnauzer. AK still reminds me of Minnesota AK. Early in the game he had all kinds of time with little pressure, an average college QB will have success with that poor pass rush. Glad the Gopher D got things figured out.
And, AK also had one of his trademark short range rifle throws that a receiver had little chance at catch. Oh, the memories.

I have not gone back to the in game thread from the Rutgers game but that one had to be an all timer with the way that game went and the way posters jump off the deep end so quickly in that thread.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I was away on Saturday so didn't get to go to the game or see it on TV, so I watched it Monday night while following along with the Gopherhole In-Game Thread just to read some old "hot takes". It was an entertaining way to watch a replay.

Anyway, I agree with Schnauzer. AK still reminds me of Minnesota AK. Early in the game he had all kinds of time with little pressure, an average college QB will have success with that poor pass rush. Glad the Gopher D got things figured out.
And, AK also had one of his trademark short range rifle throws that a receiver had little chance at catch. Oh, the memories.

He had a couple successful throws that his WRs caught and I thought "Lucky that guy caught that or it would have been off his helmet and up for grabs..."

 

[STPGopher]

Wow did Kerry Brown close out strong! That defense on the pass at about 5:42 to 5:44 and the coverage on the endzone shot by Rutgers was outstanding!

 

[Scottsdale Gopher]

I haven't re-watched, but sitting in the stands I was very frustrated by the defense getting caught off-guard by Ciarrocca called for weak-side zone on third and long. He did it for 4 years here! Surely we knew this tendency. I was so angry about the third and long conversion before the half I had to be talked into staying for the second half. Glad I was!

 

[Some guy]

Agree on the D
Some good pieces but not a good unit yet

 

[stocker08]

It seems to me AK's accuracy is better. He threw some really good passes in some tight windows. I think where he continues to struggle with is when the primary target is not open and he has to try to look for the #2 or #3 options on a play.

There's no question that AK's accuracy has improved. But his decision making hasn't improved a ton.

 

[matt]

There's no question that AK's accuracy has improved. But his decision making hasn't improved a ton.

I agree with this. Fortunately for him, Kirk’s offense is simpler than Harbaugh’s which masks some of his decision making issues.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I agree with this. Fortunately for him, Kirk’s offense is simpler than Harbaugh’s which masks some of his decision making issues.

When AK was playing for us that last year the offense was simpler and simpler as the year went on ... I think FOR AK. Kirk may have less to do with it than it is he is adapting for AK

 

[spermophilus]

Not sure on Bryan.

They were in pistol and on one of the short yardage plays the snap was bad which threw off the timing.

Even more reason to be under center! No guarantee of a bad exchange going under center, but much higher so out of shotgun/pistol.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Watched the 60 minute version on BTN last night.
Agree that the defense had opportunities at 3-4 more interceptions.
Poor angles by LB and DB's in the run game at times.
Perich throws his body at RB's rather than driving and wrapping up.
Lindsey makes receivers look better than they are by ball placement.
Even with Smith at DE, we have to blitz often to get a pass rush.

 

[dbrad29]

I have not seen replay.

Were the Gophers really out of pistol formation like Mike Grimm said on the 3rd and 4th and shorts and not shotgun? Regardless anything not under center in a close game is inexcusable.

Was Bryan pulled due to not being able to cover someone 8 inches taller or get injured? That was a mismatch from the get go.

Bryan, got beat 9 out 10 passes so they replaced him with Gerald after Rutgers went up 14-0.

 

[MirandaB]

We also seemed to get caught off guard often by how quickly Rutgers would snap the ball.

 

[dbrad29]

Everybody talking about poor tackling and yes that was an issue but a lot of it had to do with the package we were in. On 3rd and long we went to a dime package to play the pass which left holes in the defense. Yes, we missed tackling but mostly because of the position the player's was in based off the dime package. So basically, Collins took the lesser of 2 evils (so he thought), by preventing long passes but left holes for them to run the ball.

 

[dbrad29]

We also seemed to get caught off guard often by how quickly Rutgers would snap the ball.

That was unacceptable.

 

[Crosby]

Watched the 60 minute version on BTN last night.
Agree that the defense had opportunities at 3-4 more interceptions.
Poor angles by LB and DB's in the run game at times.
Perich throws his body at RB's rather than driving and wrapping up.
Lindsey makes receivers look better than they are by ball placement.
Even with Smith at DE, we have to blitz often to get a pass rush.

I have to admit... I was really okay with Koi just throwing his body at AK when he drilled him on that blitz. It was not a form tackle but what a thing of beauty.

 

[btowngopher]

AK seems prone to snap judgments / reads and just fires off the ball …. If it’s a good choice it’s awesome, but it’s sometimes very much not a good choice.

He’s never been good at making something happen when the play isn’t there. His athleticism is somewhat wasted as he never seems to recognize that he could pick up some yards on the ground when the pass isn’t there.

 

[Word]

He’s never been good at making something happen when the play isn’t there. His athleticism is somewhat wasted as he never seems to recognize that he could pick up some yards on the ground when the pass isn’t there.

I also think his athleticism was always exaggerated. He's not as fast as a lot of people seem to think.