Week 4 Football Recap

Tech/Clemson: had Tech not fumbled to much, they would’ve played Clemson a closer game. Make their field goals and don’t fumble, and it’s 13 points closer, 42-27 instead of 49-21. Not that Clemson had to try hard, they played everyone who dressed out. Tech would’ve lost to just about anyone. Tech did control time of possession, and did well punting (but not defending on punt returns).

 

Same script for the #3 Tigers: two lackluster offensive possessions led by inbumbant starter Kelly Bryant before Clemson takes control of the game with freshman Tyler Lawrence under center. Lawrence threw for four touchdowns, the defense returned a fumble for a score, and the rest was history.

Going forward expect Bryant to start to least the next few games. There’s not much competition coming up. Virginia Tech was upset, Boston College lost to Purdue, and Syracuse, Louisville, FSU, NC State aren’t setting the world on fire. Clemson’s first challenge may be South Carolina, who lost big to UGA.

The one bright spot for Tech was backup QB Tobias Oliver, who shook off some early jitters to throw his first touchdown pass. The Northside Warner Robins honor grad also broke off a nifty 39 yard run. A three year starter at Northside in both football and basketball, Oliver led Northside to the state championship in his first year as a starter (below). After the game on the local CBS recap show there were conversations about more playing time for Mr. Oliver. We shall see.

Everyone’s talking about Georgia’s poor performance. The coaches knew what went wrong. Playing on the road in the SEC ain’t easy, as South Carolina found out in Nashville this weekend. What galled me was the play calling, especially down near the goal line. The Dawgs were gifted with at least three key turnovers, all of which leading to scores. Take away those turnovers and it’s a whole new ball game. Too many penalties and mistakes.

Someone bragged that Ricardo Blankenship game into the game having made every field goal and point after – and had send every kickoff into the end zone for a touchback so far this season. Then the junior’s first kickoff was high and short (though that made have been called for by the coaches), a field goal try was blocked, and 49 yard field goal was missed. Later Kirby went for it on fourth and six, but Blankenship was perfect on all his PATs.

Another UGA player flirted with disaster, dropping the ball as he crossed the goal line. The alert Mizzou defender picked up the ball and ran the length of the field to the opposite end zone, but the replay was inconclusive. Going forward Kirby should have all touchdown scorer’s bring him the ball.

The Bulldog defense, lying back ready for the pass, found it hard to defend the run. Good to have this game as a tune-up for LSU and Auburn, but the Dawgs will have to play  a lot better to beat those Tigers.  

Jake Fromm had another fine day. Replays showed his interception was actually a catch, then the defender stripped the ball and held on. Freshman Justin Fields only played one play, rushing for five yards on first and goal. The backs continued to share time. Holyfield gained most of the yards, and it seemed like started Dandre Swift got the short end of the stick. Not sure why they had Herrien in on fourth and short. On fourth and short you need a fast developing play, to have the ball carrier hit the line quickly before the defense has time to penetrate. Instead Fromm carried the ball backwards to hand off to Perrien, UGA’s smallest, least-powerful back. Should’ve had Swift or Holyfield in the game on fourth and short.

All four pickers on ESPN College GameDay picked Vandy to beat the Gamecocks, including Desmond Howard, who had previously picked SC to win the SEC East. The special guest picker was actor Tim Matheson, returning to the University of Oregon campus where his movie Animal House was filmed.  

Last in the fourth quarter with New England’s offense struggling in Detroit, Sony Michel dropped a swing pass from Tom Brady on second and ten. The Pats had to punt, and I expected Brady would remember the rookie’s miscue. We’ll see going forward how it effects his playing time.

The Falcons lost to the Saints in overtime.

Crazy how the Lions and Jets and Bears have been in so many nationally televised night games so early in the season. Good for Detroit. Looks like New England isn’t the team they used to be, especially on offense. Of course, they have a couple of months to get their act together.

 

As a high school senior, Georgia Tech-bound wide receiver Calvin Johnson was edged out for state player of the year by state champion Marist QB Sean McVay, who accepted a scholarship to Miami of Ohio. Now McVay is the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, the youngest head coach in the NFL.