WKU vs Vandy post game thoughts

[SBeardenRivals]

Ok now that everyone has had some time to digest the loss on Saturday to Vanderbilt here are some post game thoughts:

• WKU was clearly the better team. Now before you go saying score board is all that matters you are partially correct. Whomever has the most points at the end of the game is what matters the most. However, watching the game it was clear WKU had a lot more talent than the Dores. WKU owned Vanderbilt in just about every statistical category possible. Which brings us to our next point
• Penalties and Turnovers. The two areas that Vanderbilt was better in Saturday then the Tops. WKU kept shooting themselves in the foot on numerous occasions with 2 redzone turnovers and multiple penalties. Add a missed FG to things that did the Tops in. Everyone wants to talk about the missed 2-point conversion. But WKU should not have even been in that position to begin with against Vanderbilt. The only reason they were was the 3 turnovers and the 11 penalties for 88 yards.
• The 2-point conversion....Before some of you get onto Jeff Brohm for not kicking the XP and taking the game to another overtime I will tell you why I think he made the right call. The defense was noticeably gassed and hadn't been able to stop the Vanderbilt offense for several minutes. WKU had just scored a quick touchdown and momentum was on their side with the defense on it's heals. WKU has been known under Brohm for being aggressive in almost all situations. They do not shy away from the big moment. I think the right call was made. Sometimes they just don't go your way.
• Ace Wales was back after missing last weeks game against Miami (OH) and what a return he made. Wales carried the ball 24 times for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is the Ace we all know and love from last season. So while the scoreboard may not have gone the Toppers way, it is nice to see the ground game getting back on track against one of the better defensive units in the country from last season.
• Injuries have been mounting for the Tops. The latest news that Ferby will miss the remainder of the 2016 season comes as yet another blow to a backfield that now does not have that big bruising back to turn to for a change of pace. Marquez Trigg and Freshman Quinton Baker will now have to truly step their games up for the remainder of the season to serve as the back ups to Ace Wells.

Let us hear your thoughts below.

 

[bmwrseries]

Injuries are definitely hurting. Defensive and offensive lines. Ace played Great!!!
Two point conversion???? Worst call I've seen....possibly ever!! At home, kick the extra point. Why gamble on one play??? Home game...terrible decision.
If I had a back up quarterback who threw ....from my memory.....2 out of 2 for 70 yards including a touchdown, I'd definitely sit him out the remainder of the game also...great decision.
Final part of game still hurts. Lol

 

[hanalei91]

Spot on, Shane.

In a loss, we always blame the last thing that went wrong: in this case, the 2-point conversion. But so many things happened to get us to that point: a missed field goal, turnovers, inability to produce after Vanderbilt turnover, tipped passes, penalties, inability to convert 3rd downs...the list goes on and on. In my opinion, 2-point conversion was the right call for a couple of reasons. 1) It worked against UK. It worked against Marshall. Granted, one of those conversions was with Taggart. 2) In an already injury-riddled team, the defense was worn out. Nick Dawson-Brents went down before OT. Then, something happened to Omarius Bryant after Vandy scored their first OT TD. Injury was not worth the risk against a non-conference opponent. In many ways, this game reminds me of the Indiana game: should have won, but didn't. It happens. The team still has the chance to go 10-2.

In regards to quarterback...fans seem to be 50/50 with Mike especially after watching Ferguson throw a 51 yd TD to Fant (was it 51?). Brohm has indicated that Ferguson will continue to be White's relief. I will continue to trust that the Brohm Squad sees untapped potential in Mike. No, Mike has not put up the numbers that he did against Rice. I do not think this is a Mike issue, I believe this is an overall lack of preparation from offense and an extreme preparation from opponents. When Nick Saban calls Taywan Taylor one of the best receivers in the nation, teams are going to use double-coverage. When you are touted as having one of the best O-lines in the nation, teams are going to apply pressure. Yet, as Shane indicated, "WKU owned Vanderbilt in just about every statistical category possible." Our offense is struggling, but they are not a lost cause. When you go back-to-back years with a nationally ranked offense, teams will take notice.

The only thing that keeps crossing my mind...and maybe it is just me...but there seems to be a lack of leadership and confidence. No, leadership and confidence do not guarantee a win, but it helps. The team does not have the same "swagger" as they have in the past.

 

[bmwrseries]

As far as leadership goes, I do see it on the defensive side. They carry themselves well. Even against Alabama. The offense is playing great as well but I see what you are saying. But, I think White is missing too many wide open 25+ yard passes. It kills the offense to miss those passes. You don't have to respect the deep pass against us. Yes, we do have one of the best wide receivers in the country with additional big time receivers as well. Missing the deep passes is causing everyone to bunch up the middle which also hurts the running game. White is averaging respectable yards per pass but it is the receivers accumulating the yards after the catch.

 

[bmwrseries]

I wish I would have video'd the kicker who missed the 25 yarder during the 2 point conversion. He knew they wouldn't make it before the ball was snapped. The missed field goal definitely hurt...among other things.

 

[hanalei91]

To add on to everything...the heat. My goodness that heat was miserable.

Part of me wants to believe, any other day our Tops would have won. Then, you have to wonder why we played similarly to the Miami(OH) game. Injury? Lack of preparation? In my mind, I want there to be one definite reason. But in reality, it is everything we have all mentioned cumulated into one big answer.

Not to marginalize HBU, but I am glad we are playing them this week. Build back some confidence, play a few younger guys to rest others, and prepare for LATech. But it goes without saying, we should never sleep on any team.