Well, that didn't turn out as hoped, but it was close. Settling for four FG's was a harbinger, unfortunately, of things to be offensively. We played good enough defensively to win IMO, but the final chapter of Champ's book would read like several prior. Anyhow, here are some thoughts to ponder and add to:
*The two QB's were, to borrow from Charles Barkley, "Turrible!" Ours was "Turrible-er." I'm not sold on him moving past this season. He has made a few good throws and runs throughout the season, but he is not consistent. He may have had a spark, but leadership? Better than Driskel, but not what this team needs from this positon IMO. He disn't display the patience needed in the passing game late to give us a chance. I commented to our gang watching the game after his second long attempt and incompletion on the final drive that we had time to work with and that he didn't need to look deep exclusively (later echoed by Kirk on the broadcast). When he finally looked intermediate on fourth down, he made a poor throw to Robinson that would have required a super catch to convert. I know he rolled the pocket, so I assume he threw back right while drifting left though I can't remember for sure. Poor mechanics if so. If he wasn't pressured (and pass pro yesterday was the OL highlight) he had time to square up and set his feet. Maybe he can be coached past this. I can only hope Grier is as good as advertised, but we'll have to see. One way or another, the new HBC needs to find us a player at this position. *Edit - just saw the replay and his feet were set on the throw to Robinson. Poor throw in a most crucial moment.
*Maybe the key play of the game was the pick six. Two screw ups in one...Harris threw a bullet unnecessarily and it was to Westbrook (don't know that I would have ever called his number again after the LSU game, but I'm a little hard-hearted in this respect). Still, it immediately reversed the momentum and helped keep Bizzaro Cinderella alive for one more week.
*No other way to describe it, but the OL flat out got their asses handed to them while trying to run block. I can only think of one Matt Jones run late and a couple by Harris that were longer than three yards. All the linemen were bad, but I could not help but focus somewhat on Tyler Moore. Two holding penalties while getting whipped pretty much sums it up. I can only hope he reconsiders the advice someone gave him and he took about applying for the draft. Hopefully he will depart with a diploma regardless.
The ACC refs were incompetent, as one might expect. They did not cost us the game nor hand it to FSU, but they were bad. The side judge on our sideline was the worst. I'm not necessarily defending Pittman, but his block wasn't a hold to start with and it is hard for me to think that he said something egregious enough to warrant a flag for unsportsmanlike while backing up with hands raised, but maybe he did. I guess he should have seen the guy with his hand on his pistol, er flag, all the while. Big ears and an itchy trigger finger equals poor official.
*Pleased to see Anzalone get in and make some plays. Can't believe Jimbo tried the fake punt, but Alex was up to the measure. Hoping him, Rolin, and others will step up big next year. With some more bulk and no loss of speed, he can be a MLB for us.
*Would liked for Austin to have converted his last two attempts, but glad he made his first four. It's taken a while and he has more work to do, but he can be good his last two years. Here's hoping he continues to improve.
*What a difference it could have been if McNeely could have scooped and scored on the blocked punt! Still, we should have converted with a TD. Another in a long line of "what ifs!"
Champ is history and I am holding out hope that we get a good one as the next HBC. Who it's going to be is anybody's guess. I hope we will know by the 8th as has been mentioned. We need to salvage a good recruiting class (a little heavier with offensive talent tan before would be nice) and hang on to any who might jump but don't need to. We'll see. Here's to a successful bowl outing. Go Gators!
