Elon

[AstroDin]

Jackal made the point about some poor special teams place costing us points against Elon.

We don't know yet what kinda weapon Amir Trapp will be as a punt returner. Amir never got the chance to return one against the Tigers. I did keep an eagle eye on him, he played physical man up, from my point of view he held his own.
Trapp appears feisty, this could be an advantage on special teams.

One more thing about special teams — I'll be curious to see what happens when Bell gets his hands on a kick return, Bell lists his 100m time as 10.8, Morehead and Watkins ran 10.87 and 10.89. I can't find the stats but I believe Bell excelled at North Augusta as a return specialist.

If this game is a toss-up — we do have some playmakers now returning kicks that could be an advantage Furman.

[The Jackal]

Jackal made the point about some poor special teams place costing us points against Elon.

We don't know yet what kinda weapon Amir Trapp will be as a punt returner. Amir never got the chance to return one against the Tigers. I did keep an eagle eye on him, he played physical man up, from my point of view he held his own.
Trapp appears feisty, this could be an advantage on special teams.

One more thing about special teams — I'll be curious to see what happens when Bell gets his hands on a kick return, Bell lists his 100m time as 10.8, Morehead and Watkins ran 10.87 and 10.89. I can't find the stats but I believe Bell excelled at North Augusta as a return specialist.

If this game is a toss-up — we do have some playmakers now returning kicks that could be an advantage Furman.

From Chadd Stagg's comments in a recent interview: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/ ... 108843002/

What I think he brings the most besides just his ability – he’s got great ability and he’s a good player – (is) more of that chip and that swagger that corners have,” said Staggs. “I needed those guys to have a little of that because you never can back down at corner. You’re always out there, especially in the aggressive style we play. He brings a little bit of that.

"If he gets beat, he’ll line up and do it again, but he’s still going to play aggressive and play with that chip. I think that’s kind of helped the other group. They’re more aggressive, more physical.”

In that same article, Staggs talked about using him some "in nickle;" that is, with in 3 CB/5 DB sets. Trapp is supposed to be a really well rounded CB that can both cover and tackle. In third down situations, we may see Furman move Trapp inside to cover the slot and put our other CBs on pure coverage responsibilities.

I know folks have often lamented Furman's soft zone defense. It looks like we may see less of that this year. I mean, in passing situations Furman can put Lemsons and Weems in bump and run with Okeh over the top and let Anoor and Trapp clean up everything underneath. It's been a long time since we've had the personnel to do that.

[Paul C]

I went back and looked at both games last year, of course we all know we improved alot over the course of the year.

Elon offensive production:

G1 Elon 446 yards total offense 311 passing (27-36) and 135 rushing on 44 attempts (3.1 ypc), 25 first downs, 1 TO
G2 Elon 354 yards total offense 201 passing (24-44) and 153 rushing on 34 attempts (4.5 ypc), 23 first downs, 1 TO

Furman offensive production:

G1 FU 396 yards total offense 138 passing (5-13) and 258 rushing on 57 attempts (4.5 ypc), 23 first downs, 2 TOs
G2 FU 408 yards total offense 176 passing (12-23) and 232 rushing on 42 attempts (5.5 ypc), 19 first downs, 3 TO's

the turnovers were surprising, we were -1 in game one and -2 in game two.

Looks like they ran the ball better against us last year in game 2 but we controlled their passing game much better.

We ran the ball more effectively in game 2 and threw it more effectively as well (hmmm, maybe that's related)....

[The Jackal]

In game 2, I believe we had 4 plays over 20+ yards.

By my calculations, Elon managed only two sustained drives against our defense. We basically handed them two touchdowns off turnovers.

[gofurman]

I watched alot of this game also and while USF was the better team Elon showed a few flashes of being pretty good. Both lines are big, same NG from last year at 340 lbs. OL tall and 300 lb avg. Good speed at skill positions.
This game concerns me because we are on the road again and their coaching staff will have some idea of what we are doing. Their coaching staff seems competent now. I hope the improvemeant between 1st and 2nd game shows for us. We can't go up there and make mistakes in execution or turn the ball over. This bunch will take advantage. I'm sure last year's game is on their mind.
We have to get some consistency from our starters whomever they are. Im sure play calling will change/improve because we were so limited at Clemptson. I feel from seeing our team and Elon we are the better team and staff but this is an early test for sure. Clay and staff will have the team ready just no trap game.

Probably a good reminder that even though the playoff game was a 1 point squeaker, Furman largely outplayed Elon.

Thomas Gordon had two uncharacteristically bad mistakes - two fumbles deep in our zone. Elon had two touchdown drives of about 25 yards. Blazejowski also threw a pick in the endzone from Elon's 6 yard line. Different results there and Furman probably wins by two scores.

Oddly enough, it was a similar story in our first game as well. Furman fumbled deep in our own zone twice, leading to Elon touchdown drives of 24 and 23 yards. We pretty much spotted them 21 points early. Anoor saved our fannies by intercepting a ball on the goalline before the Phoenix made it a 4 TD lead early.

I won't say this with 100% certainty, but I think both Elon games last year were our ugliest games from a mistakes standpoint. In two games, 6 fumbles, 4 lost, and an interception in the endzone. We don't do that again and I think we'll be fine.

Not super important. But i don't quite agree that we SPOTTED THEM 21 points. I hear that a lot and I can't see it. How long was their first drive before the two listed fumbles? Was that a FULL drive? Maybe 50 yards or more? Then that's a legit 7 points they put on us. Maybe it was a short field too but no one has said it was. Happy to be wrong but otherwise that's 7 points they earned fair and square. Also, against Clemzon(!) this year we had given them a short field and held them to a FG. Very impressed w that. I would maintain a strong defense - given two chances - should at least keep one to a FG. In total we had forty'ish yards to work with and they jammed it to the end zone both times. Just my opinion We shoulda been able to hold them to a TD and a FG.

So ( happy to be corrected ) but I think 7 legit points ... Only 'spotted' them 10 or so


Anyway. Beat Elon !!! I REALLY want this game Elon . Woff and Citadel are big to me

[The Jackal]

I watched alot of this game also and while USF was the better team Elon showed a few flashes of being pretty good. Both lines are big, same NG from last year at 340 lbs. OL tall and 300 lb avg. Good speed at skill positions.
This game concerns me because we are on the road again and their coaching staff will have some idea of what we are doing. Their coaching staff seems competent now. I hope the improvemeant between 1st and 2nd game shows for us. We can't go up there and make mistakes in execution or turn the ball over. This bunch will take advantage. I'm sure last year's game is on their mind.
We have to get some consistency from our starters whomever they are. Im sure play calling will change/improve because we were so limited at Clemptson. I feel from seeing our team and Elon we are the better team and staff but this is an early test for sure. Clay and staff will have the team ready just no trap game.

Probably a good reminder that even though the playoff game was a 1 point squeaker, Furman largely outplayed Elon.

Thomas Gordon had two uncharacteristically bad mistakes - two fumbles deep in our zone. Elon had two touchdown drives of about 25 yards. Blazejowski also threw a pick in the endzone from Elon's 6 yard line. Different results there and Furman probably wins by two scores.

Oddly enough, it was a similar story in our first game as well. Furman fumbled deep in our own zone twice, leading to Elon touchdown drives of 24 and 23 yards. We pretty much spotted them 21 points early. Anoor saved our fannies by intercepting a ball on the goalline before the Phoenix made it a 4 TD lead early.

I won't say this with 100% certainty, but I think both Elon games last year were our ugliest games from a mistakes standpoint. In two games, 6 fumbles, 4 lost, and an interception in the endzone. We don't do that again and I think we'll be fine.

Not super important. But i don't quite agree that we SPOTTED THEM 21 points. I hear that a lot and I can't see it. How long was their first drive before the two listed fumbles? Was that a FULL drive? Maybe 50 yards or more? Then that's a legit 7 points they put on us. Maybe it was a short field too but no one has said it was. Happy to be wrong but otherwise that's 7 points they earned fair and square. Also, against Clemzon(!) this year we had given them a short field and held them to a FG. Very impressed w that. I would maintain a strong defense - given two chances - should at least keep one to a FG. In total we had forty'ish yards to work with and they jammed it to the end zone both times. Just my opinion We shoulda been able to hold them to a TD and a FG.

So ( happy to be corrected ) but I think 7 legit points ... Only 'spotted' them 10 or so


Anyway. Beat Elon !!! I REALLY want this game Elon . Woff and Citadel are big to me

All the points are legitimate and earned. I use the term "spotted" just to say that Furman basically surrendered three touchdowns before turning it on.

[gofurman]

Jackal, agree. All points are earned - by Either team. Agree also need to come in ready to fight from opening whistle. We Can’t wait to start once already down. Esp v Elon. They are way too good for that

[Paul C]

The lines are up. Furman is a 3 point fave on the road.

[apaladin]

I know it was against a very good team but just going by yesterday our kick coverage problems continue. CU averaged over 40 yds per kick return.

[gofurman]

Jackal made the point about some poor special teams place costing us points against Elon.

We don't know yet what kinda weapon Amir Trapp will be as a punt returner. Amir never got the chance to return one against the Tigers. I did keep an eagle eye on him, he played physical man up, from my point of view he held his own.
Trapp appears feisty, this could be an advantage on special teams.

One more thing about special teams — I'll be curious to see what happens when Bell gets his hands on a kick return, Bell lists his 100m time as 10.8, Morehead and Watkins ran 10.87 and 10.89. I can't find the stats but I believe Bell excelled at North Augusta as a return specialist.

If this game is a toss-up — we do have some playmakers now returning kicks that could be an advantage Furman.

Love having Trapp on the team. That said will be interesting to see IF he is an advantage on punt returns. We didn't return punts last year under CCH - pretty crazy thing to see but I don't necessarily disagree. . I can only assume that if Trapp - speed ! - is the punt returner then they are planning to return punts this year? Otherwise why risk a super corner doing that?

Honestly I might prefer NOT having Trapp return punts if he is a true lock-down corner. We don't get the luxury of many lock-down corners .... And That would follow the line of thinking we used last year- just catch the punt cleanly w. A fair catch every time. No injuris!!!!!

[AstroDin]

I don't think we know what the return game strategy is for this season. McCarter was like a safety valve, catch the ball - that's your job.

At the end of the season CCH, I felt made it pretty clear that Furman needed explosive playmakers. Once I saw the film on Corey Watkins (1st Team Ga Return Specialist) and Dejuan Bell then here comes Amir Trapp, another high-level athlete with KR experience, I thought we're going to invest in the kick return game. The Clemson game was not the game to show this off.

Back in the day, we ran Ike West as a PR, I always felt it was feast or famine with Ike. My gut tells me I don't see Trapp being a fair-catch weapon.

[The Jackal]

I don't think we know what the return game strategy is for this season. McCarter was like a safety valve, catch the ball - that's your job.

At the end of the season CCH, I felt made it pretty clear that Furman needed explosive playmakers. Once I saw the film on Corey Watkins (1st Team Ga Return Specialist) and Dejuan Bell then here comes Amir Trapp, another high-level athlete with KR experience, I thought we're going to invest in the kick return game. The Clemson game was not the game to show this off.

Back in the day, we ran Ike West as a PR, I always felt it was feast or famine with Ike. My gut tells me I don't see Trapp being a fair-catch weapon.

If we can get some more out of the return game, that will make us all the more dangerous. Even if our offense ends up being a work in progress, our defense should be tough and field position can win some games.

[The Jackal]

Elon game notes are up. http://furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-foot ... _Stats.pdf

Not a lot of changes except Roberts moved to No. 3.

Ridge Gibson moves to No. 2 at RB.

[gofurman]

I don't think we know what the return game strategy is for this season. McCarter was like a safety valve, catch the ball - that's your job.

At the end of the season CCH, I felt made it pretty clear that Furman needed explosive playmakers. Once I saw the film on Corey Watkins (1st Team Ga Return Specialist) and Dejuan Bell then here comes Amir Trapp, another high-level athlete with KR experience, I thought we're going to invest in the kick return game. The Clemson game was not the game to show this off.

Back in the day, we ran Ike West as a PR, I always felt it was feast or famine with Ike. My gut tells me I don't see Trapp being a fair-catch weapon.

Astro, I would agree w you. . My gut says if we are listing Trapp etc as PR guys then we are saying we are going to try to return punts ... Otherwise why put a star in a position he might get hurt? You would put a strong possession recvr in like last year. And in general I think we should put strong emphasis on PR and KOR. It may be like ol V Tech w Beamer ball. D and special teams win a lot of games. We have a great D!! Might need to help the O w special teams. Special teams beat Elon last year !!!

As AP said, we also need to work on KO coverage though Clemson has blockers and speed like we will not see again. I would love to get a TD or great field position off of a KOR this week. This is a BIG game

[FUBeAR]

Ridge Gibson moves to No. 2 at RB.

Wasn't he listed as #2 last week also?