Postgame VMI Thoughts

[purplehorse]

As has often been the case, our defense was better in the second half than the first. Good job!

Offense had 8 TD’s, 1 FG, 1 missed FG by backup, 2 dropped passes that were TD’s (Anderson long pass by Grainger and pass a little low at 2 yard line to receiver from Grainger) and a single punt in the first half.

Best TD-long run by Wynn for his fifth TD. Boy did he put a move on the D just beyond the line of scrimmage.

Good recovery by Grainger today. Great game by Sisson and Gordon.

BEAT WOFFORD!

[cavedweller2]

We must improve. We had 8 incomplete passes.

[The Jackal]

That's the fourth time this season our defense has pitched a shutout in the second half.

Excellent effort. Exactly what we needed to do.

When we are able to complete passes, our offense is incredibly tough to stop. Too many playmakers.

[apaladin]

Sisson was 17-22 for 277 yds and 2 TD's. I'll take that. Over 600 yds of total offense, I'll take that too.

[Bootie]

[Bootie]

[The Jackal]

I didn't really notice this in real time, but watching the highlights you see VMI in a somewhat rare 5-3 front.

As Coach Hendrix noted, they were just "daring" us to throw the ball.

[The Jackal]

Check out this defense. VMI has 8 players within 5 yards of the LOS.

Beautiful play design, too. Isolates the ROLB and confuses him about what he's supposed to do.

Abrams is pretty special. Big back that can block, run, and catch.

[din23]

Check out this defense. VMI has 8 players within 5 yards of the LOS.

Beautiful play design, too. Isolates the ROLB and confuses him about what he's supposed to do.

Abrams is pretty special. Big back that can block, run, and catch.

We had run this same play to the right side in the first half, and had the LB or DL not batted the pass down, he may have run the length of the field on that one as well. I was waiting for the coaches to come back to it, and they did.

[The Jackal]

Our offense is just so tough to defend when we start mixing the backs into the passing game.

The OLB on that play is just in a no win situation. It's almost impossible for him to diagnose that play in real time.

[AstroDin]

Hamp is one cool quarterback - his play for 2.5 quarters was impressive. I also thought Grainger played well, played confident and deserved better - great pass that was dropped.

The future looks bright with Chizik and Blackshear - and we add a wicked corner next year in Micah Robinson.

Congrats to London Lewis getting his first sack and extensive PT.

Devin Abrams is the real deal. Roberto is a hoss! Gordon is playing his best ball at the right time, I'd look for a big game in Sparklesburg next Saturday.

Loved the piss and vinegar the o-lined showed after the horse-collar tackle.

As great as Furman played - the three gentlemen who are World War Two veterans were something special.

Salute!

[The Jackal]

This right here is a beautiful run.

[tya1]

After scoring 32 in the first half the final total of 60 might not be a surprise but shutting down the VMI offense so completely was. What was the difference? Greater effort? Comfort with reading their offense by our defense? An emotional letdown by VMI after we came out hot in the third quarter?

Whatever we did, I hope it works as well against Wofford.

[FUPlayer74]

After scoring 32 in the first half the final total of 60 might not be a surprise but shutting down the VMI offense so completely was. What was the difference? Greater effort? Comfort with reading their offense by our defense? An emotional letdown by VMI after we came out hot in the third quarter?

Whatever we did, I hope it works as well against Wofford.

I give a ton of credit to Coach Vaughn and staff for the adjustments made.

[The Jackal]

After scoring 32 in the first half the final total of 60 might not be a surprise but shutting down the VMI offense so completely was. What was the difference? Greater effort? Comfort with reading their offense by our defense? An emotional letdown by VMI after we came out hot in the third quarter?

Whatever we did, I hope it works as well against Wofford.

I think there are a few things.

First, there's no question we are making adjustments. This was the 4th time we've shut out an opponent in the second half. Other than the Citadel, no FCS team has scored more than 8 points on our defense in the second half.

Second, I've also made the argument a number of times that we are deeper in the defensive backfield than we've been in a long time. If we can get a lead and teams are having to start throwing, we can just create so many matchup problems with personnel packages.

Just an example. 2nd in 10 in the 3rd Q. VMI is still in the game. Furman has at least 3 CBs and 2 safeties on the field. The two ILBs appear to be Wilkins and Willis (LB/S SPURS). So, VMI is having to throw into essentially 7 man coverage with 7 guys that are excellent coverage players. Udinski is great QB, but that's a tough ask with a pass rush coming at him.