DoubleBlue
Member
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns has done it twice... (sorry, you have to click through to youtube)
FB: Duke 27, #22 SMU 28 (OT)
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We certainly accomplished point #1; #4 not so much.
It is hard to process having a +6 Turnover Margin and losing the game.
Phredd3
Member
Looks like even that kick was blocked.
DoubleBlue
Member
Yes, Garrett blocked FG attempts twice by jumping over the OL, landing and then jumping again to block the kick. Same as the SMU block yesterday.
I watched the second Garrett block live (since it was against the Eagles) and the announcers said they had never seen that before and that Garrett is a freak athlete at 270 pounds with a huge vertical. I found this where he completed a 57" box leap (the title says 64" but see the comments):
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The special teams lost this game, but not just the placekicking portion is bad. Fair catching a line drive punt at our own 5 with no one around and not understanding we can field our own punt to prevent a touchback are big mistakes. The special teams have been poor all season and bring back memories of the Roof years. We saw many blocked short PATs and FGs under Roof including one against the Cheats near end of game.
Special teams a big part of football and not executing will neutralize good D and O.
Special teams a big part of football and not executing will neutralize good D and O.
OZZIE4DUKE
Well-known member
I’ve been watching Duke football since September 1972. It’s never over until it’s over. Never more true because it’s Duke football. Always finding new ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And I’m the optimist. Aaaaaaaaaa!
Mike Petrik
Member
Exactly how I feel.
LetsGoDuke83
Member
Starts with oc and special team coordinator, I feel so sorry for the defense
Dr. Maturin
Member
Man, that one was tough. For some reason, I'm not as down as you guys are. This was a game I expected to lose, and we turned it into a 50-50 game. Our guys made a ton of plays in the process, including another 4th quarter comeback. The resilience of this team is remarkable. Obviously the ending was gut wrenching, but I left feeling better about our team.
The Good:
- That's 3 straight great crowds/environments at Wally Wade, even though SMU brough nobody. The atmosphere was great as we made our late charge.
- Maalik Murphy had a genuine breakthrough. He threw two perfect deep balls (only one of which was caught), made better reads, and a lot of nice sharp throws. It wasn't perfect, of course. I know he wants that last play back (FTR, I don't think it was DPI). But if we get more performances like this, we'll win some games.
- WR play was excellent. Have a day, Eli Pancol! It has been great to see him have a nice comeback season. Aside from the one deep ball, the WRs caught everything thrown at them. Jake Taylor, who was overwhelmed in his first start, looked better in blocking and even caught a nice pass.
- Opportunistic defense. Yes, SMU made mistakes and there is always a bit of luck in turnovers, but we also made some plays. Two of our interceptions came when our DBs jumped routes and made a great play on the ball. Tre Freeman's pick came from really good pressure.
- Credit to the remarkable effort from Alex Howard on that chasedown tackle. And then the defense for the goalline stop. This team FIGHTS.
The Bad:
- I'm not a fire the coach kind of guy, but... Manny is going to have to take a hard look at our special teams coaching. There have been way too many breakdowns this season. This time, it cost us the game.
- I praised Todd Pelino for his clutch kicks last week. Ugh. I don't know what happened but it seemed like he couldn't get any lift on his kicks all night. I haven't seen a replay of the block, but I'm sure the trajectory had to have played a part. It should be nearly impossible to block a short FG if you kick it well.
- When we weren't forcing turnovers, the defense got pushed around a bit. The defensive front had by far its worst game of the season, with no sacks, 2 TFL, and getting outplayed by their OL much of the game. Then, unfortunately, we gave up some big plays. The two long passes and the overtime TD came from breakdowns, something that hasn't happened much this year.
- Our last 3 possessions in the 4th Q. After two really nice TD drives, we just sputtered. You simply cannot waste chances like that when you're trying to pull off an upset.
- What is with college bands that basically only play one song? For some reason, SMU's is "She'll be coming around the mountain." Weird. Maybe that's a Texas thing or something.
The Realistic:
- SMU failed to score inside the 5 twice and turned the ball over on 5 other possessions. In reality we may have been fortunate to be tied late. SP+ has our post game win expectancy at 26.4%. I guess that's why I don't feel as bad. To me it feels like a game we nearly stole, rather than a game we blew. YMMV.
- I'm okay with Manny's game management. At the end of regulation, we had the chance to hold for one. We executed everything but the kick. Could we have been more aggressive and gone for the TD? Perhaps, but that also might have allowed SMU to get the ball back. Then in OT, I think either kicking the PAT or going for 2 are acceptable choices. Given our kicking struggles, you CANNOT lose that game on a missed PAT. Manny trusted the Murphy/Pancol connection, and we ran a play that got the 1 on 1 coverage we wanted. Maalik just didn't make the throw. So it goes.
- If our offense can solidify the gains made last night, we can absolutely beat State, VT, and Wake. As for next week, who knows?
The Good:
- That's 3 straight great crowds/environments at Wally Wade, even though SMU brough nobody. The atmosphere was great as we made our late charge.
- Maalik Murphy had a genuine breakthrough. He threw two perfect deep balls (only one of which was caught), made better reads, and a lot of nice sharp throws. It wasn't perfect, of course. I know he wants that last play back (FTR, I don't think it was DPI). But if we get more performances like this, we'll win some games.
- WR play was excellent. Have a day, Eli Pancol! It has been great to see him have a nice comeback season. Aside from the one deep ball, the WRs caught everything thrown at them. Jake Taylor, who was overwhelmed in his first start, looked better in blocking and even caught a nice pass.
- Opportunistic defense. Yes, SMU made mistakes and there is always a bit of luck in turnovers, but we also made some plays. Two of our interceptions came when our DBs jumped routes and made a great play on the ball. Tre Freeman's pick came from really good pressure.
- Credit to the remarkable effort from Alex Howard on that chasedown tackle. And then the defense for the goalline stop. This team FIGHTS.
The Bad:
- I'm not a fire the coach kind of guy, but... Manny is going to have to take a hard look at our special teams coaching. There have been way too many breakdowns this season. This time, it cost us the game.
- I praised Todd Pelino for his clutch kicks last week. Ugh. I don't know what happened but it seemed like he couldn't get any lift on his kicks all night. I haven't seen a replay of the block, but I'm sure the trajectory had to have played a part. It should be nearly impossible to block a short FG if you kick it well.
- When we weren't forcing turnovers, the defense got pushed around a bit. The defensive front had by far its worst game of the season, with no sacks, 2 TFL, and getting outplayed by their OL much of the game. Then, unfortunately, we gave up some big plays. The two long passes and the overtime TD came from breakdowns, something that hasn't happened much this year.
- Our last 3 possessions in the 4th Q. After two really nice TD drives, we just sputtered. You simply cannot waste chances like that when you're trying to pull off an upset.
- What is with college bands that basically only play one song? For some reason, SMU's is "She'll be coming around the mountain." Weird. Maybe that's a Texas thing or something.
The Realistic:
- SMU failed to score inside the 5 twice and turned the ball over on 5 other possessions. In reality we may have been fortunate to be tied late. SP+ has our post game win expectancy at 26.4%. I guess that's why I don't feel as bad. To me it feels like a game we nearly stole, rather than a game we blew. YMMV.
- I'm okay with Manny's game management. At the end of regulation, we had the chance to hold for one. We executed everything but the kick. Could we have been more aggressive and gone for the TD? Perhaps, but that also might have allowed SMU to get the ball back. Then in OT, I think either kicking the PAT or going for 2 are acceptable choices. Given our kicking struggles, you CANNOT lose that game on a missed PAT. Manny trusted the Murphy/Pancol connection, and we ran a play that got the 1 on 1 coverage we wanted. Maalik just didn't make the throw. So it goes.
- If our offense can solidify the gains made last night, we can absolutely beat State, VT, and Wake. As for next week, who knows?
75Crazie
Member
This nails my reaction, well said.
A-Tex Devil
Member
Maalik Murphy can be a really good QB with the right coaching. I am glad he came to Duke, but he’s being hamstrung by poor play calling. That last 2 pt is such a horrible play call. You pull one out of the hat in that situation. Murphy is not fast enough to make that corner on a RPO. Daniel Jones might have done it. Not Murphy. We also don’t have the skill position talent we’ve had in past years so maybe this is building to next year as the breakout.
Murphy needs to cut down on some of his mistakes but I am super excited to have him at Duke. Hopefully our ex-SMU QB Coach OC can get some more training in off season or we make a move.
Murphy needs to cut down on some of his mistakes but I am super excited to have him at Duke. Hopefully our ex-SMU QB Coach OC can get some more training in off season or we make a move.
CrazyNotCrazie
Member
I watched very little of the game (unfortunately was watching the Yankees) but I also recall that late in the game our punter boomed a punt through the end zone. It didn't really cost us much but I do not understand why directional punting is not done more. Kick it towards the sidelines and aim around the 10 yard line. Punters think they can consistently do all sorts of spin to have the ball land at the five and stay there like sticking a shot in golf, but in reality, much of the time it either bounces into the end zone or they misjudge their strength and it flies directly into the end zone. As the saying goes, the punters have one job. They should spend their time working on this. Pet peeve of mine.
I thought it was the right call to go for two and rolling out is generally the right way to do it. I supported the decision at the time it was made, based on the information available to me. It was likely PI but it shouldn't have come to that.
Also, the Giants had a similar blocked kick vs. the Seahawks earlier this year late in the game. Seattle was kicking to tie the game with a minute left and the Giants blocked it and returned it for a TD. Sorry - having trouble finding a good link that is definitely viewable.
Dr. Maturin
Member
I didn't mind the call. I don't think it was a designed roll out but that Maalik responded to pressure. We got what we wanted, which was Pancol in 1 on 1 coverage. I just wished Maalik had set his feet to make the throw.
I appreciate all of your comments. Some thoughts on three:
-is it possible Pellino was hurt or ill?
-Postgame, the SMU band played quite a few tunes for the emptying stadium, as NCCU and Ga Tech are wont to do. One that took me a moment to place was the theme from Dallas. I wonder how many of those kids have heard it anywhere else.
-I suspect those of us who were ok with Cutcliffe’s Asack game in Blacksburg are ok with this one. I respect both game plans.
King of Defense
Member
My other team now, thanks to my son, is USC. I went to the USC-Maryland game. The Terps blocked a field goal that would've iced it, then drove down for the winning TD.
What are the odds of having both my teams lose on blocked kicks in a span of eight days?
What are the odds of having both my teams lose on blocked kicks in a span of eight days?
In my opinion, either one of our other quarterbacks would have scored on that last play. Murphy is simply not a runner and it severely limits our play calling. You need more than a big arm to play quarterback at this level. I’m not convinced that any amount of offseason work is going to resolve the problem.
Yes, there was a punt that went way into the end zone as well, but I believe the post you're responding to was referring to a punt a bit earlier that bounced on the 3 yard line. We had a special team's player there already and he could have just caught it to down it there. Instead, he let it bounce and it took a high awkward bounce where he jumped from just outside the end zone to try to bat it back in play while airborne, but was unable to do so and it was a touchback.
To the above posts, I'm not down on the team for losing this one in and of itself as I too expected a loss coming into it, but how the loss occurred was super frustrating given the turnover margin and just lack of execution on special teams/offense. If we'd have lost by 21, probably wouldn't have not been as disappointing of a loss. Sometimes that happens of course in sport. You're more disappointed by the close losses -- particular when you just have to make basically an extra point to win it.
Phredd3
Member
I mean, yeah, maybe we got pushed around a bit, but that was the most multi-dimensional offense we've faced all year, by a pretty good bit. Only BYU has held them to fewer points all season, and that includes the overtime. I thought a lot of times we got pushed around because we started pushing in one direction, only to realize that the play was going in another. Similarly, the variety in the plays we faced caused our secondary to sometimes be out of position. I didn't see every play, admittedly, but from what I saw, I thought that was an excellent game from our defense, but we just happened to be facing a very potent offensive attack.