Whenever I see a team execute at a high level, I feel like I'm watching a sport "performed," rather than merely played. There were times Saturday when our offensive line performed football.
In addition, the OL at times seemed to exhibit more aggressiveness than it has in previous games.
Is this group starting to hit its stride? Let's go see. Lot's of interesting stuff to look at in the first quarter.
Our first play from scrimmage (a 6-yard run by Smith) set the tone. Watch in particular the teamwork of Dunlap (#51), Faalele (#78) and TE Paulson (#80).
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/Ln8te7c1Yi6pq3dYtg" width="480" height="302" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/Ln8te7c1Yi6pq3dYtg">via GIPHY</a></p>
Dunlap gets a hand on the DL, making it easier for Olson (#64) to make his block, before getting out and at least getting a shove on the LB, who is then immediately engaged by Paulson. At the snap, Paulson helped Faalele with his block before sliding out and driving the LB a good five yards upfield. That's a lot of moving parts, and they were all in sync.
In the next play, watch Olson get a solid block on the DL before catching sight of the late-blitzing LB. Olson comes off the lineman and chills the LB. (He and Andries are probably the only linemen we have capable of reacting that quickly.) The freed-up lineman succeeds in getting in on the tackle, but because we got a superior push from the line, we pick up four yards. Speaking of push, check out Schmitz (#60). That's a hell of an accomplishment, snapping the ball and driving a DT three yards off the line.
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/jn888pDlN9LvIqb6pR" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/jn888pDlN9LvIqb6pR">via GIPHY</a></p>
Of course, even when you (nearly) do everything right, sometimes the other guys do it better. The Illinois pick-six was aided and abetted by superior execution of a stunt, with a DT looping from the right all the way around the left end and directly into QB Morgan's face. But the rest of the defensive lineman did such an excellent job engaging our OL, I don't see how our guys could possibly have picked it up.
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/ckSWMVulHmrEYn7yMQ" width="480" height="314" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/ckSWMVulHmrEYn7yMQ">via GIPHY</a></p>
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/ighFfzfgjdGoWVzepr" width="480" height="314" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/ighFfzfgjdGoWVzepr">via GIPHY</a></p>
And, while we're at it, let's focus on Faalele on this pass from our first possession, where he inexplicably lets a pass rusher slide through to his inside and deck Morgan.
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/KGHstvGOD0ez5bKU9G" width="480" height="314" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/KGHstvGOD0ez5bKU9G">via GIPHY</a></p>
A completely unforced error, and one of those things that can drive you crazy about Faalele. Few opponents are gonna beat him physically. But he defeats himself far too frequently.
For the quarter:
Rushing
Schlueter (13) 97.4%
Andries (11) 93.9%
Olson (13) 97.4%
Schmitz (2) 83.3%
Dunlap (13) 97.4%
Faalele (13) 94.9%
Passing
Schlueter (7) 90.5%
Andries (6) 100%
Olson (7) 95.2%
Schmitz (1) 100%
Dunlap (7) 100%
Faalele (7) 85.7%
That's some damn nice work.
JTG
In addition, the OL at times seemed to exhibit more aggressiveness than it has in previous games.
Is this group starting to hit its stride? Let's go see. Lot's of interesting stuff to look at in the first quarter.
Our first play from scrimmage (a 6-yard run by Smith) set the tone. Watch in particular the teamwork of Dunlap (#51), Faalele (#78) and TE Paulson (#80).
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/Ln8te7c1Yi6pq3dYtg" width="480" height="302" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/Ln8te7c1Yi6pq3dYtg">via GIPHY</a></p>
Dunlap gets a hand on the DL, making it easier for Olson (#64) to make his block, before getting out and at least getting a shove on the LB, who is then immediately engaged by Paulson. At the snap, Paulson helped Faalele with his block before sliding out and driving the LB a good five yards upfield. That's a lot of moving parts, and they were all in sync.
In the next play, watch Olson get a solid block on the DL before catching sight of the late-blitzing LB. Olson comes off the lineman and chills the LB. (He and Andries are probably the only linemen we have capable of reacting that quickly.) The freed-up lineman succeeds in getting in on the tackle, but because we got a superior push from the line, we pick up four yards. Speaking of push, check out Schmitz (#60). That's a hell of an accomplishment, snapping the ball and driving a DT three yards off the line.
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/jn888pDlN9LvIqb6pR" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/jn888pDlN9LvIqb6pR">via GIPHY</a></p>
Of course, even when you (nearly) do everything right, sometimes the other guys do it better. The Illinois pick-six was aided and abetted by superior execution of a stunt, with a DT looping from the right all the way around the left end and directly into QB Morgan's face. But the rest of the defensive lineman did such an excellent job engaging our OL, I don't see how our guys could possibly have picked it up.
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/ckSWMVulHmrEYn7yMQ" width="480" height="314" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/ckSWMVulHmrEYn7yMQ">via GIPHY</a></p>
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/ighFfzfgjdGoWVzepr" width="480" height="314" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/ighFfzfgjdGoWVzepr">via GIPHY</a></p>
And, while we're at it, let's focus on Faalele on this pass from our first possession, where he inexplicably lets a pass rusher slide through to his inside and deck Morgan.
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/KGHstvGOD0ez5bKU9G" width="480" height="314" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/KGHstvGOD0ez5bKU9G">via GIPHY</a></p>
A completely unforced error, and one of those things that can drive you crazy about Faalele. Few opponents are gonna beat him physically. But he defeats himself far too frequently.
For the quarter:
Rushing
Schlueter (13) 97.4%
Andries (11) 93.9%
Olson (13) 97.4%
Schmitz (2) 83.3%
Dunlap (13) 97.4%
Faalele (13) 94.9%
Passing
Schlueter (7) 90.5%
Andries (6) 100%
Olson (7) 95.2%
Schmitz (1) 100%
Dunlap (7) 100%
Faalele (7) 85.7%
That's some damn nice work.
JTG