Offensive thoughts; another thing that hurt us this week...

[ksu_FAN]

was the boneheaded move by Norwood.  I'm sure our 2 TE stuff had been a key part of the package going in, but without Norwood that wasn't going to be nearly as effective.  That took out a significant part of our offense from last year and limited some of what we can do.  Plus, that was probably something we were working on quite a bit this fall up until his arrest, so essentually we wasted a ton of prep time. 

That said, I did like the use of spread and empty backfield sets.  We did some last year, but that was a featured part of our offense against Auburn.  Plus we put Freeman on the move a lot more and I thought he handled that very well.  I'd like to see a few more rushing attempts (10 rushes for 16 yards from our backs), but we did use a lot of short passing game essentually as our rush offense in this one.  I'm sure we'll see adjustments to those numbers as the year goes on, and as we talked about from last year we must find away to at least even up our TOP (27:44 to 32:16 against AU) or over the course of the season our defense will pay for it like last year.

[Fledermaus]

Norwood would have added nothing to the TE play, which was fine.  The lack of a true deep threat limited us far more.  Murphy was getting physically dominated by the corners coming off the snap & couldn't get downfield. 

[catzacker]

Norwood still hasn't blocked anyone in his entire career at KSU (other than throwing a woman on her bed).  We just have to figure out a way to run somehow, someway.  We weren't going to be able to run traps  against  Auburn nor would stretch plays work.  I think Freeman getting dinged was the biggest thing that hurt out offense in the 2nd half.  He couldn't avoid the rush very well, we couldn't move the pocket, and we couldn't run draws anymore (something I think we were planning on mixing in during the 2nd half).  Franklin has to figure out a way to run the ball.  

[ksu_FAN]

I agree that Norwood never has been a great blocker, but I find it hard to believe that an experienced SR TE who led the team in receptions last year wouldn't have helped us.

[FHSU92]

Norwood still hasn't blocked anyone in his entire career at KSU (other than throwing a woman on her bed).  We just have to figure out a way to run somehow, someway.  We weren't going to be able to run traps  against  Auburn nor would stretch plays work.  I think Freeman getting dinged was the biggest thing that hurt out offense in the 2nd half.  He couldn't avoid the rush very well, we couldn't move the pocket, and we couldn't run draws anymore (something I think we were planning on mixing in during the 2nd half).  Franklin has to figure out a way to run the ball.  

Actually trying is a first step.  Josh only ran once, right (I know he almost sprained his ankle/knee)? And, there were few between the tackle rush attempts. If you're not going to try up the gut runs or off tackle, why shouldn't the LB's back off some and cover the middle for TE passes?  While those runs may not net more than 1-3 yds they keep the LBs and DLine honest, imo.

[KSU4ME]

The time of possession was pretty darn good going into the fourth quarter.  We have depth on defense, and it showed.  We don't on offense, and it showed.

The most promising thing that I saw out of our offense was Josh's ability to throw very well on the move.  Whether it was moving around in the pocket, scrambling outside the pocket, or a designed roll out, he threw the ball well. 

That opens things up for us quite a bit.

And it might just be me, but I like Patton running the ball more so than JJ.

[Fledermaus]

I agree that Norwood never has been a great blocker, but I find it hard to believe that an experienced SR TE who led the team in receptions last year wouldn't have helped us.

Norwood was a good receiver, but Mastrud and Pooshke were equally solid -- 6 catches for 60 yards.  Norwood wouldn't have helped with the running situation.  We didn't try to run, but in all fairness AU has some bad dudes on their front 7.  They are probably as tough a rush D as we will face this year.  I'm fairly pleased that our o-line held up as well as it did.     

[ksu_FAN]

I agree that Norwood never has been a great blocker, but I find it hard to believe that an experienced SR TE who led the team in receptions last year wouldn't have helped us.

Norwood was a good receiver, but Mastrud and Pooshke were equally solid -- 6 catches for 60 yards.  Norwood wouldn't have helped with the running situation.  We didn't try to run, but in all fairness AU has some bad dudes on their front 7.  They are probably as tough a rush D as we will face this year.  I'm fairly pleased that our o-line held up as well as it did.     

Good points and I agree completely on the Oline.  My thoughts on Norwood stem from that fact that he is our most athletic TE and we may have been more willing to use some of the double TE sets from last year with him in the game.  I didn't think Pooshke or Mastrud played badly, but I don't think either is quite as athletic as Norwood and he might have given us an additional wrinkle from that spot.  Plus, he was pretty much locked in to start before his arrest, so I can't help but think some of the original gameplanning involved using him going into Auburn.

[kstate16]

mastrud had a darn good game.

[opcat]

Norwood can get down the field.

Where is Lamark ?  He could have made some plays if the others weren't getting open