What was encouraging about last Saturday ...

[sonofdaxjones]

is KSU did exactly what you're supposed to do to a bad team.

KSU had a boot on their neck right from the opening kick-off and dominated the entire game.

No screwing around etc. etc. etc.

Also if you aren't noticing that this team doesn't commit a lot of penalties, we're not counting down the play clock to 3 ... 2 ... 1 on every play, KSU doesn't burn 2 time outs every half because nobody can make up their mind what play to call etc. etc.  Then you're just not paying attention. 

Clearly there will be some struggles ... but right now I am noticing a lot of little things that are good, or vastly improved over the last two years.  Despite what our detractors says, those type of things to me point to solid coaching. 

[michigancat]

When it came down to it, penalties rarely hurt KSU much under Snyder.  They were always heavily penalized - even the great teams.  That said, I also see positives:

Emphasis Special Teams (duh)
One fumble, and no lost fumbles
High number of sacks and tackles for loss
6 of our top 8 tacklers are front 7 players
D-line appears to be improving, and we have the most depth in years.  Even if they are somewhat raw, it's still nice to have.

If Prince can work his magic on the o-line, this team could possibly go 6-6.

[sonofdaxjones]

You're probably right on the penalties part.

Yes, I agree, I think 6-6 is quite doable, maybe 7-5.   I think KSU has the CAPABILITY to be in every game even against Louisville and Texas.

[ksu_FAN]

Great points.

I thought offensively we looked like a different team.  Granted, some of that was FAU, but our playcalling was much more creative, we mixed in more motion/formations, and we ran plays off of our own tendancies from week 1.  For example, the reverse for a score was off our stretch play and worked very well.

I thought Clayton played well and was a good decision maker from the RB position.  He definately showed much more burst than we saw last week.  The Oline did a much better job sealing on zone/stretch plays and we seemed to pull linemen a little more.  

Defensively we already look like a much more agressive and quicker unit than we have the past two years.  I still think the our Tampa 2 has some holes that can be exploited, one that stuck out this week was between the corner in the flat and the safety over the top, but overall a nice performance by our defense.  

Finally, it was nice to have an opportunity to get some younger guys some snaps in a game situation, especially with a new system.  We seem to be a much deeper team along the defensive front and at LB than we have the past 2 years.  

Many positives to take away from that game.  Hopefully we can build on it to beat a Marshall team that IMO we have to beat at home to have a shot at a bowl game.

[Andy]

Defensively we already look like a much more agressive and quicker unit than we have the past two years.  I still think the our Tampa 2 has some holes that can be exploited, one that stuck out this week was between the corner in the flat and the safety over the top, but overall a nice performance by our defense.  

their qb had to make a hell of a pass to do that.  i dont think its a problem that is easily exploited by most teams.  especially if the def line is playing well.

[Wildcat Jack]

We finally defended a screen pass.  I didn't know if we were ever gonna make that adjustment...but they did it.

I was impressed with the discipline and execution.  It's yet to see if that'll translate against better teams, but clearly this team has a better attitude than it has recently.

O-Line needs mucho work.

[Racquetball_Ninja]

Also if you aren't noticing that this team doesn't commit a lot of penalties, we're not counting down the play clock to 3 ... 2 ... 1 on every play, KSU doesn't burn 2 time outs every half because nobody can make up their mind what play to call etc. etc.  Then you're just not paying attention. 

Clearly there will be some struggles ... but right now I am noticing a lot of little things that are good, or vastly improved over the last two years.  Despite what our detractors says, those type of things to me point to solid coaching. 

I'm just thankful someone else noticed.

[WILDCAT NATION]

is KSU did exactly what you're supposed to do to a bad team.

KSU had a boot on their neck right from the opening kick-off and dominated the entire game.

No screwing around etc. etc. etc.

Also if you aren't noticing that this team doesn't commit a lot of penalties, we're not counting down the play clock to 3 ... 2 ... 1 on every play, KSU doesn't burn 2 time outs every half because nobody can make up their mind what play to call etc. etc.  Then you're just not paying attention. 

Clearly there will be some struggles ... but right now I am noticing a lot of little things that are good, or vastly improved over the last two years.  Despite what our detractors says, those type of things to me point to solid coaching. 

Better be careful, the powertards will have to off themselves if they think you say anything positive...

Actually, keep it up..we could stand to lose some of the homers.