Missed throws, missed catches, oline not getting down field on run blocking and the defense still giving way too much cushion. In spite of it all, that's what cost us the game rather than Tech actually beating us.
The past ASU teams would have gone down 21-0 and probably 24-0 before getting a fg. Tech was gifted a fg at the end of the 1st half with a PI call that even the announcers thought was phantom. We did not fold but never found a way to get more energy and to execute cleanly. As a reminder, whatever passing shortcomings Sam has/is working through, Sims passing is even more atrocious.
Skat is much improved but he is not an every down/every game back. If we don't have another rb who can alternate downs or series, we will become one dimensional. If your rs freshman qb isn't clicking, then it will be a sloppy game as it was yesterday. Another thing that is bothersome for me is our wrs lack of laying out for the ball and Jake Smith stopping his route only to have to jump to catch a ball that would have been in stride (yes he should have slowed down not stop his route) for a TD. If you want to bemoan Sam's accuracy, you need to also acknowledge the wrs weaknesses and downright lack of mental intelligence. Hines has some serious work to do and I hope this game film helps him get to it.
Was it frustrating, yes. Was it concerning, somewhat. Is the sky falling, nope. Are we improved, yes. Do we look like ASU of the last 20 years, yes we do. Go 3-0 and then have your 1st conference game on the road and lose. After the last 3 or 4 years, it's nice to be 3-1 and it was nice to see an ASU team keep fighting after quickly going down 14-0.
The 1st year OC is night and day better than last year. The talent, especially at rb and wr, is not up to the standard of our P4 status but our rb does give us a punchers chance, which kudos to Skat for his improvement.
Perspective needs to be maintained and ideas of zero to hero type of turnaround, should be considered nonsensical. We are learning how to win again and the next step is learning how to bring your own emotion, energy and passion. Keep building through the adversity and reassess the big picture at the end of the season. We were never title contenders this year so treating each game as a vacuum isn't correct in my estimation but assessing the entire season when it's over, is. Let's see where we stand at the end.
The past ASU teams would have gone down 21-0 and probably 24-0 before getting a fg. Tech was gifted a fg at the end of the 1st half with a PI call that even the announcers thought was phantom. We did not fold but never found a way to get more energy and to execute cleanly. As a reminder, whatever passing shortcomings Sam has/is working through, Sims passing is even more atrocious.
Skat is much improved but he is not an every down/every game back. If we don't have another rb who can alternate downs or series, we will become one dimensional. If your rs freshman qb isn't clicking, then it will be a sloppy game as it was yesterday. Another thing that is bothersome for me is our wrs lack of laying out for the ball and Jake Smith stopping his route only to have to jump to catch a ball that would have been in stride (yes he should have slowed down not stop his route) for a TD. If you want to bemoan Sam's accuracy, you need to also acknowledge the wrs weaknesses and downright lack of mental intelligence. Hines has some serious work to do and I hope this game film helps him get to it.
Was it frustrating, yes. Was it concerning, somewhat. Is the sky falling, nope. Are we improved, yes. Do we look like ASU of the last 20 years, yes we do. Go 3-0 and then have your 1st conference game on the road and lose. After the last 3 or 4 years, it's nice to be 3-1 and it was nice to see an ASU team keep fighting after quickly going down 14-0.
The 1st year OC is night and day better than last year. The talent, especially at rb and wr, is not up to the standard of our P4 status but our rb does give us a punchers chance, which kudos to Skat for his improvement.
Perspective needs to be maintained and ideas of zero to hero type of turnaround, should be considered nonsensical. We are learning how to win again and the next step is learning how to bring your own emotion, energy and passion. Keep building through the adversity and reassess the big picture at the end of the season. We were never title contenders this year so treating each game as a vacuum isn't correct in my estimation but assessing the entire season when it's over, is. Let's see where we stand at the end.
