Sacrificed to Sun Devils

     As I walked into a basically empty Folsom stadium twenty minutes before kickoff on Thursday, the first thing I looked for was number 7, and was immediately disappointed to see Ray Polk standing off to the side with no pads on under his jersey.  While the seats did eventually fill up pretty well, and the Buffs made a game of it before halftime, the absence of their senior leader safety (among MANY other things) was way too much to overcome in the second half.  The dichotomy between the last 24 seconds of the first half and the first 11 of the second are a microcosm of the entire season:  No matter what positives they achieve, they always find a way to outdo themselves with negatives shortly after. 

      Without Polk in the first half, I was tense, waiting for the flood gates to break open, but the defense only gave a few big plays and the offense actually put together two nice drives between sputter-outs, and the much maligned kickoff coverage unit forced and recover a fumble, leading to a FG to pull within three, and all the momentum seemingly in the Buffs corner.  However, I was still definitely tense at halftime, talking to the folks around me; we were ecstatic to have made it a game, and that we would certainly "take it".  However, were worried what Arizona would do with the ball coming out of the locker rooms.  Our fears were absolutely justified as the Sun Devils took the kickoff straight down the east sideline and stabbed a pitchfork into Ralphie AND Chip (okay not really that last part but you get the point).

Here’s a few notes and observations from the game…

§  Besides Polk, a ton of guys were out, even though they were supposed to be as healthy as they have been since the opener.  Christian Powell did not play at TB and we could have used his size for sure.  On defense, they were also missing both LBs Kyle Washington and Paul Vigo, both converted safeties who have played a ton lately in nickel and dime packages (which are out there more often than not), as well as CB Yuri Wright and DT Justin Solis.

§  LB Doug Rippy was back, but did not play a whole lot.  Jon Major has looked slow all year, not the Jon Major of the past.  Neither senior LB has looked 100% at any time this season.  Woodson Greer III ended up playing a lot and seemed to do well getting a sack and some nice tackles. [LB Brady Daigh was carted off the field late in the game, but appears to have no signs of serious injury.]

§  I didn't notice, but it was reported that T-Fr. DE Samson Kafovalu started the game, although I have yet to hear his name called or see him in on a play.  Chidera Uzo-Diribe was actually listed as “out” with a nagging ankle sprain, but did play in limited capacity, even adding a sack.  Juda Parker has played only sparingly and remains a puzzling player.  This defensive line is by far the team's biggest liability (and that is saying a lot considering the performance of the offensive line and wide receivers).  Until they improve, the secondary will be running around, chasing very fast players and wearing down by the time the fourth quarter rolls around.  Even is we can keep it close that long, the defense can't keep the dike plugged forever.

§  Kenneth Crawley actually said he felt some guys quit toward the end of the game.  However, Embree attirubuted the last ASU touchdown drive to general weariness and the after effects of seeing a teammate carted off on a stretcher (Brady Daigh could even play at USC).

§   You couldn't tell that ASU was playing a bunch of players recently-switched-from-offense on defense, as the Buffs had only fleeting moments of moderate success on offense…again.

§The offensive line continues to be pathetic, hardly giving any time to Jordan Webb, who needs the time and no pressure to make good decisions (although he had a few very questionable passes, I don’t think he had a turnover for once!), instead of getting chased and crushed on most plays.  Nor could they open up much space for the RBs to run.  Steve Marshall needs to be replaced (Cal fans are laughing so hard right about now, but they do need a good chuckle as they suck also).

§  Not convinced that Handler is the best choice at center. I was very disappointed not to see Stephane Nembot get any time at RT.  We need for him to develop and the line is awful regardless, so let’s play him and maybe some other guys.

§  Josh Ford got into the game and had a nice carry, and then disappeared again.  Malcom Creer came into the game to be part of a ridiculous double reverse that took so long to develop it seemed like all eleven ASU defenders were in the backfield to make the tackle.  Otherwise it was Tony Jones, who was not able to do a whole lot except for one drive where they ran a nice little play a few times for gains.  Does EB get lost in all the chaos of the game and forget who he has?  I would love to see Josh Ford at the beginning of the game when they do not need to pass most of the time.

§  T-Fr. Vincent Hobbs got involved a little in the game early but that was about it.  Nick Kasa had another nice TD and a few other grabs, leading the team.  However, there was one play Chad Brown (KOA sideline reporter) observed where Kasa left the huddle with his hands out looking back at Webb, obviously confused as to the play, and sure enough, when Webb went back to pass, he looked Kasa’s way, but he wasn’t where he was supposed to be, and Webb had to throw it away.

§  “Double Deuce” Nelson Spruce was effectively taken out of the game by ASU.  He only had a few catches and I think was the only receiver they were really concerned about.  Tyler McCulloch would have been a better fit at one of the New Mexico schools that didn’t bother to recruit him. WR is the position where the team is most lacking as they are way to slow to compete in the Pac-12.  Gerald Thomas has some raw talent, but he and Nelson Spruce are both number three guys at best.  They will need someone else (greyshirt or true frosh) to join P-Rich out wide.

§  There are still way too many plays where it seems the opposing defense know exactly what is coming and blow it up in the backfield.  There were quite a few untouched defenders in the backfield and many TFLs, in addition to the five sacks.  There were also not one, but two bubble screens that were easily broken up and probably actually should have been pick sixes (combination bad play call, bad blocking out wide and bad decision by Webb to release the ball.

§  Embree will meet with offensive coaches to try and find some solutions to the telegraphing tendencies they are giving off, as well as trying to find some way to consistently gain some yards and extend drives more often.;

§  Coaches keep saying that Connor Wood is healthy and the backup QB, but when garbage time came, it was Nick Hirschman that entered the game again.

§  On defense, the Buffs were porous again.  As with the rest of the team, even they managed a good play, it was quickly overshadowed by a mistake. (i.e. when the secondary made a third down stop but defensive “leader” LB Derrick Webb was nailed for a pretty blatant hit on the QB).  They would get a sack, but then get burned on a third-and-long.

§  QB Taylor Kelly more often than not literally had almost ten seconds to move around the pocket, look for receivers and find one or run. While the front seven had 2 sacks, they were beaten repeatedly by screen passes, as if they were just invented this week and no one on our defense had even seen one before.  At least twice, five (and many other times 2 or 3) CU were defenders were running untouched to Kelly, with no regard for the huge smile on his face, and no one recognizing that the RB who let them through without a block, is waiting patiently behind them to catch and easy soft pass and spring down the open field.  It was getting comical to watch them fall for over and over and over…

§  Embree even said that the defense has played generally well enough to win, but that it is too hard for them to overcome so many three and outs (four in a row I think in the second half to let ASU run away with it).

§  In actuality, I think the secondary played relatively well, covering for long stretches while we got no pass rush, but could not sustain.  The CBs did not give nearly as big of a cushion, but they still do not look back for the ball when they are downfield (not enough hands on coaching from a DB coach who is way overmatched as a coordinator as well).  Henderson is solid and Crawley is going to be really good once he learns and adopts a little more fundamental technique.

§  The screens and a few other big plays were much more the responsibility of the LBs, who were supposed to be the strength of the D this year, but they are conceding the middle of the field.  Major looked awful running after an RB who easily got behind him for a score.

§  S Parker Orms had a quiet game, outside of one stupid roughing call out of bounds.  T-Fr. Marques Mosley played quite a bit and got his first career sack, but was also beaten for a TD.  After having started and played a lot the last two games, Jered Bell only played a little.  They really miss Polk here, but are getting good experience for next year and beyond.

§  Nate Bonsu blocked ASU’s first PAT.  Kenneth Crawley did very little with the few punts he received and no one seems to be able to do anything with kickoffs-they did get one out to about the thirty, but are still too often giving up free yards by catching the ball in the endzone and trying to run it out. 

§  P Darragh O’Neill (who is still without a scholarship I think) continues to be the bright spot on a weak team.  His booming punts keep the games from getting even more out of hand.

§  I am not seeing a whole lot of progress or much to be hopeful about at this point.  The next two weeks are going to be slaughters on the road.  It would be a complete surprise if both USC and Oregon didn’t score at least 50 each against us and 100 would not be out of the question.  They need to get healthy and not lose anyone else.  No matter what happens, this team will have to do some serious soul-searching when they come home to face Stanford to start November.