29 rushing yards to a team that in 2010 gained over 2,000 yards on the ground and averaged roughly 168 rushing yards per game, including over 200 yards vs. ND. That tells me our run defense is pretty darn good. It also tells me that the passing stat of 300+ yards with only 1 TD and 2 FGs is a "desperation" stat. Lou Holtz never was concerned about a team throwing and catching the ball. His objective was to stop the YAC, i.e., do not let the receivers get behind you. We did that well vs. MSU, thanks to our front 7's pressure on the running game. (Full disclosure: Alabama held MSU to negative rushing yards in the bowl game, which is not included in the above stats.) Saturday's game was a vivid example to me of how an effective rush D creates pressure on the passing game. It also illustrates to me the big time impact of Denard Robinson on our defense. Our front 7 did not get that good in the week between MI and MSU. They WERE good.....but they simply could not contain DR, which as said before, put incredible pressure on our DBs to be aware of the run while covering the receivers. I'm very happy for Robert Blanton and the other DBs, who showed that when 11 men on defense can execute a game plan, we are a very formidable opponent for any team on our schedule.
Back in Aug. I heard on the local sports talk radio that one of the O line starters for MSU (who'd been moved over from D line) tweeted that on that day he was being taught how to pass block. That seemed to indicate that they were going to have severe O line problems this season. On top of that, they lost a starter to injury during the first half. I'm not as impressed on the Sat. stats as I would be if I didn't think MSU was going to get manhandled up front all season.
I did not know about the rule that made the celebration penalty on T.J. Jones the wrong call. Here's the explanation (I apologize for the lengthy quote, but in this case I decided to post the entire article rather than edit the length. It's not that long.):
I saw that Sid. Personally I don't know why teams have to have gloves that help the kids "celebrate" after a touchdown. I know a lot of these things are sort of a sign of the times...like baggy basketball shorts...but still can't we wear just regular gloves to they have to make some sort of sign when put together?
Terry, I guess you and I (and others here) are just old-school coots who don't understand today's young men. :?
I remember my first organized football team, a youth league team in 8th grade, in 1957, not long after they started using face masks. My face mask was a curved piece of thick plexiglass, slightly more protective than the single bar on most helmets.
Speaking of the new unis, I read where it was a big deal when Penn State decided to switch from black shoelaces to white ones. Now THAT'S old school. :lol:
This reminds me of a story... When I played in high school, our head coach tried to make a dramatic speech, but it ended with us rolling on the ground laughing at him. He was trying to act tough and bring out the animal in us when he said, "Gentlemen! When I played anyone who wore a face mask was chickensh!t." He finally gave up when we couldn't stop laughing and sent us to the shower.