Couple of comments….some agree with others….some not.
First, as CD says….it RAINED and RAINED….we have had 10 straight days of rain. That does cause some “mojo” issues. However, with our NEW IPF, we practiced in the dry and the artificial sun was shining. When I was in Boston last year, I attended the last “open” practice at Gillette. The Eagles were also there and they scrimmaged. It was CROWDED as there was a front coming in for the LAST open practice. The Eagles cancelled….but the Pat’s actually worked out inside Gillette and said that it was great for them to get “real world” workouts as you could not control Sunday’s weather. SO, we could not control today’s weather and practiced INSIDE.
The turnovers were probably the biggest difference. What lead to them….maybe not knowing HOW to handle or keep possession of WET BALLS. The fumble after the long reception on the 5 Yd line early on sort of took the “MoJo” out of the offense. They found a few drops of it later….but not enough to satisfy their thirst….and they STARVED.
Play callings….agree…..when it DON’T work, why keep calling it over and over? CD will have to weigh in and comment…..as I am just a “WTF call” observer from the stands.
Defense DID make some adjustments at the half. BUT, not enough. The QB Keeper (run to both sides….and was Louisville’s FIRST score) was a killer. BUT, even in the second half, Louisville was running it and getting yardage and first downs. SO, the tweaking was not enough.
We were totally dominated on first downs. That upset our normal routine or cadence for the next two downs. When we were 2nd & 10 or 2nd and 14 or even 2nd & 8, we got out of our normal rhythm…..and lost our Offensive MoJo.
We could NOT get stops when we needed to. We could not make yardage (3rd downs) when we needed to. Jacoby was “off” a little….maybe he was not USED to throwing wet balls. We fumbled….
In ALL fairness, I thought the officiating was probably as bad as I have seen. I first thought that Ron Cherry and Company were there. YES, I had a partisan view….but the lack of “Holding Calls” on offense were either Stupidity, Blindness or Bias.
The REfs did NOT lose the game for us….but they sure made it difficult for us to maintain momentum. The officiating did not provide a level playing field.
UNC is about ready to surprise and “UPSET” the Yeller Jackets….and there will be UNC Crowing all week….GO TECH….
