Baylor Football Blog
Monday, October 03, 2005
Baylor Kills Self, Loses to A&M 16-13 in OT
Well, it took a ton of missed scoring opportunities for Baylor to give this game to A&M, but they sure succeeded.
There's plenty of blame to go around, but I'll highlight a few in order that I think impacted the game.
1. Coach Morriss - The 4th-and-1 conversion try lost this game. There were two ways to make the 4th down play work: make sure you get Mosley in the game, 'cause he would have made that yard, OR kick the FIELD GOAL! I know it's hard, but I just don't see that play as "playing to win", I see it as knowingly giving away points.
2. Shawn Bell - There will be plenty of discussion about this and he didn't play poorly, but this offense is just crying out for a playmaker at this position. There were a dozen plays AT LEAST that Bell could have made to win this game. Passes into the endzone flew over receivers hands, passes got to receivers too late for them to make a big play, not running for yards on 3rd down and just throwing the ball away. He had passes knocked out of his hands and continually went with the safe routes for little gain instead of even trying for a deep pass. Not to mention taking two consecutive sacks to take us out of comfortable FG range. I've said I wouldn't have a problem with Bell if he could put points on the board, but we spent WAY too much time in the redzone to come away with only 13 points.
3. Dropped interceptions - There were three opportunities for interceptions, and all three of them would have gone for easy touchdowns if they'd been made. Any of those interceptions would have iced the game, and Baylor could have cruised to the win. Those are plays that have GOT to be made in the future.
4. Missed Field Goals - 1-3 with two misses from 41 and 42 yards. Havens has hit from 47 yards twice, so we know he has the leg for those kicks. Those 6 points are another opportunity for Baylor to cruise out of this game with a win.
If any of those things are changed, we win this game. Easily. This is a game Baylor could have won by a 20-30 point margin, but ended up losing by 3 in overtime. These are the kind of losses Baylor cannot afford to have.
BUT!!
This team took a HUGE step forward the last two weeks. The defense was spectactular, despite some dropped interceptions. They were the definition of disciplined defense, and they had A&M shut down. Baylor gave up 121 yards in the first 3 quarters, but gave up 166 more in the 4th quarter and in overtime. Even that is a very respectable total (287 yards).
And it would have been enough if the offense could have converted one of the two missed field goals, scored on 50% of their trips to the redzone or even on just their drives that got within the 5 yard line.
The defensive line is showing incredible improvement. Many people questioned the new DLine coach hire, but he's proving his worth as the line plays better than I've ever seen them play.
The linebackers are showing great focus and pursuit and the secondary is coming up with batted balls, close coverage and turnovers.
There were positives on offense. Mosley ran for a career high 133 yards on 22 carries (6.0 ypc) and Ziegler caught 5 passes for 66 yards (13.2ypc). Zeigler could have added a few more yards and a touchdown if Bell could have hit him in the back of the endzone, one of two times.
The other receivers had good games, too. I don't remember any dropped passes, though I do recall two being broken up.
All in all, this was a dominating performance by this Baylor team. And much like last years loss to ISU by 1 point, it's one that is going to hurt, but it's something that can be built upon. I guarantee everyone two things: Baylor will beat Iowa State next week; and Texas A&M will not be looking forward to the game against Baylor next year in Waco. ¶ 10/03/2005 0 Comments
Well, it took a ton of missed scoring opportunities for Baylor to give this game to A&M, but they sure succeeded.
There's plenty of blame to go around, but I'll highlight a few in order that I think impacted the game.
1. Coach Morriss - The 4th-and-1 conversion try lost this game. There were two ways to make the 4th down play work: make sure you get Mosley in the game, 'cause he would have made that yard, OR kick the FIELD GOAL! I know it's hard, but I just don't see that play as "playing to win", I see it as knowingly giving away points.
2. Shawn Bell - There will be plenty of discussion about this and he didn't play poorly, but this offense is just crying out for a playmaker at this position. There were a dozen plays AT LEAST that Bell could have made to win this game. Passes into the endzone flew over receivers hands, passes got to receivers too late for them to make a big play, not running for yards on 3rd down and just throwing the ball away. He had passes knocked out of his hands and continually went with the safe routes for little gain instead of even trying for a deep pass. Not to mention taking two consecutive sacks to take us out of comfortable FG range. I've said I wouldn't have a problem with Bell if he could put points on the board, but we spent WAY too much time in the redzone to come away with only 13 points.
3. Dropped interceptions - There were three opportunities for interceptions, and all three of them would have gone for easy touchdowns if they'd been made. Any of those interceptions would have iced the game, and Baylor could have cruised to the win. Those are plays that have GOT to be made in the future.
4. Missed Field Goals - 1-3 with two misses from 41 and 42 yards. Havens has hit from 47 yards twice, so we know he has the leg for those kicks. Those 6 points are another opportunity for Baylor to cruise out of this game with a win.
If any of those things are changed, we win this game. Easily. This is a game Baylor could have won by a 20-30 point margin, but ended up losing by 3 in overtime. These are the kind of losses Baylor cannot afford to have.
BUT!!
This team took a HUGE step forward the last two weeks. The defense was spectactular, despite some dropped interceptions. They were the definition of disciplined defense, and they had A&M shut down. Baylor gave up 121 yards in the first 3 quarters, but gave up 166 more in the 4th quarter and in overtime. Even that is a very respectable total (287 yards).
And it would have been enough if the offense could have converted one of the two missed field goals, scored on 50% of their trips to the redzone or even on just their drives that got within the 5 yard line.
The defensive line is showing incredible improvement. Many people questioned the new DLine coach hire, but he's proving his worth as the line plays better than I've ever seen them play.
The linebackers are showing great focus and pursuit and the secondary is coming up with batted balls, close coverage and turnovers.
There were positives on offense. Mosley ran for a career high 133 yards on 22 carries (6.0 ypc) and Ziegler caught 5 passes for 66 yards (13.2ypc). Zeigler could have added a few more yards and a touchdown if Bell could have hit him in the back of the endzone, one of two times.
The other receivers had good games, too. I don't remember any dropped passes, though I do recall two being broken up.
All in all, this was a dominating performance by this Baylor team. And much like last years loss to ISU by 1 point, it's one that is going to hurt, but it's something that can be built upon. I guarantee everyone two things: Baylor will beat Iowa State next week; and Texas A&M will not be looking forward to the game against Baylor next year in Waco. ¶ 10/03/2005 0 Comments
