Instead of the fire coach and bandwagon talk, I thought it would interesting to dissect a play to see what we are doing wrong.
I think this will be typical of the analysis Bohl and coaches will be doing this week on defense. Not to pick on specific players, but here is a great example of the issues that need to be corrected quickly on D. I don't claim to be an analysis expert, but the issues are glaring on plays like these.
UND's first touchdown - a 52 yd run by Santiago
Pre-snap: the key thing to note on this formation is that UND has only a single WR up top of screen, with no WR on the bottom of the screen. Marcus Epps is our safety on that side. UND has a triple back set, which I am guessing was confusing to the Pokes D.
Frame1: As the play develops, a couple key things to note...first, our first level Dline is manhandled - it is what it is. Second, and more importantly - we have 3 linebackers free on the 2nd level, while UND has only two blockers. Third - Epps has dropped backwards into coverage (Tampa 2 usually has two deep safeties), even with no WR on his side. My only guess is that he might supposed to be safety help over the top of the single WR (seen on top of screen).
Frame2: At this point, we still have two LBs free, while UND has a single blocker. Epps is about 10 yards off the play, still off screen. WR on top is running a fly route. Again, there is no WR on the bottom side of the play.
Frame3: This picture shows the point at which this will become a good play for UND. Wacha, the one LB not picked up by the two fullbacks, commits to a gap (unfortunately the wrong one). I know the Tampa 2 is about keeping gap commitments, so either he committed too soon into his gap, or someone was supposed to be covering the other gap - perhaps Epps? I have to think it was Wacha's responsibility to read the correct gap as the unblocked LB. You can now see Epps' shadow. Not to pick on him so badly - I hope he learns and improves from the game. But he is clearly not providing safety help to the WR on top, and had no WR or TE releasing on the bottom side. He seems to be caught in no man's land.
Frame4: Epps shows up in the picture.
Frame5: Note the current position of our two defenders - both of whom were completely unblocked on the play. Wacha, having committed to a different gap, is now chasing. That leaves Epps as last defender.
Frame6: The play just turned from good to great for UND, as Epps overruns forward. Perhaps he can adjust and catch Santiago?
Frame7: Or maybe not...
Frame8: Nope...
The defense is struggling with basic positioning, reads, and reactions. Sorry to pick on Epps - he is a freshman who was #2 on the depth chart a week ago. This is more to point out the adjustments and development coaching that will be key to a quick turnaround this week and year. It's not completely about athleticism, it is as much about mentally playing the system correctly.
I think this will be typical of the analysis Bohl and coaches will be doing this week on defense. Not to pick on specific players, but here is a great example of the issues that need to be corrected quickly on D. I don't claim to be an analysis expert, but the issues are glaring on plays like these.
UND's first touchdown - a 52 yd run by Santiago
Pre-snap: the key thing to note on this formation is that UND has only a single WR up top of screen, with no WR on the bottom of the screen. Marcus Epps is our safety on that side. UND has a triple back set, which I am guessing was confusing to the Pokes D.
Frame1: As the play develops, a couple key things to note...first, our first level Dline is manhandled - it is what it is. Second, and more importantly - we have 3 linebackers free on the 2nd level, while UND has only two blockers. Third - Epps has dropped backwards into coverage (Tampa 2 usually has two deep safeties), even with no WR on his side. My only guess is that he might supposed to be safety help over the top of the single WR (seen on top of screen).
Frame2: At this point, we still have two LBs free, while UND has a single blocker. Epps is about 10 yards off the play, still off screen. WR on top is running a fly route. Again, there is no WR on the bottom side of the play.
Frame3: This picture shows the point at which this will become a good play for UND. Wacha, the one LB not picked up by the two fullbacks, commits to a gap (unfortunately the wrong one). I know the Tampa 2 is about keeping gap commitments, so either he committed too soon into his gap, or someone was supposed to be covering the other gap - perhaps Epps? I have to think it was Wacha's responsibility to read the correct gap as the unblocked LB. You can now see Epps' shadow. Not to pick on him so badly - I hope he learns and improves from the game. But he is clearly not providing safety help to the WR on top, and had no WR or TE releasing on the bottom side. He seems to be caught in no man's land.
Frame4: Epps shows up in the picture.
Frame5: Note the current position of our two defenders - both of whom were completely unblocked on the play. Wacha, having committed to a different gap, is now chasing. That leaves Epps as last defender.
Frame6: The play just turned from good to great for UND, as Epps overruns forward. Perhaps he can adjust and catch Santiago?
Frame7: Or maybe not...
Frame8: Nope...
The defense is struggling with basic positioning, reads, and reactions. Sorry to pick on Epps - he is a freshman who was #2 on the depth chart a week ago. This is more to point out the adjustments and development coaching that will be key to a quick turnaround this week and year. It's not completely about athleticism, it is as much about mentally playing the system correctly.
