1st downs – bet on a run
Posted by cuorange on September 29, 2009
As we reported last week Billy Napier’s play calling gets more conservative as the Tigers cross midfield. Runs on first down surge from 67% to 81% once the Tigers get to the opponents side of the field. The TCU game was no different in that the Tigers faced 9 first and 10s on the TCU side of the field and ran the ball 8 times.
| Down/Distance | Field Position | Run% | Pass % |
| 1/10 | <=50 | 67.2% | 32.8% |
| 1/10 | >=51 | 81.4% | 18.6% |
| Total | - | 73.1% | 26.9% |
There are many valid reasons for this – a young quarterback chief among them, but it does seem to have hurt, or at least contributed to, the Tigers lack of production and settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.
If I can figure out a run is coming on first and 10 in opponents territory just think what defensive coordinators facing the Tigers can figure out.
aeargle said
Makes no sense.
Why would you be more aggressive on your own side of the field? Be more aggressive on the other side, therefore if you throw a pick or fumble, the defense has more to work with…correct?
cuorange said
They simply dont trust the receivers, the OL or Parker once they get in scoring position. Which is strange since they have to trust them to get there in the first place….
aeargle said
I agree, but it’s easier to risk when if you turn the ball over, you give the d a lot of room to work with.
ACC FB Mid-Week Hype Machine : On The B.Rink said
[...] restless, but liking a more pro-TE play-calling so far. According to statman CUOrange, the Tigers are running 73% of the time on first down. Maryland just isn’t lucky according to Coach Friedgen. The unlucky Terps are [...]