It's fun to talk about football when your team is winning big by walking all over an opponent. This week may be a little bit shorter than some of the other Rewatch Reactions, as this one was pretty simple to me, but still, got some meat on this bone for you to munch on...
*First and foremost, let me say this: I don't think Kingsbury and his staff have ever done a better job of pivoting their gameplan from one week to the next than they did from Oklahoma State to Kansas over the last eight days. Against Oklahoma State, the run game was a complete mess, and the offense seemed to slug along except for about two or three drives. It just seemed like there was too much "cute" and heavy-handedness. So, to Kliff's major credit, he saw that, and they made this week's game plan really, really simple: Up-tempo, minimal check-with-me's for Shimonek to Kingsbury on the sideline, quick throws, and off-tackle run game. All stuff that focused on letting playmakers have the ball in space, particularly by stretching the field horizontally so the home-run hitters on offense could find creases for big plays. Kingsbury and the staff kept it really simple, and it worked out in spades.
*If you told me Tech was going to run for 300 yards last weekend, I would've asked how many different drugs you were on at the time of your Nostradamal revelation. But here's the thing: Against Oklahoma State last weekend, Tech showed some flashes of good run game with edge stuff to either flat, whether that be outside zone, sweeps, and other plays where you're trying to get the ball into explosive players' hands. I think it's why you saw such an emphasis on the opening drive to get the ball to Coutee, Stockton, and Shorts in particular. And Kansas had no answer other than to start loading the box late in the second half, which is when Shimonek went over the top to Coutee for a gimmee TD.
*Let me be the first to give Brandon Jones and his offensive line a big round of applause after being one of their biggest critics a week ago. They looked lost for most of the game against Oklahoma State, and against Kansas, particularly in the run game, I thought that there was a clear flip-switch, whether that be with mentality or execution. Jones/Kingsbury really seemed to go the well with a ton of pulling plays, whether those be traps, buck sweeps, power, a counter, or whatever. They let this unit utilize their athleticism, and on top of that, running plays where you pull linemen can help manufacture some leverage for a young unit still trying to find their way. This was particularly the case, again, on outside runs, particularly ones where Stockton and King could find a crease and go. But Tech had a bunch more success running it inside this week than they have all year, particularly on a couple of trap plays.
*I thought Travis Bruffy had a wonderful game at left tackle, both in pass protection and in run blocking. Looked like himself for the first time this season, and I gave him the co-offensive MVP award for the week. He was great.
*The one thing that's still a major question mark and issue is this O-line's ability to hold up in pass protection. Wise and Armstrong are good, and yes, they both were due to have some real production, but I thought it was still pretty touch and go with the protections. There were a few times where Shimonek held onto the ball too long too, though.
*Speaking of Shimonek, I thought it was a pretty middle of the road afternoon for him as a thrower of the ball, and a guy that I do think has some NFL arm talent. That does not mean bad, as I thought he was fine, and Cantrell dropped a TD in the endzone he likely should've pulled in. But, as a QB I thought he did a great job of managing the game and getting the offense set up for success, which I think he always does well at. He's got to get rid of the ball quicker at times, though. That's the one knock I've got.
*Justin Stockton just had his best day as a Red Raider, ladies and gents. I thought he showed patience in the run game, made good decision on where to go with the ball, and he flat out made plays and looked like a true blue running back. He had 190 yards in total on the day, and he certainly flashed all day long. He's going to have some tougher rows to hoe in the coming weeks where he won't find the same amount of open grass as he did against the Jayhawks, however.
*I thought Quan Shorts was really, really good against Kansas. Nothing flashy, but he definitely was consistent and got his when he was thrown the ball. Excited to see him continue to blossom, as I suspect he's only going to get more and more touches. If you'll remember, I noted in the preseason that I thought Shorts might eventually overtake Willies at X. Welp. We may be at that point.
*Speaking of Willies, I think he's in a major fight for his playing time right now, and he's going to have to get it in gear if he doesn't want to find himself parked on the bench. The talent at receiver is too good to be average and sit on your starting job. Willies has had a bunch of on-field gaffs in the last three games, and I'm guessing - pure guess - that it's starting to wear on him, which is why you saw the start for Shorts over him. He has physicality, is a good blocker, and he's plenty fast to succeed at this level given his tools. Needs to have a major bounce back week here to not lose his job, for the forseeable future, IMO, cause Shorts was extremely consistent and productive.
*Another quick note on the run game: I think the use of two back sets where the other RB or a big H like Reed are lead-blocking really helped set some things up in the run game against KU, too. I'd guess we continue to see more two-back, both in shotgun and pistol, to help the ground game keep on rolling.
*Defensively, they gave up a few more long plays than they would've liked, but you can't be mad at giving up 19 points to an offense that seemed to really spark to life this year under Doug Meacham, as they were averaging 32 points a game and had yet to score fewer than 27 before playing the Red Raiders.
*The biggest reason you had success against Kansas defensively is because you took away the run game and made them one-dimensional. That's the 2nd time that's happened this year, as Tech did that to Houston, too. While the turnovers are great and a big reason why this unit is so much better, it's their success against opposing rushing attacks that have been the biggest key in leading to all that success. KU had just 24 yards on the ground in the 1st half. 2-4. They ended up eclipsing the century mark, mostly thanks to a big run that Herbert finally popped for 40 plus yards, but it was overall a great day in rush defense for Tech. And I think you don't need to forget: WVU gave up 367 rushing yards to the Jayhawks before they played you. Tech held KU to 112 on the ground. That's not something you should just skim over.
*I don't know what Beaty and the staff are doing by switching between two QBs mid-game, but it was a bad idea. They should've stuck with either Bender or Stanley, one or the other, to try and find some offensive rhythm. I did think it was a big credit to Tech that they mostly handled Stanley running it downhill at them in big packages, though.
*This Tech defense is really starting to remind me of the best Rod Marinelli defenses in Dallas right now. Similarly to those solid defenses from the Cowboys, this Tech defense is built with a bunch of role players that rotate in and out and play with maximum effort, supporting a handful of legit star players at linebacker. However, I do think Mych Thomas and Broderick Washington are better comparatively to anything the Cowboys have put out on the interior of the D-line under Marinelli.
*Speaking of Thomas and Washington, they continue to hold down the fort up front, controlling the line of scrimmage and really dictating the flow of the run game, allowing Brooks, Allen, the ends, and the DBs to clean up the ball carriers they direct to them. Thomas had a fantastic game in particularly against KU, as I thought he was disruptive up front quite a bit.
*Eli Howard, how do you do. Gibbs and the staff have always heaped a ton of hype on him, and the DE finally really flashed in a game. I thought he showed off his high motor and really made some major impact plays in this game off the edge, particularly with his pass bat-downs and his ability to knife through blockers in the run game. I get it now why they like him so much. He's not a super star pass rusher, but he's an all-world motor guy that's going to make plays because of that.
*I thought Kolin Hill really flashed at times this week, too. Had a really good sack, and then he made some nice plays in the run game as well.
*Dakota Allen and Jordyn Brooks are both just well-oiled machines of consistency this year. Allen is all over the place, and Brooks' lateral athleticism matched with his experience gained a year ago continue to make them one of the best linebacker duos in college football. I mean that. They're truly one of the best pairs in the country this year.
*Speaking of effort guys, hello Justis Parker. He just has a knack for making plays around the ball, always has in practice. I thought he stepped in with minimal drop off from Coleman and Sykes this week. Obviously he made the big plays, but I thought he was really solid the rest of the day, too.
*Nick McCann and Quentin Yontz got the most playing time they have all season on the interior this week, and my guess is because Gibbs is finally getting comfortable with both of them as solid backups to give Thomas and Washington breathers now. In fact, I thought both guys made some nice plays in the run game against KU's O-line.
Offensive co-MVPs: RB Justin Stockton and LT Travis Bruffy
Defensive co-MVPs: NT Mych Thomas and DE Eli Howard
Offensive standouts: RB Justin Stockton, RB Desmond Nisby, LT Travis Bruffy, WR KeKe Coutee, WR Quan Shorts, RB Tre King, Big H Mason Reed
Defensive standouts: NT Mych Thomas, DE Eli Howard, DT Broderick Washington, DE Kolin Hill, NT Nick McCann, LB Jordyn Brooks, LB Dakota Allen, SS Vaughnte Dorsey, NB Justis Parker
*First and foremost, let me say this: I don't think Kingsbury and his staff have ever done a better job of pivoting their gameplan from one week to the next than they did from Oklahoma State to Kansas over the last eight days. Against Oklahoma State, the run game was a complete mess, and the offense seemed to slug along except for about two or three drives. It just seemed like there was too much "cute" and heavy-handedness. So, to Kliff's major credit, he saw that, and they made this week's game plan really, really simple: Up-tempo, minimal check-with-me's for Shimonek to Kingsbury on the sideline, quick throws, and off-tackle run game. All stuff that focused on letting playmakers have the ball in space, particularly by stretching the field horizontally so the home-run hitters on offense could find creases for big plays. Kingsbury and the staff kept it really simple, and it worked out in spades.
*If you told me Tech was going to run for 300 yards last weekend, I would've asked how many different drugs you were on at the time of your Nostradamal revelation. But here's the thing: Against Oklahoma State last weekend, Tech showed some flashes of good run game with edge stuff to either flat, whether that be outside zone, sweeps, and other plays where you're trying to get the ball into explosive players' hands. I think it's why you saw such an emphasis on the opening drive to get the ball to Coutee, Stockton, and Shorts in particular. And Kansas had no answer other than to start loading the box late in the second half, which is when Shimonek went over the top to Coutee for a gimmee TD.
*Let me be the first to give Brandon Jones and his offensive line a big round of applause after being one of their biggest critics a week ago. They looked lost for most of the game against Oklahoma State, and against Kansas, particularly in the run game, I thought that there was a clear flip-switch, whether that be with mentality or execution. Jones/Kingsbury really seemed to go the well with a ton of pulling plays, whether those be traps, buck sweeps, power, a counter, or whatever. They let this unit utilize their athleticism, and on top of that, running plays where you pull linemen can help manufacture some leverage for a young unit still trying to find their way. This was particularly the case, again, on outside runs, particularly ones where Stockton and King could find a crease and go. But Tech had a bunch more success running it inside this week than they have all year, particularly on a couple of trap plays.
*I thought Travis Bruffy had a wonderful game at left tackle, both in pass protection and in run blocking. Looked like himself for the first time this season, and I gave him the co-offensive MVP award for the week. He was great.
*The one thing that's still a major question mark and issue is this O-line's ability to hold up in pass protection. Wise and Armstrong are good, and yes, they both were due to have some real production, but I thought it was still pretty touch and go with the protections. There were a few times where Shimonek held onto the ball too long too, though.
*Speaking of Shimonek, I thought it was a pretty middle of the road afternoon for him as a thrower of the ball, and a guy that I do think has some NFL arm talent. That does not mean bad, as I thought he was fine, and Cantrell dropped a TD in the endzone he likely should've pulled in. But, as a QB I thought he did a great job of managing the game and getting the offense set up for success, which I think he always does well at. He's got to get rid of the ball quicker at times, though. That's the one knock I've got.
*Justin Stockton just had his best day as a Red Raider, ladies and gents. I thought he showed patience in the run game, made good decision on where to go with the ball, and he flat out made plays and looked like a true blue running back. He had 190 yards in total on the day, and he certainly flashed all day long. He's going to have some tougher rows to hoe in the coming weeks where he won't find the same amount of open grass as he did against the Jayhawks, however.
*I thought Quan Shorts was really, really good against Kansas. Nothing flashy, but he definitely was consistent and got his when he was thrown the ball. Excited to see him continue to blossom, as I suspect he's only going to get more and more touches. If you'll remember, I noted in the preseason that I thought Shorts might eventually overtake Willies at X. Welp. We may be at that point.
*Speaking of Willies, I think he's in a major fight for his playing time right now, and he's going to have to get it in gear if he doesn't want to find himself parked on the bench. The talent at receiver is too good to be average and sit on your starting job. Willies has had a bunch of on-field gaffs in the last three games, and I'm guessing - pure guess - that it's starting to wear on him, which is why you saw the start for Shorts over him. He has physicality, is a good blocker, and he's plenty fast to succeed at this level given his tools. Needs to have a major bounce back week here to not lose his job, for the forseeable future, IMO, cause Shorts was extremely consistent and productive.
*Another quick note on the run game: I think the use of two back sets where the other RB or a big H like Reed are lead-blocking really helped set some things up in the run game against KU, too. I'd guess we continue to see more two-back, both in shotgun and pistol, to help the ground game keep on rolling.
*Defensively, they gave up a few more long plays than they would've liked, but you can't be mad at giving up 19 points to an offense that seemed to really spark to life this year under Doug Meacham, as they were averaging 32 points a game and had yet to score fewer than 27 before playing the Red Raiders.
*The biggest reason you had success against Kansas defensively is because you took away the run game and made them one-dimensional. That's the 2nd time that's happened this year, as Tech did that to Houston, too. While the turnovers are great and a big reason why this unit is so much better, it's their success against opposing rushing attacks that have been the biggest key in leading to all that success. KU had just 24 yards on the ground in the 1st half. 2-4. They ended up eclipsing the century mark, mostly thanks to a big run that Herbert finally popped for 40 plus yards, but it was overall a great day in rush defense for Tech. And I think you don't need to forget: WVU gave up 367 rushing yards to the Jayhawks before they played you. Tech held KU to 112 on the ground. That's not something you should just skim over.
*I don't know what Beaty and the staff are doing by switching between two QBs mid-game, but it was a bad idea. They should've stuck with either Bender or Stanley, one or the other, to try and find some offensive rhythm. I did think it was a big credit to Tech that they mostly handled Stanley running it downhill at them in big packages, though.
*This Tech defense is really starting to remind me of the best Rod Marinelli defenses in Dallas right now. Similarly to those solid defenses from the Cowboys, this Tech defense is built with a bunch of role players that rotate in and out and play with maximum effort, supporting a handful of legit star players at linebacker. However, I do think Mych Thomas and Broderick Washington are better comparatively to anything the Cowboys have put out on the interior of the D-line under Marinelli.
*Speaking of Thomas and Washington, they continue to hold down the fort up front, controlling the line of scrimmage and really dictating the flow of the run game, allowing Brooks, Allen, the ends, and the DBs to clean up the ball carriers they direct to them. Thomas had a fantastic game in particularly against KU, as I thought he was disruptive up front quite a bit.
*Eli Howard, how do you do. Gibbs and the staff have always heaped a ton of hype on him, and the DE finally really flashed in a game. I thought he showed off his high motor and really made some major impact plays in this game off the edge, particularly with his pass bat-downs and his ability to knife through blockers in the run game. I get it now why they like him so much. He's not a super star pass rusher, but he's an all-world motor guy that's going to make plays because of that.
*I thought Kolin Hill really flashed at times this week, too. Had a really good sack, and then he made some nice plays in the run game as well.
*Dakota Allen and Jordyn Brooks are both just well-oiled machines of consistency this year. Allen is all over the place, and Brooks' lateral athleticism matched with his experience gained a year ago continue to make them one of the best linebacker duos in college football. I mean that. They're truly one of the best pairs in the country this year.
*Speaking of effort guys, hello Justis Parker. He just has a knack for making plays around the ball, always has in practice. I thought he stepped in with minimal drop off from Coleman and Sykes this week. Obviously he made the big plays, but I thought he was really solid the rest of the day, too.
*Nick McCann and Quentin Yontz got the most playing time they have all season on the interior this week, and my guess is because Gibbs is finally getting comfortable with both of them as solid backups to give Thomas and Washington breathers now. In fact, I thought both guys made some nice plays in the run game against KU's O-line.
Offensive co-MVPs: RB Justin Stockton and LT Travis Bruffy
Defensive co-MVPs: NT Mych Thomas and DE Eli Howard
Offensive standouts: RB Justin Stockton, RB Desmond Nisby, LT Travis Bruffy, WR KeKe Coutee, WR Quan Shorts, RB Tre King, Big H Mason Reed
Defensive standouts: NT Mych Thomas, DE Eli Howard, DT Broderick Washington, DE Kolin Hill, NT Nick McCann, LB Jordyn Brooks, LB Dakota Allen, SS Vaughnte Dorsey, NB Justis Parker
