Donovan Smith isn’t the problem

Cougar Football
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Donovan had maybe 2 or 3 questionable throws that could’ve been intercepted, 1 of which should’ve been intercepted but the defender dropped it

Other than that, Donovan played like an experienced QB. He kept the ball out of harms way for the most part outside of the few forced deep balls that could’ve been intercepted.

PLAY CALLING IS WAY TOO CONSERVATIVE. This is the issue.

Golden and Brown could be explosive receivers, but Dana isn’t giving them the chance to be. Run game was very average. Overall, just no creativity tonight. Bland, predictable offense.

Defense was great. It got us the win tonight.

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We have so much talent and so many offensive weapons it is a shame the offense does nothing to be creative and get these guys in space.

A creative offensive mind would make this an explosive group.

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First game and we didn’t really have a running game

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Dana has had boring run it up for no gain, no throw offenses. The guy is 5-6 years deep. At this point he’s saying he’s insane because he keep repeating things with no success.

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Completely agree. Donovan Smith looked solid. Play calling was abysmal.

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After his first stop at UH, I never thought I’d have conservative and Dana in the same sentence. Yet, here we are. He’s a different coach now.

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Dana has spoke on this before. He says that when he was OC, he only cared about scoring points. Now that he’s HC, he has to plan all sides of the ball which is why his play style has changed.

That said, I think more could be done with the talent we have

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Yeah, first game for Smith in our system that now has a new run game cordinator. It can improve. Smith has the tools

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This is Smith’s third year to play QB.

High School plus College. Only 2 previous seasons.

He might get better.

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I thought Donovan played well also. He is poised and smooth when running. He reminds me of the UT qb that won vs USC for national championship in 2006.A true duel threat and def had to respect him as a rb threat all the time and he escaped sacks. He will learn the playbook more so I expect the offense will open up more later. Though he’s an experienced qb , he’s new to our offense. It took tune a while so we’re spoiled. I think it’s why this game was vanilla offense but he played well.

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Donovan managed the game okay for his first game in the system. Play calling could definitely be better but the main thing is somehow some way we have to get more production out of the run game.

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He did fine given no run game and often running for his life. Definitely some things to work on. Not too worried.

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That first drive was telling.

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Perhaps vanilla to keep from conference foes?

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Dana Helton draw and snooze O.

I just don’t get how Dana went from where he was to THIS.

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I miss plays in space and yardage after catch.

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Smith was 22 of 34 for 233 yds, 2 TDs, and NO interceptions.

He also had a 13 yard rushing play.

QB ain’t the problem.

OTOH…our run blocking….BARF!!!

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Exactly. Why can’t we run plays to get our best players a chance to make a play. This is the anti-HOUSTON offense. It’s like our offense is run by Kirk Ferentz.

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Stares down receivers and has difficulty choosing plan b or c when plan a doesn’t work. That being said, he didn’t turn the ball over.

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Coaching matters. Give him better plays to get the ball to playmakers in space and on the move. We are running a 1972 NFL offense but with 3 WR and 1 back.

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