We won. We would have lost this game not too long ago. First season games are often a “Tune UP Maters” moments. The biggest question mark for me has to do with recruiting. Remember friends utsa was favorite. We beat utsa last year in San Antonio. A year later our OL was manhandled the entire game. Our DL had early issues but as the game went on adjusted…somewhat. I can “buy” that our OL will get better but then what about our TE’s role? Our running game was non-existent. Our stats do not lie.
TE’s:
According to the announcers (more on that) we had 40 new players. I truly hoped that we would dominate the line of scrimmage. utsa being favorite told us we were going to have OL/DL issues. We have got to improve rapidly if we want to protect our QB/QB’s. With that said CDH and his coaching staff will learn a great deal from this game.
I was actually really impressed with Donovan. Utsa’s game plan was obviously trying to make him run and make ill advised throws. Donovan adjusted and you could clearly see it. He was far from perfect but when you look back at his QB “history” this is an encouraging first game. You can tell he is very bright and can’t wait to watch the game film to improve for each game coming to him.
Our secondary was outstanding. As the game progressed, they too played better as a unit. This is for me a welcome surprise from our past seasons. This is no coincidence that we went from a high scoring game to an NFC East time of a game.
Announcers:
Where they even at the game? It looks as if they were in a studio. Espn+ does that regularly. I can’t believe these two veterans, especially Chris would deliver such a bad coverage. How many times did Chris call us Texans? The camera coverage was atrocious.
Crowd:
37.5k for utsa is one of the best surprises of the night. Anybody complaining has an axe to grind. I loved seeing that many fans. We are back in a power conference since the mid 90’s. How long have we waited for this day? Could they have been more vocals? Sure, but again the tv coverage was atrocious.
On to rice o roni.
GO COOGS
Start of 2nd half we pick off Harris for first time. We are going fast, pick up a few 1st downs and guy gets a cramp for UTSA.
Dana and Traylor had a few words at midfield. No way he was cramping 3 mins into 2nd half. Next 3 plays we don’t pick up a 1st down. Good coaching by UTSA.
I lost it when the refs marked the ball at the 47. I had my binoculars right on the play and Donovon’s shoulder pad clearly and without doubt hit just a hair beyond the 48. I could not believe the refs made just a blatantly bad spot and was even more shocked when they reversed it.
Coaches told him to sit. It was a flop.”
I have a problem in football and basketball with teams utilizing fake injuries and reviews to get free timeouts. The players should have to stay on the field away from staff.
Off the field, our in-game experience was absolutely vibeless. UTSA was much louder than us in our own stadium, and it’s not because they had more to cheer or a bigger crowd. Somehow, over the last 5 years or so, we’ve turned into a Sit Down and Shut Up crowd, and if that trend persists through the season, I’m watching at home next year.
30k+ people in TDECU for a night game should be loud and exciting. Last night was neither of those things, despite a close game against a local opponent.
It seems to me we have 3 RBs who all are similar in size, have similar styles, and do similar things. So there isn’t much change in the running game. But we did lose a key big rb to the transfer portal. I guess it is what it is for the season.
Our defense held UTSA to 7 points for 3 and a half quarters. Nelson Caeser had an absolute highlight-reel sack. We shut down a QB that was being talked about as a dark-horse Heisman candidate all offseason. For most of the first half, it was a tie game. That was absolutely a game that would have had 2014 or 2015 TDECU rocking, to say nothing of 2016.
And further, the idea that we need something to get excited about is pathetic. We should be loud because we’re supporting the team, especially in the early game. There doesn’t need to be a reason beyond that.
