Something was different. The energy. The play-calling.
Of course, the stadium atmosphere was the best it’s been all season.
We looked like an SEC team playing LSU.
Something was just different, and I can’t put my finger on it.
15 Likes
The offense had their best game of the season arguably. I can’t recall a game where they looked better.
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Just makes you wonder what were the core issues with WVU and TCU
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Huh?
People dogged Nagle all season long….the man coached the team according to their strengths.
And time management and trying to shorten games was a massive caveat to his play calling.
The play calling was not different last night.
As you said, the atmosphere was probably the biggest difference last night.
I think getting in the hole by 14 early, getting punched in the mouth and then fighting back added fuel to the fire.
17 Likes
Agree. You lose football games. People want to act like WVU is McNeese State. RichRod is a goon but he knows how to win at WVU, and he’s turning the program around. Technically these aren’t his guys. This was his Willie Fritz 4-8 type season. Flashes of real football and some bad losses. I underestimated TCU. They were actually a better team that I thought they were.
We weren’t conf champ material this year. What happened in our losses? We got beat.
Edit: I actually marvel at what WVU did against us. They went off script and ran right at our strength. They found a wrinkle that exposed a rare weakness in our run defense. Props to Rodriguez and his staff. They “Weigman-ed” us at our own game.
9 Likes
I think West Virginia has a top 25 class coming in as well.
1 Like
Our guys didn’t panic, saw one guy get up and leave after LSU scored their second touchdown (He must be fun to live with). We probably saved our all around best game for last night. Willie Fritz was the RIGHT hire guys! Hard to think of when I’ve been more proud of the Coogs, Peach Bowl yes absolutely but beating a true Blue Blood depleated or not was special.
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When we went down 14-0, I told my daughter not to worry, we are just slow starters. 
11 Likes
we played at a faster tempo
Don’t sleep on crowd size affecting performance
2 Likes
It was a primetime game for all to see and we finally had a sea of red to play in front of. That always helps the energy.
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I’m not convinced the crowd size for W. Virginia had no effect.
Also, I’m thinking the turnout for the Peach Bowl had a positive effect on the field.
Size matters.
5 Likes
Size especially matters when you’re not used to any size on a normal basis.
Size of the crowd… 
1 Like
Its amazing to me people still don’t understand the impact of losing the strength Coach during the season. That’s a emotional worldwind our entire team and staff went through.
Strength Coach will be a huge hire. They have a huge impact on the team’s offseason and their work shows up at the end of games.
17 Likes
i get caught up in the play calling during the game. the fan in me expects every play to be success. still hate short yardage plays out of the shotgun and outside runs.
at the end of the game stats dont lie, UH was dominate on offense. left LSU’s defense on the field all night.
I think there were several factors.
1.) The crowd. I have to believe the team was amazed at the amount of red they saw in the stands that night when they came out of the tunnel.
2.) Probably the best game our offensive line had all season. We dominated both lines. I actually think we change our game plan a little bit as we got into the game. We started out going wide and quick passes. But as the game continued, I think Nagle saw we could run between the tackles with success and then Weigman said it in the post game. There were times when he had all the time in the world to throw. (Pass blocking and run blocking, best I saw all year).
3.) Pace. We picked up the pace. (See 2.)
4.) Losing Coach Hester mid season, after listening to the players talk about family, I believe emotionally crushed them and they had to recover.
5.) Rich Rod is a very good coach and timing of that game was hard on the team.
6.) TCU, they are a good team as well and we just did not have our best game against them, but Sanchez kick like he had all season, we still win that game.
1 Like
Angle called a heck of a game. OL was solid
Given the road record this year, maybe it was the LSU fans that got them motivated
I think you are 100% correct. Coach Hester was more than a Strength Coach. He was an adjunct Pastor and toughness Coach ! God Bless Coach Hester and his Family !
Go Coogs !
3 Likes
Uncle Dave and art briles can testify to this.