The 1979 QB Model?

Football
1

Our great 1979 team( 11-1, defeated Nebraska in Cotton Bowl) used 2 QB’s.

Delrick Brown started, then back-up Terry Elston came in.

It was Elston who engineered the last second wins in College Station and in The Cotton Bowl.

Chriss is now the starter. When injured in the 4th quarter vs TCU he was replaced by Smith, who did a fine job in the last quarter, running out the clock and getting a FG that sealed the win.

This worked in 1979. Might it work again in 2024? Two are better than one?

9 Likes
2

I think Zeon, who is classified as a sophomore, has shown more potential than Donovan.

Zeon should be the starter, and the offense should start building around him going forward to create sustained success.

If we keep doing this switcharoo between Donovan and Zeon, then the offense is never going to develop. We wasted 2 weeks doing this strategy to see who can spark the offense. We are midway through the season, and if we want to get to the championship game, we have to stick with one guy.

The good news is that we haven’t played the full of slate ranked teams yet. That’s coming.

5 Likes
3

I thought the play calling was more aggressive in the first half. In the second half, got a lot more conservative.

OC still lacking IMHO.

2 Likes
4

Zeon is the guy. How do you take the reigns away from him after leading us to victory and coming out because of cramps?

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5

I agree, but it’s my guess that Zeon started feeling cramps in the 3rd quarter which was followed by his forearm injury, therefore, Zeon probably wasn’t physically comfortable to sling it and run it like he was in the first half

These things can be addressed with nutrition and pre-game exercises

6

In that Cotton Bowl Nebraska game, Brown, a small guy, wasn’t effective as a runner unless he had a clear field, and Nebraska never gave one. Elston on the other hand was a really good sized dude and was always a threat on a sneak. Nebraska had to stack the line in the final minute to stop that if he tried-but he did the pass to Herring for the winning score. I kinda see that idea with the present coogs, use Zeon in the open field (runner) and the big guy (Smith) for the short yards.

1 Like
7

i am really hoping the coaching staff is decisive and gives Chriss a full-time chance to be starting quarterback - no rotation or pulling after 2-3 series don’t go well.

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8

Proud of the way both QBs performed against TCU. I think there are plenty of snaps left this season to see both. Smith appears to be a better passer, and if the OL continues to improve, I can see Smith getting snaps, especially if UH is losing. Based on Chriss’ performance against TCU, I think he has earned a starting spot.

2 Likes
9

Smith should be ready if Zeon needs a quick break. But in this offense, I don’t see what Smith does better. Smith is a more NFL big guy sit in the pocket QB. We just don’t have the offense that lets him do that. Zeon is much more mobile.

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10

UH will need BOTH quarterbacks

11

I was in school during the Brown/Elston era. And yes, Terry came in as a relief QB. But that team was better at every position than this one.

12

Both guys run, so we’ll likely need both the rest of the year in order to be successful. Kinda like with Ward and Postma.

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13

Terry Elston (aka Joe Sambito)

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14

Methinks one can never have to many good players. Smith might actually be better coming off the bench, especially if the other team is gassed from chasing Chriss.

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15

I think it’s great that you still discuss my uncle Terry Elston!! His boys and my aunt would feel honored as well!! I did a search on his name and found your discussions. My daughter, who never got a chance to meet her great uncle, is the starting QB for her high school flag football team. She helped to lead them to the final 4 their first year and then to the state championship their second season! He definitely would have been proud of her and coaching her if he was still alive!!

10 Likes
16

Elston remains our greatest backup QB.

Ever.

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17

Elston coming in and leading a 3 minute drive for the winning TD vs Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl was great. But that same season when he came in with 39 seconds left trailing aTm 10-7 and in 3 plays, starting from our own 30 yard line, moved us down the field and scored the winning TD was even greater. I have sung his praises ever since.

1 Like
18

I was at that A&M game. Completely astonishing!

1 Like