Week 1: Sam Houston @ Rice #eaprediction

welcome to Houston Texas and the home of the rice owls where we are anticipating a Full House of Fans who give a hoop today a battle in the Lone Star State and when you play another team from Texas it just feels a little bit bigger as we'll see a squad from Conference USA the Sam Houston Bearcats taking on a team from the AAC the rice owl for EA Sports college football I'm ree Davis David Po and Jesse Palmer with me guys it's time to get it [Music] going rice ready to kick it off and get this game started here he comes from inside his own five he was looking for some Running Room but not much to be found as he stopped at the 18 the Bearcats offense takes the field and there's a man who believes he is always open he carries that swag and that aura of a big time playmaker guys he's got to catch the football if you're the quarterback coming into this one you are looking for this guy early and David you're looking for him often and this offense better find ways to feature him find him like you said Jesse early often deep shallow get this man the football not what they had in mind to start this drive here comes second and and 13 the give to the running back from the shotgun and he is stopped immediately by the big defensive lineman on the that back had absolutely nowhere to run the football actually is he counting I think he's counting to make sure there's only 11 guys on defense not exactly the ideal situation for this offense third and long backed up inside their 20 looking for a man it's Bower now he's going to break the pocket he'll pull it down and sure tackling there to keep him from getting to the first down marker nice job by the defense getting after the QB he's trying to scramble around he's trying to go get that first with his legs but he's not able to do it because the speed on defense and the Bearcats decide to PL it away he'll try to really get into this one not going to risk a return here he'll make the fair catch the ows offense has its first opportunity of the day here are our impact players for this game and it goes beyond executing an assignment to make an impact in the game yeah obviously we were talking to both coaching staffs this week and we asked them who needs to step up and play while they immediately pointed to these guys right here they are the key for their respective teams yeah and they don't always show up in the Box Score but these are the guys are the leaders these are the guys getting everybody organized and have to play well for their team to succeed halfway there on first down it's second and five they'll run it from the gun at the 40 there he goes and he found plenty of Running Room on that one before the defense was finally able to get him down and running backs are so good so talented so elusive you see nowadays they really have the ability to make you Miss run you over unbelievable effort nice job you keep that going you're going to be hard to stop on the ground it's Connors you know runs like this often times are like a boxer in a boxing match obviously it's not a knockout punch but these are body blows and as the game goes on these small gains are going to turn into longer runs picked up two yards on that last one they need eight on second down they'll switch it up here and look to throw coming after and he's all bottled up and now it's worse the ball's loose wo deep breath right man you you fumble that thing you cough it up you're like oh I really appreciate you brother I can't tell you how much I thank you cu the coaches would have been all over me but Big Time Break for the offense the offense fortunate to still have the ball but also facing a big third down looking for a man it's Warner wide open downfield oh they knock it free defense falls on the ball going to be a turnover defensive coordinators always preach swatting and batting at the football and trying to punch it out trying to dislodge the ball from the ball carrier and boy they did it right there [Applause] the Bearcat offense ready to go back to work boy three and out last time David they'd like to be more productive this time around yeah in the last Drive nothing really clicked no rhythm got off the field really really quickly they need to put something together here OPP yeah David bad execution on that last drive so they got to take a collective breath and start playing like a unit on this up let's see what they've got on second down from the gun give on the inside brought down at the 31 after a pick up of 10 yards on that one and that is exactly why you stick to running your football haven't had a lot of success but boom you pop one right that's what you got to do you got you cannot be become onedimensional and just throw the football every down love the offense sticking to the Run nice job getting the first down wants to throw on first down off the play fake trying to make magic with his feet and he avoids the hit and slides after the short game you see a lot of quarterbacks get in trouble when they start forcing things he did a really good job he wanted to throw the football you could tell drops back nothing open it's okay I'm just going to take off get what I can get quarterback and running back set up in the pistol to the air it's Bower complete with conviction on the Crosser and the defense makes the immediate tackle but he has enough for the first down well it's a nice job to of the quarterback after the play fake there getting his eyes down the field he had to get that to his tight end quickly knowing he wasn't going to have a lot of space to run with after the catch the Bearcats are moving quickly down the field off the boot leg and rolling out and the pressure gets to him down goes their quarterback this defense they are tenacious and they've got guys up front that are athletic and that are so strong and they can collaps the pocket you saw it right there in that play action attempt negative play on first down that's what a defense always wants a little too anxious along that offensive line that'll be a false start false start so the decision has been made and the coach will take the penalty offense gets set for second down running back searching for a hole that's what you expect from a senior don't give them any extra yards great tackle there and those physical runs take a toll it might not be a big game now but down the road third fourth quarter late in the ball games they tend to turn into bigger runs here they come facing third and long from the 40 looking to throw and he needs a chunk play oh they really could have used that catch their physical pass defense it brings up a fourth down every defense in the country talks about getting offenses predictable third and long situations where I can bring on more speedsters and I know the pass is coming so I can have more success and the be catch will try to pin them back with the punt this will be the second time they've had to kick it away fair catch call for and made rice has the ball back and they're ready to send the offense back to the field that fumble in CR territory just ruined that last Drive David yeah and those are frustrating when you got the offense moving a little bit and you put that thing on the deck Jesse but move on reload forget about it the end of the day it's just a fundamental football right they practice it all week five points of pressure every ball carrier has to have it they just got to do a better job moving forward the big pickup on first down leaves him with second and one someone not clear on the snap count it'll be a false start and they'll move it back false start the officials offer the deal and the coach accepts it they will take the penalty scanning the field it's Warner they're trying to get to it oh so close to paying off the tip really had it in his hands but it falls incomplete and you've seen this formula work at all levels of football you pressure the quarterback his numbers start to drop he's not as efficient nice job by the defense couldn't find his man last time and that leaves him with a third and six from the gun wants to [Applause] pass he makes the catch but the officials right on top of it signaling out of bounds offense facing fourth down rice will be forced to send out the punt unit to kick it away on the turn it's Allen this guy is a daring punt return man he's not going to settle for the fair catch a solid return gets a little bit of ground for the offense from the gun the running back looking for room continuing to turn and move it forward and they're closing in on Midfield it's down at the 48 nice run there on first down you know this is a running back that gets better as the game goes on so they're going to want to make sure they keep feeding him the football let him get lathered up solid pick up of four four on first down it's second and six from the gun the running back has it still running at the 40 offense on the move a big play there gets it to the 30 I love that play call this offense is going to run the football they're not just going to do it between the tackles but they're going to attack you outside you saw that with that handoff they get to the right they get him in space using his speed good play the Bearcats are in the hurry up off the play fake on first down to throw and it's picked off at the goal line that's one way to make a stop and he's wrapped up after a solid return on the pick QB's got to pick and choose their spots when they want to be really aggressive and try to fit balls and Tight Windows great job by the DB making a big play getting the ball back to its off [Applause] [Music] rice takes over the owls ready to get that offense cooking again last time David it was one two three kick the last drive that three and out sometimes that puts your defense in a bad spot you got to get a drive together here so you don't wear the defense out I just think David too predictable that last strike they got to do something here to get this defense on their heels after picking up a couple it's second and eight here's the handoff and how about that interior defense stuffing the run for nothing you got to have that defense you know you can go to in running situations your base defense where you say okay this is where I'm going to start and I'm going to stop the run stuff it up front my guys play Big up front then if I need to add some blitzes to it later on down the road I can but great job in the base defense making a play throws to the back snagged on the outside it's cter he steps out of bounds but it will be enough for a first down this defense is going to have to be careful not only do they have to worry about this guy running the football but they've got to keep their eye on him when he runs routes two he is a versatile back and the owls have it with a first in 10 10 used the play fake now to throw unloads to the wide out it's caught downfield and the explosive play and they're on the move all the way to the 44 and that's why quarterbacks take their offensive lines out for all you can eat wings clean pocket able to step up scan the entire field and pick the open receiver the owls are moving quickly down the field [Applause] oh he's looking to throw working that left side and chunk plays are the name of the game and they get one here before the defense finally makes the Stop and a really good job by the quarterback being very decisive he saw his matchup he went for it he attacked it got the positive gain I would say he's going to find that guy a few more times today just inside the Red Zone first and 10 from the 19 trying to cap this drive with the pass he makes the connection they get it down to the seven on that pass play in Prime position for a score we've seen really nice balance here on this drive quarterback's three for three he's picking this defense apart they've also run the ball well too and here they are down close to the goal line this defense has no idea what's going coming next let's see if rice can get it in on first and goal they'll try to get it in with the Run they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one so you get stuffed on first down you had an idea of what you wanted to do on second but I'm guessing it's back to the drawing board now yeah you got to figure out who you are and what you are uh what's your next best play or what is the defense going to do they've been aggressive okay well if they've been aggressive throw that deep ball they've been s back I might sneak a draw again defense has dominated the early part of this game and the stats point that out [Music] emphatically let's see if the offenses can find a little rhythm here in the [Music] [Applause] second they'll run it up the middle here looking for a path to the end zone and he's swallowed up at the line of scrimmage by the big defensive tackle it's looking like they're going to have to throw this one in now on third down David and you know the execution just has to be spot on timing especially at the quarterback position here and thinking about the defense they're aggressive in these situations they're going to play man they're going to play uptight on you so I know that now how do I counter punch and attack this defense and the misconnection on third down yeah and third and short that choose not to run throw the football and I think a lot of that has to do with they know they're in field goal range they can take the three points on the board now on fourth down they'll settle for a field goal try and he'll try it from the right hash and the angle shouldn't be too bad from this distance splits the uprights good and with that they break the seal on the scoring it's [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] so the kickoff team is out there ready to boot it away after putting up a field goal let's see what the defense can do and he takes this from inside the five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 the Bearcat offense ready to go back to work he'll do it himself and he's able to find a little bit of running room before they get him down and this option attack can low you to sleep sometimes I mean just so many things they can do off of it and you just got to play responsibility responsibility and you got to get him on the ground and make tackles and that was a good job limiting the damage on that play with a nice tackle now on second down and short free- snap Motion in the back field to throw it's Bower got his man out of the back field oh big Juke to get pass he's run out out of bounds but not before turning in a big pick up and moving the sticks for a first down and that's why if you're the offensive coordinator you've got to find as many ways as possible to get this guy going just get him the ball close to the line of scrimmage doesn't need to be a throw deep down the field he's so Dynamic when he has the ball in his hands you saw it right [Applause] there not the most productive half for this offense so far but finally starting to get it in gear first and 10 from the gun he leaves it with the bat he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple well the most insightful analysis I think come up with on that one is that didn't work back to the drawing board to see if there's something that works a little better soon or if I can quote the great Reese Davis that was very UNG good not a productive first down play they'll go right back to him he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple linebackers have such an amazing responsibility got to play run got to play pass how about this seeing the Run aggressively getting downhill and getting in the back field and making a tackle for a loss the D thinking bring some heat on Third and long from the 44 he's looking downfield to throw finds his man it's Gentry and he's not going to make it the defense denying him the first down and as an offense that's just why you cannot get behind the sticks in these types of situations third in California is hard to complete and is hard to convert for anybody and even though the running back is able to do something positive on that third down play it's just too many yards to gain and now they're forced to punt and it looks as if there will be no return here as the punt goes out of bounds rice pass the ball back and they're ready to send the offense back to the field they've been pretty much stifled on offense so far David only able to muster three points in their previous three drives and you got to find a way to open this up open Runway ahead and he takes it all the way they couldn't stop him touchdown ow man oh man when you got a weapon like that you got to find him and you got to give him the ball in space you have some plays on your play sheet and of them just say that guy get him the ball let him do the rest dangerous weapon out of the back field catching the football making the big play they'll try to add another to their lead exra point and the extra point will tack another one onto this lead that's the kind of Drive everybody loves they'll see quarterback One Snap put it in the end zone almost ready to kick it away after scoring the touchdown kick he'll start the return inside his five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 the Bearcat offense ready to go back to work they are trailing by 10 here Jesse but this is the type of team that seems comfortable in an offensive shootout you got to hold serve at this point right you got to drive the field put some more points up on the board yeah they just scored you can answer that now and keep this thing close David and I think you're used to that as offense like football is so fastpaced now and you score so quickly it's not that big of a deal to get down 10 you keep being you keep being aggressive with the first down they'll put it in play from the 33 going with the counter play here they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one offensively you want to run that counter right to try to take advantage of hyperactive defenses but just poor execution not a good job of understanding where I need to go when I bounce that thing backside and it bounced outside you want to take that thing inside so the offense needs to operate a little bit better and maybe not run as much counter because the defense got in there pretty quick give to the running back just working and poking and prodding and finding his way up to the 36 I know that wasn't a big huge play and everybody's not excited the fans aren't going crazy but those are the plays that in the fourth quarter matter a lot again making you tackle my back making you feel the physicality of the football game throughout so you get tired and get worn down in the fourth quarter looking downfield it's Bower trying to get to him trying to make magic on the scramble when you've been around like this guy has you know how valuable picking up the first down with your feet can be well he does a really nice job buying time and I love the awareness there understanding no one's open downfield knowing where the sticks are and he's able to use his athleticism to get that first down the bear cats are marching down the field gives it to the back on the draw and they'll finally get him down after a terrific pick up just a great job by the quarterback the running back the offensive line sneaky little Devils what do they do make it look like pass sneak in the Run catch you off guard great play call by the offense and the Bearcats have it with a first and 10 from the gun leaves it on the inside with the back that's a really nice play it's impressive when it's first down and the defense thinks you might be running the football you still can line up you can get some movement at the point of attack and find a little crease for your running back after the productive first down play it's second and six now he's looking to throw it extending the play he's going to be able to pick up a few yards before the slide those always stin a little bit when you get so close to to getting the QB to the ground creating a negative play and then all a sudden he turns it into something positive just really annoying as a defensive guy trying to wear down this defense a seventh play of the drive it's third and one they'll stick to the ground looking for the marker just what they' hop for on third down as they've got a first at the 32 that is how it's done on thir third down and short and no doubt about it an easy hole to get through and clearly get the first down if you really want to simplify football the low man wins that time the offense got the better of the D easily picked that up they'll snap this one from the 32 it's first down give to the back he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three you see all this movement in football now all the stem the defensive line they're sliding right before the snap creating confusion for the offensive line then they're moving back and stunting really good job by the defense continue to move continue to stunt continue to get in the back field and make this life hard on this running back he's got it down the middle and the defense dragged him down well this little guy is going to be difficult for any DB to cover especially on these slant throws because he gets out of his break and he explodes off the line of scrimmage so quickly do they have another third down conversion in the bag already two for two on this drive it's third and two fting off the defender he just needed a yard on third down and there just wasn't any room to pick it up well they're trying to run the football there just nowhere to go they got dominated up front at the point of attack and they'll have to settle for a field goal try [Music] [Applause] and it's right down the boulevard that makes the score rice 10 Sam Houston [Music] [Applause] after that last field goal Drive they're set to kick it away kick on the move from inside is five not a lot of space to be found good Hustle by the coverage team and they stop him at the 21 rice takes over the ready to get that offense cooking again boy that last touchdown the oneplay quick strike scor Jesse this offense hoping to keep that kind of explosiveness going I don't know if they're going to get the same looks defensively because of just how explosive that play was re David they may be seeing a little bit more uh off coverage on this drive and maybe some softer boxes to run into and when you make that kind of explosive play you're going to put the defense on its heels they they're going to be a little bit more conservative so this offens approach now maybe I don't have to go deep I can go a little bit shorter and just make those easy plays underneath and get him on the ground but not before he gets enough for the first down and listen the offensive line has to do their job but a really good job by the running back understanding where his hole is go hit it get the first down don't mess around nice job following his hole getting positive yards first down here with time for maybe one more play until the two-minute warning we've reached the two-minute warning and we'll see if the offense can build on this lead before the break now from the 36 yd line it's first and 10 looking to throw it's Warner he's got the tight end I'll say this man in college football you see a lot of bad tackling you didn't see it right there that was an awesome job first off being there at the point of attack once the tight end made the catch there was no doubt he was going down great job form tackle after the first down completion it's second and short he's looking to throw shoots it to the left and it's incomplete but the penalty flag has fallen in the holding Zone let's see [Applause] what we'll repeat the previous down but this time the offense has 10 more yards it has to cover he's back to throw on second down got it on the outside it's Campbell and he'll run across the sidelines after the good gain great timing there on that throw by the QB on the out route gets it to his guy just in time he makes the catch and his momentum takes him out of bounds they line up and it is a long way to the sticks from here on third down he'll try to pick it up through the air he's got it inside the 30 ripped off a huge chunk play on that one as he gets the first down before he steps out of bounds that's a beautiful pass and catch I love the job the quarterback does manipulating the defense with his eyes he Froze that safety and that allowed his receiver more room to work his route rice going to work with another first and 10 he's going to pass quick strike complete didn't pick up aot there moved it Forward just a few nice job there good timing between the QB and the wide receiver executing that out route here comes the offense on second down to the air it's Warner makes the grab the and they bring him down quickly but a good game there yeah and you see running backs in today's football they play while receiver basically for you but you got to find a guy that you can throw it to and you know he's going to catch the ball consistently quick timeout call by the offense after the play they've been able to control the ball this is the seventh play of the drive it's third and three they'll try to get the first through the air he's got it on the Run he steps out of bounds but it'll be enough to give them a first and goal really nice job there with the quarterback reading coverage he knew exactly where to go with the football and at what exact time the timing could not have been better they get the completion on third down setting up first and goal and the owls have it in scoring position on first and goal looking to throw fires into the end zone and it's picked off and that's just excellent cover man cover one nowhere to throw the football look at everybody playing man across the board and you still got the safety in the middle of the field nobody open and if I'm the QB man I don't need to force it I I don't force it in tight Windows if it's not there he throws it unfortunately gets the interception bad decision by the QB there the Bearcat offense ready to go back to work so late in the half this is really an opportunity David maybe to swing the momentum in their favor dang right there's no time to be conservative we're a little bit down listen I just think this is a point with the offense that they can prove like we're here we're going to create something now that we can build on in the second half coach said all week he wanted to be aggressive this is a great opportunity to show that right now at the end of the first half try and generate some momentum score some points before going into halftime still at their own 20 after that last incompletion it's second and 10 going to try to pop one on the screen didn't have much room to run and not a whole lot of help short gain there and still plenty of ground to cover for the first down now facing a third and long time out back to throw it's Bower got him downfield he'll have enough for the first down and they stop him at the 45 there's a timeout called as this offense tries to find a way to draw a little closer now a first down from the 45 yd line he's looking to throw it he lost one down the sideline and it falls incomplete and the offense is lucky to have it Defender right there almost had it in his grasp well the defender got his hand on that one tipped it up in the air and offense man they're lucky that one wasn't picked the incomplete pass leaves him with second down he's looking to throw takes a shot as he lets it go and how about that DB getting a hand in there and forcing the incomplete pass third quarterbacks talk about it all the time they love the clean pocket where they can step up throw the football that is not what they had nice job by the defense beating the offensive line disrupting the timing and getting a nice clean hit on the quarterback on Third and long he has to throw for it skips away from pressure still on his feet at the 45 they'll use a timeout right before halftime maybe time for one or two more plays time out San Houston Time dwindling away as they try to put points on the board right before the half trying to find his man on first down dances way to buy time running with power and he scurries out of bounds and wisely avoids taking the big hit and that's a really good job by this defense cuz remember when the quarterback runs now you got an extra blocker cuz he's not just handing it off and standing there and they still did a good job at the point of attack kind of strong and a long and made him run out of bounds so with only seconds left in the half here comes the field goal unit 57 yds out an e Powers it through the upright 10 Sam Houston [Applause] we played two quarters here time to go to Kevin Connors in our halftime update all right fellas the end of a very entertaining first two quarters of football in Houston and I get it a lot of coaches will say the difference between winning and losing comes down to stopping big plays and getting big plays but if you ask me it's more about how good you are on third down and how efficient you are in keeping drives alive those two stats can help you break the will of even the best defenses and help you come out on top and with that let's send it back to the guys inside historic rice [Music] Stadium the bear will boot it away to start the second half he thought about bringing that out for a half second but he'll take a knee and they'll bring it to the 25 rice has the ball back and they're ready to send the offense back to the field they got plenty done through the air in the first half and we'll see if they even need to look for balance as we start the third quarter well and I I think defensively you understand like the running game isn't a big part of the plan I wonder how they adjust play more coverage to this pass happy offense yeah so you're going to have to be ready if you're a quarterback then you're probably going to see some different coverages you might see a little bit more Blitz in the second half as well so you have to know where your answers are off the play fake throws for the tight end he's got an open man and he was loose and in the open field and on his way a tremendous pick up on that one they knew they could slip that tight end behind the back ERS with that play action fake well it's because I can't win reys I I have to play the run you know all these rpos all these different things I and makes me come up and use my eyes and play run and these tight end are so valuable to find space behind knew where he was going with the football the whole time because the big fella he's always open nowhere to run on that when he loses four on the carry they're trying to run the ball on first down guys but just nothing doing up front their offensive line got blown up on that play there was nowhere for that guy to go couldn't get him blocked on that last one now it's second and 14 they go right back to him at the 35 he's got room and he's sprinting he'll take it all the way touchdown out I love the execution on that play great blocking up front just to get the ball carrier an opportunity in the second level with the defense at that point it was make a guy Miss and use the speed that was a perfectly executed [Music] [Applause] play lining up to attack one more on to that lead and with the extra point they push the lead out a little further quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and they C it off with a thrilling 50yd Run for the touchdown the kickoff team on the field as they'll send this one away he'll bring it back from inside his SP didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 the mircat offense ready to go back to work man how comforting is it to know that even if your offense stalls out a little Jesse that field goal kicker can knock it in from a long way out well he's one of the best in the country we noow doubt but this offense would like him and prefer for him to kick an extra point on this drive and to do that David they've got to have more Rhythm on offense yeah create some more Rhythm create some more explosive plays and maybe some more balance and listen it's nice to have that weapon and kick long field field goals you kick too many field goals you don't get very many W's off the bootleg wants to toss it quickly to the tight end po through finally run out of bounds but he has this offense rolling with a first down there's not a lot more beautiful in football than the playaction and the open tight end because it freezes those linebackers it freezes those safeties because they have to come up for a second and play The Run and then the big tight ends big Targets on the back end can catch the football and make big plays from the gun running back on the move you want to make sure to maximize those types of runs and he gets it out to the 41 coaches always harp about staying ahead of the chains and when you can run with that type of efficiency on first down man you are doing just that and the Bearcats in the hurry up back to the ground with the running back and they'll bring him down after a short pickup gain of one third down coming guys this offense is already reeling down multiple possessions really really need to cash in on this drive looking down the middle holds it in he gets it to the 31 yd line a big play for this offense nice confidence by the QB good throw over the middle of the field nice little strike down the field for a big play listen you got to throw it where it's open and he found a slot found a little hole in the middle of the field nice job ATT attacking the Bearcats are rolling down the field [Applause] back to throw it's Bower takes the easy completion and this one will be stopped for No Gain big part of the offensive game plan is yards after the catch but none available there I like the idea on offense of trying to spit the ball outside quickly and see if your guy can make something happen in space but give the defense credit they rallied to the ball got him on the ground moving quickly trying to Rattle the D they'll give it to the back a ripped off seven on that one now a third down and three listen you you got to be able to know what play to call and what hole to go through like the line blocks for a certain hole good job getting through the hole getting what was blocked getting a nice positive game making your situation really good on the next down this third down play more than manageable from the 2 four can the defense Stand Tall looking left and he left that one short tried to baby it in there he's got to turn it loose well third and short in field goal range they dial up the pass play quarterback was trying to get through his progressions there was just simply nobody open couldn't make an accurate enough throw ball Falls incomplete Now setting up a big decision here on thir and they'll run the field goal unit back out there this kicker is already banged a couple through he got it that makes the score rice 17 San Houston n [Music] after putting up the field goal they're set to kick it away set to kick this one away he'll take the return and try to improve the field position really disciplin job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 rise takes over the owls ready to get that offense cooking Again David they' love to do what they did last time and put this one in the end zone you ain't lying they did a great job the offense was clicking everything went well Palmer they executed and got the touchdown and they really were in a nice Rhythm as well I'd love to see that here on the next drive too just keep doing what you're doing everything seems to be working and you seem to have this defense on their heels they really got things moving on this drive second play of the drive comes from the 37 they're going to ride this running back he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three no doubt offense wants to keep running the football to win this game but I'm wondering if they're starting to go to the well too often they got to start showing some new wrinkles here in the second half last play was a near disaster now dealing with second and 13 using his legs it's Connor a strong tackle and wrap up from the Junior if they can convert here that type of play can really give you a shot of momentum wants to throw it's Warner throws to the wide out he makes a catch he's right out of bounds but a big play on that one and it'll be a first down well there's the trust this quarterback has in his guy right he knows he's going to give him an opportunity and critical down in distance is third down find your best matchup because you know he can make the catch he can get his feet in bounds keep the drive moving one running back in the back field and he has it they wrestle him to the ground but he's got ready for a first down no surprise I mean with the way they're running the ball early in this game they're just going to keep doing it and they're just not hammering out two three four yd gains they're gashing this defense you saw it right there the s come to the line with a new set of downs they'll throw it on first down got it in the middle it's Campbell they make the stop right at the 30 yd line but it's a 10yd pick up and a first down well you're seeing the balance this offense has and how they can create explosive plays in a variety of ways we just saw one come in the Run game and now you see one coming in the passing game I'll tell you they've got the defense on their heels looking to go up top on first down and they're on him and a heart beaten down he goes strong safety blitzes can sometimes be hard to see coming from a quarterback standpoint because we're used to seeing the strong safeties insert themselves into the box but you don't often times see them Blitz like that that can be tricky to watch really need to pick up some yardage this time on second and [Applause] long he'll keep it himself they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one and that option game can be tricky right but nice job by the defense playing assignment football and watch the linebacker you could tell locked in on the quarterback chases him down gets two him not only gets to him doesn't let him break a tackle gets him on the ground this will be be the eighth play of the drive but a great opportunity for the defense to get off the [Applause] field got out of trouble and throws that's caught it's Conor that's why as a defense you feel okay playing man coverage on third down because you know you've got linebackers and you've got players on your defense that can cover these dangerous running backs mono imano nice job tackling in the open field and for the second time tonight they'll Trot out the field goal kicker this might be a little easier if it were straight on but a 43 y from the right hatch K it's good and now the Leeds extended a little farther [Music] so after the last Drive ended with a field goal the kickoff team out there to send it away the returner will field it and try to set up his offense in great field position didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 the beat offense ready to go back to work they're going to have to be more aggressive in this drive you can't expect to win this one David kicking field gos no especially when you're trailing you got to have a little more urgency and maybe a little more aggressiveness Jesse and field goals are not going to get it done down the stretch yeah you're going to have to take some shots no doubt bottom line when plays present themselves you've just simply got to make it this offense has a second down play misfired on the last play they'll go back to the air they'll run the screen not a whole lot of room there on that screen pass as it just never developed well this offense will screen you in a variety of way they'll throw receiver screens tight end screens the running back screen also a big part of what they like to do like you just saw there and this offense just has to find a way to convert this third down or else they are really in trouble dropping back it's Bower unloads it left makes a connection he will step out of bounds but not before the big pick up and a first down for this offense and wait just a second the official is going to take a second look at this one so the officials take a closer look and the replay Booth will overturn the call signals for the fair katchan looks it in at the 40 rice has the ball back and they're ready to send the offense back to the field so last time David they ate up some clock ran a bunch of plays but settled for the field goal yeah but they're still up re and I like where I'm at and if I'm on offense right now my job is to put another long drive together eat more clock and get another score just got to be better in the Red Zone this time around when they get down close to the goal line you need better execution to put a touchdown on the board here after getting knocked back to open this drive it's second and 12 on the run it's Conor a confident tough efficient run gets it up to the 44 I I like it just frustrate the defense get that five to six yards make him honor the Run make him know that you're willing to run the football and run it effectively a chance to sort of put the defense on its heels if you convert a third and long this one from the 44 from the gun wants to pass fires to the wide out that is just a sideline credit who catch tow drag everything you want well offensive coordinators put in countless hours every week trying to formate and use different Personnel groupings and shifts and motions to give their offense a success on third down you can tell in this game this offense of he has put in the work this week off the play fake on first down the throw strong pass rush gets to the quarterback and they get him at the 46 the defense just simply not fooled by the play action often times as an offense you're hoping the Run fake is going to slow down those pass rushers but man oh man they had their ears pinned back [Applause] after the big first down sack it's second down from the gun they'll try to impose their will couple of guys there to get him on the ground listen in these situations it's so hard to push the ball down the field because the defense is playing past we bring in more DBS we're we're dropping deeper on our in our coverage and we're making you throw the ball underneath or run the football nice job by the running back listen he got good yards he didn't get the first down but now he's in a situation where third down becomes something where it's not predictable now it's a situation where they can go out and have success one quarter to go and might we have the makings of a classic fourth quarter finish to the air it's Warner pocket starts to collapse and the back was trying to extend the play and the defense brought it to a close and the defense needed that one badly they're losing in this game they just gave up a big play so they finally get the sack but you feel like they're going to need more than that they're going to need some turnovers to get back in this [Applause] game rice will be forced to send out the punt unit this will be the second time they've had to kick it away the ball hits at the five and it'll go into the end zone for a Touchback the Bearcat offense ready to go back to work they just didn't quite find the Rhythm on that last Drive Jesse they had to punt it I think they got to be more and the ball is intercepted and they'll close in on him after a good return on the interception it doesn't get any better better for your defense you know exactly the situation in the fourth quarter everything in your favor don't let him make big plays how about you make a big play nice job getting the interception it's not icing on the cake yet it's getting pretty close short Fields make successful offense is just what they want here off the play fake on first down wants to throw pass rush coming after the quarterback and they get him at the 32 when it's a playaction pass that quarterback he really has to sell the fake he can't tell his offensive lineman's getting beat right away while he's selling the fake he had no [Applause] shot they'll try to keep that sack from Wrecking this drive here on second and 15 looking to pass it's Warner throws to the the tight end he got a hand in there knocks it away incomplete tips deflections those are such good things for defense a lot of times they lead to interceptions and big plays just try to get any kind of disruption you can third play of the drive and they need to make something happen here on Third and long looking downfield and he needs a bunch buys a little extra time trying to escape and get it himself and it is a chunk play a huge gain on that one before the defense brings it to an end these guys aren't human anymore I mean they got to survey the field throw the football make deep passes and then guess what else they pull the ball down take off and make big chunks of plays on the ground it's just impossible to be on defense nowadays motion from the offense quarterback touch pass on the Jet Sweep oh just left him flailing and that spin move kept the play alive and let this guy pick up a few extra yards man the defense you hold your breath when this receiver has the football out in space you have got to make sure you're playing with outstanding Pursuit nice job there but as this game goes on they've got to keep an eye on this guy and make sure they know where he is at all times looking for space it's Conor they get him on the ground at the three yd line but this defense is taking some punches they're strong and they're SC defensive tackles they're SC there's such big jokers in the Middle where they just lock out those offensive linemen and running backs listen they don't have much of a chance when you got that 300 plus pound guy grabbing you around the shoulder pad you tend to go to the ground pretty quickly they were all over him nowhere to go as that third down play turned into a disaster well the defense finally gets a stop there but a big reason why they've got the lead right now is because of this dude toing The Rock and David it just seems like he's been getting better as the game's gone on yeah and the defense all night no answers I mean he just he's shown you a little bit of everything whether it's inside whether it's outside whether it's out running people are breaking tackles this guy's been a game record [Music] so they were able to put up a three spot on that last drive and now the kickoff team out there as they prepare to put boot to leather on the run from inside his own five couldn't find a way to create that broken field as he stopped at the 25 the beercat offense ready to go back to work well the good news about this drive Jesse it can't go worse than last time through a pick on the first play no it certainly can't I think one good way David to help your quarterback turn the pages just find him an easy completion here and let him get back into a rthm yeah or find him an easy hand off just hand the football off maybe get the ground game going maybe jump start this offense a little bit last incompletion leaves them still sitting at their own 25 with second and 10 couldn't connect on first down now back to the air got his man on the outside the pass on second down caugh by the back no game on the Play It's third [Music] down probably the toughest call on the play sheet third and long Ball's at the 25 dropping back it's bow unloads to the white out he's got it and they'll get it to the 39 yd line and they'll move the chain well trailing like they are right now in the fourth quarter their execution offensively is just going to have to be at a premium you can't afford a lot of incompletions at this point everybody is going to need to be on the same page moving forward and the Bearcats have it with a first and 10 out of the gun the running back has it we'll give him a couple on that one second and eight coming up man a nice second effort by the back to break a tackle but how about those defensive backs willing to come up stick their face in the fan and make a tackle those are the best run defenses too right it's not just D linan and linebackers getting all the plays but it's DBS that are willing to not just cover but tackle backs in the open field it's a draw really nice stop there from this senior leader third down coming [Music] some third down conversions tougher than others this one a long one on third down from the 43 from the gun wants to pass and that's incomplete a Defender all over him knock the ball to the ground fourth down coming [Applause] up the Bearcats will putt this one away they may have to pay him overtime he's punting for the fifth time today he'll get away another punt he's been really active today and no doubt he's going to earn his varsity lad and good work by the coverage team to get the Return Man Down on the ground rice takes over the owls ready to get that offense cooking [Applause] again and they picked up nine on first down it'll bring up second and short they've got a lead here in the fourth quarter and there's certainly still plenty of football to go but this is where you'd love to control the flow of the game right you want to dictate everything to the defense and you do that by running the football that was a really nice run this offensive line is firing off late looks like they're getting stronger as the game goes on and that is a good sign for the offense all kinds of room to throw that one in there and they are pushing the ball down the field a big pick up on that one and the tackle is finally made really just feels like they are trying to make a statement to everybody in college football they've got a lead they've got it late and they are still putting it on this defense they are still letting it Fly they're airing it out trying to light up the [Applause] scoreboard rice rushes to the line they'll go to the ground you'll take four yards on first down every time second and six it's a point in the game I think as a coaching staff where you really challenge your offensive line to go win the football game right we've got a lead late we're going to run the football and the defense and everybody in this Stadium knows that's what's going to happen can we run the ball down their throats and impose our will that's what this offense right now is trying to [Music] do gets it out fast and they'll shove him out of bounds after the short gain you know the defense doesn't have an answer for this slot guy right now they may want to think about bracketing him having a Defender play to the outside and to the inside probably some sort of Zone coverage where you're trying to get two bodies forcing the quarterback to have to go somewhere else with the ball looking to throw it's Warner got it set up on the outside well on third down they go to the running back screen they're able to get a couple of yards but not enough for the first what do they do coming upth down rice will try to move the chains on fourth down try to get it on the ground and he'll pick up the first down after a tough run there everything going the offense's way they're trying to ice this game late they've got a really nice lead so you just want to run the ball high percentage throws and keep the chains moving and they're doing that this has been a beautiful drive to watch offense continues to stay in a nice Rhythm here late keeps it on the boot leg not much of a chance CH there he just had to get rid of it to avoid the sack operating in the Red Zone here on second down power football with the Run he pushes his way down to the four as they get closer and closer really nice awareness by that guy too because it looked as though his momentum might carry him out of bounds might stop the clock but he knew to get down he was fighting to make sure he fell down in the field to play and as a result the clock keeps ticking really need to pick up this conversion and avoid having to settle for the field goal he'll throw on third down moving keeping the eyes down field touch down rice and they add six more to the board with that trip to the house well that didn't necessarily go as planned but it was most effective in the end I love it ree down in the Red Zone this quarterback didn't have anybody open didn't Panic he just decided man I'm going to go do this myself I'm going to use my wheels and put up six on the board he did just [Music] [Applause] that they'll try to add another to their lead exra point and the extra point splits the uprights and they're up a full three touchdowns a 21-point cushion in the fourth they're lining up to boot it away kick it off here he comes from inside his own five finds just enough space across the 25 let's mark it at the 27 yd line the mircat offense ready to go back to work back to throw it's Bower fires to the wide out off the deflection missed a great chance to force the turnover instead it'll be second down down and it's just been that kind of day for this quarterback in this offense guys they have never been able to get into a rhythm throwing the football timing's been off accuracy hasn't been great we've seen some drops just not in sync that's why they find themselves trailing by a lot right here late in the game pressure coming he's brought down but he went backwards after that completion not the way they had it drawn up and listen if I'm the quarterback I'm trying to dump the ball off to my playmaker and make this a manageable third down get something positive but how about the defense just reacting so fast getting to the running back and getting that sucker on the ground in the open field the bear catch will hustle to the line on Third and long no secret what he needs here quickly out to the tight end and he broke one tackle on the way to a solid pick up there and defensively this is exactly what you want right you got the big lead so you can play Big Zone coverages just keep the ball in front of you keep your eye on the quarterback rally to the football gang tackle you're going to win this game down by multiple possessions you can't come up empty on this drive they'll go for it on fourth down firing deep and a penalty flag comes in as that one Falls incomplete but this is going to be a positive play for the offense defense with pass interference coming and the defender just way too handsy on that last play you could see all the contact as the ball was in the air you simply can't do it and the referee's caught it they'll throw it on first down grabbed in the middle Smith and good coverage by the defense just a short gain you just get the feeling this defense is going to make it hard on him right they've got the lead it's late and they're going to try to tackle everybody in bounds offense is going to have to really work for this and be smart you got to attack the sidelines you got to throw first downs you got to keep this thing moving vertically down the field now on second down to the air it's bow he's got his man and they'll bring him down but not before he pck picks up the first down and I think this receiver's Forte is his route running he's a guy that can line up all over the field but it's not just catching post routes and goes this guy can run shallows he can run Slants he can run the option routes and find soft spots in the defense this guy really has all the routes in his toolbox wants to throw on first down with the catch it's Smith he's run out of bounds but not before turning in a big pickup and moving the sticks for a first down hey you know the defense here in this situation with a huge lead they've got to anticipate that this offense is going to be trying to throw the ball to the sideline so they've got to work different coverages to try to force the quarterback to go over the middle of the field with the football and the Bearcats will have it first and 10 grabbed over the middle it's Evans and just a short safe pass play they pick up a few well here's the problem offensively because you're trailing by so much so late in the game the defense now is going to be playing big Zone coverages and they're going to allow you to throw the ball underneath in the middle of the field rally to make a tackle and bleed the clock it's going to be hard now for this offense to claw their way back in this one on second down looking again to throw unloads to the wide out got his man downfield The Tackle is made but he's gotten first and goal from the six quick timeout call by the offense after the play trying to preserve every minute possible looking to throw it again got his man quickly good throwing catch takes it down to the five as the offense tries to cash in and this game is obviously out of hand but I think the fans would argue too at this point like all right well let's not throw check Downs right let's throw some deep balls and continue to open up this offense and keep fighting I think that's what you want to see you want to see your squad not quit keep fighting until the very end of the football game looking downfield it's Bower he'll throw it he got it and he won't be able to push his way in he stopped at the one and this offense is going to have to find more explosive plays and it's it's it can't just rely on the Dink and dunk it's going to have to find itself and score more points listen they got beat up today but moving on in the future they've got some good pieces they got to find a way to fit them together create some explosive plays on this offense cuz today they've been lacking they get the timeout called 11 seconds remaining to play and they'll come to the line trying to take a slice out of this lead on Third and goal the playaction fake fires into the end zone and here's the third interception of the night heat up them pass rushers bringing them DBS that's what I'm doing in this situation when I got the lead by a couple scores late in the ball game in the fourth quarter I'm going to rush the passer like crazy I'm going to put all those DBS back playing the pass that's what happened great job understanding they're going to have to take shots we get the interception this one's almost over running out the clock seems to be a mere formality here as they are ready to snap it in Victory formation he will take a knee and the defense can stop the clock one more time but this one is just about in the book [Music]