Clemmings is the difference

[Ambst95]

This team misses Clemmings. He is the difference with this year's rushing offense vs last year's. Losing Connor stunk but without Clemmings creating holes, he would struggle too in this offense.

The oline did well in pass protection because Iowa rarely brought pressure. We will struggle in blitz protections against more aggressive defenses.

Otherwise, our lack of depth on both lines hurt us in a physical matchup when the d couldn't make the one extra stop they needed to make. With Clemmings allowing for a few more first downs, perhaps the d isn't as gassed at the end and holds their rushing lanes.

A lot of positives, but what I've seen is us basically just flipping the problems to new areas. The team has an extra week to get healthy and prepare for a good Virginia Tech team. This will help Narduzzi to rally the troops. Losing a game like this can lead to snowballing, like we saw last year.

I had no high expectations for this team this year and still feel the same. The offense really needs to improve. Last year's offense with this year's defense would have been fun to see.

 

[Jeffburgh]

Ol was solid, not great on the run, but plug Conner, Graham, Lewis, and needless to say Shady into the lineup last night and they win, maybe easily.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

@Ambst95--In the interest of avoiding "immediacy bias" I will be a little more optimistic about the OL and run game. Sure we miss Clemmings right now. But, IMHO, the raw material is there--we have the horses--to be a much better OL than we have seen so far. With the injuries and changes and new schemes it will probably be mid-season before the new OL configuration fully "gels."

I fully expect to see the OL be much better in the second half of the season and a much improved running attack as a result.

HTP

 

[Black_Man_Panther]

"Not great"? Pitt had 55 yards rushing. That is pitiful.

Ol was solid, not great on the run, but plug Conner, Graham, Lewis, and needless to say Shady into the lineup last night and they win, maybe easily.

 

[str61166]

Meh... Iowa could probably look at this game and say "if" they had (some good player from last year) they would've won more decisively.

 

[daminals76]

"Not great"? Pitt had 55 yards rushing. That is pitiful.

The running game was pathetic! They have the players to be effective too, they just didn't stick with it.

Ollison seems like the best option, but the coaches went with Hall?? Doesn't make sense.

 

[pittzap]

Not having Conner is the difference. He broke a lot of tackles last year, plus he is quick enough to make someone miss. Hall is not strong enough to break them yet and Ollison is not as quick as Conner.

 

[Pittx9]

Saying "if" we had James Conner isn't some crazy scenario. Narduzzi totally expected to have 2 legit stars on offense this season, we now have one. We're also missing a starting tackle. That changes things drastically.
I think there were plays last night on 3rd and shorts and such, where Voytik could've came in handy. I wouldn't agree with changing qb's mid-series though, so I think we just need to solidify our run game. Ollison at the very least seems to fall forward on every carry. That extra yard per carry ends up being a difference.
I hate the dancing around to the outside on 3rd and 1's. If you're gonna hand it off, give it to Ollison right up the middle. Iowa's defense was tough last night, but most times this season Ollison will convert on those.

 

[Piranha]

JJ Smith and Conner are 2 starters who would immensely help the running game.

 

[WNYPanther]

Give Iowa some credit, I believe their run D is pretty damn good and from everything I saw last night they are very well coached, know their jobs and were never fooled or out of position. That being said our run game is going to need to improve quickly. If Peterman keeps throwing like he did in the 2nd half last night it will make teams respect our pass game much more which will also lead to success in the run game as opposing Ds realize they can no longer sell out to shut down our run.

 

[Fraliccrushedme]

They're not missing Conner and Clemmings. The OC is misusing his horses. I spent most of the game keying on the Oline. There were very few runs between the tackles. Blocking schemes on the pitches had the TE blocking down and the tackle pulling out to cut block the corner. Tons of misdirections and outside runs. PC spent three years bringing in plough horses to run the ball between the tackles. This offensive staff is using their line like its small and undermanned. Which it is not. This is not UAB's Oline. Run the ball up the gut. This line could wear down any defensive front on their schedule.

 

[Fraliccrushedme]

When all is said and done, the one guy who we're really gonna miss is Coach Heuber.

 

[Pittx9]

They're not missing Conner and Clemmings. The OC is misusing his horses. I spent most of the game keying on the Oline. There were very few runs between the tackles. Blocking schemes on the pitches had the TE blocking down and the tackle pulling out to cut block the corner. Tons of misdirections and outside runs. PC spent three years bringing in plough horses to run the ball between the tackles. This offensive staff is using their line like its small and undermanned. Which it is not. This is not UAB's Oline. Run the ball up the gut. This line could wear down any defensive front on their schedule.

I was thinking the same thing all night. To me, punting on 4th down wasn't nearly as bad of a call as the outside runs and tosses on 3rd and shorts. Those plays hardly ever work in that situation. If you get a block, you're looking at a big gain. But very rarely do they work, so needing just a yard or so I'll take my chances with Ollison up the middle every time.
With Conner out, we gotta play with what we got. Ollison is a forward runner, I can't stand seeing guys dancing around east and west.

 

[Delpanther]

When all is said and done, the one guy who we're really gonna miss is Coach Heuber.

He was over rated. His lines never could pass protect or pick up a blitz.