We expected this game to be a defensive slugfest, and it has been. The play of the offense, though, is still really disappointing. Or, perhaps, Conner Weigman's play has been disappointing.
The offensive line has gotten some decent push against the Notre Dame front. The pairing of Zuhn and Bisontis, especially, have done some solid work. They've messed around with several line combinations, including having TJ Shanahan at guard and Reed-Adams at right tackle, but the original five seem to be the best to this point.
Weigman, bluntly, looks gunshy. He's not setting his feet, he's backpedaling when he doesn't need to and he's just not picking things up. He kind of looks like. -- gulp -- Zach Calzada. The positive thing is that we know he can play better because he has. But the two interceptions were just absolutely awful. Collin Klein needs to get some of the stuff he did at K-State, where you had a lot of quick passes coming out of the backfield to the running backs and tight ends, into the scheme. The wideouts aren't getting any separation -- ironically, the one play where a receiver did was Noah Thomas on the first interception -- and they've got to try something else.
I'm actually pretty happy with the line. They picked up blitzes better as the half went on and only gave up one sack, and Weigman had plenty of time to throw that ball away. Le'Veon Moss has been ok, not great, but it's just one of those games where you pound away until someone breaks.
Tre Watson has the only catch for the tight ends. They need to throw the ball to them more.
Defensively, A&M's been really, really good with the exception of two runs -- and those ended up not hurting them. They've been exotic with their looks and have caused Riley Leonard a lot of trouble. As bad as Weigman has been, Leonard only has 6 more yards passing. A&M's not letting anything past them and it seemed like they had figured out Notre Dame's big play -- the quick out to a receiver with the other blocking for him -- by the end of the half. They pursued it well the last few times.
Nic Scourton should have a sack, but they didn't give it to him and said it was a TFL instead. He really came on after the first series and has been disruptive. Cashius Howell had a really good second quarter. Shemar Turner has been borderline unblockable. Notre Dame cannot run between the tackles at all. They had a couple of big runs to the outside, but that was it. The numbers may not show it, but there are several holding penalties on Notre Dame that show what the defensive front has done.
Tyler White's 62-yard punt was awesome. That really made a difference, because it looked like Notre Dame would have great field position and they started at their own 14.
A&M needs to get a quick stop on the Domers to start the third and, hopefully, Weigman will calm down. He's been his own worst enemy so far. This isn't going to develop into a shootout, but the defense has the Aggies in a position to win. The offense just needs to give them a little help.
The offensive line has gotten some decent push against the Notre Dame front. The pairing of Zuhn and Bisontis, especially, have done some solid work. They've messed around with several line combinations, including having TJ Shanahan at guard and Reed-Adams at right tackle, but the original five seem to be the best to this point.
Weigman, bluntly, looks gunshy. He's not setting his feet, he's backpedaling when he doesn't need to and he's just not picking things up. He kind of looks like. -- gulp -- Zach Calzada. The positive thing is that we know he can play better because he has. But the two interceptions were just absolutely awful. Collin Klein needs to get some of the stuff he did at K-State, where you had a lot of quick passes coming out of the backfield to the running backs and tight ends, into the scheme. The wideouts aren't getting any separation -- ironically, the one play where a receiver did was Noah Thomas on the first interception -- and they've got to try something else.
I'm actually pretty happy with the line. They picked up blitzes better as the half went on and only gave up one sack, and Weigman had plenty of time to throw that ball away. Le'Veon Moss has been ok, not great, but it's just one of those games where you pound away until someone breaks.
Tre Watson has the only catch for the tight ends. They need to throw the ball to them more.
Defensively, A&M's been really, really good with the exception of two runs -- and those ended up not hurting them. They've been exotic with their looks and have caused Riley Leonard a lot of trouble. As bad as Weigman has been, Leonard only has 6 more yards passing. A&M's not letting anything past them and it seemed like they had figured out Notre Dame's big play -- the quick out to a receiver with the other blocking for him -- by the end of the half. They pursued it well the last few times.
Nic Scourton should have a sack, but they didn't give it to him and said it was a TFL instead. He really came on after the first series and has been disruptive. Cashius Howell had a really good second quarter. Shemar Turner has been borderline unblockable. Notre Dame cannot run between the tackles at all. They had a couple of big runs to the outside, but that was it. The numbers may not show it, but there are several holding penalties on Notre Dame that show what the defensive front has done.
Tyler White's 62-yard punt was awesome. That really made a difference, because it looked like Notre Dame would have great field position and they started at their own 14.
A&M needs to get a quick stop on the Domers to start the third and, hopefully, Weigman will calm down. He's been his own worst enemy so far. This isn't going to develop into a shootout, but the defense has the Aggies in a position to win. The offense just needs to give them a little help.
