Mercer - Sep. 23

[FUBeAR]

This is an example why I think you will see Mercer throw more than usual Saturday, look for 35+ attempts.
KSU vs. D2 threw 19 times
KSU vs. UTC threw 16 times(they were behind the whole game)
KSU vs. FU threw 32 times. Almost as many as the their first 2 games combined. 32 vs 35.

FWW….

Mercer 2023 Passing Attempts

vs. North Alabama - 17 Attempts - Mercer never trailed. Game was tied @ 0-0 & 7-7 for a total of 16:58 in the 1st half only

@ Ole Miss - 31 Attempts - Mercer never led. Game was tied @ 0-0 & 7-7 for a total of 2:22 in the 1st quarter only

vs. Morehead - 19 Attempts - Mercer led the entire game except for 1:46 of the 2nd quarter only, when Morehead led 15-14.

So…an average of ~22 Attempts / Game in all games. Average of 18 Attempts / Game in “more competitive” games

[FUBeAR]

Possibly. Not sure what you mean by that but stuff happens. Are tight ends the object of a “ turf monsters” evil intent ?

Just a fond joke about a former Furman TE (‘06-‘09) who posted (in former versions of) ‘here’ on occasion and was regularly teased about a play when the Turf Monster got him as he was ‘sprinting’ all alone for a sure TD. Don’t remember his posting name/handle, but unless FUBeAR is mixing up things, sadly, RIP & TheUFFP traditional “prolly had it coming” are in order, when mentioning this (too) young man.

Perhaps another “old dog” can correct FUBeAR if he is misremembering…which is always a distinct possibility.

[The Jackal]

This is an example why I think you will see Mercer throw more than usual Saturday, look for 35+ attempts.
KSU vs. D2 threw 19 times
KSU vs. UTC threw 16 times(they were behind the whole game)
KSU vs. FU threw 32 times. Almost as many as the their first 2 games combined. 32 vs 35. Coaches watch film.

I'd love to see Mercer throw it 35-40 times. I would wager that Mercer's record in games where they throw the ball that frequently is probably abysmal.

Kennesaw had 31 passing attempts, but only 17 completions (54%). They threw the ball 16 times against UTC at 12 completions (75%). Watching the game again, Furman had an interception, but probably should have had three other picks during the game (two clear ones that our DBs just dropped)

We would all love to see Furman stop giving up chunk passing plays. At the same time, a run heavy team felt they needed to throw the ball 30+ times at just over 50% completion percentage where three or four of those passes, on another night, would have been turnovers. I'm fine with that.

[The Jackal]

Possibly. Not sure what you mean by that but stuff happens. Are tight ends the object of a “ turf monsters” evil intent ?

Just a fond joke about a former Furman TE (‘06-‘09) who posted (in former versions of) ‘here’ on occasion and was regularly teased about a play when the Turf Monster got him as he was ‘sprinting’ all alone for a sure TD. Don’t remember his posting name/handle, but unless FUBeAR is mixing up things, sadly, RIP & TheUFFP traditional “prolly had it coming” are in order, when mentioning this (too) young man.

Perhaps another “old dog” can correct FUBeAR if he is misremembering…which is always a distinct possibility.

"Great upper body speed"

[The Jackal]

Glad to see Brock Chappel (41) move up the depth chart at TE for the Mercer game. This 6'5' 240 lb. freshman is going to be a really good one. Runs with the ball after catch like a classic tight end. Hope he breaks out against Mercer.

Just looking at the depth chart, Mercer's two inside linebackers are listed at 5'9 225 and 5'11 225.

So, Furman's TE corps is going to have a massive size advantage if they are working against Mercer linebackers in either the run or pass game. Pline is going to be nearly a foot taller and 40 lbs heavier.

[FUBeAR]

This is an example why I think you will see Mercer throw more than usual Saturday, look for 35+ attempts.
KSU vs. D2 threw 19 times
KSU vs. UTC threw 16 times(they were behind the whole game)
KSU vs. FU threw 32 times. Almost as many as the their first 2 games combined. 32 vs 35. Coaches watch film.

I'd love to see Mercer throw it 35-40 times. I would wager that Mercer's record in games where they throw the ball that frequently is probably abysmal.

Kennesaw had 31 passing attempts, but only 17 completions (54%). They threw the ball 16 times against UTC at 12 completions (75%). Watching the game again, Furman had an interception, but probably should have had three other picks during the game (two clear ones that our DBs just dropped)

We would all love to see Furman stop giving up chunk passing plays. At the same time, a run heavy team felt they needed to throw the ball 30+ times at just over 50% completion percentage where three or four of those passes, on another night, would have been turnovers. I'm fine with that.

Coach Cronic’s Mercer Teams are 2-3 in games when the Bears have attempted 35 or more passes. They are 2-2-1, in regulation, in such games. About .500 overall & .500 vs. Furman; not “abysmal.” How much were we wagering?

1) 2021 (Spring) vs. Furman - 26-14 Win - 21-37-2 for 406 yds w/2 TD’s (QB - Carter Peevy 21-36-2 (58.3%) 406 w/2 TD’s - Mercer’s current Starting QB)
2) 2022 @ Auburn - 42-16 Loss - 21-36-0 for 197 yds w/2 TD’s
3) 2022 vs. ETSU - 55-33 Win - 23-36-1 for 383 yds w/5 TD’s
4) 2022 vs. Furman - 23-13 Loss - 28-40-0 for 263 yds w/2TD’s
5) 2022 @ Samford - 50-44 2OT Loss - 30-51-1 for 514 yds w/2 TD’s

As FUBeAR previously commented in this thread, for various reasons, Mercer’s rushing attack was cratering in the latter part of 2022. 3 of these 5 games occurred during this time span.

[FUBeAR]

Glad to see Brock Chappel (41) move up the depth chart at TE for the Mercer game. This 6'5' 240 lb. freshman is going to be a really good one. Runs with the ball after catch like a classic tight end. Hope he breaks out against Mercer.

Just looking at the depth chart, Mercer's two inside linebackers are listed at 5'9 225 and 5'11 225.

So, Furman's TE corps is going to have a massive size advantage if they are working against Mercer linebackers in either the run or pass game. Pline is going to be nearly a foot taller and 40 lbs heavier.

Correct…Also, in Mercer’s Defensive Alignment, their KAT is akin to Furman’s Bandit position and their “BS” … guessing “Boundary Safety” is akin to Furman’s Spur position…

so…typically the ‘underneath coverage’ - that which TE’s most frequently ‘work against’ - for Mercer’s 2-Deep is this…

20 Richie Coffey S 5-10 195 Gr. Jacksonville, Fla. Baldwin HS
16 Christian Davis S 5-10 190 Fr. Tuscaloosa, Ala. American Christian Acad. Army Prep

3 Isaac Dowling LB 5-9 225 Jr. Snellville, Ga. Shiloh HS
24 Marques Thomas LB 6-0 225 Jr. McCalla, Ala. McAdory HS

15 Ken Standley LB 5-11 225 R-Jr. Waycross, Ga. Ware County HS
46 Isaac Prince LB 6-0 215 R-Fr. Snellville, Ga. Shiloh HS

42 Christian Hanson KAT 6-0 235 So. Senoia, Ga. Trinity Christian HS
40 Isaiah Washburn KAT 5-11 230 So. Clearwater, Fla. Calvary Christian HS Air Force Prep

[Stumpy]

unless FUBeAR is mixing up things, sadly, RIP & TheUFFP traditional “prolly had it coming” are in order, when mentioning this (too) young man.

Wait, what? Is this a very VERY recent thing? As far as I know, TS is still with us.

[FUBeAR]

unless FUBeAR is mixing up things, sadly, RIP & TheUFFP traditional “prolly had it coming” are in order, when mentioning this (too) young man.

Wait, what? Is this a very VERY recent thing? As far as I know, TS is still with us.

Yep - see - FUBeAR was confusing him with another Atlanta-area FU TE, Chris Truss, who passed away suddenly 2 years ago https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obitua ... s-10370055 - that’s why we need you around here, boss. You’re literally saving lives with your posts!

[The Jackal]

Glad to see Brock Chappel (41) move up the depth chart at TE for the Mercer game. This 6'5' 240 lb. freshman is going to be a really good one. Runs with the ball after catch like a classic tight end. Hope he breaks out against Mercer.

Just looking at the depth chart, Mercer's two inside linebackers are listed at 5'9 225 and 5'11 225.

So, Furman's TE corps is going to have a massive size advantage if they are working against Mercer linebackers in either the run or pass game. Pline is going to be nearly a foot taller and 40 lbs heavier.

Correct…Also, in Mercer’s Defensive Alignment, their KAT is akin to Furman’s Bandit position and their “BS” … guessing “Boundary Safety” is akin to Furman’s Spur position…

so…typically the ‘underneath coverage’ - that which TE’s most frequently ‘work against’ - for Mercer’s 2-Deep is this…

20 Richie Coffey S 5-10 195 Gr. Jacksonville, Fla. Baldwin HS
16 Christian Davis S 5-10 190 Fr. Tuscaloosa, Ala. American Christian Acad. Army Prep

3 Isaac Dowling LB 5-9 225 Jr. Snellville, Ga. Shiloh HS
24 Marques Thomas LB 6-0 225 Jr. McCalla, Ala. McAdory HS

15 Ken Standley LB 5-11 225 R-Jr. Waycross, Ga. Ware County HS
46 Isaac Prince LB 6-0 215 R-Fr. Snellville, Ga. Shiloh HS

42 Christian Hanson KAT 6-0 235 So. Senoia, Ga. Trinity Christian HS
40 Isaiah Washburn KAT 5-11 230 So. Clearwater, Fla. Calvary Christian HS Air Force Prep

It's an interesting question.

Watching the Morehead State game, Mercer frequently used two "stand up" ends (two point stance). Sometimes these are both "defensive ends" and sometimes both are "KATs."

I noticed this a good bit last year, but Mercer appears stylistically to prefer their defensive linemen to come up the field hard. I think they have to sort of play this way because of they go smaller in the defensive backfield at linebacker and a lot of defensive backs on the field. They need to stop teams in their backfield before they get loose in the secondary.

Just my read, but Furman may be able to exploit Mercer some with our four wideout look with inside runs.

[AstroDin]

^^^ interesting.

Furman has quite a deceptive weapon in Colton Hinton. We've now seen him play and be successful against two very athletic teams, the Gamecocks and the Owls. Hinton appears to be one of those players that creates havoc when he gets past the line of scrimmage.

How will you cover Harris, Dean, Ferguson, and Hinton in a four-receiver look?
Heck, throw another look: E Harris, Shiflet, Roberto, and Hinton?

[The Jackal]

^^^ interesting.

Furman has quite a deceptive weapon in Colton Hinton. We've now seen him play and be successful against two very athletic teams, the Gamecocks and the Owls. Hinton appears to be one of those players that creates havoc when he gets past the line of scrimmage.

How will you cover Harris, Dean, Ferguson, and Hinton in a four-receiver look?
Heck, throw another look: E Harris, Shiflet, Roberto, and Hinton?

We're starting to see Hinton and Ferguson really start to create havoc out of that flanker position.

While neither of them individually have eye-popping numbers, I think you have to almost take them together. Furman rotates heavily on both sides of the ball and they essentially play the same position. Against Kennesaw, the two of them had 8 catches for right around 100 yards receiving.

I think we will continue to see Roper scheme those two open. They are very difficult to stick with in the open field and seem to have a good knack for reading the coverage. I suspect they will only continue to get better.

[FUBeAR]

Hmmm…FUBeAR was looking at & drooling over something different…

With the way Shiflett appears to enjoy blocking (watch him) and with his proficiency at it…as well as his broken field running capabilities …

AND…

…with Pline’s similar proclivities and assets (the broken field running part demonstrated here)…

…FUBeAR would like to see some 2-man screen games with those 2 paired up…Huff getting the ball out to either of them quickly and then letting the 2 of them use their quarter ton or so of skills, size, and desire … with either blocking for the other against a pair of DB’s that might be outweighed by 150+ lbs…and who REALLY didn’t become a DB to beat the blocks of & then solo tackle either one of those dudes. They like to run & jump & catch & look good…most of ‘em. Make ‘em regret their decision to give up playing hoops.

Sort of like applying Wisconsin-style OL principles to 7-on-7

Look for it…

[BearDownMU]

It's an interesting question.

Watching the Morehead State game, Mercer frequently used two "stand up" ends (two point stance). Sometimes these are both "defensive ends" and sometimes both are "KATs."

I noticed this a good bit last year, but Mercer appears stylistically to prefer their defensive linemen to come up the field hard. I think they have to sort of play this way because of they go smaller in the defensive backfield at linebacker and a lot of defensive backs on the field. They need to stop teams in their backfield before they get loose in the secondary.

Just my read, but Furman may be able to exploit Mercer some with our four wideout look with inside runs.

Lance Wise finds this post interesting.

[AstroDin]

Hmmm…FUBeAR was looking at & drooling over something different…

With the way Shiflett appears to enjoy blocking (watch him) and with his proficiency at it…as well as his broken field running capabilities …

AND…

…with Pline’s similar proclivities and assets (the broken field running part demonstrated here)…

…FUBeAR would like to see some 2-man screen games with those 2 paired up…Huff getting the ball out to either of them quickly and then letting the 2 of them use their quarter ton or so of skills, size, and desire … with either blocking for the other against a pair of DB’s that might be outweighed by 150+ lbs…and who REALLY didn’t become a DB to beat the blocks of & then solo tackle either one of those dudes. They like to run & jump & catch & look good…most of ‘em. Make ‘em regret their decision to give up playing hoops.

Look for it…

I got a great view of that play. That play reminded me of a kindergartner trying to tackle an adult male. Pline just shrugged him off.