.

[apaladin]

Here’s the bottom line. SU has beaten 2 of the worst teams in the league(ET&WC) by an average of 17.5 ppg. They have lost to the other 2 top contenders(WCU&UTC) by 3+ touchdowns each. ET scored 4 tds last week against them(tied at 21 at half) which was ET’s first TD’s of the season. They had 4 fgs against D1 prior to last week. On the other hand FU has been less that stellar and has only one good win, at least we think it is a good win(still TBD). Of course with that said we all know they will play their best game against FU. I expect to see a lot of deep throws from SU as FU stuggles to cover the deep ballls. FU better be ready. It is time to find out if FU is a contender or pretender. We will find out in 4 days. Can’t wait for Saturday.

[FU Hoopla]

This is the level we all want to get to again:

We can't get to this without going down to Alabama and laying the smack down on Little Sammy................... Let's get it done!

[The Jackal]

I went back and watched some of the game last year. We really had Samford's offense grasping at straws in the first half until the botched call by the refs.

We seemed to mix and match our defensive looks against Samford early. Perhaps most noticeable was using one of our BANDITS (usually Luke Clark) to drop off the line and clog up throwing lanes. Samford really wasn't able to hit a lot of short stuff early, which is really how they end up moving the ball most games.

I stopped the game at the botched call by the ref again. I know the party line is "we should have stopped them anyway," but my goodness what a terrible call. I mean, the call was bad, but then the 15 minute delay was just inexcusable. I would have rather just had them miss the call and keep the game going.

[gofurman]

Here’s the bottom line. SU has beaten 2 of the worst teams in the league(ET&WC) by an average of 17.5 ppg. They have lost to the other 2 top contenders(WCU&UTC) by 3+ touchdowns each. ET scored 4 tds last week against them(tied at 21 at half) which was ET’s first TD’s of the season. They had 4 fgs against D1 prior to last week. On the other hand FU has been less that stellar and has only one good win, at least we think it is a good win(still TBD). Of course with that said we all know they will play their best game against FU. I expect to see a lot of deep throws from SU as FU stuggles to cover the deep ballls. FU better be ready. It is time to find out if FU is a contender or pretender. We will find out in 4 days. Can’t wait for Saturday.

This. If we lose, we don't have a lot we can say. I think it is clear that WCU UTC and Furman are vying for the top. The other two teams smacked Samford around. If we lose not much to say and we are fighting an uphill battle the rest of the way.

Me, I would rather pump Samford up than say they stink because it only follows logic that if they stink and we lose well, what are we? But if they are awesome and we lose.. not so bad. I do think the UTC game was inflated by turnovers. Though this seems a pattern for sammy I fear we will drop our INTs or something. Just because it is a trend (turnovers) doesn't mean it will hold up Saturday.. INTs aren't like the total inability to play ball - see Bulldogs, Citadel. That will hold.

One trend we HAVE seen is that we only catch about half of the INT that land in our hands. We seem to have DBs dropping more balls this year... not sure why, but we do. Samford with an even turnover ratio woulda hung closer to UTC. We could REALLY use those interceptions.

Another trend we have is a low sack number - knowing that Samford throws more than some teams I wish this weren't the case.. and for future games. I don't know why = maybe the loss of the DT who graduated or the loss of McCormick or what but most would agree it would be nice to have a few more QB pressures and sacks ... just 2 / 3 more pressures and 1 or so more sack a game can change everything ! AP posted (I haven't checked) that we have 6 sacks all year. 6 sacks in 5 games could bite us soon. EDIT checked it =- 6 sacks is correct. We are next to last in sacks sandwiched between Citadael and VMI. Cmon guys, hit teh QB !! get him !

Not negative, just one I missed as I was perusing the stats:
We are 3 for 6 on FGs this year. man, gotta hit those.

[The Jackal]

If it makes you feel better, we had 5 sacks against Samford last season.

[FurmAlum]

We'll get some sacks on Saturday and we'll get some interceptions too. You gotta believe.

[gofurman]

Hope yall are right...

you know on special teams love our KO unit - into the endzone..
and love the Punt coverage
but truly hadn't realized we were a mere .500 on FGs . 3-6 after Citadel. That needs to be better - a little surprised no one mentioned that in our threads. Or maybe I missed the note



what is odd on the SACKS though is this..
- in 2021 we had 19 sacks... our opponents got 18. about even in a 6 win and 5 loss year. Obviously if we lead the games a lot we should get more sacks KNOWING or opponent is about to throw the ball most downs
-0 in 2022 we led more games as we went 10-3 (7 -1 SoCon) and we got 31 sack! and our opponents only managed 15. Again, we were both better at generating pressure and then our opponent was playing from behind.
- here in 23' we are 4-1 and yet only have 6 sacks and our opponents have 9 ? Just a slight oddity there. Especially when we lead most every game.

Hope we do get some sacks this week. I would love 3.

[apaladin]

Hope yall are right...

you know on special teams love our KO unit - into the endzone..
and love the Punt coverage
but truly hadn't realized we were a mere .500 on FGs . 3-6 after Citadel. That needs to be better - a little surprised no one mentioned that in our threads. Or maybe I missed the note



what is odd on the SACKS though is this..
- in 2021 we had 19 sacks... our opponents got 18. about even in a 6 win and 5 loss year. Obviously if we lead the games a lot we should get more sacks KNOWING or opponent is about to throw the ball most downs
-0 in 2022 we led more games as we went 10-3 (7 -1 SoCon) and we got 31 sack! and our opponents only managed 15. Again, we were both better at generating pressure and then our opponent was playing from behind.
- here in 23' we are 4-1 and yet only have 6 sacks and our opponents have 9 ? Just a slight oddity there. Especially when we lead most every game.

Hope we do get some sacks this week. I would love 3.

GF as follow up SU has given up 13 sacks in 4 SoCon games:
Wofford-3
ETSU-2
UTC-2
WCU-6

[The Jackal]

Hope yall are right...

you know on special teams love our KO unit - into the endzone..
and love the Punt coverage
but truly hadn't realized we were a mere .500 on FGs . 3-6 after Citadel. That needs to be better - a little surprised no one mentioned that in our threads. Or maybe I missed the note



what is odd on the SACKS though is this..
- in 2021 we had 19 sacks... our opponents got 18. about even in a 6 win and 5 loss year. Obviously if we lead the games a lot we should get more sacks KNOWING or opponent is about to throw the ball most downs
-0 in 2022 we led more games as we went 10-3 (7 -1 SoCon) and we got 31 sack! and our opponents only managed 15. Again, we were both better at generating pressure and then our opponent was playing from behind.
- here in 23' we are 4-1 and yet only have 6 sacks and our opponents have 9 ? Just a slight oddity there. Especially when we lead most every game.

Hope we do get some sacks this week. I would love 3.

Again, a little context.

Through 5 games last season we had 12 sacks. That figure, of course, includes the Samford game, where we notched 5.

For arguments sake, let's throw that game out (considering we play that team this week) and look at the first four games.

Through four games in 2022, we had 7 sacks. Through four games in 2023, we had 6.

I would also argue that last year's first four opponents (NGU, Clemson, ETSU, and Charleston Southern) are not, on balance, nearly as good collectively as the first four teams we played this season (TTU, USC, KSU, and Mercer). Put another way, through four games last year we had one more sack against a collective slate of weaker opponents than we played this season. We also played a number of games without one of our big pass rushers, Alex Maier.

No, we didn't not have any sacks against the Citadel. That's no great surprise. The Citadel offense is notoriously difficult to sack, having allowed only three all season.

Furman still has yet to play the four weakest teams in the conference against pressure (Wofford, VMI, Samford, ETSU).

I should also note that 8 of the 9 sacks surrendered by Furman this season occurred before the return of our All American Jacob Johanning. We ran with a patchwork offensive line much of the first two or three games of the season. Since Johanning's return, we've surrendered only one sack (to Mercer).

Can we get better? Yes. Do I look at the numbers and see a reason for grave concern? No.

[gofurman]

Hope yall are right...

you know on special teams love our KO unit - into the endzone..
and love the Punt coverage
but truly hadn't realized we were a mere .500 on FGs . 3-6 after Citadel. That needs to be better - a little surprised no one mentioned that in our threads. Or maybe I missed the note



what is odd on the SACKS though is this..
- in 2021 we had 19 sacks... our opponents got 18. about even in a 6 win and 5 loss year. Obviously if we lead the games a lot we should get more sacks KNOWING or opponent is about to throw the ball most downs
-0 in 2022 we led more games as we went 10-3 (7 -1 SoCon) and we got 31 sack! and our opponents only managed 15. Again, we were both better at generating pressure and then our opponent was playing from behind.
- here in 23' we are 4-1 and yet only have 6 sacks and our opponents have 9 ? Just a slight oddity there. Especially when we lead most every game.

Hope we do get some sacks this week. I would love 3.

Again, a little context.

Through 5 games last season we had 12 sacks. That figure, of course, includes the Samford game, where we notched 5.

For arguments sake, let's throw that game out (considering we play that team this week) and look at the first four games.

Through four games in 2022, we had 7 sacks. Through four games in 2023, we had 6.

I would also argue that last year's first four opponents (NGU, Clemson, ETSU, and Charleston Southern) are not, on balance, nearly as good collectively as the first four teams we played this season (TTU, USC, KSU, and Mercer). Put another way, through four games last year we had one more sack against a collective slate of weaker opponents than we played this season. We also played a number of games without one of our big pass rushers, Alex Maier.

No, we didn't not have any sacks against the Citadel. That's no great surprise. The Citadel offense is notoriously difficult to sack, having allowed only three all season.

Furman still has yet to play the four weakest teams in the conference against pressure (Wofford, VMI, Samford, ETSU).

I should also note that 8 of the 9 sacks surrendered by Furman this season occurred before the return of our All American Jacob Johanning. We ran with a patchwork offensive line much of the first two or three games of the season. Since Johanning's return, we've surrendered only one sack (to Mercer).

Can we get better? Yes. Do I look at the numbers and see a reason for grave concern? No.

jackal, that is very good context. Thank you!


I appreciate how this board in general has been very civil this year too. With some agreeing to disagree to an extent. I like that you note "no need for grave concern but we can get better"...

I did look at WHO has gotten the sacks this year. Of note, our DE position only has one sack so far. A little odd perhaps as those 2 (the 2 deep at that DE position) should be the pass rush specialists. Our DT/NG have more sacks (I think - Sochovka etc.) than our DE. Appears most sacks have been what I guess are blitzes? They come from LBs like the nasty one vs KSU with a LB blitz right up the middle to nail the QB for a big loss.

Sack count -
Sochovka 1
jalen Miller 1
Braden Gilby 1
Dan Scianna 1.5
Jack Barton .5
Bryce Stanfield .5
Sirrod Cook .5

[The Jackal]

A DE in a 3 man front scheme is not a pass rush specialist. They are typically interior defenders, usually lined up to the strength of the offensive formation. Furman distinguishes between a DT and DE, but many 3-4 schemes do not.

It's not unsurprising that most pressure in a 3-4 defense will come from someone other than the front line. 3-4 defensive linemen are more run stuffers than pass rushers. Extra pressure usually has to generate from the backfield/linebackers.

[gman84]

Hope yall are right...

you know on special teams love our KO unit - into the endzone..
and love the Punt coverage
but truly hadn't realized we were a mere .500 on FGs . 3-6 after Citadel. That needs to be better - a little surprised no one mentioned that in our threads. Or maybe I missed the note



what is odd on the SACKS though is this..
- in 2021 we had 19 sacks... our opponents got 18. about even in a 6 win and 5 loss year. Obviously if we lead the games a lot we should get more sacks KNOWING or opponent is about to throw the ball most downs
-0 in 2022 we led more games as we went 10-3 (7 -1 SoCon) and we got 31 sack! and our opponents only managed 15. Again, we were both better at generating pressure and then our opponent was playing from behind.
- here in 23' we are 4-1 and yet only have 6 sacks and our opponents have 9 ? Just a slight oddity there. Especially when we lead most every game.

Hope we do get some sacks this week. I would love 3.

Again, a little context.

Through 5 games last season we had 12 sacks. That figure, of course, includes the Samford game, where we notched 5.

For arguments sake, let's throw that game out (considering we play that team this week) and look at the first four games.

Through four games in 2022, we had 7 sacks. Through four games in 2023, we had 6.

I would also argue that last year's first four opponents (NGU, Clemson, ETSU, and Charleston Southern) are not, on balance, nearly as good collectively as the first four teams we played this season (TTU, USC, KSU, and Mercer). Put another way, through four games last year we had one more sack against a collective slate of weaker opponents than we played this season. We also played a number of games without one of our big pass rushers, Alex Maier.

No, we didn't not have any sacks against the Citadel. That's no great surprise. The Citadel offense is notoriously difficult to sack, having allowed only three all season.

Furman still has yet to play the four weakest teams in the conference against pressure (Wofford, VMI, Samford, ETSU).

I should also note that 8 of the 9 sacks surrendered by Furman this season occurred before the return of our All American Jacob Johanning. We ran with a patchwork offensive line much of the first two or three games of the season. Since Johanning's return, we've surrendered only one sack (to Mercer).

Can we get better? Yes. Do I look at the numbers and see a reason for grave concern? No.

jackal, that is very good context. Thank you!


I appreciate how this board in general has been very civil this year too. With some agreeing to disagree to an extent. I like that you note "no need for grave concern but we can get better"...

I did look at WHO has gotten the sacks this year. Of note, our DE position only has one sack so far. A little odd perhaps as those 2 (the 2 deep at that DE position) should be the pass rush specialists. Our DT/NG have more sacks (I think - Sochovka etc.) than our DE. Appears most sacks have been what I guess are blitzes? They come from LBs like the nasty one vs KSU with a LB blitz right up the middle to nail the QB for a big loss.

Sack count -
Sochovka 1
jalen Miller 1
Braden Gilby 1
Dan Scianna 1.5
Jack Barton .5
Bryce Stanfield .5
Sirrod Cook .5

We have been more civil. Probably because we know what each of us are going to say. No surprises! The W's have an effect as well.

[FUBeAR]

Hope yall are right...

you know on special teams love our KO unit - into the endzone..
and love the Punt coverage
but truly hadn't realized we were a mere .500 on FGs . 3-6 after Citadel. That needs to be better - a little surprised no one mentioned that in our threads. Or maybe I missed the note



what is odd on the SACKS though is this..
- in 2021 we had 19 sacks... our opponents got 18. about even in a 6 win and 5 loss year. Obviously if we lead the games a lot we should get more sacks KNOWING or opponent is about to throw the ball most downs
-0 in 2022 we led more games as we went 10-3 (7 -1 SoCon) and we got 31 sack! and our opponents only managed 15. Again, we were both better at generating pressure and then our opponent was playing from behind.
- here in 23' we are 4-1 and yet only have 6 sacks and our opponents have 9 ? Just a slight oddity there. Especially when we lead most every game.

Hope we do get some sacks this week. I would love 3.

Again, a little context.

Through 5 games last season we had 12 sacks. That figure, of course, includes the Samford game, where we notched 5.

For arguments sake, let's throw that game out (considering we play that team this week) and look at the first four games.

Through four games in 2022, we had 7 sacks. Through four games in 2023, we had 6.

I would also argue that last year's first four opponents (NGU, Clemson, ETSU, and Charleston Southern) are not, on balance, nearly as good collectively as the first four teams we played this season (TTU, USC, KSU, and Mercer). Put another way, through four games last year we had one more sack against a collective slate of weaker opponents than we played this season. We also played a number of games without one of our big pass rushers, Alex Maier.

No, we didn't not have any sacks against the Citadel. That's no great surprise. The Citadel offense is notoriously difficult to sack, having allowed only three all season.

Furman still has yet to play the four weakest teams in the conference against pressure (Wofford, VMI, Samford, ETSU).

I should also note that 8 of the 9 sacks surrendered by Furman this season occurred before the return of our All American Jacob Johanning. We ran with a patchwork offensive line much of the first two or three games of the season. Since Johanning's return, we've surrendered only one sack (to Mercer).

Can we get better? Yes. Do I look at the numbers and see a reason for grave concern? No.

jackal, that is very good context. Thank you!


I appreciate how this board in general has been very civil this year too. With some agreeing to disagree to an extent. I like that you note "no need for grave concern but we can get better"...

I did look at WHO has gotten the sacks this year. Of note, our DE position only has one sack so far. A little odd perhaps as those 2 (the 2 deep at that DE position) should be the pass rush specialists. Our DT/NG have more sacks (I think - Sochovka etc.) than our DE. Appears most sacks have been what I guess are blitzes? They come from LBs like the nasty one vs KSU with a LB blitz right up the middle to nail the QB for a big loss.

Sack count -
Sochovka 1
jalen Miller 1
Braden Gilby 1
Dan Scianna 1.5
Jack Barton .5
Bryce Stanfield .5
Sirrod Cook .5

We have been more civil. Probably because we know what each of us are going to say. No surprises! The W's have an effect as well.

Civility is WAY overrated!

[The Jackal]

Speaking of civility, I got a huge kick out of this story about Evan Jumper.

Jumper was at Furman after App State left the conference, but a good Paladin knows when to stick it to Yosef.

[gman84]

I'm waiting on the funnel contest in the Wicked Weed end zone. Forget the one arm pizza run!