The same finish

We've finished the season the same way for 20 years. Our coaches change, but this part stays the same. Another year of blowing it in November and losing December bowl games. Some thoughts from Orlando:

- Cam Ward is a legend in my book. He spotted us 31 points in a half and we still couldn't win. It was symbolic of the whole season, really.

- On Mario, my realistic expectations were a repeat of Oregon- the good and the bad. We're currently running behind that pace. We still haven't made a conference title, and we just missed a golden opportunity with an elite quarterback. Year 4 is critical and there is a ton of work that needs to be done.

- We have some smart players, but we aren't a smart team. One simple example- we're 121st in penalty yards. Iowa State is 1st.

- Not much more to say about the defense. In person, it's jarring how frantic we look pre-snap. This is Game 13. The unit is full of veterans - fourth, fifth and sixth-year players. Something isn't connecting. I'd be shocked if there aren't significant changes on that side of the ball.

- We threw for 1.9 yards per attempt in the second half. This is why I've pushed so hard for a Portal QB. My concern with Emory Williams dating back to high school is athleticism. Nothing looks fluid and easy. I continue to expect us to add a Portal QB and fast-track Luke Nickel.

- Damien Martinez is a horse. Over 1,000 yards, 10 TDs, 6+ yards per carry. It feels like forever ago when people were saying he was the 3rd best back on the team. Sometimes it's important to trust track record.

- It's hard to lose when you run for over 300 yards as a team. The running game is the one area where I feel the floor has been raised significantly.

- We should be further along at linebacker after three years. That group has been average. Forget the elite guys like Vilma and DJ - a Quarterman/Pickney duo would improve our defense significantly. It's worth investing Portal money to land an impactful player here.

- JoJo Trader and Elija Lofton gave us a glimpse of what they've been doing on Greentree. I hope both are featured players in 2025. We're losing a lot of production, but a good chunk of that production can be replaced from within.

- We've been decimated by injury at corner and we were already bad there. OJ Frederique looked OK on the sideline, but when he went left the game we were forced to play Markeith Williams on an island. It's hard to oversign there- we need a lot of help.

- The silver lining for me is that there were no injuries. Thank you to all the players who have put their bodies on the line for the Canes.