Good point on Goudis. Anyway, yeah, I agree with the basic point of scoring points, but I also think that the offense helps (or hurts) the defense, and vice versa. As one goes, often goes the other. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of how well (or poorly) the defense did after the offense went 3 and out or turned the ball over, versus getting a few first downs, scoring, flipping the field, etc. I'm guessing that this defense was bad in all situations, so it may not matter.
As to the part in bold, that is a separate issue. I agree that it could help our defense if our offense is on the field more (i.e. higher 3rd down percentage, more completions, less TOs).
As to the underlined part, in examining just the VT and Duke games. It seems, at least IMO, that our defense did something positive (like force a punt) but we screwed up and we're unable to stop them the second time.
Here is what happened.
VT (First Half)
Virginia Tech at 14:54 [First Possession of the Game]
8 Plays but VT punts
Miami (FL) at 12:20 [Our First Possession of the Game]
We score a TD on that short pass to Coley [2 Plays]
Virginia Tech at 11:35
We force a 3 and out but......Coley fumbles the punt return and they get the ball back. They went on to score 5 plays later.
On the kickoff, Artie Burns fumbles the ball at the VT 49. [Miami has no offensive possession]
Virginia Tech at 7:26
They score 5 plays later after one of the craziest fumbles (thanks Jenkins for not diving on the ball).
Miami (FL) at 5:12 [Our Second Offensive Possession]
After 8 plays, we punt the ball
Virginia Tech at 1:56
After 5 plays, they punt the ball
Miami (FL) at 14:51 [2nd Quarter]
After 3 plays we punt the ball, this is when O'Donnell downed the ball at our 17 yard line
Virginia Tech at 13:30
They score a TD, we're down 21-7
Miami (FL) at 13:01
After 10 plays, we score a TD 21-14
Virginia Tech at 8:30
They score on the 11 play of the drive. We had them on a long 3rd down (3rd and 17 at MIA 32), we miss 2-3 tackles that would be short of the first down and they score a TD 28-14.
Miami (FL) at 2:58
3 and Out
Virginia Tech at 1:37
3 and Out
Miami (FL) at 0:59
3 and Out, we punt and it goes to halftime (after LT kneels the ball)
Duke (First Half)
Miami (FL) at 14:49 [First Possession]
After 10 plays, we kick a FG. Unable to convert at the Duke 15 (2nd and 5, 3rd and 5)
Duke at 10:27 [Duke's FP]
We force 3 and out, they punt and Coley returns for a TD. 10-0
Duke at 9:33
They score a TD after 11 plays, 10-7
Miami (FL) at 6:22
After 11 plays, we score a TD. 17-7
Duke at 2:01
After 6 plays, we force a punt.
This is the turning point to me when we could have ripped it open. We scored on our first 2 possessions and on a return. If we score a FG here we're up 13 early.
Miami (FL) at 0:10 [which leads us to the 2nd Quarter]
The problem on this drive was the penalties. 2 Holds and a Block in the Back for us,which totals 30 yards. We still overcome them and convert 2 first downs. On 3rd and 4 at the Miami 49, Morris is intercepted. Worst case scenario is we don't convert and punt. Instead they get the ball at the Duke 48 (similar to our two turnovers in the VT game).
Duke at 10:34
After 6 plays, they score a TD 17-14.
Miami (FL) at 9:02
Even though we haven't punted, our offense was doing pretty well. On this drive we're able to drive the ball to the Duke 8 yard line, first and goal. We end with a FG.
1st and Goal at DUKE 8: Incomplete past to Herb Waters
2nd and Goal at DUKE 8: Morris is sacked for a loss of 2 yards but in the process gets a 15 yard penalty. (At least if it is 3rd and Goal from the 10, there is a chance).
At this point in the game, we have not punted. We had 2 long drives result in 2 FGs and we're up 20-14
Duke at 4:42
After 10 plays, they score a TD 21-20
We get the ball and punt, they get the ball and the half is over.
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