I am very happy about the win. It's good our people are having things to rejoice about. That was important to me when I came here. I'm proud for our kids. Credit to Alabama. We had to fight to get out of there with a win. I was pleased with our approach up until that game. I told the staff and players to enjoy the moments. You have to cherish things that happen because you don't know how often those will happen. I am so caught up in results that I wanted to enjoy the process last week and make it about the people and purpose. I loved the approach. The theme of being who we are, and that's good enough.
I'd give myself an F for dancing in looking at the film. But I don't mind doing that with the players. Eric Church did say I could sing. Offense had zero turnovers in that environment and seven explosive plays. That was really good. Those were good things. We take pride in taking advantage of breaks. We did that. I loved the confidence I felt from the offense when the momentum shifted against us. They were confident it was OK. They weren't concerned or panicked.
Positive on defense were takeaways, gave up five explosive plays and missed 22 tackles. Red zone defense wasn't good enough. I thought first half we were dominant but second half I credit Alabama and I take blame for not preparing our defense with the output of energy you need in those games. Robert played 80 plays after playing 17 the first week and 22 in the second one. Should I have played him more early? I don't know. Especially with risk of injury. Fatigue really showed. We were tired. Alabama kept us on the field. We had to get off the field on third downs.
Special teams wise, two takeaways is phenomneal. Channing Ward does a great job. Field goal team was incredible. Other special teams were average. We were happy to win and there were positives, but we can play a lot better. This is a great week to increase expectations on the little things. We can improve. Throughout the year you have to keep improving. We play a dangerous team this week in my opinion. Vandy is playing very hard for Mason. Defensively they are really good. They held their own against an outstanding Georgia team. They played explosive Western Kentucky and held them down. They take pride in defense.
Offensively the quarterback is coming into his own. It's an interesting game for us, and we are beaten up a bit. Hopefully our best players put best players forward, but we are hit with injuries. We'll be without Tony Conner for a minimum of four weeks with a meniscus tear. Surgery tomorrow. Bell, Conyers are questionable. We have to get Rod Taylor back into the flow of things.
We got a great effort from the freshmen offensive linemen. They are going to keep showing up for us, and that was a great effort.
We'll move Woods to Conner's spot full time. AJ Moore will be there, too, and Chief learns all three. We have to get CJ Hampton ready to play. We didn't get him enough reps the first two weeks. Hopefully he's ready to go this week.
It was Robert's best game. He's so dominant with that effort. It's maturity and understanding for him to take that next step in his progression. He understands what to do. He takes so many reps. He's wanting to be great. His technique is sound. He's disruptive and he is finishing plays.
Aaron Morris had his best game of the season since being back.
We present a lot of different looks to the QB and that helps with creating turnovers. We do a good job of disguising stuff. We have a knack for doing that.
The leadership of our team has to manage the team and make sure they are executing this week. We can't have a letdown. We have to work to remain relevant. You better have leadership in the locker room.
It's a bump in recruiting after that game, but it's a bump. It lasts a couple weeks and then it comes back to relationships. Maybe it allows you to get in the game with some guys you weren't in with, but one game doesn't make or break you.
We missed three or four explosive plays because Chad didn't go into progressions, but he was great otherwise.
I'd give myself an F for dancing in looking at the film. But I don't mind doing that with the players. Eric Church did say I could sing. Offense had zero turnovers in that environment and seven explosive plays. That was really good. Those were good things. We take pride in taking advantage of breaks. We did that. I loved the confidence I felt from the offense when the momentum shifted against us. They were confident it was OK. They weren't concerned or panicked.
Positive on defense were takeaways, gave up five explosive plays and missed 22 tackles. Red zone defense wasn't good enough. I thought first half we were dominant but second half I credit Alabama and I take blame for not preparing our defense with the output of energy you need in those games. Robert played 80 plays after playing 17 the first week and 22 in the second one. Should I have played him more early? I don't know. Especially with risk of injury. Fatigue really showed. We were tired. Alabama kept us on the field. We had to get off the field on third downs.
Special teams wise, two takeaways is phenomneal. Channing Ward does a great job. Field goal team was incredible. Other special teams were average. We were happy to win and there were positives, but we can play a lot better. This is a great week to increase expectations on the little things. We can improve. Throughout the year you have to keep improving. We play a dangerous team this week in my opinion. Vandy is playing very hard for Mason. Defensively they are really good. They held their own against an outstanding Georgia team. They played explosive Western Kentucky and held them down. They take pride in defense.
Offensively the quarterback is coming into his own. It's an interesting game for us, and we are beaten up a bit. Hopefully our best players put best players forward, but we are hit with injuries. We'll be without Tony Conner for a minimum of four weeks with a meniscus tear. Surgery tomorrow. Bell, Conyers are questionable. We have to get Rod Taylor back into the flow of things.
We got a great effort from the freshmen offensive linemen. They are going to keep showing up for us, and that was a great effort.
We'll move Woods to Conner's spot full time. AJ Moore will be there, too, and Chief learns all three. We have to get CJ Hampton ready to play. We didn't get him enough reps the first two weeks. Hopefully he's ready to go this week.
It was Robert's best game. He's so dominant with that effort. It's maturity and understanding for him to take that next step in his progression. He understands what to do. He takes so many reps. He's wanting to be great. His technique is sound. He's disruptive and he is finishing plays.
Aaron Morris had his best game of the season since being back.
We present a lot of different looks to the QB and that helps with creating turnovers. We do a good job of disguising stuff. We have a knack for doing that.
The leadership of our team has to manage the team and make sure they are executing this week. We can't have a letdown. We have to work to remain relevant. You better have leadership in the locker room.
It's a bump in recruiting after that game, but it's a bump. It lasts a couple weeks and then it comes back to relationships. Maybe it allows you to get in the game with some guys you weren't in with, but one game doesn't make or break you.
We missed three or four explosive plays because Chad didn't go into progressions, but he was great otherwise.
