Unfortunately, some commitments at my (real) job have prevented me from watching the full replay of the game. I value the positive feedback that these write-ups have received this season, so my apologies for having to do a less ambitious game review this week. I will eventually post some observations from the replay - including a look at the obvious OL breakdowns - but that may have to wait until next weekend.
SIMILARITIES TO THE FSU GAME
There were lots of remarkably similar stats between the Notre Dame game and the Florida State game. Wake had more first downs in both (23-15 against Notre Dame, 27-14 against FSU), more total yards (340-282 against ND, 357-329 against FSU) and more time of possession (35:48-24:12 against ND, 35:56-24:04 against FSU). In both games, Wake’s explosive plays were one 20+ yard reception apiece by KJ Brent and Cortez Lewis (Wake also added a 23 yard run by Hinton in the Notre Dame game).
In both games, Wake’s defense held the opposing offense to drives of 20 yards or less 4 times (4 of 8 possessions against ND, 4 of 9 possessions against FSU). However, Wake’s defense was unable to create a turnover in either game.
In both games, part of Wake’s undoing was a long touchdown run (98 yards by ND’s Josh Adams and 94 yards by FSU’s Dalvin Cook) where the RB came through the DL untouched and then evaded tackle attempts from Brad Watson and a safety (Dancel in the FSU game, Janvion in the ND game).
RUSHING OFFENSE
I think that Tyler Bell was the top performer for Wake’s offense. He had 112 total yards from scrimmage (90 rushing and 22 receiving). He gained 3 or more yards on 14 of his 23 rushing attempts (61%). I think that is the second highest percentage for the Bell/Colburn duo against an FBS opponent this season (FSU remains the season’s best using this metric). More impressive though was the fact that NINE of Bell’s runs went for 5 or more yards, including a 12-yard run and three seperate 9-yard runs.
Matt Colburn didn’t record a single carry in the game.
MISSED RED ZONE OPPORTUNITIES
Obviously it has already been well documented that most of Wake’s offensive production was squandered by failing to score on 3 of 4 trips inside the red zone.
Wake’s most impressive drive of the day was a 12 play, 74 yard drive in the first half that included Hinton’s 23 yard run, a pass interference penalty on Notre Dame, a 15 yard rush from Wolford and a 13 yard reception by Tyler Bell. However, the drive ended when Tyler Bell was stuffed at the goal line on fourth down.
Wake’s best field position of the day was wasted in the second quarter when Mike Weaver missed a 51 yard field goal attempt following a personal foul penalty against Cortez Lewis.
In the fourth quarter, a drive that featured a 52-yard completion to KJ Brent and a 15-yard completion to Chuck Wade got as far as the 1 yard line before a sack/fumble by Wolford pushed Wake back 8 yards. The drive would ultimately end on a failed 4th down conversion attempt.
OTHER NOTES
It looked to me like Cortez Lewis was benched after the personal foul penalty. Maybe he was injured. Whatever the reason, it took one of Wake’s best weapons off the field. Lewis was replaced by Jonathon Williams, who failed to record a reception. Remarkably, Williams has only 8 receptions dating back to the beginning of last season, despite over 250 snaps from scrimmage (plus whatever snaps he had in the ND game).
Ryan Anderson started the game at right tackle and I think played the majority of the snaps. Phil Haynes did see some action though. I’ll post the PT split when that info is made available mid-week.
The defense’s best stat was TEN total tackles for loss, including 3 sacks. The defensive line had 6 solo tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 QB hurries. Duke Ejiofor led the way with 4 solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (including one sack) and 1 QB hurry. Tylor Harris (1 sack) and Zeek Rodney (1 solo, 0.5 tackles for loss and 1 QB hurry) also contributed from the D-line.
One of the things I am most interested to see when I watch the replay is how Dionte Austin fared. I don’t recall a pass being completed on him before the middle of the second half. Austin wasn’t credited with any pass breakups in the game, but he sure doesn’t seem like he’s a liability out there. All in all it’s a good thing that we don’t hear his name called very often.
The redshirt freshmen don’t travel to many games, but there appears to be a lot of thought that goes into who travels to which games. It was cool to see that Indiana-native Jessie Bates was allowed to make the trip to Notre Dame and dress out for the game. I’m sure it was a thrill for him.
SIMILARITIES TO THE FSU GAME
There were lots of remarkably similar stats between the Notre Dame game and the Florida State game. Wake had more first downs in both (23-15 against Notre Dame, 27-14 against FSU), more total yards (340-282 against ND, 357-329 against FSU) and more time of possession (35:48-24:12 against ND, 35:56-24:04 against FSU). In both games, Wake’s explosive plays were one 20+ yard reception apiece by KJ Brent and Cortez Lewis (Wake also added a 23 yard run by Hinton in the Notre Dame game).
In both games, Wake’s defense held the opposing offense to drives of 20 yards or less 4 times (4 of 8 possessions against ND, 4 of 9 possessions against FSU). However, Wake’s defense was unable to create a turnover in either game.
In both games, part of Wake’s undoing was a long touchdown run (98 yards by ND’s Josh Adams and 94 yards by FSU’s Dalvin Cook) where the RB came through the DL untouched and then evaded tackle attempts from Brad Watson and a safety (Dancel in the FSU game, Janvion in the ND game).
RUSHING OFFENSE
I think that Tyler Bell was the top performer for Wake’s offense. He had 112 total yards from scrimmage (90 rushing and 22 receiving). He gained 3 or more yards on 14 of his 23 rushing attempts (61%). I think that is the second highest percentage for the Bell/Colburn duo against an FBS opponent this season (FSU remains the season’s best using this metric). More impressive though was the fact that NINE of Bell’s runs went for 5 or more yards, including a 12-yard run and three seperate 9-yard runs.
Matt Colburn didn’t record a single carry in the game.
MISSED RED ZONE OPPORTUNITIES
Obviously it has already been well documented that most of Wake’s offensive production was squandered by failing to score on 3 of 4 trips inside the red zone.
Wake’s most impressive drive of the day was a 12 play, 74 yard drive in the first half that included Hinton’s 23 yard run, a pass interference penalty on Notre Dame, a 15 yard rush from Wolford and a 13 yard reception by Tyler Bell. However, the drive ended when Tyler Bell was stuffed at the goal line on fourth down.
Wake’s best field position of the day was wasted in the second quarter when Mike Weaver missed a 51 yard field goal attempt following a personal foul penalty against Cortez Lewis.
In the fourth quarter, a drive that featured a 52-yard completion to KJ Brent and a 15-yard completion to Chuck Wade got as far as the 1 yard line before a sack/fumble by Wolford pushed Wake back 8 yards. The drive would ultimately end on a failed 4th down conversion attempt.
OTHER NOTES
It looked to me like Cortez Lewis was benched after the personal foul penalty. Maybe he was injured. Whatever the reason, it took one of Wake’s best weapons off the field. Lewis was replaced by Jonathon Williams, who failed to record a reception. Remarkably, Williams has only 8 receptions dating back to the beginning of last season, despite over 250 snaps from scrimmage (plus whatever snaps he had in the ND game).
Ryan Anderson started the game at right tackle and I think played the majority of the snaps. Phil Haynes did see some action though. I’ll post the PT split when that info is made available mid-week.
The defense’s best stat was TEN total tackles for loss, including 3 sacks. The defensive line had 6 solo tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 QB hurries. Duke Ejiofor led the way with 4 solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (including one sack) and 1 QB hurry. Tylor Harris (1 sack) and Zeek Rodney (1 solo, 0.5 tackles for loss and 1 QB hurry) also contributed from the D-line.
One of the things I am most interested to see when I watch the replay is how Dionte Austin fared. I don’t recall a pass being completed on him before the middle of the second half. Austin wasn’t credited with any pass breakups in the game, but he sure doesn’t seem like he’s a liability out there. All in all it’s a good thing that we don’t hear his name called very often.
The redshirt freshmen don’t travel to many games, but there appears to be a lot of thought that goes into who travels to which games. It was cool to see that Indiana-native Jessie Bates was allowed to make the trip to Notre Dame and dress out for the game. I’m sure it was a thrill for him.
