Arkansas Game Report Card

[StatTiger 1,230]

Game #4 Statistical Evaluation (Arkansas Game)

Offensive Report Card

01) Avg 6-yards per play on 1st down: [3.79] fail
02) Convert at least 40% of 3rd downs: [30.8%] fail
03) Avg at least 4.5 yards per rush: [2.5] fail
04) Score on at least 1/3 of possessions: [35.7%] pass
05) Keep 3 and out series under 33%: [42.9%] fail
06) Average 8.0 yards per pass attempt: [6.1 yds] fail
07) Score at least 75% inside red zone: [83.3%] pass
08) TD red zone above 60%: [50.0%] fail
09) Avg at least 30-yards per possession: [17.3 yds] fail
10) 40% of offensive snaps part of scoring drives: [43.1%] pass
11) TD / Turnover ratio above 1.6: [3/0] pass
12) TD ratio of at least 1 every 17 snaps: [19.3] fail
13) At least 8 impact plays: (3) fail
14) At least 2 big plays: (1) fail
15) Pass rating of at least 126.3: [119.3] fail
16) Yards to Point Ratio of 14.0 or under: [6.6] pass

Score: 5 of 16 (31.2%) Fail

Defensive Report Card:

01) Avg under 6-yards per play on 1st down: [4.00] pass
02) Convert below 35% of 3rd downs: [17.6%] pass
03) Avg at least 4.0 yards per rush or less: [3.9] pass
04) Score 1/3 of possessions or below: [7.1%] pass
05) Keep 3 and out series above 33%: [50.0%] pass
06) Average below 7.5 yards per pass attempt: [4.4 yds] pass
07) Score below 75% inside red zone: [50.0%] pass
08) TD red zone below 60%: [0.0%] pass
09) Avg under 30-yards per possession: [20.7 yds] pass
10) 40% or less of offensive snaps part of scoring drives: [12.8%] pass
11) TD / Turnover ratio below 1.6: [0/2] pass
12) TD ratio of at least 1 every 30 snaps: [70.0] pass
13) Less than 8 impact plays: (6) pass
14) No more than 2 big plays allowed: (3) fail
15) Pass rating below 125.0: [71.4] pass
16) Yards to point ratio of 18.0 or higher: [96.7] pass

Score: 15 of 16 (93.7%) Pass

Special Teams Report Card:

1) Punt Average (Above 41.3): [47.2] pass
2) Punt Return Defense (Below 7.8 YPR): [13.0] fail
3) Punt Return Offense (Above 9.8 YPR): [31.7] pass
4) Kick-Return Defense (Below 21.2 YPR): [20.0] pass
5) Kick-Return Offense (Above 22.3 YPR): [96.0] pass
6) PAT’s (100%): [3 / 3] pass
7) FG Pct (75% or above): [50.0%] fail

*Bonus point for blocked punt and kick return for TD

Score: 6 of 7 (85.7%) Pass

* 50% is a passing score.

If not for a gritty performance by the Auburn defense and an explosive outing by special teams, this game would have been much closer than the score reflected. The offensive line continued to struggle, and the pass offense was pedestrian at best. During his last six games, Jarrett Stidham has an overall pass rating of 125.5, averaging only 6.9 yards per pass attempt. During Auburn's last six FBS games, the Tigers have averaged just 123 yards rushing per game. Take away the 42-yard screen pass to Anthony Schwartz, Jarrett Stidham finished 14 of 21 passing for only 92-yards. Of his 22 pass attempts, 18 were within 5-yards of the line of scrimmage, showing a lack of imagination in the passing game against a secondary that has struggled this season. Chip Lindsey did set Stidham up for two deep balls that should have been touchdowns, but he threw poorly on both deep balls.

Except for the two missed field goals, Auburn's special teams played very well tonight and were critical in setting up a short field for the offense. The long returns in the punting and kick game were needed on a night the Auburn offense could only generate 225-yards on 58 plays. If not for an extremely weak block in the back call, Auburn's defense would have joined in the non-offensive scoring. Auburn finished with 248-yards in the return game, which is why the Tigers were able to dominate on the scoreboard. The offense allowed a season-high, nine tackles for loss, while the defense generated seven negative plays against the Razorbacks. During their three FBS games, nearly 58 percent of Jarrett Stidham's pass attempts have come within 5-yards of the line of scrimmage. With only 122-yards rushing per game against FBS competition, the 2018 offense has become easy to defend.

The offensive line continues to be a thorn in the side of the offense, but it isn't the only reason why the offense has struggled. When 82 percent of your passes are within 5-yards of the line of scrimmage, you're automatically conceding the vertical passing game, making it even more challenging to run the football. Except for the two deep balls, there was no imagination to the play-calling. Of the 22 pass attempts, only three went towards someone outside the wide receiver corps. Moving forward, if Auburn cannot address their inability to run the football, they will lose to every quality team remaining on their schedule. Under the Malzahn era of offense, Auburn has won only 31 percent of their games when held to under 130-yards rushing, scoring an average of 19 points per game. That stretch of games includes a 3-10 record in conference play.

War Eagle!

[CleCoTiger 642]

I'd like to see the return of the Malzahn offense. Everyone that hated on it got the change they wanted. Which reminds me. Be careful of what you ask for...

[DAG 7,179]

12 minutes ago, CleCoTiger said:

I'd like to see the return of the Malzahn offense. Everyone that hated on it got the change they wanted. Which reminds me. Be careful of what you ask for...

What do you mean ? 

[ShocksMyBrain 2,389]

1 minute ago, DAG said:

What do you mean ? 

People got tired of the HUNH faltering and wanted a more pro style offense/QB. 

[Randman5000 1,197]

5 minutes ago, ShocksMyBrain said:

People got tired of the HUNH faltering and wanted a more pro style offense/QB. 

This isn't it either

[ShocksMyBrain 2,389]

36 minutes ago, Randman5000 said:

This isn't it either

How do you interpret @CleCoTiger‘s statement? Not being combative. 

Edited September 23 by ShocksMyBrain

[auburnphan 1,746]

6 hours ago, ShocksMyBrain said:

How do you interpret @CleCoTiger‘s statement? Not being combative. 

uninformed.

Lipstick on a pig as they say.  There is no doubt at all this is Gus' offense, Chip just got to put some really subtle lipstick on it.

 

[BigWhiskey91 259]

Tonight was the most soulless unimaginative effort I’ve seen from both the players and coaches on offense. Their has to be something going on behind the scenes. We looked much better against Washington.

[weagl1 537]

The whole thing on offense just looks inept right now.  O line is awful.  Passing game is totally out of sync.  Stidham ends up in fetal position about half the time and it is getting in his head.  He can’t even hit open guys any more.  Boobie, Ryan Davis and Schwartz are about the only bright spots.  Just a horrible coaching job all around  on offense.  If it weren’t for the D this team would be in big trouble.  

[AU64 6,026]

Don't recall seeing Stove or Hastings.....still recovering ???

[johnnyAU 1,088]

Thank goodness for D and ST. 

IMO, this isn't far enough away from Malzahn's offense.  It needs to evolve. It has been stagnant for a few years now, and the D's are teeing off.  They know the cues, the blocking schemes, the routes, the tendencies, etc... Gus is just too stubborn to change. 

Kentucky would have beaten us by 2-3 scores last night.

[AUbritt 295]

Great job by the D, as we've come to expect.

Outstanding job by special teams, especially in the return game. How long before Davis returns a punt for a TD? I'll be shocked if he doesn't get at least one this season, probably more. I'm anxious for Carlson and his battery to find their groove. He's got the leg talent; just needs to establish consistency.

Offense looked the worst I've seen them all season. Changes on the o-line -- did they work at all?!? Don't expect Stidham to continue missing on all the deep balls, but I'm concerned that we won't find a quick fix for the running game woes.

 

[around4ever 2,075]

23 minutes ago, johnnyAU said:

Thank goodness for D and ST. 

IMO, this isn't far enough away from Malzahn's offense.  It needs to evolve. It has been stagnant for a few years now, and the D's are teeing off.  They know the cues, the blocking schemes, the routes, the tendencies, etc... Gus is just too stubborn to change. 

Kentucky would have beaten us by 2-3 scores last night.

Thank you!!  Exactly what I have been saying. 

[NoALtiger 998]

Good to beat the Arky’s of the world I guess. Can’t pull up this crap with the big boys though. Gotta couple L’s coming our way I’m afraid. 

[I_M4_AU 992]

8 hours ago, CleCoTiger said:

I'd like to see the return of the Malzahn offense. Everyone that hated on it got the change they wanted. Which reminds me. Be careful of what you ask for...

Can’t do a face plant without explanation. We’ve had the Malzhan offense since he arrived. He doesn’t have the horses to run the 2010 or 2013 offense so he revert to his 2011 OC style and the 2015, 2016 HC style.

Last night’s offensive showing was disappointing in that it failed the eyeball test, no matter who was running the show.

[RunInRed 3,265]

The stat's on Stidham prove out what I thought ... underwhelming start to the season ...

[hutchids 112]

surprised the offense passed 5 of 16 categories. This team may not be fun to watch against USM.

[kd4au 856]

It all starts up front and our O-line is just plain bad. We can't throw deep to back the defense up because we can't block well enough, JS doesn't have time for the route to develop. We can't run the ball either because the O-line can't open up any holes for the backs. Until the O-line is fixed the offense will struggle and I don't see how it's going to get fixed. I had high hopes that JB could fix the mess Hand left, but it's looking like we just don't have the players. It also looks as if the coaches don't know the  identity of this team and if they want to be a passing team or running team or how to use the talent they have. I'm just very depressed over what I've seen from the offense so far this season. On the bright side what about that DEFENSE.

[Eagle Eye 7 895]

1 hour ago, RunInRed said:

The stat's on Stidham prove out what I thought ... underwhelming start to the season ...

He has a whole different attitude. Last year he was modest and spoke of his need to get better. After the game last week and this week he was like “who cares”. So where is this new attitude coming from. I really wish now he would have just gone on to the pros. I’m sure by year’s end he will wish he had too. 

[tgrogan21 91]

There was a moment that stood out for me and I think the announcers even mentioned it. Fourth quarter, around 5-6 minutes left, and the defense had a bunch of younger guys in and Steele was continuing to call his gameplan and sending blitzes. He was allowing his younger players to get actual, meaningful game time experience. Not just go out there and coast on the large win. On offense, when we have a lead, the only things we do are run up the middle twice, throw a screen on third and long, and then punt the ball. Players can't become better if they don't get the experience that they need. With how awful this offense is, we should never just go out there and try not to lose rather than win the game.

[johnnyAU 1,088]

Has Ashley gotten any PT yet? With the way the OL is playing, I can't imagine why he isn't getting in on a few series/game just to get him some experience. 

[3rdgeneration 1,149]

From where we sat in the stands, you could just see Studham's frustration.  He has a lack of trust in the O-line, that's apparent.  3 or 4 of the O-line are playing hurt and that doesn't help.  Is there no depth there? Gus absolutely knows it is the O-line, because in the after game interview, he refused to even talk about them.  He's not going to call anyone out in public, which is good, I guess.  

Question, is Lindsey in the booth calling plays? Is that why there was a delay getting them a few times?

[Swamp Eagle 307]

12 hours ago, CleCoTiger said:

I'd like to see the return of the Malzahn offense. Everyone that hated on it got the change they wanted. Which reminds me. Be careful of what you ask for...

Oh, contraire...Id LOVE to see the OC Gus. The HC Gus offense isn't a 'Gus offense.'

[ncaajunkie 172]

mod edit: we aren't going to allow this kind of thing here

 

This is how I feel watching Auburn’s offense this year. 

[I_M4_AU 992]

1 hour ago, 3rdgeneration said:

From where we sat in the stands, you could just see Studham's frustration.  He has a lack of trust in the O-line, that's apparent.  3 or 4 of the O-line are playing hurt and that doesn't help.  Is there no depth there? Gus absolutely knows it is the O-line, because in the after game interview, he refused to even talk about them.  He's not going to call anyone out in public, which is good, I guess.  

Question, is Lindsey in the booth calling plays? Is that why there was a delay getting them a few times?

What I saw on last night’s broadcast was Gus on the headset having an animated conversation with someone while we were on offense.