Inside the Numbers ( Passing Game )

[StatTiger 3,188]

Seven games into the season, here is a quarterback comparison of Cox and Campbell. In a previous post, I posted our overall offensive and defensive numbers compared to the 2004 team. The biggest difference in the offensive numbers was our passing game. With this in mind, here is a closer look at our passing game by downs.

First down:

Campbell: 24-41-0-411yds-3tds / 166.9 rating

Cox: 38-65-3-589yds-2tds / 135.5 rating

Second down:

Campbell: 36-49-0-375yds-2tds / 151.2 rating

Cox: 34-51-0-433yds-4tds / 163.9 rating

Third down:

Campbell: 30-44-546yds-8tds / 227.9 rating

Cox: 28-57-3-343yds-3tds / 106.5 rating

Campbell has the edge on 1st down and Cox has the edge on 2nd down but JC owned 3rd down. To say JC was Mr. Clutch on 3rd down last season would be an understatement. Of the 44 pass attempts JC made on 3rd down during the first seven games, 59.1% went for a firstdown or a TD. Of the 57 pass attempts made by Cox, 42.1% have gone for a firstdown or TD.

During the first seven games of the 2004 season, our passing game contributed 17 plays of 30-yards or more. This we have only 9 plays of 30-yards or more. Our rushing numbers are actually better this season compared to 2004 and if our passing game continues to improve, this will become a “deadly” offense.