Given some of the recent negativity here regarding our rushing offense and defense, I did a little research to find some positives through 3 weeks, which obviously wasn't very difficult. Something I haven't seen much chatter about, is how PSU has overcome the slow start issue from last season, and has done so with a vengeance.
Take a look at the opening drive details below, we have been amazingly effective in the 1st quarter of games so far, and in all 3 phases. We are forcing teams to play catch up almost immediately which is a huge factor, particularly against teams built around a methodical running offense.
Obviously this level of success isn't sustainable for a full season or vs. better opposition, but it's a testament to the coaches for addressing something that was an issue last season and turning it into a huge positive.
- We've had a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter in all 3 games.
- We've had a favorable outcome on 13 out of a total 16 possessions taking place prior to opening up a 2 possession lead.
- We've scored TDs on 2 of our 3 opening possessions, with the lone exception being a red zone turnover following a good drive.
- We've forced early possession turnovers in 2 games.
- We've had an early possession punt return TD.
Week 1:
- Akron's 1st possession goes for 5 plays, 12 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 1st possession goes for 9 plays, 61 yards. Ends in an end zone INT.
- Akron's 2nd possession goes for 3 plays, 3 yards. Ends in a punt returned for a PSU TD.
- Akron's 3rd possession goes for 6 plays, 15 yards. Ends in an INT.
- PSU's 2nd possession goes for 10 plays, 75 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
Score is 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.
Week 2:
- Pitt's 1st possession goes for 4 plays, 10 yards. Ends in an INT.
- PSU's 1st possession goes for 1 play, 8 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
- Pitt's 2nd possession goes for 3 plays, 1 yard. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 2nd possession goes for 3 plays, 3 yards. Ends in a punt.
- Pitt's 3rd possession goes for 5 plays, 21 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 3rd possession goes for 6 plays, 62 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
Score is 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.
Week 3:
- PSU's 1st possession goes for 8 plays, 63 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
- GAST's 1st possession goes for 7 plays, 35 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 2nd possession goes for 6 plays, 21 yards. Ends in a punt.
- GAST's 2nd possession goes for 5 plays, 17 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 3rd possession goes for 3 plays, 83 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
Score is 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.
Take a look at the opening drive details below, we have been amazingly effective in the 1st quarter of games so far, and in all 3 phases. We are forcing teams to play catch up almost immediately which is a huge factor, particularly against teams built around a methodical running offense.
Obviously this level of success isn't sustainable for a full season or vs. better opposition, but it's a testament to the coaches for addressing something that was an issue last season and turning it into a huge positive.
- We've had a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter in all 3 games.
- We've had a favorable outcome on 13 out of a total 16 possessions taking place prior to opening up a 2 possession lead.
- We've scored TDs on 2 of our 3 opening possessions, with the lone exception being a red zone turnover following a good drive.
- We've forced early possession turnovers in 2 games.
- We've had an early possession punt return TD.
Week 1:
- Akron's 1st possession goes for 5 plays, 12 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 1st possession goes for 9 plays, 61 yards. Ends in an end zone INT.
- Akron's 2nd possession goes for 3 plays, 3 yards. Ends in a punt returned for a PSU TD.
- Akron's 3rd possession goes for 6 plays, 15 yards. Ends in an INT.
- PSU's 2nd possession goes for 10 plays, 75 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
Score is 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.
Week 2:
- Pitt's 1st possession goes for 4 plays, 10 yards. Ends in an INT.
- PSU's 1st possession goes for 1 play, 8 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
- Pitt's 2nd possession goes for 3 plays, 1 yard. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 2nd possession goes for 3 plays, 3 yards. Ends in a punt.
- Pitt's 3rd possession goes for 5 plays, 21 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 3rd possession goes for 6 plays, 62 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
Score is 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.
Week 3:
- PSU's 1st possession goes for 8 plays, 63 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
- GAST's 1st possession goes for 7 plays, 35 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 2nd possession goes for 6 plays, 21 yards. Ends in a punt.
- GAST's 2nd possession goes for 5 plays, 17 yards. Ends in a punt.
- PSU's 3rd possession goes for 3 plays, 83 yards. Ends in a PSU TD.
Score is 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.