The Good, the bad and the ugly.

[NDMontana]

Jimmy Clausen locked onto his receivers today, which a few of us have called him out for, and it cost us. But boy oh boy did he look good today. He threw for a ton of yards, he escaped some rushes and made sound decisions for the most part. How many quarterbacks in college football have the moxy to make that throw on 4th and 13 to Floyd? I say about 10%. How many of the 10% could have thrown a dart like that? I say about 2%. That says all you need to know about Jimmy Clausen, who he is and what he can do.

The offensive line did a much better job today. We didn't get the ball to Armando enough in my opinion. But those guys did a really good job and they should be proud.

The lack of confidence in the kicking game hurt us today. We went for it on fourth down and six in Carolina territory with about six minutes left. If we had a kicker it is 29-27. Then we drive down in the last minute....if we had a kicker it's 30-29.

Today wasn't our day but the kids grew up some more. I haven't felt this good and bad after a loss in a long time. To a man this team "sold out" today. They left it on the field, we were the better team, the more talented team but it wasn't to be.

Not too damn bad for a bunch of freshmen and sophomores. I hope they're all proud....they should be.

 

[Freeman Ara]

Here's my thing about the kicking situation in this game. I honestly think that was a good call even if we have an all american kicker who buries them from 55 yards. We are down by 5 and our defense has shown no abilityto stop UNC at all ini the second half. If your CW you have to assume that if you kick it and make it you might get the ball back down by as much as 9. I'm just saying time and score situation made it a pretty easy call.

 

[NDMontana]

Here's my thing about the kicking situation in this game. I honestly think that was a good call even if we have an all american kicker who buries them from 55 yards. We are down by 5 and our defense has shown no abilityto stop UNC at all ini the second half. If your CW you have to assume that if you kick it and make it you might get the ball back down by as much as 9. I'm just saying time and score situation made it a pretty easy call.

Yes and no. I think you have to be able to put confidence in your defense. I know what you're saying and you're probably right but it still has to make you think a little.

 

[Freeman Ara]

Yes and no. I think you have to be able to put confidence in your defense. I know what you're saying and you're probably right but it still has to make you think a little.

I think as a coach, the defense has to earn that confidence on the field. Hypothetically speaking, say we have a great kicking game and that situation arises and I know my defense has been stopping them most of the day, then yes I say kick it. But the defense didn't show me that in the second half. I think he made the right call. Still doesn't change the fact that we need to work on our kicking game.