Bill Riley’s conversation with Covey today

[MDUte]

There was a lot of criticism about Ludwig’s play calling in the red zone against OSU. Covey provided some great analysis on this in his weekly interview with Bill Riley today that’s well worth a listen.
According to Covey the play calls were excellent and wide open for guys to score TDs on every one of them but the players made stupid mistakes that prevented the execution. He said Ludwig had them in perfect position to be successful and it wasn’t his fault but that it’s 100% on the players.
I realize some might still think we should’ve run the ball and punched it in that way. But I’ve seen us fail many times recently on 3rd or 4th and short where we’ve gotten stuffed on the run play. My point is that no matter what the play call is, if the players don’t execute everyone immediately blames the play caller. And based on what I heard Covey explain, I don’t think it’s fair to throw Ludwig under the bus. I wish Riley would’ve asked him about the double/triple reverse because that was the one play call where I would think Ludwig would like to have back as that didn’t make sense to any of us. But I think we can all agree that that 1 play didn’t lose us the game.

[chinngiskhaan]

Covey is 100% correct here. Just watch every one of those goal line plays. The play is there to be made, and there are obvious things that players did on each play to screw it all up.

[PlainsUte]

For one, Rising still needs to work on throw accuracy, as it is critical in such situations.   Seems passes were going to guys that were dropping it or failing to get yards after catch because the ball was behind them or in a position they could not otherwise catch in stride.  Perhaps sometimes the receivers didn’t run the route exactly right, I dunno.   Rising is still young, though, so I just think its something that will come along in his development as an individual and as a QB-receiver group.

[UteDuke]

Those interviews with Covey are excellent. He provides so much behind the scenes insight without giving too much away and in a very relatable manner. I hope that the radio station has a plan to continue them with another player once Covey moves on!

Hearing Covey’s analysis of the game helped reassure me going forward. They knew they got outplayed and they are hungry to come back and make a statement this next game!

[EagleMountainUte]

Many of the play calls were excellent calls just poorly executed. It was simply Oregon states game. They were better. 
The only calls I question was the long field goal. Better to punt. Which I am not sure on that one either because punt blocking sucks. Or even just going for it. So maybe the fg attempt was for the best. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[PlainsUte]

Or try a long pass, where there are several outcomes 1) completion for first down, 2) pass interference, 3) interception downfield, similar to an inside-the-20 punt, 4) incomplete, 5) sack.   4-of-5 are as good or better than a desparation field-goal attempt.   Only the sack would be worse.

 

[Trailgoat]

Agree, poor execution on decent play calling. Easy to second guess after the fact of course.

Chris Petersen was the master at Boise State in short field goal line 10 yards or less setting up the roll out or a run/reverse pass play option causing misdirection giving the QB or reverse guy 1-2 options to pass or run in open space.

Did not work all the time but forced teams to relax pressure between the tackles knowing Boise State has plays that use the field laterally near the goal line. 

[Central Coast Ute]

I didn’t have a huge problem with the play calling. The offense played well overall. The defense and special teams lost that game.

[Dallas]

When was the last time someone scored 42 points on us??

[Charlie]

We were in good shape and had a lead when Lloyd went out. I feel the remainder of the game had everything to do with that event. Next, we need to play a half without him. I expect a week to prepare with have us more ready than the in game adjustment.

[Charlie]

I have been critical of play calling especially the game with the Y. Both the plays in question were very good play calls. Sometimes in the heat of a game, often with QBs new to D1, there is so much on their mind that the short, soft, easy passes are not thrown with the right touch. After a few years it is second nature until going on to the next level.

Play calling has so much to do with the opposing defense. As an example, counters and misdirection work well with over pursuit but are less effective with less aggressive defenses. A reverse can be very effective when in the same situation a double will fail. I don’t know what Ludwig was seeing that made him think the edge would not be covered. Linemen that cross the LOS have little left to do on the play when the run goes to the opposite side but to stay home. A double works best against undisciplined defense so this play should only be triggered by something I did not see. But that is just one play.

Recent play calling on offense has been good by me.

[Utesbyfive]

Honestly I think Ludwig is really solid. I think he takes a lot of undeserved s**t. The team was in position to make plays and either OSU stopped them, or the execution wasn’t there. Next year’s team would win that game. I’m excited for the future. I just wish Lloyd would come back, but he’s probably going to be starting on Sunday somewhere. Does anyone know if Nate Ritchie is on the one year mission plan? Lol.

[UtMtBiker]

2 coaching decisions to not take points could have though.

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