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Saturday, October 04, 2008
Crane pulls it out in the final minute (no, really!).
That had the makings of a classic WTF. Who knew that Chris Crane would seize the day? The problems were special teams, drive killing turnovers and some stupid penalties.
But a big day for the BC offense. 581 total yards!
Everybody catch your breathe. It's clear we are in for a roller coaster season and a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde QB.
My wife and I were at the game today. BC had a lot of defensive problems and kick coverage, etc.
Without the 102 yard kick off return, 2 fumbles and interception and several long bombs by Wilson - BC could have won this game perhaps 48 to 17.
NC State fans were telling us as we left the stadium how great our quarterback was. I don't have the stats in front of me, but it was something like 578 yards to State's 250 yards.
BC was pretty dominant except for the turnovers, terrible kickoff coverage and allowing those long passes. Bennett's kick off was high and 2 yards deep - we xcan't ask for much more.
I do think there was a definite push in the back on the BC defender (#13?) on the 102 yard run back but there was no call. The ball should have been placed on about the 10 yard line or worse.
I must say, with over 3 minutes to play, tied 31 to 31, Homecoming Crowd coming alive, etc. I felt that we would score. They couldn't stop us today - only ourselves. We have a lot of young players - I'm very proud of them.
All we need to know is that we scored 38 points and Chris Crane was directly responsible for 35 of those. We should've kept Aponavicius on the bench and let Crane kick the field goal in too.
428 yards for Chris Crane is, I think, the stat of the game.
Joe, I think the issue people had with Crane before this week was that he had done nothing (and I do mean nothing) to prove that he was an ACC-caliber starting quarterback. When you have a struggling senior QB (read, little upside), there is an impetus to go with the younger, potentially equivalent guy who has the time to develop into a superior player. This week changed that. Crane showed that - maybe not every week - he can put the team on his back and be the reason we win the game. That's huge, knowing he's capable of that. It definitely gives this team options offensively as it enters the meat of the schedule.
Crane had a career game and I was impressed with the accuracy of his passes. He put a couple in there that I don't know how he did it. He threw for over 400 yards and none of NC State's premium opponents had passed for more than 300 yards. Very impressive performance.
And, as poorly as the defense played, they still have not given up more than 300 yards in a game this season.
Now, we have a brutal stretch in the schedule. Home against a Va Tech team that seems to have all the luck this year, on the road at UNC, then Clemson and Notre Dame at home. We could lose all 4, but I'm hoping we can at least get a split and win 2 of them.
yes. crane had career numbers. he also nearly threw the game away...literally.
while i understand why everyone is pleased with crane...THIS WEEK...davis still needed to get in this game...crane is the qb of THIS year, and we need to get our other guys as many looks as possible.
in all, i'm obviously happy with crane's numbers, but still not happy with his play...anyone who actually watched the game could tell crane has serious issues throwing the ball
You either are (1) insane, (2) a Davis family member, or (3) have some other personal reasons for wanting Davis to play.
Crane was, more or less, on fire. This was his coming-out party. What you suggest is like suggesting that Ryan be benched in a close game last year just to give Crane time. For the rest of the year, Davis only will play (1) if Crane is ineffective, (2) the score is so out of hand that the outcome is assured, or (3) our record is crap and we have no chance of going to a bowl game. None of those criteria was met yesterday.
As for Crane's throwing issues, sure he's not where he needs to be yet, but he's now a lot closer than most of us thought he was. Leaving him in allows him to get additional game experience to gain confidence and work out the kinks. We only have one loss. You may be ready to toss this season in the garbage and start rebuilding, but I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of us are not there yet.
Plus, you don't want to take a QB out that is starting to hit a stride. Imagine if Jags had taken Crane out for Davis, then Crane comes back in flat. We'd all be calling for Jags' head. I remember when TOB would do that.
Like eagle1 wrote, if the game situation allows (or dictates) put in Davis, otherwise, go with the hot-hand.
Crane gave a performance yesterday that has to rank in the top 20 all-time for a BC QB. He threw for over 400 yards, ran or passed for all 5 touchdowns and only threw 1 INT in 51 pass attempts. Plus, he led a critical late-game drive to get the go ahead score. What more do you want?
I felt his accuracy was much improved from the Georgia Tech game. Granted, the O-line played out of its mind and gave Crane plenty of time, but I think Crane willed victory yesterday and I am more confident going into the rest of the season. Can we contend for the ACC? That remains to be seen, but I do think we can pick up at least 2 more games and go to a bowl.
his throws were much better, though he hung some receivers out to dry as I saw a few big hits on our guys. If he plays this way the rest of the year, we will be a very good team.
I'd agree about playing Crane to an extent. He had a career day Saturday and should have gotten every snap like he did. His performance buys himself another game in which he will see most, if not all the snaps. However, if he struggles against Va Tech like he struggled earlier this season, Davis becomes a possibility in the next game against UNC. As long as Crane plays well though, Davis should not and probably will not see game play unless some unforeseen circumstances occur or that game is in or out of hand.
Clearly crane had nice numbers. Top 20 performance of all time??? Yikes, that's a bit of an overstatement.
Let's look at the numbers for a second. Call me a pessimist, but what really stood out to me was not the big plays that were largely the result of poor NCSU tackling, but the wide open receivers that Crane still misses. It is those throws that are going to decide games. As mentioned, as well, he really does set his receivers up to get leveled sometimes.
The heart of the matter is this. You are assuming that I wanted to see more Davis as a punishment to Crane. In actuality, I still see Crane as a mediocre QB who will be leaving at year's end. If Davis is a mediocre QB who is staying, I should not need to defend the position that Davis needs to get reps. Period.
"You are assuming that I wanted to see more Davis as a punishment to Crane. . . . If Davis is a mediocre QB who is staying, I should not need to defend the position that Davis needs to get reps. Period."
1. Punishment? Hangh? This is extremely simple: We were 3-1 going in (and thus are on track for a bowl game), we were winning a tight game, and Crane was the #1 reason that BC was winning that game. You want to pull him out and start preparing for next year? That's nothing short of retarded.
2. Davis will get his reps only under the three circumstances I noted earlier. Actually, add a fourth: If Crane suffers an injury (knock on wood).
What in the world does hangh mean? OK. First half there were two 3-and-outs (including the first drive of the game) and a stupid fumble by Crane. Explain again why it's ludicrous, no I'm sorry, "retarded" that Davis see the field for a single drive in that half. Thanks. Sorry I didn't use any weird words.
who was the color guy today? he was hilarious
ReplyDeleteagreed! the main guy was steve martin, other guy was.....?
ReplyDeleterick walker?
ReplyDeletedoak walker
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I were at the game today. BC had a lot of defensive problems and kick coverage, etc.
ReplyDeleteWithout the 102 yard kick off return, 2 fumbles and interception and several long bombs by Wilson - BC could have won this game perhaps 48 to 17.
NC State fans were telling us as we left the stadium how great our quarterback was. I don't have the stats in front of me, but it was something like 578 yards to State's 250 yards.
BC was pretty dominant except for the turnovers, terrible kickoff coverage and allowing those long passes. Bennett's kick off was high and 2 yards deep - we xcan't ask for much more.
I do think there was a definite push in the back on the BC defender (#13?) on the 102 yard run back but there was no call. The ball should have been placed on about the 10 yard line or worse.
I must say, with over 3 minutes to play, tied 31 to 31, Homecoming Crowd coming alive, etc. I felt that we would score. They couldn't stop us today - only ourselves. We have a lot of young players - I'm very proud of them.
No snaps for Davis at all? Why not?
ReplyDeleteWhy not? Why would he have? Crane played out of his mind. Great confidence builder!
ReplyDeleteLots of mistakes by BC today but who cares right now. We beat the Hen again and Crane obviously had something in his Powerade.
ReplyDeleteWhat is with the Davis mancrush that people have? Crane just had an ACC POW type of game and you're calling for Davis?
ReplyDeleteCrane has now played one good game in his career (maybe 2 if you count Buffalo)... that's 1-2 more than Davis
All we need to know is that we scored 38 points and Chris Crane was directly responsible for 35 of those. We should've kept Aponavicius on the bench and let Crane kick the field goal in too.
ReplyDelete428 yards for Chris Crane is, I think, the stat of the game.
Joe, I think the issue people had with Crane before this week was that he had done nothing (and I do mean nothing) to prove that he was an ACC-caliber starting quarterback. When you have a struggling senior QB (read, little upside), there is an impetus to go with the younger, potentially equivalent guy who has the time to develop into a superior player. This week changed that. Crane showed that - maybe not every week - he can put the team on his back and be the reason we win the game. That's huge, knowing he's capable of that. It definitely gives this team options offensively as it enters the meat of the schedule.
ReplyDeleteCrane had a career game and I was impressed with the accuracy of his passes. He put a couple in there that I don't know how he did it. He threw for over 400 yards and none of NC State's premium opponents had passed for more than 300 yards. Very impressive performance.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as poorly as the defense played, they still have not given up more than 300 yards in a game this season.
Now, we have a brutal stretch in the schedule. Home against a Va Tech team that seems to have all the luck this year, on the road at UNC, then Clemson and Notre Dame at home. We could lose all 4, but I'm hoping we can at least get a split and win 2 of them.
I'm hoping for 3 and 1 :-)
ReplyDeleteat least :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteWere any of you bloggers at the game today?
yes. crane had career numbers. he also nearly threw the game away...literally.
ReplyDeletewhile i understand why everyone is pleased with crane...THIS WEEK...davis still needed to get in this game...crane is the qb of THIS year, and we need to get our other guys as many looks as possible.
in all, i'm obviously happy with crane's numbers, but still not happy with his play...anyone who actually watched the game could tell crane has serious issues throwing the ball
Chris Crane was given a helmet sticker on Sportscenter
ReplyDeleteLAEagle:
ReplyDeleteYou either are (1) insane, (2) a Davis family member, or (3) have some other personal reasons for wanting Davis to play.
Crane was, more or less, on fire. This was his coming-out party. What you suggest is like suggesting that Ryan be benched in a close game last year just to give Crane time. For the rest of the year, Davis only will play (1) if Crane is ineffective, (2) the score is so out of hand that the outcome is assured, or (3) our record is crap and we have no chance of going to a bowl game. None of those criteria was met yesterday.
As for Crane's throwing issues, sure he's not where he needs to be yet, but he's now a lot closer than most of us thought he was. Leaving him in allows him to get additional game experience to gain confidence and work out the kinks. We only have one loss. You may be ready to toss this season in the garbage and start rebuilding, but I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of us are not there yet.
Plus, you don't want to take a QB out that is starting to hit a stride. Imagine if Jags had taken Crane out for Davis, then Crane comes back in flat. We'd all be calling for Jags' head. I remember when TOB would do that.
ReplyDeleteLike eagle1 wrote, if the game situation allows (or dictates) put in Davis, otherwise, go with the hot-hand.
Jagz said post-game that it had taken them a while to figure out how to use Crane. Maybe they finally have?
ReplyDeleteAny BC fans in D.C. know if Porter's will be back in action soon?
ReplyDeleteThat fire next door looked pretty awful.
LA Eagle,
ReplyDeleteCrane gave a performance yesterday that has to rank in the top 20 all-time for a BC QB. He threw for over 400 yards, ran or passed for all 5 touchdowns and only threw 1 INT in 51 pass attempts. Plus, he led a critical late-game drive to get the go ahead score. What more do you want?
I felt his accuracy was much improved from the Georgia Tech game. Granted, the O-line played out of its mind and gave Crane plenty of time, but I think Crane willed victory yesterday and I am more confident going into the rest of the season. Can we contend for the ACC? That remains to be seen, but I do think we can pick up at least 2 more games and go to a bowl.
his throws were much better, though he hung some receivers out to dry as I saw a few big hits on our guys. If he plays this way the rest of the year, we will be a very good team.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not having to listen to his own fans booing him helped him out
ReplyDeleteI'd agree about playing Crane to an extent. He had a career day Saturday and should have gotten every snap like he did. His performance buys himself another game in which he will see most, if not all the snaps. However, if he struggles against Va Tech like he struggled earlier this season, Davis becomes a possibility in the next game against UNC. As long as Crane plays well though, Davis should not and probably will not see game play unless some unforeseen circumstances occur or that game is in or out of hand.
ReplyDeleteClearly crane had nice numbers. Top 20 performance of all time??? Yikes, that's a bit of an overstatement.
ReplyDeleteLet's look at the numbers for a second. Call me a pessimist, but what really stood out to me was not the big plays that were largely the result of poor NCSU tackling, but the wide open receivers that Crane still misses. It is those throws that are going to decide games. As mentioned, as well, he really does set his receivers up to get leveled sometimes.
The heart of the matter is this. You are assuming that I wanted to see more Davis as a punishment to Crane. In actuality, I still see Crane as a mediocre QB who will be leaving at year's end. If Davis is a mediocre QB who is staying, I should not need to defend the position that Davis needs to get reps. Period.
LA Eagle:
ReplyDelete"You are assuming that I wanted to see more Davis as a punishment to Crane. . . . If Davis is a mediocre QB who is staying, I should not need to defend the position that Davis needs to get reps. Period."
1. Punishment? Hangh? This is extremely simple: We were 3-1 going in (and thus are on track for a bowl game), we were winning a tight game, and Crane was the #1 reason that BC was winning that game. You want to pull him out and start preparing for next year? That's nothing short of retarded.
2. Davis will get his reps only under the three circumstances I noted earlier. Actually, add a fourth: If Crane suffers an injury (knock on wood).
What in the world does hangh mean? OK. First half there were two 3-and-outs (including the first drive of the game) and a stupid fumble by Crane. Explain again why it's ludicrous, no I'm sorry, "retarded" that Davis see the field for a single drive in that half. Thanks. Sorry I didn't use any weird words.
ReplyDelete