Burning Questions: Week 4
Conor Nicholl
With the UCM domination by Bulldog volleyball still leaving its wake and with a possible UCM domination of Bulldog football looming, we embark on an edition of Burning Questions on Bulldog football….
Football: When will Matt Ticich and Mickey Masucci perform up to par?
Through three weeks, the two biggest recruits for the Bulldogs on National Signing Day haven’t delivered. While Ticich has been victimized by dropped passes and some blown assignments, the fact remains: he hasn’t played well.
Through three weeks, his numbers are almost identical to Jonathan Duffy’s last year. That’s not good. Sure, Northwest put a spy on him in the second half last Saturday, but Ticich hasn’t performed up to expectations – ranking last in the conference in pass efficiency (77 pct.). He could have a tough day against UCM’s defense, best in the MIAA against the pass.
I am also surprised Ticich hasn’t used Jeff Amundson more on short passes. Amundson, the Bulldogs’ best WR underneath and on short passes, has just seven catches in three games. That’s a direct correlation to the Bulldogs’ anemic 25 percent conversion rate (second to last in the MIAA) on third down and 13 points/game – last in the conference.
Here is Amundson’s last three years and the team’s 3rd down conversion rate:
Year Catches Per Game Conversion Rate
06 2.3 25
05 3.1 30
04 6.9 36
For one example: In 2004, Amundson caught 18 passes against Missouri Southern – four came on third or fourth down and sustained drives or set up scores.
To his credit, Masucci has been arguably the conference’s best punter the past two weeks, but you would like to keep your punter from kicking 6-8 times a game. His field goals, though, have been very supar, especially for a HS All-American and one that holds several state records.
With Masucci, he has missed a lot of kicks that he won’t make everytime, but they are kicks he should make most of the time. Here are his missed FGs (4-for-8) thus far: 43-blocked, 44-missed, 40-blocked, 23-missed. He is 0-for-3 from the outside the 40 on the year.
The 23-yarder shouldn’t happen, but he just hasn’t shown the range that made him so great at Kennedy High. He kicked a 49-yarder last year, but that accuracy and leg strength has been lacking. Especially with this offense struggling, when they get inside the opponents’ 25, they need to put points on the board.
Kickoff-wise, he has lost about six yards from last fall. Last year, he booted kickoffs 59.6 per boot, this year it’s fallen to 54.7. That’s a small difference, but it still gives the opponent five more yards and helps shift the field position game.
When will Jake Cunningham get the ball?
Over the past six months, the football staff has told the Index that:
1. Jake Cunningham is a playmaker.
2. Pat Murray is one of the best OTs in the conference.
3. Murray can block in space very well – shown by his All-Conference honors.
4. We also know this: the Bulldogs have rushed the ball very well this season – much better than in ’05.
So, why don’t the Bulldogs rush with Cunningham behind Murray? Frankly, I believe this is the only way they can win. They need to use their best lineman and arguably their most dynamic threat effectively. Give Cunningham the ball 20-25 times on rushes and passes and run behind your best blocker. It will also take some of the pressure off Ticich.
Currier said on Tuesday that Cunningham, a Div. I transfer from Purdue University, should get the ball more on Saturday. The Bulldogs have to be able to control the clock and win the field position game – rushing the football and improving special teams will help improve.
Can the 3-4 hold up?
More than anything, this is going to be very important for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have contained the run, but aren’t as strong against the pass. UCM loves to throw the football – second-best efficiency in the conference – and the secondary will be critical in stop the Mules.
Through three games, the defense has played very well, probably better than any defense has performed over the past four years:
Year Scoring Defense Rush/Game Pass/Game
06 29.7 99.0 249.3
05 37.5 223.3 231.8
04 42.1 198.2 274.7
03 32.4 221.3 184.0
CMSU is mainly a pass-oriented offense, so containing the pass will be critical.
With the UCM domination by Bulldog volleyball still leaving its wake and with a possible UCM domination of Bulldog football looming, we embark on an edition of Burning Questions on Bulldog football….
Football: When will Matt Ticich and Mickey Masucci perform up to par?
Through three weeks, the two biggest recruits for the Bulldogs on National Signing Day haven’t delivered. While Ticich has been victimized by dropped passes and some blown assignments, the fact remains: he hasn’t played well.
Through three weeks, his numbers are almost identical to Jonathan Duffy’s last year. That’s not good. Sure, Northwest put a spy on him in the second half last Saturday, but Ticich hasn’t performed up to expectations – ranking last in the conference in pass efficiency (77 pct.). He could have a tough day against UCM’s defense, best in the MIAA against the pass.
I am also surprised Ticich hasn’t used Jeff Amundson more on short passes. Amundson, the Bulldogs’ best WR underneath and on short passes, has just seven catches in three games. That’s a direct correlation to the Bulldogs’ anemic 25 percent conversion rate (second to last in the MIAA) on third down and 13 points/game – last in the conference.
Here is Amundson’s last three years and the team’s 3rd down conversion rate:
Year Catches Per Game Conversion Rate
06 2.3 25
05 3.1 30
04 6.9 36
For one example: In 2004, Amundson caught 18 passes against Missouri Southern – four came on third or fourth down and sustained drives or set up scores.
To his credit, Masucci has been arguably the conference’s best punter the past two weeks, but you would like to keep your punter from kicking 6-8 times a game. His field goals, though, have been very supar, especially for a HS All-American and one that holds several state records.
With Masucci, he has missed a lot of kicks that he won’t make everytime, but they are kicks he should make most of the time. Here are his missed FGs (4-for-8) thus far: 43-blocked, 44-missed, 40-blocked, 23-missed. He is 0-for-3 from the outside the 40 on the year.
The 23-yarder shouldn’t happen, but he just hasn’t shown the range that made him so great at Kennedy High. He kicked a 49-yarder last year, but that accuracy and leg strength has been lacking. Especially with this offense struggling, when they get inside the opponents’ 25, they need to put points on the board.
Kickoff-wise, he has lost about six yards from last fall. Last year, he booted kickoffs 59.6 per boot, this year it’s fallen to 54.7. That’s a small difference, but it still gives the opponent five more yards and helps shift the field position game.
When will Jake Cunningham get the ball?
Over the past six months, the football staff has told the Index that:
1. Jake Cunningham is a playmaker.
2. Pat Murray is one of the best OTs in the conference.
3. Murray can block in space very well – shown by his All-Conference honors.
4. We also know this: the Bulldogs have rushed the ball very well this season – much better than in ’05.
So, why don’t the Bulldogs rush with Cunningham behind Murray? Frankly, I believe this is the only way they can win. They need to use their best lineman and arguably their most dynamic threat effectively. Give Cunningham the ball 20-25 times on rushes and passes and run behind your best blocker. It will also take some of the pressure off Ticich.
Currier said on Tuesday that Cunningham, a Div. I transfer from Purdue University, should get the ball more on Saturday. The Bulldogs have to be able to control the clock and win the field position game – rushing the football and improving special teams will help improve.
Can the 3-4 hold up?
More than anything, this is going to be very important for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have contained the run, but aren’t as strong against the pass. UCM loves to throw the football – second-best efficiency in the conference – and the secondary will be critical in stop the Mules.
Through three games, the defense has played very well, probably better than any defense has performed over the past four years:
Year Scoring Defense Rush/Game Pass/Game
06 29.7 99.0 249.3
05 37.5 223.3 231.8
04 42.1 198.2 274.7
03 32.4 221.3 184.0
CMSU is mainly a pass-oriented offense, so containing the pass will be critical.
posted by Anonymous at Friday, September 22, 2006
2 Comments:
Maybe the Bulldogs could do a little more blocking and perhaps someone who can catch balls that are on their fingertips? just a thought.
So do you think Ticich is performing "up to par"? Regardless of the lack of wins at the beginning of the season, Ticich was doing everything possible to secure a win for the Bulldogs. Maybe you should actually watch a game and his level of effort all week at practice before you start spouting off about "not performing." He got you in the red zone more often in the 1st game then your qb did all last season. Unfortunately, he can't block and catch the ball as well. At least when he throws an interception, he makes sure he also makes the tackle. He can't do anything about those balls that get batted down or dropped and then picked off by the other team. How about supporting the Bulldogs if you want to keep writing about them. They get enough bashing from their opponents and the officials. GO Bulldogs
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