yep, def the homer in you. We were killing that D. Then we started playing conservative, not wanting the young guy to Freak it up for us. Shaw is def the guy that changed things, but had we had Franklin, it would not have even mattered. But its in the past. Im worried about Saturday
Again, if we're assuming you guys have Franklin, you gotta assume we had Shaw for the whole game which makes it an interesting proposition. And Shaw had a pretty strong day(27 points in 2 quarters). Our D did not play well. Story of the year. Clowney is trying to play through the injury and isn't quite as dominant. Aside from Kelcy Quarles, we've had a lot of players playing inconsistent football.
I don't think you guys quite remember how vulnerable your defense was. With good QB play, SC could have put up points earlier on. Shaw proved that. I'll even show you why:
First Drive:
3rd and 3 - Swing pass to Mike Davis in the flat, likely had the first down, Thompson threw it into the dirt short of him
Second Drive:
1st and 10 - Jerrell Adams open on deep corner route for a 20+ yard gain, Thompson overthrew it...Adams couldn't make the diving catch in bounds
3rd and 10 - Damiere Byrd makes the catch on the 17 yard out route but Thompson overthrew it and it was out of bounds
Third Drive:
1st and 10(Mizzou 27) - Bruce runs a wheel route and sits down in a hole in the zone about 15 yards downfield...Thompson overthrows him out of bounds
3rd and 6 - Nick Jones runs a go route, beats the CB and makes the catch...but 2 yards out the back of the end-zone because Thompson overthrew another WR
Fourth Drive:
Mike Davis fumble ends it(Mizzou 31)
Fifth Drive:
Mike Davis fumble ends it(Mizzou 2)
Sixth Drive:
Dylan Thompson Int after overthrowing a ball deep(great coverage though)
Seventh Drive:
Failed 4th and 1 - Turnover on downs
Eighth Drive:
2nd and 6(SC 17) - Damiere Byrd beats his man on a go route for what likely is a TD...Thompson overthrows it and throws it out of bounds
Turnover on Downs later in drive(Mizzou 32)
Connor Shaw comes in for the Ninth Drive. Prior to that, we had 2 fumbles, an int, a missed FG and 2 turnovers on downs(2 punts as well).
Shaw plays 6 drives and we score points on 5 of the 6 drives.
I'm not saying Mizzou is a bad team. You guys are not a bad team. I'm saying that the narrative that Mizzou was stomping SC and let them win it isn't accurate. SC shot itself in the foot early with some bad turnovers and really horrible play from our backup QB. The plays were there early, we just didn't make them.
You guys also started your backup. I think had Shaw and Franklin both played, it would have been an interesting and higher scoring game. For as much crud as I give Shaw, he wouldn't have left nearly as many plays out there as Thompson...who looked horrible in this game.
Franklin vs. Shaw would have made a fun game imo.