nickgyp
09-11-2012, 03:33 PM
On Sunday evening, the Muskies lost to the Thomas "JV" Team by a score of 47-7. Apparently, the "game" at TMC's home field included the Saints using several varsity players who due to the varsity not having a game this past weekend needed some work. The "Game" included no kickoffs and only punts with no rushing by the defense nor returns by the receiving teams. Rather, possessions were awarded at the start of each half near the 35 yd . line of the "receiving" team and punts were downed where received or where the ball game to rest on the punt (Apparently, TMC advised X that it did not want to risk injuries on the returns due to personnel issues).
TMC possessed the ball on the first possession of the first half; and X's defense held. The Muskies took possession after a punt near X's 35 yd. line. Freshman QB starter Brendan Gilboy did connect on a pass that went some 63 yds. to the TMC 2 but an X fumble led to a TMC fumble return of 98 yds. for a TD/ The PAT was no good and TMC led 6-0. That lead stood until late in the second quarter. While X's defense played well against TMC, the offense could generate very little yardage. When the Muskies faced a 4th and 8 on their own 22; rather than punt, coach McCormick gambled on a Gilroy pass that was intercepted and returned for a TMC TD with the PAT good for a 13-0 TMC lead.
In the second half, the Muskie ground game could gain few yards, Gilboy's passing game showed glimpses of promises including a 60 yard strike to a receiver who was stopped at TMC's 10 yd. line. X's first and goal series was stopped on a Muskie fumble recovered by TMC at the 8. The Saints pushed the lead to 25-0 with score that included another interception returned for a TD.
X finally got on the scoreboard with a 75 yd. pass from Gilboy to junior WR Sankun Barjol who ran some 45 yds after the catch for the score. The PAT was good and the score stood 25-7.
For the most part, the Muskies could not establish a run game and the QB was not getting a whole lot of protection/time to throw the ball. The defense that played so well in the first half gave way to fatigue that allowed for the final margin (LB Tyler Skeens was going both ways throughout the game). One Xavier player was lost early in the game due to a knee injury and another player suffered a separated shoulder.
Impressions:
With no kickoffs and punt returns, the atmosphere was more that of a scrimmage; and X's inexperience was evident. The young Muskies have not practiced as much as Division III TMC (as the latter starts organized drills in August well before club teams). Getting blocking schemes down and learning plays will take some time especially for a team with few upperclassman. The X defense is small but very aggressive; and the offensive line just needs to gain experience working with a new QB and other newcomers in the backfield (the fact that this team has so many newcomers is one reason why the author cannot specify players). Had the Muskies scored on that first long pass to TMC's 2 yd. line gone for a TD (rather than the fumble return for the TMC TD on a bad snap from center) and had X not gambled on that 4th and 8 on its own 22 yd line that resulted in a TMC interception return for a TD, the score at half could have easily been 7-0 X lead. There is a lot to like about Coach McCormick's charges and that bodes well for season where X will face other club teams who for the most part will have similar pre-season prep and practice time.
TMC possessed the ball on the first possession of the first half; and X's defense held. The Muskies took possession after a punt near X's 35 yd. line. Freshman QB starter Brendan Gilboy did connect on a pass that went some 63 yds. to the TMC 2 but an X fumble led to a TMC fumble return of 98 yds. for a TD/ The PAT was no good and TMC led 6-0. That lead stood until late in the second quarter. While X's defense played well against TMC, the offense could generate very little yardage. When the Muskies faced a 4th and 8 on their own 22; rather than punt, coach McCormick gambled on a Gilroy pass that was intercepted and returned for a TMC TD with the PAT good for a 13-0 TMC lead.
In the second half, the Muskie ground game could gain few yards, Gilboy's passing game showed glimpses of promises including a 60 yard strike to a receiver who was stopped at TMC's 10 yd. line. X's first and goal series was stopped on a Muskie fumble recovered by TMC at the 8. The Saints pushed the lead to 25-0 with score that included another interception returned for a TD.
X finally got on the scoreboard with a 75 yd. pass from Gilboy to junior WR Sankun Barjol who ran some 45 yds after the catch for the score. The PAT was good and the score stood 25-7.
For the most part, the Muskies could not establish a run game and the QB was not getting a whole lot of protection/time to throw the ball. The defense that played so well in the first half gave way to fatigue that allowed for the final margin (LB Tyler Skeens was going both ways throughout the game). One Xavier player was lost early in the game due to a knee injury and another player suffered a separated shoulder.
Impressions:
With no kickoffs and punt returns, the atmosphere was more that of a scrimmage; and X's inexperience was evident. The young Muskies have not practiced as much as Division III TMC (as the latter starts organized drills in August well before club teams). Getting blocking schemes down and learning plays will take some time especially for a team with few upperclassman. The X defense is small but very aggressive; and the offensive line just needs to gain experience working with a new QB and other newcomers in the backfield (the fact that this team has so many newcomers is one reason why the author cannot specify players). Had the Muskies scored on that first long pass to TMC's 2 yd. line gone for a TD (rather than the fumble return for the TMC TD on a bad snap from center) and had X not gambled on that 4th and 8 on its own 22 yd line that resulted in a TMC interception return for a TD, the score at half could have easily been 7-0 X lead. There is a lot to like about Coach McCormick's charges and that bodes well for season where X will face other club teams who for the most part will have similar pre-season prep and practice time.