Sunday, September 17, 2017

The Numbers Don't Lie.....Usually
This Time They Did

This, despite the outcome was a really good football game. Both teams battled hard the entire contest, but if you just looked at the stats, you would think it came out differently than it did.

Just a few numbers from Saturday's game:

First Downs
Ferrum 18
Averett 4

Yards Rushing
Ferrum 157
Averett 63

Yards Passing
Ferrum 191
Averett 36

These on the surface seem to give Ferrum the upper hand, but there were other things that  overshadowed these numbers.

2 interceptions for the Averett defense.....one returned for a touchdown
2 blocked punts for the Averett defense  One returned for a touchdown, and one that set up another touchdown.
1 blocked field goal attempt

Final score: Averett 19   Ferrum 7

Sometimes two out of three ain't bad......as for the three phases of this game, Ferrum looked really strong on defense, and okay on offense......this was mainly due to the Cougar defense being a very solid unit. Special teams however, the third phase of the game, struggled to say the least. Ferrum could have had more than two punts blocked......Averett was in the backfield all day in the punter's face. This has to be fixed. Not sure what the answer is, but I am sure of one thing. The coaches will make the necessary adjustments to fix it.

Had a comment on a blog post recently asking if I thought Ferrum can legitimately contend for the conference title? My answer was a resounding yes. After yesterday, my answer is still yes, but boy the hill just got steeper. Ferrum will have to win out, and Averett will have to lose twice. Another loss by Ferrum, and it will be next to impossible. If there is a silver lining, it is that the loss happened early in the season, and there is time to recover......but it will require the help of other teams to get Ferrum to a conference title.

Yesterday was a prime example of how important the special team phase of the game is. You must execute in all three phases consistently, and Ferrum was not able to do that as well as Averett yesterday.

On to next Saturday......see you at homecoming!

2 comments:

  1. Jeff & Elaine McDowellSeptember 17, 2017 at 8:48 PM

    Alan we would love to see you at the game but we have a daughter playing college volleyball in pa. this weekend, We tried to get the Beard's little brother @ Ferrum but he chose Waynesburg University in Pa.. we'll see you soon at a game, enjoy your weekend

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