I am not talking about basketball - but I wanted to point out the small things the rest of the defensive players did AFTER the interception and the fumble recovery in order to help DeJean and Merriweather score.
After DeJean makes that over-the-shoulder catch the other defender (Castro?) bracketing the WR takes off straight downfield to find someone to block. If you watch the replay, you will see some very good blocks that help COOPER weave his way through the Rutgers offense.
1) #26 chips the intended WR just enough to keep him from getting back in the play.
2) #33 gets a block as COOPER is running to the opposite sideline and #33 stays with that block until he pancakes him.
3) probably the key block is #5 which allows COOPER to turn the corner and head north and south.
4) Van Ness blocks someone at the goal line to make sure he crosses the goal line.
If you watch the scoop and score, you will Castro, who should get credit for jarring the ball loose in the first place, doesn’t stand up and start dancing and saying, “Look at me!” No, he gets up on his feet instantly and heads to the goal line to usher him in. Now, he didn’t need to make a block, but he was clearly going to get one if needed.
Finally, on #26’s interception, you’ll notice Waggoner lumbering over to create interference and makes a good block to get the ball carrier an extra 5 yards or so.
Doing the little things sure adds up. I just wanted to point them out.
plus - the way DeJean uses the whole field reminds me a lot of Micah Hyde. I think we may have found our next great punt returner, too.
After DeJean makes that over-the-shoulder catch the other defender (Castro?) bracketing the WR takes off straight downfield to find someone to block. If you watch the replay, you will see some very good blocks that help COOPER weave his way through the Rutgers offense.
1) #26 chips the intended WR just enough to keep him from getting back in the play.
2) #33 gets a block as COOPER is running to the opposite sideline and #33 stays with that block until he pancakes him.
3) probably the key block is #5 which allows COOPER to turn the corner and head north and south.
4) Van Ness blocks someone at the goal line to make sure he crosses the goal line.
If you watch the scoop and score, you will Castro, who should get credit for jarring the ball loose in the first place, doesn’t stand up and start dancing and saying, “Look at me!” No, he gets up on his feet instantly and heads to the goal line to usher him in. Now, he didn’t need to make a block, but he was clearly going to get one if needed.
Finally, on #26’s interception, you’ll notice Waggoner lumbering over to create interference and makes a good block to get the ball carrier an extra 5 yards or so.
Doing the little things sure adds up. I just wanted to point them out.
plus - the way DeJean uses the whole field reminds me a lot of Micah Hyde. I think we may have found our next great punt returner, too.