"I spent two nights thinking about how things would've been different if we won that game," Keller said. "No offense to Pac-10 teams, but that was LSU, an SEC power, a team that won a national championship two years ago. We win that game, and we're there. We win that game, and we could've run the table. I beat myself in the head over that." http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/0916bickley0916.html
Good article. Keller does seem to be the real deal. Perhaps ASU saw something we didn't? "...he became a star, if not a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, while slicing up Louisiana State's spider-web defense." We were lucky to win that game (blocked FG, blocked punt, and Doucet's reception) -- but then again, good teams make their own luck. Here's to hoping we're a good team. We're gonna find out REAL quick. :hihi:
This part of the article will not make your stomach feel any better: On that final drive, Keller threw two passes down the gut of LSU's defense, each for big gains. On the stalled series, he went across the middle two more times, and both fell incomplete. On third down, he figured LSU would finally wise up, and so he threw the ball to the outside. On film, he saw the middle was wide open yet again, and he missed what could've been a game-winning touchdown.
Remeber one of those passes was in the hands of one of our guys, but he tipped it up and ASU got it.... :dis: Man... hindsight....
You beat me to it. The 2nd one down the middle (the one that got them to the 27) was simply a great catch of a great pass. The receiver had LSU defenders hanging on him like a cheap suit. Sometimes you just tip your hat to the opposition. As far as seeing on film that the middle was open: It's a little different in the heat of battle. The middle should have been open. Only the Saints give them the sideline with time running out.
But you also have to look at it this way: For every incomplete pass, or busted play, there is/was always SOMEONE else open that could have had a big gain or score a TD. So don't fret. In the Capital One loss, would it make you feel better to know that we HAD a defender in the area ...all he had to do was turn around.
Well considering he'd just gotten the crap knocked out of him a couple plays earlier and was also pressured on third down, I would say that is a GOOD sign that he was unable to find the open man. My stomach feels just fine.
The defense was in your standard short clock defense: Defend the Sidelines... Many teams has shot itself in the foot by leaving the middle open late in the game...
It depends on the clock and the timeout situation. It was 1st and 10 from the 27 and ASU had, I believe, one TO left. If he hits the guy in the middle for a 1st down, then you have to take more chances. If they have to call that last time out, then, I'm defending the sidelines and the endzone.
