first-down Stories - The Only Colors
Mining the Box Score: Northwestern Edition
Here's to the linebackers. (Photo credit: MSU FB page.) MSU-NW box score is here. Up-to-date MSU season statistics are here. Up-to-date Big Ten statistical leaders are here. Bullet-pointing through the numbers from Saturday: How do you beat a team that gains 3 more first downs than you do...
First Down Stats vs. Illinois
Given the circumstances (#2 QB playing the full game; opponent in state of disarray), I'm not sure how much meaning these numbers have. But, hey, I've got an Excel file to keep up-to-date: 17 rushing attempts for 76 yards (4.5 yards/attempts), 1 TD. 4-11 on pass attempts for 78 yards (36.4%...
First Priorities: The Tennessee Volunteers Offense vs. the Georgia Bulldogs Defense
Quick: What is the significance of 40% in offense in football? While you're thinking about that one (if you don't already have the answer), here are some other percentages directly relating to 40% and the Tennessee Volunteers offense versus the Georgia Bulldogs defense: 55.9% 32.3% 58.8% /...
First Down Stats vs. Michigan
Better late than never: 20 rushing attempts for 45 yards (2.3 yards/carry), 1 fumble (recovered by MSU). 6-9 on passing attempts for 53 yards (66.7% comp%, 5.9 yards/attempt), 1 sack for a loss of 8 yards. (Numbers include the 9-yard loss on the Glenn Winston dropped pitch in OT but not the QB...
First Down Stats vs. Wisconsin
The numbers against the Badgers: 11 rushing attempts for 39 yards (3.4 yards/carry), 1 fumble. 14-22 on passing attempts for 251 yards (63.6% comp%, 11.4 yards/attempt), 1 INT, 2 TD. OK, now take out the 4 drives that occurred after we fell down by 21 points in the 4th quarter: 10 rushing...
First down stats vs. Notre Dame
The numbers: 16 rushing attempts for 81 yards: 5.1 yards/carry. 13-18 on passing attempts for 163 yards: 72.2% comp%, 9.6 yards/attempt. The rushing stats include two TD runs on first and goal (from the 1 and the 7) and three QB runs for a total of 8 yards. So that's 11 first-and-ten RB attempts...
Finding the statistical upside to whatever we're calling last Saturday's game
As promised, here are the first down stats from the CMU game: 13 rushing attempts for 51 yards: 3.9 yards/carry. 9-12 on passing attempts for 144 yards: 75.0% comp%, 12.0 yards/attempt. The rushing numbers include 2 first-and-goal carries inside the 10-yard line for 4 yards and a TD. They also...
Finding the statistical downside to a 44-3 victory
Given the high level of interest in Michigan State's first down tendencies over the last year, my plan is to track first down stats on a more detailed level this season. Despite the overall big numbers MSU put up on offense against Montana State in Saturday's game, the numbers on first down were...
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