I see a lot of comments saying the receivers don't get separation. Since I've only attended two games this year I can't comment on the others. In the UCLA game I sat in the North end zone. There were multiple times where a receiver had a half step on the DB to the inside. If the middle of the field were a basket the receiver would be in prime position to box out. If the QB leads the receiver to the middle of the field, that half step is all the WR needs. The QB would have thrown him open. There wasn't safety help close enough to disrupt the play.

In each case Taysom either opted not to throw to that receiver or threw a pass to the receiver's back shoulder, actually closing the half step to nothing. On TV I'm sure it looked like the receiver was blanketed. Many people in the stands probably thought the receiver had no separation as well. But a good throw gets a huge gain.

On TV last night, the announcers said Ty mentioned that Taysom opens up his left leg too much. I pictured a right handed baseball hitter "stepping in the bucket." That causes the ball to arrive to the left of the target. That's also what caused the opposite of throwing receivers open when they are on the left side of the field. Strangely, I think the same thing may have helped on Jurgens' diving catch.

People say, and rightly so, that there is blame to go around. The thing is we've tried multiple people (2+) at every offensive position except Center (and I don't think Tejan is the problem) and QB. Probably 3 or more at every other skill position.

Not only is QB the only position besides center where we haven't tried someone else, it's the only one with a guy sitting on the bench who has considerable starting experience.

Mangum wasn't perfect last year. We know the qualifier "for a freshman" belongs after "He had a great season." We know he can't run like Taysom (although the gap this year is probably closer than many think). He'd probably get sacked more. Our drives would be more polarized (more 3 and outs, but more touchdowns too). We also know he can complete long passes.

I find it hard to believe a Mangum led offense wouldn't have got the ball in the end zone twice last night. One might have been a bomb to Trinaman or Jurgens. But he'd have gotten two touchdowns. Convert one of our two field goals into touchdowns and we win that game 31-28.