Archives: 2013 StoryBoxes

StoryBox keeps track of yards gained when leading or trailing, and by one or two scores. That yardage breakdown helps explain why Alabama's yards were meaningful, and Johnny Manziel's yards weren't as valuable.

STORYBOX: ALABAMA 49, TEXAS A&M 42 STATS OF THE GAME The most salient stats of this game came from the subcategory of YARDS (part three of every StoryBox): Yards gained when leading: 357 for ALABAMA Yards gained when trailing: 363 for TEXAS A&M Yards gained when leading by two or more scores: 212 for ALABAMA Yards gained when trailing by two or more scores:269 for TEXAS A&M PART ONE: DOWNS First down play selection 22 rushing plays / 18 passing plays for ALABAMA; 19 rush/15 pass for TEXAS A&M Average yards to go on second down 7.6 yards for ALABAMA; 8.5 yards for TEXAS A&M Second down play selection 15 rush/8 pass for ALABAMA; 10 rush/16 pass for TEXAS A&M Average yards to go on third down 8.8 yards for ALABAMA; 9.8 yards for TEXAS A&M Third down play selection 1 rush/5 pass for ALABAMA; 3 rush/6 pass for TEXAS A&M Third down conversion rate by play selection 0-1 rushing, 3-5 passing for ALABAMA; 1-3 rushing, 4-5 passing for TEXAS A&M FOURTH DOWN BREAKDOWN Punts 3 for ALABAMA; 3 for TEXAS A&M PART TWO: FIELD POSITION Average starting field position: 21.1-yard line for ALABAMA, 23.7-yard line for TEXAS A&M Drives beginning inside own 10: 1 for ALABAMA, 2 for TEXAS A&M Did the defense leverage these drives into scores? ALABAMA: YES in one situation, NO in the second. Texas A&M started from its own 2-yard line after a botched kick return near the end of the first quarter. The Aggies produced an 11-play, 43-yard drive before they punted from their own 45-yard line. The punt resulted in a touchback. Alabama responded with a touchdown on its next possession. In the fourth quarter, A&M started from its own 4-yard line after a fumble recovery. The Aggies marched down the field on a three play, 96-yard drive for a touchdown. TEXAS A&M: NO. Alabama started a drive at its own 7-yard line after being penalized for having 12 men on the field during the kickoff. The Crimson Tide went on to mount an 11-play, 93-yard drive for a touchdown with 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Red zone scores and possessions: 5-6 for Alabama with five touchdowns and 1 fumble; 4-5 for Texas A&M with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception * PART THREE: YARDS Yards gained when tied: 80 for ALABAMA, 71 for TEXAS A&M Yards gained when leading by one score: 145 for ALABAMA Yards gained when trailing by one score: 94 for TEXAS A&M Yards gained when leading by two or more scores: 212 for ALABAMA Yards gained when trailing by two or more scores: 269 for TEXAS A&M * PART FOUR: TURNOVER DETAILS FUMBLES Offensive fumbles easily recovered: 1 for TEXAS A&M (on the Alabama 46-yard line. Texas A&M recovered and went on to score a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.) Lost fumbles in opponent's red zone: 1 for ALABAMA (on the Texas A&M 4-yard line, which led to a Texas A&M touchdown to bring the Aggies within seven points of the lead with 8:37 remaining in the game.) INTERCEPTIONS Easy interceptions made by defenders (ordinary effort): 1 for ALABAMA (in the end zone, which resulted in an Alabama drive for a touchdown with 9:10 remaining in the second quarter.) Pick-sixes thrown: 1 for TEXAS A&M (with 13:27 remaining in the third quarter, 73- yard TD return by Alabama) * PART FIVE: OFFICIATING AND MISCELLANY -- With 8:41 remaining in the second quarter, Alabama defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was called for a targeting personal foul, which resulted in a mandatory ejection. The call was reviewed in the replay booth and the ejection was overturned. --Texas A&M had one third and 31, which skewed the “average yards to go on third down” stat. If this play is disregarded, Texas A&M’s average yards to go on third down would be adjusted to 6.3 yards.

____________________________________ Florida's red-zone failures and its empty-calorie yardage when trailing were just two of the big realities to emerge from this particular edition of StoryBox. STORYBOX: MIAMI 21, FLORIDA 16 STAT OF THE GAME The most important statistic of the game comes from the subcategory of red zone scores and possessions: 2-6 for UF with 1 touchdown, 1 field goal, 1 turnover on downs, and 3 turnovers (fumble and 2 interceptions); 2-2 for UM with 2 touchdowns PART ONE: DOWNS First down play selection 19 rushing plays / 15 passing plays for UF; 15 rush/9 pass for UM Average yards to go on second down 7.92 yards for UF; 8.63 yards for UM Second down play selection 17 rush/9 pass for UF; 7 rush/12 pass for UM Average yards to go on third down 5.33 yards for UF; 11.5 yards for UM Third down play selection 5 rush/10 pass for UF; 2 rush/9 pass for UM Third down conversion rate by play selection 3-5 rushing, 3-10 passing for UF; 0-2 rushing, 1-9 passing for UM FOURTH DOWN BREAKDOWN Punts 4 for UF; 9 for UM Field Goal Attempts 1 for UF First down/touchdown attempts 1 for UF Fourth down conversion rate 0-1 for UF BREAKDOWN OF FIRST DOWN/TD ATTEMPTS ON FOURTH DOWN FLORIDA Fourth and 1, middle of the second quarter, UF trailing 14-6, ball at UM 16-yard line (Run – QB sneak – unsuccessful) OTHER NOTES ABOUT PUNT/FIELD GOAL/FIRST DOWN ATTEMPTS ON FOURTH DOWN --Miami punted late in the first quarter and Florida blocked it. The Gators took over at the UM 15 and eventually drove for a touchdown, which made the score 7-6 UM. * PART TWO: FIELD POSITION Average starting field position: 34-yard line for UF, 30-yard line for UM Drives beginning in plus territory: 1 for UF, located at the UM 47 (the 50 to 36 section of the field). Result: interception. 1 for UM, located at the UF 5 (the red zone) Result: touchdown. * PART THREE: YARDS Yards gained when leading: 39 for UM Yards gained when trailing: 352 for UF Yards gained when tied: 32 for UF, 135 for UM Yards gained when leading by one score: 39 for UM Yards gained when trailing by one score: 292 for UF Yards gained when leading by two or more scores: -2 for UM Yards gained when trailing by two or more scores: 60 for UF * PART FOUR: TURNOVER DETAILS FUMBLES Recovered offensive fumbles that were 50-50 balls: 1 for UF Recovered defensive fumbles that were 50-50 balls: 3 for UM Lost fumbles in opponent's red zone: 1 for UF INTERCEPTIONS Easy interceptions made by defenders (ordinary effort): 1 for UF; 2 for UM Difficult interceptions dropped by defenders: 3 for FL Interceptions thrown in one-score games: 2 for UF Interceptions thrown in red zone: 2 for UF * PART FIVE: OFFICIATING AND MISCELLANY OBJECTIVELY BLOWN NON-REVIEWABLE CALLS IN FAVOR OF FLORIDA: -- No personal foul roughing the passer call on UF for hitting the QB in the helmet in the middle of the second quarter. This was on third and 10 and the pass was incomplete. Miami punted instead of having a first down with the drive continuing. OVERALL REPLAY REVIEW SITUATIONS AND SUCCESS RATES 2 reviews -- 2 correct calls 2 on-field rulings upheld PENALTIES/COACHING/MISCELLANY -- Florida had 3 turnovers in the first half in the red zone. The Gators trailed at the half, 14-6. -Florida went for 2 points on its first touchdown; the try was unsuccessful on a pass play.    StoryBox charts dropped interceptions, among other statistics. Dropped interceptions by Stanford definitely played a part in helping Michigan State win the 100th Rose Bowl game on Wednesday in Pasadena, Calif. STORYBOX: 2014 ROSE BOWL MICHIGAN STATE 24, STANFORD 20 Average yards to go on second down 8 yards for STAN; 11 yards for MSU Second down play selection 7 rush/11 pass for STAN; 11 rush/15 pass for MSU (plus a QB kneel-down) Average yards to go on third down 7 yards for STAN; 11 yards for MSU Third down play selection 5 rush/8 pass for STAN; 2 rush/11 pass for MSU (plus a QB kneel-down) Third down conversion rate by play selection 2-5 rushing, 2-8 passing for STAN; 1-2 rushing, 5-11 passing for MSU FOURTH DOWN BREAKDOWN Punts  5 for STAN; 6 for MSU Field Goal Attempts 2 for STAN; 1 for MSU First down/touchdown attempts 2 for STAN Fourth down conversion rate 0-2 for STAN BREAKDOWN OF FIRST DOWN/TD ATTEMPTS ON FOURTH DOWN STANFORD Fourth and four, 4:16 left in third quarter, tied 17-17, ball at MSU 37-yard line (rushing play – unsuccessful) Fourth and one, 1:45 left in fourth quarter, trailing 24-20, ball at own 34 (rushing play – unsuccessful) * OTHER NOTES FOR PUNTS, FIELD GOALS, AND FIRST DOWN ATTEMPTS ON FOURTH DOWN STANFORD kicked a field goal on fourth and four from the MSU 17, then fourth and nine from the MSU 26 after a penalty, when trailing 24-17 with 5:05 left in the fourth quarter. * PART TWO: FIELD POSITION Average starting field position: 25-yard line for STAN, 44-yard line for MSU Drives beginning inside own 10: 3 for STAN Did the defense leverage these drives into scores? Once YES, twice NO. MICHIGAN STATE: NO, the Spartans started a drive at their own 41 late in the second quarter but threw an interception. MICHIGAN STATE: NO, the Spartans started a drive at their own 35 late in the third quarter but eventually fumbled inside the Stanford 10. MICHIGAN STATE: YES, the Spartans started a drive at the Stanford 27 late in the third quarter and scored a touchdown. Drives beginning in plus territory: 1 for MSU, located at the STAN 27 (the 35 to 21 section of the field). Result: touchdown Red zone scores and possessions: 3-3 for STAN with only 1 touchdown and 2 field goals; 3-4 for MSU with 2 touchdowns, 1 field goal, and 1 fumble * PART THREE: YARDS Yards gained when leading: 80 for STAN, 7 for MSU Yards gained when trailing: 66 for STAN, 277 for MSU Yards gained when tied: 142 for STAN, 111 for MSU Yards gained when leading by one score: 80 for STAN, 7 for MSU Yards gained when trailing by one score: 66 for STAN, 127 for MSU Yards gained when trailing by two or more scores: 150 for MSU * PART FOUR: TURNOVER DETAILS FUMBLES Offensive fumbles easily recovered: 1 for STAN Defensive recoveries that should have been made but weren't: 1 for MSU Recovered defensive fumbles that were 50-50 balls: 1 for STAN INTERCEPTIONS Easy interceptions made by defenders (ordinary effort): 1 for STAN Difficult interceptions made by defenders: 1 for MSU Easy interceptions dropped by defenders: 2 for STAN Interceptions thrown on first down: 1 for STAN Interceptions thrown in one-score games: 1 for STAN, 1 for MSU Pick-sixes thrown: 1 for MSU * PART FIVE: OFFICIATING AND MISCELLANY OBJECTIVELY BLOWN NON-REVIEWABLE CALLS IN FAVOR OF MICHIGAN STATE: -- Defensive pass interference was called on Stanford in the end zone on what appeared to be an uncatchable pass (too high) at 10:50 of the second quarter. OVERALL REPLAY REVIEW SITUATIONS AND SUCCESS RATES 1 review – 1 correct call 1 on-field ruling upheld MISCELLANY -- All three of the Stanford drives that began inside the Cardinal’s own 10 began at the 8. --Each time Michigan State fell behind by two scores (10-0 and 17-7), it went on a scoring drive of 75 yards on its next possession.   The final game of the BCS turned out to produce one of its most heart-stopping title contests. Florida State prevailed after Jameis Winston’s two-yard touchdown throw to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds left, despite bad luck with fumbles plus the short end of the stick in the field position battle. STORYBOX: FLORIDA STATE 34, AUBURN 31 First down play selection 28 rushing plays/5 passing plays for AUB; 17 rush/11 pass for FSU Average yards to go on second down 7.8 yards for AUB; 6.9 yards for FSU Second down play selection 18 rush/10 pass for AUB; 9 rush/14 pass for FSU Average yards to go on third down 6.7 yards for AUB; 8.7 yards for FSU Third down play selection 5 rush/13 pass for AUB; 1 rush/11 pass for FSU Third down conversion rate by play selection 5-5 rushing, 5-13 passing for AUB; 0-1 rushing, 2-11 passing for FSU FOURTH DOWN BREAKDOWN Punts 6 for AUB; 6 for FSU Field Goal Attempts 2 for AUB; 2 for FSU First down/touchdown attempts 1 for FSU Fourth down conversion rate 1-1 for FSU BREAKDOWN OF FIRST DOWN/TD ATTEMPTS ON FOURTH DOWN FLORIDA STATE Fourth and 4, late 2nd quarter, trailing 21-3, ball at FSU 40 (rushing play– successful on fake punt) * PART TWO: FIELD POSITION Average starting field position: 34.1-yard line for AUB, 20.5-yard line for FSU Drives beginning inside own 10: 3 for FSU Did the defense leverage these drives into scores? AUBURN: YES on the first one, which resulted in an Auburn touchdown on its ensuing possession. NO on the other two, which resulted in a Florida State touchdown drive and (on a separate possession) a Nick Marshall interception. Drives beginning in plus territory: 2 for AUBURN. The first one was located at the FSU 25. Result: touchdown. The second was located at the FSU 27. Result: touchdown. Red zone scores and possessions: 3-4 for AUBURN with 2 touchdowns, 1 field goal, and 1 missed field goal 4-4 for FLORIDA STATE with 3 touchdowns and 1 field goal * PART THREE: YARDS Yards gained when leading: 247 for AUB Yards gained when trailing: 157 for AUB, 315 for FSU Yards gained when tied: 14 for AUB, 59 for FSU Yards gained when leading by one score: 168 for AUB, Yards gained when trailing by one score: 157 for AUB, 177 for FSU Yards gained when leading by two or more scores: 79 for AUB Yards gained when trailing by two or more scores: 138 for FSU * PART FOUR: TURNOVER DETAILS FUMBLES Muffed punts: 2 for AUB, both recovered by AUB Fumbled kickoffs: 1 for AUB, recovered by AUB INTERCEPTIONS Easy interceptions made by defenders (ordinary effort): 1 for FSU Easy interceptions dropped by defenders: 1 for AUB Difficult interceptions dropped by defenders: 1 for AUB Interceptions thrown in one-score games: 1 for AUB * PART FIVE: OFFICIATING AND MISCELLANY OBJECTIVELY BLOWN NON-REVIEWABLE CALLS IN FAVOR OF AUBURN Pass interference penalty missed on Auburn’s Chris Davis on third and nine, early in the second quarter. Facemask penalty missed during Jameis Winston’s scramble late in the second quarter. Horse collar tackle missed on Rashad Greene’s 49-yard catch and run late in the fourth quarter. OVERALL REPLAY REVIEW SITUATIONS AND SUCCESS RATES 1 review –1 correct call 1 on-field ruling upheld PENALTIES/COACHING/MISCELLANY FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher elected to try a fake punt on fourth down, trailing 21-3 from his own 40, late in the second quarter. The Seminoles converted and later scored their first touchdown of the game on the same drive. Florida State was flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after bringing the game to 21-19 (Auburn leading) early in the fourth quarter. The penalty was applied on the conversion, and the Seminoles elected to kick the PAT.