With the lack of a running game they could play press coverage on our WRs all game long. With the refs not calling PI or holding we were never getting free. With a freshman QB we could not improvise like we would with an experienced QB. With a tired offensive line we could not hold a big physical defense long enough for better routes to develop.
And frankly, when the WRs were open, Tanner didn't deliver the ball on time or within 3 yards of the receiver.
Yesterday was all about injuries and fatigue. That is football 101. Not some analysis that assumes Anae doesn't know what he's doing.
But one of the keys for me yesterday was the officiating. There were 3 blatantly fake calls that I think were intentional. One didn't matter (tackling the QB low), but the other two were big momentum changers early in the game. Then with all the holding of our WRs there was absolutely zero chance our pass game was going to take off.
I don't say this very often, and for the first three games I have thought the officiating was good. But yesterday I think the refs were cheating. The calls were too ridiculous to think otherwise. I thought the same thing against Wisconsin a couple of years ago with the fake late hit calls. Wonder if it was the same crew.