Okay, let's do this.
First throw: one-read 6 yard out with the CB playing 9 yards off the receiver. Every QB in D1 should make that throw.
Second throw: one-read 6-yard curl with another 6 yard out on the outside where the OC knows the inside defender is going to take the out based on coverage. Another pretty easy, routine throw.
Third throw: Yet another one-read throw that Tommy held too long after his guy was already open. Pass gets batted and nearly picked. That one's on Tommy.
Fourth throw: one-read throw that his receiver runs the wrong route on, but even if the receiver was running the correct route (probably a comeback or out), Tommy let the pressure get to him and one-hops an early throw into the ground on either of those routes (it hits the ground at the numbers).
Fifth throw: Great evasion of pressure and hitting the guy whose defender had slipped. Fantastic pocket presence and throw, although his guy was pretty wide open. This is really good.
Sixth throw: Another one-read out route. Every D1 QB should make that throw.
Seventh throw: This sequence really shows Tommy's weaknesses as a pure passer, along with his strengths as a playmaker. I do wonder what MSU was going for here, drawing up a long-developing pass play (although it looks like Dowler? might be a hot route that Tommy never even looks at) with pressure. Tommy locks in on one route and just stares it down before the pocket collapses. Jones does a great job improvising and getting open in the hole in the defense. Tommy makes a good enough throw (it's a bit behind Jones) to get another first.
Eighth throw: Yet another one-read throw to the out that's very low, but put in a decent place the receiver should be able to catch. The route concepts on this play seem weird, but I can't see what's going on near the endzone. It looks like the other receivers are covered, but impossible to say.
Ninth throw: Another one-read throw that's a little late/not anticipated very well, although he makes a fantastic play zipping the ball into Ty here, so the good throw counters out the delay. Great play.
This was a fantastic series drawn up by the coaches to make best use of Tommy's skills (and limitations) as a passer. This is why I always say he's a great QB for you guys.
But half the starting QBs in FCS could run that same concepts and make those throws (pressure notwithstanding). There was not a single difficult throw there, excluding the one to Ty, but it was hard because Tommy held the ball too long.
I realize I'm being harsh here, but if you're trying to argue Tommy is suddenly a great dropback passer, I'm going to call bullshit, and a more competent DC with a better secondary likely doesn't let these easy throws move all the way down the field.
But you have to praise Tommy for getting it done here. He went out and won that game, which was a great job by him.
