Blame Cathy and Cleo for losing the game vs LSU!

Final game of the 2013 season: Arkansas ahead of LSU 24-21 with 1:22 remaining in the game. Injured starting QB Mettenberger has been replaced by Freshmen Anthony Jennings.

Many fans are more than happy that Chris Ash is no longer the defensive coordinator, and have high hopes for a turn around next season. As a whole the terrible performance in 2013 was not solely his fault. There are a million excuses, not enough talent, lack of depth, struggling offense, etc. The defense struggled in all facets of the game, and one area that has been repeated in the months since the season ended has been lack of communication. Coach Bielema made it a focus to mention that communication break downs were a big part of the problem. Most would take that as a direct indictment of the coach in charge of communication by the defensive backs.

So here is one costly example of that breakdown. You can blame Cathy and Cleo, they screwed up and let a Fresh LSU QB drive 99 yards down the field and score the go ahead TD.

CATHY is the call that Ash used for his pattern reading Cover 4 "Quarters" zone. This coverage is made specifically to stop the vertical pass play that LSU called on this 3rd and 10. Here are the responsibilities involved for the Corners:

LSU lines up in 2 backs and 0 tight end personnel. They have two WR to the field side, which should have given the Secondary a "Cathy" call. This would mean if number two receiver is vertical over 10 yards then the corner plays number one receiver. Safety Plays number two vertical, and the OLB plays curl and takes number three to the flat. (Which in this case there is not a #3)
Here is what the coverage should have looked like on this play.

Instead the Corner hesitates thinking that he has the out route by the slot reciever and lets the outside WR run right by him for a TD. 

Cleo: The corner plays the first outside and the safety plays the first inside, regardless of their depth. the Corner would play any deep out by the final number one.

Here it is full speed.

Will better communication prevent a Sophomore CB from making a mistake in a clutch situation? Not necessarily. But if some calls are simplified a close game like LSU 2013 may just have a different outcome. Its a loooong offseason. Lets see what else I can dig up between now and opening day.