Don't know if they are excuses, but reasons. DR has also shrunk badly the last several games. He lost his confidence.
But it is not easy to have confidence with poor play calling, poor blocking, poor route running and overall shit for offensive scheme. RB's are mid at best so no running game. Running game gets us behind the sticks consistently.
We are only decent against poor competition. Even with a 5 star QB who IS really good, but a frosh, and now rattled badly. This is how you regress as a program - poor coaching hires, poor scheme, and not enough playmakerrs on either side of the ball. Oh, and AWFUL special teams. Bad in all phases at this point. One true frosh 5 star QB is not making up for all of that shit show.