We won?Just kidding, but going into the game I was just wanting a W even if on paper it looked like a blowout. I have many of the same concerns that Balas and others have expressed - penalties, mental mistakes, play calling, slow start. Even the decision to take the ball to open the game.
A couple things good and bad. DPJ has become a real threat on punt returns, but his best play was coming up on the run and fielding a short punt to preserve field position. Shea's ability to make a play when pressured or receivers are covered. Don't want to jinx him, but he's not forcing the ball into coverage, a real concern coming into the season. Gentry has become a clutch receiver. When we need to throw inside the 10, I'd like to see us put him in the slot and get him isolated on a DB.
The OL did a decent job, but for not picking up #97. Klatt pointed out that we were pulling Onwenu to take on #97 but he couldn't get there. Where have we heard that before? The OL opened some gaping holes for Higdon, and he was an ankle tackle away from popping a big play. As others have said, the quick hand off to Mason on short yardage plays is by far our best play. Almost impossible to stop. Cost us a turnover on downs at midfield when we didn't go to it.
If there was a stat for missing the tackle on a clean shot, Gil would be at the top of the list. He missed at least two of those early in the game that could have blown up plays and been drive killers for NU. He was also late recognizing the back out of the backfield on a critical third and 4 in the first quarter. NU easily got the first down on a pitch and catch.
The middle of our DL is just average. They hold their own by rarely move the line of scrimmage, which hurts our edge rushers when the QB can step up. Winovich had his best success taking an inside route to the QB. Uche and Paye really stepped up.
Finally, pleased with how solid Nordin is. Shorter FGs from the hash marks are not gimmes. Nordin put those through emphatically.
A couple things good and bad. DPJ has become a real threat on punt returns, but his best play was coming up on the run and fielding a short punt to preserve field position. Shea's ability to make a play when pressured or receivers are covered. Don't want to jinx him, but he's not forcing the ball into coverage, a real concern coming into the season. Gentry has become a clutch receiver. When we need to throw inside the 10, I'd like to see us put him in the slot and get him isolated on a DB.
The OL did a decent job, but for not picking up #97. Klatt pointed out that we were pulling Onwenu to take on #97 but he couldn't get there. Where have we heard that before? The OL opened some gaping holes for Higdon, and he was an ankle tackle away from popping a big play. As others have said, the quick hand off to Mason on short yardage plays is by far our best play. Almost impossible to stop. Cost us a turnover on downs at midfield when we didn't go to it.
If there was a stat for missing the tackle on a clean shot, Gil would be at the top of the list. He missed at least two of those early in the game that could have blown up plays and been drive killers for NU. He was also late recognizing the back out of the backfield on a critical third and 4 in the first quarter. NU easily got the first down on a pitch and catch.
The middle of our DL is just average. They hold their own by rarely move the line of scrimmage, which hurts our edge rushers when the QB can step up. Winovich had his best success taking an inside route to the QB. Uche and Paye really stepped up.
Finally, pleased with how solid Nordin is. Shorter FGs from the hash marks are not gimmes. Nordin put those through emphatically.
