- Joined
- Aug 6, 2026
- Messages
- 54
QB - We all had high expectations for Darian but he found a way to exceed those expectations. He's truly a special talent. He is the perfect mix of Cam & Carson's strengths. He had complete control of the offense & was a perfect 8/8 vs the blitz. He is in a class of his own.
Running Game ( RB/OL ) - A lot has been said about the lack of a running game on Friday , but stanford picked their poison and sold out to stop the run. We consistently faced 7 man boxes and at that point it's just a numbers game. They brought more bodies that we could block.
WRs - We all saw Malachi make his stake as the best WR in CFB , but I loved what the others brought. Cooper's TD was the direct result of Mali's gravity as a playmaker. Both safeties doubled Mali and ran with him on the crosser leaving coop 1v1 with the corner who he absolutely cooked. A lot has been said about who will be WR3 between upshaw & Josh but to me it's never been about who's going to beat out who. It was about how could they both bring their own flare to the X position , and we saw it. Upshaw was really good in space and his contested catch ability surprised ne. Josh was really good over the middle and was so close to having the catchbif the year on a 1 hand for a TD. Both had 3 catches for 30-35 yards and that's what i expect from them.
TE - It was a inconsistent night for Lofton. He made some good blocks and had a nice 14 yard catch but he had 2 penalties 1 that erased a long Marty run. We need him to be more consistent.
OL - Samson & Matt looked amazing holding down the tackle positions. SJ was awful , to me he's a pure center. He looked lost at guard. Ryan had the 1 bad snap but looked solid besides that. Max was a bit inconsistent as well but for the most oart he was solid. Cantwell looked like a freshman playing his first FBS game. He did a really good job in pass protection but he needs to climb to the 2nd level vs the run a bit better. Overall I'd give them a B- as a group.
DL - Ive seen a lot of people complaining about the lack of sacks but they caused 5 holding calls. I count those as sacks. Everyone wanted to see how Marquise faired against the run & he was dominant , 9 tackles which led the team. I was surprised to see Blount starting over Wilson , but he looked amazing. He had rhe lone sack in the game & was a wrecking ball vs the run. Wilson was quiet but he got his hand on the ball & he was getting chipped all night. The DT group was stout & gave great push in the middle all night.
LB - Mo looked decent outside of the big run where he got lushed out his gap & getting beat on the TE wheel route. Other than that he was fine. Chase is the one Im more skeptical about. I think him and Mo provide the same things & I'd rather 1 of bobby or wiley starting next to Mo. both are better vs the pass & gives more athleticism at the Will. Bonner Marcelin Bobby & Wiley all looked good when they got in.
CB - it sucked that OJ got hurt but Im confident in X , EOC , Damari , Waters , Jennings and Mack. Communication was a bit off but that comes with the 1st real game.
S - Poyser & Fitz played a clean game and picked up right where they left off last year. Omar was late on a couple routes but he's new in this defense & is still getting comfortable. JJ man that kid is going to be special. I could even see him getting some CB4 reps if needed. He's so violent vs the run & has elite range.
K/P - we only got to see 1 FGA but Weinberg drilled a 48 yarder. We almost had a punt blocked which almost gave me ptsd but the punter did a good job getting the ball off. We need to clean that up.
Overall it was a dominant showing in all 3 phases. We have some things to work like all teams do in week 1 but when we get in a rhythm we will be a real force to reckoned with.
Running Game ( RB/OL ) - A lot has been said about the lack of a running game on Friday , but stanford picked their poison and sold out to stop the run. We consistently faced 7 man boxes and at that point it's just a numbers game. They brought more bodies that we could block.
WRs - We all saw Malachi make his stake as the best WR in CFB , but I loved what the others brought. Cooper's TD was the direct result of Mali's gravity as a playmaker. Both safeties doubled Mali and ran with him on the crosser leaving coop 1v1 with the corner who he absolutely cooked. A lot has been said about who will be WR3 between upshaw & Josh but to me it's never been about who's going to beat out who. It was about how could they both bring their own flare to the X position , and we saw it. Upshaw was really good in space and his contested catch ability surprised ne. Josh was really good over the middle and was so close to having the catchbif the year on a 1 hand for a TD. Both had 3 catches for 30-35 yards and that's what i expect from them.
TE - It was a inconsistent night for Lofton. He made some good blocks and had a nice 14 yard catch but he had 2 penalties 1 that erased a long Marty run. We need him to be more consistent.
OL - Samson & Matt looked amazing holding down the tackle positions. SJ was awful , to me he's a pure center. He looked lost at guard. Ryan had the 1 bad snap but looked solid besides that. Max was a bit inconsistent as well but for the most oart he was solid. Cantwell looked like a freshman playing his first FBS game. He did a really good job in pass protection but he needs to climb to the 2nd level vs the run a bit better. Overall I'd give them a B- as a group.
DL - Ive seen a lot of people complaining about the lack of sacks but they caused 5 holding calls. I count those as sacks. Everyone wanted to see how Marquise faired against the run & he was dominant , 9 tackles which led the team. I was surprised to see Blount starting over Wilson , but he looked amazing. He had rhe lone sack in the game & was a wrecking ball vs the run. Wilson was quiet but he got his hand on the ball & he was getting chipped all night. The DT group was stout & gave great push in the middle all night.
LB - Mo looked decent outside of the big run where he got lushed out his gap & getting beat on the TE wheel route. Other than that he was fine. Chase is the one Im more skeptical about. I think him and Mo provide the same things & I'd rather 1 of bobby or wiley starting next to Mo. both are better vs the pass & gives more athleticism at the Will. Bonner Marcelin Bobby & Wiley all looked good when they got in.
CB - it sucked that OJ got hurt but Im confident in X , EOC , Damari , Waters , Jennings and Mack. Communication was a bit off but that comes with the 1st real game.
S - Poyser & Fitz played a clean game and picked up right where they left off last year. Omar was late on a couple routes but he's new in this defense & is still getting comfortable. JJ man that kid is going to be special. I could even see him getting some CB4 reps if needed. He's so violent vs the run & has elite range.
K/P - we only got to see 1 FGA but Weinberg drilled a 48 yarder. We almost had a punt blocked which almost gave me ptsd but the punter did a good job getting the ball off. We need to clean that up.
Overall it was a dominant showing in all 3 phases. We have some things to work like all teams do in week 1 but when we get in a rhythm we will be a real force to reckoned with.