After some time to re-watch and chart a bit, some thoughts.
*defense first*
- I still have concerns about Styles' eyes and decision making. Especially coming from depth in the 2 high shells. And when he's playing as an off-ball weakside nickel and dime backer, he's just lost at times. He's an athlete without a home when his mind needs to work.
- Igby should have been called for holding on that first Penn State drive that stalled out on 3rd down. Again the big deal is finding and striking the balance on the physicality of his wingspan usage. It's a great weapon, but not if you can't control it. He also needs to remember things like leaning into contact and not moving his feet, that will bite him in the ass sooner rather than later.
- Watching Jack Sawyer come off the ball from a 3 point reminds me of Patrick Jones from Pitt a few years ago. His motion is feels so robotic and un-fluid like. His steps are choppy and high while his pad level gets up too quick. I think that's what works to hinder his lack of elite burst and that initial edge threaten as much as anything.
- Cody Simon was doing a good job early of minimizing the grey areas in our zone coverages and choking off/limiting throws and YAC. That was nice to see a linebacker working eyes and body in sync.
- The DL showed flashes where they patiently layered their pass rush across the front and made escaping for Allar risky both laterally and vertically. It might not be sexy or immediate, but against QB's who can get happy feet, you have to play with that degree of methodical to you. Which they did after they settled in.
*offense second*
- Donovan Jackson made some money. He isn't an OT in the NFL, but his effort and play reminded me of Yanda. An IOL who played OT in a pinch and was serviceable doing it. That level of utility gets you bank. But DJ is still a guard at the next level, but a guard with quality feet.
- Penn State's defensive coaching staff was well aware of the pass pro issues the Bucks OL are having in straight drops. On Howards pick, PSU came out and bluffed pressure from a single high, then ended up rotating to cover 2. Their DB's and LB's sat heavy at the marker just watching Howards eyes. Which he obliged them by taking his pre-snap look for granted and didn't pick up the rotation. He lead them right to the throw.
It was something I spoke about and broke down in Will's thread as early as week 1. When the warning signs are there, that eventually means danger ahead. If he wants a shot at the NFL, you don't make those mistakes. That wasn't any type of super exotic look that he failed to appropriately account for. Ball security is priority #1 and turnovers will break your career. Just ask Jaemis Wintson.
With that, he was a much smoother operator later on. His best work was running the option on the read and the speed. He isn't an elite runner, but he has enough to punish and play to the design and he gets every inch of it. He also does good things extended plays and not prematurely dropping his eyes. That 'run to throw' type QB.
I'm slightly shocked, with how aggressive Penn State's Dline was getting upfield, that I didn't see any HB lead QB draws. PSU ran it a couple times for first downs. They were handing it to us, namely when they worked to attack Jackson playing LT. I feel that was a big missed opportunity by the coaching staff to at least show it was in the bag.
- Q Junk did work. Hendo too, can't really give much word on the RB's.
- Jeremiah continues to be special.
- Rest of the OL mauled rather well and fired off in the running game. But across the board they leave a lot to be desired in pass blocking.
- This team absolutely has to function through the play action and high percentage passing game.
Penn State is a decent team, but not what we would call a top 5 by any usual standard. So far, this feels like a pretty down year for college football in general. Can't spot the other team 2 quick scores, especially on the road. Bucks showed showed grit and bowed their necks in the redzone, but by that same vein, PSU really didn't put their best foot forward to take it either.
Grateful for all wins, especially road conference ones. But there's a lot of work to do with this squad.
