The Good
- Domination.
- A very hot start (touchdown in the first 18 seconds of the game) and put up 41 points. Overall a very productive first half.
- Nice kick return by Ralph David Abernathy. The return game and starting field position should be much better this year.
- Isaiah Pead is showing people why he’s the best running back in the Big East
- Nice rotation along the D-Line. There are 9 players that can rotate in at any point (Stewart, Wolfe, Hughes, Giordano, Beard, Mills, Hilty, Stepp, and Lozano). The coaching staff is using them well.
- Great kickoffs by Miliano. Bearcats fans are used to a huge leg out of Jake Rogers and it looks like they’ve got a solid replacement in the Elder grad. He also been known to make field goals from beyond the 50.
- Very solid defense all the way around. Great pass rush which, as we thought, greatly improved the pass defense (Schaffer had a pick), and they held Austin Peay to ZERO points in the first half.
- I like the versatility of having the wildcat formation.
The Bad (not a whole lot here but if I had to be picky…)
- I can see why Coach Jones said the starting kicking job is still a work in progress. Miliano missed his first EXTRA POINT attempt. Eesh.
- I’m not confident in the offensive line’s push on running plays, especially up the middle (look at you Evan Davis).
For the second half, the first string offense and defense should get only 1 series each. This is the most critical thing I look for in the final thirty minutes. I’d actually be happy if the 2nd stringers started when they came out of the locker room. The backup quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, and linebackers in particular need in game reps. Austin Peay isn’t going to win. Get your younger guys experience. The offensive line and secondary, though, should remain for most of the third quarter. They could use all the reps they can get.