A few observations after a game that ultimately won't be much of a barometer as we head into ACC play next week. Having said that, it's still worth noting what looked good/bad since, at the end of the day, you still have to go out and win this game.
-- For two weeks, this team has done a lot of little things right. Whatever Wagner is or isn't, they cost themselves any opportunity of hanging in the game by muffing two snaps, dropping a bunch of passes and turning the ball over a bunch. Cuse, meanwhile, took care of the ball for the most part, tackled decently, played four full quarters, did a nice job on the two short kickoffs, made a long FG ... just did a lot of those things that get lost in a huge blowout, but are important factors when you add them all up.
-- Special teams has been, by far, the most impressive unit on this team. Cordy had a long punt return and did a nice job picking up the punt at the end of the half and getting four yards while also not allowing another 5-10 seconds to drain off the clock. Riley had the nice return (both returns had something to do with the difference in talent between a P5 school and an FCS school, but still ...). The FG unit looked excellent for a second straight week, the coverage units didn't get tested but were fine for what was required, there was the big blocked punt and then the clothesline of the punter on the other. We had the one beautiful punt that was faircaught at the 15. Just a second straight week of flawless play there and by far -- by a country mile -- the best unit on this team.
-- Jarveon Howard is our best runner. I don't know about how well he blocks or knows the playbook or secures the ball, etc. I also know he's not Bo Jackson from Super Tecmo, but we need to be better running the ball and I'd be really surprised if he isn't the one splitting carries with Neal at some point this season. I'd actually like to see him get the most carries.
-- On the flip side, Neal is OK. Not bad in terms of hitting a hole, but doesn't have much power and has almost no wiggle. Groh made the point that he's got to make a man at the second level miss at some point. He doesn't do this. His long runs are the ones where you don't get touched and you just run. Strickland is less than OK, IMO. Not trying to crush the kid and he made a real nice cut on his longer TD run, setting up the defender outside, planting and busting up the middle for the score. But the play before that he got pulled down, from behind, with a full head of steam by a player from Wagner and landed on his backside. He's just not an ACC level RB, IMO.
-- Dungey doesn't look pretty very often but he's a guy who makes plays. Thought he did a nice job after getting pummeled on that one run in the end zone by 17 Wagner defenders, of avoiding getting hit the rest of the day. Hard guy to grade b/c he's unconventional but another nice game from him.
-- Tommy? Not sure. He didn't get much help but he didn't do too much either. I'm sure he'll be fine but still would love to see him come in and taste a little success before the calendar turns to October.
-- Nice to see some younger WRs get in the game. Not sure Taj's TD reception means he's headed for a Marvin Harrison-like career, but it's worth noting that he smelled the goalline there and got into the end zone. Thought Nykeim showed speed we' don't see from the other guys -- Custis included -- on that shovel pass/end-around deal. Outran the pursuit from the inside and turned in a really nice gain. Also ran past the defense and created a ton of separation on the TD catch. Would love to see if that translates for those two in bigger games down the road.
-- Solid game for Custis, terrible again for Butler and Riley is so small he looks outmatched physically (not in terms of speed, but sheer size and strength) even against an FCS team.
-- Ravian Pierce -- one catch, 3 yards. Should have made a play on that throw in the end zone but also feel like we may need to do a better job of forcefeeding him a few touches.
-- OL was OK, still reserving judgement. DL was excellent even with just two sacks. Need to see them next week to get an accurate gauge on what we have there, but at least nice to see them dominating tonight. Nice play by Richards on the pick.
-- LBs -- thought the activity was good but the tackling was only OK. Probably an issue all year for that group
-- Young DBs made some plays, which is great. Hopefully that leads to some confidence. Frederick actually got picked on a little with that back-shoulder throw. Jury still out there too, but some promising kids looking down the road, IMO.
Overall: These games can be tricky b/c if you don't win 62-10 everyone will be wringing their hands but when you do win by that margin everyone says it doesn't count. I'd say, at the end of the day, that there remain concerns at RB/WR/LB and maybe DB, and I know we're improved but I'm not sure we're really good at OL and DL, BUT there is at least a slim chance that they can battle with FSU and dream of a 3-0 start, which would be really nice heading into a game we should win against UConn. Will be interesting to watch regardless.
-- For two weeks, this team has done a lot of little things right. Whatever Wagner is or isn't, they cost themselves any opportunity of hanging in the game by muffing two snaps, dropping a bunch of passes and turning the ball over a bunch. Cuse, meanwhile, took care of the ball for the most part, tackled decently, played four full quarters, did a nice job on the two short kickoffs, made a long FG ... just did a lot of those things that get lost in a huge blowout, but are important factors when you add them all up.
-- Special teams has been, by far, the most impressive unit on this team. Cordy had a long punt return and did a nice job picking up the punt at the end of the half and getting four yards while also not allowing another 5-10 seconds to drain off the clock. Riley had the nice return (both returns had something to do with the difference in talent between a P5 school and an FCS school, but still ...). The FG unit looked excellent for a second straight week, the coverage units didn't get tested but were fine for what was required, there was the big blocked punt and then the clothesline of the punter on the other. We had the one beautiful punt that was faircaught at the 15. Just a second straight week of flawless play there and by far -- by a country mile -- the best unit on this team.
-- Jarveon Howard is our best runner. I don't know about how well he blocks or knows the playbook or secures the ball, etc. I also know he's not Bo Jackson from Super Tecmo, but we need to be better running the ball and I'd be really surprised if he isn't the one splitting carries with Neal at some point this season. I'd actually like to see him get the most carries.
-- On the flip side, Neal is OK. Not bad in terms of hitting a hole, but doesn't have much power and has almost no wiggle. Groh made the point that he's got to make a man at the second level miss at some point. He doesn't do this. His long runs are the ones where you don't get touched and you just run. Strickland is less than OK, IMO. Not trying to crush the kid and he made a real nice cut on his longer TD run, setting up the defender outside, planting and busting up the middle for the score. But the play before that he got pulled down, from behind, with a full head of steam by a player from Wagner and landed on his backside. He's just not an ACC level RB, IMO.
-- Dungey doesn't look pretty very often but he's a guy who makes plays. Thought he did a nice job after getting pummeled on that one run in the end zone by 17 Wagner defenders, of avoiding getting hit the rest of the day. Hard guy to grade b/c he's unconventional but another nice game from him.
-- Tommy? Not sure. He didn't get much help but he didn't do too much either. I'm sure he'll be fine but still would love to see him come in and taste a little success before the calendar turns to October.
-- Nice to see some younger WRs get in the game. Not sure Taj's TD reception means he's headed for a Marvin Harrison-like career, but it's worth noting that he smelled the goalline there and got into the end zone. Thought Nykeim showed speed we' don't see from the other guys -- Custis included -- on that shovel pass/end-around deal. Outran the pursuit from the inside and turned in a really nice gain. Also ran past the defense and created a ton of separation on the TD catch. Would love to see if that translates for those two in bigger games down the road.
-- Solid game for Custis, terrible again for Butler and Riley is so small he looks outmatched physically (not in terms of speed, but sheer size and strength) even against an FCS team.
-- Ravian Pierce -- one catch, 3 yards. Should have made a play on that throw in the end zone but also feel like we may need to do a better job of forcefeeding him a few touches.
-- OL was OK, still reserving judgement. DL was excellent even with just two sacks. Need to see them next week to get an accurate gauge on what we have there, but at least nice to see them dominating tonight. Nice play by Richards on the pick.
-- LBs -- thought the activity was good but the tackling was only OK. Probably an issue all year for that group
-- Young DBs made some plays, which is great. Hopefully that leads to some confidence. Frederick actually got picked on a little with that back-shoulder throw. Jury still out there too, but some promising kids looking down the road, IMO.
Overall: These games can be tricky b/c if you don't win 62-10 everyone will be wringing their hands but when you do win by that margin everyone says it doesn't count. I'd say, at the end of the day, that there remain concerns at RB/WR/LB and maybe DB, and I know we're improved but I'm not sure we're really good at OL and DL, BUT there is at least a slim chance that they can battle with FSU and dream of a 3-0 start, which would be really nice heading into a game we should win against UConn. Will be interesting to watch regardless.
