Ten takeaways:
(1) I'm assuming that Feagin was prepared by the staff going into that endplay to go down or it was something discussed during camp, but kudos to him. I still think you go up two scores whenever you can because there is no such thing as complete risk elimination. Still, good run by Feagin to end it and making a snap decision from a true freshman.
(2) I'll go down in the ship for Altmyer. That he can even function with this offensive line is a testament to his arm and scrambling abilities. He's not perfect but he has plenty of tools to succeed for multiple years.
(3) About the offensive line... 120th in pass blocking (out of 133). 82nd in run blocking. I mentioned two weeks ago about the risk of moving Adams to right tackle. That risk is playing out in real time. Guess when Adams moved to right tackle (one row for each game):
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These are PFF scores, ranging from 0-100. When the initial issue was mis-playing a guard at right tackle, it's a tough pill to swallow to repeat the issue with your other starting guard. These numbers are pretty close to Crisler's first two games. The offensive line answers are Kreutz at center, Pearl at left tackle, and Adams at left guard. I'm out on Crisler being a starter moving forward. His doing better at RG than RT but it's still bad. Again, the staff has earned their bones on offensive line development over the years. Maybe they see what Crisler is providing during practice and games, and believe he is starting to progress. If that's true, he really needs to turn the corner soon. Assuming Crisler full-time or a mix with Slaughter/Gesky is the answer at RG, still a big question at RT. Whitenack got a couple RT snaps at Penn State. Dream scenario would have been a FAU blowout so he could have gotten 15ish snaps there, but that didn't happen. It's also scary to roll out a RT for the first time, like ever, as you enter B1G conference schedule. We know nothing about Whitenack besides anecdotal comments. Maybe the staff really likes him? Maybe they know him and Henderson are not ready and it's why they are trying every possible Adams/Crisler/Slaughter/Gesky/Barlev combination with the RT + guard spots?
(4) OL part II (happy thoughts). Kreutz is still very solid. Happy he'll be around for two more seasons. For those keeping score, his PFF grades are still higher than Avery Jones'.
(5) Feagin and Laughery showed something that game. Find a way to get them more carries, especially early. I've become a McCray hater. He has 16 carries for 36 yards in the first half this season. Not sure I love him for short yardage over a Altmyer sneak. Just mothball him until the second half, preferably the 4th quarter.
(6) Isaiah Williams is such a joy to watch. Great security blanket for QB. Provides an important dynamic, athleticism to this WR corp.
- He's now 10th all-time in receiving yards. He's on pace for 72 catches for 1,332 yards this season, which would vault him to 2nd all-time in receiving yards and catches.
(7) Offense is still looking for ways to stretch the field (offensive line issues withstanding). Didn't expect their most effective solution being the tight ends. Two, 40+ yard catches for TEs today was a nice relief. Also will help stretch out linebackers and make the offensive line's job (slightly) easier for run blocking. Reiman and Moore both on pace for 400+ yard receiving seasons.
(8) Defensive line is fully back and running at 100%. Even the backups (Barnes, Edwards, Bryant) are putting up solid grades.
(9) Tobe had a fantastic game. He's been targeted six times with only one catch for four yards. He's still only at ~40 snaps, so it's only a good start. With the Strain + Nicholson injuries, plus Bailey + Hill out for the year at safety, any great performances in the secondary, especially from younger players, are very refreshing.
(10) Hugh Robertson has put that bad 2022 behind him and locked down the starting job for the next 1.5 seasons. He's now T-3rd in B1G punting average. 4th in Net.
