Before I dive in and highlight some things I saw tonight, just was very glad that we came out and put this team away before the 1st half ended. We all remember the first games with Eastern Kentucky and NDSU that didn't go so well, so this is a good sign that our boys took care of business like a ranked team should. Now for the meat and potatoes of the observations by position:
QB Play: We have an elite guy at QB. He missed a couple early, but he threw some dimes the rest of the way. If he can spread the rock around like he did tonight all season long, we are going to be averaging in the high 30's every game. Skylar Thompson is going to be fun to watch. While he impressed with his running tonight, he's an even better passer. Future is bright at QB.
RB Play: Alex Barnes looked good, and he's the one we need to ride. I like the change of pace with Warmack, but Barnes is the real deal. He is just hard to tackle without giving up some yardage. Central Arkansas did it a couple times, and that is saying something because nobody in the Big 12 last year could do it. Thought Burns and McCoy looked tentative and raw, like they should. 1st game experience, and they will only get better.
WR Play: Overall a dominant night for our receivers. While Pringle dropped a TD pass, he also was open all night long. He is going to have a big season, just needs to catch the passes in the End Zone (aka WVU 2016). Not sure many teams can handle his speed and size. Love Isaiah Harris and the dimension he brings to the offense. Not sure if Heath was injured, but thought Harris showed that he can be a legit deep threat, and the slot receiver that causes headaches for defenses. Zuber is still the one that could explode and be a star. He's so fast. Loved the flawless reversal in the end zone to go get the touchdown pass. With Heath healthy, and Schoen showing some flashes, this is going to be a great group of WR's.
OL Play: I thought the group up front did a nice job in pass pro, but really need to get the run blocking going. The physicality didn't appear to be the same as it was against Texas A&M in the last game in 2016. I would bet the run game and blocking will be a big emphasis heading into Charlotte. The talent and size is there, but the OL needs to get that toughness back in the run game. They will.
DL Play: I thought the interior guys played well. They stuffed the run up the middle and had a good push. Didn't think the defensive ends played very well. Really liked Ball, and thought he played like a guy who can disrupt things. Just think we have been spoiled by Willis the past couple of years. He will be missed, but I'm guessing Reggie Walker will evolve into that guy soon, just needs more time. He had some good plays.
LB Play: This was the big area of concern going into the season. Two new guys, and the question of speed certainly popped up in the 1st half. That option was giving the defense some issues, as it does for many teams. Kirby showed some speed at times, just looked like a guy that was playing his first college football game as well. He has the capability to evolve into a steady player and I think the more comfortable he gets, the more plays he will make in space. I think there is no question that at times we didn't appear to have the speed we have had the past couple of years against the run, especially against the option. That said, the young players in Hughes and Sullivan did show that speed, and by all accounts, the word on Patton is he has plenty of speed to be a sideline to sideline guy. Jury is out on this position until more data can be compiled.
DB Play: Thought both corners at times looked good, and at other times, didn't make plays in man coverage. 1st game issues I'm sure, but these two on the edge should be the strength of the defense. I like the way Cre Moore runs to the football, just didn't tackle efficiently against Central Arkansas. He's been out for a while with an injury, so expecting that to change for the better. As for safety, I thought Goolsby was where he should have been. I didn't see any glaring plays where Adams was not where he should be, but also wanted to see more quick reactions from him as a guy who is returning starter. He showed that last year in the bowl game and down the back stretch of the season. I liked what I saw from Elijah Walker. He is going to be fun to watch moving forward.
Overall, special teams play was great except for the missed FG. Felt like this team has a high ceiling, and the improvement week to week will be very visible. Especially with the defense as they have several new faces in prominent roles. I'm a glass half full guy, so I think we will be just fine in the Big 12. Will be a fun season to be a Wildcat.
QB Play: We have an elite guy at QB. He missed a couple early, but he threw some dimes the rest of the way. If he can spread the rock around like he did tonight all season long, we are going to be averaging in the high 30's every game. Skylar Thompson is going to be fun to watch. While he impressed with his running tonight, he's an even better passer. Future is bright at QB.
RB Play: Alex Barnes looked good, and he's the one we need to ride. I like the change of pace with Warmack, but Barnes is the real deal. He is just hard to tackle without giving up some yardage. Central Arkansas did it a couple times, and that is saying something because nobody in the Big 12 last year could do it. Thought Burns and McCoy looked tentative and raw, like they should. 1st game experience, and they will only get better.
WR Play: Overall a dominant night for our receivers. While Pringle dropped a TD pass, he also was open all night long. He is going to have a big season, just needs to catch the passes in the End Zone (aka WVU 2016). Not sure many teams can handle his speed and size. Love Isaiah Harris and the dimension he brings to the offense. Not sure if Heath was injured, but thought Harris showed that he can be a legit deep threat, and the slot receiver that causes headaches for defenses. Zuber is still the one that could explode and be a star. He's so fast. Loved the flawless reversal in the end zone to go get the touchdown pass. With Heath healthy, and Schoen showing some flashes, this is going to be a great group of WR's.
OL Play: I thought the group up front did a nice job in pass pro, but really need to get the run blocking going. The physicality didn't appear to be the same as it was against Texas A&M in the last game in 2016. I would bet the run game and blocking will be a big emphasis heading into Charlotte. The talent and size is there, but the OL needs to get that toughness back in the run game. They will.
DL Play: I thought the interior guys played well. They stuffed the run up the middle and had a good push. Didn't think the defensive ends played very well. Really liked Ball, and thought he played like a guy who can disrupt things. Just think we have been spoiled by Willis the past couple of years. He will be missed, but I'm guessing Reggie Walker will evolve into that guy soon, just needs more time. He had some good plays.
LB Play: This was the big area of concern going into the season. Two new guys, and the question of speed certainly popped up in the 1st half. That option was giving the defense some issues, as it does for many teams. Kirby showed some speed at times, just looked like a guy that was playing his first college football game as well. He has the capability to evolve into a steady player and I think the more comfortable he gets, the more plays he will make in space. I think there is no question that at times we didn't appear to have the speed we have had the past couple of years against the run, especially against the option. That said, the young players in Hughes and Sullivan did show that speed, and by all accounts, the word on Patton is he has plenty of speed to be a sideline to sideline guy. Jury is out on this position until more data can be compiled.
DB Play: Thought both corners at times looked good, and at other times, didn't make plays in man coverage. 1st game issues I'm sure, but these two on the edge should be the strength of the defense. I like the way Cre Moore runs to the football, just didn't tackle efficiently against Central Arkansas. He's been out for a while with an injury, so expecting that to change for the better. As for safety, I thought Goolsby was where he should have been. I didn't see any glaring plays where Adams was not where he should be, but also wanted to see more quick reactions from him as a guy who is returning starter. He showed that last year in the bowl game and down the back stretch of the season. I liked what I saw from Elijah Walker. He is going to be fun to watch moving forward.
Overall, special teams play was great except for the missed FG. Felt like this team has a high ceiling, and the improvement week to week will be very visible. Especially with the defense as they have several new faces in prominent roles. I'm a glass half full guy, so I think we will be just fine in the Big 12. Will be a fun season to be a Wildcat.
