Penn State-Northwestern report card
Trending
Quarterback: F
Becht (26-41, 243) has regressed since Big Ten play started. He's now had a half-dozen balls deflected (two were then intercepted) in last two weeks. Missing open receivers. Hesitant in pocket. No Manske -- yet.
Running back: D
We don't know enough about these guys as O-line can't block for the run. Jim Brown would struggle (although he'd be harder to bring down). Rotation trimmed. Peoples (8-13) started and Hansen (4-19, 1 TD) looked better. Martin was 3-6.
Offensive line: F
Aside from lack of a run game (22-48), we've now had first-down penalties in the last two weeks wipe out positive plays -- Donkoh last week, this time Goodman. Riker was replaced at center by Ikakoula (54) in second half.
Receivers/Tight end: D
These guys were open and Becht couldn't connect. Eskildsen (6-45) and Sowell (5-68, 1TD) led and TEs Rapp and Brahmer each caught five. Zay Rob (2-24). Three times receivers made catches but didn't get to first-down marker. Finn/Burkle sprung Hansen TD.
Offensive coaching: F
OC Mouser said he watched three hours of Seinfeld to get mind off loss to Wisconsin. He might have binged-watched it all day Saturday. Nothing is working. Nits 5-14 on third down. That's 14-43 in last three weeks. Exacerbated by first- and second-down struggles.
Defensive line: F
Thought these guys were going to be space eaters. Gaping holes up front. Williams (99) finished with seven tackles. Lack of edge contain persists. Bacon active early. One sack, tho NW only passed 14 times. Didn't have to.
Linebackers: F
Quit counting missed tackles when it got to double-digits. Rojas led with 12 stops, including 3.5 for loss and sack. Too often, nobody home. Like Ebel, tho he made 11 tackles. Brezina key stop before floodgates opened.
Secondary: F+
Not many passes to defend. Zayas recovered fumble and continues to be around ball. Neal (31) did not start. Patton (3) instead. Run support awful. Thought to be injured, Dixson played. Tracy quiet.
Defensive coaching: F
What a disaster. Situation was so dire that coordinator Lynn came down from press box for second half -- a rare in-game move. No pass rush, no rush defense vs. a team (NW) that couldn't run vs. Indiana.
Special teams: D
He's been great but down 24-7, Nits desperately needed Barker FG and he missed. Allowed 25-yard PR (tho brought back for personal foul) and committed FC flag. Tiyce 7-41.1 -- 60-yarder and three inside 20. Zay Rob still fair-catching KOs. Can we be any less conservative?
The other guys: A+
One of the greatest nights in Northwestern football history. Debut an $850 million stadium and then turn in a performance to match it. Will be curious how far Wildcats go this year. Braun is very good coach.
Overall grade: F
Hard to think of a more lopsided, uncompetitive domination. Equal ineptness on both sides of ball, overpowered up front. To boot: No onside kick down 31-13 and punted from NW 43, down 24-7, in third quarter.