re: 2 games in….

We could have ran the ball 40+ times and let JA run and put up massive numbers. Also, Hugh and others said we were once again taking what was given to us by the defense. Ball State was in quarters most of the game and refused to give up the explosive play. So we checked it down on hitches and outs all game long with solid efficiency. Also, Hugh noted that some of the sacks might have been due to us calling deep shots against coverage designed to prevent those.

I think the pass protection still needs some work. JA can thankfully bail us out of some of those, but we don’t want to rely on that. I haven’t seen many drops at all from receivers this year. I agree that our RB’s are solid but not world beaters. Based on the talent of our receivers, that’s probably alright. I really like that the coaching staff and QB are taking what’s given to them. That’s all we need to do to keep the chains moving and not turn it over. Great receivers to spread it to, solid RB’s, and a QB that can make the right read and take off when necessary makes for a pretty solid offense.

On defense, I really like what I see in the run game and pass rush. Secondary has plenty of depth. Defense will ultimately come down to turnovers and red zone stops in big games.

This team has enough talent to beat most teams on the schedule, but we will learn a lot in the Oklahoma and A&M games. Can this team get key first downs, and complete passes in big 4th quarter moments? Can the defense tackle and get off the field in big moments? We won’t know until we get in those situations. Looking forward to finding out.

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Simmons has not locked up the punt returner position IMO. Who is the next punt returner?

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Maybe someone has addressed this already, but is Rayshawn Pleasant not an option at PR? Seems like he’d be a perfect punt returner.

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Seems like he’d be a perfect punt returner.

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Simmons is just so erratic with his play. He's muffed punts two years in a row and lets the ball bounce entirely too much. He may be the best option we have, but he is risky

just got around to watching the highlights

didn’t know that BSU QB broke off a 21-yard run in the first half

and he had 1 completion of 16 yards and 2 more for 15 apiece

which means their other 45 offensive snaps combined for exactly 1 net yard

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Maybe someone has addressed this already, but is Rayshawn Pleasant not an option at PR? Seems like he’d be a perfect punt returner.

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I asked the same thing.

I just went digging into all his stats and apparently, he is just a kickoff return guy. He has no stats for punt returns. Only kickoffs.

Punts and kicks do fly different and maybe he isnt comfortable fielding punts. Its definitely not as easy as some make it look.