:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51226629/usa-today-9582775.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7230363/MINNSnp.0.jpg)
Offensive Notes:
- Chaz Wright is rather large, and brought a physical prescence to the interior of our OL in his limited snaps.
- Had a few 2-back plays in this one. A play-action fake pitch to Barkley, while Mark Allen came forward in pass pro, and an RPO where Robinson was the handoff while Barkley immediately released on a stick. Neither play worked out. Allen missed his blitz pickup, forcing McSorley to scramble and throw the ball away. Minnesota rotated into a single-high man-under look - thus negating McSorley's MLB read, since Barkley got covered (incomplete pass).
Defensive Notes:
- With Curtis Cothran's return, Tyrell Chavis moved to NT.
- I may have under-reported Jordan Smith's snaps. He was the corner opposite Reid for much of the second half, rather than a sub-package only guy. Congrats on the first career interception. It came at a pretty clutch time.
- Our LBs in overtime were: Cameron Brown (WLB), Manny Bowen (MLB), and Koa Farmer (SLB). If you called that one pre-season, give yourself a pat on the back. A casual, non-PSU fan might have thought Brent Pry had invented some crazy 5-safety defensive package.
This should be a Happy Occasion! Let's not bicker and argue about who killed whom.
1.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7230517/MINDEF1.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7230523/MINNDEF2.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7230529/MINNDEF3.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7230531/MINNDEF4.0.jpg)
Christian Campbell, surrounded by nothing but 400 square feet of vacant green grass, made a terrific tackle to limit the play above to a 6-yard gain when it looked certain it was going for 80. Unfortunately, he appeared to wreck his knee on the next snap. But this was a heckuva nice play by him (and Marcus Allen, who beat two blocks to register an assist).
2. Our DL played a metric ton better in the 2nd half. Here are MINN's RB-only rush attempts by half:
First Half: 21 for 128 yards, 6.1 ypc. Long of 16.
Second Half and OT: 22 for 96 yards; 4.3 ypc; Long of 37 (Brooks' TD when Cam Brown ran past him in the backfield). Subtract that one mistake, and you get 21 for 59 - a 2.8 ypc.
3. Welcome back, Marcus Allen.
4. Shareef Miller, Evan Schwan - best games yet.
5. Really great to meet you, Chaz Wright. Hope you visit more often.