While we here at BSD have warned you countless times over the course of this past weekend about the dangers of putting too much stock into a spring football game, we couldn't help ourselves and decided to try our attempt at some #analysis via position grades, knowing full well that the teams were not set up for a fair fight.
Also, before you launch into a Tim, what the hell are you smoking, and where can I get some? type of tirade in the comments section:I am going off a combination of my own memory, my DVR recording of the game, and a little bit of GoPSUSports.com's box score to help me out with slapping these grades together.
Quarterback: A-
It's really hard to be critical of a group that was led by Trace McSorley's 23-for-27, 281 yards, and four touchdowns passing as well as Tommy Stevens looking like a good fit for Joe Moorhead's offense when given the chance to get some run with the first team towards the end of the game. It's especially hard not to be excited when seeing the highlight of McSorley checking down and finding a streaking DeAndre Thompkins for one of the four touchdowns he threw, all within a matter of a couple of seconds. The minus however, is for Trace's interception thrown on one of the drives where the Blue squad was marching inside White's 30-yard line.
Running Back: A
I for one, am really glad that Saquon Barkley did not see a single snap on Saturday, as there was no need to risk any sort of freak injury to a proven commodity. Instead, we saw a new and improved Mark Allen showing Barkley-esque cutback ability breaking a few nice runs and Andre Robinson reminding folks why he was one of the Top 10 rated high school players in Pennsylvania with a 28-yard TD run of his own. With the much-anticipated arrival of Miles Sanders later this Summer, it's hard not to be giddy about this stable of running backs.
Wide Receiver/Tight End: A
We already know about the dependabilitiy of Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton, but Saeed Blacknall showcased how he is ready to become just as dependable as the aforementioned two receivers, catching five balls for 45 yards and a touchdown. Mike Gesicki also looked like a newly confident pass catcher and it appears that he will be utilized as the receiving weapon he is capable of becoming in Joe Moorhead's offensive system.
Offensive Line: B-
Let's preface this by saying that the Blue squad (i.e. first team) unit was solid, allowing time for McSorley to throw and creating running lanes. Most notable was seeing Ryan Bates and Noah Beh start for the Blue squad's line. The White squad unit on the other hand, still found itself getting manhandled. While Matt Limegrover certainly has his work cut out ahead of him, we can still say that things are better than they were a year ago, and especially from two years ago. Progress, ladies and gentlemen!
Defensive Line: B
Kevin Givens garnered the most praise on the D-line for his performance, plowing through whatever opposing O-lineman went up against him and disrupting things at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield to finish with 3.5 tackles for losses and a pair of sacks. Evan Schwan, Garrett Sickels, and Colin Castagna also stood out, with Schwan causing a safety by 'sacking Tommy Stevens in the end zone.
Linebacker: B
With Nyeem Wartman-White and Brandon Bell sitting out to heal up, guys such as Manny Bowen, Jake Cooper, and Jan Johnson got a chance to shine for a rather thin unit. While the linebackers didn't do anything truly noteworthy, they were steady enough.
Secondary: C+
Amani Oruwariye stuck out the most from this unit, garnering an interception off Trace McSorley and breaking up a few other passes. At the same time, this unit did get torched, albeit it was the second team secondary going up against first teamers so we're grading this one on a curve.
Special Teams: D
For all that there was to be excited about with the offense, there was very little to get excited about with regards to the special teams. Daniel Pasquerillo averaged merely 39 yards on his four punts and Tyler Davis, when he wasn't busy low line-driving kickoffs towards the sidelines, missed a 42-yard field goal towards the end of the game. Needless to say, it will be quite the shocker if Blake Gillikin and Alex Barbir aren't your starting punter and placekicker, respectively for the Kent State game on September 3rd.