Category Archives: In-game reports

NCAA FB, 2018, In-game reports, 2018, Articles

West Virginia vs. Tennessee, 9-1-18: In-game report

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In a heavily anticipated non-conference battle in Charlotte, North Carolina, West Virginia strong-armed Tennessee in the trenches, en route to a 40-14 victory.  DraftNasty’s Troy Jefferson gives his impressions in this in-game report:

7 Will Grier (6’2, 223) West Virginia QB-Senior

Grier, pictured, went over the 300-yard passing mark for the 10th time as a Mountaineer.

Will Grier, West Virginia’s Heisman candidate, didn’t disappoint. The senior completed 25-of-34 passes for 429 yards and five touchdowns.  Grier (6’2, 223) showed a natural feel in the pocket and looked like a quarterback who knew what he wanted to do snap-to-snap.  His patience shined throughout the game.  Perhaps his best throw of the afternoon came on a fade to senior wide receiver Gary Jennings Jr. (6’2, 215), pictured left, where he placed the ball perfectly to the receiver’s outside shoulder for a touchdown.  The senior enjoyed strong pass protection and only helped himself by being able to avoid the rush with his quick feet.  However, Grier would be better served at the next level if he’s able to develop the ability “to climb” in the pocket rather than shuffle from side-to-side, like he did on too many occasions against the Volunteers.  All things considered, he put together a performance worthy of a player who many pundits believe will be one of the better quarterbacks in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.

18 David Sills V (6’4, 210) West Virginia WR-Senior

For the eighth time over the course of the last two seasons, Sills V registered at least two receiving touchdowns in a game.

All good quarterbacks need a receiver who can make plays. For Grier, that receiver is Sills V.  Sills V used his size “to box out corners”, making it hard for the Volunteers secondary to work against him. The senior wide receiver also showed he can run the complete route tree and bend his knees/ upper body to get in-and-out of his breaks. The former Mountaineers signal-caller finished the afternoon with seven catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

9 Tim Jordan (5’11, 230) Tennessee RB-Sophomore

Jordan was one of the lone bright spots for the Volunteers, who looked inept on offense.  Jordan, only a sophomore, was able to use outside carries off tackle to rack up 118 rushing yards on 20 carries. He broke a run outside to score a touchdown in the third quarter. Jordan had a good game but the Tennessee offensive line will have to improve in both the pass and run blocking departments to compete in the SEC.

Mountaineers defense

West Virginia’s defense was aggressive from the jump.  Senior defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow (6’4 307), a former USC Trojan, started off the game with a quick rip move to derail a run up the middle on the first play of the contest.  On the next drive, Bigelow once again beat a Volunteers interior lineman off the snap to record a tackle for loss. He finished the contest with two tackles for loss and one forced fumble.  The Mountaineers defense went about 20 players deep and used various defensive packages to stifle the Volunteers, especially on third downs.  On the outside, West Virginia used a lot of man coverage and did it quite effectively.  The Mountaineers allowed Tennessee to convert on just 35-percent of its third down attempts (5-of-14), while allowing a paltry 301 yards of total offense (172 passing yards, 129 rushing yards). 

NCAA FB, 2018, In-game reports, 2018, Articles

Western Michigan vs. Syracuse, 8-31-18: In-game report

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The Western Michigan Broncos and the Syracuse Orange engaged in a high scoring back and forth battle on Friday night.  However, the Orange used an overpowering first half to defeat the Broncos, winning by a final score of 55-42.  DraftNasty’s Troy Jefferson gives his impressions in this in-game report:

17 Jamal Custis 6’5, 224 Syracuse WR- Senior

Custis’ 168-yard receiving performance exceeded his career total entering 2018 (142 yards).

Former Syracuse wide receivers Amba Etta-Tawo and Steve Ishmael were workhorse-types who could be depended on to carry Syracuse’s offense at times.  Custis’ performance on Friday night indicates that he is capable of similar production.  The senior wide receiver put the team on his back in the first half, making two spectacular over the shoulder grabs, one of which resulted in a touchdown.  He finished the night with six catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns.  His best grab may have come in the second half when after running towards the sideline at full speed, he reached back with his left hand for an impressive one-handed grab.  He then used his size to bull his way into the end zone after making a defender miss in the open field.  What really stood out from Custis was his willingness to use his 6-foot-5-inch frame to block on the outside for running backs.

Syracuse linebackers

The high scoring affair underscored a largely disappointing night defensively for both teams.  But a few Orange linebackers did stand out.  Senior inside linebacker Ryan Guthrie (6’2, 224) flashed sideline-to-sideline speed and finished with four tackles, one of which was for a loss.  The sideline-to-sideline speed did get Guthrie in trouble when he ran himself out of a play that resulted in a Western Michigan 64-yard rushing touchdown.  Senior outside linebacker Kielan Whitner (6’0, 215) showed a willingness to play with discipline.  In the first quarter, on a run play to the opposite side of the field, Whitner stayed even with the right tackle in order to maintain his gap control in the event of a cut back and then chased down Western Michigan’s running back from behind for a tackle for loss.  The former strong safety finished with six tackles, an interception and a pass deflection.

Syracuse offensive production

Senior quarterback Eric Dungey (6’4, 226) is the commander of the offense and sort of a Swiss Army knife, when it comes to his ability to run and pass.  Dungey ran for 200 yards (13.3 yards per carry) and passed for 184 yards while accounting for three total touchdowns. The senior will have to work on his accuracy, as he completed just seven of his 17 pass attempts and routinely missed receivers in stride.  Head coach Dino Babers did a great job of mixing up the team’s play calls and formations.  Look for Syracuse to continue to run a heavy dose of read option, shotgun and traditional multiple tight end and fullback sets going forward.  In total, the offense scored 55 points and racked up 560 yards.

7 D’Wayne Eskridge (5’9, 190) Western Michigan WR- Junior

Eskridge, a former state champion 100-meter and 200-meter state champion at Bluffton HS (Ind.), went over the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career versus the Orange.

Eskridge plays an aggressive game at wide receiver. The junior wide receiver makes all of his routes look the same because of his explosiveness off the line.  In the first quarter, Eskridge attacked the backpedaling cornerback before stopping on a dime for a 15-yard gain. Eskridge is skilled at using minimal steps to get in and out of his breaks.  He finished with eight catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The wide receiver could improve his route running a bit.  In the first half near the goal line, Eskridge rounded his slant route and allowed Syracuse junior cornerback Scoop Bradshaw (6’0, 176) to come underneath him, deflect and nearly intercept a pass.

 

NCAA FB, In-game reports, 2017, 2017, Articles

DRAFTNASTY’s In-Game Report: Western Carolina vs. Wofford, 10-7-17

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DraftNasty traveled to Spartanburg, South Carolina for a SoCon showdown between the Western Carolina Catamounts and the Wofford Terriers.

Western Carolina

 21 RB Detrez Newsome (5’10, 210, Sr.)

Uses timely patience as an asset in WCU RPO zone scheme. Uses the slow to, fast through approach. Shows good vision and understands when he has the two-way go when he has lead blockers on the perimeter. Displays a controlled spin move and has confidence spinning to either side. Would like to see him get behind his pads more, as well as hit the gas pedal to stretch the defense more on zone stretch plays.

96 OLB Tahjai Watt (6’5, 220, Sr.)

Watt did a good job of extending the option attack of the Wofford Terriers due to his length. There were times after forcing the pitch; he displayed how much ground he could cover laterally to help out on the run. He was also effective defending the pass both as a drop and pressure player. His lack of weight is cause for concern.

1 WR Steffon Hill (6’0, 195, Sr.)

More quick than fast. Used in a variety of the Catamounts RPO game (hitches, swings, option). Lined up primary on the outside, but shows the quickness and niche for creating short separation fit for a slot receiver.

8 CB Tra Hardy (5’11, 185, Sr.)

Physical at the LOS. Forced Wofford’s receiver to take the longer path, due to his discipline of keeping his shoulders square and shuffling his feet versus the wide receivers release. He needs to improve on transitioning out of his break more fluidly. He does return kickoffs.

Wofford

21 LB Colton Clemons (6’0, 245, Sr.)

Clemons is a downhill thumper. What you have to like about him, is his consistency with downhill movement and scraping to fill the C and D gaps. He will finish on plays and drop his hips to drive through tackles. A great example of this came when he scooped Detrez Newsome on a screen play in open field. Recorded an interception in the 1st half.

90 DT Miles Brown (6’1, 320, Jr.)

The show starts in the middle with Miles Brown. He has an impressive get-off, which allows him to shoot the gap and create penetration in the backfield. His powerful lower half and stubby build allows him to quickly eat the up the cushion of interior lineman. Throughout the game he lined up as a shade, 2i, 3, and 4i. He made plays at each of the techniques he played. His short arms does bring a cause of concern.

24 CB Devin Watson (5’11, 195, Jr.)

Read and diagnosis routes quickly. Will drive on the out breaking route in ‘read’ coverage. Understands when to carry the No. 1 receiver in ‘read’ coverage after the No. 2 receiver climbs vertical. Will attack blockers and establish a presence versus screens. Lateral movement is questionable in space.