Game 1 Report Card

NU looked good, considering the opponent and stage of the season. Still some concerns, but if the Cornhuskers can improve each week from what they showed last night things will be OK:

Zac Lee: B+.......Showed considerably more arm strength than the previous two NU quarterbacks, making deep throws over the middle and to the sideline that the others couldn't have dreamed of. He put those throws on a line, which will be hugely important against better teams with more speed. Only true negative, considering it was his first start, was the lack of touch on a couple balls that he threw behind receivers causing drops.

Cody Green: B.....Had a great run to show off his speed, turning the corner when two defenders had the angle to the sideline. Truly impressive. Looked good throwing for the most part, missed a couple he shouldn't have. Still PYB's opinion that he'll be the real deal. Will be interesting since Lee has two seasons remaining....

Roy Helu: A.....PYB has always had a soft spot for Helu, and last night's great performance makes you sick thinking about how many carries he lost to inferior backs the two seasons prior.

Rex Burkhead: B....Looks really good for a true freshman, in total control and some flashes of the brilliance we've heard of. A bit small to get many reps in power situations.

Offensive Line: B+.....Took the game over in the second quarter, true judgment will be reserved until 9/19.

Currenski Gilleylen: A-......NU fans finally got a glimpse of the speed we've heard about, and provided the deep threat that the team must have to compete in the B12. Hopefully not a one-game abberation.

Menelik Holt: B+.....Great move on his TD catch, showing maybe he can add more to his possession-receiver mantra. Should be a solid contributor regardless.

Niles Paul: D.....Two catches for 13 yards--right at his career ypc average. Was not open once down the field. A couple unremarkable kick returns. This guy just does not have it. Time for Dennard to take over the kick return duties.

Chris Brooks, Sr.: B+.....Would have obviously been an A+ for this PYB favorite, but for some reason he has removed "Sr." from his jersey. If he put a picture of his pimped ride on the shoulder next game, it will be an automatic A.

Defensive Line: B-.....Ndamukong Suh made some great plays as expected, with a TFL and seven tackles. The most impressive was running down a screen pass from eight yards behind. Not much else out of the ordinary from his linemates. PYB expects improvement, and it will be needed.

Linebackers: C+.....Will Compton looked great in the first half, flying all over the field and making several impressive plays. Blake Lawrence was awful, getting pinned away from the play on multiple occasions and blowing pass coverage on a circle route by the FAU RB and giving up a long gain. Sean Fisher had some nice plays. Did Phillip Dillard even play? True freshman Eric Martin will need to see more time to add more playmaking to this group.

Secondary: B.....Overall, nice play by the CBs. Prince Amukamara looked a bit hesitant early, but had a late interception. Anthony West looked much improved. The unit didn't give up much considering....236 yards on 41 attempts. The safety play was interesting: Larry Asante looked the same, missing some tackles, making some, being out of position on a few and dropping a sure interception that could have had a shot to get back for a TD. Matt O'Hanlon looked very good, but the kicker will be if he can reproduce those results against faster teams. Rickey Thenarse got a lot of PT, making a couple nice tackles on special teams and causing a fumble with a vicious hit late in the game. Will he focus his mind enough to play during times that matter?

Alex Henery: B-.....Made all his PATs, no FGs, only averaged 37.0 on his two punts. That must improve.

Incomplete: Marcus Mendoza, LaTravis Washington