Title Game - OL Grades and Thoughts on Offense
Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2025 1:47 pm
OL Grades (Overall/Pass Grade/Run Grade):
#1 - JT Reed (A-/A/A-) - 24 Snaps
#2 - Marcus Wehr (A-/A+/B) - 61 Snaps
#3 - Cole Sain (A-/A-/B+) - 61 Snaps
#4 - Conner Moore (B+/B/A-) - 61 Snaps
#5 - Titan Fleischmann (B+/B/B+) - 61 Snaps
#6 - Burke Mastel (B/B/B-) - 37 Snaps
JT maximized his opportunities and, in my opinion, should have been the starter for the entire second half of the season. I'm fine with a rotation if the competition is a wash but every game I've graded, JT has outplayed Burke. Burke is not a bad football player. He's a big, strong kid with a bright future but this moment was too big for him at times on Monday and it was the complete opposite for JT. I'm very happy Mr. Reed is coming back.
Marcus damn near had a perfect game in pass pro. He just doesn't get pushed back that often as his base technique and hand placement are so sound. This is why scouts love him at center in the NFL. As for the ground game, he would tell you that wasn't his best day. But you have to understand Marcus is asked to make plays in the run game in our zone scheme. Those reach blocks aren't easy but Marcus can get to his spot more often than not. Kody Huisman #50 and Eli Mostaert #53 are really good football players and it was a battle all night but Marcus won much more than he lost. However, those two got our interior on three critical plays in the run game that dinged their overall grades. I'll miss watching Marcus block for the Bobcats. It's been a pleasure to watch him on tape.
Cole scrapped all night and never had a bad snap. There were a few double teams that needed to be executed better but he played one of his best pass pro games of the year which has been his achilles heal. Cole plays until the echo of the whistle and you need that mentality going up against NDSU. I'll say this too, Cole really isn't a zone scheme fit. He's better suited in a gap scheme but he got better in zone throughout the year and it showed in this game in spots.
Conner had an incredible game for run blocking. Loshiaka Roques #56 is a great pass rusher but Conner ate his lunch on the ground all day. However, Loshiaka worked Conner too many times in pass pro for my liking and it led to pressure in critical spots. For example, the last snap of Conner's Bobcat career he gave up quick pressure to Roques which would've led to a game-ending sack if not for Tommy making an incredible throw to Taco to keep us in the game. Nearly all of the pressure happened in the 2nd half. Conner has always struggled with speed rush and opponents know that. It just has never really came up much because we haven't passed the ball a whole heck of a lot. Conner's anchor and and ability to dominate in the run game is why he likely will be playing guard at the FBS level. Like Marcus, it has been a pleasure to watch Conner play offensive line but we needed a better overall game out of him in this one and that didn't happen.
Titan had a decent game, especially in the run game. One thing about Titan is he battles and brings some much needed energy to the unit since Marcus and Conner are so stoic. When he gets beat, he gets right back to it and competes hard on the next play. #93 and #92 lined up opposite of him most of the game and the speed rush got him too many times but his length is such an asset. If Titan continues to develop his lower body and improve his anchor, he's going to be a damn good tackle the next two years. He, JT, and Burke are going to be anchoring this line next year and I'm excited to see the results.
Burke actually had one of the better games in terms of strictly moving bodies. He's so naturally strong and he's got a great initial punch. Where Burke struggles mightily is with his lower body strength and technique. He just isn't developed enough yet in the lower half. You can see when he loses his balance a lot while engaged in run blocking or pass pro. The feet will stop moving, he starts to lean, and at that point he's beat. However, despite his overall performance, he still graded out better than I expected because most of the blocks were still executed based on the play call. I don't agree with him playing over JT but this year has been huge for Burke's development. Coach Johnson and Vigen are arguably the hardest on him whenever the team comes off the field because they believe in his potential and know he's going to be a big part of the future performance of the offensive line.
So why did our backs struggle to get going if the line graded out decently in the run game? Biggest issue was NDSU wanted us to run inside into the teeth of their defense which is their strength. NDSU always had an extra one or two defenders sneaking into the box or shading the run when lined up on a receiver. And that leads me to my final assessment, our receivers, Rohan, tight ends, and our overall offensive gameplan did not get the job done in the run game along with our backs needed to break tackles. Also, almost no designed runs for Tommy on the edge other than him running the normal zone read game which he later scored a touchdown on. Our offensive staff wanted to run on these guys but if the gameplan was to run on the interior vs. taking advantage of our speed and their poor tackling on the edge, that is a failure by our coaching staff in the run game coordination. Obviously they made the proper adjustments and got rolling in the 2nd half but it looked like we were afraid to throw downfield in the 1st half and I have no idea why. Tommy has proven so much this year in the pass game and it just eats at me as a fan we didn't get to see what might have been. I guess that's sports and fandom.
Finally, a drive-by-drive analysis of what I saw that impacted the game on offense:
Drive #1 - 2nd & 4 on their 45 yard line. We have a decent drive going and we decide to take our first shot of the game. Tommy had the right matchup but the connection with Ryan was a few steps off and King couldn't get back to the ball despite the play being open. Next play we run an inside TE screen to Rohan which he luckily drops. Don't really blame the line on this one but this was a designed screen that started with Taco in the backfield. We PA'd off of it and Tommy had to get to Rohan immediately despite Taco having the edge if we dumped off the other way to the left. Marcus even pulled to the left to buy Tommy time and/or confuse the defense from flowing to the screen side. DE that was released did good job of forcing Tommy to throw fast as he didn't read Marcus at all and the rest of their D completely sold to Rohan. If that one DE doesn't rush up field, Tommy may have pulled and found Taco with room. Anyway, Rohan drops it and we're likely stopped short even if he catches. Interesting play call but Rohan has been good in these situations all year. We punt.
Drive #2 (or as I like to call...the longest drive that scored 3 points known to man) - We pick up a first down and its quarter break and I noticed Vigen getting into the huddle and trying to fire up the offense. Vigen hasn't been afraid to be vocal all year and will insert himself if he thinks something is off but very alarming that our offense was still in a weird mental funk 1 quarter in. Sure, they were down 14-0 but this has been a confident group all year so the moment was getting to them a little. Once we crossed the 50, Humphrey and Jones each had some nice 6-8 yard runs but each did not include a broken tackle. If any of those are broken, its likely 6...that reared its head a lot with our backs in this game. Finally, we get to the last downs and its starts with a 6 yard checkdown to Rohan who maybe could've gotten ate but he didn't cut back up field. Next play, #92 makes a great backside play to stop Scottre from behind on this 2nd & 4 play. Scottre hesitated just a second before hitting the hole and I would've liked to see him break this tackle. If he does, its a walk-in 6. 3rd down play is designed QB power up the gut. Scottre gets pushed back a little and it leads Tommy to make the wrong cutback. If he goes off of Scottre's right hip, it’s a touchdown. On the left side, Moore and Mastel get beat and their guys make the tackle for a stop. A game of inches and opportunities. We kick a FG to get points but here is when I would've gone for it. A nearly 13 minute drive...only 3 points.
Drive #3 - 2nd play Jones tries to go outside and I would've liked Adam to make #36 stop his backside pursuit. Again, down and distance as this was on 2nd & 4 and it turned into a 2 yard loss. However, next play Tommy scrambles for an easy first down...and the infamous trash can tip happens. 2nd down, Titan gives up a pressure here but Tommy steps up into the teeth of the rush (who were getting blocked just fine) instead of kicking out to the wide side of the field to take on #4 one on one. He dumps off to Jones who wasn't even looking. Yuck set of downs so far. 3rd and long with 1:17 to go and the next play is wild. Moore gets beat and gives up a would-be sack but Mellott gets out of it and keeps playing despite several OL/DL ending their play. Mellott gets a gain of 4 and its 4th & 5. We should punt…right? Line picks up initial blitz but Titan gives up some late pressure on the edge. But Tommy drifts back nearly 7 steps and no one is dragging across the middle. Incomplete to Taco on a low percentage throw. Arguably Tyler Walker's worst playcall of the season. In a huge spot, we went to a play that took advantage of nearly none of our best players. Felt we would get beat by 30 after this play.
Drive #4 (first of 2nd half) - 4th play and its 2nd & 9, Scottre gets tripped up on a shoe string tackle which he absolutely should've broken. 3rd and 9 and we need a play. Huge throw and catch by Tommy and Taco for a 20+ yard gain. Dowler took a shot and was wobbly getting up but we're moving now. Three plays later, this was arguably a touchdown by Ryan King but at least should've been spotted on the half yard line. Official marked him down at the one. Have no idea what the official saw but his butt lands on the goalline. Wasted roughly 2 minutes off the clock. We get stuffed on 1st and goal and then have an awful passing sequence on 2nd down but a PI brings it back to 1st and goal on the 1. Next play Rohan drops one of the easier throws of his season. Will we ever score? Humphrey finally breaks a tackle and it’s a big one. We get our first TD. A 7 minute drive...but 2 minutes come off the clock since Ryan King was marked short.
Drive #5 - After a huge stop by the defense, wide open Lonergan. This is the 2024 offense we are used to seeing. Tons of eye-candy, defenders are lost in the RPO, TEs wide open, and we are in business. Rohan doesn't drop the next one and the crowd was insane at this point. I've now gone from thinking we are going to lose by 30 to winning by 10+.
Drive #6 - After a clutch Cam Miller/Bryce Lance drive, Tommy & Co. keep humming. However, 1st play is a huge hole and Humphrey gets easily wrapped up by a secondary player. At this point, its incredibly concerning our All-American can't break a tackle in THAT spot. Doesn't end up mattering as four plays later, Tommy unleashes the legs for 6. At this point, I thought if we got one more stop we were going to take the lead. Tommy was playing out of his mind. I still felt we were going to be the champs in this spot.
Drive #7 - Tough start to the drive as Marcus misses a run block and we get stuffed. Next play, if Jones reads Lonergan's block, it’s a 1st down and one on one with a safety for pay dirt. Tough play to make for a back but in this tight games, it just matters. He instead follows inside and gets a marginal gain. 3rd and 4 coming up. We do an option roll out to the left (not to the wide side). Rohan is wide open but Tommy double clutches and throws it low and late. Rohan makes the catch he easily backs into the 1st down. Don't hate the playcall as much after seeing it live. Rohan was there and the 1st down was attainable. Instead we punt. A game of inches and opportunities.
Drive #8 - After another NDSU clutch drive, we are in desperation mode. Tommy does all he can to keep us alive. We make it down to 4th and manageable. Moore gives up quick pressure but Tommy floats a perfect slot fade to Taco and we stay alive.
Final Plays - Andrew Powdrell literally had the ball come right to him and its like it went through him like a ghost. Unreal. A perfect onside kick. Just as perfect as the UC Davis one. We actually had a great punt block but four of our guys ran into the wedge and NONE of them put their hands in the air to have a shot at a block. Rohan and Neil Daily needed to at least get a hand up. Poor execution. A game of inches...and opportunities.
Our season is over. I'll get to the defense later. Love the way the offense came out and competed in the 2nd half but I don't understand the process or the gameplan for the 1st half. Hopefully lessons are learned...I guess.
#1 - JT Reed (A-/A/A-) - 24 Snaps
#2 - Marcus Wehr (A-/A+/B) - 61 Snaps
#3 - Cole Sain (A-/A-/B+) - 61 Snaps
#4 - Conner Moore (B+/B/A-) - 61 Snaps
#5 - Titan Fleischmann (B+/B/B+) - 61 Snaps
#6 - Burke Mastel (B/B/B-) - 37 Snaps
JT maximized his opportunities and, in my opinion, should have been the starter for the entire second half of the season. I'm fine with a rotation if the competition is a wash but every game I've graded, JT has outplayed Burke. Burke is not a bad football player. He's a big, strong kid with a bright future but this moment was too big for him at times on Monday and it was the complete opposite for JT. I'm very happy Mr. Reed is coming back.
Marcus damn near had a perfect game in pass pro. He just doesn't get pushed back that often as his base technique and hand placement are so sound. This is why scouts love him at center in the NFL. As for the ground game, he would tell you that wasn't his best day. But you have to understand Marcus is asked to make plays in the run game in our zone scheme. Those reach blocks aren't easy but Marcus can get to his spot more often than not. Kody Huisman #50 and Eli Mostaert #53 are really good football players and it was a battle all night but Marcus won much more than he lost. However, those two got our interior on three critical plays in the run game that dinged their overall grades. I'll miss watching Marcus block for the Bobcats. It's been a pleasure to watch him on tape.
Cole scrapped all night and never had a bad snap. There were a few double teams that needed to be executed better but he played one of his best pass pro games of the year which has been his achilles heal. Cole plays until the echo of the whistle and you need that mentality going up against NDSU. I'll say this too, Cole really isn't a zone scheme fit. He's better suited in a gap scheme but he got better in zone throughout the year and it showed in this game in spots.
Conner had an incredible game for run blocking. Loshiaka Roques #56 is a great pass rusher but Conner ate his lunch on the ground all day. However, Loshiaka worked Conner too many times in pass pro for my liking and it led to pressure in critical spots. For example, the last snap of Conner's Bobcat career he gave up quick pressure to Roques which would've led to a game-ending sack if not for Tommy making an incredible throw to Taco to keep us in the game. Nearly all of the pressure happened in the 2nd half. Conner has always struggled with speed rush and opponents know that. It just has never really came up much because we haven't passed the ball a whole heck of a lot. Conner's anchor and and ability to dominate in the run game is why he likely will be playing guard at the FBS level. Like Marcus, it has been a pleasure to watch Conner play offensive line but we needed a better overall game out of him in this one and that didn't happen.
Titan had a decent game, especially in the run game. One thing about Titan is he battles and brings some much needed energy to the unit since Marcus and Conner are so stoic. When he gets beat, he gets right back to it and competes hard on the next play. #93 and #92 lined up opposite of him most of the game and the speed rush got him too many times but his length is such an asset. If Titan continues to develop his lower body and improve his anchor, he's going to be a damn good tackle the next two years. He, JT, and Burke are going to be anchoring this line next year and I'm excited to see the results.
Burke actually had one of the better games in terms of strictly moving bodies. He's so naturally strong and he's got a great initial punch. Where Burke struggles mightily is with his lower body strength and technique. He just isn't developed enough yet in the lower half. You can see when he loses his balance a lot while engaged in run blocking or pass pro. The feet will stop moving, he starts to lean, and at that point he's beat. However, despite his overall performance, he still graded out better than I expected because most of the blocks were still executed based on the play call. I don't agree with him playing over JT but this year has been huge for Burke's development. Coach Johnson and Vigen are arguably the hardest on him whenever the team comes off the field because they believe in his potential and know he's going to be a big part of the future performance of the offensive line.
So why did our backs struggle to get going if the line graded out decently in the run game? Biggest issue was NDSU wanted us to run inside into the teeth of their defense which is their strength. NDSU always had an extra one or two defenders sneaking into the box or shading the run when lined up on a receiver. And that leads me to my final assessment, our receivers, Rohan, tight ends, and our overall offensive gameplan did not get the job done in the run game along with our backs needed to break tackles. Also, almost no designed runs for Tommy on the edge other than him running the normal zone read game which he later scored a touchdown on. Our offensive staff wanted to run on these guys but if the gameplan was to run on the interior vs. taking advantage of our speed and their poor tackling on the edge, that is a failure by our coaching staff in the run game coordination. Obviously they made the proper adjustments and got rolling in the 2nd half but it looked like we were afraid to throw downfield in the 1st half and I have no idea why. Tommy has proven so much this year in the pass game and it just eats at me as a fan we didn't get to see what might have been. I guess that's sports and fandom.
Finally, a drive-by-drive analysis of what I saw that impacted the game on offense:
Drive #1 - 2nd & 4 on their 45 yard line. We have a decent drive going and we decide to take our first shot of the game. Tommy had the right matchup but the connection with Ryan was a few steps off and King couldn't get back to the ball despite the play being open. Next play we run an inside TE screen to Rohan which he luckily drops. Don't really blame the line on this one but this was a designed screen that started with Taco in the backfield. We PA'd off of it and Tommy had to get to Rohan immediately despite Taco having the edge if we dumped off the other way to the left. Marcus even pulled to the left to buy Tommy time and/or confuse the defense from flowing to the screen side. DE that was released did good job of forcing Tommy to throw fast as he didn't read Marcus at all and the rest of their D completely sold to Rohan. If that one DE doesn't rush up field, Tommy may have pulled and found Taco with room. Anyway, Rohan drops it and we're likely stopped short even if he catches. Interesting play call but Rohan has been good in these situations all year. We punt.
Drive #2 (or as I like to call...the longest drive that scored 3 points known to man) - We pick up a first down and its quarter break and I noticed Vigen getting into the huddle and trying to fire up the offense. Vigen hasn't been afraid to be vocal all year and will insert himself if he thinks something is off but very alarming that our offense was still in a weird mental funk 1 quarter in. Sure, they were down 14-0 but this has been a confident group all year so the moment was getting to them a little. Once we crossed the 50, Humphrey and Jones each had some nice 6-8 yard runs but each did not include a broken tackle. If any of those are broken, its likely 6...that reared its head a lot with our backs in this game. Finally, we get to the last downs and its starts with a 6 yard checkdown to Rohan who maybe could've gotten ate but he didn't cut back up field. Next play, #92 makes a great backside play to stop Scottre from behind on this 2nd & 4 play. Scottre hesitated just a second before hitting the hole and I would've liked to see him break this tackle. If he does, its a walk-in 6. 3rd down play is designed QB power up the gut. Scottre gets pushed back a little and it leads Tommy to make the wrong cutback. If he goes off of Scottre's right hip, it’s a touchdown. On the left side, Moore and Mastel get beat and their guys make the tackle for a stop. A game of inches and opportunities. We kick a FG to get points but here is when I would've gone for it. A nearly 13 minute drive...only 3 points.
Drive #3 - 2nd play Jones tries to go outside and I would've liked Adam to make #36 stop his backside pursuit. Again, down and distance as this was on 2nd & 4 and it turned into a 2 yard loss. However, next play Tommy scrambles for an easy first down...and the infamous trash can tip happens. 2nd down, Titan gives up a pressure here but Tommy steps up into the teeth of the rush (who were getting blocked just fine) instead of kicking out to the wide side of the field to take on #4 one on one. He dumps off to Jones who wasn't even looking. Yuck set of downs so far. 3rd and long with 1:17 to go and the next play is wild. Moore gets beat and gives up a would-be sack but Mellott gets out of it and keeps playing despite several OL/DL ending their play. Mellott gets a gain of 4 and its 4th & 5. We should punt…right? Line picks up initial blitz but Titan gives up some late pressure on the edge. But Tommy drifts back nearly 7 steps and no one is dragging across the middle. Incomplete to Taco on a low percentage throw. Arguably Tyler Walker's worst playcall of the season. In a huge spot, we went to a play that took advantage of nearly none of our best players. Felt we would get beat by 30 after this play.
Drive #4 (first of 2nd half) - 4th play and its 2nd & 9, Scottre gets tripped up on a shoe string tackle which he absolutely should've broken. 3rd and 9 and we need a play. Huge throw and catch by Tommy and Taco for a 20+ yard gain. Dowler took a shot and was wobbly getting up but we're moving now. Three plays later, this was arguably a touchdown by Ryan King but at least should've been spotted on the half yard line. Official marked him down at the one. Have no idea what the official saw but his butt lands on the goalline. Wasted roughly 2 minutes off the clock. We get stuffed on 1st and goal and then have an awful passing sequence on 2nd down but a PI brings it back to 1st and goal on the 1. Next play Rohan drops one of the easier throws of his season. Will we ever score? Humphrey finally breaks a tackle and it’s a big one. We get our first TD. A 7 minute drive...but 2 minutes come off the clock since Ryan King was marked short.
Drive #5 - After a huge stop by the defense, wide open Lonergan. This is the 2024 offense we are used to seeing. Tons of eye-candy, defenders are lost in the RPO, TEs wide open, and we are in business. Rohan doesn't drop the next one and the crowd was insane at this point. I've now gone from thinking we are going to lose by 30 to winning by 10+.
Drive #6 - After a clutch Cam Miller/Bryce Lance drive, Tommy & Co. keep humming. However, 1st play is a huge hole and Humphrey gets easily wrapped up by a secondary player. At this point, its incredibly concerning our All-American can't break a tackle in THAT spot. Doesn't end up mattering as four plays later, Tommy unleashes the legs for 6. At this point, I thought if we got one more stop we were going to take the lead. Tommy was playing out of his mind. I still felt we were going to be the champs in this spot.
Drive #7 - Tough start to the drive as Marcus misses a run block and we get stuffed. Next play, if Jones reads Lonergan's block, it’s a 1st down and one on one with a safety for pay dirt. Tough play to make for a back but in this tight games, it just matters. He instead follows inside and gets a marginal gain. 3rd and 4 coming up. We do an option roll out to the left (not to the wide side). Rohan is wide open but Tommy double clutches and throws it low and late. Rohan makes the catch he easily backs into the 1st down. Don't hate the playcall as much after seeing it live. Rohan was there and the 1st down was attainable. Instead we punt. A game of inches and opportunities.
Drive #8 - After another NDSU clutch drive, we are in desperation mode. Tommy does all he can to keep us alive. We make it down to 4th and manageable. Moore gives up quick pressure but Tommy floats a perfect slot fade to Taco and we stay alive.
Final Plays - Andrew Powdrell literally had the ball come right to him and its like it went through him like a ghost. Unreal. A perfect onside kick. Just as perfect as the UC Davis one. We actually had a great punt block but four of our guys ran into the wedge and NONE of them put their hands in the air to have a shot at a block. Rohan and Neil Daily needed to at least get a hand up. Poor execution. A game of inches...and opportunities.
Our season is over. I'll get to the defense later. Love the way the offense came out and competed in the 2nd half but I don't understand the process or the gameplan for the 1st half. Hopefully lessons are learned...I guess.
