The PFF player grades get adjusted throughout the week, so I'll start out with snap counts and other stats then update it as the week goes on:
Frank Covey IV: First snaps for the freshman! Covey was identified as a possible impact player in his first season before being sidelined with injury the first 11 games. Looks like he'll be in the slot/speedster type role that has been Ray Niro III's in the past, and maybe take on a bigger role there if Henning moves up the depth chart.
"Y'all have to get somebody else! He ain't the one no more!" That's what WR Cam Johnson said after making his fifth straight catch on Illinois DB Zachary Tobe. He finished with five catches on five targets for 96 yards with Tobe across from him. Illinois made a switch soon after that play.
Ben Bryant, dual-threat quarterback: Bryant had four carries for 29 yards rushing, removing sacks from the total. He got tripped up behind the line once on a scramble, but otherwise every time he kept the ball on a read-option or scramble he picked up a first down (3) or a touchdown (1). I wouldn't hold my breath for his 40 time, but he's still done a ton of work to be more mobile in, around and outside the pocket.
The four horseman: Gallagher, Mueller, Heard and Turner: The first three played all 71 snaps, Turner played 70. Next highest was Hollis with 61. Take your pick of platitudes, those four guys meet the mark. Not their best game defensively and some tackling struggles reemerged, but they're the rock of this defense and the four players Braun trusts the most (with Azema out).
Old reliable: After giving the keys to the young guns over the last few games, senior players like Sean McLaughlin and Richie Hagarty joined staple starter Jaylen Pate with the most DE snaps. There's also been a bit of a shuffle at DT as Bastone and Spencer started together and Story moved into the second wave with Reggie Pearson, then Brendan Flakes as the utility fifth.
One-hit wonder: Anto Saka is a pass-rush specialist to say the least. He had nine snaps but still got a key sack to end an Illinois drive. With older guys like McLaughlin and Hagarty it's understandable why he's in a smaller role, but I really look forward to seeing what he can do in a larger, 25-35 snap serving next year alongside Kilbane.
Kenny Soares back in action: While Coco Azema unfortunately couldn't go, Kenny Soares returned from missing the Purdue game with his usual workload of 27 snaps. Great to have him back in the mix as the staff didn't have full faith in Metz to step directly into that role
Frank Covey IV: First snaps for the freshman! Covey was identified as a possible impact player in his first season before being sidelined with injury the first 11 games. Looks like he'll be in the slot/speedster type role that has been Ray Niro III's in the past, and maybe take on a bigger role there if Henning moves up the depth chart.
"Y'all have to get somebody else! He ain't the one no more!" That's what WR Cam Johnson said after making his fifth straight catch on Illinois DB Zachary Tobe. He finished with five catches on five targets for 96 yards with Tobe across from him. Illinois made a switch soon after that play.
Ben Bryant, dual-threat quarterback: Bryant had four carries for 29 yards rushing, removing sacks from the total. He got tripped up behind the line once on a scramble, but otherwise every time he kept the ball on a read-option or scramble he picked up a first down (3) or a touchdown (1). I wouldn't hold my breath for his 40 time, but he's still done a ton of work to be more mobile in, around and outside the pocket.
The four horseman: Gallagher, Mueller, Heard and Turner: The first three played all 71 snaps, Turner played 70. Next highest was Hollis with 61. Take your pick of platitudes, those four guys meet the mark. Not their best game defensively and some tackling struggles reemerged, but they're the rock of this defense and the four players Braun trusts the most (with Azema out).
Old reliable: After giving the keys to the young guns over the last few games, senior players like Sean McLaughlin and Richie Hagarty joined staple starter Jaylen Pate with the most DE snaps. There's also been a bit of a shuffle at DT as Bastone and Spencer started together and Story moved into the second wave with Reggie Pearson, then Brendan Flakes as the utility fifth.
One-hit wonder: Anto Saka is a pass-rush specialist to say the least. He had nine snaps but still got a key sack to end an Illinois drive. With older guys like McLaughlin and Hagarty it's understandable why he's in a smaller role, but I really look forward to seeing what he can do in a larger, 25-35 snap serving next year alongside Kilbane.
Kenny Soares back in action: While Coco Azema unfortunately couldn't go, Kenny Soares returned from missing the Purdue game with his usual workload of 27 snaps. Great to have him back in the mix as the staff didn't have full faith in Metz to step directly into that role
