Minus - Overall: Lost the turnover battle. SC did not blow out Idaho as expected. Team started well in the first and third quarters, then lost energy, interest, pace and urgency. SC played to the level of their opponent.

Plus – Offense: Kristofer O’Dowd. No fumbled snaps. No procedure penalties. Run blocking seems improved as compared to last year (then again, our OLine outweighed Idaho’s DLine). Jeff Byers is a mauler (and I love how he finishes plays 15-20 yards down the field!) CJ Gable looks like a different RB this year (last year, he ran more like Hershel Dennis/Justin Fargas – follow the zone block, find the hole, accelerate through the hole; this year, he is not only accelerating faster through the hole (and he seems to have higher top end speed), but he has added some wiggle and shakes and bakes to the repertoire – case in point, the spin move he put on the Idaho defender). Stafon Johnson. CJ and Stafon may not be Thunder and Lightning, but if both play as well as they did for the season, the tailback situation is in good hands (and feet). SC handed the ball off to a full back (what a novel idea!!! – and to start the year off with a first quarter run by a fullback sets up the rest of the season nicely…). Blocking by the fullbacks was solid all night, not too many missed assignments. SC used the TE the whole game. Vidal Hazelton’s catch.

Minus – Offense: No Patrick Turner. Three turnovers. John David Booty was inconsistent and so the passing game was inconsistent (could have been caused by Patrick Turner’s absence). Bad interception thrown by John David. John David looked more like Pac-10 season John David and less like Rose Bowl version. Fumble by Joe McKnight. Allen Bradford did not get to see the field with the first team offense which may have led to his sub par showing when he did get in there.

Plus – Defense: Watch Kevin Ellison, he is all over the field. Shareece Wright bringing the wood. SC has a nice little problem of who to play in the secondary. Keith Rivers (thank goodness, you came back for your senior year, Keith!!!). We recovered (we didn’t cause it though) our first defensive turnover.

Minus – Defense: Brian Cushing’s injury (even worse that Idaho was not penalized for an illegal chop block made famous by the Denver Broncos that caused the injury – we can only hope that Brian’s injury is not serious). No pressure on the QB even in obvious passing downs. Inconsistent run defense. (Credit to Idaho Offensive Coordinator Coach Axeman – moving the QB’s launch point, mixing shotgun and three step drops, and sprinkling draw plays, to relieve the pressure on his QB – let us not forget that Coach Axeman and for that matter Coach Akey are very familiar with SC’s offensive and defensive schemes and collectively they game planned well). No turnovers caused by the defense. No Josh Pinkard.

Plus – Special Teams: Buehler paid a big tribute to Mario Danelo by being Danelo consistent. Buehler connected with a mid-range field goal. SC blocked a field goal attempt. More than fifty percent of Buehler’s kickoffs were not returned. SC has a lot of speed on special teams. Desmond Reed looks quicker this year and looks to take the punt immediately upfield. Greg Woidneck kicking longer and with more hang-time compared to last year.

Minus – Special Teams: SC did not get Ronald Johnson a punt return opportunity (seemed like the right time to get him game experience ).