What We Learned This Weekend

About the 2008 Team...

• That we need to solidify who is the #2 quarterback behind Rudy Carpenter. Sullivan had the second worst backup QB performance on the day next to Cal's Nate Longshore (who's approval rating at Berkeley is about 2 points lower than Dick Cheney's). Look for Samson and Stangel to get some major playing time when we're up on Nevada-Las Vegas by 35 at the half.
• We said in our Deadspin Preview that Kerry Taylor would have a breakout season, and now you know why.
  
• Our Defensive Line can hold their own. The return of Saia Falahola was a big boost last night, and Dexter Davis and David Smith are in midseason form.
  
• We've got members of the secondary (Max Tabach, Rodney Cox) who can actually make open field tackles. Haven't seen that in a while.
• We've given up run blocking for pass blocking. Nance averaged 2.7 per carry last night, making most of his gains outside of the tackles.
• Our linebackers as a unit don't get enough love. With the additions of Brandon Magee and Shelley Lyons, the LB's now have the depth to headline our defense this season and beyond.
  
• We have the pieces in place physically to be dominant. It's just preventing our own mental mistakes that will be the difference between 11-1 and 7-5.

(Photo Credit: Darryl Webb, East Valley Tribune)