Making The Grade
Frogs struggle in conference win over Tulane

Quarterback: A
Tye Gunn was impressive in his first game back, completing 19 of 29 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown. Gunn’s 65 percent completion percentage should have been higher if it weren’t for many dropped passes. As for the knee, it was tested on the ground early and often against the Green Wave. Gunn appeared to be comfortable in the pocket, and he wasn’t afraid to test the knee. He rushed nine times for 45 yards and one touchdown. Leading the team to 38 points, Gunn proved he is healthy and can be one of the nation’s best double threats.

Running Backs: B-
If it weren’t for two consecutive fumbles by Lonta Hobbs and Ricky Madison in the fourth quarter, the running game would have had a great first week. Those two fumbles, however, allowed Tulane back in the game and also shifted the momentum to the Green Wave’s side. As expected, Hobbs and Madison shared the Frogs running duties, combining to run for 155 yards. Hobbs had 24 carries for 63 yards and three touchdowns. Madison, who caught an 80 yard touchdown reception, rushed 22 times for 115 yards. Both backs put up solid numbers against Tulane but will need to do a better job of taking care of the ball if they both want to get their share of reps.

Wide Receivers: C-
After a less than stellar performance Monday night, the wide receiver position continues to be the team’s biggest question mark. The youthful and inexperienced core had trouble against the Green Wave’s secondary. While the receivers encountered little difficulty finding gaps in the Tulane secondary, they did have trouble catching the ball. Cody McCarty and Reggie Harrell each had four receptions for 57 and 56 yards, respectively. Despite some struggles, the wide receivers failed to grow frustrated and were all able to focus on their run-blocking assignments. Harrell had a terrific block during the team’s final drive, allowing Madison to reach the first down marker. The Frogs will need to get a better performance out of their wide receivers Saturday against Navy if they hope to improve to 2-0 on the season. Look for someone from this group to step up and become the leader at the position Saturday.

Special Teams: C
The Frogs didn’t have their most impressive showing on special teams Monday. Nick Browne was perfect on all his attempts, hitting a 41 yard field goal and all five of his PATs. Despite Browne being perfect on the night, a fake field goal attempt in the first quarter was unsuccessful. John Braziel adequately handled the punting duties, averaging 39 yards on four punts. The special teams biggest downfall came in the second quarter when Fred Smith ran a 100 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Smith, who is only the second player to ever have a 100 yard kickoff return in the Superdome, was returning his first career kickoff. The Frogs special teams unit came through in the clutch when Harrell recovered Tulane’s onside kick attempt with under a minute to play.

Defensive Line: B+
The front four showed why they were touted as the strength of the team during the preseason. They helped to hold star running back Mewelde Moore to 42 yards on 19 carries and pounded quaterback J.P. Losman almost every play. Bo Schobel and the rest of the line proved to be a headache for Losman by constantly forcing him out of the pocket. After a slow start, the line pressured Losman on almost every play, forcing him to make quick reads and never allowing him to get comfortable in the pocket. Although Losman responded well and still had a good game, the Frogs will need to be quicker when facing formidable quarterbacks like Losman this season. The line hit Losman constantly but will need to improve on its three sacks.

Linebackers: B+
Josh Goolsby performed well in his first start, finishing with five tackles, one sack and an interception. Martin Patterson also added five tackles in the game. The linebackers were able to match the speed and power of running back Mewelde Moore and did not allow the star back to break any long runs. They were sufficient against the pass but showed it is definitely their weak point.

Secondary: C
Through the first three quarters, the Frogs secondary held Losman in check but fell apart in the fourth quarter. Despite being pressured and making quick throws, Losman was still able to shred the Frogs defense with accurate passing, finishing with over 300 yards passing. Marvin Godbolt was all over the field, pressuring Losman and dropping back into coverage, and he had a key interception late in the game. Although the secondary was the victim of some questionable pass-interference calls, the Frogs must do a better job against the pass. The secondary looked slower and less aggressive in the fourth quarter, allowing for Tulane’s furious comeback.

Overall: B-
If the game was only three quarters long, the Frogs would have scored an A, but the fourth quarter meltdown is something that needs to be addressed, considering it has happened in each of the last two season openers. Through most of the game, the Frogs offense controlled the ball well, and the defense shutdown Tulane. The goal line stand on Tulane’s opening drive was a defiant statement by the defense, but the collapse in the fourth quarter is what people will remember and what needs to be prevented. The Frogs showed they have the potential to be the team critics say they can but also showed that they have much work to do. Consider the Tulane game to be a gut check for the Frogs; they must decide how good a team they want to be.

Report card compiled by Braden Howell and Brent Yarina.